The diner as usual, was bustling with the afternoon rush. It was around two but there wasn't a moment when this establishment wasn't occupied with food enthusiasts. It was just that good.

As soon as Desmond and I stepped inside, I was overcome with vivid images. Memories that threatened to leave me breathless. The black and white pin striped walls, the wall of clocks that seemed to increase each time I came, the kitchen that I'd wanted to work in since I was a kid. It was like a wave of different emotions, crashing down on me and threatening to drag me into the depths of an ocean that I battled each morning that I woke.

"Smells good," Desmond commented as we weaved through the tables and towards the front counter. I kept my head down and remained hopeful that I wouldn't bump into Lana.

We picked up a menu each and stood off to the side of other patrons who were ordering. I held the laminate booklet in front of me and tried to read the words but it was a blur. I couldn't focus. I just wanted to leave.

I was vaguely aware of Desmond commenting on the options. He was complaining about something but then I heard her unmistakeable voice. That rich deep hollering that I knew so well. And when I peered over the menu, the short plump beautiful woman was walking towards me with a look of awe and amazement.

"Ary," her gorgeous dark skin was covered in a sheen of perspire that she'd referred to as her natural glow and as usual, her thick black waves were pulled up on top of her head. "Lord girl! It's my Ary!"

Desmond glanced at me with furrowed brows as Lana pulled me into a bone crushing hug. My chin rested on her head and I held on tight. As much as I didn't want to bump into her, I loved this woman so damn much. She stepped back and held my hands as she gave me a once over.

"Sweetheart you are looking thin!" She shook her head. "But you looking beautiful as ever. Where have you been?! I haven't seen you since the wedding! How are you Des honey?"

"I'm great thanks Lana," Desmond smiled with that dazzling charm that he had perfected so well.

In the year that we spent dating, I had only brought Desmond to Tampa once and I hadn't taken him to Table 32. He had met Lana once when we married and of course, just weeks later, I learned who I had really exchanged vows with.

Even if I wanted to, Desmond didn't allow me to spend a lot of time out and about with friends. I'd become isolated and alone. Which in some ways was easier. I hated lying to people about how I was living. But it wasn't something that I wanted to share.

"You need to come and visit me more miss," Lana bopped me on the nose. "I tried to call a couple of times. You changed your number?"

"Oh. . . Yea—"

"We moved," Desmond wrapped his arm around my waist and gave me a painful pinch in the side. "Shifted house and Arian lost her cell. Jot down your number and she'll be sure to call you more. Right baby?"

I nodded with a tight smile and noticed how Lana's brows pinched for a fraction of a moment before she smiled. "That sounds good darling. I want more calls. You two order and it's on the house alright! I'll come and give you that number in a minute."

She shuffled off through the waiting customers and I felt a pang of longing for the one woman who had been like a mother to me after I lost my own. Desmond dropped his hold and snatched my hand before he started moving towards the exit.

"We're leaving."

"What? Why?"

"The food on that menu is shit and I have work to do at home," he snapped without turning around. I didn't dare to peek behind me as we left. It hurt to know that Lana missed me as much as I missed her. And I couldn't even get close to her because it would mean that she could discover things that I don't want to bring other people into.

It was just another friend that I had lost because of Desmond.

______

On Monday evening, I dressed in my white short sleeve and skirt for work. The bruises had faded enough and I was relieved because the weather was sweltering. It was four in the afternoon and Desmond hadn't returned home from work, so while my shift didn't begin until five, I left the apartment so that we didn't have to cross paths.

"Arian," Jules pushed the staff room doors open and wandered in as she untied her apron. "Girl, remember that hot shot that came in on Friday night. The one in the private dining room that I had to waitress so you could leave?"

How could I have forgotten. His green gaze had been in my dreams since that night. He was undoubtedly the most gorgeous man that I had even laid eyes on and I blushed as I thought about that prominent chiselled jaw and incredible complexion.

"Yeah, what about him?"

"He's come in for lunch and dinner all weekend," she gripped my hand and held her heart. "He is so hot. I think he might like me."

"Oh," I nodded with pinched brows. "I thought he celebrated his birthday on Friday because he was busy on the third, his actual birthday?"

Jules recoiled with puzzlement but quickly shook her head. "I dunno. But he either loves our food. Or he loves me. I'm not sure which one. I'm hoping it's the latter."

"Mhmm," I swung a leg over the bench seat between the lockers and stared at her. "And how does Jordan feel about this new whirlwind romance?"

She laughed and slapped me on the thigh. "You know that I'm kidding. A girl can dream though. He's like an actual sex bomb. Damn, I'd let him take me right on the kitchen grill."

"Enough," I waved her off with a laugh.

She ruffled my loose waves that I hadn't pulled into a pony tail and stood up, throwing her apron into the hamper in the corner of the room. "Alright, I'm off. Be careful, Michael is on a war path. The lunch shift didn't go well."

"He's still here?" I slumped my shoulders. Michael didn't work nights on Monday.

"Mhmm. Joanne couldn't work tonight so he had to fill in."

I attempted not to groan and accepted the fate of the evening. Michael wasn't pleasant on the best of nights. If he was in a worse than usual mood then it was going to be a long night.

Throughout the night, I was sure to work hard. I kept out of Michaels path as often as I could and although I tried not to, I couldn't help but search for Aiden in the hopes that he would be dining tonight. I didn't see him though. Which was for the best. The last thing that I needed was to be crushing and obsessing over a gorgeous man.

At nine thirty, the small tip jar that sits on our reception desk, was full and needed to be deposited in the office. I was about to leave for the night but figured I would save Hailey a job considering the office was next to the staff room. I started weaving through the tables but caught my foot on a chair as someone pushed back in their seat. Dozens of coins scattered all over the floor and I felt my cheeks heating to the point of pain as I kneeled on the floor and started scooping them up.

There were only a few people left in the restaurant as closing time approached but it was enough to feel embarrassed. Suddenly, a pair of feet stood in front of me and I glanced up to find Michael staring down at me with disapproval. "Sorry," I mumbled.

He crouched down in front of me but didn't bother to help. "Question," he sneered with a quiet voice. "Can you do a fucking single thing right?"

"Michael, don't take your bad afternoon out on me please. I tripped. It's not a big deal."

"Mhmm and when someone takes the opportunity to scoop up all this money because of one fucking ditz mistake? Still not a big deal?"

"You could help," I murmured as I dropped a few dollars back into the cup. "It would get picked up and be safe faster."

"Well I wasn't the fucking idiot that dropped it in the first place. Was I. This cock up is on you. Sort your shi—"

"Stop speaking," a demanding masculine voice said behind me and Michael glanced over my shoulder, recognition seizing his features.

He stood up and I quickly finished picking up the coins before I stood as well. When I turned around, I was taken back because Aiden stood with a narrow glare. His button up shirt fitted tight around his frame but I was more focused on his harsh expression. "Do not, talk to a woman like that. Ever."

"Mr Emerson, if you—"

Aiden held up a hand and his chuckle was void of humour. "Don't."

Michael shut his trap and I stared between the two men with disbelief. It was obvious that Michael had some sort of fear and respect towards Aiden. I just couldn't understand why. Nevertheless, I was enraptured.

"I'll take that," Michael snatched the tip jar from time and turned around, disappearing without another word.

I turned to Aiden with a small smile and felt somewhat flustered under his piercing stare. He no longer looked angered or harsh. Instead his gaze was soft as he watched me with his hands in his pants pockets.

"Thank you," I said. "It's no big deal though. I'm used to it."

"You shouldn't be," he stated without hesitation. "You deserve better."

"I mean, how do you know that?" I questioned with a soft voice.

His lips curled up at the edge and he began to turn around, stealing that emerald gaze from me. "Goodnight Arian. I'll see you around."

I watched, bewildered as he sauntered out of the restaurant. His shoulders were staunch, his back taut and built.

There was a lot to think about as I was walked home that night. This man was a total stranger and I had never reacted to someone, the way that I reacted when he was around. I was overwhelmed with a definite attraction. But at the same time, I was confused, intrigued and . . . scared?

No, that wasn't the right word. I knew that I should have been scared. But all I wanted to do was find out more. Who was he? Why was he so feared? Why was he so respected? He clearly had a reputation. I decided that I should google him.

When I arrived at home, the apartment was quiet and Desmond was in bed. I snuck into the bathroom, had a quick shower and climbed into bed, doing what I could not to disturb him. But it didn't work. He rolled over and pulled me into his hold.

"Mmm hello gorgeous," his hands wandered down my front, dipping under my tank top and feeling me all over. I stilled and attempted not to gag. It had been a while since we'd had sex. I avoided it at all costs and I was sure that he got it elsewhere. But occasionally, I had to bare through it.

"Des," I tried to shuffle out of his hold, but he wouldn't let me go. "It's been a long night. I'm kind of tired."

"Well just relax and I'll make you feel good," he leaned up and trapped me beneath his frame. I barely had time to object again before he'd pushed my underwear to the side and plunged his fingers inside of me.

It hurt. There was no natural arousal and it didn't matter how long he touched me, I didn't become wet. I was just too repulsed to pretend. So I kept quiet and winced through the ache, hoping that the dark was enough to hide my facial expressions.

After a few short minutes, he pulled my underwear and shorts down, plunging himself inside of me. I wanted to whimper with the burn. But I kept quiet and when it became so sore that I needed to verbalise, I masked it with a moan. If he knew that I wasn't enjoying him, he'd become violent. And all I wanted was for it to be over so that I could sleep.

He gripped my thighs as he thrusted in an out. His fingers dug in deep and I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I bit down on my hand. It hurt where he held me. Between my legs was burning with pain and I felt violated, disgusting and I hated myself for letting him touch me in such an intimate way.

He grunted, his panting picked up and then he slowed as he finished inside of me. I was on the pill, not that he knew that. But it still made my skin crawl to have him cum in me. I wanted to shower immediately but he rolled over and pulled me into a spooning position.

"We should have a baby soon," he murmured. "Who knows, maybe that did it."

I took a deep breath and steadied my voice. "Mmm yeah." I said, knowing full well that I wouldn't be giving him a child any time soon. He'd talked about starting a family before but there was no chance that I would bring a child into this life. My pills were taped to the bottom of my side table drawer and so far, he hadn't found them. I had to hope that he never would.