RUNNING FROM MY HUSBAND

THREE

“So, this is where you work?” The man said, “never would have expected it really. I never got your name though.”

“Neither did I.” I countered making it sound defensive.

He chuckled, “no reason to be defensive, I just wanted to know your name.”

“I don't tell my name. If that would be all, I'll leave now.” I turned around to leave when I heard the sound of a glass hit the table.

“I'll get another one of those.” The man said and I turned around to see a smirk plastered on his. Two can play that game I thought, I took the glass places it on my tray, “right away sir.” I said walking out of the booth. I heard them laughing after I left, drunk bastards.

I went back to the bar and ordered another drink for the man, Cate joined be a few seconds later. “Hey Cate which section are you working?” I asked hoping it wasn’t VIP.

“I'm down here with these lowlifes that don't really tip well but want to constantly grope me.” She said rolling her eyes.

“How about we change sections?” I suggested with a smirk.

“Why? Which section are you working?” She asked.

“VIP.” I said.

“Hell yeah girl I'm not about to refuse that idea.” She said her bored expression brightening up.

She told me her orders and who ordered them and I told him about my order and the booth number. And we went on with our work. It was a normal working day, dealing with drunk people and trying to initiate boundaries that they constantly don't respect. I wonder why I dealt with Oscar after all he did, it's like I dealt with perverts all night only to go home to my own private one. The night went on pretty smoothly or as smooth as working in a bar can get. Cate's shift ended an hour earlier than mine, more time to myself I thought as I got into the employees’ lounge, it was far from a lounge though. I put on my dress and jacket and left the bar, it was almost 2 am so the street was silent, all I could hear was the sound of my heels as I walked. I need to get my car back, I can't keep walking alone in these streets it's not safe.

I was walking when a pair of headlights blinded me. I shielded my face with my hand wondering who the asshole was. I kept walking while the headlights still shone, I was going to give this jerk a piece of my mind I thought. As I was nearing the car it drove off, I sighed. People like to be annoying at times I thought as I kept walking.

“Hey stranger.” I heard a man say as I turned the corner making me almost jump out of my skin. I looked up and it was the guy from the bar. “Sorry about the headlights, it was a way to guarantee it was really you.”

No, it’s not I thought. “You know just because you helped me get out of that date doesn't mean you have to show up everywhere I am.” I said as I walked past him, of course he followed me.

“I wouldn't be following you if you told me your name.” He said making me stop so suddenly he almost fell over me.

“You followed me just because I didn't tell you my name?” I asked surprised.

He looked at me and smirked, “what can I say, I'm a determined guy.”

“Love.” I said and kept walking.

“Love? What's that supposed to be?” He asked as he easily caught up with me.

“You wanted to know my name and I just told you. Now leave me alone!” I said as I kept walking, “and stop following me.”

He grabbed my hand to make me stop, “your name is Love? Really?” He asked clearly confused but I couldn't blame him it's a reaction I'm used to getting whenever I told someone my name most people think I’m lying. I nodded.

“Well I like it.” He said with a smile. His smile was so addictive that I found myself also smiling, “so I would like to ask you out on a date.” He more like stated more than asked.

I chuckled, “sure why not.” I said.

“Let me have your phone so I can put my number.” He said with his hand out. I didn't know if I was sure I wanted to give him my number but anyway what's the worst that could happen I thought as I gave him my phone.

“Since I don't want you to feel rushed I won't take yours, the decision is in your hands whether or not you'll want to go out with me.” He said as he smirked, handed me my phone, Quin McDaniel it read, when I looked back up he was already walking away and I was left there watching him walk away. He's quite interesting I thought with a smile as I watched him.

I turned around and bumped into Oscar, “you are a w***e indeed. Letting other men have you,” he said as he moved closer to me, “then maybe I can have you too you were mine after all.” He said as he moved closer to me grabbing my hand.

“Ouch!” I yelled, “let go. You're hurting me.” I said as I struggled to get him to let go of my hand.

“Why should I? So, you can go and open your legs for that bastard?” He asked and I could hear the anger in his voice. I guess he's high on cocaine or something, he gets like this and that's why I chased him out of my house. Before I could do anything, someone grabbed Oscar's hand, “I believe you're hurting the lady.” The man I've come to know as Quin said.

“This doesn't concern you so move along pal.” Oscar said without even looking at Quin. Quin chuckled then out of nowhere Oscar's hand wasn't on mine and he was almost hanging in air. “I'm sorry man.” Oscar said as he raised his hands trying to surrender.

“I believe you owe her an apology?” Quin said but all I could do was gawk at him, I wasn't all for the maiden in distress kind of thing but watching him right now he could play hero for me anytime I wouldn't complain.

“I'm sorry Love.” Oscar said looking at me, “can you put me down now please?” He begged.

Quin looked at me and I gave him a subtle nod, “I don't see why not. You did apology to her after all.” He said dropping him like a bag of potatoes, Oscar got up and scurried off like a dog.

“Maybe I should take you home. You don't live in such a safe neighborhood after all.” He offered.

“I don't see why not you did save me from my crazed ex.” I said as we walked.

“Why did you date such a guy?” He asked.

“He wasn't always so bad. Once upon a time he was the most amazing guy ever. Can't say that about him now.” I said chuckling softly.

“Mm hmm.” Was all he said.

I didn't live far from where the confrontation between Quin and Oscar happened so we were there within a few minutes. “So, this is me.” I said as we stopped at an apartment building.

He looked at the building, “you should really consider getting another place. One with a better neighborhood and apartments.” He said, “I could help you with that if you'd like.”

“No, you don’t have to help me.” I said, “I'm planning on moving out of this neighborhood anyway.”

“You should. Now that you're home safely I should be on my way back myself. Think about my offer about the date.” He said, “have a lovely night.”

“You too.” I said and he walked away as I entered into the building. I opened the door to my apartment, placed my bag on the sofa and went to prepare myself a warm bath in my congested one-bedroom apartment. I looked around, it didn't always look this good. When I found it, it was smelly and dirty, I should have taken that as a sign to run away but I was determined to have a place of my own. I bought supplies that would help me renovate it and got to work. By the time I got to moving in even the landlord couldn't believe what I had done with the place, he was stuck up so he couldn't even offer to reduce the rent for me even after all I had done but I wasn't complaining.

I poured myself a glass of cheap red wine and after tying my hair up in a messy bun I sank into the warm water as I felt it wash over my body and I could relax as I sipped my glass of wine with a book in hand. I was trying to read it but I could hardly concentrate on it my mind kept wondering back to Quin McDaniel and how macho he was helping me out when he didn't have to. I reached for my phone be looked at the phone number he gave me, “maybe I should text him. Wishing him goodnight or something.” I said to no one in particular.

“Or would it come off as if I'm over eager?” I asked myself, “but he did say to text him if I wanted to go out so I'll just say hi and good night so he could get my number. That's not so bad.”

“But he's barely even at home yet. He just left here.” I said, I sighed sinking myself deeper into the bathtub. What am I doing talking to myself like a crazy person I thought. I got back up gasping for air, I'll ask Casey tomorrow she'll know what to do. That's after I beat her up for setting me up with that guy I thought getting angry at the thought of it.