Strangers

Voltage

Taylor woke up to the alarm on her phone. She felt broken. Also guilty. It wasn't Joe's fault that she was afraid of making a mistake or going too far.

She got up and looked out her window at the scenery, which, by the way, was not pretty. Tall buildings, some skyscrapers, lots of cars and cabs.

Taylor took a shower, had a quick breakfast of a bagel with cream cheese and red fish, and then drank coffee. She pulled a white shirt, yellow jeans, and dark glasses out of her suitcase beforehand.Also she decided to left her hair loose, though that probably wasn't the best thing to do in hot weather.

She knew a car was picking them up at eight in the morning, but no one called or texted her. Apparently Jimmy preferred to discuss the details with Joe or thought Joe would tell Taylor everything. But as she and Joe didn't spoke, she didn't know where he was now.

Taylor took the small purse she had slung over her shoulder and left the room. She knocked on Joe's room, but no one answered. Taylor knocked a few more times and then went downstairs to the lobby. She looked around but didn't see a familiar face. Taylor pulled out her phone and started calling Joe.

"You're late" a voice sounded next to her

The woman turned around and saw Joe wearing black pants and a white shirt, he had dark glasses hanging from his shirt almost identical to hers.

"Good morning to you too, I'm only three minutes late"

"Come on, the car is waiting" The man said and walked towards the exit without paying any more attention to her.

Taylor had to hurry after him. He walked looking straight ahead, not at her.

They got into a large black car and the driver handed them two identical file folders. Joe took his own and deepened in his reading. Taylor opened the folder but didn't read it, just looked at Joe occasionally.

"Look, did we give you permission to do this?" asked Joe, handing her the document.

Taylor took it and felt the touch on his skin. She continued to hold the document, touching his skin lightly.

"Are you going to read what it says, or what?" asked Joe.

"Yes, I am" Taylor said coldly, taking the document from his hands.

If he thought he could do that to her, she wasn't going to be nice to him, either.

Taylor glanced at the document and said:

"Yes, I gave permission for that. I think I forgot to tell you"

"Yes. But it's the 'little' things, you don't have to worry about it"

Joe went back to reading.
Taylor was not used to talking to him like that anymore. Coldly, with a hint of dislike.

She absolutely did not miss the times when they treated each other like that and she certainly did not want to go back there.

That's what Alwyn did to you, she thought, look at you, all mushy just because he wasn't being gallant and courteous anymore. Fucking wuss.

"Did Jimmy call you?" Taylor asked.

"Yes, it's all according to plan. You know the plan, so I don't see the point in rehashing it"

When they arrived, Joe got out first, and Taylor waited for the driver to open the car door for her and only than slowly stepped out with her signature gait that a former model friend of hers had taught her.

Her hair was a bit cropped and the dark glasses made it hard to see her eyes. She knew she looked beautiful.

Jimmy walked up to her, his forehead glistening with sweat. Several other people came up with him.