1. Lovesick

I was here, in what’s considered the most dangerous city in the United States. If it weren’t for Kim, there’s no way I’d go through all this trouble, traveling so far just to fetch her damn documents. Damn her scatterbrain for always forgetting important stuff and dragging me into her personal courier service.

Pulling my phone out of my bag, I dialed Kim’s number. I prayed she’d pick up quickly so that the incident that I won’t tell wouldn’t happen again like last time.

“Hey, Leanne, you here already?” she answered on the second ring.

“Now quickly tell me where to go?”

“Grab a cab. I’ll text you the address,” From the tone in which she spoke, I could tell that she was in a hurry for some reason.

“Pray to your God that I always remember that you are my best friend,” I said simply.

“I’ll text you, Leanne.” That was the last word before she unilaterally ended the call. Truly a person who understood gratitude.

Actually, Kim was not really the type of person who is very annoying. She just got sloppy sometimes. However, even though I get a bit annoyed with her sometimes, I still liked her. She was kind and caring, and sometimes acted like she’s my sister. A rich big sister.

But still, I knew whatever Kim was working on had to be important. And her successes always benefited me in one way or another. She was a hotshot reporter, the diamond of her company, and currently chasing a story that she claimed would solidify her reputation (at least in the journalism world).

A text popped up:

From: Kim

Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. 315 Chestnut St, St. Louis..

I showed the address to the cab driver. He gave me a quick nod before starting the car. I silently wondered what kind of news would make Kim want to be sent all the way to this city.

From behind, I heard the sound of police sirens which made my ears a little disturbed. I suddenly looked for the source of the sound and found two police cars chasing a black car.

“Wow,” I muttered. “What’s going on?”

“That’s normal here,” the driver replied casually, clearly overhearing me.

I looked into the rearview mirror on top of the dashboard, and revealed the face of the driver who seemed to think that I was someone who didn’t know the customs of this place. To be fair, he wasn’t wrong.

I arrived at the hotel Kim had mentioned. “Nice choice,” I muttered to myself. This was one of the fanciest hotels I’d ever set foot in. The view was stunning, and the Gateway Arch was practically right next door.

Kim sent me her room number, and I strolled through the lobby, taking in the surroundings as if no one was waiting for my arrival.

I pressed the elevator, the doors opened and I was presented with the sight of a couple making out. They were so into it they didn’t even notice me. Or maybe they didn’t care. I didn’t know if it was just me or if the elevator I was riding felt like it’s taking forever to move. They were still doing their thing, making me deliberately clear my throat rather loudly.

Finally, they stopped. Whether it was because of me or because they ran out of air, I wasn’t sure. Just then, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened to my floor.

“Lovesick,” I quipped with a teasing tone as I passed them.

I had just stepped out of the elevator when someone suddenly shoved me against the wall. Before I could react, he kissed me, hard and unapologetically. With quick movements, the man also took off his black coat, leaving only a plain white t-shirt that clung snugly to his body. I tried to push him off, but he grabbed my wrists, pinning them behind me with a grip that made it impossible to fight back.

Who the hell was this guy, and what the hell was he doing? He kissed me frantically, his left hand rising to shield our faces. I really tried desperately not to open my mouth and let him in.

There were footsteps running past us. His left hand was binding my wrist and it was his right hand that was raised. Moments later, he stopped kisssing my lips, but remained where he was. A few moments later, he finally broke the kiss but didn’t move away. His eyes opened, and I found myself staring into deep, stormy gray irises. Before I could even process what had just happened, he bent down to pick up the documents I had dropped.

“Thank you.”

That was his first and last word before snatching back his black coat and running in the same direction he came from. He left me standing there like an idiot.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the couple from the elevator staring at me.

“Lovesick,” they mocked before strutting away. Damn it—nothing stings more than having your own words thrown back at you.

I tried to ignore them, straightened my clothes that were a little messy due to that stranger’s actions. The scent of his perfume clung to the fabric.

I searched Kim’s room while still thinking about what happened. Who was he? What did he want? Why the hell did he kiss me? And... why was he such a damn good kisser? Focus, Leanne. Get it together. It’s crazy, I didn’t even know anything about him. Except for his voice, his eyes, and the scent of his perfume, I know nothing else.

Kim opened the door quickly. She didn’t even say a word, just snatched the documents from my hands.

“Oho ... I didn’t hear anything like ‘thank you, Leanne, you are the best’,” I quipped and sat down on the couch like I owned the place.

“Thank you, Leanne. I really am. You are the best person I have. But I don’t have much time right now. Please …,” she said as she checked the file I had brought.

“Fine, fine. Did I miss something?”

“Nope. Everything’s here. Perfect. Thanks again, Leanne. You can chill here or go explore. The password is as usual.” Kim grabbed her bag and hugged me. “Wait, something weird happened,” I said, stopping her.

“What?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

“Why do you smell like men’s cologne?”

Damn!

***

Edited.

170125, Anne Joyce