Chapter Three
Her throat was tight. She felt as though she could literally see, maybe even touch the tension in the air. They had been driving for ten minutes and counting, her vision ahead but her mind reeling with miscellaneous thoughts. She had so many questions for the silent man, for starters what in the hell was he doing out in the snow in nothing but a t shirt and jeans? The second more logical side of her was racking her brain for ways a man could survive such a hit without a bruise or scratch. It was like he was some superhe-
'"Are you a superhero?" the words fell from her mouth before her mind could register what an absurd thing she had just asked.
"A what?" his deep voice was laced in confusion.
"Ya know, a superhero like Superman, Batman, Black Widow?"
"Why would you think that?" He asked her, his tone sounding generally intrigued.
"Well," she took a pause, "I'm trying to find a logical explanation for how you are functioning properly after being hit head on by a truck."
She watched Roman warily from the corner of her eye, he was stiff, it looked almost painful if you'd asked her. He was silent, his brows sewn together tightly as he stared forward. He didn't answer in fact he didn't speak again until she pulled up to his house.
"I'm sorry for the dent," his voice was deep and slow as he turned to face her, "You can bring it around here Friday and I'll fix it if you'd like?"
Mia studied the man, in all honesty she'd never really gotten a good look at him before, the first time-in the coffee shop- it was a quick meeting involving her fumbling with the coffee machine and him slamming some money on the table before rushing out. He was quite handsome in an unconventional way. He was rough and worn, with tired eyes and scars coating what visible parts of his body she could see.
"I-I'd like that. Thank you, Roman." she spoke softly, "I'm really really sorry for hitting you. I hope you can forgive me." she chuckled.
Roman didn't reply, he observed her for a few seconds before he got out of her car and made his way up the long driveway. Mia observed his home. It was extremely large and well hidden away from the road, covered in vines and shrubbery. It was seemingly beautiful, so kept, and so unlike what she imagined. The home was made of stone with large windows and a gorgeous landscape.
She jumped at the sound of someone knocking on her window, her heart pounded as she was grabbed from her thoughts. Mia glanced up at her window to see Roman, with a soft look on his face, she rolled down her window.
"What is your name?"
"It's Amelia but you can call me Mia."
Roman didn't speak again, only gave her a slight nod before turning back around and making his way towards his front door. Mia took a deep breath before starting her car up and pulling away.
&
"Someone doesn't look too happy," Ben joked as Mia and Xiao entered the empty diner.
It was around seven thirty in the evening and the two girls had just finished their shifts at the Grill. Mia didn't respond but Xiao rolled her eyes removing her jacket and hanging it up on the coat rack, Mia following after. The two took their usual spots on the maroon bar stools, both relieved a sigh,
"Well, nothing seems to be going right." Mia began, turning around in her stool slowly, "First, my mother won't stop calling me to plan a visit. I'm almost convinced its harassment. And second, these early shifts at the Grill are tiring me out, who knew so many people drank coffee? And last, I hit Roman last night with my truck and have to get it fixed." she rambled on absentmindedly.
"What did you just say?" Ben asked, sitting up straighter.
"What that I hit Roman? Yeah it was a misunderstanding, no problem. He told me he'd fix it if I brought the car around his place. I'm thinking of going tomorrow since I've got the day off."
"Mia! Are you delusional? I thought we already had this conversation the other day. Stay away from him!"
"Tom-" Xiao interjected only to be stopped.
"No! He's psychotic, he's killed people Mia."
"Well, it hasn't been proven yet-" Xiao mumbled, yet interrupted again.
"Shut up Xiao!" Ben growled.
Mia took a deep breath before standing up, she didn't say a word as she waltzed over to the coat rack and retrieved her coat.
"Ben. I've met the guy now twice, both times he's been nothing but civil- okay maybe a little strange- but otherwise normal. I don't appreciate the way you are talking to me, and since I've had a long and tiring day I am going to go before I do or say something I'll regret. Goodnight Xiao, Tom."
Mia huffed, as she wandered out into the chilly night air, tightening her scarf around her before she made her way towards her car. Mia was freezing, the cool wind around her causing her body to shake. The keys to her truck fell from her shaking hands and immersed into the soft snow. Mia growled, knowing she was going to have to dig through the ice to retrieve the pieces of metal.
It was loud. The growl. She felt her heartbeat stop. She was slow with her movements, her eyes raising from the ground to meet the large animal.
A wolf.
She had never seen a wolf in person. Growing up in New York City she wasn't very aware of nature and its true beauty. The closest she had ever gotten to the wild was a zoo. But there she was safe, a large iron fence separated her from the awaiting prey. The wolf was beautiful, with icy blue eyes and a charcoal grey coat. She took in a shaky deep breath, she remembered reading somewhere that when faced with a wolf you were supposed to back away calmly and if that didn't work make your self look larger.
Slowly Mia took a small step back ready to retreat into the safe diner. A small snarl parted the wolfs mouth, its baby blues piercing her orbs with an intense glare.
"O-Okay. That's not gonna work." she mumbled quietly to herself, "Here goes nothing,"
She took another deep breath, and stood tall. Throwing her arms in the air she began to wave them in a desperate attempt to make herself look larger. She paused a few minutes later, tired from the failed act only to find the wolf staring at her, its head cocked to the side, eyes gleaming in amusement.
"Do you think this is funny? I'm terrified right now okay. You could eat my face, and I quite like my face-" Mia cut herself off, "And what the fuck I'm talking to a wolf."
Mia laughed softly, but quickly stopped remembering how inappropriate it was in this situation.
"Okay. I'm going to grab my keys and you are going to let me get in my truck without eating me okay?" she knew she was being ridiculous, but she also knew she was running on three hours of sleep and in desperate need of a shower.
The wolf showed no sign of aggression anymore, in fact it was now seated on its hind legs. She sighed relieved before scooping up her keys and slowly climbing into her car. Mia watched the wolf from the front seat. Eyeing it as it sat there. She felt of nostalgia hit her body, it's eyes were so...familiar? Mia felt odd even thinking it, but she felt as though she had stared into those eyes before.
"I really need some sleep." she dismissed her thoughts before starting up her truck. And with one last look towards the wolf she drove away.
authors note
this was such a shit chapter i'm so sorry
like i will not be angry if you completely hate me bc you all deserve better
i'm so sorry i just haven't had any inspiration lately but i'm working on it i promise
but omg guys almost 1k reads ????? thank you !!