Movie marathon - Let's talk mission

9- Stripping

I toss and turn on the cold ground, but nothing helps ease the discomfort and cold that is creeping up on me because of the hard ground.

We're inside the deepest part of the cavern. The fire has been reduced to ashes because of the fool who denies keeping it lit. Something about low oxygen level and hypoxia. I don't see the point in dying because of the low oxygen level when we're already going to die with the lack of heat in here.

When I came here following Andre, I thought he didn't know where he was going at first. But then I realized he had been here before. Long ago maybe. The only sign of this place not being a mystery was an old bucket in one corner, and ashes and burnt logs in the other corner of this cave.

We're currently lying on the cold hard ground trying to sleep. At least I'm trying to sleep. But what can a girl do when all she has been trained for is living in comfort. Sleeping in soft and warm beds has been an important part of my career. Good sleep gives you good skin and good health, which ultimately makes you fit for acting. So how can he expect me to sleep here like a sleeping beauty?

Finally, I clear my throat and manage to call out to him for the nth time, "Andre?"

"For the last time, I'm not lighting on the fire."

"But I'm so cold. I can't sleep."

"Then don't sleep. Keep a lookout for those guys outside, but let me sleep."

"But I'm tired."

"Then go to sleep."

"But I—"

"Jesus! What is the matter with you woman?" Andre barks.

"I'm cold and tired."

"I don't see how I can help with that."

"Well... you can sleep with me to make me warm?" I suggest, flushed at my own words. Thank goodness for the darkness, I can't imagine him seeing me like this again.

"I'll just pretend you never said that." He mumbles.

"What? Why? It's a simple solution. Mountaineers do that to survive the cold in the glaciers. What's so wrong about that?"

When he doesn't reply, I frown into the darkness, "Wait, did you think I meant what I think you meant?"

He only grunts in reply. After a few seconds of complete silence, I meekly plead again. But to my surprise, I hear shuffling in the darkness and approaching footsteps.

"Wow, thank you so much, Andre. I didn't know you would agree to it so easily but whatever floats your boat you know..." I trail with a nervous laugh.

Shifting on my side slightly, I make room for him. Which isn't even necessary since all this place has is room. But then, something light brushes against my thigh and as fast as lightning, I hear footsteps retreating to their original spot.

"What—" I move my hand towards the spot on my thigh where I felt the slight brush.

On my thigh, I feel a tiny cloth. Grabbing the feather-light piece with my hand, I hold it in both hands and sit upright once I realize what it is.

Glowering at the spot where I think he is, I snap, "Wow Andre. Thank you so much for blessing me with your big, warm, and cozy handkerchief. I don't know what I would have done without it,"

When he doesn't respond, as I suspected, I take in a deep breath and decide to, very politely, vex him even more.

Lying back on the ground, I start praying in the most dramatic way possible, like a true sixties heroin, "God, thank you for the gifts you bestow upon me. Lord, I am especially thankful for the gift of this handkerchief, for I don't know what I would have done without it in this frosty darkness lying near your equally frost-hearted believer. Oh my Lord help us—"

"Okay, stop! You win." Andre gets up once again and walks towards me, making me grin widely.

Once again, he reaches me. This time, he throws his suit jacket on my face. Gladly welcoming the piece of clothing, I draw my hands through the sleeves and shrug it onto my shoulders. The warmth of his jacket races through my arms, back, and shoulders like an electric shock, as soon as it touches my body. And like a little puppy craving for some love, I snuggle into the welcoming heat and the smell of his musky cologne.

"Hey, Andre, why don't you save us both the time and give me your pants at well."

"Are you crazy?" Like an immature teenager, he asks me abruptly as if revolted by my statement.

"No. But I am cold. Besides, it's not like you'll agree on lying closer to me, so might as well give me those pants and go to sleep without any hassle, eh?"

He grunts and shuffles but finally throws his pants in my way.

"Erm... Ehm... Ha- thanks... Ha-ha Andre..."

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, it's just... It's just... I didn't expect you to fall for it. Ahaha.."

Trying very hard to control my laughter, I cup my mouth with both hands, but in vain, as muffled laughter escaped through them anyway.

"Shut up and go to sleep." Andre murmurs sounding discomfited.

The fact that he did agree with my stupid offer is shocking but at the same time, very thoughtful. No sane man would have ever done that for a random girl he just met and hates.

"Yeah okay, at least I owe you that."

He mumbles something incoherently in response, but I don't give an ear to it as the entire day's exhaustion creeps up to me as soon as I put on his pants.

I go to sleep with a content smile on my face. Nothing beats sleeping in snuggly warm clothes with cologne wafting through your nostrils, giving you peacefully passionate dreams all night long.