Luna Aleksa's Escape
Luna Aleksa’s Escape Chapter 16

*Aleksa POV*

I put on some cherry red l*p gloss and rubbed my lips together, plumping my lips to give them that glossy full l*p look. I took one last look in the mirror, said my little mantra to myself “you’ve got this girl” and walked into the lounge. I grabbed the keys off the table and said goodbye to Mason and Kaia, who were watching the late news on television.

I was feeling pumped and ready to start my first shift at the tavern. This would be the first day of the rest of my life, of our lives. This was for the twins as much as it was for me. Financial independence was part of our journey. I needed to be able to provide for them, to give them the life they deserved, I thought to myself.

I walked out the door and made my way towards the stairs. It was at that moment that I had the strangest feeling as I walked in complete darkness towards the car. It felt like I wasn’t alone. I don’t know if I was on guard because Lachlan was probably still looking for us, or if it was my heightened senses warning me that someone was close by.

I shrugged it off and sat in the driver’s seat. Here goes nothing, I thought to myself. I pulled out of the driveway and made my way down the gravel road. I had left extra early as I wanted to make a good impression.

I put the radio on and listened to some music; Cold Heart by Elton John and Dua Lipa. I love this song, I think to myself. I turn the volume up high. Dancing from my car seat while driving through the darkness.

In no time I arrived at work. Gosh, time goes fast when you are having fun. I miss cranking the music up and dancing around the house. I hadn’t done that since before I met Lachlan. Life had gotten serious so fast. Anyway, no time to dwell on the past. I was walking into my future.

I walked up to the entrance, and looked at the security guard. “Hi, you must be Tony”, I said in a loud voice, because the music was pumping in the tavern.

“I am, and who would you be?” He looked at me suspiciously.

“I am Aleksa, tonight is my first night. I’ll be working at a bar. Sierra hired me today” I said enthusiastically.

“Welcome to the tavern Aleksa, please go inside.” Tony said to me, pulling the red velvet rope across for me to pass.

I walked past Tony and stopped just before I entered. I take a moment to center myself. I hear that mantra in my mind once again. Then I pulled the door open and stepped into the tavern.

I am taken aback by how many people are currently here. The place is packed. The lights are dimmed. The music is cranking. There is even a dance floor in the far corner on the left-hand side of the bar.

Sierra wasn’t joking when she said we would get slammed tonight. I feel fear overtake me. Can I do this? What was I thinking? I have no experience. As I start to delve into self-doubt, I am snapped out of my thoughts when a familiar voice speaks to me.

“Well hello again, uh I didn’t catch your name last time we met?” the unknown voice says. I moved to stand in the light and then I recognized the person standing right in front of me. It’s Asher, the park ranger we met the other day.

“Oh hi, it’s nice to see you again, I’m Aleksa.” I said politely.

“Nice to see you again Aleksa, hey uh, what was your friend’s name? I forgot to ask the other day”, He asks with a shy smile on his face.

“Oh, Kaia, her name is Kaia.” I said back to him.

“Kaia – nice,” he says deep in thought.

“Well, I better get moving, it’s my first shift and I don’t want to be late” I said to him.

“Yeah, sure,uh, good luck” Asher says, still preoccupied with his thoughts.

I pushed past him and walked up to the bar. I couldn’t see Sierra anywhere and the girl at the bar looked super busy, so I walked around to the back of the bar, thinking there would be an office somewhere out back where I might replace Sierra.

***

What a night. I thought to myself. I found Sierra in her office earlier and she gave me a crash course on the most popular drinks that are ordered at the tavern. Fortunately, it appears that most people prefer beer.

I managed to make it through the night without making any major mistakes and even started to learn a regular’s name or two.

The other girl working at the bar, Accalia, didn’t talk much, or even look at me most of the night, but I’m thinking that might possibly be her personality type.

She has that whole alternative vibe going with purple highlights on her black hair, she has pale white skin as if it were kissed by the moon. She has thick glossy lips. And her eyes, her eyes are so dark but captivating at the same time. I can’t actually make out their color. She was wearing black leather pants and a skin-tight leather vest, with chunky leather and studded bracelets on her wrists.

She looks like the kinda girl you don’t want to mess with. She’s great with the customers though. They all love her. I would imagine she has been here for quite some time.

I finished wiping the last table and looked up at the clock. It’s three am. Time went by so fast. My feet are aching, it’s been a while since I spent so long on my feet and I didn’t wear the most comfortable shoes, so I will be paying for that later today.

I said goodbye to everyone and walked towards the car. I rubbed my eyes as I turned on the engine and started to make my way back home.

It’s so quiet at this time of the morning and there is no one else on the road. As I pulled into the gravel road that would lead me back to the old log cabin, I saw a black shadow go past the side window.

I rubbed my eyes again and slowed down a bit and glanced to my right side. I can’t see anything or anyone so I guess my eyes are playing tricks on me since I am so tired. I am feeling a little weary though, so I push my foot down on the accelerator and drive home a bit faster.

When I got home, I saw that Mason and Kaia had left the porch light on for me, thankfully. As my mind is taking me to a strange place today. I feel anxious for some reason. As I turned off the engine, I started to walk at pace to the front door. As I pulled out my keys, I turned back and looked at the lake and then again at the forested area. Nope Aleksa, there’s no one there. It’s just your overactive imagination.

I opened the door and walked into the house and kicked off my boots that I wish I hadn’t worn tonight. I locked the door and headed towards my bed with a smile on my face. I did it. I survived my first night at work.

***

I woke up to the warm sun streaming in through the windows. I must have fallen straight into a deep sleep because I felt well rested. I looked up at the old alarm clock next to me. Uh oh. It’s 10am. No wonder I feel well rested – I’ve overslept. I was supposed to have Liam and Layla at daycare already. I looked at the twins. They looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to wake them just yet.

I bit down on my l*p and sighed. Oh well. I might just make a sneaky coffee and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet before the twins wake up. I started to look for the phone so that I could call the daycare and let them know that the twins would be staying home today.

Once that was done, I put some water in the jug and waited for the water to boil. Coffee is what I need right now. I thought back to when I bumped into Asher last night. He seemed quite interested in Kaia. I must remember to tell her about that. He’s very sweet and I think they would look so cute together. With what she has been through, she deserves a little fun.

The house was so quiet right now, with the twins still asleep and with Mason and Kaia at work already. It was nice of them to let me sleep in, I thought to myself. I’m glad they didn’t wake me this morning, it will be nice to have a day to just enjoy Liam and Layla’s company.

The jug had boiled and I was making my coffee when I heard a noise at the door. My heart started to race and my breathing quickened. A feeling of terror took over me. I heard a loud knock at the door. I just stood in the kitchen not moving, hoping the knocking would stop and whoever it was would think no one was home and go away.

I had nowhere to run. I would never be able to get out of here in time. The twins were still sleeping. I had to face up to this. Whoever it was. Whatever it was. I had to be brave. I could face whatever life threw at me. I wasn’t the same Aleksa I was a couple of months ago, I told myself.

I took a deep breath and I slowly opened the door. And I was utterly shocked by the man who stood in front of me. What is it with this log cabin and gorgeous strangers appearing at our door? I just hoped this gorgeous specimen of a man had good intentions and wasn’t one of Lachlans’ lacheys.

“Good Morning, you must be Aleksa?” the handsome stranger said to me with a breathtaking smile.