2017 P.B. Panes

I watch her in my regular spot after I parked my car across her street. A habit that I have been doing every evening to take in every inch of her from this part, craving to get near yet I cannot. A fact that I cannot permit anymore.

I grip my steering wheel tightly to contain this hunger within me and sigh deeply to calm myself from this frustration starting to consume my patience. Compose yourself Novak or you'll blow everything apart.

Several cars had passed yet I am still here, waiting for her to come out from that bakery which is illuminated from the lights inside her establishment, making a glow that is reflected into the wet road, coming from the establishment. Inside my car, the sweet aroma of sweet pastries reach my nostrils, promising a sweet taste just as the whiff of the freshly baked goods and I can help but to close my eyes and savor the fragrance.

Samantha

The owner behind the glass window stood as she cleans the table. Her blonde hair reaches just above her waist and her fair skin glows as she moves with grace. A light orange apron wrap around her waist, emphasizing her perfect curve.

I keep on questioning myself if how many nights I have been here, watching her from afar. Yet I couldn't even count. Sometimes I want to go inside and kiss her but there were also times I just keep myself here, sitting inside my car waiting for the right time for a man like who me doesn't mix with her well in the cup of tea.

Even though I know what my reputation brings, I can't help but stare at her alluring beauty. Taunting and waiting for me to pluck her from that establishment. I chuckle at myself for doing this stupidity but whenever I had a chance, I don't waste the opportunity to watch and stare at her magnificent features.

Just like I remember the first time I saw her in the New York park, strolling when I did some business there and when I caught the first glimpse of her, I couldn't stop myself anymore and here I am right now, a fool pathetic stalker watching her from a afar.

I sigh deeply to shake my thoughts. "Stop this Alexander." I said to myself bitterly.

Just as I decide to part my way, Samantha stop from she does as she stares at the outside window, looking directly at my direction which momentarily stops my breathing. Just looking at her fascinates me and there are no other woman who could make me like this but her. Her eyes, looks enticing as she watches into my direction, to the tinted window that is dark enough to conceal the true demon inside yet I know she can't see me but I can see her, every movement she makes and every emotions that passes through her lovely face.

She begins to skim her clothing in such delicate as she finishes her work and proceeds to the counter as she decorates her cakes in such precision and grace that transform something simple to something entrancing with just her lovely hands.

I look down on my own in such mortifying as it uncovers many deaths and blood. Scars that untold killings compare to her that exudes something so innocent and kind. Yet, I can't myself from imagining what would her skin feels beneath my callous hand and I know it would be soft and smooth just like her.

Gathering all my thoughts, "Soon, I will have my ways with her..."

Baking cakes and decorating them have been my passion to get away time after a stressful day in school. The feeling of doing something that is pleasing especially cakes are my thing since I was a child. My mother taught me at the age of 13 and now at age of 20, it has been my leisure time to relax and be with myself, surrounded by a whiff of freshly baked goods.

Being here has been helping me to fund my education since my father cannot support me with my stepmother and stepsister after my mother died when I was 16. Together with my scholarship, I had survived being alone with my best friend Jane here in New York.

"Sam, we are having an order and this one asks us to make it!" Mrs. Belton said grinning happily as she approaches me after I got outside the employees locker while I put my apron on my waist, readying for my shift.

Mrs. Belton, the owner of Belton's Pan where I'm working smiles at me when I turn around and face her. She's totally kind and very generous and at the age of 60, she is still beautiful and cheeky to be talked to.

I gasp inwardly at her news and smiles widely after. "That's wonderful Mrs. Belton..." I said enthusiastically.

"I want you to be the one to make it and I am sure you'll not going to disappoint them." She said.

"No problem Mrs. Belton..." I said and look at the costumers lining in the cashier. "We have many customers today, I should help Gilly before something gets worst." I said smiling.

"Oh, sure darling."

I make my way to Gilly who is in the cashier, tending to a customer when I greeted her. "Good evening Gilly. How was your day?" I said, taking the menus on the nearby table.

"Good as ever Sam! My son is better now. Thank you for taking my shift yesterday." She said as she hugs me after the last customer paid the bill.

Gilly has been a single mother after her husband died in a shootout happened three years ago. She said her husband was in place where the shooting happened and was shot accidentally. Police has been investigating it yet, until now there had been no report of what happened like it vanished into the thin air.

Since then, she was left raising her five-year old son, Robert.

"You are most welcome Gilly. I sure you'll also do the same when emergency comes." I said as I gather the remaining menu on the counter. "By the way, say my regards to your son." I said smiling as I approach the newly arrived old couple as they sit on their usual spot inside.

I smile at the older couple who are seated behind the window as I come to their table, "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Wert, what can I do or you two?" I asked grinning at them while I put the menu to their table and wait for their order.

"No need for that dear, just serve us our regular..." Mrs. Wert said sweetly as she lays her head to her husband's shoulder, making me smile at them.

"That would be wonderful, let me serve it for you two after five minutes..." I said before I make my way to the counter to serve their usual order; two cups of tea and two pieces of vanilla flavored cake.

The two couple are here every Wednesday, every week making them our regular customer. They are very sweet and kind at the age of 70s and after 40 years of marriage, they were very in love with each other. I serve them their order when my eyes caught again the black car outside across from us and I am shivering again whenever I see it like someone is in there, watching me behind the tinted glass.

I don't know why I have this feeling every time I see that car. For the past months that I have been working here, I always see that car consecutively every time I am working during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in a week which makes it very odd. I'm trying to see who owns it but no one gets out every time I catch a glimpse at it that someone get out of it but sometimes whenever I have a chance, the car is out of sight.

Sighing, I finish putting the order of the couple and smile at them as I make my way to the other customer inside to get their order. Ignoring the goosebumps forming on my back that they were eyes watching me, I do my work just as usual.

At 10 PM, we're ready to close the shop after I baked 50 pieces of cupcakes that will be sold tomorrow and then 400 next week for the order that Mrs. Belton requested awhile ago. Tomorrow, I will ready the frosting for the 50 and everything would be perfect just what I imagine it to be.

Staring at the outside window, it didn't shock me to find the black car is still in its place. For four hours no one goes outside of it but I ignore the curiosity creep into my mind as I clean every table while Gilly dust the floor. Mrs. Bolton left early today which left the two of us together with Glenn and Jimmy, who works inside the pantry.

My phone beeps as I make my way to get my things. I am ready to go home and to see my boyfriend name on the screen leaps me out of joy.

'Hi Jack!' I greeted cheerfully after I answer the call.

'Where are you now?' He asked after me which disappoints me because I am hoping that he'll greet me back but I just ignore it.

'I'm almost done in my work, do you want me to come in your apartment?'

'No! Umm... not today...' He said abruptly after my question.

'Ah, ok...' I said disappointingly.

'Bye, I will call you as soon as I am not busy.' He said hanging up before I hear the ending tone.

I put my phone back into my purse after a moment of staring at my phone, contemplating. Jack has been my boyfriend after he asked me to be his girlfriend after a month of courting until he became like this a year after, so distant and have no time for me. He always says that he is busy because of his work as an accountant and being his girlfriend I understand him.

Sometimes, I feel like I am nothing to him but whenever Jack and I have this conversation, I feel like something not right.

"It seems you went again to her." Cris said as I sit with him in his office. He just chuckles and didn't said more as I pour myself a glass of whiskey without even replying. I don't blame him though because I can't control myself from seeing whenever I had the chance.

"You are obsessed with the girl," Cris said to me while I drink the remaining whiskey in my hand. "You need to leave her alone..."

"Why?" I asked lazily. "She's beautiful and enticing and I am enchanted." I said to myself staring outside the window. Below him, people were dancing and drinking, completely unaware of the danger lurking behind this bar.

"She's not meant to men like us, if she sees what kind of man are you do you think she will understand it quickly?" He said shaking his head, "I bet she'll run away and the worst... she'll go straight to the police." He said seriously at me and I lazily look at him.

"Do you think the police will go against me? Those fucker should know who they will go against." I stated grimly, ignoring the fact that he may be right but I will risk every single thing.

"I will tell you right now that if you don't stop this obsession, ensure you'll hide your business before she becomes a problem."

I just shrugged my shoulder before turning to him, "Then don't let her see anything. You are my right in command and it seems like you forgot to run a reputable business like this?"

"But we are not running a reputable business!" He snapped. I didn't answer because he is quietly right.

"I suppose you are right, she may become dangerous to our business or may become in danger but once she becomes mine, I will ensure she'll be in the shadow of this and from the danger..." I said sighing deeply with determination.

My job is not quiet legal and I know woman like her must not indulge to what I do but I can't help it, it is the first time I am feeling like this and I know when I got a dozen of her maybe this feeling inside me will stop.

"Did you have some lead to Carlo's where about?" I asked seriously, changing the topic after learning that shit has been giving information to Santiago after my shipment last week was hijacked, leaving no trace of evidence we can find.

"Micael found out that he's been in France, hiding but don't worry, the Morreti is backing us. You had made a big favor for him." He grinned widely as I remember the favor Marco asked me to find information about a certain woman he had been obsessing about. I nearly laugh at myself when I look at myself in his shoes but I understand him, the feeling of craving someone that runs through our mind.

"I guess so, but I can't blame him though he's already whipped." I chuckled lightly as I pour another healthy amount of whiskey.

"Said by a man who's obsessed already."

"Fuck you!" I laughed at him and didn't add more as an eerie silence consume us as we stare at the people clearly enjoying the evening.

"You know what, I want to see this girl..." I look at him murderously, knowing his reputation when it comes to women.

He hold up his hands in surrender, "Geez man, just give me a glimpse to see if she's really worth it." He said defensively as he grins at my reaction. I am very possessive of her and just knowing she has a boyfriend touching her made me lucid.

Yet breaking them up is easy though.

Loving You 2017