BLOODBOUND

e landed on a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a scruffy beard. He was dressed

ace as she hurried over to take his order. The man scanned the menu, his eyes lingering on the

order. "And to drink?" she asked. " Coffee. Black." As Layale turned

plied, turning b

t before she recovered. "It's Layale." The man nodded, his eyes l

order, Layale couldn't shake off the feeling that Jack was watching her, his eyes boring into her skin

time

rush at Mae's Place was always chaotic, and she had been running non-stop since her shift started. She forced a bri

m smiles. "Good morning, Layale! How's your day going, sw

s going, Mrs. Smith. Just trying to keep up with the morning ru

o make ends meet, working double shifts at the diner just to keep a roof over her head. The stres

her chest. He smiled at her before he looked back down at his laptop and she couldn't help but wonder maybe, just maybe, he was intereste

ale's gaze drifted toward the entrance, her eyes scanning the crowd. For a moment, she

he soon went back to work. A few hours after most of the day and rush hour had passed Layale was busy pouring a cup of steaming hot

hat I need." As Layale turned to refill the coffee pot, her gaze drifted to the TV mounted in th

ber. "The police have confirmed that the victim, a young woman in her early twenties, had b

ad been all over the news, and the police seemed to be no closer to catching the killer. The

le nodded in agreement, her mind racing with thoughts of the murders. She had always felt safe in Ravenswood ever since she

by the sound of the diner's door swinging open. She turned t

m. One was a handsome black man with short dreadlocks. His beard and mustache were neatly trimmed, framing his chiseled feature

ore into her very soul, as if seeing every secret, every fear, and every desire she had ever had. His dark black hair fell to his shoulders in soft, silky waves, fra

rs seemed to fill the doorway, and his commanding presence seemed to draw every eye in the diner to him. He exuded an au

she was being pulled under by a riptide of pure, unadulterated attraction that's she's never felt for anyone before. She couldn't look

s flushed as she grabbed two menus and led them to a cozy booth by the window. As she took their drink orders, she couldn't help bu

n the devastatingly handsome one. She felt like she was drowning in the depths of his

tered, trying to sound professional. "

cking to the other man, who was still watching her with an intensity that made her skin prickle

have the same," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. Layale felt her cheeks flush as she struggled t

ith some of your regular sides" Layale nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. She couldn't believe how flustered she was around t

elt like she was suffocating. But then, suddenly, he looked nods

her head, trying to clear the cobwebs, and turned to put in their order. Soon she walked over towards the counter moving out th

weetheart."Layale shrugged, still feeling a little dazed from her encounter with the handsome stranger. "It's what t

two hunks?" she asked. Layale shook her head. " I have no idea" she comments. Mindy purses her lips together " I wonder if either of them

n front of the two men, who looked up at her with expressions of anticipation. The handsome black man, who had ordered first, smiled warm

asked, "What's your name, beautiful?" Layale's ch

le's eyes flicked to the handsome stranger, who was watching her with an intensity that made her s

oice warm and friendly. "You've been very kind to us." Layale smiled, feeling a sense of gratitud

's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air between them crackling with tension as he stared at her he allowed his eyes to

g to compose herself. She was a professional, after all. She couldn't let

t notice Zyair walking towards her until he was standing right next to her. "Thank you a

. "It was my pleasure." Zyair reached into his pocket and pulled out a wallet, extractin

e bills. There was a three hundred-dollar bill on top, follo

p it," he said. "You deserve it and besides it's my friend who said we should give it to you." he said she i

ing up at him.. "It was my pleasure," he said. "Take care, Layale." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving

clock on the wall. It was 9:00, closing time. She let out a sig

Layale said, smiling. "Thanks for the great day." Mae looked up, her eyes warm

blue jeans jacket, a pair of dark wash skinny jeans, and a crisp white blouse. Her dark black hai

en no one else did. But as she walked down the sidewalk, shivered, feeling a sudden chill run down her

r of scarlet red eyes were trained on her, their gazes piercing th