Electra sat in the sunlight. She'd chosen her usual spot on the windowsill, overlooking the street, with a cup of steaming tea and some of her favorite cookies. Chocolate chips had always been her favorite. It was more of a comfort of sorts. Electra reached for a cookie, her thoughts drifting off again. That had always been her problem. 'You're too much of a dreamer, Electra.' Her father had seethed too many times. More than she liked, yet she couldn't deny he hadn't made a fair point. She'd rather curl up on the couch with a book than go out in public and feed that social anxiety. The only reason she had failed to make friends.

Electra sipped her herbal tea and allowed her taste buds to analyze the flavors. A new tea she'd found in the grocery store last night. She always did her groceries when the sky turned dark and not many were out. However, running into a creepy man or group was always possible. That's what it was like living in Braedon, a small town she was sure wasn't even on the map. Tugged away somewhere in Northern Kentucky, That town even existed was a miracle. She hadn't always lived her. Her father came here shortly after her mother died fourteen years ago. She didn't remember much of her time in Los Angeles or her mother for that matter. All Electra knew was that her mother was an actress that never made it to the big screens. It was a shame really. She had played very well in the few movies she had been casted for. Along with her beauty. Long golden hair, bright blue eyes, fair skin and slim figure, Electra was almost a replica.

     Almost. Electra's eyes were gold, and her ears pointed. Much like that of a fae. She'd often concealed it with her long hair. Though, no one looked up anymore or cared for that matter. Everyone in this damned town minded their own business. If not, most of them earned a bullet straight through their skull. Maybe Electra's anxiety had spiked after seeing the first murder in the grocery store's parking lot. Two men fighting over... she couldn't even recall what they were fighting over. It could've been a parking spot, or perhaps one had given a vulgar gesture. All she did remember was the screaming before the sound of a gunshot followed. Then absolute silence. No chirping of birds, no screaming, and even the wind had seemed to stop blowing. The men were lying on the floor in a puddle of blood and brains.

Electra pushed the thoughts from her mind. She didn't allow herself to fall back into the habits of overthinking and sulking. Electra took another sip. She had to show up at work in a small restaurant in half an hour. Tasty Treats. She tried to avoid contact with other people as much as possible. The kitchen was the perfect workspace. It wasn't large. Just enough for two people, she was usually left alone to deal with dinner service, tugged away from curious eyes and stares. It was the one thing she was good at. Cooking. Creating. Mixing her ideas into something physical. People had never complained about her food, so she was sure people liked it.

She finished off drinking her tea and set herself in motion. If she was going to change her clothing now, she'd be late. She took her empty cup and cookies towards the kitchen. The apartment on the second floor was just big enough for two people. The building and interior were vastly outdated. The living room was a quaint space with worn-out linoleum flooring that had lost its shine over the years. The furniture consisted of a threadbare sofa with floral patterns, its once vibrant colors now muted and faded from years of use and exposure to sunlight. An old-fashioned coffee table stood in the center, its wooden surface marked with rings and scratches. But Electra dreaded the kitchen the most. It was separated from the living room by a half-wall adorned with outdated tiles, showcasing a range of appliances. The avocado green refrigerator constantly leaked water, damaging the floor even more. The handles of the cabinets showed signs of rust, emitting a faint scent of aged wood and decades-old use.

Electra had considered moving, but where to go? She certainly wasn't the type of girl to go on an adventure and didn't want to take the risk. She strode into the narrow hallway towards the two small bedrooms and single bathroom.

She braided her long golden hair and changed her outfit before leaving. The walk was only ten minutes. She first noticed the bright yellow car while approaching the Tasty Treats. She had to look twice before she realized the car was a Lamborghini. Once she had seen it on TV a few times, she saw it in real life. She took a minute to admire it. She wasn't the only one. Men and women had gathered on the sidewalk, some snapping photos. She couldn't blame them. It was a lifetime opportunity. Whoever drove this car had to be far from home.

A gentle chime announced her arrival, and a cozy ambiance immediately greeted her. Perhaps that's what she loved so much about this restaurant. The interior is tastefully designed with a blend of rustic and contemporary elements. Exposed brick walls adorned with local artwork and photographs captured the essence of the town's history. The lighting was soft, casting a warm glow that enveloped the space in a welcoming embrace.

The restaurant's focal point, however, was the well-worn wooden counter that doubled as a checkout and a display for a mouthwatering array of freshly baked goods. The aroma wafted through the air. The display case features an assortment of colorful pastries, cupcakes, and cookies, each a small work of art crafted with care and attention. Cassiopeia knew the restaurant owner quite well. Maria had always had her bakery. Now, she mixed pastries with other foods she allowed Electra to create.

She passed the intimate seating area. A mix of sturdy wooden tables and comfortable cushioned chairs. Each table was adorned with a simple vase of fresh flowers. Soft jazz or acoustic tunes played softly in the background. It was not her taste in music, but it was peaceful, and she liked peace. Electra hadn't failed to notice the man sitting in the corner, tugged away from prowling eyes. He wasn't from around. The man was too well-dressed for that, and If he wasn't the most beautiful man she had ever seen, then she didn't know who would. He was tall by the looks of it, with rich dark brown hair. The line of his jaw sharp and covered in tanned skin. The muscles in his arms and chest rippled as he shifted, leaning back casually. Not caring about the world. Every muscle in his powerful torso flexed in a way that made her swallow. But his eyes... His eyes were a shade of icy blue with gold-flecked onyx. The contrast was breathtaking, jaw-dropping even.

The man's features were so harsh they seemed carved into his face, but he was perfect in every sense regardless. He was hot. Scorching hot. It was the type of man that would get a girl into trouble. The man's eyes landed on her. Electra's heart thundered for all the wrong reasons, and she quickly made it into her save heaven, bracing her hands onto the cool countertop. Electra's cheeks were stained with a good red tint, but the anxiety spiked. She closed her eyes and inhaled a few times before preparing for dinner service. She had no time to dive deeper into her growing anxiety or that she felt curious about a stranger she should be avoiding. She shouldn't even be thinking about approaching him. Maybe she would've said hi if her anxiety wasn't an issue.

The evening was quiet, and she could easily handle the dinner service while creating some dishes she had been thinking about. "Electra?" She perched her head up, gazing at the door. Julia was one of the three waitresses here. Julia, in particular, had worked here since the opening of Tasty Treats. People loved her, and it was hard not to like her. However, Cassiopeia often wondered if her kindness was genuine. Maybe people just wanted to look at her, with her long, curly brown hair cascading down her back, big brown eyes, and golden skin. Her accent hinted she had a Spanish background, but Electra had never bothered to ask her. She'd probably get an answer that would take at least an hour, if not longer.

"There's someone who would like to talk to you. The man is sitting at table four." Her brows furrowed a little, and there was a hint of jealousy Julia was too slow to hide. Electra inclined her head and quickly washed her hands before walking out of her save heaven. The man she'd admired before was sitting at table four. She hadn't noted that little detail when she first walked in and spotted him. She slowly approached and clasped her hands together to stop them from shaking. The man marked her every move. He was young, probably around his mid-twenties. "You wanted to see me, sir?" his lips quirked at one corner. It's pure male arrogance. He even smelled good. Some sweet and fresh at the same time. "You are the cook here, right?" His hand made a small gesture to the empty plate before him. At least it meant he wouldn't complain if he ate all of it. "Y-yeah..."

"I don't like giving compliments, but you deserve one." His voice was like steel, and his eyes showed no kindness. Yet, Electra sensed the sincerity in his voice. It was confusing. "Thank you." He rose from his chair, and she had to look up and up. She barely reached his collarbone. He had to be five inches over six feet tall, and his frame was muscle. She quickly coaxed a step back, smiling nervously. "I am glad you liked it, sir." she wanted to hide. He slightly angled his head in an unearthly way. It was now Electra noted that a large knife was sheathed at his thigh. It was gorgeous. The hilt was fashioned like a coiled snake, its body winding around the grip with exquisite attention to detail. The snake's head formed the knife's pommel, its eyes crafted from glimmering gemstones that caught the light. The serpent's scales are intricately carved, giving the hilt a lifelike texture. They ripple and flow along the length of the hilt, creating a tactile experience that is both captivating and eerie. Each scale was adorned with delicate engravings depicting ancient symbols and patterns that seemed to tell a story.

"What's your name?" His question caught her completely off guard. "Electra." He nodded slowly, considering. His eyes then shifted towards her pointed ears. "Interesting." Electra cleared her throat. "If you excuse me, I am the only one in the kitchen..." Another damned blush stained her cheeks, but if she didn't get out of here right now... His teeth flashed in a resemblance of a smile. "It's only fair I'll give you my name, right?" He clicked his tongue and stepped closer, towering over her.

"My name is Sunstreaker."