Chapter 1.

Warning!!! This book contains adult themes!! But all fiction!!!

Andria.

Bran, Brasov.

January 2nd. Present day…

I rush in from outside. My body shaking from the blistering cold.

Winter is harsh in the village this year and everyone just wants to sit in their homes, cloaked in heavy blankets and enjoying a warm fire. I would have loved that, if I could afford the coal and wood needed to have one in the room I rent upstairs.

My boss, Mr Krosov, the owner of this bar is a hard man to please. He makes me work, seven days a week, every night. From dusk till all the customers are gone. Then I can go upstairs and rest for the day. The only time I enjoy a fire is when am here in the warm bar.

I attend an online course for hospitality and tourism. My name is Andria Peterson a 21 year old woman, who has her eyes set on a good life, outside of my usually meager life.

I know am beautiful; with my almond shaped eyes and my wide hips. But above all am a determined woman. And I'm determined to leave Bran and go work in the city someday. But I need to save enough money before I can embark on such a journey.

I go behind the counter, entering the kitchen, bringing in the food items Rosa asked me to purchase. Tonight’s menu is cabbage soup and Rosa’s fine horse bread. Rosa is the cook.

“Hey Rosa, these are the items you asked for.” I inform her, as I place the items.

She beams with gratitude.

“Thank you my child.” Rosa hugs me.

She’s a middle aged lady, who is always kind to me. Kinder than most people in the village, since my parents passed away, when I was 18. Leaving me alone in this world. They died in a snow storm, like this one, because they were trying to save me.

I was trapped in the village, where I went to attend a party with friends. Unfortunately, my car broke down and they came to help. Only for them to have a ghastly accident. Everyone knew they were coming to save me and as a result tagged me the cursed girl that killed her parents.

“Andria, go serve the customers. They’ve started arriving!” Mr Krosov yells.

I jerk in fright. I haven’t had a bite to eat all day, because I can barely afford three meals on my pay, with my tuition and expenses. I’d have something later.

I prepare for my shift.

When my parents died, dad’s brother took everything. He was always envious of dad. I had nowhere to go and nothing to eat. That was how I met Rosa. She recommended me to Mr Krosov and that's how I got the job.

When I reach the bar, I begin my shift. Crina, my other colleague and friend is already on top speed, serving the customers. She’s very efficient with the customers and with her mouth. She told me so herself. I don’t want to even picture that description.

I reach a particular customer, Nicov. He’s one of the miners in the diamond mines down the village is easy on the eyes. He’s cleaned up nice after work. Comes here every evening after work.

“Andria.” He calls, smiling tenderly.

I return his smile. Avoiding his eyes.

“What would you have, Nicov?” I ask.

He offers me what I take as a seductive smile, but it doesn’t work on me. His sharp blue eyes on me.

“I’d have a beer, Andria and some of Rosa’s soup and bread, please.” He requests.

I nod, taking it down. Just before I leave, he holds my arm.

“Go out with me, Andria. You know I’ve always wanted you, since you started working here.” He smiles.

I turn my eyes to Mr Krosov, who is eyeing us, suspiciously. I shake my head.

“I can’t, Nicov. I don’t want to lose my job.” I tell him, shrugging him off.

“I’d still get you someday, Andria.” He chuckles.

His friends already coming to join him, as I turn to another customer.

After a while, I go behind the counter, and begin cleaning the cups, for more customers. The bar is lit in soft light that comes from the chandeliers up the ceiling.

I look at the clock on the wall, just as the clock strikes 9pm. There’s a loud crack of thunder and lightning in the sky, just as the door opens and a familiar figure walks into the bar.

Cloaked in a black winter hat, his dark coat and his usual eeriness, draping everyone in his wake of mystery.

The entire bar grows silent. The air tensed from the presence of this figure. Everyone is watching him, as he strolls further inside. His presence suggestive of the darkness and cold night outside the bar. Sending a quivering sensation.

Another crack of thunder and lightning and I finally see the figure’s face. Directly focused on me. A hard glare in the stormy gray eyes.

I gasp.

For the first time since this figure started coming into this bar, three months ago, his face comes to light. I already knew his looming and intimidating presence.

But tonight, I have a glimpse of his face.

His eyes raised. Piercing, stormy grey eyes, with this surreal glow. The fine lines of his face; sharp, his pale skin like alabaster. As handsome as a Greek sculpture. I swallow hard, taking in his entire handsomeness. A sweet thrill travels down my spine, inside my thighs. Waking something in me, which I've never felt.

Tonight his face isn’t hidden. Tonight, our eyes met. I'm completely speechless.

He shifts his eyes and walks to an empty table. Taking off his hat. I see his hair, shining, black and gold. Beautiful.

“Andria!” Mr Krosov calls me loudly, his eyes meet mine, the moment Mr Krosov yells my name.

“Don’t just stand there, go attend to the new customer!”