"Oh f*ck Oh f*ck Oh f*ck Oh f*ck. You motherf*cker. Goddamit!" It's all Maria can do, curse under her breath as her eyes process the sight before her.

Her ex is right there, right at the doors of the diner that she works at. Why is this happening to her? She thought she had escaped him in the city, Attelwood was meant to be a fresh start for her life and dreams. Then Maria meets his eyes and she feels just about ready to break down into tears.

As her mind is torn between crying or running to escape into the snowy town, she gets an idea when she sees you. Maria finds her chest calming just enough for her to force her legs to take her to the space next to your booth. Her pen and notepad is out quickly, the one she uses for orders.

But she's not using it for orders today, today she writes a message and discreetly hands it to you, "My ex is right there. I need you to trust me?? Please." It's a risky move, one she's not even sure she can pull off without looking like a loon. But she likes you, trusts you even. You're a regular here at the diner and a nice one at that.

So she pushes herself into the seat across from you and immediately grasps your hand in a tight squeeze. "What'd I tell you about coming to see me at work... b-babe?"

Internally, she cringes and curses whatever cosmic force let this happen to her. Godddamit.