Willy came to pick Nicol up so they can go to the studio. He was so excited to make a tattoo and he wasn't afraid of needles too. They finally got into Alex's studio to see his friend behind the counter.

''Hello! I brought my friend with me.'' Willy said overly excited.

''Sure. Alex is waiting for you behind this door.'' Jackson pointed to the white door on his left.

''Thanks.''

They both got in and saw Alex cleaning some items on a small table near the big seat. He turned around to see them but all he saw was the beauty standing there in all her glory. He was pulled out of his gaze when her friend said something.

''Hi, Alexander.''

''Hi. You can sit here.'' He pointed with his eye to the seat next to him.

Willy made himself comfortable on a seat while Nicol was standing next to him.

Alex started working on making a tattoo. Willy didn't feel that much pain, but he took Nicol's hand as support but that made Alex tense unnoticeably. He didn't like that for whatever reason it is. He wanted to be the only one to touch her hand like that but Nicol was unaware of his thoughts.

Alex finished quickly on purpose just so he can move her from her friend. But the tattoo was still gorgeous looking. Willy was so happy and satisfied with the final look. Alex wrapped it up and shook Willy's hand.

Nicol was looking at him when he wasn't looking at her but one look even if it's briefly made her blush.

Alex didn't know anything about her except her name that he liked very much. But Nicol knew everything about him but not exactly him. She didn't know how he feels nor about his needs. And he needed her. He needed her so bad to help him to be happy again.

Willy and Nicol got ready for their job. They both worked the afternoon shift until the cafe closed. They were best friends even if Willy is two years older than her. He treated her as his little sister. But the only flaw he had was being a ladies' man. He flirted with every chick he met. He was good-looking, a little bit skinnier but handsome.

Nicol put on her black apron and tied it tightly around her waist. She took her notepad and served her first customers. Nicol liked her job but her feet were always hurting after she got home. There were always blisters behind her ankle even tho she wore her most comfortable sneakers.

She cringed when she saw who was entering the cafe. It was an old man who always got drunk but somehow maintained to walk. Nicol didn't like him because he always "'flirted" with her, but in a slurry way. She and Willy were the only ones who were in the cafe of working stuff so she had to serve him.

''Hello. What do you want to order?'' She politely asked him.

''Can I have you with a cherry on the top?'' He smiled showing his yellow teeth.

''That's not on the menu sir. Something else?''

''Listen Nicky. I know you always play hard to get but how can you refuse me?'' He says smirking.

''Do you want something else?'' Nicol ignored his statement and acted as nothing happened.

He grabbed her arm angrily and Nicol got startled by the sudden move.

''How can you ignore your customer?''

''I'm waiter here and my job is to get you drinks. Not to flirt with you.'' She responded harshly.

''You are such fu—'' He was cut off with someone's grave voice.

''Let go of her hand or I will break yours.'' The man said approaching them.

Nicol looked up at Alexander standing right next to her. He yanked his hand off hers and took her right hand in his left. He got angrier when he saw a red print on her wrist and rubbed it slowly.

''Get out of this cafe right now or I'll make you,'' Alex said through greeted teeth. The man scurried out of the cafe. There was always some fear of Alexander when he looked angry.

Nicol was relieved that nobody was in the cafe as it was time to get closed. She looked at her hand that was still in Alex's big one. She blushed but it quickly faded away so she wouldn't embarrass herself.

''Are you okay?'' Alex asked Nicol as he was rubbing her wrist gently.

''Yes. Thank you.'' She said quietly.

''You need to put some ice on it.'' He said.

''I will. Why did you come here if I may ask?''

''For some coffee but I don't feel like it anymore.''

''I will tell Willy to make you some.''

''Is he the one who got tattooed today?''

''Yes.''

''What is he to you?'' Alexander blurted out but covered his shocked face when he asked her that.

''He is my best friend.''

''Good. I'm going to go now. See you tomorrow.'' He smiled and hugged her a little too tight for her but she hugged him back even if her hands couldn't meet on his back.

After he left, Nicol was red like blood and Alex was happy like a small kid. He got to hug her. He liked the sweet scent of her hair same as Nicole liked the manly scent that made him manlier to her.

Willy didn't see anything because he was working in the storage room. Nicol cleaned up the whole cafe and put her apron in her bag so she can wash it when she gets home.

Nicol plopped down on her bed after eating dinner with her parents. She was thinking about what happened today. He knew Alex was big but when he hugged her she felt like sinking in his hug. She could feel his firm chest and six-pack that was definitely underneath his shirt.

At the same time, Alex was thinking about how she was perfectly fitting under him. He liked that she wasn't all skinny but she was curvy and he sure liked that. Alex had many girls who flirted with him but it wasn't because of him. It was because of his looks. Every girl wanted a muscular tall man with tattoos that looked cool and Alex had it all.

But a particular girl occupied his mind and he was afraid to try something with her. He knew who her parents are and they wouldn't approve of him no matter what. But if there is the slightest chance he would try.