Chapter 1 An Encounter with A Nice Guy

Prologue

My name is Elena Rouge…I am an ordinary woman, what people don’t know about me is who truly I am…They think that I am a reserved woman, a little bit shy or awkward…some people think about it but I always sneer at them and try to shut their underestimate stare at me down with ‘whatever you think...’. They never thought that they would ever find me clubbing or partying at night…but they never knew who would be my next target (laughing inside). I was a professional killer…not a bloody killer but I did reveal what people think their hidden secrets were safe…whenever my boss asked me to do some orders that he got from his clients…The public will make a silent murder to all of my targets (smiling on her lips) but ordinary people think I am a common woman who is desperately lonely and avoids any bigger social life…I am glad that they think like that…

“Elena?” A guy with glasses and beautiful green eyes stood in her sight. His index was pointing at her then, he turned his finger to him. “Remember me?”

They were standing on the pavement of the sidewalk. Some people were rushing to go to work and some of them were walking to have sightseeing at the food court area nearby their place.

She widened her eyes. “Martinez?” She tried to guess and her lips shaped a wide smile.

“Yes, I spilled out your coffee when I bumped you…” That young man shrugged and looked around him. “That day.” He inhaled and drew a clumsy smile as he took a glance at the woman who was standing in his sight, with her ankle-high boots, a loose sweater with a leopard motif scarf on her neck, and a pair of old jeans.

“Can I buy you coffee?” He bit his lips and his green eyes were staring at Elena. He sniffed and fixed his glasses. He seemed to be a little at the edge.

She nodded her head.

“Great. How about over there? Aren’t you busy?” He took a long deep inhale as he found Elena accepting his offer.

The young woman wobbled her head and said, “Lucky me so, I am out to grab some coffee.”

She chuckled and Martinez, the young man, imitated her action. He giggled and looked at his ‘butterfly in his stomach’ state to ease gradually.

“So, how is the dog that you saved when…?” Elena paused her sentence; a pair of her onyx eyes turned its direction from the pavement of the sidewalk where they were walking onto Martinez’s face.

“When I bumped you that day?” Martinez squinted his eyes and made Elena deliver him her sweet smile that Martinez remembered since that day.

“Yeah…you say that you needed to save the dog’s life because it was hit by a motorcycle,” Elena tried to avoid Martinez’s piercing stare at her as she looked down to their steps. ‘Nice branded sneakers, Martinez!’ She folded her two arms and stroked some of the hair strands that were blown by the breeze.

Martinez inhaled. “She’s safe but the hit made her some fractures on her right bone leg.”

“Really? Oh, poor girl!” Elena paused her steps and gasped as she felt pity for the dog.

“But she’s okay and getting better!”

Martinez smiled and they continued their walk on the sidewalk.

They stopped at a coffee station on the sidewalk and there were two people before they queued.

“Were you walking for work on that day?” Martinez twitched one of his legs, he looked at Elena before putting his sight on the ground.

“Yeah. How about you?” Elena wiped her nose and glanced at Martinez.

His wavy berry-coloured hair was messed by the wind. Martinez stroked his fingers into his hair. “Yes, I am a vet assistant. I am working for an animal clinic. How about you?”

They stepped forward as the first person had got his takeaway order.

“I am working at a restaurant. As a washing dish person…” Elena answered and looked at Martinez slightly.

Martinez nodded his head and there was no change in his facial expression. “You are working in a shift?”

Elena inhaled. “Yes. Sometimes with some extra hours. To get some extra tips.”

The second person left the queue as she had grabbed her orders. She took a glimpse at both Martinez and Elena as she slid her body to move from the queue and walk away.

Elena looked at the woman’s back. ‘I think she’s from upper middle class. Her shoes I know the brand. It costs hundreds. Hmm…’

“What coffee, Elena?” Martinez startled her. “Cappuccino, latte, black coffee or espresso?”

“Oh…Latte, no sugar, crème with some ice.” Elena smiled and she saw Martinez smirking at her.

“Any toppings?” Martinez put his two hands into his jean’s pockets.

“Brown sugar powder, if there’s any…” Elena stopped and giggled, “Don’t make me sound like a complaint customer! Gosh…” She covered her mouth with her backhand at the time she giggled.

Martinez glanced at her and grinned. “One of the nightmares that often show up in your restaurant?”

Elena pulled her backhand from covering her mouth. “Not to me. But some of my friends that work for waiters said that they kind of customers…hmm…you know, they’re mean for tips.” She giggled again as Martinez smiled widely. Martinez ordered their coffee and they waited for several minutes to get their coffee.

“So, are you walking to work?” Martinez handed her coffee after he paid their orders. He sipped his coffee and glanced at Elena.

“Yeah. I am waiting for my bus. I have plenty of time. How about you?” Elena sipped her latte coffee; she wiped some crème that stained on her lip with her fingers.

“My bad. I have nothing much left to spend this coffee with you. Although I’ll be glad to have it…” Martinez rubbed his right temple after he took a glimpse of his watch.

Elena jiggled her head and smiled. ‘Why my instinct said that you are not an ordinary person who working as a vet assistant, Martinez. Your sneakers’ brand name and the watch that you are wearing sound loud to me about you.’ Elena stared at Martinez and sipped her coffee.

“Did you give the dog a name?” She asked Martinez.

“Yeah. I named her ‘Fortune’, as she could survive the accident!” Martinez sipped his coffee. He turned his eyes to the crowd, people who were passing them by.

Martinez sounded so puffing. “Can I see you again?” He handed his old version of the mobile phone to Elena. “Please, give me your number…”

Elena smiled and took his mobile phone to type her mobile phone number. “That’s my number. Perhaps, I won’t be able to answer your call so you should message me.”

Martinez squinted his eyes and frowned his lips. “You’re so vain…” He tried to make a joke and Elena chuckled.

“No, I’m just…” She moved her fingers in the air.

“I know. It’s because your shifting hours sometimes ruin your dating schedule…” Martinez beamed.

Elena shrugged. “Perhaps.”

Martinez wiped his nose. He whispered in Elena’s ear. “I need to go now. Please, answer my call or reply to my messages, okay?” He smiled at Elena since he found that Elena’s pupils dilated and she was surprised with what he did.