Bounty Hunter

Zinnia

Going to work the following day was a hassle. Not only was I extremely tired as I barely got a wink of sleep last night due to the stalker dropping a little present inside my room, but I was paranoid the hell out of my mind, wondering if I might run into my stalker. Wondering if every face I passed by on my way to work could be that of my stalker.

Could he be a frequent customer at the club? Have I tended to him before? Would I tend to him today? All those questions had me wrapped up in my little brain, so much so that I hadn’t realised I had reached the Brookside club until I bumped into a rock-hard chest at the entryway, almost knocking me off my feet.

Big and cold hands caught me before my butt reached the ground.

“Are you alright?” a voice as cold as Greenland resonated in my ears. It sounded so familiar that it had me jerking my head upwards.

“It’s you,” I murmured, looking into violet eyes. The man, still dressed in all black, furrowed his brows.

I realised my statement might be confusing to him, so I quickly shrugged his hold off me and regained my balance. “I mean, the guy who tipped with the credit card. Thank you, by the way” I corrected, and a sly smile appeared on his lips, but right when I was beginning to reel into it, his face was back to expressionless.

In what little luminescence there was, I was able to look past the cap covering his face and I could see a long scar slit across his left eye.

“Your eye…”

“Don’t you have to go in?” he interrupted me and stepped aside for me to walk in. Without uttering another word, I pushed the double doors and walked into the club.

Cardi B’s UP roared through the sound system that was inclined to the wall. The smell of cigarettes and sweat was ever so present and as I walked through the crowded dance floor aiming for the bar, I tried to avoid bumping into gross-sweaty bodies.

Alex greeted me just as I rounded the counter. I greeted her back without a smile on my face and immediately got to work.

Throughout the night, I feel eyes boring a hole into the back of my head. Every step I took, I felt it. Paranoid shot through my body as I began to wonder if that stare was from my stalker.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I had just taken a break from working when Alex approached me with a worried expression.

“Hey. You okay?” she placed her tray on the counter and sat on the high bar chair.

I shrugged. “Not in my element tonight.” I knew my reply came out cold, but that was the least of my concern. Thankfully, she didn’t press further.

“The guy at the corner of the room asked to see you, I’m guessing he’s the one who tipped massively.” Brown eyes stared at me intensely, earning no response from me.

I fished through my wallet for his credit card and left the counter. Once I got to his table, I slammed the card on this table, murmured a thank you and scurried back to the counter. Again, I am aware of how bitchy that looked, and I was taking out my frustrations on innocent people, but it couldn’t be helped.

“You sure you’re okay? I can cover up for you if you want to leave.” Alex spoke after a while of studying me.

Leave and go back to an empty apartment, that was an invitation for my stalker.

“No, I’m alright,” A long moment of silence passed by between me and Alex, within which she shot worried stares in my direction.

“Hey, did you hear? The bodies of those two perverted assholes were found yesterday morning just around the trash at the back door.”

I gauged my eyes out as the realisation sank in. “The two beard men?” I asked, just to be sure.

“Yep. Apparently, they owed some thugs a lot of money. I guess it was time to pay their dues” she spoke with a shrug.

“On the bright side, two less perverted humans roaming the streets. I mean there’s still more out there, but it’s a start” she added.

I remained indifferent to Alex’s statement. While I hate the thought of a human taking away the life of another, I had to admit they’d done a good deed. This club might just be a little safer for Alex.

Not for me. I had a stalker, who might just be as perverted as those two creeps.

Closing time quickly came and I was dreading going home. I’d almost pleaded with Alex to drive me home, but I knew that would warrant so many questions from her end.

“See you on Sunday.” I stood outside the club, waiting for my Uber when I felt Alex’s gentle touch on my shoulder as she bid me farewell.

Ah! Saturdays are her off days. I might just call in sick tomorrow.

When I nodded in reply, she paused, a worried look on her face. “Are you sure you’re okay, Zinnia? You’ve been quiet all night and it’s so unlike you.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry. Just some dream that has me all worked up, but I promise I’m fine.” I replied. I must not have sounded convincing because Alex took out a piece of paper from her bag with her number written on it and handed it to me.

“Call me if you want to talk. It doesn’t matter the time. Just call me.” I hesitated but took the paper.

Now that I stood alone in the dark, with nothing but street lights providing safety, I began to regret not asking Alex for a lift, especially as my Uber was running late.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

It’s him. I just know it’s him.

I sucked in a deep breath as I pulled my phone from my pocket, UNKNOWN written in bold. I tapped on the notification and opened the chat.

‘Why the long face, my little flower? Did you not like my gift?’

I frown at his message. I contemplated between replying and after a long mental debate, I powered my phone.

It vibrated and lit up again.

‘The streets are safe, my little flower. I have eyes on you’

Raw and utter freight spread through my body. My head jerked upwards in hopes to see if anyone was staring at me. It was futile, but I felt his gaze on me.

My phone vibrated again. ‘There’s a little gift waiting for you at home. You can’t see me, but just know, I’m watching you closely’

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