Chapter 5 Dense atmosphere

benfromnights · 2026-08-08T21:17:14.104902Z

the pacing here is killing me. like you're making us sit with every second of her noticing his presence

Time stood still in that moment. My mind went blank, unable to process what lay before my eyes. But this time, he wasn't the same man I had seen three days ago; his expression was darker, devoid of any recognizable human features, and he fixed me with a terrifying stare that rooted me to the spot, making it impossible to take even a single step back.

With my nerves on edge, I managed to stammer:

—Hello, good afternoon. We aren't serving customers anymore."

He replied in a deep voice that chilled me to the bone:

—Yes, I know.""Tell me, what do you need?"

—Is Esther around?"

—No.

—Hmm... could you make me three sandwiches?"

—I'm already closing up; I can't."

—What if I call Esther and have her tell you to do it?"

—Well, if you want..."

I watched him text Esther, and at that very moment, my phone rang. It was her. I answered, and she spoke hurriedly: "Make three sandwiches for Alex. Don't worry, I'll give you something extra for the overtime." She hung up before I could object. I looked at Alex, a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"What food do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice from trembling.

—Rice, fish, salad... and give me a strawberry juice and two melon juices, too."

—Okay, if you want, come back in 35 minutes; it'll be ready then."

—No. I want to watch you make it," he declared, giving me a look that made my skin crawl.

—Okay, if you want..."

I headed to the kitchen and immediately heard his firm footsteps right behind me. I put the rice on to cook and set the oil to heat while I prepared the salad. I could feel his gaze fixed on the back of my neck—heavy and intense. The atmosphere was so tense it was hard to breathe; I couldn't afford to get distracted, yet his mere presence made me incredibly nervous. I finished the salad and put the fish on to fry, turning down the heat under the rice so that everything would be hot at the same time.

As I reached for the fruit, Alex stepped in and handed it to me, his fingers barely brushing against mine. I set the fruit on the table and went to get the blender, which was at the back of a high shelf. Being short, I couldn't reach it. I stood on tiptoe, stretching as far as I could, when suddenly I felt his body press right up against mine from behind. His warmth enveloped me completely. He reached out—his arm grazing my side—and grabbed the blender. I turned slowly, finding myself mere millimeters from his chest. He handed the appliance to me, but instead of letting go, he took my hands in his. I felt an electric jolt; my body began to tremble more than usual, caught between fear and a strange attraction. He held my gaze for an eternity, then slowly stepped away.

—Do you want me to check on the fish?"

I heard him ask, his voice incredibly soft.

—Yes, please," I whispered, trying to catch my breath.

While he watched the stove, I hurried to blend the juices, my hands still shaking. When everything was ready, I began assembling the meals, packed each one into a small bag, and handed them to him. I told him the total; he paid in silence and finally left, leaving the place feeling strangely cold.

I went back to the kitchen to clean up, my heart still racing. I finished, turned off the lights, and texted Esther to let her know I’d closed up shop. I called a taxi to take me home; I didn't have the strength left to walk even a single step.

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