Mated to Twins

""Stefani! Come and clean this table out! What are you doing? Always disappearing when we are the busiest." "I'm coming Edward!" I shouted back. Yes, that is the story of my life. Day in and day out, well, most days. Edward is my boss. I work at the diners a few nights a week. He is very bossy only when he wants to be. Especially when important people come in for dinner. I've been working here for almost two years now. A father figure to me. Father walked out of my mother's life without a reason or excuse. He just disappeared without a trace when I was only a child. I was only six years old. He was tall and handsome with jet-black hair and acaramel complexion, with ocean blue eyes. He would tan a bit when he was out in the sun, which was a lot of the time. Lean tone muscles and a six pack for abdominal muscles. As far as I can remember, my mom and he were very much in love. Even though he came home tired from work, he'd give me horseback rides on the living room floor while my mom made dinner. Her eyes would twinkle every time she looked at us playing around and smile from ear to ear. I sometimes miss him and other times I'm mad at him. Soon I'll be eighteen and on my way to college, maybe. Working part-time jobs and going to school is not easy. I've been trying to convince Edward to give me more hours or more days of work. I live with mom, but ever since she lost dad, she has not been the same. "Edward, my shift is almost over. Is there anything else you would like me to do?" "No Stefani, I think that would be all." "Okay then, I'll be taking out the trash and heading home." "Do you need a ride home?' "No, I'm good, the night is nice for a nice walk home. I'll see you tomorrow." "Goodnight Stefani and be safe." "Goodnight Edward." The night air feels brisk and cool. I love nights like this. It is quiet and the sky is clear. You can see the stars. I just remembered I had to get home quickly. I have homework that is due tomorrow. I should have taken the ride offered by Edward. I started speed walking, but something is off. I sense someone is watching me. No, that's crazy. We live in a small town. Everyone knows everyone here. I pick up speed to hurry home. I feel steps behind me, I'm scared to even look back. "Who is there?" I turned around and no one was there. Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me. I pick up my steps by walking faster and I definitely hear steps speeding up when I do. I quickly turned around and again I saw no one. I started running home now, but if I go home, whoever is following might know where I live. Where can I go instead? I have no one here and my mom has been no help lately. So I just go around in a circle and go back to the diner. Dammit! It is closed already. I was hoping Edward could still be here. I have the keys so I just go inside and wait for a bit. I look at the time and it's almost midnight. I'll give it another ten minutes before I try to head home again. This time I took another way home. My heart is racing so fast, I feel it could pop out of my chest any minute. This time I keep my eyes and ears open for anything. Finally, I made it home safe with no one following me. I checked on my mother and she was passed out with a bottle of tequila next to her. That's her new life ever since she lost dad. I went ahead to my room and straight to the shower. I think I would rather have a bubble bath. I get my lavender and pour it into the tub with some nice hot steamy water. As that is going, I get my books ready for homework. I have that same feeling again, like I'm being watched and looked out the window and see nothing. I don't know, maybe it was all in my head and what I heard probably was just some animal running around. With that thought, I get in the bath and just relax in my lavender bubble bath. I get to bed and get to my studies and it's almost one in the morning and I have to be up by six. Ugh, my alarm is going off, already six oclock? I need more sleep. I feel like I haven't slept at all. Well, I might as well get up and get ready for today. Who can be calling me this early in the morning? "Hello?" "Hey Stefani! Good morning!" "Hello Hanna, why do you sound so excited so early in the morning?" Gasp,"Tell me your lying! You don't remember?" "Remember what, Hanna, its too early for me. Besides, I didn't sleep well." "Okay, then we will meet at our spot at the coffee shop." "I'll see you then." I finished getting ready to meet Hanna at the coffee shop. What is she talking about? What is so special about today? My phone pins. Oh, she is going to be so mad at me now. How can I forget what today is? Normally, I'm the one who gives her the first call every year since we were little girls. I have arrived at the coffee shop and she is here already waiting for me all glee. "Hi Hanna, I'm so sorry you know I never missed this day at all." "Its okay, you can make it up to me later." You don't look so great Stefani, is everything okay with you?" "Happy Birthday Hanna. I would definitely make it up to you after school." "You don't look so great, is everything okay?' "Yes, I just didn't sleep well. Was up late studying for this final that we have today." "Talking about finals, we have to hurry before we are late. I already ordered your coffee, here and something to eat. Let's go."