Amber’s POV:

“Bye, Harry. Thanks for the jackets.” I quickly mumbled to him as I opened my door, not wanting to hear any excuses. I closed the door behind me and quickly ran into the café, hoping that Mr. Sanchez doesn’t see me. Right as I got to the counter, he slams open his office door, walking straight at me.

“WHERE, HAVE YOU BEEN?! DO YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ARE LATE, YET AGAIN?!” He immediately screams in my face, forcing me to cower back in fear. There was no one in the café, which surprised me since there should be a good handful. When there is no one, it was okay for him to do whatever he pleased, which scared me the most.

“I-I’m sorry M-Mr. Sanchez, it won’t happen again.” I stuttered. Chasity comes out from the back room, scanning the scene that was unfolding.

“Yeah, just like all of the other times.” He scoffed.

“Honestly, Mr. Sanchez it won’t happen-” Before I could finish I was cut off a sting on the left side of my face. The impact was so sudden that I fell down to the floor, making my left ear ring. I couldn't tell if it was the ringing in my ear, or the bell ringing from the door that signals a customer. From the corner of my eye I see the door propped open, so someone must have witnessed this, and I was happy that Chasity and I are not the only ones seeing what he is truly like. I looked up completely to see the “lucky” person, and it was none other than…

Harry?

Anger was clearly written on his features, and his once bright green eyes turned into a dark forest green. He held one of my jackets in his left hand, using his right to keep the door open. His face became red, his teeth were clenched, and even his knuckles were turning white. He looked between me and Mr. Sanchez, and began to slowly walked over to us.

“Harry…” I began. He ignored my plea, and instead continued to walk, making eye contact with Mr. Sanchez, and throwing my jacket to Chasity. She caught it mid-air before making her way over to me. She helped me stand up by extending her hand out for me to take. Once I stood by her side, I was about to go to Harry, hoping that I could stop him before doing something that might end up on the cover on all of the magazines tomorrow, but Chasity’s hand on my upper arm held me back.

“Chase, let me go.” I whisper to her. She just shook her head.

“You don’t know what he is capable of…” She whispers back, as Harry finally reached Mr. Sanchez.

“What if he gets in a fight? What if he gets hurt? This could end up everywhere tomorrow, and possibly end his career. Chase, we have to stop it before it happens.” I said as I got out of her grip and made my way over to the towering males. I shouldn't be doing this. He doesn't even care for me. He is probably only doing this because I lied to him about it. I was able to hear their conversation once I got close enough.

“And who do you think you are, threatening me? Mr. Styles?” Mr. Sanchez asked him. When I touched Harry’s upper arm, I was able to feel how tense he was getting, and my touch increased it.

“Look, I don’t want to fight you, all I am saying is that if I hear about what I just saw again, from anyone, I will personally give you a piece of my mind.” Harry hisses.

“Try me, pretty boy.” He said, smirking at him while quickly moving to thump my forehead. This sent Harry over the edge. I reached out for his arm, but he was too quick. Harry landed a punch right on his nose. Mr. Sanchez toppled backwards, hitting the counter, laying down.

Harry got in front of him and began to repeatedly punch him square in the jaw. As much as I like to see this happen to him, and finally get what he deserves, who knows when bystanders will see this, and eventually call the cops. I used all of the strength that I had to get Harry off, even though I wasn’t strong enough. Chasity came over to help me, but he just kept pounding his face in, really making me terrified. I've never seen this side of him before.

“Harry, stop! Do you really want to make a big deal out of this? Just stop!” I pleaded, tugging on his arm. He finally stopped, and turned swiftly to face me. The color in his eyes were covered by the black darkness of his anger that looked very intimidating, so I take a step back.

“Why didn’t you tell me that he does this to you?” He asked me, forcing me to take another step back.

“I-” I stuttered but couldn't find the words to say. What if he starts to hit me too?

“What?” He asked, becoming harshly amused at my loss of words.

“I… I couldn’t tell you.” I said, hiding away from my boss who was sending daggers at me behind Harry’s back.

Now there are two strong and scary looking men being mad at me, I can might as well write my will, because I know that this is going to kill me. Mr. Sanchez stood up from the counter, and slowly moved closer to me. I started taking a couple more steps back, but Harry stopped him by swinging his fist at his temple, causing him to fall unconscious. I gasped, watching him twitch.

“Harry!” I exclaimed.

“You, are quitting. We’re going back to your house.” He stated as he grabbed the jacket from Chasity and threw it over to me, signaling to keep it with me before taking me by the wrist tightly and dragging me from behind.

“I can’t Harry, I have to-” I started but he cut me off.

“To what? Stay here and continue working for him?” He points at the unconscious man on the ground. Chasity went to check to make sure that he actually was unconscious, and not dead. She nodded in confirmation that he was unconscious to us. “That won’t happen. You too, Chasity. Close up shop. We are leaving now." he said, still in his fit of rage, making his grip tighten on me.

“Who says that we have to do what you say?” I spat back, shocked by what I was hearing at the moment. Chasity tugged my arm, and nodded at me, agreeing with Harry.

"I have to work. I need the money.” I told him, as I took a step back from him, freeing myself from his powerful grip.

“Well, I could have just-- You know what? Never-mind. Fine." He suddenly changes mood, raising his bloody red hands up in surrender. "You want to stay here? Have fun. Chasity, let’s go.” He says calmly, before taking steps away from me, and heading towards the door. I stared at him in shock.

“Excuse me?” I asked him. He swiftly turns around, taking one step forward, making me tense.

“You heard me. Stay here and get your arse beat. See if I care!” He says while turning around, raising his voice at me. I shrugged my shoulders, and stood my ground, walking behind the counter. He won't be able to get me from here and hurt me, right? He began to mumble something that I was able to catch, but he probably didn’t want me to hear it.

“To think that I liked someone like you. Should have known you were just like the others… Stubborn brat.” He mumbled under his breath. I stared at him wide eyed, but he turned around so he didn’t see it. I looked over to Chasity and she had the same surprised face. We heard the bell ring, and looked towards the door, seeing him stuff his hands in his pockets, and walk out to the side walk.

"What the fuck just happened..." I whisper, looking to Chasity. She looks between me and the door before sighing.

“I’ll bring him back...” Chasity said as she walked to the back room, grabbing her car keys, and walking out. I nodded at her and she sent me a sympathetic smile before she stopped in front of Mr. Sanchez, giving him a quick kick to the gut. She then sped out of the door, hopped in her car, and drove in the same direction as Harry.

What just happened... Harry was about to murder someone. He could have killed me as well. Oh my God. I place my hands on the counter to steady myself, feeling like another vision is going to come, but I really don't want to see it, if it's going to refer to something like this. Instead I focus on Mr. Sanchez on the floor, no longer moving. I watched his stomach for a couple seconds, almost to a minute until I saw him breathe, so he is still alive. Outside, I saw the old couple that usually comes by every week coming to the café. They're coming here.

I immediately remembered Mr. Sanchez unconscious on the floor, and thinking of their reaction to seeing him on the floor, blood oozing from his mouth and nose. I hopped over the counter, went to his office door to make sure that it was wide enough, before dragging the body into his room. He was really heavy so it literally took all of the strength in me to drag him all the way to his office, closing the door. Where else would I put him?!

I rush to the counter and hop over to my side, just in time for the old couple to go through the door. I quickly do my best to catch my breath, as the couple made their way across the dining area. There was still some blood on the counter so I grabbed a rag, and acted like I was cleaning up a bit. When they reached the counter, they smiled at me, and I obviously returned the favor. I left the rag where it was, in case there was still blood underneath it.

“Good afternoon, Amber.” The gentleman greeted me.

“Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Parsons. Are we having the usual coffees?” I asked them as I made my way to the coffee machine, pulling out two glass mugs.

“Please, if you may.” Mrs. Parsons said to me. I nodded my head and began the order. I saw Mr. Parsons taking out the usual amount of money.

“Amber…?” Mrs. Parsons asked me from the counter.

“Yes, Mrs. Parsons?” I asked her as I finished the first mug and reached for the second one.

“What is that mark on your cheek, there?” She says quietly, and I immediately freeze. I forgot about the mark… I didn’t cover it up. I reached up for my left cheek with my free hand, and winced at my own touch.

“Amber, did you sleep on your hand again?” Mr. Parsons asked me. Yeah, I told them that as well, and even to this day, I feel guilty for lying to them. I stayed silent for a moment.

“Amber, come here.” Mrs. Parsons said gently. The mug was filled to the usual amount so the machine automatically stopped. I brought them to the counter, keeping my head down. Tears were beginning to pool up in my eyes as I placed the mugs on plates, and placed them next to the register, not wanting to look up to them.

“No, as in here.” I looked up and saw her gesture to their usual booth. I nodded and brought the mugs over slowly. They tried to reach for their drinks, telling me that they could carry them, but I told them that I would, since it's my job. I set them down where they sat, and Mrs. Parsons patted on the empty spot on her side of the booth, and I slid in next to her. She held my face and began to gently examine the red mark. I winced when she touched the center of my cheek, where it hurt the most.

“Amber, what happened? That is not your hand print.” Mrs. Parsons lightly scolded me as she continued to examine the redness of my face. The tears were building up so much that they ended up spilling out, and I couldn't help but cry. Mrs. Parsons cooed and hugged me, rubbing my back gently as the tears continued to flow out of my eyes and onto her shoulder.

“Amber, tell me dear, what happened?” She asked me again as she released me from her embrace. “Did someone else do this to you?” She asks as she realized that I did not have the energy to speak. I nodded my head. “Can you tell us who did it and why?” She asked slowly. I nodded my head again as I took in a breath and exhaled, trying to stop my crying. God, I look so ugly when I cry. I hated crying in front of people, especially Mr. and Mrs. Parsons.

“I will beat up whoever hurt you, Amber. Remember that.” Mr. Parsons joked, before taking a sip of his coffee.

“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Parsons. I think he learned his lesson already.” I said, remembering that he is still in his office unconscious.

“'He'? Well, I will beat him until he is out cold!” he continued. I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony taking place right now. “What, do you not think I can take him? I may be old, but I’m not weak!” He said, smiling. It brings a smile to my face, glad to know that age won’t matter to him. My smile then faded away into a frown.

“That also won’t be necessary, he is already out cold…” I mumbled. They stared at me wide eyed.

“Amber, did you fight him?” Mrs. Parsons asked me, astonished. I quickly shook my head, as I know that I don’t have the strength to knock him out, let alone the courage to physically fight him in general. “Then, what happened?”

I told them about Harry, who he was, what he was like, what it was like when I first met him, and the rest of the guys, how today went in general, etc. She knows about Marissa already, as she has witnessed Marissa bully me in the workplace. Because of that day, I was able to talk to these kind people, who helped me out, no matter what.

You see, I never knew my grandparents, but Mr. and Mrs. Parsons act like they are mine. I won’t complain, I am very thankful to have them around. When Chasity isn’t around or away on her break, these people are here for me. I even told them what had just occurred, minutes ago, explaining the mark on my face. Mrs. Parsons covered her mouth in shock at what Harry has done, while Mr. Parsons observed me intently as I finished.

“So, where is he? Since he is unconscious?” Mrs. Parsons asked me. I stuck out my index finger and pointed to his office door.

“I saw you two coming, and I panicked, since I didn’t want you guys to see that… He’s pretty heavy, and still covered in a bit of his blood.” I said quietly.

“Is this ‘Harry’ fellow in a pop band, or a ghetto gang?” Mr. Parsons questioned. I looked down to my intertwined fingers, suddenly becoming the most interesting thing at the moment. I heard Mrs. Parsons scold her husband with harsh whispers before I saw her wrinkled hand placed on top of my smooth ones. I wondered if I would get as wrinkly when I am older, that is, if I live long enough to see the day.

“Oh, Amber. Everything will be okay.” She assured me.

“There’s something else too…” I started.

“And what that might be?” She asked me, enthusiastically.

“After Harry made Mr. Sanchez unconscious, he told me that I should quit and leave, along with Chasity. I refused, since I needed this job. He got angry, and just left. Before he actually the room though, he said some things…” I trailed off.

“Like?” Mrs. Parsons said, motioning me to continue.

“‘To think that I liked someone like you. Should have known you were just like the others… Stubborn brat.’” I said, quoting Harry from earlier. The sadness quickly returned. What does he even mean that I was just like the others? What am I saying, I’m no celebrity… I’m not part of the popular A-Lister's… He wouldn’t dare like someone like me… But I’m a stubborn brat? Ouch…

“Oh, Amber… Well, why did you stay?” Mr. Parsons asked, moving his head to the side.

“I needed the money…” I said quietly.

“For?” he pressed on.

“Well, the gas money, and that my parents want me to move out of the house before graduation… I’m starting school in the fall, as a senior, my last year of high school. I have to move out before I graduate.” I explained to them, and they nod in understanding.

"You are always welcome to stay with us, you know where we are." Mrs. Parsons says with a soft smile, making my heart melt.

"Thank you for your offer, but I don't think my parents want me doing that either." I shrug.

“And how are your parents?” Mrs. Parsons asked me. They know about them as well. They practically know about my life already, so there’s no point in hiding.

“My dad’s in the hospital. He got too intoxicated.” They both gasped.

“Is he okay?” Mr. Parsons asked. I nodded.

“He should be coming home tomorrow night.” I assured them. They sighed in relief.

“Alright. Now, about this ‘Harry’ fellow.. I can tell already by everything that you just told me that he does care about you. He was probably just upset that you didn’t go with him. You stood your ground, which is good. It shows him that you do have an opinion that does count. Let him cool off. He will be alright.” Mr. Parsons said to me, releasing some of the weight off of my shoulders.

“Do you like him?” Mrs. Parsons suddenly asked me enthusiastically, shaking my arm that was closest to her. I nodded my head gently.

“Do you think we can meet the young man?” She asked me. I shrugged.

“He is on tour, and he just had a day off today. He will be back to work tomorrow. He will probably delete my number, un-follow me on twitter, and never talk to me again… Who knows when I will see him again…” I said, upsettingly.

“Your paths will cross again, I can feel it. In here.” She gestured to her heart, which brought a warm smile to my face.

We began to talk a bit more about what has happened so far, and whether or not I should even talk to him again. I did take the orders of incoming customers, thankfully they were light. He’s probably still mad at me though… The dark green eyes popping in my mind, how upset and frustrated they looked.

Now that I think about it, that’s how they were this morning, when he got upset from my visions… Talking with them, really helps clear my mind, and helps me relax as well. It’s only been like, what, a couple weeks? And yet, there’s so much that has happened between us for me. Too much for me actually...

“Now, why don’t you head home, and we take care of things here?” She said, scooting me out of the booth. It’s already getting dark out, and it is currently 8:30. In between discussions, I did more orders, and since I felt lonely behind the counter, I texted Chasity to see where she was. In the meantime, Mr. and Mrs. Parsons helped me do large orders that would have next to impossible for me to do on my own.

Chasity decided to stay at the house, since Harry now realized how much his words impacted me, and her and the guys are trying to calm him down from his 'fit of rage'. The girls were put to sleep early so they didn’t have to see him cry apparently. I did receive his text messages in the past few hours, but I decided to leave them until I get back home. Which is now apparently.

“Mrs. Parsons…” I started.

“Don’t ‘Mrs. Parsons’ me, young lady. You have done more than enough. It is alright. We will close up the café. You head home to your man.” She said, smiling at the end at her word choice, making me smile as well.

“What about Mr. Sanchez?” I asked. Mr. Parsons scoffed.

“Leave him in there. He has a key. I will put him into his chair, and make sure he is in a position where he would think that it was all a dream, so you are off the hook, for now at least.” He said, smirking at me. I nodded my head.

“Thank you both, you mean so much to me. Thank you!” I said, hugging them both. They laughed at my affection.

“Anytime dearie. Now get a move on!” She said, handing me my jacket and pushing me out the door.

I wave goodbye and got into my car, since Harry sort of walked home. Thank God that nothing was stolen, since the keys were still in the key hole, but the car was turned off. And unlocked. I turned the car on, and began to pull out of the café, waving to Mr. and Mrs. Parsons who stood at the door, before taking off on the road going home.

Notes

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all had a good day as me :) I was free today so I was able to update another chapter! Have a great weekend my lovely readers!!! As always, feedback is always welcome and I love you all! xxx