Chapter 15

Hera's POV

After school, Baek offers to drive me to the cafe where I work. I couldn't turn him down because of the reminder of what happened in school earlier with the other student. He was right. I need to be kept safe and away from danger.

I find myself worrying about the other students and even had the thoughts of telling Makayla about Baek's secret. But I stopped myself on time. She would totally freak out and try to tell everyone about it. If she would even believe me in the first place.

After a short while of silent driving, we finally arrive at the coffee shop and I step out of the car without altering a word to him.

"Hey." Beak calls out. His voice is calm and he sends me a small, reassuring smile.

"No matter what happens, I've got you." He tells me and then, drives off. I feel the remnant of his words calm my head and my face breaks in a small smile as I watch his car drive off.

A few seconds later, I walk back into the cafeteria and Makayla, unaware of the tough situation I am in, grabs me playfully from behind and ruffles my hair.

"Hey." I frown at her and she laughs before letting me go.

"What's with you and that Korean pop idol? Are you guys dating?" She asks me.

"No, we're not." I roll my eyes at her and arrange my countertop. She still doesn't let me go.

She pretends to smell something in the air. "Do you smell that?"

"What is that?"

Makayla narrows her eyes at me. "Lies, Hera. Fat stinky lies."

"Come on, Kayla."

"Hera. We're best friends. We're not supposed to hide things from each other. And come on, girl. The whole class saw the way he held your hand today."

"I think he likes you." She gives me an annoying wink.

"Oh, shut up."

"What about you? You do have a crush on him, don't you?"

I do not reply her this time. I cannot deny the fact that I do in fact, have a crush on him. But it's crazy that the same hot guy I have a crush on is the grim reaper. Does a grim reaper even have a heart? No one has seen the face of death and lived except me. Something I think is strange and unbelievable. I wonder why whenever I asked why he saved my life, he always seemed to skip the question. Is Makayla right, thinking he feels something for me? Do grim reapers even know what love is?

Wait. Why am I even having thoughts like this in the first place? He is a god and I am a human. Even worst, the god of death. He could take my life anytime he pleases. I should be scared of me but I am surprised that I am not. Not even the tiniest bit.

……….

An hour before my closing time, Baek shows up in the cafe again.

"Hey, human." He sends me a lopsided grin.

"Place your order, sir." I pretend he is just a random customer.

"Just a cup of coffee please."

I am glad he cooperates this time.

"A cup of coffee coming right up, sir." He turns on his heels and heads for a seat.

"Hey, human." Makayla mimics Baek and sightly elbow me. She giggles. "Is that the new pet name he calls you?"

I shake my head at her. If only she knows.

As I work my time away, attending to a few more customers, I find myself stealing repeated glances Baek. When our eyes finally meet, I panic and look away immediately.

Oh, shit. Did he catch me checking him out?

I cautiously move my eyes to his direction again and our eyes lock again. This time, he has a smirk on his face.

Fuck. What am I doing?

I immediately look away again and slide airpods into my ears, pretending to concentrate on my work but my eyes won't cooperate. They keep stealing glances at him.

He folds his hands and rests his back on the chair he is sitting, watching me intently. The asshole isn't even helping matters.

The cafe is almost empty now and I glance at my wristwatch. It's a few minutes to go.

Makayla is already preparing to leave. Her parents would be home tonight and she wants to be home before they arrive. Her parents are unaware she works at a small book cafe after school. She would be in big trouble if they found out.

She snatches her bag from the locker before walking towards me.

"I would have stayed longer today but I need to rush home before parents comes back." She gives me a hug before staring at her wristwatch. A small gasp escapes her lips as she does so.

"Oh, shit. I'm almost out of time. Bye, bestie." She blows me a kiss and rushes outside, driving away in her car.

Great. Now, I am stuck in this cafe alone with this hot, forbidden crush of mine.

He walks towards me and I pretend to be busy with something else.

"Hey, human."

I sigh and reply. "Hey, god."

"You know, I was just wondering…, don't you guys have other ways of entertaining your customers other than serving them cold coffee and making them read some lame vintage magazines?"

I scoff. "Cold coffee?"

It is obvious he is just a terrible liar who wants to pick an offense. Plus, he is the one who intentionally picks a magazine anytime he walks in here when there are so many other books on the shelves to choose from.

"What a friendly way to start a conversation bro, very smooth." I give him a thumbs up.

"Well, your boss was here when I walked in and I didn't want to complain to him because I am a nice guy and wouldn't want you to get you fired."

"You are the most arrogant guy I have ever come across." I click my tongue and shake my head sadly at him. "You know, we do serve manners here too, just In case you want that too. I could serve it with a nice cup of hot coffee next time."

He frowns. "Jeez. You are so rude."

I gasp, unbelievably. He started it and now what? He's trying to put the blame on me?

I choose to ignore him this time and move my eyes to my wrist watch for the hundredth time. It is already my closing hour. I sigh in relief. I am not going to be spending another moment arguing with this hot jerk.

I pick my bags and reach for the keys in my pocket. Then, I move to the door and change the open signboard to close.

"Let's go." I tell him.

He moves closer to me and I shift a little beside the door to give him space to pass but he still moves towards my direction. I take a few steps back and stop at the wall behind me. He is standing super close to me and our faces are almost touching.

My eyes pair into his and I hear the pounding of my own heart. Although he is the god of death, I am totally overwhelmed by his facial features. How can someone be this lithe and good-looking?

His fingers slowly reach for my lips and he traces his thumb gently against them, leaving goosebumps all over my body. I feel heat in the intensity.

What is he doing to my body and heart?

Is he going to kiss me?