Guarding Dior

Chapter 5

As the elevator hummed, Dior looked at Noel, and he met her gaze.

"Can I ask how you met Charles?" she inquired.

"We met at the academy. He was older than most of us but always willing to learn. We've been close ever since, even after I was promoted to detective," he replied, a certain sadness in his voice. He leaned against the railing, looking at the elevator doors.

With a ding, the doors opened, and they walked out into the parking lot. They approached an all-black SUV, and Noel got in. When Dior shut the door, Noel glanced over at her.

"Hey, is it okay if we stop for some brunch?" he asked. Dior noticed the cleanliness of the vehicle, the only thing out of place being a blue umbrella on the floor next to her feet.

"What happens if I say no?" she asked, glancing at him.

"If you say no, then I can just take you home, no issue," he said calmly, almost shrugging.

"Well, I guess I am kind of hungry. I haven't eaten anything today," she finally said, and he nodded.

They stopped at a little diner near the hospital and sat in a booth by the window. The sunlight streamed in, warm but not hot. Noel ordered a coffee, a cup of water, eggs, and hashbrowns, while Dior ordered pancakes with syrup and water. She didn't know where to look, so she focused on the view outside the window, feeling Noel's gaze on her.

"Can I ask how you met Levi?" he asked, mirroring her earlier question.

"I didn't really know him that well until yesterday, to be honest. I first saw him at the vet clinic on Lovell Road," she said as the waiter brought their drinks. They both thanked him.

"You said he just appeared out of nowhere, right?" Noel asked, his suspicion evident.

"I didn't say that. He came running from the direction of the clinic, actually," she clarified, recalling the blood still vivid in her mind. She was wary of cops for many reasons, and this was one of them—they often twisted words to fit their narrative. Yet, despite her thoughts, she felt Noel didn't mean any harm.

"Right, sorry. I'm just trying to rule out all other possibilities," he said.

"Does Charles know who the bald man is?" she asked, her heart beginning to race.

"Yes," he said, now looking at her hair thoughtfully. Their food arrived, and they began to eat. Dior's mind spiraled after Noel's answer. She had eaten half her pancakes before she spoke again.

"So, does this mean you're looking for him?" she asked.

"Yes, we are," he replied simply, taking a sip of his water. The waiter returned to refill their water and asked if Noel wanted more coffee, which he politely declined.

"Detective Pradd..."

"Just Noel is fine," he said calmly. Dior wasn't sure if she should use his first name, so she opted for nothing.

"Why did the bald man come after Charles like that?" she asked, prompting Noel to look at her. His eyes looked beautiful in the sunlight.

"It seems he made an enemy out of someone. A really smart one at that," he said, giving Dior little to work with. They finished their food, and Noel paid for her, despite Dior's offer to pitch in. She noticed he hadn't taken a sip of his coffee at all and remembered he had left his cup untouched at the hospital as well. How odd.

As they got back in the car, Noel sighed.

"Dior, listen. Charles was really rattled by this whole thing—which is normal for a near-death experience—but he's really worried about your safety right now," he said.

"My safety? Why? Is the bald man coming for me?" she asked, now more worried.

"He seems to think so, but right now there's no evidence of him being at the scene after you left. But it's possible. I need you to be careful, okay? Lock your doors and keep your phone near you, always," he said. She leaves her phone at home ONE TIME!

"How could he possibly find me just knowing what I look like?" she asked.

"He seems to be handy and might even have inside info. I'm looking into it," he said hesitantly.

"But I only helped a little. Do you think that's enough to put a target on my back as well?" she asked.

"You saved Charles's life, Dior," he said, almost in awe that she didn't see it that way.

"Did I, though? He stayed alive. I technically just gave him a ride! And maybe a shirt, which was actually one of my favorites, but that doesn't necessarily mean I saved his life, right? What was I supposed to do, just leave him there in his own pool of blood on that hard concrete with a shattered radio and four gunshot wounds?" She was breathing fast now, feeling as if there wasn't enough oxygen in the world to fill her lungs. Noel placed a hand on her shoulder, and she looked at him, tears threatening to fall.

"Dior, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. You were incredibly brave yesterday, and if it wasn't for you, Charles wouldn't have made it. Can I give you my number in case you ever need it? You can call for any reason, even if you hear a pen fall, and I'll make sure it's nothing. I mean it," his eyes were dark, but his gaze was soft. Dior took out her phone, unlocked it, and handed it to him. She didn't dare say a word, fearing her tears would spill. Noel added his number to her phone and her "favorites" so his name would be on top if she needed to call. She took a deep breath, catching a faint scent of his minty cologne.

"Thank you," she finally said, putting away her phone. He smiled at her.

He drove her to her apartment as they listened to the quiet hum of the radio. Dior watched the trees in the neighborhood pass by. When they reached her place, he walked her to the door on the second floor. She then realized she had never given him her address.

"Wait, how'd you know where I lived?" she asked.

"I used my skills as a detective for that," he said with a sly smile. "Don't forget to lock the door and call me if you need anything, okay?"

She squinted at him and nodded.

"Thank you for brunch," she said, waving goodbye and closing the door, locking it securely behind her.

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