Split Love

CHAPTER 30

WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2019.

- Guys, I need your cooperation! - Nora Lockwood tried to speak louder than the people sitting there, but an uproar of opinions had taken place.

- Nora, we won't make it in 1 month! - A woman stood up and spoke, making several people agree with her. - There aren't many of us.

- Then we'll get more people to help. The whole city if necessary! - The mayor's wife countered.

- It's impossible! You're going crazy! - An elderly man explained.

And the buzz started again.

Jasmine Davenport was sitting in a chair, a little away from the people, just observing the whole disagreement. She really wanted a bag of popcorn at that moment, it was like watching a TV show.

That whole mess had started cause Nora Lockwood, the mayor's wife and leader of the city's events committee, asked for a committee meeting to organize the city's anniversary. The only problem was that that year Nora arrived with an idea that was a bit too grand to be executed in just one month. A carnival, with some attractions and lots of games and food stalls.

The commission, which consisted of almost 30 people, was meeting at the public library, as usual. Jamie was on the events committee but never really got into the debates, she was more of a spectator type. And every now and then she liked to ask a few questions just to start an argument.

But despite all that fuss, Jamie felt excited when Nora explained her idea for the celebration. And if everyone helped, maybe in 1 month they would be able to organize everything, or maybe that optimistic thought was just because she wanted it to happen.

- I think we can make it. - Jasmine spoke loudly, trying to overpower all the fuss, and a silence fell over them.

- That it is! - Nora said pointing to Jamie. - That's the spirit! We'll be able to organize everything in a month and from now on I want to see everyone moving. - Nora clapped her hands a few times, her voice was excited again. - Jamie, I need you to draw a map of the place, with the location of the attractions, games and everything else. This way, when we start setting it, it will be easier. Will we meet late this afternoon at city hall?

- Yes of course. - Jamie agreed and Nora began to distribute all the other functions. She had a clipboard in her hands and seemed to be reading a piece of paper, clearly showing that she had already thought about everything before communicating with them.

Almost two hours later, the commission left the library. Some would go to the chosen location for the event, while Jamie stayed in the library and began arranging the chairs in their right places. She collected the trash and removed the coffee and tea bottles that had been left on a table.

11:05am - Jasmine: Can you put me on your calendar? 1 month from now, I want you to come to the city anniversary with me.

Jamie texted Micah about the carnival and then saw there was an unread text message from his sister.

9:55am - Irina: When are we going to have lunch together?

11:07am - Jasmine: When and where? Tell me and I'll be there! :)

11:07am - Irina: What do you think in 2 weeks? I'm busy over the next few days.

11:07am - Jasmine: I think it's perfect! Just me and you?

11:09am - Irina: Just the two of us.

Irina answered and then sent a photo. It was a selfie, with Irina smiling and right behind her was Micah talking on his cellphone. He was scowling at the camera.

11:10am - Jasmine: Tell him I miss him.

Jamie replied with a smile on her face. She felt happy to be able to see any moment of his daily life. She looked at the photo for a few more seconds and then zoomed in. In the photo, Micah was sitting in what looked like an office. It was possible to see a dark wooden shelf behind him, there were some books and some folders. Between them was a table the same color as the shelf, but only a small part of it was visible in the picture.

- Ahem.

The sound of someone clearing their throat made Jasmine look up.

- Good day sir. Looking for a specific book?

- Yes, can you help me?

- Sure. - She replied and put her phone aside, on the table, to search the computer for the book that man needed. Her eyes were on the screen and she waited for him to say the title or author, but when he didn't say anything, she raised her eyes to the man in front of her, on the other side of the counter. - What is the title of the book?

Jamie had the corners of her lips turned up as she looked at the man, waiting. But he didn't seem to pay attention to her, his eyes were on something else.

- Hmm? - He asked and Jamie followed his gaze, to her cellphone. The photo that Irina had sent was open.

- What is the title of the book, sir? - She asked again at the same time as she pressed the side button on her phone, making the screen turn off. His dark eyes reached hers instantly.

- The master and margarita. - He said and Jamie could catch an accent in his voice.

She typed the name into the library system's search bar, but nothing was found. So she Googled it, to see if she knew the cover and maybe the book just wasn't in the system. It had already happened once.

- Hm... - Some images of different covers with images of cats appeared. And then she saw the author's name. Mikhail Bulgákov. Mikhail. Like her Mikhail.

- Unfortunately, we don't have it. - Her voice was almost silent when she answered him. Her eyes rose to him slowly, until they reached his face. There was a scar on the left side of his face, running from his cheekbone to his ear. That mesmerized Jamie.

- How about Crime and Punishment? - The man tilted his head to the side as he asked. Jamie didn't need to search the system. She knew that title, it was Russian literature. Dostoiévski.

- I'm sorry, we don't have it. - She lied. Her eyes blinked rapidly and she bit her bottom lip.

- Oh, that's a shame. - The man shook his head slowly. A smirk on his face made him look sinister. - You should get more Russian literature, Miss...?

Like a fish, her mouth opened and closed a few times. Her mind raced fast trying to create a lie. But Jasmine was terrible at lying. She didn't know how to lie.

- Davenport. - She said.

- Miss Davenport. - He nodded a few times. - Nice to meet you.

The man turned and walked to the door. Jamie's eyes remained fixed on the spot where he was standing seconds ago.

- I hope to see you again.

The man's accented voice echoed in the library before Jamie heard the door slam shut, making her jump. In a jolt, she ran to the door and replaced the lock chain, which hadn't been used in years. Then she looked out the window, but there was no one on the street. No people and no cars.

Jamie leaned her back against the door and slid down to the floor.

- What the fuck happened here? - She whispered.