London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 58. Daniel

- Sir, we're getting ready to land. Sir? - Alex's voice in the dark blue stewardess uniform rings in my ears. She looks so good in that uniform. She's standing over my seat, rubbing my shoulders and whispering in my ear that it's time to fasten my seat belt. I laugh at her game, waving slightly away, but her voice grows more insistent... until the dream becomes a harsh reality. I'm still on the plane.

- Sir, we're getting ready to land, please fasten your seat belt, - the pretty stewardess babbles, blushing.

- Yes, of course, - I mutter and look out the window. The plane slices through the clouds, bringing me closer to Alex. It's great that I blacked out and slept through most of the flight without making myself or the other passengers nervous.

I decide not to lose time and head straight from the airport to this Anton's house to take my girlfriend home and remind him that she's not available.

- Can you hurry up?! - I yell at the cab driver when we catch another red light. - Can we go 20 km/h faster? Or will we still be overtaken by pedestrians? - The cab driver silently looks at me in the rearview mirror. It's a grandpa, and I must admit, he drives pretty well, traffic is slowing us down, but I need to find a culprit. - Sorry, it's a matter of life and death. I'm really nervous.

The cab driver nods silently and turns his gaze to the road. The closer we get to the right address, the more sweaty my palms get. Yes, she said nothing happened. But who knows what could have happened during the flight, right? She's really in a weak position right now, he's in a defensive role, and no one is standing in his way. And plus our relationship was cracking at the seams before I left. I think I have reason to be worried. When did this kind of situation even begin to bother me?

I knock on the door twice and lean my hand against the wall, waiting for it to open. The lock clicks, the door slowly opens, and... I'm blown away by a hurricane of "God-Dany-it's you." Alex hugs me so tight it's like I've risen from the dead.

- How I've been waiting for you, Daniel Pierce! - She chirps. Alex looks at me like a Christmas present, stroking my face with her palms, - I'm so glad.

And how glad I am to see such a reaction. Without answering anything, I just press my lips to hers. With every move I make, I show her how much I've missed her, how much I need her, and how much I love her.

- I tried to get here as fast as I could, - I say, putting my arm around her shoulders. - I came for you.

- Daniel, - Anton shows up at the doorway.

- Anton, - I nod, gathering all my fake politeness inside. We don't need a scene right now. - I've come to get Alex, and we're going home. You have nothing to be afraid of now, honey, - I tell Alex, and look at him.

- I wouldn't be in such a hurry. Nobody knows what kind of trick this girl will pull again, - Anton notes.

- I'll hire security if I have to. I can take care of my family! - I blurt it out a little more harshly than I'd want to.

Alex looks at me questioningly, but says nothing and leaves to pack her things. Anton follows her:

- You don't have to come back. You can stay here as long as it takes. Both you and Max. Sasha, it's not safe there, - he shifts from English to Russian and back again, but I catch the general gist - he convinces her to stay.

- Daniel's right, we can go home now. If she's up to something she's unlikely to return to the scene of the crime tonight. She'll probably bide her time. And with Daniel here, she won't show her teeth. In that time, we'll figure out how to find her. I'll be in touch, don't worry, - she knows I'm listening to every word she says, so she speaks the language I understand. And for these little things I love her even more.