The handsome stranger smiles, "Mind if I sit here?" He questions, pointing at the seat opposite of mine.

I shake my head in answer. Why would I mind? It's a free space and if anyone want, of course they can sit here. It's not like I'm waiting for someone.

"You seem new here?" He enquires.

I'm really not in mood for question and answer but for the sake of politeness I answer anyway.

I nod, "Yeah, just moved here two days ago." I tell him despite not wanting to do so.

"Oh, so Yale then?"

"Whatever gave you that idea?" I ask him.

He smiles, a lopsided smile before replying, "For the starter you are young enough to be in college, second, Yale is the most nearby college around and third, you just move here by the time new semester starts." Well that's some explanation. He sounds quite intelligent man with good observing skill.

"Yes. You are right. It's my first year," I'm interrupted with the same blonde lady or waitress, I thank her as she leaves.

The sight of my food reminds me how truly hungry I am. How did I survive without this for whole day, I don't know. Right now I just want to jump in it but recalling my manners, I look over the stranger, offering him, he declines raising his coffee that he has been drinking already. I really need to know his name.

"So what about you stranger? Didn't exactly catch your name." Seriously I am talking to man and I don't even know his name. Now that I'm eating something, I feel less annoyed then I was before.

He laughs at my question, "Alexander Thomson and pretty girl you are?"

His words unintentionally strike me in the heart. Memories of yesterday event once again hovers over me.

"You are not pretty enough."

I still feel the coldness, bitterness of his words.

Don't go there Ira!

Pretty is not exactly the word I want hear right now, nonetheless I answer him, "Akira Ray. Do you also go to Yale?" I don't think he does, he seems young but not that young.

"Nope, graduated last year and I don't miss it at all." He says, chuckling a little.

A giggle escapes me, of course, who'd miss college after spending four hell year in it. "Well it's good for you. For me it's just start and I've to endure whole four year in it."

And it's going to be an absolute hell, I'm sure of it.

Popping his elbow on the table he leans forward, resting his chin on his palm, "So what are you doing here?" He ask, waving his other hand around the room.

I raise my brows in mocking manner, "What does it look like? I was hungry I saw it I came here. What about you?" I ask eating my yummy steak.

"What about me?" Smirking, he question back.

I roll my eyes, "I mean what are you doing here?" Waving my hand exactly the same way he did.

His smirk widens, "Well I own this café."

I stop eating and eye him carefully, he is in a working suit and I noticed the way blond lady bow him earlier but didn't mind it. That explains why no one has approached him since he came here.

"Lucky you that you get to eat these delicious food anytime." I mutter sustaining my eating.

"I will make sure to transfer your compliments to the chef there." He say pointing at the big kitchen door behind him.

"That'd be great. I'd love to come here again." I tell him politely.

"So you are here for sight seeing or something else?" He asks, again, he is persistent one.

I didn't even consider about sightseeing. It does sound good but it'd have to wait for some time before I'm finally settled.

Taking a napkin, I wipe my face and hands, "Actually no. I'm looking for a job. I've got whole day for job hunting."

He raises his brow before nodding, he must have got I'm a scholarship one not the rich one. Not that I look like a rich one from any angle, "What kind of job? I mean are you interested in waitress sort of job?"

I think for a minute, I haven't even thought about kind of job I want. Well I could work in any job that'd pay but shouldn't I have some preference? Now that I'm thinking, any paperwork sort of job would be better than waitress.

"Any paperwork job would do but I could work as waitress too." I tell him rubbing my eyes.

He claps his hands together, starling me to no end, "Perfect, I've job for you."

I glance at him, confused, "What job?"

He smiles, "Would you like to work in local library as a confederate?"

Wow.

Just like that I got a job but can I trust him. I don't even know him and he is offering me a job. Should I accept it? I look at him empirically.

He laughs at my caution, shaking his head, he leans back on his chair, "You don't have to look at me like I could be a killer or something."

I fold my arms in my defense, "You can't blame me for being cautious. Anyway, prevention is better than cure."

He is still looking amused, "Fair point Miss Ray. Let me clear it to you, the job I'm offering is not exactly mine but a neighbour of mine. He is a my grandfather's dearest friend and he needs some help in his library and if you still don't trust me then why don't you come with me and clear it yourself. What say?"

I think about what he says. The offer is tempting and working in library shouldn't be that hard. I try to look for options but then again I don't really have any other option. I decide to give it a chance and why not? So I agree.

"Alright." I agree.

I take out money to pay for food only to find there is no bill on table yet. I try to catch the eye of the blond lady but the stranger, I mean Alexander stops me.

Confused, I look at him. He just shrugs, "Don't worry about it. Its on house."

Before I could decline it, he interrupts me, "C'mon now, you can pay for the next time."

I raise my eyes, "Are not you Mr. Optimism?"

Smirking he replies, "Always worth a try, pretty girl."

I cringe at the endearment, "I'd rather you don't call me that." I snap, getting a little annoyed.

He raises his hands in surrender before standing up " What do you want me to call you then? What about angel? Or flower? Maybe cutie pie?"

Shaking my head, I tell him, "I'd rather you don't. Just Ira will do."

We both walk out of cafe, "Nah, I think I'll just stick to Angel, sounds good to me."

I sigh, "Whatever. How far is this library?" I ask.

"Just couple of minutes away. We can just walk from here."

"Okay." I'm glad its just a walk away. I don't know if I could trust him enough to go anywhere with him in car but he seems a good and funny guy not to mention good looking too. I guess I would truly able to trust him when I see the library.

About ten minutes of 'chatty' walk later, we are at the front of a big door, not very giant but big enough. I peer at him and he nods, motioning me to go ahead.

I step inside. I'm at awe as I take the inside. Its filled with books, I mean lots of book. It's smelling like the familiar musky smell of books. This library has many sections for different categories, it is quite large. I love reading apart from painting it's my favorite thing to do. I'm instantly in love with it.

I hear a of wheels or should I say wheelchair, turning around I'm met with an elderly man on wheelchair, he doesn't look that old, maybe in early sixties but not weak in fact he eyes appear stern and demeanor strict.

"Who maybe this young lady, Alex?" Turning to Alex, he ask in deep rough voice.

"Mr. Jacob, this is Ms Akira Ray and she is here for job, you told me about."Alex informs him, politely.

He turns back to me, "Ms Ray, are you sure you want this job. It needs your dedication for readers."

I nod, "I'm positive sir. I'll do my best if you'd have me." I can give my sole dedication to it when I love this job already.

Mr. Jacob stares me for few and two long moment, analysing me before sighing, "Alright. If you really want you can have this job. You have to work whole working days at its opening hours. You can start from Monday." Informing me, he takes his leave, moving back to his desk.

I take a long breath, I don't know I was holding as I turn to Alexander, who in returns with a raised eyebrows, "So what do you think of me now? I hope not serial killer."

I giggle, "No, now I think you are a kind person. Thanks for your help Alexander, I really needed it." I tell him as sincerely I could.

"Call me Alex and don't think I forgot about your treat." He warns me playfully.

"Okay Alex I'll give you your treat some other day."

"How would I know about that day?" He pulls out phone handing it me, "Here, type your number and I'll give you a call."

Real smooth.

Uh uh.

He has helped me though, I think I can trust him enough. So I type my number and he calls at it, I save his number too.

"Come on angel, I'll walk you to your college." He offers.

"No thank you. I think I'll just go through some books if Mr. Jacob wouldn't mind."

"No, of course he wouldn't. Its now almost your responsibility. I'm little shocked that he hired you so quickly, I expected some more questions before he finally gives it but I guess he trusts you which is a lot considering he was in army before he legs stopped working. Mr. Jacob is not exactly a easy man at first but he will eventually warm up. You will be good angel. Don't worry." He smiles.

"Thanks again Alex and I'll see you when I can."

He winks at me, "I think you will be seeing me more now. Perks of being neighbour. Call me if you ever need me. I'll be there. Now off you go." With a one final wave, he leaves.

I sigh after him before I go to look for some books to pass some time.