Talk Of The Town ✔️

25

If Anya could describe Noah's car showroom in one word, it would be contemporary. Blue reflective glass, eye-catching from the highway, with dove grey metallic walls, surrounded the whole building. The asphalt appeared clean and black. One would assume they pressure-washed it every week or day. An inflatable blue tube man with car logos all over danced in the wind.

Anya smiled as a child dragged by his on-call mother attempted to touch it. He ended up frowning at the denial. A few sales associates walked the outer car park with iPads. Most of the would-be customers looked like married couples, new and old. Two teenage boys rushed toward a Lamborghini while their father ran behind. He clicked a picture for them.

Anya sighed.

She entered the showroom, gripping her clutch strap in her sweaty palm. Cold air conditioner and a strong leather scent greeted her with a blast. She coughed twice.

The cars inside shone under round ceiling spotlights reflecting on the polished Aegean blue floors. They were expensive and the latest models of their respective brands. To her right, sitting on a navy modular couch, a manager discussed something with a young couple. A woman brought three espresso cups on a silver tray and placed them on the round industrial coffee table.

"Welcome to Auto Vision. How may I help you?"

Anya took an involuntary step back at the sudden voice. She composed herself by flashing a soft smile and read his name tag 'Wolf Evans.' His parents must have wished for a dog to name their son Wolf.

"Hi Wolf, I'm here to see Noah Malik."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No, I called his assistant. He confirmed Noah goes to the showroom every Friday."

Anya failed to mention a couple of specifics. She used a phone booth and pretended to be a representative of a belt company from Morrocco. Using her acting skills, she praised Noah, undermined the belt company and ultimately received Noah's schedule.

"I see. Are you one of -" Wolf stopped, looking at her from tip to toe with judging eyes before adding, "His fans?"

"We've worked together before. He knows me."

"Your name"

"Anya Sheriff"

Wolf narrowed his eyes.

"The name does ring a bell. Now, where did I hear it?"

"Maybe on TV, I did ads."

"No, it was here. Noah's friends were talking about you. That cute, hot girl he hangs with all the time is what they preached. I get the cute part. Hot – more like not. No offence, darling."

"Can you just tell him I'm here?" Anya demanded, annoyed at his behaviour.

Rolling his eyes, he said, "Wait here. I'll check if he's not busy."

Anya moved along the glassed wall. She stopped by a blue Mini Cooper. Her father used to have a second-hand one, driven by five previous owners. The childhood road trips were memorable, though. Picnic, pictures at lakes, getting desserts, a quick stop at a fish and chips restaurant, etc

"Yo, that's her, Anya"

She froze, fixing the Mini Cooper's passenger door.

"Why would Noah call her here? He never brings any girl to the showroom," another guy commented, loud enough.