Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Aurora's POV After they finish their meal, they linger, chatting and laughing among themselves, never once glancing toward me or signaling for the check. The restaurant wasn't too busy as the night dwindled, but something about the way they sit there, completely unbothered, makes my stomach twist. I wait a little longer, just in case, but they make no move. Finally, with a deep breath, I smooth down my apron and approach their table, keeping my tone polite. "Will that be all, or would you like to order anything else?" Shane barely looks up. "You can bring the bill." I nod, turning on my heel, but I can already feel that awful, gnawing sensation creeping in. I know people like them. The entitled kind. The ones who think their money makes them superior. It's in the way they carry themselves, the casual disregard in their voices. I take my time punching in their order, printing the bill, walking it over-hoping, foolishly, that I'm just overthinking things. But the second I set the receipt down, it happens. Shane picks it up, his eyes scanning the total, and then-laughter. A sharp, grating kind. Mia leans over, peering at the number before throwing her head back, almost howling in laughter. "Eighty dollars? For this?" She looks at me now, her gaze dripping with amusement. "What, did you feed us low-quality scraps?" My stomach tightens, my fingers clenching around the edge of my notepad. "Excuse me?" Shane shakes his head, smirking. "Yeah, we usually eat burgers that are, like, eighty each. This?" He flicks the paper between his fingers. "This is a joke." I don't know what they expect me to say. An apology? An explanation? An offer to lower the price? I say nothing, my expression carefully neutral, but inside, my pulse is hammering. I glance at Jade and Caroline, the only ones who haven't laughed, and to my relief, Caroline pulls out her wallet without a word. She doesn't look at me, just hands over the money. I reach out to take it, eager to be done with this, but before I can step away, Mia leans back in her seat, her lips curling. "Hey, question." Her voice is dripping with mock innocence. "If I get food poisoning from this place, can I sue you? Or the restaurant?" The words land like a slap. A slow heat spreads up my neck, but I force myself to keep my face impassive. "That would be something to take up with management," I say evenly. Shane laughs, shaking his head as if he finds this whole thing hilarious. "Nah! Management doesn't even exist in this shithole. I'd rather sue." I freeze. The weight of Shane's words presses down on me like an iron vice, and for a moment, my brain refuses to process what he just said. Sue them? That would mean dragging Jeremy into this mess, and his business is small-barely getting by. The last thing he needs is trouble because of me. I don't even turn to face Shane properly. My instinct screams at me to leave, to get as far away from him as possible before this conversation escalates into something worse. But as I take a step, his hand latches onto mine, strong and unyielding. The touch sends a cold shiver racing down my spine. "You forgot your tip," he says, voice smooth, almost amused, as if I should be grateful. My breath catches. Every part of me is suddenly hyper aware of the way his fingers tighten around mine, the weight of his stare burning into the side of my face. I try to pull away, but he moves faster. In one swift motion, his other hand grabs the front of my shirt, yanking me forward just enough to throw me off balance. My heart slams against my ribs. A sickening twist of fear coils in my stomach, my body going rigid as I feel his fingers slip inside the fabric. "What are you?" My voice dies in my throat as he presses something against my skin. A piece of paper-thin, crinkling against my chest before he withdraws his hand as quickly as he forced it in. I stumble back, my breath coming in sharp, shallow bursts. My mind struggles to catch up with what just happened, but my body reacts before 1/2 Chapter 21 my thoughts do. I slap my hand over the spot where his touch lingers like a stain, my fingers trembling as I yank out the note he left behind. And then, him and Mia burst out laughing as if Shane had just performed a party trick, and not humiliated me in front of a room full of people. Chapter Comments 37 POST COMMENT NOW < SHARE Title: ReelTalk Episode 32 - Rekindling Memories with Kiki Frags and Samantha Drews Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance Status: ongoing In the latest episode of ReelTalk, two beloved characters from the ReelShort universe, Kiki Frags and Samantha Drews, come together to reflect on their initial encounter and share behind-the-scenes anecdotes. As they delve into their past experiences on set, a wave of nostalgia washes over them, evoking both laughter and poignant moments. Exploring themes of friendship, love, and the unpredictable nature of relationships, this episode provides a deeper insight into the personalities of Kiki and Samantha. Their dynamic chemistry and genuine camaraderie shine through as they reveal untold stories that give fans a peek into the inner workings of their on-screen personas. What sets this episode apart is its authenticity in portraying the complexities of human connections within a romantic context. With humor, warmth, and relatable experiences, Kiki and Samantha's interaction captivates listeners, creating a sense of intimacy that resonates long after the episode concludes. For those eager to immerse themselves in this heartwarming journey down memory lane with Kiki and Samantha, ReelTalk Episode 32 is available to read at CrushReel. Join them as they navigate love, friendship, and the joys of reminiscing about the past in a narrative that is as touching as it is entertaining.