London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 13. Daniel

As soon as Alex dissapears into the hotel lobby, I dialing Tyler. To say I'm pissed off is not to say anything at all.

- Dude, what the fuck are you doing? - I yell into the phone as soon as he answers. - Who the fuck are you to pry so cavalierly into my life?!

- What are you talking about, Dan? - Tyler answers.

- I'm talking about the Keitlin story, why the fuck are you telling everybody?! This is between me and her. Just because you helped me through it doesn't give you or Liam the right to decide anything for me. You've never heard of personal boundaries?! - I really want to punch someone right now.

- Sorry, man, I screwed up. You're right. I just wanted to check her out. And by the way, she's not so blameless, your new crush. I found her I.D. You know she's ten years older than you? So the question is, what does she want with a young, famous actor? Do you think she's really into you? Or is it Keitlin number two? - he blurts out, and this new truth overwhelms me.

- What are you talking about? 10 years? What ID? Did you go through her stuff? What the hell, Tyler? - I'm practically screaming now, my blood boiling with either indignation or frustration. I squeeze the steering wheel as hard as I can, letting my anger out.

- I'm serious, Dan,- Tyler softens. - I'll send you a picture of her driving licence. It's got her last name and age on it, so you can see for yourself. - I know Tyler's not lying. Crap, I know him from the pot next door. He's like my brother. He's got a peculiar understanding of caring. But somehow his suspicions about Alex make me nervous. I hear an incoming message beeping, but I don't want to see it at all. There's no way this charming girl turns out to be a liar like Keitlin. I would have noticed. Or not?

I look at the photo of her ID, which confirms all of Tyler's fears, and something clicks inside. It's getting hard to breathe, like all the air in the car has suddenly disappeared.

- I have to pick her up in two hours; she's coming to the bar with us, remember? - I tell Tyler conciliatorily, hoping my voice doesn't betray my emotions.

- That's where we expose her. We should warn Liam, don't you think? He's the only one of the three of us who can get anyone to talk. If she's up to something, she's bound to slip up, Dan. I'm sorry if our suspicions are confirmed.

- We'll see later. See you soon. - I say and disconnect the call. I'm still restless.

As I make my way to the flat, thoughts circle around in my head. She doesn't look thirty-five, not at all. I don't know if she lives in beauty salons, if she's a health freak, if she drinks virgin blood in the morning, or if she just has good genetics, but it's impossible to tell her age from the outside. She was so sweet and sensible. Shit, why her?

I pop home, undress on the move and fly to the shower. The water is soothing and refreshing my thoughts. No need to jump to conclusions. We need to find out what's on her mind first and then act. Alex, damn it, don't let it be that bad. Please be normal.

I feel so much better after the shower. My thoughts are calming down, my mind is turning on. No woman will ever stab me in the back again. I send Liam a picture of Alex's rights. A very strong look of surprise comes in response. Liam is determined to find out who Alex is and what she's really doing in London. And most importantly, what she wants from me.

At the agreed time, I wait for her outside the hotel. I'm still annoyed and angry, but I put a working smile on my face and wait for Alex to come out. I don't know what to say to her. Throw our exposure in her face? No. Forget about it? Again, no.

And then her silhouette catches my attention. She leaps gracefully out of the hotel door. She's wearing a dark blue knee-length dress that hugs a stunning figure. Her hair falls in curls to her shoulders. A slight wave of excitement shoots through my body, but I quickly suppress this impulse. I look at her and see a grown woman who knows her worth. She moves with confidence, her movements soft at that. And the look in her eyes... She's different again. Her eyes shine now, but differently. Or is it me seeing her differently now, knowing a little lie?

I get out of the car and open her door. She smiles at the sight of me and settles happily into the front seat.

- Is everything all right, Danny? - she asks, looking for an answer in my eyes.

- Yeah, I'm fine,- I reply, trying to keep my eyes on the road, - You look great, by the way, - I say, and she smiles.

The road to the bar is getting excruciatingly long. No matter how hard I try, the conversation comes out strained. It's as if she senses something, also shutting down slightly. Even though Alex tries to keep the conversation going, a wall of tension and unasked questions reigns between us.