TWISTED AFFECTION

Chapter 5 - Protect

s**t! My eyes widened.

He saw it. He actually saw it! He knows!

I wanna disappear!

What do I even say? Should I pretend it was an accident? No, that sounds worse. Maybe I should delete my account. Or throw my phone off the balcony.

I stared at his message, half dying inside.

He probably thinks I’m still into him. Which… I’m not. Right?

My mind went blank for a moment, staring at his message.

Maverick:

You done stalking me?

I wanted to scream. I typed fast before my brain could stop me.

Me:

What? No! I didn’t even mean to like that! My phone’s acting weird lately. Maybe it was hacked or something.

I bit my lip and stared at the message. It sounded stupid. Who would believe that excuse?

I quickly added another one.

Me:

Seriously, I wasn’t stalking you. It was just on my feed, and I accidentally tapped it. That’s all.

My heart pounded as I waited. Then his reply came almost right away.

Maverick:

So your hacked phone only liked my post? That’s new.

I wanted to disappear.

Me:

I swear it was an accident!

He replied again.

Maverick:

Cute. Should I call you so we can clear your “accident” story?

My eyes widened. Call me?

I didn’t reply. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, but I couldn’t type anything. Then my phone vibrated again. He was actually calling!

My stomach turned. I stared at the screen as his name flashed.

I froze. My thumb trembled above the screen, but I didn’t answer. I just watched it ring until it stopped.

A few seconds later, another message popped up.

Maverick:

Did your hacked phone stop you from answering too?

I tossed my phone onto the bed and buried my face in the pillow.

Why can’t I just vanish from the earth?!

I turned my phone face down and tried not to think about it. My cheeks still felt hot.

-----

A week had passed since that embarrassing moment and thank God, today I don't have a class so I went straight to the coffee shop where I work part-time.

Lacy, my coworker, greeted me as soon as I entered.

“Hey, Thaira. You’re back. Can you bring these drinks to table five?” Lacy said, sliding a tray toward me.

“Got it.” I smiled, taking the apron as I walked between tables.

The place wasn’t crowded yet, just a few students sitting by the window. I liked it this way. However, a few minutes later, a group of male students came in. They were quite loud, talking about basketball stuff.

Lacy took their orders, and I could sense that they were being a bit rowdy toward her. She looked at me, and I sighed.

“Assholes…” she whispered to me when she handed me their order. I entered it in the counter and gave it to Kryzel, who was in the kitchen.

“I’ll give them their order,” I smiled at her.

Carrying the tray, I walked toward their table. I placed down the drinks one by one when one of them leaned in, his eyes scanning me in a way that made my stomach twist.

“Thanks, sweetheart,” he said confidently.

His friends snickered on him. I almost rolled my eyes.

“Is there anything you would like to order, sir?”

“Hmm…” He looked at me again, smirking before biting his lip. Then, with disgusting boldness, he tapped my butt. “…Maybe your number?”

For a second, my body froze. My grip on the tray tightened as the heat of anger crawled up my neck, but I swallowed it down.

Customers are always right, Tathaira. Even when they’re the worst kind.

“That’s not available on our menu,” I said, forcing a polite smile.

His friends erupted in laughter.

“Boo!” they teased, and I could see the guy’s smile fell. He glared at me.

“You think that’s funny? Don’t embarrass me in front of my friends.”

Before I could move away, he grabbed my wrist, gripping it so tightly it hurt.

“Let go,” I said, trying to pull back.

“How much do you want?” he gritted.

The bell over the door chimed again, and I looked up. My eyes immediately landed on Maverick. He was looking straight at the guy’s grip on me.

I yanked my hand, but he gripped it tighter. Maverick moved closer to us.

“Let her go,” he commanded. When he didn’t, Maverick grabbed his wrist. “I said let her go.”

The man laughed mockingly. He looked from me to Maverick with an arrogant smirk.

“What’s going on here?” my manager’s came closer and looked straight at me. “Thaira?”

My face grew hot. I hated that everyone was looking. I wanted to explain, but before I could, the guy spoke first.

“This waitress of yours is so scandalous,” he said loudly. “She tempted me and asked for more tip.”

“What?!” My voice cracked, and I felt my hands shake.

“That’s not what happened,” Lacy commented too. She’s now near us.

“Yes, it’s true. My friends saw it too,” he added, glancing at the boys behind him.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My mind raced. He’s twisting it! He’s lying right to my face.

“You touched me!” I said sharply, my voice louder than I expected.

“What did you say?” Maverick’s tone changed. He stepped forward and grabbed the man’s collar.

“She’s lying!” the man snapped, trying to push him away. “Why would I do that? She’s not even my type. She’s ugly and looks like a whore.”

The words hit me like a slap.

Maverick’s fist landed on the guy’s face before I could react. The sound made me jump. People gasped immediately.

The guy staggered back, then swung at Maverick and hit his jaw. But Maverick hit him again and pushed him toward his friends.

“Stop it!” I shouted, rushing between them. I grabbed Maverick’s arm and pushed him back. “Maverick, please… please… stop.”

He looked at me, breathing hard. His jaw was tight, and his eyes still burned with anger.

“Leave,” he said coldly to the group.

The man wiped the blood from his lip and sneered. “Why would we leave? We’re customers here. If anyone should get out, it’s that useless waitress and her stupid boyfriend.”

My eyes widened. Boyfriend?

My manager stepped forward. “I’m sorry, sir, but you and your friends need to leave now,” she said firmly.

The guy turned to her, his voice rising. “What? Are you siding with them? I’ll make sure this place gets shut down! You’ll regret this.”

I clenched my fists. My heart was pounding so fast it hurt.

Maverick moved closer.

“Yes, I challenge you to do that,” he said flatly and then looked straight at my manager. “And make sure to check the CCTV footage later. We’ll report it to our lawyer.”

The group of guys looked at each other, their earlier confidence fading. When my manager nodded in agreement, they finally walked out.

I couldn’t help but look at Maverick. Why did he… command her? And he...protected me?

“Come with me, Tathaira,” Maverick said, grabbing my hand and walking out of the café.