My Most Precious Human

Patrick insisted on going with me even though I told him that I was meeting for a girl-talk. He said that he would sit someone at the back or outside and observe us in case of any danger. Somehow, I couldn't find any argument to restrain him from going. The truth was, I didn't feel safe even while walking around my own office, let alone outside the bank's headquarters. With the unknown enemy looking for a way to end my life, there was no room for rejecting anyone's protection. I came down with Patrick by my side.

"Who is this, pretty boy?" Colleen chuckled, looking Patrick up and down.

"This is my personal bodyguard. He has to come with us. Hope you don't mind..." I said hesitantly.

"Are you kidding me? I wouldn't mind if he sat right next to me." Colleen bit her lower lip, locking her eyes on the flustered Patrick.

I couldn't really blame her. Patrick was handsome, and while wearing his fitted black suit, white shirt, and black tie, he certainly was an eye-candy. Nonetheless, he seemed to be unaware of his attractiveness level. An awkward smile popped on Patrick's face as Colleen activated her flirty mode. I stepped in front of him, feeling a strong need to protect my own bodyguard from a hungry tigress.

"Relax!" She burst out laughing, "I'm only messing around. He's not my type." She winked.

I didn't know why I heaved a sigh of relief. She caught that immediately and glanced suspiciously at me and Patrick.

"Now I get it... He might not be my type, but he is yours." She smirked.

"No!" I protested, and awkwardly gazed at the more and more flustered Patrick, "I mean... No offense, Mr. Kim... You are more than fine in my eyes... I mean... there is someone..." "Oh, I see..." Colleen stopped my awkward explanation, "Your heart is already taken."

"Yes." I nodded nervously, but then realized what I had just confirmed, "What?! No way! It's not like that at all!" My frantic laughter deprived my words of the last ounce of credibility.

Now, both Colleen and Patrick stared at me with sly smirks, making me the one flustered.

"Um... can we go get that coffee?" I suggested, nervously walking towards the door. "Sure, I'll lead the way." Colleen grinned, meeting my pace by the door.

Patrick walked two steps behind us. Colleen grabbed my hand and pulled me into a small alley. I had to admit that I had never been anywhere outside the bank's headquarters. Even if she led me to the most popular café in the district, that would most likely be a place I hadn't even heard of.

I briefly looked behind me. Patrick was still following us, cautiously gazing on every side. Colleen took a turn into an even smaller alley. My instincts became strangely alert. Each time I had to fight the wolves, it had been happening exactly in places like this one, deserted. My muscles tensed. Colleen instantly noticed my reaction.

"I know this place looks a bit shabby, but trust me. They have the best coffee in the city." She smirked while placing her hand on her heart.

I shrugged, trying to chase my anxieties away. I glanced at Patrick again. He smiled at me as if he wanted to let me know that he sensed no danger. I took a deep breath, telling myself that I was overreacting, and put a beaming grin in the place of my disturbed expression.

"This is the place!" Colleen proudly announced, pointing at the adorable wooden door.

In normal circumstances, I would surely fall in love with this place. Raw, dark wood combined with lovely red brick was my favorite style for a café. The place was called "La Luna Nueva". Despite being placed in some weird back alley, the interior design seemed to be a subtle combination of industrial and modern, high-end style. The rawness of the bricks and wood was softened by large windows, delicate, bright lighting, and a whole bunch of pillows. In normal circumstances, I would find this place more than relaxing... but the second I crossed the threshold, chills ran down my spine.

"What do you think? Isn't this place great?" Colleen sang with a grin stuck to her face.

"Y-yes... It's... very cozy." I forced a smile on my face.

Patrick barged inside and briefly checked every corner. Then he walked towards me and confidently declared that it was safe and that he would wait outside until I finished.

"B-but you can stay inside..." I suggested it, somehow feeling more secure when he was somewhere I could see him.

"It's ok. Don't worry." He smirked and walked outside, leaving me with Colleen.

She leaned over my ear and whispered, "I think he likes you. You don't have to form a relationship with him if you don't want to, but judging by those broad shoulders and tight butt, he can be a good stress reliever." She giggled.

I chuckled at her wicked, one-track mind, thinking for the first time that it was fortunate that Patrick stayed outside.

We sat beside a large window. I looked outside and saw my bodyguard standing ten feet away. He didn't stare at us but seemed to be observing the area around without trying to make us comfortable. Should I call myself a paranoic because my mind didn't stop being restless even when I sat inside this cozy-looking place?

"What can I get you?" a waiter asked.

He certainly didn't resemble the waiters I met in small towns. His espresso skin made his white teeth blinding as he grinned. His green eyes were dazzling, and his piercing stare was almost overwhelming. He wore a Dolce sweater, which perfectly flattered his broad shoulders. His jeans and sports shoes must have been from some high-end brand as well. No, he wasn't a "normal" waiter. He looked like a rich family heir, bored enough to open a café that doesn't necessarily have to make money.

"Jimmy!" Colleen called out to him.

He chuckled, then gently grabbed her hand. He lowered his head so that his full lips could reach Colleen's palm. When they did, he suddenly raised his eyes to me. I flinched. A sly smirk painted on his face as he caught me staring at his lips.

"Who is your lovely friend?" he asked Colleen, locking his eyes on me.

"This is Lilith, my new friend." She smirked.

"Welcome, Lilith." Jimmy deepened his voice, making it sound more seductive, and reached out his hand towards me.

"Nice to meet you..." I smiled awkwardly, shaking his hand.

For a second, I wondered if he was aiming to kiss my palm as well, but he didn't. He leaned closer and slowly looked me up and down.

"What kind of coffee do you like... Lilith?" Jimmy kept his eyes locked on mine.

"Flat-white, please," I responded, turning my eyes to the window.

His stare was making me uncomfortable. Moreover, there was something odd about his scent. His far too intensive cologne was revolting, but somehow I felt like I was the only one who sensed it that way. I was relieved when Jimmy finally walked towards the bar to pass our order to a tall, brown-haired guy, who turned out to be a barista.

"So... What do you think?" Colleen grinned.

"About what?" I said, breaking from my daze.

"About this place... and Jimmy..." She chuckled.

"It... it looks nice." I smiled nervously, looking around the place once again.

"You don't seem to like it too much, though." She smirked.

"I... think I need to taste that coffee first." I tried to fool her with a beaming grin.

As I said those words, I felt someone's stare on me. It made me tense up my muscles. I turned towards the source of the stare, and briefly met the barista's golden eyes. They seemed to be glowing. I gasped. The barista turned around, and when he turned my way again, his eyes lost their glow. I instinctively knew that I wasn't seeing things, and there was something wrong with this place. All my instincts were screaming that I shouldn't have been there, but I needed a reasonable excuse to leave.

I looked through the window. Patrick's expression seemed serious but calm. I trusted him. I knew that he would have sensed if there was any danger around. He was well trained. Nonetheless, my senses stayed alert, no matter how much I tried to calm myself down. I truly hoped that my nerves were merely caused by my overacting paranoia...