A few moments pass by as I put my clothes on, the door opens once again. Diego walks in, looking at his colleague who’s also putting on his clothes now.

“I want to talk to her, Cade if you don’t mind.”

Cade sniggers and leaves the room for us to be alone. Diego looks over his shoulder to see the door is carefully closed. He stands so close to me that I can smell his scent. His hand rises up to touch my heated cheek while his eyes survey my face.

“I’ll show you the back exit so no one else will see you’ve been down here. Okay?”

I give him a toothless smile, with my eyes downcast. I suddenly become shy in front of him. And he makes me think of my past crimes, which unexpectedly makes me feel guilty mow. For the first time.

What does this man do to me? And why? I really keep asking myself why.

“I hope you’ll never do this again,” he gently warns me.

Well, the truth is I can’t promise him that. I just look at him and give him the two lipsticks that I shoplifted. He takes them, our fingers brush each other. They still tingle even though he’s not touching me anymore.

Just when I think he’s going to step back, he embraces me suddenly by the waist and gives me a hot and mind-blowing kiss. I softly moan at that because it was so sweet… and something else I can’t name at the moment.

“Meet me at the diner nearby, tomorrow at seven sharp,” he whispers before he lets me go.

“My name’s Tori, by the way,” I say before I can stop myself.

He gives me a smile that makes my heart race. How could he do this? He reaches out to caress my cheek gently.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then, Tori.”

Well, it’s an opportunity to see him that I won’t dare let pass by.

So now, here I am sitting in the diner, which is not far away from the store. It’s before seven. I order hot chocolate as I wait for Diego.

I don’t know. This is just so exciting. From the university, I haven’t even dropped by my apartment to change. I came straight here. I’m afraid that I will be late if I did, and Diego might just think that I stood him up. I only retouch my makeup and lipstick, as well as refresh myself with a bit of perfume to not come too strong.

But then, how can I be so trusting? What if he’s not coming? I’m just perhaps making a fool out of myself. I don’t know Diego at all. What if beneath that serious exterior of his is a man who’s wicked? After all, he’s been wicked to me when he’s let me off from my crime instead of doing his duty as an LP at the store and he even just let Cade have sex with me without remorse or something. Although he’s been gentle with me afterward, there might be something going on. Who knows if this is the way he and Cade do things whenever they catch women shoplift? This might be their idea of having fun while they work at the store.

Fucking idiot!

I fuss with my book and knapsack. It’s way past seven—almost eight—and Diego hasn’t appeared, even his shadow.

Fuck! I mentally kick myself hard and brutally. I’m so stupid for trusting him and even anticipating he’ll come tonight. This is so mortifying for myself.

I down my hot chocolate, which is not hot anymore by the way. I mock myself for being a moron!

I put my book inside my bag and get up after I put some change on the table to pay for the cup of hot chocolate. I’ve decided to go home instead and beat myself up. I’m so disappointed and hurt right now. I’m not even sure why. Being stood up by someone I don’t even know shouldn’t hurt me. It’s just that it does even though I try to tell myself otherwise. I can’t just ignore this experience. Bad experience, at that.

Okay. The man just thinks this is funny. For all I know, he might just be lurking somewhere, watching me together with his fucking colleague Cade. Maybe they’re betting even just for fun.

Again, this is shitty! I’m really stupid for trusting Diego. For believing him without any question or doubt. How could I?

I am on my way out when I just freeze right in the middle of the sidewalk. I see Diego run toward me, as he checks his wristwatch to peek at the time. He then sees me and stops right in front of me, breathless.

He’s here! He’s arrived at last!