A Deal With The Devil

Astra's POV The blond man's voice cut through the vulgar clamor of his friends. ''Leave the girl alone,'' he demanded, his gaze piercing through them like a sword." My heart, which had been threatening to leap out of my chest, calmed. Not many men were brave enough to stand up for a woman in front of their friends, but this one had. I looked at the blonde, nodding my head towards him a little and a small smile I could muster. And though the men had been told off, their hungry gazes still trailed over me like hot knives. I felt their eyes rake across my skin, stripping me bare. I told myself there was no harm in a look. But in the back of my mind, a voice whispered, 'Is it really just a look?'" But they had rights right? Every night, the news brought stories of more women attacked, more predators lurking in the shadows. I knew this city well enough to know that every alleyway held danger, every street corner a threat. The fear of becoming just another statistic gripped my heart. If I stared at a man the way they were staring at me, I'd be called a w***e, a temptress. But when they did it, it was just men being men. How was it fair that I had to fear for my safety just because I had curves? I was disgusted and annoyed, but more than that, I was tired. Tired of being objectified, tired of being scared. They could eat me up with the lecherous gaze they had fixed on me and the world would not care, just like they didn't care about my mom. As long as they didn't go farther than their sight I'd be fine. No girl would be fine with men looking at her like they were going to gobble her up, I thought, oh the strong urge to stab their eyes. "What are you ordering?" I gulped down the lump stuck in my throat and felt it sink to my abyss; my stomach. They couldn't do anything to me, I thought. I had my pepper spray, my taser, my punch; still fierce. I tightened my grip on the pen, the sharp edge digging into my skin. Was I being too paranoid? They might just be rowdy, not violent. Or so I hoped. My mind flitted to my mother, the memory of her funeral searing like a hot iron. I tried to shove it away. Their eyes lingered on my curves like a sticky residue, making my skin crawl. I fought to keep my face neutral, refusing to give them the satisfaction of my discomfort. But inside, my stomach churned, threatening to revolt. "A medium rare steak for us all, and a bottle of your finest wine" The blonde smiled glancing at his friends as they nodded their heads in approval of his order, and that was the only time they let their eyes stray away from my body. My mouth stretched into a smile that barely grazed the corners of my lips, the muscles in my face pulling tight as if trying to mask the disgust coursing through me. Creases etched into my forehead like canyons, my nose wrinkling slightly, and I felt a chill run down my spine as I repeated the obligatory line: ''Your order is coming right up.'' I took a step far away from them, unbeknownst to me my palms were sweaty, my chest was constricting. I was used to being hurt but why did I still feel fear? Escape! But how could I? My feet went to a stop. A hand laid on my left ass cheek groping it while massaging it, bile raised to my throat. f**k! Breathe in, breath out. I just couldn't breath, hell I wanted to raise hell. Anger mixed with fear seemed to mix like a fine mixture in my veins, everywhere was suddenly hot, the whole huge restaurant had screeched to a halt. Just as the lighting of the restaurant was dim, so was every ounce of reasoning, the dark shades of blue were meant to be calm and relaxing, but quite contrary. If anger and fear where a thing then I was an embodiment. Fear aside, I wanted to ruin humanity and the man's hand on me. My breath had since turned shallow and deep, the hottness of my breath warmed my iced body. My body was iced cold but my insides were flaming. Save for how badly I needed the job, I knew I would have left. My Granny needed help and I needed to graduate from college. Despair gnawed at my insides, a cold hand gripping my heart. What if there was another way instead of all of the embarrassment that came with the job? But unfortunately this was the only job I could take as a part-time job alongside going to school. Vin et rosé was one of the biggest restaurants in Cali and in Loloys corners, and of cause the diners gave generous tips. The thought of walking away crossed my mind, but the bills and my Granny's care anchored me to this place. I wanted to make my Granny proud and finish college like she wanted me to but I wasn't even proud of myself and efforts, if only my father was supportive. Bitterness was welling while infuriating my already angered self more. My life was hell. For some reason I was not quick to turn back and the hand had become unruly. My fear had long since diminished, I was numb once again, just like I had been taught. I heard the woman at the door greet another in coming customer, probably another bunch of perverts, I rolled my eyes. Just about that moment, I turned sharply causing the hand on me to drop and my skirt to swirl. The blonde. The oh so righteous man had turned rogue. Maybe he had never been righteous. Maybe he was also just a predator. He looked at me, his smile smug, his gaze belittling. Never trust anyone but yourself, my mother's words echoing in my ear in that moment. I was not shocked, I had learnt the hard way to guard my most valuable treasure, my heart. If only I could gouge out his gleaming eyes, he would look good with an empty socket. I felt his touch still lingering on my butt, my skin was crawling, the urge to peel my skin was getting stronger with the persistent looks they gave me. They would look really pretty without eyes. I smiled. I had become someone's prey. "Your meal's on the way, I will get freshly squeezed orange juice for you all" My smile sitting perfectly on my face, maybe it was a font, or maybe it wasn't. I didn't know them to feel hurt, yes I had been violated but what could I do? I could do a lot, revenge is the best dish served cold. "Preferably cold" One of the men smiled looking at me, his gaze fixed solely on my chest swirling his tongue on his lips. "Astra, you have a lovely name" The blonde slurred my name giving me a wink while looking at my chest. They had messed with the wrong girl.