Amanda

"Are you sure? maybe I should find another place and stay with my parents until then..." I was not convinced of Angelica's explanation. I didn't want to be a burden, I didn't want to be that kind of friend.

"Shut it, Amanda, I know all about Troy. Maybe I should ask Ivan to find and finish him off already, he could have killed you that night! His money could only get him so far, I'm sure you're safer at my place anyway. Just stay here for a couple of weeks, months I don't care. Just let me help you out, I owe you a lot more and you know it..."

She kept on pushing me until I finally settled on a girls' night tomorrow. She was having her little friend over, the little kid from the coffee shop across her apartment. I know that she was close to her father, like the brother and sister kind, the way that she talks about them I could feel her love for them. I was guessing because she's an only child, he was like the brother that she never had.

I've met him once, we were there months back after our night out. I was still having a hangover while Angie was our designated driver, and was as chirp as a morning bird. I lowered down my baseball cap, as my head was pounding from the loud noises that echoed in my head. She was making me go back to her place for something that I couldn't even remember.

What I did remember was the sexy coffee owner that looked hot as hell, but then made snarky comments about my coffee order when he didn't think that I was listening. I hated him, right there and then. He should know that I take my coffee order seriously.

Angelica told me that she will let me take a look around her place, and said that I should just pack my stuff for a couple of days, just in case. I gave her my yes, just to get it over with.

I was tired already, today my father's lawyers interrogated me. My parents were in attendance, listening in to my explanation of the night of the fire. I was tired of repeating myself and reliving the incident. I just wanted to be left alone, and heal myself, get away from it all and just paint the day away.

But they were not letting me, I know they meant well, they wanted justice for me, they wanted him behind bars again. I just have to stay strong and do what they wanted me to and get it over with.

Gina was re-filling our refreshments when she looked at me and nodded. It was our secret language since I was a teen, back then I would get into trouble and my parents would lecture me. But each time before I went to bed, she would sneak in milk and fresh-baked cookies to make me feel better.

That night I slept with a tear trailing down my cheek. I just wanted to be happy, honestly, I was tired of my party life. I wanted to settle down, but always too afraid to take the next step since Troy.

I would have all the what if on the back of my head. Troy had certainly made me into the person that I am today. But I also blame myself for not being brave enough to start a new life after him.

"Hey, don't cry my child. Everything will be fine, your happiness will come. You have to believe in yourself, you're a beautiful and wonderful person..." Gina was by my bedside, caressing my hair lovingly, and talking to me while I listened.

I could feel my tears being wiped away from my cheeks over and over again until I was too tired to cry and finally fall asleep, while Gina was lulling me to sleep just like when I was a kid.

********

"I'm fine mom...I just need to be alone, I need to start on my paintings. I got my exhibition next month and I need to add more stuff to my collection..." I was lying expertly at her. While in reality I still didn't know what I want, I just needed to get out of there.

Yesterday was a very tough day for me, and the longer I stay there the more questions they would surely ask, I just need to get out for a while.

I've packed my clothes the other night and had decided to take my trustee painting kit, I would have the rest delivered should I decided to stay longer at Angie's.

I arrived at Angelica's apartment complex almost two hours later. I was really antsy along the way, I kept on looking into the rearview mirror. Making sure that I was not being followed, that Troy was not hot on my tail.

I was really tired as I get into the elevator, I could see that there were a father and daughter already inside. He looked familiar, but I was too tired to rack my brain and put a name to a face. So I just stared at nothing in front of me, while waiting until I get to Angelica's floor.

Seconds later a heard the little kid telling her dad that it was time to go. I looked at them as coincidently it was where I get out also. I could see that the father was looking at me, maybe he was waiting for me to get out first. I was being polite and then smile at them and got out of the elevator. My mind was busy elsewhere when I knock on Angie's door.

She greeted me with her pity hugs, but then greeted the two people behind me that were in the elevator before.

Angelica introduced us, and I eventually put a name to a face. The sexy yet annoying coffee place owner that judges my coffee order. That was his name, I finally remembered who this Dale was.

Though he looked tall and delicious, but I was still hating him for his comment about my coffee.

But he's hot, like seriously DILF hot...

My inner self was debating with my coffee self. I didn't e ven know who am I going to listen to, this two had been on my right and left shoulders since the first day I tasted coffee and decided that I need it in my life, like eternally.

They were like my yin and yang, my evil self against my good self, my dark and my light, and I love them both dearly and would not choose and pick a side.

Why am I even thinking about this?

I was trying to see my options with Angelica and have a girls' night, that obviously involved a little princess and her very hot daddy.

Damn...this can turn ugly very quickly...

Angelica was al ready looking at me smirking. She knows my looks, my wanting the sexy hot male in front of me look. Crap! 

I could see that the hot dad was also looking at me from time to time. I was suddenly self-conscious about what I was wearing, a worn-out hoodie, and no makeup. I was up against him with his white crisps shirt, he looked like he was ready for a date.

Of course, he would be, that was why he was dropping off daughter here. So he can have a good time with the ladies. I was still in my own world when I heard Angie was snapping her fingers in front of Dale's face.

"Earth to Dale...seriously Dale, we're good. You're freaking out my friend here...go on your date and have a great night. She will be just fine, and by she, I mean your little Rapunzel." Angelica said to Dale teasing him.

Her words were taking me back to reality, and then he was saying goodbye to Angie then giving his daughter a tight hug and kisses making her giggle in his embrace.

I was watching them when Angie nudged my elbow knowingly. She was grinning at me then she whispered to the little kid, and looked at me.

"Bye, daddy! Go find me a new mommy!" She laughed at the same time as Angelica, which made me grin as I was trying to hold my laughter.

It was evident that this was not his wanting, that he didn't actually want to go on this date. That made me sighed on the inside, as I was a bit upset that he might have a loved one already.

Woah...where did that come from? 

He's "The sexy yet annoying coffee place owner that judges my coffee order." 

Whatever lust I have should diminish... now! 

I was telling myself but was actually checking his ass while he walked out the door. Angie coughed intentionally as to get me back in the now.

"Erm...yeah, so where was I?"