I turned away from the beautiful man at my back, and dread and embarrassment filled me. It was my ex-boyfriend. I just had to go and think about him. It was like those thoughts summoned him here to torment me. He was the only boy I have ever dated. I did everything in my power to forget him. He was the one who ruined the rest of high school for me. Once he took my virginity, he dumped me right away. He wasn't even done buttoning his pants when he ended it. I hated his beautiful face. He made my junior year of high school hell. My senior year was just as horrible, thanks to him. Even though he did not go to my school, he made sure people knew about it and made fun of me for it. I never understood the point in all of that. To make me miserable. But what hurt the most was losing all of my friends, including a childhood best friend, Sarah. She believed his lies and turned against me, leaving me alone in the midst of all the rumors and mockery. She even helped him make my life hell. 

Fucking Chad Lockwood, he stared at me with a mocking smile on his face as he had two giggling blonde women on each arm. He could go straight to hell. What did I ever see in him?

"Oh, Chad, you're so bad, hehehe," one blonde girl snickered, giving him a playful smack on his arm.

"Oh, Chad, you don't mean she is a... You know what? I didn't think the Holloways would allow that kind of trash up here," blonde two asked in a shocked tone.

"Oh, I do, ladies. The Holloways must be really desperate for workers to hire her. A desperate human bottom feeder. She is poor as trash, too." Chad spoke to the two girls with such an arrogant attitude that I wanted to slap him. However, I refrained because I didn't want to cause problems for Phil and his family. I knew Chad's family had money and was influential in the town where they lived. So, it would start unnecessary issues for them if I did. I would never want to cause harm to the only family I had left, no matter how much I hated Chad. In Chad fashion, he couldn't keep his mouth shut.

I had no idea what they were going on about really, or what I ever did to deserve such hatred from Chad. Why did he have to go so far out of his way to make my life worse than it already was? I know I was poor, but what did that matter? I quickly grew angry with how much Chad was bad-mouthing the Holloways, though. I couldn't care less what he said about me. Yes, it hurt, but I was the idiot who slept with him. Why did he have to badmouth them? They were nothing but pleasant, and they never treated people poorly. Before I could regret bad mouthing Chad while I was on the clock, the man behind me growled out in a menacing tone that sent shivers down my spine.

"The only disgraceful person here is you, Chad." The handsome man moved into a protective stance in front of me. I don't know why he would. He didn't know me. Something instinctively told me the stranger would never let me get hurt while he was around. It was a confusing feeling.

I did not know what to say after that. He did not know me, but he must have known Chad. So maybe he already had issues with him? Perhaps that's why he is practically growling at Chad, and it had nothing to do with me. Even though the stranger was in front of me, I felt like I couldn't speak or move. I had to get going, though; Kelly would be looking for me if I didn't return soon. I had no idea how to defuse this strange standoff that these two guys were having. I felt like I should do something, but I couldn't. Nothing like this ever happened to a girl like me. I was feeling like a fish out of water.

"Hey now, this is not the place to have a pissing contest." A familiar male voice said in a playful tone I'd recognize anywhere. The handsome man moved before me like he was blocking me from anyone approaching me.

"I agree. I do not want my employee under unnecessary stress. So, knock this shit off right now." Joel stated angrily. I knew it had nothing to do with what I did. I turned to see the Holloway brothers standing side by side. Joel watched the two sets of guys glaring at each other. He didn't try to look at me; he was too busy staring down at the two guys. Jordan noticed my glance his way and gave me a wink. I smiled to myself at his easy demeanor. I relaxed knowing they were here. Their protecting me made sense.

"Jordan, please escort Miss Danniella to the elevator so she does not have any further trouble with the guests here," Joel commanded. I silently thanked whoever was looking out for me for that saving grace.

Jordan just nodded his head at his brother, then nudged his head at me towards the elevator. I got the diner cart and headed towards the elevator and Jordan. About halfway to the elevator, I turned back to steal one last glance at the most handsome man I have ever seen. If I could, I would bet on the fact that I would probably never see him again. I was shocked to see he was watching me with wide eyes. He looked like he wanted to say something or come running after me. I doubted he would. Joel looked pissed, and that stopped anyone from doing anything. But part of me wished he would, that he would defy Joel and come after me.

Jordan just put his arm around me and turned me back around, and moved me to the elevator. So off I went. Once inside the elevator and the doors closed, Jordan let go of a long breath. One I didn't realize he was holding.

"Well, that is not how I wanted things to go," Jordan said, sounding defeated.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked him, confused.

"I had Kelly send you up. I wanted to see you," Jordan admitted. He moved closer to me, wrapping his arms around me. His warmth surrounded me. He was the more affectionate of the two brothers. I accepted his hug, and I wrapped my arms around his back. He always made me feel safe.

"I have been feeling bad for not seeing you sooner. It has been a few months, but I have been so busy with work... And well, I know Joel has been feeling the same way. Even though I doubt he will ever admit to it. So what better way to see you than having you come up to the floor we work on," Jordan admitted.

"I have missed you guys, too. I understand your job here can keep you busy, but I have also not been myself since... Well, you know..." The rest of my words got caught in my throat at the thought of my dad.

"All the more reason we should have been there for you." Jordan squeezed me before letting go. A moment later, the elevator door opened.

I gave Jordan a slight smile before heading back towards the restaurant. He gave me a friendly wave before heading back up to the VIP section. I found myself wishing I had asked Jordan about that guy, at least his name, but I chickened out. Matt made sure to open the door for me as I walked by. I thanked him as I made my way through.

"No problem, cutie," was his reply. I rolled my eyes when he said that. He was not getting me with his player ways. Especially not after that run-in with Chad.

The first half of the work went by fairly normally. I spent my first thirty-minute lunch break texting Jess. She was the only person I could talk to about my strange morning. She, of course, was focused on getting all the details about the parts of the VIP lounge she could get out of me. I couldn't blame her. We spent many teenage days gossiping about what we thought it would look like. Each idea was crazier than the last back then.

"No, it wasn't fully made from diamonds," I texted her back with a laugh. The only thing that was worth noting was that I noticed that the eyes that came close to that level of beauty were the handsome guy's eyes, but I didn't mention him. I planned on telling her later about that, but there wasn't enough time on my break to talk about him. Because if I talked about him, I don't think I would stop, even though I know nothing about him, and that bothered me a lot. Why was I so obsessed over a guy I just met? It was not like me at all.

"Damn, with how mysterious they keep that place, I would think it was just stupid luxurious." Jess texted,

"Yes, I promise it was just the normal boring luxury," I replied.

"So, nothing crazy to talk about the place?" Jess asked.

"Not really. Granted, I didn't get far. Just a few feet in, but Chad was there with two blond bimbos." I replied, anger filling my chest at the thought of that jerk. His comments still bothered me, even though they shouldn't have.

"WHAT?? Why would that half-life be hanging around there? He's not even from this town," Jess texted;

I'm sure she was just as angry as I felt without knowing the shitty comment he and his blond bimbos made today. Her anger was just based on what he did to me in high school. I lost all my so-called friends that year, except for her, thanks to him and Sarah. As much as it sucked back then. It at least showed me who was truly a friend and who was fake.

"I know. It was a shock to see him," I texted, feeling unsure if I should tell her the whole thing right now. I decided it could wait till after work. There was no use getting her upset while I was working.

"You okay? I will happily get arrested if I can get up there and beat his ass." Jess texted, and I loved her for it.

"Yeah, I am fine... The douche bag is not worth the energy it takes to think about," I tell her, because it's true he's not worth it. Before she could reply, I added.

"Break is almost over, I'll text you when I'm done, I should be off around 7:30, we can talk more about everything else that happened then." I sent it before locking my phone and tossing it in my bag. I cleaned up my lunch before punching back into work from my break.

For a while, work went by as it typically did. It was a little busier than the morning, but nothing unusual for this time of year. The last few hours of work, though, were strange. I kept feeling like someone or something was watching me. Whenever I looked in that direction, I felt it in there; there was nothing but a shadow or an emptiness that made the hairs on my arm stand up. It must just be exhaustion after such a strange day, I tried to tell myself. Something in my gut told me that wasn't the case.

It was September, so it was already getting dark early. I had about two hours left before my shift was over, and the sun was already setting.

"Hey, Kelly, do you mind if I take a second to see if I can get a ride home? I walked today, and I don't feel like walking home alone in the dark." I asked my manager. I have walked home in the dark a million times before. I hope she didn't find my request strange. Kelly looked up at me and gave me an assessing look. As if she read the uneasy expression on my face, she replied.

"Of course, go ahead... but is everything okay? Did something happen that is making you feel that way?" She seemed concerned.

I didn't tell her about what happened with Chad and the stranger. I didn't tell her about how Joel and Jordan had to save me, basically. I didn't want her to think I was incapable of bringing food items to the VIP lounge, especially since I hoped to do so again. Maybe I could ask the stranger his name. Perhaps it was just seeing Chad again that had me uneasy. I am sure it was nothing but my head playing tricks on me.

"Oh yeah, everything is fine. I think I'm just a little tired," I tried to give her a big, reassuring smile.

"Okay, if you are sure, but don't ever hesitate to let me know if someone gives you trouble and you don't feel safe," Kelly tells me as I go and grab my phone from my bag.

I first called Jess, but she couldn't because she was babysitting the Robins' twin boys. She told me I could come by and hang out with her while she babysits, though, which will be better than going home. I only had one other person I could think of asking, but did I really want to bother him? He did say if I needed anything to let him know. Maybe I'll suck it up and walk home. A shiver of dread went through me at that thought. No, that wasn't a good idea. I don't know why, but it wasn't. So, I quickly sent the text.

"Hey... I am sorry to bother you. But do you mind picking me up and giving me a ride? I get off work at 7:30. Might be a few minutes later to clean up and finish, so don't rush.... I don't want to walk alone tonight..."