Having been in one place for so long, some regular customers became like family, forming bonds that felt like siblings.
From a young age, Alice was close to her father’s youngest regular customer, Uncle Colton Wesley. Despite the age difference, he understood her well, and they communicated easily.
That day, Alice was on her way home after turning 22 and having a gathering with her college friends.
It was late evening, and there weren’t many people around. When she felt a presence behind her and turned around, she saw a familiar silhouette staggering toward her.
It was Uncle Colton.
He seemed to have had a heavy drink, as he was walking unsteadily.
“Uncle!”
“There you are, my pretty Alice!”
“Seriously! Drink in moderation!”
Alice felt a bit strange seeing her uncle, who was slurring his words. She had never seen him this drunk, even when he occasionally drank with her father, Luka.
“Come here, take me home.”
Maybe it was the alcohol, but his usual words and tone were different.
Alice hesitated for a moment due to an inexplicable chill, but as Colton swayed, she eventually stepped closer, draping his arm over her shoulder and supporting him.
“Men, you know…”
“What?”
“They drive you crazy.”
Wondering what he meant, Alice turned her head and froze the moment her eyes met Colton’s.
His gaze was clouded, unlike the Colton she knew.
The arm that had been resting on Alice’s shoulder began to slide down. The hand that moved from her shoulder traveled down her back and settled around her waist.
Everywhere his hand brushed against her skin sent chills down her spine, making her tremble.
“Uncle, you’re drunk, right?”
“No, I’m completely sober. You look even prettier today, Alice.”
Alice snapped back to reality and pushed away Colton’s hand that was groping her waist.
“I’m leaving since you’re fine.”
“Where are you going? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve imagined this day. Do you think there’s a guy around you who’s there with pure intentions? You’re enchanting men like this.”
He was out of his mind. It was clear he had completely lost his senses.
Alice thought there was no need to respond any further.
She ran away. Although it didn’t seem like Colton was following her, once she escaped, she felt a sense of relief, and her limbs felt weak.
She couldn’t tell anyone.
It was always scarier when it was someone close. Alice vividly experienced that even familiar faces could be deceptive.
After all, he was her favorite uncle among her parents’ acquaintances. She had known him for nearly ten years and believed he was a good person. The feeling of betrayal washed over her like a tide.
The next day, when she encountered Colton at the restaurant, he pretended not to remember her. But Alice noticed in his wavering gaze that he remembered what had happened the day before. He didn’t apologize or make excuses and cut off his visits to the restaurant.
The shock was greater than she had expected, and Alice couldn’t shake it off for a long time. She flinched at the slightest brush of someone passing by and began to avoid men who approached her.
At a gathering with her classmates that she attended after a long time, Alice hurriedly stood up.
It had already been several weeks. Since the moment she met Uncle Colton’s clouded gaze, she had grown wary and fearful of men.
How could someone like family do that to me?
That thought wouldn’t leave her mind. Uncle Colton’s last words kept echoing in her ears.
“Do you think there’s a guy around you who’s there with pure intentions? You’re enchanting men like this.”
“Hey, Miss Alice! What are you doing? Why aren’t you answering?”
At someone’s call, Alice shook her head to clear her thoughts.
It was Atlas, a male friend from her major, with whom she had started dating for the first time since entering college. He seemed to have followed her to walk her home.
He was the life of the party in their group. Humorous and quick-witted, he often took on the role of MC. With his tall stature and masculine appearance, he was quite popular among the girls.
Today, he seemed to be a bit tipsy after having fun bantering with their classmates.
“Hey, you look drunk. You should go home. I’m completely fine, you know? I can go home alone.”
Ignoring her suggestion to leave, Atlas followed closely behind her as if guarding her.
“You’ll get caught by the police if you go home alone looking that ugly. No way.”
Feeling anxious about the possibility of running into Colton in front of her house, Alice found Atlas’s concern oddly reassuring and appreciated it.
Atlas treated her strictly as a friend and never crossed any lines. That’s why they had been able to share their friendship for over three years.
