Page 6 of Journey to Love

As he disappears into the crowd, I'm left wondering who he is and why he intervened. Shaking off my thoughts, I return to my duties, grateful that the rest of the shift goes smoothly.

I walk out to my car when I hear my name being called behind me, “Hey Anya, wait up” and I see Lana coming toward me. Lana is one of the good friends that I have made since I started last year. She’s short like me, curvy around her hips and thighs, and her blonde hair is pulled up into a messy bun. “Hey Lana, how was your shift?” I ask her as I unlock my car to put my things inside. “Oh, it was fine, no complaints,” she says as she takes out her messy bun and allows her long wavy hair to fall down her shoulder. We pull out our cigarettes and start talking about our day and I tell her about the rude customer from lunch, when I notice a tall figure walking our way. “Hey” he calls out and I notice it’s the guy from earlier, my eyes go wide and I look at Lana as if to tell her that he was who I was talking about. She understood our non-verbal communication and we both turned to look at him. “Oh hey, how's it goin’?”How’s it goin’ geez Anya can you be any more awkward,I mutter to myself. He smiles, not sure if he notices my awkwardness or doesn’t care but I just smile. “I just wanted to make sure that you were okay from before.”

“Oh yeah, I’m good, honestly rude customers are a daily occurrence.”

“Well, it shouldn’t be, I’m Joe by the way” he reaches out his hand. I take his hand and shake it; his hand almost envelops mine and his touch is warm and smooth. I quickly pull away, noticing my hand is still in his. “Uh yeah, well, gotta go,” I say, quickly putting out my cigarette and get in my car. I’m about to start the ignition when I hear a tap on my window. I look over and Joe is bending down smiling at me, I roll down the window, “Yeah? What’s up?” I sheepishly say. “You never told me your name,” he says with that smile that melts my insides. “Oh right, it's Anya,” I say nervously,why am I so nervous, get a hold of yourself, woman!Joe taps my door and smiles from ear to ear, “it was nice meeting you Anya, hope to see you tomorrow” he turns and walks away. Immediately, Lana comes to the window, “okay what was that?” she exclaims. I let out a small chuckle, “I have no idea” and I leaned back in my seat shaking my head. “Well, that man is FINE! With capital F.I.N.E.!” she exclaims. I laugh and start my car, “okay Lana, I’ve gotta go, I don’t want my parents to worry”. She just shakes her head, “girl, you need to let loose sometimes” she says and walks toward her car. I give her a small giggle, but she doesn’t understand, I can’t let my parents down again, even if it means I don’t do what I want.

Chapter Two

One month later

Anya

I finish up work and close out my station, I’m physically and mentally exhausted from working a double shift. My mom leaves next week for Greece, and all I can think about is how jealous I am that she gets to travel. Where I’m stuck here dealing with my two younger siblings who barely speak to me since I stopped talking to Paul. We acknowledge each other’s presence, sure, but we are not as close as we used to be. I remember Kora saying that she hopes that she is nothing like me when she gets older. I can’t say I blame her; I made some really stupid mistakes when it came to Paul. But I just wished that we could go back to normal. I mean, it’s been two years and I still feel like an outsider in my own family. Everyone looks at and treats me differently. I try so hard every day to prove to them how sorry I am for letting them down, to prove I’m still worthy of them. But, how long can this last, how long can I push my feelings and wants aside to please them, how long will I need to be punished for the mistakes of my past?

I pack up my belongings and clock out, making my way past the bar where Joe is finishing up his tasks. "Hey, gorgeous, I'm almost done. Want to walk out with me?" he asks with a wink. Our playful banter has become a regular occurrence ever since he stood up for me that day when a guest got too handsy.

"Well, if you were as quick on your side work as you are with your flirting, you'd be done already," I tease, matching his playful tone.

He grins. "Ooh, well, maybe I just wanted us to be the last ones here," he quips, winking again.

I roll my eyes, trying to hide my smile. "Well, aren't you the charmer? But who says I would want to be stuck with you?" I reply, playing along.

Joe dramatically clutches his chest. "Oh, you wound me," he says, pretending to collapse to the ground.

I chuckle and shake my head. "Get up, you overgrown child. You're going to get all sticky," I warn, unable to suppress my amusement.

He smirks, about to continue our flirtatious banter, but I quickly raise my hand to stop him. "Oh, I-" he starts, but I cut him off.

"Stop, nope, not going there," I interject firmly, turning to leave. "I'm going home, Mr. Charmer, and no, that's not an invitation for you to come over," I call out with a laugh as I head towards the exit.

Before I know it, Joe grabs me and turns me around, his hands resting on my waist. "Wait, please, come out tonight. We're both off tomorrow, and we can have some fun," he says, pulling me closer.

"Oh? You want to have some fun together?" I tease, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling his head down towards mine. I feel him squeeze me tighter, his breath becoming heavier. Then, I bring my mouth to his ear. "SUCKA!" I shout, pushing past him and ran towards my car, laughing.

He groans, a mixture of frustration and amusement. "You're a tease, Anya Parker! A TEASE!" he yells out as I hop into my car.

I pull out of my parking spot just as he walks out of the restaurant. I roll down my window. "Later, hot stuff!" I shout, winking and blowing him a kiss.

"One of these days, Anya, I'm gonna get a real kiss from you!" he shouts back from his car as he pulls away.

I smile and drive off, feeling a rush of adrenaline from our playful exchange. Flirting with Joe has always been the highlight of my nights at work. I'm not looking for a boyfriend; I just enjoy the thrill of playful banter. But that distraction is short-lived when I see my mom calling me.

"Hey, Mom, I'm pulling out of the parking lot now," I say as I start my car, the engine rumbling to life.

"Where are you? Why are you there so late?" she responds, her tone stern and disapproving.

"Mom, I just told you, I'm pulling out of the parking lot now. Friday nights are always busy," I answer, feeling the tension building up in my chest.

"Anya, I don't like you being out this late," she persists.

"Mom, it's only 11:00. Like I said, I'm on my way home now," I reassure her.

"We need to talk when you get here," she says firmly before hanging up abruptly, not waiting for my response.

I toss my phone onto the passenger seat and let out a frustrated sigh. Lately, my mom has been increasingly overbearing, always questioning my whereabouts, my activities, and the people I'm with. While I understand it's just her being a mom, her behavior has become excessive and suffocating. I'd be okay with it if it weren't so over the top.

I pull into the driveway, and there's my mom standing on the porch, arms crossed, a stern expression etched on her face. I take a deep breath, mentally preparing for the interrogation that awaits me. As I approach, she blocks my way, her foot tapping impatiently on the ground.

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