Death's Kiss

Chapter Two

Chapter 2
"All I'm saying is maybe tomorrow I turn up in a short wrap dress and 'accidentally' bend over in front of Goldie." Ferrah whispered to me. The waiting room was full...again. I snorted into my water cup and tried not to choke.
"Oh my god, you're so bad! He's broken hearted, leave him be woman!" I playfully chastised. 
"A broken heart needs mending! What better way to heal than sleep with a rebound?" she asked rhetorically. I gave her a deadpan stare; she widened her eyes in response. "What? The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else, everyone knows that! I'm not looking for commitment honey, I just want some fun!" She reasoned.
"Exactly! He is a relationship guy. If you seduce him, he'll have puppy love for weeks and not understand why you won't have his babies!" I shot back. I winced when I realized how loud we were being. Not the best conversation for a children's urgent care clinic. 
"He needs to learn to have fun without commitment. I think I'm just the woman for that job. It'll be hard...but I'm hoping it will always be hard." She snickered. My jaw dropped but I couldn't help but laugh.
"I can't with you." I shook my head. I was going to follow up when my tongue got tied as a man walked through the door.
"Oh. My. God." Farrah squeaked.
"Uh-huh." I whispered. No way a man that looked like that was real. He made Goldie look like a troll, which was unfair but, intrusive thoughts and all. Dark hair that hung to broad shoulders, tailored suit that fit his frame like a glove, and a readymade grin that spelled trouble. Couldn't see his eyes since he hadn't taken his sunglasses off yet, but I bet they matched the rest of him. Enticing.
"Hello, my name is Peirce Grant. I was notified of this facility and wanted to drop in to discuss a fundraising opportunity." He came up to the front of my desk and I nearly choked on nothing as he took his sunglasses off. Ice blue eyes, they looked nearly fake. His voice held an Atlantic accent almost. Farrah's foot kicked my shin causing a wince. Right...use words.
"Uh fundraising?" I knew what two plus two was, but I guess basic vocab took an exit when this guy entered. He smiled at me, his expression knowing exactly what he was doing to me.
"Yes, fundraising. My company makes it a business helping the smaller clinics that need more money. My company is holding a fundraising gala at the end of the week. I know this is short notice, but we had a vacated spot, and someone mentioned this facility. Is there someone I can speak to about setting that up?" He leaned slightly on the counter, my nose picking up a delicious cologne. 
"Sh-Sherri is our office admin. L-let me go grab her." I stuttered while internally cussing myself out. I wasn't an airheaded stupid girl. I was a nineteen-year-old who had her poop in a group. I could handle a hot guy. I rushed up and half ran to grab Sherri. I didn't even knock on her office door, just barged in. She startled, looking up at me from her desk. Her glasses slightly eschew, greying curly hair slightly fizzy.
"Adira? Is everything okay?" She asked concerned and stood up. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment.
"Super-hot guy out front asking about raising funds for this clinic." I said in a rush. She blinked at me before laughing.
"Oh, my goodness, okay. Let me go speak with him. Do you need a cold compress or a fainting chair?" she teased. I rolled my eyes while I composed myself.
"No... I'm okay now." I assured her wryly. She tittered as we both walked around the corner, but her laugh cut off at the sight of him and she choked on her spit making me snicker. It really wasn't fair how he was affecting anyone in his vicinity, but I was sure he was used to it.
"How can I help you sir?" Sherri asked as she composed herself. He gave her a polite smile and I swore I could hear all the moms in the waiting room sigh simultaneously. This guy couldn't be human, I thought.
"Yes hello, my name is Pierce Grant. I was directed to this clinic after we had a last-minute drop out for our annual fundraiser." His eyes looked at me for a moment making me swallow. "We would love to include this clinic in our efforts to give back to the community." He continued and then went on to explain the logistics of it.
"That sounds wonderful! Hard to believe actually." Sherri said with a slight huff that bellied her disbelief. He leaned slightly back on the counter, closer to me but kept his eyes on Sherri.
"There is a catch however..." he trailed off. His eyes took me in again. I felt slightly uncomfortable being under his watch but also excited. It was a strange combination. "We'll help fund this clinic, if she comes as my date." he gestured to me. I felt my mouth drop open as indignation filled me. He may be hot, but giving ultimatums never sat right with me.
"Excuse-"
"She'll go!" Sherri interrupted. 
"Sherri!" I exclaimed as Farrah snickered. Sherri turned to me with a pleading gaze.
"Please Adira?" she asked, and I knew we needed the money; we were a free clinic for kids and relied heavily on donations. I didn't like that she was essentially pimping me out. I was so going to bring my pocket pepper spray. 
"I don't have a dress for a fancy charity gala." I hedged hoping that meant I was a no-go. He gave me a charming smile that admittedly made me soften...slightly. 
"Not a problem Adira. I can have my secretary get you a dress. I'll have her drop it off here if that's adequate?" He asked without asking. 
"You don't have my size." I countered quickly. He looked at me up and down with a grin.
"I have an idea. I give you my word, you won't be disappointed." He looked so sincere but, I just wasn't sold on the whole blind date thing.
"I'm sure she'll love it! You can pick her up here. Friday, right?" Farrah volunteered. What was this, talk for Adira day?
"Yes, Friday at six. Here's my card. My team will contact you with the details." He gave his card to Sherri before he turned back to me. He leaned over ever-so-slightly, "I look forward to our date Miss Adira." He picked up my hand and kissed the back of it. I shivered slightly but wasn't sure if I liked the gesture or not. He left then, the doors swishing closed behind him. Sherri and Farrah both looked at me with wide eyes.
"You-" smack "lucky-" smack "cow!" She smacked me with every word. I winced and smacked her hand back from me.
"I'm not speaking to you two! You set me up on a date with a man I don't even know!" I complained because I really hated socializing with people. I could do it all day every day at my jobs, but put me in a social setting, and you could forget it.
"Oh, poor you! Gorgeous, young, and got asked out by a hottie that has money and manners." Farrah frowned at me. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"Most guys have manners until they're hit with the word 'no'." I grumbled. 
"Yeah, but we have his name and know what he looks like. Sherri has his card, so we'll do some research until Friday." Farrah paused and looked at me. "If you really don't want to go, I would never make you. Neither would Sherri. I do think this is an opportunity to do something great though. You'll regret it if you don't go." She reasoned.
"Maybe you're right..." I trailed off laughing when they both nodded their heads, even one of the moms waiting nodded hers. "This sounds so fancy though! I have no idea how to conduct myself in that kind of setting!" I half wailed but quickly piped down when another mom shot me a nasty look.
"Your face should look impassive but mildly constipated. This is probably a venue that has drinks so keep a drink in your hands to keep them busy." Sherri suggested helpfully.
"I'm not old enough to drink." I grimaced. Farrah waved me off.
"I doubt they'd card you, but you shouldn't drink anyway since you don't know the guy. Ask for a club soda, that's sophisticated without getting you drunk." Farrah shot me with a finger gun. "We'll get you ready here! Since the dress will be here, I'll bring my hair and makeup stuff." She said with an excited grin. Guess I was going to a ball, I thought.
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"Hank! Wait up!" I hollered out spotting him just down the street. His hulking frame couldn't be mistaken for anyone else. He turned to me with a grin that was lacking a tooth here and there. I opened my satchel to give him a spare sandwich. I was running too late earlier to stop and give it to him.
"Thank you, Princess! You are too kind." He said with a thankful smile. "You stopping by Saturday for the handout again?" he asked, unwrapping the sandwich and digging in. The handout was a bi-weekly free dinner served to the homeless population. I tried to make it to every one of them to help since they were always shorthanded.
"You know it, see you there!" I bumped my fist into his and took off in a jog. I only had a few minutes before the missed the bus. I seem to always be running behind. "Hector!" I yelled out, spotting him taking a step on the bus. He waved and kept one foot on the step, which I knew infuriated the bus driver Sue. "Thanks!" I breathed and gave his shoulder a pat. 
"Of course, Señorita! How is life for you?" He asked following behind me on the bus. I gave Sue a sheepish grin and swiped my bus pass, Hector following suit.
"It's good! Keeping busy, how's Poppy?" I sat down on an empty seat, Hector sitting across from me.
"The light of my life, don't know how she puts up with me!" Hector was always waxing poetic about his wife. Hector was an older Hispanic that lived a few streets over from me. We chatted as we waited until our stop. About thirty minutes later it was finally our turn.
"Adios Hector!" I waved at him as he continued to walk the next couple of blocks.
"Adios! See you tomorrow!" he waved back. I knew some Spanish, enough to get me by passingly, but it wasn't my strong suit. I learned most of it from my aunt when she gossiped in her bistro café or at home on the phone. 
I looked up when I felt the first drop of rain. Hustling, I opened the front door to our building, not bothering with the key since the lock hasn't worked in a year. My aunt owned a condo in an older building with split levels. It wasn't the prettiest of places, but she bought it
cheap and was able to afford her more lavish spending habits living in this dump. I couldn't complain too much since she didn't charge me rent but, she also got free labor. And a free housemaid, I thought as I shouldered our front door open. I had just cleaned things up last night, but she came home and left her crap everywhere again.
"Who needs rest?" I asked no one. I knew she wasn't home. She always went out. Every single night she hit up the local bars hoping to seduce a guy. If she succeeded, the next day I get to hear about how in love she is. Before he eventually sees her for what she truly is.... which is ugly. I smirked at my movie reference even though I was alone. I spoke fluent sarcasm and movie quotes.
Sighing, I got to work picking up her empty diet coke cans and candy wrappers. "Ew." I muttered picking up a used tissue. "Free room, free room, free room." I whispered under my breath. My thoughts drifted to Peirce. He was legit the most gorgeous man I have seen in my life. It was flattering to be asked out by him, but there was a part of me that didn't vibe with his heavy-handedness. I was sure he was used to yes men with the richness he exuded but, that was part of the problem, wasn't it? 
Farrah was right though. I knew I would regret it if I didn't go through with it. I could easily have my pepper spray in my clutch. "Am I crazy for going along with this?" I asked my aunt's cat Pepino. The black cat blinked slowly at me, yawned, then showed me his butthole. "Helpful." I muttered.
I caught my reflection in the hall mirror. For one night I could be Cinderella. I could be a princess and be swept away by the magic of something I probably will never get to experience again. Decided, I let myself get excited for Friday night.