Blink of an eye

C É C I L E G A R N I E R

What the hell just happened!

Did I just stir up trouble with a high-Roller.

This doesn't look Good! “Should I apologize or should I leave” I thought to myself, fear begins to creep in on me

No” I said, shrugging it off. “that rich asshole , He started it first. just because he’s somehow influential, he just wanted to show it off on me “

but again my cell phone rings this time, it was Chloe. grateful for that distraction.I smile picking the phone up and placing it on my ear

“ Hey Chloe,” I answered, trying to sound casual.

“What’s good”

“Cécile, are you alright?, you sound upset, ? chloe asked

For the records, Chloe knows me well enough to know when I’m desperately trying so hard to sound

Nonchalant while internally, I’m freaking out and loosing my mind!

“I just had a run in with a rich dude, says his name is Luca Crovetto” I said trying to mimic the Luca voice.

“ said he is Lord of Crovetto Empire and I may have challenged him, I mean, who the hell comes out to publicly declare themselves as a lord just to walk over some people” I huff

“NO WAY!” Chloe let out a deafening scream that made me quickly pull the phone far from my ear.

“ YOU MET LUCA CROVETTO!”

“That’s what he said” I replied surprisingly rubbing my chin “Since when did you know about Mr crovetto?”

“I’ve read about him in the news, I know he is a big player in the global market, always making power moves, there were allegations against him one time that he might be involved in some sort of mafia activities !”

“Oh wow” I remarked softly.

“Cecèlie you know better than to mess around with people like that, he is a walking danger!” Chloe screams again

“ I know right" I said , scratching my head in regret. “It's stupid but he was being a jerk and I lost my cool.”

“Well let’s just say his not used to hearing no from women, and I was happy to disappoint him” I smirk.

“ oh my God , are you okay? you know he could do anything to you, he could send his men to shoot you or decapitate your head or even lace your drink with poison or……”

“Chloe? You are not really helping!” I shouted not letting her finish what she wanted to say. But she continued anyway her voice shifted from being worried to very concerned

“I’m sorry— I’m just—All I'm saying is to be careful and stay away from trouble, I mean it”

“Yes grandmaaa” I roll my eyes and smiled. “Thank you”

“ I can’t believe you met Luca Crovetto!” her shock was even evident over the phone.

But I gave a slight shrug, thinking about it. It wasn’t like I met a celebrity or something. I’m sure he is more impressed by me than I am with him.

“So tell me” she continues excitedly.

“Is he cute?”

“ who? No!,nothing cute about his privileged attitude” I replied blushing a bit. I knew he was cute but I didn't want to admit it.

“Oh come on” Chloe said, letting out a disappointing sign.

“ I didn't get to see if he was cute or not Chloe, I was too busy being angry at him. Besides, not all wealthy men are good looking. Some of them are just…. Um….interesting-looking“ I said, running my fingers through the painting on the wall trying to sound nonchalant but my voice betrayed me.

“interesting-looking?, that's a nice way of putting it” She chuckled.

“And, you haven't met one before now, so I guess they are all charming in a ‘ I'm going to kill you if you cross me’ type of way.”

“ I'm sure they are” I replied dryly

”You know, I just want to have a good time while I still can”

“well, speaking of which, your mum is worried that you haven't spoken to her, you should take her calls” chloe said

I inhaled sharply “ you know mom always has a way of getting me emotional, just let her know that I am alright and this place is very lovely. And Chloe, don't tell her about this” I winced, my face contorting in a pleading expression. I know how chloe can get sometimes and excitement isn't always good for her. “Tell her I love her and I'll call her as soon as I can.” I added.

“Mhmmm” I heard her agree at the other end of the line. “Just stay safe and out of trouble you hear me”

“I will, I promise. I have so much to do , I wish you were here, you could have helped me unpacked you know, you are really good with these things,now i don't what to do without you” i teased her

“ Well I don't have that kind of money,so you'll learn the hard way!” she replied, snorting in between laughter.

“I better let you go now, have fun Cécile”

“Yeah” I replied before hanging up.

After hanging up with Chloe, I buried my face in my palm and let out a deep sign, its been a long day so I decided to take a long,warm shower to wash away the tension instead of soaking myself in the bathtub.

Under the gentle flow of water down my skin, I couldn't help but think about what Chloe had just said about what he could do to me for standing up against him. Wasn't it an easy way out of my situation? I mean if I was to be poisoned. I would just go to bed and sleep peacefully.

“Cecile” I called myself back, my intrusive thoughts had started to creep in. I shut my eyes tightly, shrugging the thought off trying to distract myself by listening to the sound of the water pattering against the tiles.

I pictured my family, hoping they were alright and weren't sad about what had happened to me. My mom had been very supportive but wasn't particularly in favor of my trip to Monaco even after I explained to her why I wanted to, well, my dad, he hasn't been always there for us, so I can't say what he thinks while my mom thinks it best to travel overseas and she was adamant about her reasons.

I just guessed maybe she had a bad experience in the city during her stay running her foodtruck business. But she didn't want to talk about it.

Then I remembered a conversation that stood out, my mom, I and my little brother were sitting in our living room one evening having a normal family chitchat. The day she mentioned about a special trip they had taken there and how it had changed their life forever and one of the good things was giving birth to me.

But I've always wondered if it had something to do with why we moved around a lot especially Dad maybe he just liked exploring new places.

I was trying so hard to distract myself by thinking about home but my mind kept wandering back to the conversation with chloe.

I opened my eyes and looked around the shower , I was starting to feel a bit trapped. I needed to get out of there and clear my head. I turned off the water and stepped out, wrapping myself in a soft white towel.

I walked over to my unzipped luggage and scanned for what I could just easily throw on.

“Aha!” I muttered, picking up a flowy,light coral dress that had white paisley design and an asymmetrical hem.

I slipped in it and paired it with a nude sandals and a wide straw hat. I grabbed my phone and my hand bag and took a short glance at my own Mediterranean view before heading out.

I had no idea where I was headed but I'd rather go for a walk than stay and continue to over think. I wasn't here to visit any popular landmark

I made my way out of the hotel and into the city,the warm Mediterranean sunlight kissed my skin, the streets were very clean and shiny, the only litter I spotted were half smoked cigars in public Ashtrays.the narrow street had plenty walkways but had connection to each building, lots of multi colored buildings with apartments stacked over each other, beautiful architecture.

As I wandered through the city,I stumbled upon a street vendor selling unique souvenirs, so I decided to check it out.

One item in particular got my attention as I drew closer, a beautiful handmade neck piece.i reached out to touch it

the vendor, an elderly man smiled and said something to me in monegasque. I hesitated unsure of what he meant

“ pardon sir” I replied hoping he would repeat himself in English or french

“necklace.. very goodluck…” he gestured

I smiled back still paying attention to the details of the neckpiece“ how much …does it …cost?” I gestured with my hands

He tried again with hand gesture to explain the price while repeating “ euros, euros” i nodded, relieved and reached out to get some money

To my wildest shock! My bag was empty! Everything was gone, my phone, my keys, my wallet, everything!

I had felt a slight bump earlier at first and I thought nothing of it ,assuming it was just a careless pedestrian.

“ I've been robbed!” I exclaimed frantically searching my empty purse in disbelief.

I couldn't believe this was happening to me alone, in a foreign city with no way to communicate and protect myself.I had no idea how I would get back to my hotel. I started to panic.

I needed to get to the police station but the elderly man kept saying things in monegasque that I felt frustrated and lost,unsure of what he was trying to tell me.

I pointed to myself “police?''hoping he would understand. He nodded enthusiastically and replied again in monegasque. I was helpless , I felt like I was In a nightmare and I couldn't wake up. I couldn't help but wonder if I was just having a bad day or if I was just unlucky in this life.

I asked for directions but they all seemed to give me a puzzled look and pointed me in the wrong direction. The streets seemed to twist and turn in every direction. I walked for what seemed like an hour,but every sign and landmark looked unfamiliar. I had tried to hail a taxi but none seemed willing to stop for me.

The sun started to set, casting its reddish glow over the streets.

Before I knew it , I found myself in a neighborhood slightly off,the streets were lined in neon lights and the air thick with smoke . The buildings seemed older and it was as if I had entered a different world.I noticed a change in the crowd, more men lingered in the street and some eyed me with interest. I tried to quicken my pace but a deep familiar baritone voice made me flinch

“look who we have here,didn't know you frequented this establishment”

When I turned it was him,luca crovetto! Seeing him alone brought back flashes from the conversation I had with chloe

His implying tone made me wonder what he meant

“What establishment?Was he following me? of all people, why did it have to be him again?”

Why is he even looking at me like that,with that smug on his face?”

All these thoughts filled my mind as I gaped at him.