Riley
It's been three days since I last saw her, only three days, and yet it feels like it's been forever. She's constantly on my mind. It doesn't matter what I'm doing, whether it's running my many businesses or working out in the gym or even at the club with Josh, she never leaves me, and it's playing with my head.
Josh and I hit the club last night as the asshole part of me tried to convince myself that I just needed to get laid, but of course, the moment a woman come on to me, I had absolutely no interest in her and, I shit you not, she was everything that I usually look for in a one night stand and yet, I couldn't get further enough away from her which has pretty much summed up what I already knew, but just didn't want to admit.
And so that's why I'm currently sitting in my car with the entrance to the alleyway in full view, hoping and praying that she will come out of there and that I can catch a glimpse of her and... Well, I don't really have a plan yet, I just know that I need to make sure that she's OK.
I turn the heaters up some more as the temperature drops once more. How the hell does she survive out on the streets in this cold? How does she keep a tiny human alive? Fuck, they must be strong people to handle this weather because I don't think I could.
I've never really taken much time to think about the homeless. Yes, I always donate to various charities that help with the homeless and I have personally helped several of them get off the streets and start a new life, but still, I've never really given it much thought. How do they survive? How must they feel? I know that some people choose to be homeless, but what about the ones who don't want to be homeless but have no choice? Fuck, how do they do it? I need to make more of an effort in the future, and I'm going to.
As my mind continues to wander, I keep my eyes locked on the alleyway and then feel my heart speed up when I see her walking out of there and heading across the busy crossroad. She is dressed all in black, in the same clothes as she has been in every time that I have seen her, and has her arms wrapped around herself as if trying to keep warm, which I have no doubt that she is. This weather is insanely cold, and I doubt she has many layers on.
She keeps walking heading my way, but her head is facing down to the ground as she weaves in between everyone as they rush around like headless chickens. I duck down a little as she approaches my car. I doubt she'd recognize me as I'm using a different car than when I saw her, but I want to be sure, just in case she does notice me and maybe runs.
Just a few shops up the street, she stops and heads inside a large pharmacy. What is she doing in there? I know that she has no money, so there's only one thing she can be doing in there... Shit! I shut off the car and get out before heading in the same direction as her to do God only knows what.
Julia
I'm on day three of my period and until tonight I've not been able to get out to get myself some personal items. Night one was the night that I was caught shoplifting from the charity shop then that guy turned up and since then... Well, since then, I've not wanted to leave Nina. I don't know who that guy is, but I'd be lying if I said that he didn't freak me out when he turned up at my home... at the alleyway.
Random strangers often walk through there not realizing that it's a dead end, but this guy turning up there and hiding behind a garbage can? Yeah, that's not just a mistake, he must have followed me, and it has me a little freaked out. What if he knows the truth? What if he's the one person who can tear my world apart?
I shake my thoughts away as I kiss Nina goodbye and head down the alleyway. I waited until she was sleeping before I left even though I didn't want to leave her, but I have no choice. I'm down to my last pair of leggings, so I have to get some tampons or pads... just something.
The temperatures are still dropping, and this weather is without a doubt the coldest weather that I've ever known, it's a nightmare and has me picking up the pace and quickly reaching the nearest pharmacy. It's large and doesn't have security guards, so it's usually the best place to get them.
Once I'm inside, I waste no time in heading to the feminine section. I haven't seen that guy since, but I'm still worried about him turning up again. I wish I wasn't so paranoid, but I have to be. Since Nina was born, it's just been my way of life. It doesn't matter how hot I think he is, he could be the undoing of me and I need him to stay away from us.
As usual, I keep a close eye on my surroundings and the people around me before quickly sliding a box of tampons into my large jumper pocket and heading straight for the exit. As long as I've got these I'll be OK. I feel like death in these leggings, but hopefully, I'll find another pair in the dumpsters soon enough.
I'm almost to the exit when a hand takes a firm hold of my arm, and I'm pulled into a body. "Give them to me." You have got to be kidding me! I never get caught, never, and now here I am getting caught for the second time in one week. "Now, Gemma." Wait... that voice... that name. Ah fuck!
I look up and there he is standing so close to me that our bodies are touching, and I can feel how muscular he really is. "Give them to me... please." his tone softens with his words, but I can't... I need these. I shake my head but he doesn't move. "I can't. I'm sorry, but I can't. I need them. Can't you just pretend that you never saw me... please?" I look down at the ground as a wave of shame washes over me as once again I find myself in front of this man after he's caught me stealing.
I don't think he's going to let me get away with this for a second time, but I can still hope. "I know you do, and I'm going to pay for them." My head shoots up to look at him expecting him to be messing with me, but he doesn't look like he is. I think he's serious and, for some reason, that makes me feel even worse. What kind of woman can't even buy her self sanitary products?
"You don't need to do that." his hand moves from where it's been holding my arm as he slowly glides it down the rest of my arm and then slides it into my pocket before removing the box from inside there without making it obvious.
Without saying a word, he takes hold of my hand and pulls me across the shop floor, keeping me close. I quickly notice a few women giving us odd looks and I don't blame them. He's a Goddess of a man, tall, lean, and muscular, and dressed head to toe in designer wear while I'm here looking like a homeless person... pun intended. Why would he want to be anywhere near me? Why would he hold my hand? The women staring, all look like they are way more suited for him than me, so I can understand their confusion.
He stops when he comes to the feminine aisle, leaving me confused. "These are cheap. Which ones do you really like to have?" it takes me a moment to process his words, but then I get it. However, the sad truth is, I don't know. I've never had the luxury of trying different ones. I've always had to get what I can plus I always figured that if I was caught stealing the cheapest ones then maybe I'd have more chance of getting away with it... stupid, I know.
He gives me a strange look when I remain quiet, then nods as if he knows what I'm thinking. He puts the box back on the shelf before removing several other boxes all while still holding on to my hand. Again, he takes off. Only this time we head towards the checkout where he pays for my stuff and then carries the bag in his free hand as he guides me out of the store.
He keeps walking down the busy sidewalk while I struggle to keep up, his legs are a lot longer than mine and I feel like I'm running just to stay by his side. He keeps going until we get to the bottom of my alleyway, and then he hands me the bag while I just stand there feeling completely lost.
"Why did you help me? I stole from your Mom's shop. You could have told them what I had done. This could have been your chance to make me pay." he seems confused by my question as his eyebrows scrunch up and, for a moment, I find it cute. "Why would I do that? I don't want you to get into any trouble, and I helped you because I wanted to."
His words are sincere, and I find myself speechless, speechless, and confused. "I don't understand why." He doesn't say anything, just smiles and I swear I feel a surge of electricity flowing between us. "I should get back to... I need to get back but thank you... I mean it, truly, thank you. I can't repay you, but please know that I will be forever grateful."
"No thank you needed. I'm just glad that I could help. You get back to your little girl, and I'll see you soon." he smiles again before slowly leaving my hand go and disappearing around the corner. He'll see me soon? What the hell?