FICKLE HEART

Fickle Like A PopStar

I'm standing in front of the creepiest place on earth. Hotel Moore. I read it had two and half stars. Downright cheap. No air conditioner though. Noises at night. It was two blocks down from Elon's place. Just thinking about him makes my blood boil. The gall of the man! His threat meant nothing even though I would be lying. It sparked a nervous energy in the lower part of my belly.

See? If this were anyone else, I wouldn't have felt this way. I don't like it. I don't like Elon Sutherland. His gazes, his way of calling my name, his mannerism, everything about him I hate it. It was why I done the exact opposite and come here with my suitcases ready to go, to get myself a room. It was still week one and I still have a lot of work to be done. I barely started on my article and maybe being away from Elon would kick start my writing process.

I take a breath and enter the spooky building. The reception desk was empty. The place was quiet. Too quiet. I look around, hoping to find someone lurking behind. Maybe sleeping off on the job. It's highly likely because this place is so remote.

I am about to knock on the reception desk when I hear something. It was like a gasp or a cough. My ears burned. It didn't sound right. Very slowly, I tip toe to its direction. The curious nature in me appeals to the moment. The sounds grow louder and my hunches are confirmed. Someone is huffing really loud. Like as they are running out of breath.

I edge to the open hall and turn right. The halls were dingy and old wood. Cobwebs hung from ceiling to narrow corners. I think I just saw a rat scurry around the corner. With bated breath, I hide behind the wall to peek at ajar door. Through the thin gap, I hold my gasp when I see Elon hitting a man who was tied to a chair. "Where is the container?" His calmness only added to the threatening atmosphere. I gulp quietly unable to look away. I shift carefully to see Sylvester Gomes standing behind Elon, watching the scene unfold. I had no idea Elon was into dirty business. From what this scene unfolds, it screamed bad blood and money gone wrong. I slowly back away. Not wanting to be caught.

I walk and walk then the worse thing happens. A creak resounded. From where I placed my foot. I hear Elon's thundering command. "Go see who is it. Now!"

I sprint, going back where I came from. The front door. However, a maniacal laugh echoes behind me and I feel an arm bran itself around my waist. "Well, look who we have here? Following me, slut?" Sylvester's somber tone made me shift nervously. This was not good.

I yelp. Digging my nails into his forearms but he didn't budge. He teeters me backwards, bringing me back into the same room I saw all of them. The man in the chair was gone but I don't miss the spots of red on the floor. Blood. These men are dangerous. I look up to find Elon standing tall as ever, all the more foreboding. A deep sense of frightening aura surrounds him and I quell my anxiety to stay calm.

"Boss it's the girl with the big ass I was telling you about! She followed me here! I guess somebody regrets not finishing our business the other day on the train." His arm that hands me tightens further and I struggle to breathe. I hate the top I am wearing. It's was a skinny black spaghetti top with tight jeans.

"Let her go, Sylvester." Elon's strangely calm command rang in the room again. I don't breathe, wondering if Sylvester would heed to the order. I feel him plop me down and I struggle to keep myself upright. I grab the strap of my purse tighter. "Leave us." Elon's gaze doesn't move from me. He scans me from head to toe.

When I hear Sylvester finally leave us, I let out a sigh of relief. "Want to tell me what you are doing here?" He asks instantly.

I raise my eyebrow. "You told me to find a hotel. So here I am. How should I know this your mafia den?" I don't know where the audacity comes out of me even after I witness this man can do damage, I felt the need to set him straight that he doesn't scare me.

"I told you that I don't want you to leave anymore. Cease your search." He takes a step closer and instinctively, I take step back. He notices it and amusement fills his green eyes. Does he find this amusing? I just saw him bang up the guy pretty bad.

"You- you were hitting that person. What did he do to make you hit him like that?" I ask boldly.

"He didn't listen to an order I gave." The hand that was snuck inside his pocket comes out to scratch his five 'o' clock shadow. I could hear the rusty scratch in the space. I look around and I realize it's an empty spacious room. With white walls, no windows but an overhead tube light buzzing in static seconds.

"You treat everyone like that who doesn't listen to you?" I feel like I am stalling. Not wanting to know what his crime was or nature of his crime he committed or has been committing. I had to run away from this man. God, how did I find myself here? I'm a simple travel writer. Nothing much.

"Not all. I have my ways." He steps closer and I stay put this time. Not moving till he is standing so close to me. He scanned me in a calculating way. "You have seen things. I don't think you can leave me anymore."

The ringing sound of warning bell rang loudly in my ears. Trouble. "Uh- I won't tell anyone what I saw. I swear."

"You swearing does nothing for me. You know something about me. Now I must know something about you. That way we are even." My pulse raced in my throat. I could tell he noticed when his gaze shifts down. It ran down my bare shoulders. Warm curled in my abdomen.

"I don't have any secrets." I say with practice.

"Liar." He smirked. "Never mind. I will know soon enough." His thumb tracked my jaw till he gripped my chin, turning my face up to him. "Your poems are a good starting point."

"You have no right." I hiss at him. His mouth widens at me, the incisors glaring in front. His tongue licked them. Each. Immediately I think of vampires. What in the world am I getting into?

"Don't leave town or else I will come after you, Kiera."

We stay like this for a moment. The tension between us is like sun bleeding red electric drops that drips, drips, drips until an ocean encompasses the two of us. With that warning, his hand slipped from my face with softened and he left the room without another word.

I don't wait around. My feet is already walking me back to where I lay my bags. I feel my fingers shake as I quickly book an Uber. I am leaving town.