After their night of passion, Tye transferred the funds to Asche's account as promised and they went their separate ways. Asche managed to convince his landlord to let him stay and he paid the rent for that month. His college fees were also covered and he finally had a chance to relax his mind.

The bills may be paid for now but what about later? His part-time job only covered the groceries and utility bills. That left the rent and college fees to be taken cared of. He'd hate to ask anyone for favors and he had no close family member to consult. Furthermore, his close friend, Stephon was only making enough to keep his head afloat as well.

It was a sticky situation.

What made matters worse was the fact that Tye kept calling his cellphone day in and day out. He left text messages and voicemails stating that he missed Asche and he desired to take him out again. Asche wasn't foolish; he knew what Tye wanted but he wasn't willing to free it up to him again.

Eight hundred dollars was enough and he had a tingling feeling that Tye was the type that if he gets a taste, it wouldn't be enough.

Sure enough, Tye found Asche while he was on his way to the supermarket to purchase some groceries.

"Why are you avoiding me?" He asked from behind Asche and he spun around, startled, shrinking back into the shelf of groceries.

"Tye," He gasped, his eyes wide in shock. "You scared me."

Tye studied him with disgruntlement, "I've called you and left you text messages but you didn't get back to me. Did I do something wrong? Did you find what we shared to be revolting? Why are you ignoring me, Asche?"

Asche clutched the basket of items tightly, nibbling his bottom lip. "I'm not avoiding you. It's just that I've been busy lately and I needed to clear my mind." He lied, fidgeting.

Truth is, Tye unnerved him. Ever since they had sex, Tye gave off this domineering demeanor that made Asche uneasy. Tye moved as if he was a predator and Asche was his prey. He absolutely loathed that feeling. He was already feeling regretful that he spread his legs for Tye but he couldn't do anything about it. The deed was already done.

If anything, he'd rather spread his legs for anyone else but him, if they were offering money.

"You could have at least left me a message stating that you were okay. You never contacted me after that night. You left me to think that you did not enjoy it. Are you okay? Did you manage to get your bills sorted out?" He asked, getting closer to Asche.

As he moved, his woodsy scent caressed Asche's nostrils and he inhaled deeply, taking a cautious step back. This man was cornering him. He glanced around the aisle, only to find it empty, except for them.

Fear flooded him.

"How did you find me?" Asche asked, swallowing nervously.

"I was on my way home when I saw you walking down the block." He answered.

"So you followed me and cornered me here?" He said accusingly.

Tye looked wounded. "You make it sound like I'm stalking you."

Asche hardened his expression, "I call it how I see it, Tye. You're invading my privacy and you're really scaring me. I need my space and I'd appreciate it if you just keep your distance." He went to move away, shouldering Tye out of his way but Tye blocked his path once more.

"Why are you acting so cold towards me?" His voice took on an angry tone.

"Please move," Asche begged, shoving him by his chest.

"Answer me!" He hissed.

"Move!" Asche said frustratingly.

"Sir, are you alright, is this man trying to hurt you?" A female's voice called out and Asche faced a petite, ebony-skinned woman who stood watching them worriedly.

Tye instantly backed away, smoothing his hands down his coat suit awkwardly.

"No. He was just about to leave." Asche said monotonously, giving Tye the eye to get lost.

Tye took the hint and left reluctantly, giving Asche one last glance before he strode away. Asche released a broken sigh and clutched his chest.

"Thank you." He told the lady and she smiled.

"Don't keep silent when you are in potential danger. I wasn't going to pass through this aisle but my spirit told me to do so. Just be careful, okay? Do you know him?"

He nodded and she hummed understandably. "It's the ones that are close to us that always hurt us. And then strangers are left to pick up the broken pieces and place them back together."

Asche never understood what she meant that day only until a few months later after he began to sell his body to other males that her words hit home and hit hard. Tye came back and this time, he waited for the perfect time to catch Asche unawares.

It was a rainy day, a day when Asche was extremely fatigued and worked a double shift. He came inside and placed his umbrella in its holder allowing it to drip dry. He went into the kitchen and made hot cocoa, eating a peanut butter sandwich with it. Afterward, he went and took a shower, stepping inside his room when he was done.

What he got when he turned on the lights was the shock of his life. Tye stood in the corner of his bedroom, near the closet, dressed in all black. A startled scream lodged in his throat sending his heart on a rampage. He took a stuttering step back, his eyes popping out with fright.

"Asche," Tye called out, taking slow steps towards him.

"Tye," Asche said through quivering lips. "What--how--how in the world did you get in here!?"

"That's not important." Tye's voice was eerily calm as if him being in Asche's room uninvited and standing in the dark was normal.

"Tye, you need to get out or I'm calling the cops!" Asche threatened, his chest heaving alarmingly.

As Tye took a step forward, Asche took a step back and he soon bumped into the wall.

Tye stared at him lustfully, his eyes narrowing avidly on the towel that wrapped around his waist.

"No, you won't." He said and in a flash he was in front of Asche covering his lips, drowning his cry of help. "Because I'll be taking what is rightfully mine."

***