RED HOPES

Reverie

It was 2 in the afternoon and I was already on the verge of quitting this job , not that my pockets were nothing but fuller but the nights became frustrating as I got zero to no sleep at all. Following scripts and layering my face every morning prior to my shoot was the biggest task of all. With an added amount people handling my social affairs my brain was about to short circuit from the weight of handling multiple things at a time, we had to maintain a clean profile as many people worked on my tweets plus the case which landed on my hands this time was a bit tricky, we needed a private investigator along with two other colleagues of mine. The murder mystery of a family in the suburbs, two teenage daughters along with their housemaid were shot on the spot, the father a famously rich doctor in the town fled the scene and was found dead in his car. But the bodies and the gun recovered both didn’t contain any fingerprints of the father.

Soon a brooding figure walked in my direction his eyes ping-ponging between the files in his hands and my face across the glass.

“Your broody face speaks about the case.” I fixed my belt before walking towards the mahogany table

“Too many evidences are making things difficult but watch this.” He placed the pen drive on my table. His eyes glinted with a different light I couldn’t decipher.

A thirty minutes video which featured two teenage girls the daughters of the doctor. They enjoyed the video, trying to film the usual activities. What seemed was a joyous atmosphere in the home the father enjoyed his coffee while side- eyeing his daughters. The video soon escalated to something disturbing, and challenging one of the daughter started acting weirdly, with her eyes bulging out in shock, before neutralizing her expressions.  The doctor grew from his seat and looked out, feared shrieks was the only thing which could be heard while the camera turned blank due to the commotion.

“This… “ I stuttered before looking up from the screen. There was something dark and eerie about that video. It disturbed even me.

“We recovered the footage from a video chat app, there are other videos on the site.” Edward sighed, his fingers tapping furiously on the table.  Edward Collins was one of the best investigators hired for this case since the twists reached a level of complexity that he was capable of solving.

“I haven’t seen you this unsettled in my life, but this case is indeed taking a mysterious turn.” I added noticing the light purpled patches around his eyes knowing it ruined his sleep beyond repair.

“It’s not the only thing which is bothering me.” He spoke pinching the bridge of his nose. “That stubborn officer isn’t co-operating with me, he’s keeping me on my toes.” The man released a frustrated growl.

“Who keeps Mr. Perfect on his toes?” I asked sipping my fourth cup of coffee.

“Silas Kershaw. That man with a stick in his ass” He gritted his teeth, the name slipped out of his mouth like venom dripping from a snake’s and entered my brain like an arrow. Silas, yes that was what he said, the name circulated in my brain like a tape. New year’s, Kenna.. my curiosity took a plunging dip as I questioned him further, the name did ring an unknown bell in my ears. I smirked at the wicket ways the universe walked. The famed Silas Kershaw was known for his morbid regulations, he was known by the name and no one really saw him in person.

“Ahan! I can understand, he can be overbearing.” I agreed.

“Man I was better raising puppies on my dad’s expenses, this investigation shit be crazy.” Edward grumbled like a material girl in her early teens. The silver spoon birth did act sometimes but rather than that he was a nice man. Edward Collins son of the richest businessman dealing with Marts around the globe, Richard Collins. He could easily seize hold of his dad’s position but the latter decided to jump into such a complex world of crime. For the kick he phrased. He was a good alley since we bumped atleast thrice a month. Within a span of six years, he prospered as a deputy inspector in special crimes division. Clap worthy progress!!

“You could’ve gone crazy either way.” I sipped my coffee, which was now starting to form a creamy layer. Investigation in itself came with unspeakable situations, one has to raise their sanity up.

“Higher ups are biting my ass for it, it’s an open and shut case.” He continued with his grumble but poor thing, I was as helpless as him. The man didn’t like Alanis, the time when we were on the same page. Yet that bastard was adamant on changing my perspective.

“What should I say? Scrape the barrel” I trailed my inner cheeks trying to hold my impish smile. A side eye was what I got in return. In the meantime mine and Alanis’ unyielding gestures towards each other didn’t stop. It was kind a game we played by sending an item in return of the other. Till the time I reached my house was filled with boxes wrapped in pink and reds. I pressed the bridge of my nose, day by day the man was being unbearable and the worst part was my inflated ego didn’t know how to back up.

Multiple notifications crashed my phone as I made my tired steps to only check what awaited me. These past few days had been a parade for me. The hired PR team formed a group, where ridiculous ideas were presented. A date left due for quite some days erupted suddenly.

Jerky – what say about the date?

Me – what’s the haste about?

Jerky – it’s been a month we need to feed the crows, ya know!

Tweeting and kissing was one thing but dating? With this jerky? Please no… we’ve been feeding media enough, with those cheesy hints and flowers. A date would confirm those rumours and I hated the thought of us together. A sigh skipped my mouth as tiredness embraced me, the things I was being dragged to do.

“Everything fine there Rev?” Edward quipped, lifting his eyes up.

“Yep, nothing concerning.” I waved it off with a smile while my tongue etched to spew pins and blades at the PR team. He nodded before immersing into his work, letting the screen consume him completely.

Dot 8 in the evening and I sat in a beautiful cocktail dress, flowing down reaching my bare ankles. A chic and classy Armani gown, the end had extra flare to it, giving it an Impression of a water goddess emerging right out of her realm. With half portion tied up I left the rest flowing down my bare back. I drove towards the Tabiea, the road stretched wide with equal amounts of vehicles honking around me, playing their sick beat. I checked myself in the hind mirror, patting a subtle layer of makeup, a rogue lip shade matched the dress. “Everything’s perfect minus the smog in my head.” I got out of the car with pointed heels clacking against the ground

It was my first time here and what welcomed me was Tabiea in it’s majestic beauty. Crisp air wafted my nose as I stepped down the car, it was surprising, since all we got to breathe was polluted air, rupturing our lungs day by day.

Tabiea was a top notch hotel famous for it’s plant covered luxury. Lush green plants meets the eye with the coloured glaze walls acting as a barrier. It was a place to behold, built by world’s famous architect Zahid Fakhri, an Arab who settled in the upper East of NYC. Following his mother’s legacy the man expanded his career in architecture, his designs were the finest all around the world. The initiative towards green-buildings with the amalgamation of modern architecture was exceptional.

“I never mused that you love nature.” A sudden warm voice in the cool air sounded like serenity. I turned my head only to find the intriguing owner of the voice.  Ocean blue eyes took their time checking me out, while feet advanced in my direction.

“Was an activist in my college days.” I replied, he didn’t say anything but stretched his hand out, his actions so sophisticated I couldn’t help but give my palm. It fit perfectly in his palm, he squeezed it gently sending small tingles in my brain throughout my body. My mind wondered what would they feel cupping my breast, the contrast of soft and raw was always the best. Shut your warped mind up!! I brushed those lewd thoughts away.

“You look beautiful Peach.” Alanis’ eyes lingered upon my face for a longest minute before he shifted his gaze towards my hand. His thumb brushed the back of my skin and damnn those little touches  should be mentioned in romantic novels, with minute specifications as I could not explain how a small brush of his thumb felt.

“Never knew you had royal sophistication in you. Careful Mr. Carter or this might turn out a real date.” I chuckled,  impressed by the way he was dressed. Navy blue shirt paired with black pants, his hair which I now noticed ran a little longer around his neck. The mole right above his lips asked for my attention, I soo much wanted to taste it too. He was gorgeous from head to toe but that specific area was heavily attractive.

“That’s the plan!.” He winked before walking me around the hall, no matter how breath-taking the views were from the inside, I could only focus on the warm hold on my hands, the warmest feeling in the world. My mind ran out of memories when someone held my palm like that.

We reached the upper floor, two staff members welcomed us with cushioned tray carrying welcome tea and body mist before we walked towards a majestic open terrace with nothing but greenery in sight with the skyline of new York blending perfectly together. A satin covered table was set near the railing. “I thought this was a dinner.” I couldn’t stop gasping at the beautiful place with such preparations. “Don’t make me think you are actually into me.” I traced the silky drape of the table. “What are your intentions??”

He Inhaled a dollop of air before continuing, something dark flickered before subsiding into a neutral calm.

“What if I am?” He asked back, closing the distance between us. There he goes, sowing seeds of doubts either nurture them or let them burn in the light of truth was totally out of his care.

This was just a fun give and take which had to ulterior motives or intentions yet it felt too much, too much for my strong heart which was softening day by day.  The dinner felt more like a date than just a joke. Plus the man gave me mixed signals, it was soo hard to read him. I could read people, a gift from my profession yet I didn’t quite understand his thoughts since the day he came into my life. Alanis was the exception to my assumptions. And I despised this fact!

He leaned forward smoothening the wrinkles of doubt around my brows. “Relax Peach! You are doing soo much, consider this as a token of thanks.”  Cutting the steak gracefully “We can play with media a little no?” he added bringing a bite in front of me  From pulling the chair to pouring the tea to serving me food, his hands were effortlessly sexy. I could see his veins as he folded his sleeves giving me a 360 degree view of his forearms.

I gulped the tea and to my surprise it was flowery and refreshing, yet the man’s immense presence made it difficult, trying to drain down the heat in my body yet it intensified with his moves, those knuckles which radiated in the dim lights, fingers stretching the bread by languid force. “This lamb rice smacks.” I spoke enjoying each bite in satisfaction. Tabiea lived to my expectations, it was an unforgettable experience.

We finished dinner and were ushered towards a small booth with a full view of the city. Not sure what was mixed in the tea, but my lips never dropped since the moment I came here. The air with leaves created a melody of psithurism, my eyes blinked while hands leaned on the railing. I flipped my hair back running fingers through them the air touching my partly bare skin, settling as pleasure on it.