Rakshasa Boyfriend: Jian Part One (complete)

Delivering pizzas was never something I thought I would have to do. I really, honestly believed that after I graduated college, things would be hard, but not the struggle they have been. I thought I would at least get some sort of job related to my degree in teaching. Hell, even a substitute teacher job would suffice, but no. I’m delivering pizzas and living at home again. Thanks world, I guess. You’re really doing me a solid here.

My uncle owns the pizzeria where I got the job, so I get pity on top of demeaning groveling to make a paycheck. No offense to other food delivery people, but it’s a weird, gross, and very taxing job. I have to deal with people in their personal space most of the time, and more often than not, it’s a strange experience. My least favorite part of the job is delivering to offices or to parties where I actually have to go into the building. Once you see an orgy with a pizza buffet, you’re kind of numb for life. 

Anyway, the job isn’t all bad. Most of the time, I’m driving and can have some time to myself. Other times, I get great tips from some really nice people on my route. The bunch of stoners who order at least four times a week are my favorites; they tip like kings. I don’t know if they’re rich somehow, or if they don’t know what they’re doing, but I would die for those stoners. The other thing I truly enjoy about my days making deliveries is the construction site across from the parking lot, where we keep the delivery car and bikes.

They’re building a new strip mall where a row of foreclosed houses used to be. For the most part, the crew is always working, but around the time I make the most deliveries, they’re either on break or heading home. What I like about them is how they complain. For some reason, hearing these hard working people bitch and moan just brings joy into my heart. Hearing their vulgar cuss words and how they string them together is like some form of modern poetry. 

Because the pizzeria is so close to the construction site, the workers have been eating there a lot. Unfortunately, I’m almost never been around when they come in to eat. There’s one in particular I’ve always wanted to meet; I call him the Silent Tiger. He is one of the biggest guys on the crew aside from the Minotaur twins and the big dragon. He is this hulking tiger with thick arms, broad shoulders, and a bit of a gut. I call him the Silent Tiger because of how he never speaks when the others do their poetic cussing. He has a sort of understanding, yet grouchy look on his face. I think he is absolutely stunning, but during the many opportunities I’ve had the option to speak to him, I always, without fail, chicken out.  

Anyways, work, debt, and my own failures aside, I have gotten used to this life now. I’m used to the strange, the odd, the creepy that comes with peering into people’s homes. I’ve gotten used to the realization that my degree might very well be useless. I’ve gotten used to living at home again. I’ve dated a bit, but it’s kind of hard when you live at home. I am an adult, and I am allowed much more freedom than I ever had as a kid. It’s still hard bringing someone over when you live with your parents. The one time I brought a guy over with the intent to fool around, it was so awkward that he ended up leaving. So, for the time being, I’ve stopped dating until I can figure out a better way to date without having to go home.

One afternoon, as I am helping clean up tables, my uncle calls me to the back. “Rika, come back here, I’ve got one last delivery for you today before you leave.”

I wipe off my hands and go to the back, where he has a stack of pizza boxes ready. “Sure, who’s it for?” I ask.

“Just take these to the construction crew across the way,” he says.

“Don’t they usually come in to eat?” I take the boxes into my arms.

“Usually,” he says with a shrug. “But now they’ve made an order. So go get it to them before they starve,” he laughs.

I’m not mad, it’ll be the first time I’ve approached them and not just stared at them from across the parking lot. I take the pizzas to the gate surrounding the construction and finally wave down one of the Minotaur twins. 

“Oh awesome, come on in. Jian will pay you.” The minotaur opens the gate and lets me in. He leads me towards the back where the workers have gathered in the shade and are cooling off.

“Yeah! Pizza girl is here!” Some cheers ring out and I’m suddenly being rushed. Pizzas are taken from me until I’m standing holding only one box. 

“Jian, pay the lady!”

I look up to see the Silent Tiger come towards me. My heart is pounding hard, turning my blood to lava, and my face a smoldering coal. He’s so much bigger in person; our size difference feels like a single krill to a whale. My mouth goes dry as his serious, moody eyes gaze upon me. 

“Oh, uhm-” I gasp and take out the receipt. “That’ll be $55.35.” My voice cracks as I gaze up at him. What I wouldn’t give to nestle my head between his pecs.

Jian taps something on his ear then points to the receipt again. 

“Oh! $55.35,” I speak up a little bit louder.

Jian nods and he reaches into his pocket. He produces a fifty dollar bill and a twenty. 

“I’ll get your change,” I say as I start to reach for the money pouch.

Jian shakes his head and points to me.

“A tip?” I gasp. “Oh, thank you so much! That’s so kind!”

Jian’s ears flatten slightly and he glances aside then nods his head gently. He then waves his hand for me to follow and he takes me back to the front gate where the car is parked. As he’s unlocking it, I notice a business card mingled with the two bills. On it is a scribbled message that reads: “Please text, I don’t often answer calls.” On the other side, I see Jian’s name. 

I look up at him as he opens the gate for me and steps aside. He sees me holding the car door and he sighs.

“Texting! I prefer that too,” I manage to squeak out. “If you want, I’ll send you a message when I get home?”

Jian opens his mouth, but behind us there is a bunch of whooping and whistling. I turn to see the rest of the crew cheering for Jian, congratulating him on slipping me his number. The angry look on his face becomes more pronounced and he storms off towards them, making them scatter and run.

I giggle, watching him for a moment longer before I have to go. Once at home, I take out the card and look it over. I feel anxious about texting him; not because of the situation, but because of how much I like him. Replying on dating apps is easy, I barely knew the person, but texting a guy I’ve been fantasizing about and crushing on for weeks now is an all-new experience. 

I finally send a quick message. “Hi, this is Rika, the pizza girl.”

“Oh my god, that sounds so stupid!” I growl at myself and flop down onto my bed. “It’s okay,” I reassure myself. “It’s fine. Just an introduction. Nothing to-” my phone pings, and I nearly throw it out of excitement. I sit up and grip my phone tight as I look at the message on the screen.

“Hi Rika, I’m Jian.”

“How do I reply to this?” I grumble under my breath.

Another message then pops up. “I hope you don’t mind this. Anytime we go to the restaurant, you’re never there. So I had to resort to this little ploy.”

My heart is in my throat. “So you’ve been wanting to give me your number for a while now?” 

“Yes. I hope I’m not overstepping or something.”

“Not at all,” I quickly reply. “It was a very nice surprise.”

“Good, then would asking you out be any worse?”

I’ve not felt this excited in a long time. I’m like some hyped-up schoolgirl getting asked out by her crush for prom. “No. It wouldn’t.” I gotta sound cool, need to sound nonchalant.

“Good.” Is all he replies.

I grimace at the word as I try to find a way to respond. “Is it?”

“Sorry, I’m getting yelled at, I had to step away.”

“Your coworkers?”

“Yes. They’ve been pushing me to ask for a while now, ever since I told them you were cute.”

I could die. I could honestly pop a blood vessel and die. “You think I’m cute?”

“I’d rather not say over text. But yes. I do think you’re cute.”

I squeal and hug my pillow. “Well, if we’re confessing, I’ve been stealing glances at you for a while now. You’re very much my type.”

“You’re not serious?”

“100% serious. I think you’re extremely handsome.”

“Well now, I feel even more flustered than before haha.”

I’ve never felt so excited texting someone before. I bite my lip as I try to think of something else to say.

Jian texts, “I have Sunday off for sure. If that’s too soon and you need to talk more, I understand. But I know a great little place I’d like to take you, if you’d like.”

“I’m free Sunday too!” I hate how eager I am. “I wouldn’t mind going to get to know one another better.”

“Ok good,” he says. “Oh, and before we go out, there is something I really need to tell you.”

A sudden chill rushes through my body as I gaze over the message. “Do you have extra toes or something?” I ask to try and lighten the mood.

“No, nothing so visible,” he answers. “I’m technically deaf. I wear a hearing aid but I still have to use sign language to talk. If that makes you uncomfortable, I understand.”

“No, not at all! I don’t know sign language though.”

“Then we can just text. It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“If that’s okay with you,” I answer.

“I’ll let you know times and where we can meet on Sunday. I have to go for now, but thank you. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me too.” I hold my phone close to my chest for a moment, before I start a search for sign language classes. 

Sunday rolls around, and we arranged to meet in the parking lot between the construction site and the restaurant. I’m wearing a new outfit my mom bought for me, and I’m fidgeting with the hem of my skirt, wondering if it’s too short. A car pulls up and a moment later, Jian steps out. He’s wearing a Hawaiian shirt with a pastel print and the sleeves rolled up, showing off his strong arms. He has his phone up, and I receive a text.

“Sorry, I’m a little late.”

“It’s okay,” I say to him. “Actually, you’re not even late at all, I was a bit early.” I was so eager, I accidentally left the house thirty minutes too soon.

“You look nice,” he texts. “Very cute.”

My heart is pounding wildly. “I like your shirt,” I reply. “Those are some of my favorite colors.”

His ears go flat a bit and he nods. He goes over to the passenger side of the car and opens the door for me. I slip inside. In the back seat, I notice his tool belt, but other than that the car looks freshly cleaned and vacuumed.

I receive another text. “I won’t be able to text and drive. So you can put on music if you’d like. You can also talk and I’ll still hear it.”

He gets into the car and looks at me, then nods to the radio.

“I’ll try and talk,” I chuckle nervously. “Although I’m not sure what to talk about.” I settle in my seat. “Maybe I can just ask you some yes or no questions?”

Jian nods.

“Oh. Okay, cool.” I think for a long moment. “How old are you?” I say. “Are you in your twenties?”

Jian shakes his head.

“In your thirties?”

He shrugs.

I laugh and cover my mouth. “Late thirties?”

He wags his paw side to side in the air.

“Are you forty?” I ask, trying to keep my grin in check.

Jian pinches his thumb and forefinger together so close they’re almost touching. He then frowns slightly as he gazes out the window.

“Ah, so you’re an older gentleman?” I laugh.

He sighs and nods.

“You don’t look it. I told you I thought you were very handsome.” My face feels like a rock baking in the sun. “I used to like getting close to the construction so I could hear your coworkers cuss and complain. It was stress relief for me.” I look him over and notice that his hand has a very tight grip on the gear shift. “I liked looking at you. Oh gosh, saying that out loud I now feel creepy,” I laugh.

Jian smiles then shakes his head.

“Okay. So, uhm, questions,” I huff. I think again for a long time. “Do you like movies?”

Joan gives me a look.

“Okay, okay, everyone likes movies,” I grumble. “Do you like pina coladas?” 

A knowing look crosses his face and he glances towards me.

“And getting caught in the rain?” I start to grin at my own joke.

Jian reaches over and pinches the tip of my nose. I giggle and smile up at him. “Sorry. Stupid joke, I know.” I twist my hair around my finger. “You never told me exactly where you’re taking me. You just kept saying a ‘little place’.” I smooth my skirt down on my thighs. “Is it a restaurant?”

Jian nods.

“Okay, obvious,” I chuckle. “Is it Italian?”

Jian shakes his head.

“Okay, good. I’ve been exposed to enough red sauce to last me a lifetime.” I think for a moment. “Is it Mediterranean?”

Jian shakes his head. 

“Some sort of Asian?”

Jian taps his nose.

“Ah ha! On the nose! Okay, now to narrow down all the Asian foods I know.” I grimace. “I honestly don’t know that many,” I grumble in defeat.

Jian reaches over to pat my thigh and my brain completely short circuits. Jian sighs and taps his ear then pats my thigh again.

“Sounds like-” my voice cracks. “Sounds like thigh?”

Jian nods, a smile on his pretty face.

“Thigh… thigh… Thai!” I blurt loudly, and Jian cups his paw over his right ear.

“Oh, sorry!” I gasp. I nestle back down into the seat. “So, a little Thai place.”

Jian nods and looks at me. His eyes linger on my legs for a long moment while we’re stopped at a red light. He then faces forward and takes in a deep breath.

“I haven’t had good Thai food in a while,” I murmur. “I had this coconut soup one time. It was pretty good.” I glance at Jian’s arm, watching the muscles work as he turns the steering wheel. I admire him for a while until we come to a stop and park. I look up to see a small house in front of us, with a restaurant sign out front.

“I know the people who own it,” Jian texts me. 

“Oh, cool!” I get out of the car and follow Jian inside. Right away, the hostess at the front hugs Jian and greets him warmly. She uses sign language with him, and I feel a bit out of the loop. After a moment, she takes us to a back room and lights candles on the table for us before leaving to get drinks.

I glance at the menu, then towards Jian. “What would you recommend?” I ask him before checking my phone.

“If you’re brave enough, I’ll order a surprise for you.”

I smile at Jian and nod. “Okay. I’ll take that challenge.” 

Jian takes my menu from me and gives me a smirk. My phone lights up, and I check the messages again.

“You do look really beautiful. I wish I could tell you myself. But for now, this will have to do.”

My heart is hammering and I look up at him. “Thank you. That’s so sweet.”

Jian texts me again. “I’m sorry if it felt like I was staring in the car. Legs are my weakness, thighs especially. I suppose it’s best I am honest now so I don’t make it awkward. Silently staring and smirking is probably not an attractive way to flirt.”

“I have short, fat legs,” I chuckle. 

Jian’s eyes narrow in a soft way and he shakes his head.

“Soft, cute, cuddly,” he texts.

I smirk and start to laugh. “Are my legs puppies?”

“Sexy puppies.” As soon as I read the text, Jian groans and lowers his head. 

“Sorry,” he adds. 

The waitress comes to take the order, and she winks at me as Jian points out the mystery item for me on the menu. The food arrives quickly, and the table becomes overladen with food. As I look over all the dishes, Jian sends me a text.

“I’m a big boy, I need big food.”

I grin at him and bounce in my seat. “I’m hungry, so this all looks good. Where should I start?”

Jian moves close to me, placing his chair right beside mine. He takes his fork and starts offering me bites from it. I’m losing my breath, not from how spicy some of the food is, but from the intimacy Jian’s created. 

Once I’ve eaten enough that I’m stuffed beyond reason, Jian and I are basically cuddled up together at the table. He’s placed his arm around my shoulders and we’re making idle chit chat while we nurse cups of cool tea.

“I could really fall asleep right now,” I nearly belch. “It doesn’t help that you’re so warm.”

“If you do fall asleep, how will I get you home?” Jian texts.

“Good point,” I grunt and sit up so I am not so comfortable. “This was so nice. I haven’t eaten so much in so long. I hope I didn’t look like a pig to you.”

“Still very cute. So much so I’ve wanted to kiss you all night.”

I nearly drop my phone as I read over the message. Before I can look away from the screen, Jian places a small, soft kiss on my cheek and starts to purr.

I turn towards him, meeting his kiss and leaning into it. I then giggle and pull away. “You ate too many of the spicy noodles! Your lips are on fire!”

Jian smirks and runs his fingers through my hair. I look back into his eyes and lean in for another kiss despite the spicy flavor.