“What?” she asked, frowning. “What are you talking about? And did you call me Devon? Whoever is that woman, I’m not her so let go of me now.”
Her voice is firm, unshaken by the lethal glint in his eyes. This man is harboring a deep resentment for whoever that Devon is. Living alone taught her to fight for herself because no one will do it. No one’s got your back. Everybody has their noses on their own businesses. She has been harassed by men but they were never successful to crush her spirit. She will always stand her ground.
They both stared at each other. No one is definitely backing down, certainly not her. After a while of showdown, the man slowly released her arm and sat down but his eyes were still on fire suspecting her.
“You are Devon. I’m sure of it. You look so much like her,” he said after sipping on his coffee. “You may have successfully hidden yourself from me for years but you can’t run from me this time. I’m keeping my eyes on you closely.”
Alarmed, she scanned the area to look for Jessica in case this man does something drastic again. She’s really calling the police against him.
“Look, Mr. Whoever You Are, there are billions of people in the world. Ever heard of doppelgangers? Even if I look like the woman you mentioned, I’m not her. I’m not Devon. I’m just a human being who’s making a living. I don’t deserve to be treated like this. The next time you disturb me again, I’ll have to call the cops on you.”
Fists clenching, she moved off and returned to the locker room where Jessica is changing her clothes.
“What happened?” she turned up to her side after putting on a fresh new shirt. “What did he say? Did he do anything to you?”
Ava crouched down while thinking about how nerve-wracking it was to face a guy like that. His presence is sucking the hell out of her.
“Jess, I think I have a real stalker this time. That guy just called me Devon mistaking me for another woman. When I told him I’m not her, he didn’t believe me. I can feel he’s a dangerous man. I can see in his eyes. He’s angry with whoever that goddamn Devon is and my good guess is he will take it out on me. Should I quit?”
Jessica laughed and lightly patted her shoulder. “Why? Is it that easy for you to find another part-time job who agrees to give you a month advance on payment? Ava, the economy is down. Inflation’s up. Mark is a great boss. Carry on for a while. That guy will disappear. Maybe he’s just high or what. You can’t quit just because of that.”
“I know.” She took out her bag. “Still, I need time off. I’m taking an under time. Can you sub me for now?”
Before Jessica could answer, Mark entered the room after a knock, his eyes went directly into her. “Ava, can I have a minute?”
Glancing at Jessica, she sighed and followed the boss into the back of the pub. Mark is your typical kind hearted neighborhood guy with Santa Claus body.
“You’re taking an under time?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“I need to go to the hospital,” she lied. She can’t say to his face that it’s because of his damn friend who literally threatened her about breaking her neck.
“It’s not yet the tenth of the month. You always get checked at tenth. Ava, don’t lie.”
She sighed. “Mark, you know how I am. I’m your asset in your business. I could tolerate flirting with male customers but I cannot let that man endanger my life.”
“Silly girl. Daemon is just a bit different but he’s harmless. Bear with him, he’s just a little too overworked.”
So his name is Daemon. It suits him well because he’s acting like a real demon.
“Well I am also overworked but I don’t stay in a place all day staring at someone until I creep them out!”
“Oh come on.” He put his hands across her shoulders. “Daemon helped me when I was in prison. We lost contact and now he found me and decided to eat at my place. First of the year. More than the sales he could bring, I’m just happy that a friend has come back. Don’t be so harsh on him, hmm?”
“Harsh? Your friend is a savage man, he told me he’ll break my neck! He could be a killer, Mark.”
“Nah, it’s just his expression. He’s a great guy. Now go back to your shift. Jessica can’t sub you for today. She asked me first for an under time.”
He pushed her back into the door. Exhaling deeply, she returned behind the counter and asked Tony to man the tables. She still caught him staring from his table even while talking with Mark. It bugged her his reasons. What could that Devon girl do to him to be like this?
Who is she in his life? A lover? An enemy? Someone who ran away with his money?
And what does he want? Revenge? The thought made her shiver.
She breathed a sigh of relief when he saw him leaving without looking at her direction again.
“Mark, clocking out. Need to go make another man rich!” she shouted at him who’s busy behind the counter.
“Alright. You take care, child. Text me when you arrived,” he answered without looking back.
“Aw, so sweet. I will! Bye!”
She chose to stop by a convenience store to buy bread and juice for her snacks later. As she was walking to the subway, her steps faltered and turned around. She felt like someone was staring at her from afar. Is it that man? Is he following her?
Ava did not think any further. She ran to the stairs and quickly climbed down. Glancing around frantically for any sign that someone was after her, Ava finally relaxed when no one seemed to be suspicious.
She held back her head and laughed at herself, “Geez, I’m just too paranoid.”