Chapter Four - Lock & Key

I hum softly to myself as I wipe down the counter, hearing the chatter of people behind me as they enjoy their coffees and pastries. I was overjoyed to finally find a job as a waitress in a cafe a week ago. So far, everything has been perfect. My employer is lovely and the other workers are friendly too. What could possibly go wrong? I think to myself with a happy sigh.

I spoke too soon.

My peace is soon disrupted by a loud cough which makes me jump. Turning, I plaster a smile on my face which quickly drops once I see who it is. "Hi, how can I help – what the hell are you doing here?!"

"Black coffee, no sugar." He states and passes me a five-dollar bill before his hands brace against the counter top. "I need a favor."

"Hunter." I warn through gritted teeth as I glance around nervously while making his drink. "I'm working."

On the night of the gala we had eaten out and reached back to the event just in time for it to finish. Hunter had joined his family after we parted ways and I slipped out of the venue without so much as a goodbye to my family. I had enjoyed my time with him. There's just something about him that makes me feel like I can let go without any worries about the consequences.

"Get yourself a drink and come. I'll pay your boss for your break." He brushes me off before taking the cup from my hand and sauntering off to a table.

Muttering curses under my breath I ask Cindy to cover for me and hurry over. He takes a sip of his tea just as I sit down and I watch as his features scrunch up in distaste. Spitting it back into the cup, he wipes his mouth and groans.

"This is disgusting! How on God's green Earth did they hire you?" He asks incredulously which makes my jaw drop.

"W-What? Real –"

"Kidding, Red." He smirks before taking a sip from the tea he spat into moments ago. He chuckles at my disgusted expression before getting serious. "Now, about the favor! I need you to go on a double date with me."

I spit out my own coffee and break out into a fit of coughs. Hunter's jaw clenches and he glares murderously at me before taking a wad of napkins and wiping his coat. Why do I always do this?! I scream at myself mentally.

"Zoe –"

"I'm sorry." I reply meekly as embarrassment courses through me.

"It's fine." He pauses for a moment before nodding and accepting my apology. But not even a second later his eyes twinkle with mischief before he leans back in his seat. "Now, you can't say no."

I groan, biting my lip when I know I must repay him for spitting on his clothes. "Why me? Can't you find anyone else?"

"Where's the fun in that?" He pouts which makes me grit my teeth in annoyance. "When does your shift end?"

"In an hour." I grumble unhappily before taking a cautious sip from my drink.

"Perfect! I'll wait until then."

"What – why?" I frown in confusion,

"Because we're going shopping for a dress afterwards." He replies yet refuses to meet my eyes.

"I have an outfit for the –"

"I also need you to attend an event with me Thursday night." He blurts out and stares at me with puppy dog eyes.

"No!" I snap before standing to go back to the counter.

"Zoe, please! I'm begging you!" He pleads, grabbing my arm and making everyone look towards us in curiosity.

"Hunter, you're creating a scene. Let go!" I growl under my breath with a fierce glare.

"Agree and I'll let go." He counters, only gripping my hand tighter.

I see my boss heading out to the front which makes my eyes widen in alarm. I don't want to be fired from this job too, I can't afford it. So, I turn to Hunter and say yes, albeit unwillingly, and watch him smile like he just won the lottery. I'm about to turn and go back to work when he plants a quick kiss on my cheek and hurries out of the cafe with his coffee cup in hand, leaving me with a dropped jaw and a full-blown blush.

***

I'm currently trying on a blue gown and cursing for ever agreeing to this idea when Hunter calls for me to come out of the dressing room already. Sighing, I unlock the door and step out, fixing my hair to look less disheveled than it was moments before.

"Wow..." He trails off as he stares at me wide eyed.

"Does it really look that good?" I wonder with a smile, smoothing down the skirt.

"Of course not! I just never knew how hideous dresses could be until now."

My lips thin in anger as I restrain myself from marching over and strangling the blue eyed, blonde haired devil sitting on the couch. He grins sheepishly before taking a purple gown from the assistant and shoving me back into the dressing room with it.

After many trials and heated arguments about Hunter's lack of manners, we finally decide on an emerald gown but realize it's not in my size. Hunter calls the assistant back while I return to the changing room to pick up the rest of the dresses. I frown when I come back to find him talking in a frustrated manner.

"What do you mean you don't have her size?!" He argues which makes me face palm myself.

"I'm sorry sir, that is the last size available." The woman smiles weakly and looks like she wants nothing more than to escape his angry gaze.

"Fine! We'll find another one." He grumbles before turning to a new rack of gowns.

"Um...we're getting ready to close in five minutes sir." She explains and I suddenly realize that the customers have left and only the staff remains as they clean up.

I see Hunter open his mouth to argue and interrupt, smiling politely at the saleswoman. "We understand, thank you for letting us know."

She smiles brightly and her tense posture relaxes as she walks away in relief. I turn around only to find that Hunter has disappeared. Sighing in frustration, I rush around the store as I try and find him. To my horror I eventually spot him sneaking into the stock room.

"Where are you going? Hunter!" I gasp and clutch his suit jacket as he enters. "You can't do this!"

He ignores me as he rummages around the shelves, the door closing behind us. I hear him make a noise of exclamation once he finds what he's looking for while I'm begging him to leave. He holds up the emerald gown we had picked in my size with a satisfied grin on his face. Shaking my head, I take his hand and pull him out of the stock room.

Only to find the store dark.

"Oh shit..." He mutters before taking out his phone and turning the torch on.

I start to freak out. I have a meeting scheduled with my supervisor tomorrow morning and am supposed to be presenting my work...which I had planned on finishing this evening. I can't miss it or show up with incomplete work! My grades depend on this project!

"I'm sure there will be someone walking around." He mumbles before running to the windows and banging his fists on them.

I join him and hope that someone will hear us but it's futile. Everyone has locked up and gone home, the entire mall is shrouded in darkness. Muttering curses under my breath I start dialing 911 so that someone can get us out of here. Hunter stands beside me, serious for once.

A lady with a monotone voice answers and I cringe as I explain to her that we were accidentally locked in the mall. I give her the location and the name of the store we're in. She tells me it'll take some time to locate a person who has an access key and for us to sit tight. I thank her before hanging up and huff when I can't see Hunter. That man will be the death of me someday! Using the torch on my phone I make my way around the store until I eventually spot him walking up to a small couch by the changing rooms.

"What in the world are you doing?" I mumble in confusion as I watch him take his shoes off.

"You heard her, it's going to be a while until we get out of here. Might as well catch up on some sleep." He replies nonchalantly before lying down on the couch and putting his arms behind his head.

I stare at him for a silent moment before anger rises within me. Marching over to him, I smack his body repeatedly. "This is your fault! If you hadn't lied I wouldn't need a dress! If you had listened to the assistant we would have left the store!"

"Zoe." He murmurs breathlessly as he pulls me into his arms. "I'm here, aren't I? Everything is going to be okay."

"I have to meet my supervisor tomorrow and I still need to finish my work. I can't miss it, Hunter." My voice cracks from stress as my hands cover my face.

"I'll stay up with you and I'll get you to college on time tomorrow. Don't worry, okay?" He murmurs, rubbing his hands up and down my arms to calm me down.

"Okay." I nod meekly, embarrassed at how I overreacted. "I-I'm sorry...for hitting you. I shouldn't have lost control like that."

"It's alright." He smiles sheepishly before rubbing the back of his neck as he averts his eyes. "I did blackmail you into this so I understand your anger."

We're silent for a moment before both of us burst into light laughter. He asks me what I'm studying and I explain which college I'm in and what course I'm doing. I also tell him about my final project and what my thesis is focused on. It's like a breath of fresh air when I see nothing but interest and curiosity in his eyes instead of the disappointment I'm used to.

"I can't wait to see your work after we get out of here." He grins with a hint of excitement in his eyes.

I smile and nod but feel slightly nervous about showing him my work. I tried that with my family which I quickly realized was a big mistake. What if he doesn't like it? What if he turns out to be just like them? I think to myself. But before I can ponder on it further I see the lights turn on outside the store.

Hunter and I rush to the store windows, sighing in relief when we spot the police officers and a janitor make their way towards us. They open the doors and we answer their questions about how we got locked in. I bite my lip to stifle my smile as Hunter sheepishly explains that he went into the stock room and I had followed him in. We apologize profusely for wasting their time and thankfully, they let us go without further complaints.

"I should have grabbed that dress!" Hunter groans once we're in his car.

"We can get it tomorrow...like we should have." I point out with a shake of my head.

He grins cheekily which only makes me chuckle at the mess he got us into, all because he thought the salesperson was lying. I turn to see my laptop bag on the backseat along with my notebooks and nod at Hunter when he asks if we can head over to his place.

We drive through the night, thankfully arriving at his apartment complex in one piece. My voice has become slightly hoarse from screaming at him to slow down since he drives like an absolute maniac! Of course, he argues that now I have more time to complete my work to which I roll my eyes at. Having less time to finish my work is better than getting involved in an accident.

I grab my things and follow him into the building but my eyes widen as I take in the glamorous lobby. It seems like it was designed to be as spacious and minimal as possible but with luxurious decoration. Hell, even the receptionist has a fancy uniform on! I wave and smile at the man as we pass before getting into the lift with Hunter. He presses the number thirty and I realize he lives on the top floor. Climbing all those stairs would be a nightmare if the lift was to ever break down, I think to myself.

Eventually, we arrive on the thirtieth floor and step out into the hallway. He guides me to the double doors at the very end before pulling out a key and unlocking it. I mutter a thanks before stepping in and my jaw drops at the sight that greets me.

"You live here?!"

Update schedule is: twice weekly whenever I find time!

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