Skyfall [s. r]

Four: Ten Bucks

Steve

  The alarm went off at five o'clock in the morning. I sighed and sat on the bed. It was still dark. I looked out the window and saw that agent, Victoria, asleep on her bed through the blinds of my window. Turns out, our apartments are mirrors of each other's. Slowly, she began to move in her bed until she sat up.

  I stood up and got dressed with khaki pants, my boots, a white tank top and over it a blue squared button up shirt. I stuffed my gym bag with everything I might need, brushed my teeth, and grabbed my sunglasses just to place them in the pocket of my jacket before heading out of the apartment.

  I locked the door and got out of the building. I looked through the opposite window's apartment and saw movement, Victoria was up and walking around her place. I looked at my watch, 5:15. I walked down the street towards this...Starbucks place that's open 24 hours and is located four blocks away from the buildings.

After I had walked in and greeted everyone, I ordered what I always get: cappuccino with whole milk, double shot of espresso and sweetened with vanilla. I bought two of those, asking the cashier to keep the change and walked back towards the entrance of my building. I'm not a big fan of this establishment's coffee, the café I frequent in Brooklyn is much better, tastes homemade, but they don't open until 8:30 in the morning.

  I sighed and looked at the watch on my wrist again. 5:30. All I had to do now was wait, so I walked to the opposite side of the street and reclined myself on the black AUDI car Victoria was driving last night and waited for her, tossing my bag to the ground. The whole time I wondered how to strike a conversation with her, what could we possibly talk about. I also wondered why did I get her a coffee like mine. What if she doesn't like it? Idiot. You should've asked first, at least.

  At six o'clock, I watched her walk out of the lift inside of the building. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans, black knee high combat boots, a white button up shirt and the same black leather jacket she was wearing yesterday. Her dark damp hair fell down to her collarbones, her sunglasses on; she was playing with her keys in one hand, spinning the keychain around her index finger. Her lips, adorned with dark red lipstick, curved up in a smile as she looked my way, sending a wave of nerves all over my chest, which caused me to stand up straight.

"You're on time." She said, using a tone of surprise. I shrugged, her vanilla scent hitting me with a soft breeze the second she stood in front of me.

"Thought I had to make a good first impression." I said and she chuckled. Again, the nerves fluttered in my chest. The first and last interaction I had with a woman was Peggy, and here I was, standing with someone who looked extremely alike to her, not really knowing how to have a conversation with this woman. With any woman, as a matter of fact. I may be good leading operations and battles, but this is not my forté. "I didn't know how you take your coffee, so I just brought what I drink." Victoria placed her sunglasses over her head with a smile. "I hope you don't mind." And I hope you don't think is a douche move.

"You didn't have to get me coffee, Captain."

"I know, agent. But I assumed this could be a good peace offering for how we...left things off last time we met." She chuckled and took the cup when I offered it.

"Thank you." She took a sip of the beverage, I mirrored her movement as she looked at me with disbelief.

"What?"

"That's two shots of espresso and vanilla?" I nodded. "Exactly how I take it." I scoffed to hide my relief and surprise.

"Funny." She nodded.