Alvarez

Twelve

You never forget. It must be somewhere inside you. Even if the brain has forgotten, perhaps the teeth remember. Or the fingers. - Neil Gaiman

Mia
I was still on edge. I could not believe that happened, with my father in the house. The fact that it was probably his call for that to happen haunted me further. I felt a sense of comfort in Christian's company, though.

Being in his bar totally distracted me. I felt so much better being around him. I caught his rare smile now and again, and my God was it something to write a song about. Tonight was supposed to be his grand opening, and we were supposed to update each other on any discoveries we'd made within the last two weeks. I even had documents in my bag that I thought he might need.

But everything went haywire.

He looked gorgeous tonight. Clad in a slate gray suit with a black shirt inside. I saw the shine of a silver chain around his neck. His hair slicked back with some free strands falling on his face. He almost made me lose my breath for a second. I was so distraught I almost didn't notice how hot he looked tonight. It was like every other day, with an extra touch tonight. We actually looked really good beside each other.

"I guess you're coming home with me then." he said, and stared at me.

"are you sure that's a good idea?" I asked, I didn't even have time to think about it. I knew I didn't have clothes with me, but I didn't want to go home. "I can go home, Christian. Albert will be there." I said, trying to convince him and myself.

"no." he answered plainly. He stood against the counter, his legs crossed at his ankles, a shining Audemars Piguet on his wrist catches the light as he raises his glass of whiskey to his lips. He truly was a sight. I almost had to fan myself while looking at him in the red lighting of this bar.

"I'll be alright. I'll call you if anything goes wrong." I said, with a smile. He ignored me. It's not that I didn't feel comfortable going with him, I just thought it was weird. I can obviously trust him, but I can't be too trusting. He is a man at the end of the day, and a strong one too. And we've only know each other for 2 weeks. Going home with him feels a bit too personal. And risky. And stupid.

"no, Mia. Let's go." he said, with a clipped tone. He didn't show any patience, we'd been here in the bar for at least an hour. I had two glasses of wine I didn't pay for, admired this place and now I was going home with the owner. I should be more happy with this.

"are you sure about this? It won't be weird?" I asked, I'm blaming whatever I say tonight on the wine, as I felt a light buzz in my head. I wished it would make me forget everything that happened 2 hours ago.

"we are adults. I'm sure we can handle a night together." he said, expressionless. I went along with it. I stepped into his car and we drove to a massive hotel not too far away.

"this is a hotel." I said to him, confused.

"I have a penthouse. My house isn't ready for me to move into yet." he said, and drove into the 'residents only' parking. This place looked really fancy. Staff parking was opposite, and I noticed a car I'd only seen in the movies. A Skyline.

"you bought a house? Where?" I asked, sounding a bit too excited. I guess I liked the idea that Christian would be around. Whether it was around me and temporary, him being in the same city was enough to cajole me.

"upper East side. I'll take you once it's finished. If our marriage plan goes along, it'll probably be your house too" he said, not adding a 'for a while'. It sounded like it would be permanent. I don't know what to think about that, but I know it didn't make me itch as much as the thought would have with anyone else.