2_COFFEE WITH A CYNIC

COFFEE WITH A CYNIC

The next day, Kimberlee found herself in front of a building on Madison Avenue.

She got private information of the whereabouts of an illegal drug lord and just like always, she decided to do the dirty work.

Kim snuck into the building in a disguise as usual with her camera and dictaphone in her bag as she searched for her targets.

She arrived in an empty room and took a look around. It was marbled and the decor looked expensive.

“Can I help you?” A voice asked from behind.

Kim quickly turned to see the source of such a melodious voice.

He was tall, had a neat hair cut and he wore a custom made three piece suit.

He oozed wealth.

“I was looking for the bathroom.” She attempted to make it for the door and he moved out of her way.

“Old trick in the book. Are you a journalist?” He smiled at her.

Kim stopped and looked at him. “N..no.” She unwillingly stammered.

Well, it wasn't a lie.

The man only grinned again and looked at her with a strange interest but Kimberlee knew better not to waste time.

She was in the wrong building.

Kimberlee quickly ran for the door. “Wait!” She heard him call but she didn't stop.

Before she could open the door, it swung open and she inevitably crashed into something which felt like a solid wall.

Kim lost her footing and almost fell to the ground but the man at the door quickly grabbed and steadied her until she gained balance.

“Are you okay?" He asked and the familiar voice sounded in her head.

She looked up and saw the familiar face. The same man she humiliated for nothing.

Her face turned pink as she flushed in shame.

“You…?” Realization settled in his eyes.

Quickly looking away, she covered her face with her hands and hurriedly walked past him.

He looked at the other man in the office who shrugged. “Hey!" He followed her.

Kim made it to the elevator and quietly prayed he doesn't catch up with her.

But then his hand stopped the elevator doors from closing shut.

He majestically walked in and pressed a button.

“Stop following me!" She tried to cover up her guilt with anger.

“You really have some nerve, you know,” He scoffed and arranged his collar.

Kim really wanted to check him out but her pride wouldn't allow her although, from the corner of her eyes, she noticed her wore a white long sleeve shirt with brown cotton trousers.

His chest was proudly showcased because his shirt was buttoned up halfway and she could see the simple chain that outline his neck.

“I’m not following you. We happened to move in the same direction." He added.

" Then stop talking to me.” She rolled her eyes and moved as far as possible from him.

The elevator became quiet but she was well aware of his presence because it filled the place.

“Oh, I forgot. I need to go to this floor." He pressed a different button. “I don't think that's it." He pressed another one.

Kimberly's jaw dropped in disbelief.

She needed to get out of her as soon as possible else, she will miss an opportunity to make money today.

And this one was very important.

“How dare you?! You piece of shit!" She angrily cursed at him.

“No, oh! I remember now," He turned to look at her with a smile as he pushed all the buttons, satisfied with her reaction.

Kim closed her eyes to find the calmness she so much needed at that point but the only thing she found was his scent. It danced in her nostrils and slowly invaded her brain.

Why can she smell him so deeply?

He smelt so mesmerizing and addictive.

Her eyes flung open.

‘No! Not a chance!’

It's her fault anyway. She was mean to him and unnecessarily embarrassed him and herself in public. And now, she's trying to put on the mean girl act to avoid facing the truth.

She deserved not to get paid today.

Kimberlee slowly turned to him. “I'm sorry," She said, rather to herself. " I had a lot of things running through my head and you were just there,”

“Or, you're just a cynic, waiting to be triggered.” He said.

She nodded her head and looked down. “Right. Well, I didn't mean to humiliate you like that.” And she turned away.

She wished he would say more so her guilt would fade away but it was still eating her on the inside and the silence in the elevator didn't help either.

She apologized, that's all that mattered.

“Have coffee with me." He moved closer to her.

Kim's heart skipped a beat. He was so close she could feel the heat radiating from him.

" Tomorrow.” He added. " I can pick you up or we can meet up here.”

The elevator door finally opened at the lounge.

" Sure,” She nodded. " You don't have to pick me up, I'll come over,” She quickly walked out.

" Santos." He said with a smile but she nodded and dashed out of the building without saying word. “What should I call you?" He followed her to her scooter.

“Hey! That's her!" She heard from a near distance.

Just like before, she had another different set of goons hot on her trail.

Kimberlee hopped on her scooter. “I sold it to him," She pointed at Santos and sped away on her scooter.

He turn to look at the goons who were now interested in him instead.

Pamela and Zita screeched in excitement when Kimberlee narrated the story.

“I can already see how this love story will play out." Pamela dreamingly said, hugging Kimberlee who sat next to her on the bed.

“Nothing speaks better than a dress girl! The decider of every love story. It's all about the dress." Zita opened the little wardrobe. “I have variety."

" I can help with make up.” Pamala added. " Tell me more about this ‘Santos’. What do you think his taste is?"

“Kimberly, obviously," Zita answered instead and the two laughed. “I learned how to make these awesome curls I saw online. You will look chic in them!”

" Wait! Hold up you two,” Kim quickly got up. "It's just coffee.”

" So?” Zita sat next to Pamela on the bed.

“Firstly, I don't want to look desperate. Two, he didn't say it was a date so stop being excited because he doesn't like me and it's not gonna be anything more than coffee. Thirdly, who said I'm going?”

Pamela and Zita looked at each other.

“And why not?" Zita frowned.

" I'm not interested. Look, I don't have time for this, okay? I have a lot of responsibilities. The children, the house..”

"That's why you have us.” Pamela scoffed.

" And I'm grateful. But I can't really afford any distraction right now.” She sat in-between her friends. " I don't think I'm ready, yet."

They hugged each other and crawled back to bed. Pamela and Zita placed kisses on Kim's face.

" We understand." Zita said. “Sorry mister Santos, but our sister wants to die a virgin. Even at twenty five."

The three deeply laughed.

“It's just a shame you are gonna miss out on such a hot dude dude," Pamela sighed.

"And he is really hot,” Kim sadly pouted, realizing how hot he looked yesterday.

Stop it Kim.