Evans quickly looked away and then stood up. He walked to the front briskly but did not panic even though he heard the man's heavy footsteps behind him.
"Next stop, please." He said.
The driver nodded.
Evans' expression remained unchanged. He knew he had to stay out of sight from the stranger as soon as possible. The bus began to slow, and as the doors creaked open, he quickly got off. He did not bother looking back as he walked into a busy street. His steps got faster each second as he walked past people.
The scent of freshly baked bread wafted into his nose, and he set his eyes on a bakery. Without thinking twice, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Warmth of the beautiful bakery enveloped him, followed by the low hum of people and clatter of trays. He slowed his pace as he tried to blend, then someone bumped into him as they tried to turn.
"Oof." The word escaped his mouth as whatever that hit him in the stomach fell to the floor.
"No!"
The cake had fallen face down. Its content spilled all over the floor.
Evans froze.
Jasmine widened her eyes in disbelief. "What the hell? What have you done!"
"I am sorry," he let out as he shifted his gaze to the glass door.
A mix of irritation crossed Jasmine's face as she crossed her arms. "And what are you looking for? Are you probably looking for security to come and help you clean the mess you made?"
A shadow walked past the bakery, and his heart spiked.
He wasn't listening to Jasmine anymore; rather, his attention was fixed on the door.
The stranger was in front of the bakery, his eyes scanning the environment. As he was about to turn to look inside the bakery, Evans quickly went down on one knee, his gaze fixed on the spilled cake.
"Are you kidding? Do you want to scoop the cake with your hands?" Jasmine inquired as her brows furrowed.
Evans wasn't listening.
He needed to keep calm and stay out of sight of that scary-looking man.
Jasmine rolled her eyes, then heaved a sigh. "If you
are hiding from that man in a hoodie, he's gone."
Evans raised his head and met her gaze. "Are you serious?"
"Why is he chasing you in the first place?" she demanded as he rose to his feet. "If he is from those filthy loan sharks and you borrowed money from them, I can help you pay back. You don't have to hide from them and clumsily bump into people."
Evans scanned the outside of the bakery. The stranger had gone truly, he looked at Jasmine, whose expression had softened. "I am sorry for the mess I created, but you should look where you're going next time."
Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "You can't be serious! Are you saying this is my fault? In fact... pay me right now. I want to be compensated right now."
Evans ran his hands through his hair as he stared at the ruined cake on the floor. "I am sorry... I was carried away. I'll pay for it."
Jasmine scoffed. "Now, please. That shit is more expensive than you know."
Evans reached his hand into his pocket and then brought out his phone. Jasmine watched as he scrolled on his screen. "Tell me the amount."
Jasmine stared at him for a second, then exhaled softly. "You won't be able to afford it. It doesn't seem like you carry that kind of money around anyway."
Evans gave no reply.
Something was wrong.
He could feel it.
Jasmine frowned as she noticed his distraction. "Are you still looking for him? Are you really owing him money?"
Evans looked at her as he slid his phone back to his pocket. "You saw him?"
"Scarred face. Creepy eyes. Why would someone like to follow you? Are you into something shady?" she demanded as she squinted her eyes.
"No."
The workers had started cleaning the mess while Evans moved away from it.
"Come with me to the cashier. I don't want someone grabbing my card because they think I'm so rich that I want to go buy that type of cake twice," she said as she grabbed his wrist.
Evans scoffed softly. "Aren't you rich?"
That feeling hit him again.
It was faint, but it was there.
He stared blankly at the people as Jasmine pulled him to the cashier's counter.
His fingers twitched slightly, and he stopped, making Jasmine turn her head to look at him.
Why now?
"Why did you..."
Evans' breath hitched, and his sight blurred. He remained in the same spot as the flash came.
Screams!
The glass shattering and those deadly eyes.
Blood spilled on the floor and counters.
And Jasmine!... she was struck in the stomach.
Evans gasped as he snapped back to reality. All eyes were on him, and Jasmine's hands were on his shoulders.
"Evans? Are you okay? Should I bring water?" she questioned, her tone laced with concern.
His gaze shot to the door, but the stranger was not there.
His vision could not be wrong. It had never been wrong.
"He is coming back," he muttered.
"What are you saying? You just blacked out..."
He grabbed her wrist firmly. "We have to leave."
Jasmine knitted her brows. "Why? I have to get the cake before leaving..."
"Now! Or you won't be able to get any cake in this lifetime again," he warned.
Jasmine noticed the calmness in his tone was gone. His eyes gleamed with seriousness, and his grip on her wrist was firm.
"O... okay. My car is outside."
They walked out of the bakery quietly, and Jasmine pointed at her car, which was parked at the side of the building.
"The key?"
"You can drive?" she asked as she rummaged through her handbag. She found the key and handed it to Evans, who opened the door. She slid in, then he walked to the driver's seat and entered.
He then started the engine and drove off.