Page 18 of Echoes of Eternity

“Please stop,” I added, trying to keep my tone steady. I could sense the eyes of other shoppers drifting toward us, and I felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration. This wasn’t a romantic movie; I didn’t need a persistent suitor in the middle of the grocery store.

“Isn’t it just a little flattering?” he pressed, a hint of stubbornness creeping into his voice.

I sighed inwardly. Flattering? Maybe if I were in the mood for a romantic comedy. But right now, I was just trying to navigate the produce aisle without feeling like I was stuck in a scene I didn’t want to play out.

“Not really,” I said, glancing at him again, my resolve strengthening. “I appreciate the gesture, but I’m really just here for groceries. Can we please leave it at that?”

Jason’s persistence was beginning to annoy me. I could feel his eyes lingering on me, and it was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. I finished up my shopping as quickly as I could, trying to ignore his presence. When I headed toward the checkout, I noticed Jason following a few paces behind me.

The checkout process felt like it dragged on forever. Ikept my eyes on the conveyor belt, pretending to be absorbed in the mundane task of unloading my cart. My senses were on high alert, the uncomfortable feeling of being watched lingering while I gathered my bags.

Finally, I pushed my cart to the car and began loading the groceries into the trunk of my sedan. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jason approaching again, his demeanor more insistent.

Growing up with street smarts had sharpened my instincts, and now, those red flags were waving harder than ever. I could feel a knot tightening in my stomach as he closed the distance. The knife I kept in my boot felt heavier than usual, a reminder that I had learned to protect myself in more ways than one.

“Hey, wait a second!” he called, his voice edging on urgency.

I forced myself to stay calm, focusing on the task at hand. “What do you want?” I replied, trying to keep my tone steady while my heart raced.

“Just a minute of your time,” he said, his smile faltering but still present. “I promise I’m not a creep or anything.”

That statement alone made my instincts scream. The very fact that he felt the need to assure me of his innocence only confirmed my suspicions. “I really don’t have time for this,” I shot back, my patience wearing thin.

As I turned to face him fully, I could see the determination in his eyes, and I felt a surge of adrenaline. I took a step back, subtly adjusting my stance to make the knife more accessible. “I said no,” I repeatedfirmly, trying to project confidence while my inner voice urged me to be ready for anything.

Jason’s expression darkened. “Why are you being like this? Just talk to me.”

He stepped closer, his body language becoming more threatening. I could feel a surge of adrenaline while I assessed the situation. I was well-acquainted with the realities of self-defense, and I had no intention of being intimidated.

I took a step back, my eyes locked on his, giving him one last chance before I shanked him where the sun didn’t shine. “If you don’t back off, I’ll call the police.”

He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “You think I’m afraid of the police?”

I took a deep breath, mentally shifting into a defensive stance. I was ready to use the moves I’d learned from the streets, and I wasn’t about to let him push me around. I subtly shifted my weight, positioning myself for a quick reaction if necessary.

“Fine,” I said, my voice low and resolute. “I’m warning you, don’t test me.”

Jason took another step forward, his eyes narrowing. “You think you can just?—”

Before he could finish, I grabbed the edge of the shopping cart and maneuvered it between us, using it as a barrier. I pushed the cart forward, creating distance and giving myself time to reach for my phone instead of my blade because I was a law abiding citizen like that. Actually, I really didn’t want this to reach my aging parents and see the disappointment in their eyes. I hadalready faced their accusations when I got my first tattoo, with their dramatics about how I was throwing my life away by joining a gang. I wasn’t. They just couldn’t grasp why anyone would willingly mark their skin like that.

“Don’t come any closer,” I said, my voice steady and firm. “Or I’ll have to hurt you.”

Jason’s eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and anger. He hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked away, his frustration evident in his stride. I watched him until he disappeared around the corner of the parking lot, my heart still racing from the encounter.

Growing up in a dilapidated neighborhood had trained me to recognize the type—sleazy men who thought persistence equated to charm. I could still recall countless moments where guys like him would approach me while I was in my teens, their bravado masking a lack of respect. Those memories flooded back, reminding me why I had learned to keep my guard up.

As I finished loading my groceries, I shook off the encounter, but the adrenaline lingered. I reminded myself that I was stronger than I once was. I wouldn’t let anyone—especially not someone like Jason whats-his-face who probably grew up privileged and has a kink for exotic women—make me feel vulnerable.

As I double checked the items in my trunk before locking it shut, preparing to leave, a sleek, racing car pulled into the parking lot with a growl of a familiar engine.

“Please don’t let it be him. Please don’t let it be him,”I muttered in exasperation. There were only a few cars around here with that specific roar.

Looking over my shoulder, my heart sank when I saw the car’s unmistakable design: a low, aggressive-looking import with tinted windows.

The dark, sleek vehicle with a lowered body kit glided to a stop near my car, and the driver’s side window rolled down, revealing a face I’d hoped never to see again. My ex, Kaito Takehide. We broke up the first time seven years ago with a few off and on moments, but I officially cut him out of my life a year later. His eyes met mine through the glass, and a smirk spread across his face.

Kaito came from a third-generation family whose wealth was built on suspicious origins and shady business deals. I could practically feel the air thicken with the tension of our shared history, a mix of fond memories and bitter regrets. The last thing I wanted was to relive the maelstrom he brought into my life.

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