Page 19 of Billionaire Protector

“Just an Americano.”

She nodded and walked off. I sighed, but instead of getting lost in thoughts of my boss again, I took in the space. Couples sat at the tables around me, having quiet conversations and sipping their coffee. I tore my eyes away and looked out the window at the gloomy evening. All the things I could've done differently spun through my head. If only I could go back and rewind time.

The chair opposite me scraped on the tiled floors, and I detected movement across the table. What now? I turned, ready to tell whoever it was to go away. I didn't need company right now. “I'd like to be alone—” I gasped, my throat clogging up. A handsome face with a wavy blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes stared at me. “Eric?”

“Hi, babe.” He grinned. “Here I am.”

Oh fuck.

Dread crawled into the pit of my belly, and I looked past him to the entrance, calculating how long it'd take to escape. Still, my mind couldn't fathom that he was really here. "How did you find me?"

He leaned forward like we were one of the intimate couples having a heart-to-heart. I instantly recoiled, pulling away.

A line formed between his brows, but he smiled anyway. "I told you I wouldn't let you go, Vivi. I'll always be with you and keep my promises."

“First, don't call me Vivi. Second, we’re done. I don't know how many times you need me to say it.”

“And I keep telling you. You are my life. I can’t let you go. I cannot live without you. Literally.”

“Oh, God.” I pressed both hands to my forehead. “I don’t believe this.”

“Believe it, babe. I'll always find you.”

Cool hands touched mine, and I yanked my hands away. "Don't touch me."

Eric had the audacity to look hurt and pulled away like he was a wounded animal. "If you want to play it that way, fine." He shrugged. "Tell me, how are you enjoying Cape Worth? It’s a bit dull.” He looked out the window before facing me again. “How's your new job, huh? Thought you always wanted to be a teacher. Not—”

"Shut up!" I hushed out. My breath came out in short pants as I stared at him. He smiled slightly, and my blood ran cold. He knew everything about me. How long had he been following me?

“Here's your coffee.” The waitress placed a steaming mug before me. “Will that be all?” She glanced at Eric.

Good. Now someone would witness me dealing with him. I sat back, forcing my breath to steady.

“Yes, that’s all, thank you.” I gave her a tight smile.

She gave me a worried look before walking off.

Swallowing back the obscenities I wanted to hurl at Eric, I faced my ex. He wasn't always unreasonable; sometimes he listened. The past few months negated that, but maybe he would hear me out. Here’s hoping I could finally reason with him and convince him I’d started over and he should leave me alone. "Eric..."

“Yes, babe.”

I gritted my teeth at the endearment but forged on. It didn't matter what he called me as long as he did so 300 miles away from me. "You're an adult. We can't keep playing this game anymore. I told you we were done, and I meant it, Eric. It's over." Leaning forward, I enunciated so he could get it into his stubborn brain. "We are never, ever, going to be a thing again. And I don't want you contacting me anymore, okay?"

Before he could respond, I shot out of the chair and threw my bag over my shoulder. I paid for the untouched coffee at the counter and headed out into the early night. Calling an Uber from my phone, I looked back to ensure he didn't follow me. The tinted windows didn't allow me to see inside, which was good because I didn't want to believe what had just happened. Eric in Cape Worth? It couldn't be true.

Still, as I got into the Uber and the driver asked where I wanted to go, I started to give him Shawn's house address but stopped. Instead, I rattled off Kate's. I didn't need Eric to know where I lived. As the car pulled away from the curb, I looked back to see the front of the café empty. Maybe he finally understood and had given up pursuing me. I forced out an exhale and struggled to convince myself. Knowing Eric's behavior, I doubted I'd seen the last of him.

“Violet.” Kate was all smiles as she pulled me into a hug in her doorway. “I wasn't expecting you.”

I looked behind me, fear still roiling through me.

"Is something wrong?" Her brows wrinkled, and she pulled me into the house and shut the door. "Talk to me, Violet."

As she settled us on the couch, I recounted my evening, leaving out what had led me to go to the café and focusing on my meeting with Eric.

“He did what?” she yelled. “The absolute creep!”

"I'm so scared. What if he puts my job at risk again? What do I do? I left to get away from him, but he's here now." I buried my face in my hands, shaking. "It was all for nothing."

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