Adriel before...

I opened my wallet and gave him my credit card to pay for the food. I heard a shriek behind me, somewhat far away. I didn't turn around; I planned to ignore it, but I could hear it.

—It's him, it's him.

—Yeah, stop, you hurt me. Go ask her for her number at once.

—No, not crazy, I'm ashamed to approach.

—Have a nice day and come back soon dear—He returned the card with a provocative smile.

I smiled with too much effort and turned around, carrying my tray of food. I couldn't help but show my annoyance, but my eyes rolled without my permission, being obvious to the people who were nearby.

—Why do you act like that? It's just something bigger—I kept listening to them without knowing where they were so I could get further away.

I am not conceited and I think everyone talks about me. I only recognize their voices for having had them close many times before, and on some occasions, I have seen them both devouring me with their eyes.

—You don't understand, it's not just something older, it's famous.

—Famous?

—Well, it appeared in a magazine of my sister a few years ago; I have had it since she went to university; I know it appeared more than a youth model... Also on television...

—And what are you doing here?.

—Didn't you see it in the clothing store downstairs? Is an employee.

—If you don't ask for his number, I will!

—Alright alright there I go.

I texted my mother in response to the photograph she had sent me of her with some Arab dancers.

—Sorry...

I looked at her, her burgundy wool vest stressing her firm bust, her pleated black skirt above the knees revealed her thighs, I would have looked at her, I would have paid attention to her if it hadn't been for the patch she was wearing. A school uniform that caused me so much rejection. My eyes moved forward, and in the distance, I saw the security guard from the other day talking to a boy; he seemed serious, professional, until he noticed my gaze and looked away, finding me. A smile appeared on his face. Hard not to remember the night he had helped me, his laugh, his blush, and his gestures. He had been very kind to me and suddenly; I felt alone, empty in space, holding my glass of cola. There I was, tired.

—Do you have a girlfriend?

I looked at her again. Both of them are wearing their school uniforms.

—I'm not interested, thank you.

—how ill-mannered...—she was offended and grabbed her friend's arm—It is not pleasant at all. In the magazine they were right—dragged her away from me, while the other was still in shock.

And when I looked to the front, he was no longer there, neither he nor the boy. Only the tide was people who were walking through the mall.

—Hey, what's up? I can sit here?.

And I looked at him, he looked tall from my position, of course, I just had to stand up to be at his level, but I stayed there, sitting, seeing his huge smile cover his face, an angelic light seemed to flash with a chorus of angels happy behind his back.

Irritated me.

—Nothing ...—I said and looked at the girls who had been by my side before. Maybe they criticized me for their angry expressions —I've finished my break—I lied.

—You didn't touch your food—He looked at my tray, he was right.

I wasn't in the mood at all; I didn't want to listen to him; I didn't want to listen to anyone; I got up, and he backed away a bit. He may think I was so tired that I lost my balance and was about to pass out, or it was just the fact that I planted a wall between us.

—Do you also get paid to control people's eating? Or is it just for pleasure?

It amused him. And that pleasant laugh broke down my wall. They always broke down my walls. I could never get through one. He was not a bad person, not with the aura of light and angels on him. I could not mistreat him without feeling bad then. I loosened my body with a sigh.

—I don't know your name—I said when he stopped laughing

—Ah, sorry, I guess between everything, I couldn't introduce myself the other day...—he held out his hand to me—Adriel Alegria.

Lo tomé y lo sostuve firmemente.

—Zachary E. Dake—I released his hand after a few seconds—Well I have to leave.

—See you later.

Sometimes things started that way, fine, but that's how things ended too badly.

It wasn't long before I saw him again. Towards his guard near my store, perhaps due to frequent problems in my local, they had finally left someone to control the place. Few people came to the place during the day, so I dedicated myself to seeing it. He was trying to look serious, but his attempts would go to hell every time he noticed my gaze. He would smile, failing in his attempts to be serious and professional. In the afternoon, there were more people in the mall and on the premises, so I stopped looking at him so that he could play his role as the bad cop. I would have preferred to keep looking at him than having to put up with people determined to annoy me more. But luckily for me, my shift ended without further inconvenience. I practically ran out of the mall to take shelter inside the truck. I tried to control my breathing and returned home to be greeted by Mrs. Smith.

—Good night, Zachary, how was your day?.

—I already want it to end...—check the time on my phone—Mr. Beltram is not accompanying us?.

—He didn't show any sign of backtracking, he's been fine all afternoon.

—That's fine.

we both had dinner together. When I was finally able to finish my day, I jumped into my bed, being immediately unconscious.