A Smile So Sweet.

•~Chapter Four- Men~•

@MoonLightSaving

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"Come on... Why are you being this way?"

I shoved past Riko. Riko Ito was my ex—and unfortunately, also my co-worker. I quickly gathered my things, preparing to leave.

"You're overreacting," he insisted.

I scoffed. Overreacting? Was I overreacting to finding out he'd been sexting other female co-workers? I made my way toward the exit, hearing the rain pounding against the windows.

"Do whatever you want. I'm done."

I stepped outside, immediately feeling the downpour soak through my clothes. The rain was coming down hard, almost like it was trying to drown out the chaos in my mind.

"Let me take you home," Riko called, reaching out to me.

"I'd rather die," I snapped, stepping into the rain and away from him. He kept calling my name, but his voice grew fainter with each step I took.

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to keep warm. That stupid... asshole...

A flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed by a deafening boom. I shivered, glancing around. That's when I spotted a bar wedged between two buildings, its neon sign flashing OPEN.

I needed a drink.

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I walked into the bar, my shoes squelching on the worn wooden floor. The place was dimly lit, with a couple sitting close together in a booth, a bartender polishing glasses behind the counter, and an older woman chatting with a man at the far end. I shrugged off my wet jacket and draped it over the back of a bar stool as I slid into it.

"Vodka, please," I said, settling onto the stool.

"Dame."

I snapped my head toward the man who had spoken. Did he just...?

"Excuse me?" I shot back, my voice sharp with disbelief. The fucking audacity of men today.

The man's face flushed, and he began to stutter, fumbling over his words. I scoffed, turning my attention back to the bartender just as he set my drink in front of me. I took a long sip, the burn of the vodka a welcome distraction from the day's events.

But I could still feel his eyes on me. God, what now?

"Do you have a problem?" I snapped, slamming my glass down on the counter. I wasn't in the mood for this—not after everything with Riko. Then, the man blurted out the most ridiculous thing.

"You're sexy."

...

First a cheater, now a creep. Great. Just great.

I stood up, ready to leave, but as I did, I noticed that the rain outside had slowed to a drizzle. I hesitated, glancing back at the door. Should I call him? No... I can walk home... Fuck.

With a frustrated sigh, I turned back and sank back down onto the stool.

I cleared my throat, trying to get the man's attention.

"Can I use your phone?" I asked. My phone had died, and I wasn't about to risk walking home in this weather.

He nodded and handed me his phone. As I took it from him, our hands brushed. His face flushed, and his eyes... They were intense.