Erin's point of view
It's the second day I've managed to get inside the Star Gazer; it seems the Mafia has moved on. I am a little puzzled, though I thought they would have stuck around for much longer, hoping that Warren would have returned.
Maybe they've already found him, and that's why they've left the pub alone. I can't say I feel sorry for him; Karma has a habit of biting hard. Okay, maybe that's a little too extreme. I hope they kick his ass, though, before they leave him in the gutter and chop his little dick off. That will teach him a lesson.
I am still heartbroken when I see the mess inside. I have so much to do and not so much savings left to do it with, especially after buying the house, but I need to get the place back on its feet as quickly as possible, and I need to start earning some money.
I smile when Leah pops her head around the door, along with a friend, and thankfully a huge and strong male friend, one who can help us to move some of this heavy furniture; she's a good kid, and she follows me around, picking up the broken pieces of chairs. Thankfully, all the glass has been cleared after spending yesterday cleaning it up.
We spend the day clearing up until the whole bar area is finally cleared, and I can finally start bringing the spare tables and chairs down from the storage room upstairs; I hope I won't have many new ones to buy.
At the end of the day, we clean ourselves down before taking a seat and enjoying a drink and a sandwich, and I smile as I listen to Leah moan about Raul not letting her go to some party; it's funny because I could have sworn she said her stepfather's name was Liam the other night, but then again, I did have a lot going on that first day. I must admit it seems strange that her parents won't let her go if the rest of the school is going, but it's not my place to say. I'm sure they have their reasons, as lovely and well-mannered as I think Leah is. She still disappeared in the middle of the night just a few days ago, and she must learn the consequences of dealing with her actions.
Today, I even have the courage to drive my car home, and after parking in my drive, I wave Leah off as I wait for her to go through her door before heading through mine. I drop my keys on the side table before slipping my shoes off and heading upstairs to run a hot bath; it's been a stressful few days.
The following day is a Monday morning, and I know that my little sidekick is back in school, so I'm on my own today. I'm up early, so I might as well head to the Star Gazer and make an early start; I'm really hoping to get the place up and running tonight, but to do so, I must restock the bar as those bastards smashed every bottle in sight and that's going to take my funds dangerously low.
But needs must. I can't run a bar without any beer now, can I?
Monday night and, the Star Gazer finally reopens its doors, but the customers are not coming back as quickly as I hoped they would. I guess the rumours have started regarding Warren and the Mafia; apart from a couple of my die-hard regulars, the place is empty,
As I am cleaning the optics later in the night, I nearly drop one of the bottles when Mr tall, dark, and handsome walks in.
He takes a look around the place before he says,
"Can I have a glass of water, please, Erin? It's quiet in here tonight."
I shrug my shoulders before I reply, "I think my customers are listening to the rumour mill. Hopefully, they will start to come back soon…if they don't, then I don't see how I can keep this place going.
He looks at his glass before he says,
"It's a Shame; the stargazer is in a great location and has a great reputation."
I shrug my shoulders. "Yes, but my great reputation won't help me get my customers back if people are too scared to drink here."
"Why don't you let me invest in the bar? I think it could be a wonderful opportunity for both of us. The Star Gazer lacks marketing consciousness. I can bring customers in, and in exchange, you need to provide us with a proper room for business meetings. Sometimes, I need to talk business in this way."
I frown as I look at him, wondering why this handsome man suddenly wants to help me, but I quickly shrug it off. What do I have to lose? I need to get my customers back.
"Deal' I say.
He grins as he shakes my hand.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Erin."
Holy shit, the electric current runs up my arm, and I drop my hand as though it's on fire…
I can't be attractive to a married man...
He drinks his water before leaving me alone with my thoughts.
In the following few weeks, Raul helped me a lot. I launched several new drinks, and he promoted them on ins and TikTok; many influencers came. We tried our best to prove this place was safe enough and that the Mafia wouldn't appear in this bar ever again.
The Stargazer is back to normal; there is not a spare seat in the house, and I'm grateful when the profits start to pour back in. I want to thank Raul, but when I tried to contact him, it was like he'd disappeared off the face of the earth; even Leah hadn't seen him lately.
He must be busy with his own company. I will surely hear from him soon; it's only been a few nights.
I'm just getting ready to close the bar when an incredibly beautiful woman walks in, the kind of woman that turns every man's head. She orders a drink before looking around the bar, before she says,
"So, this is the place Raul is obsessing over; I don't know why, though it's nothing special."
My heart drops at the mention of his name; this must be his wife and Leah's foster mum, Lucy.
I shrug my shoulders, trying not to dislike this woman and her high and mighty attitude. She is Raul's wife, after all, and it's thanks to him that my bar is back on its feet.
"It's home", I say, "how is Raul? I haven't seen him around for a few days."
"My husband, you mean?"
I'm trying really hard to like this woman and failing miserably.
"Yes, your husband and my business partner," I say as I pour myself a drink.
She flutters her stupidly long eyelashes as she says,
"He's amazing. I'm a very lucky lady, and we are so in love; you know he only invested in this place because he felt sorry for you."
I take a sip of my drink, unable to get a single word in as she carries on talking over me.
"Look, Ellen, I've seen you following him around like a little lovesick puppy, but he's not interested in you; I mean, look at you."
Ignoring the name slip, I look down at my bar clothes. A woman needs comfort when she's working, and she still carries on talking over me.
"He doesn't want you, not when he has me, sweetie; I don't want you to make a fool of yourself, so I will say this only once."
"Say what?" I manage to get a whole two words in before she carries on
"Stay away from my husband. He isn't interested in you……"
She says as she looks down her nose at me….
My heart drops: she's right, though I can't be chasing after a married man, even if he is as handsome as Raul. He hasn't been here because he's been with her, his wife, and I have no right having these silly thoughts over him.
I take a drink, trying to look as confident as I hope I sound as I say.
"I have no interest in a married man."
"I'm so glad we've made ourselves clear, Ellen; it was lovely to meet you."
"You too," I lie.
Erin's point of view A few days later, I got a phone call from Raul; I still hadn't seen him in person. Even Leah tells me he hasn't been around much just lately; I guess he must be busy with his work. My only consolation is that if he's not been home, then he hasn't seen Lucy either; yes, I know what I said. I shouldn't have these feelings for a married man, but still, I don't like the woman. My heart skips a beat when I listen to his deep voice, "Hey Erin, I'm sorry I haven't been around so much lately. I've just been a little preoccupied at work," he says, "It's fine, Raul. I know that you have your own business to run; I don't expect you to be here at the Star Gazer all of the time." He pauses for a second before he says, "How is the Star Gazer doing? I've spoken to Leah, and she tells me you've been very busy?" I smile, "It's been crazy; all of the old customers seem to have drifted back, plus a few new ones. I've never been so busy; I've also had to hire a couple of
Raul's point of view Checking my watch, I know I'm not going to make it back to the Star Gazer in time for my business meeting with one of my subordinates, Mr Harris, and I can't get hold of either Erin or Mr Harris to let them know that I will be further delayed and there's no way I can get out of this transnational meeting, I've tried to send a quick text off to her and Mr Harris, but frustratingly I can get any signal is this building, Which means I also didn't receive one of her many missed calls, "Shit," I mutter under my breath as I check my phone; the notifications have been non-stop since I stepped out of the meeting and outside the building. Thirteen missed calls and four messages. I frown as I read the messages, "What the hell, Raul! I thought you understood the kind of business partner you were in the Stargazer?" "Seriously, you're really not going to answer my calls?" "Who the hell do you think you are?" "I AM NOT FOR SALE." The last one makes me worried; why on
Erin's point of view. It's been over an hour since Raul moved from the door; although he never knocked after I closed it, I was surprised by how long he waited. There's a timid knock on the door, and I sigh as I get up, ready to take a peep through the peephole; I know I need to talk to Raul as we will have to deal with his investment of the Star Gazer at some point, but I'm too mad to deal with him right now, I let out a sigh of relief when I see that's its Leah standing in my doorway and not her brother. I slip the bolt across before opening the door; she gives me a half smile as I ask, "What are you doing here, Leah? It's getting late, and you have school tomorrow." "Please, can I stay here tonight? I had an argument with Raul, and I don't want to go home." "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you have school, and I can't let you stay here without speaking to your brother first. And to be honest with you, Leah, I do not want to speak to him right now; your brother is not the person I t
Raul's point of view Holy shit, my head hurts, when I finally pry my eyes open, I find myself lying on the floor in the living room, "Oh, he is back in the land of the living", My wolf Dolph mutters angrily. Shit, just how much did I have to drink? "I thought I would be fine with just a couple of glasses," I say to Dolph; he laughs as he replies, "You are such an idiot, Raul. What on earth were you thinking? You know you can't tolerate alcohol the same way others can!" I sigh loudly as I reply, "She seemed so happy when we finally sorted everything out; I didn't like to say no to her." "But you know how it affects us; you're lucky we didn't expose our wolf to her, sneaking home like some thief and without Leah, what must Erin think of us? You find plenty of excuses for refusing to drink with your business partners. Why couldn't you find one for her? "Dolph says "She is our mate, Dolph, one that I cannot say no to." Dolph remains silent; he knows how hard it is to refus
Erin’s point of view I wake up early with a smile on my face. I’m glad I’ve managed to sort things over with Raul. I smile as I head for the shower, my mind wandering to the handsome man who lives next door; oh, did I say, handsome single man that lives next door? I’m certainly not sad about him not being with Lucy. That’s for sure, yeah, he is fine as fuck, and yes, he may not be interested in me, but at least he’s not with her, I just don’t like the woman, and I don’t trust her one little bit. It’s painfully apparent that she is infatuated with him, although I don’t think Raul realises it. After jumping in the shower, I add a bit of natural makeup today before styling my hair in beach waves, leaving it loose down my back. Checking the mirror, I smile back at my reflection, “Looking good, Erin,” I whisper to myself, After grabbing a quick breakfast, I head for the front door, deciding to walk today; it’s the beginning of autumn, my favourite time of the year. I love how the colo
Raul’s point of viewJesus, I wanted to kiss her so much; I’m so scared I’m going to frighten her away; what if she cannot stand the thought of me being a wolf… what if she does not want to be my Luna?She is my mate, and I already adore her, but there is so much that needs to be explained to her first,I’m trying so hard to control myself around her. The attraction I feel for her and the pull she has on me is intensifying by the second. All I want to do is love her, hold her, cherish her, and claim her, but I have to be fair to her. She is human, and as a human, I know it’s going to be a lot for her to take on, and that’s a choice she will have to make when the time is right.I eventually fall into a restless sleep, a restless sleep with dreams of my beautiful mate.……The following morning, after making myself and Leah breakfast, I laugh as I ask her what she wants to eat,“Everything…I’m starving,” she repliesThis means the full works as usual: sausage, bacon, eggs. Beans the wo
Erin’s point of viewI sigh; why is my life so complicated just lately? What with all the drama over that Snake Warren and his cheating ass fucking around with the Mafia and now a wolf? For god’s sake, what the fuck is wrong with the people in this town as if werewolves are actually real….Tonight, though my customers are convinced that they are real and that one has been seen by my back door, I laugh at old Ron as I say,“Come on, Ron, do you mean a wolf or a werewolf? We all know werewolves are not real. I think you’ve had one too many beers, buddy,” I say with a giggle,“I know what I saw yesterday. It’s a wolf-like creature and seems not from our world,” he says as I shake my head. “Can you describe that creature for me?”“I didn’t dare to look at it clearly. A wolf or a werewolf is none of my business. I just want to live safely!” he snaps.I don't know if it's true or not, but it’s too late to stop the rumours. And once again, I watch as people begin to leave my bar, too afrai
Erin's point of view I meet up with Sarah later that night in the little cafe on the corner of the high street; I know by her face it won't be good news. I buy us both a coffee before taking a seat in the corner, and she gives me a sheepish grin as she says. "I'm so sorry, Erin, but my boyfriend doesn't want me to work at the Star Gazer anymore." Honestly, I guessed it when she called me. I sigh. "It's okay, Sarah, there's no need to apologise. It isn't your fault. I understand everyone is on edge right now, what with all of these crazy rumours going around town." "I'm sorry, Erin. I love working at the Stargazer, and I enjoy working with you. I really hope it doesn't spoil our friendship." She replies with a tear in her eyes. Placing my hand on top of hers, I smile as I whisper, "Of course it won't, Sarah. I will always be your friend, and I will always be here for you." "Thank you, Erin, you are a very special lady…One of a kind. Once these silly rumours die down, I'm sure the