Kiss me if you dare [ENGLISH]

Chapter 20

Charmey

The coffee mug in cheap cardboard rustled as she reached the foot of the brick building. Charmey took a sip and enjoyed it as the liquid burned down her throat. With her other hand, she reached for the doorknob and felt a sense of satisfaction at the sight of her new, dark brown leather gloves.

She had missed what Thornhill had to offer. Now, neither the good coffee nor the gloves happened to be the biggest reason for her return. Material things were, after all, replaceable. No, during the journey, she had fantasized about how her meeting with Fleur would look. Just the thought had made her so excited that she canceled all assassination orders for the coming days. It was indeed a risk to show up in the same place again, but a risk worth taking in exchange for satisfaction.

She hadn't planned what she would say or do, but this time she improvised. It wasn't like her at all, but Charmey didn't care. She was overwhelmed by the desire that had taken over.

Inside the apartment, not a sound could be heard, making her wonder if Fleur was home. Perhaps she had moved. Maybe she was staying with her friend Gabriel. The last thought made her nauseous and incredibly frustrated.

Charmey didn't want to have to shoot anyone unnecessarily.

She knocked four times and waited patiently. As the seconds ticked by without anyone opening the door, there was reason to believe she was gone, but Charmey had all the time in the world.

So, she casually set the empty mug aside and then sat down on one of the lower steps. It took a moment for her to realize how dirty it was, with gravel, dust, and mud lying like a thick blanket on the stone pavement. The idea of trying to pick the lock would be a way to pass the time, but she dismissed it as soon as she felt something soft brush against her thigh.

The impulse to pull the switchblade from her inner pocket and strike came automatically, but as soon as she realized it was a cat, she let her gloved hand follow its back and the red-striped fur. The cat purred in response and then climbed onto her lap to settle comfortably. Charmey was fascinated by the creature and gently stroked it between the ears. There was a time when she had considered getting a pet for companionship. It would give the police less reason to believe one was capable of inhuman acts, but Charmey didn't have time to take care of anyone else but herself. Plus, even a cat would bore her over time.

"Leia!" A hoarse voice that seemed to belong to an elderly woman echoed from below, and Charmey soon spotted who was calling. The gray-streaked hair was tangled and worn. The cheeks were sunken, accentuating the V-shaped face with a pointed chin. The moment she saw Charmey with the cat in her lap, she stopped abruptly and straightened her crooked back.

"Leia," she called again.

When the animal didn't move, she gave her a judgmental look. Charmey already disliked her.

"Who are you? Haven't seen you in the stairwell before."

"I'm a close friend of Fleur's. Do you happen to know if she's home?"

The old woman snorted disrespectfully and drummed her bony index finger against the top pillar of the stair railing. "I haven't seen the girl all day. But her friend has been here a couple of times to check on her. Wouldn't surprise me if he shows up again soon."

Charmey's gaze was drawn to a beetle circling the neighbor's feet before being mercilessly crushed under one of her heels. "To be honest, it's been incredibly nice not to have to deal with her or her father anymore," she continued.

It stung to know that she wouldn't get to see Fleur today as planned, but at least she could wait for Gabriel. Then she wouldn't have to break into his residence and demand answers.