Once Upon A Prostitute

CHAPTER 21 - PHOENIX. KITE.

Luke.

I find Mina sitting by the small kitchen table, sipping a glass of water when I walk in. She had taken a bath and freshened up while I was out. Now she dons a yellow t-shirt with a big sunshine smiley on it. Her face is sporting the opposite though – a frown. Still, she looks beautiful in spite of that.

"I thought you left" she says softly.

I drop the bag I am carrying on the table a little too loudly causing her to wince. "Sorry" I say. "Bad hangover?"

"Yeah. And now I have rashes too" she complains extending her arms towards me.

"Rashes?" I query peering closer at her outstretched arms. They weren't prominent but there were definitely rashes there.

"It's my body's way of reacting to excess alcohol. It will clear up within 24 hours" she explains rubbing her eyes.

"You know this. And yet here you are... hungover" I scold as I sit across her at the table.

She attempts rolling her eyes at me but winces again and ends up closing them. "A temporary discomfort for temporary pleasure. I think it's fair enough" she responds and rests her head on the table.

I shake my head. "Take this" I slide the pain relievers I just bought across the table.

She cracks an eye open. "What's that?"

"Ibuprofen. It'll help with the headache".

"That's what you went out to get?" She asks, dragging the pills closer.

"Yes. I also got you a pack of cereal and milk. You need to eat too. Your shelves are empty. How do you survive?" I had been appalled when I checked and saw that she didn't have one single food item anywhere in this kitchen.

She stares at me for a while and it makes me feel some kind of way. "What? I wasn't about to leave you hungover, hungry, and with a headache. What if you pass out?" I joke around and smirk at her, trying to lighten the mood.

She doesn't catch the joke. "I eat at the diner most times," she says a little defensively before looking away.

What's up with her? I nod "okay. Fair enough"

Silence...

"Thanks. I appreciate this" she says softly after a while, looking back into my eyes. I just nod again. She throws two tablets in her mouth and drinks some water.

Okay, I think my job is done here. I stand up to leave, and her eyes followed my movements. "Got to run. I guess I'd see you next weekend. Please stay sober" I add with a chuckle.

"You're leaving to Merton today?"

"Yes, I have an early morning quiz tomorrow so, got to get going." I respond.

"Oh..."

Is it me, or did she sound kind of disappointed?

"Well, good luck. I know you'd ace it" She smiles at me.

"Yep, thanks." I smile back. We have a silent smiley moment where we just stare at each other until it begins to get awkward. I clear my throat. "So I'd ughm...chat you up later I guess." I turn and head for the door

"Yeah... uhmm, Luke"

I stop and turn back. "Yeah"

"I was uhhm....I was wondering, if I could get some...uhmm...some money from you. Like a loan actually"

I furrow my brows. "A loan?"

She shifts uncomfortably in her seat and pinches her nose. "Yeah, something came up and I just need some money fast...I'd pay you back...in like a month or two. I think I'm going to get a raise so..."