Just Him&I: In a Universe of Cruelty

Part 21

The flight was calm, without any turbulence. It was two in the morning. We had a few hours to sleep and get ready. Clothes were to be left in the wardrobe right in the room, so there was no need to worry or stress about anything.

We approached the reception.

— Good night. We have a reservation. — I was polite with the girl standing there, and she smiled at me.

— Your last names, please! — she smiled broadly when she saw James behind me. I glanced at her with slight confusion.

— Barnes and Berest — she typed our last names into the computer, then nervously started looking for something else.

— We apologize, but at the moment, only single rooms are available. — I looked at her angrily, but there was nowhere else to go, so I just nodded in agreement. I wanted to lie down somewhere as soon as possible.

— Here are the keys to your room — she handed them to me — The clothes are already in the room. Good night. Once again, we apologize for the inconvenience! — I accepted her apology and went with James into the room, immediately collapsing on my side of the bed, throwing off my jacket and backpack.

— I'll sleep on the floor. I don't want to cause you discomfort — I sighed heavily and looked in his direction. He stood in the doorway, leaning carefully against the doorframe.

— Don't even think about it. No discomfort at all. Besides, we've already slept together. Back in Romania, remember? — the corners of my mouth lifted at the warm memories of being together. Everything reminded me of those times.

— What's the plan?! — I sat up on the bed.

— I'm not too fond of it. But you need to seduce him, get him into the room where the safe is located, which holds the flash drive. I'll be downstairs as backup if something goes wrong... — he explained quickly and briefly.

— I'm drawing all the attention to myself tonight — I stated.

— Looks like it — he rubbed his beard. His eyelashes trembled slightly.

— Is Steve upset with me? — I worried about his state, after hearing this, as much as I did for James.

— He understands everything. It's not his style to hold a grudge. — he spoke about him with a smile, probably recalling some moments from his past.

— Do you remember anything? — yesterday I touched a nerve, and today I continued. But if it was uncomfortable for him to talk about it, he would have told me right after the question.

— Partially. It's very difficult to remember everything I lived through all those years. But when Steve tells something, I vaguely recall. — I nodded approvingly. I moved a little closer and patted him on the shoulder.

— I understand — I went to the bathroom. He gave me a long, stern look.

I closed my eyes and looked at my reflection. I brought shorts and a long T-shirt; I needed something to sleep in.

Without much thought, I took off my clothes, which fell to the floor, and stood under the hot shower.

The water pleasantly burned my skin, and I spaced out for a bit.

After spending almost forty minutes there, I came out and got dressed. Carefully washing my face and arranging everything on the shelves, I looked at myself in the mirror. Behind me, a silhouette of a woman with almost white-gray hair appeared.

I stumbled slightly and was ready to shatter the glass, gripping my toothbrush like a knife.

She was very thin, with deep green eyes and numerous wrinkles. Her lips curved into a smile, a genuine smile in which I recognized my own.

— Mom... — I whispered, touching the glass, grazing her face. I knew that as soon as I turned, she would disappear, and I didn't want that.

She smiled even wider, and tears appeared in my eyes.

— I'm at Woodlawn Cemetery. If you have the chance, come visit me — tears rolled down my cheeks. She's dead; all my suspicions are futile.

— So you're dead? And Dad, is it him..? — my voice cracked, and I bit my inner cheek to stop a breakdown.

— It was do... — she vanished just as she had appeared. I looked behind me and saw no one.

— Mia, are you okay..? You've been in there for an hour... — hiding my tears, I quickly packed up everything I should have done twenty minutes ago and left the room.

— Sorry, I got lost in thought — I rubbed my wrists and didn't meet his gaze, nervously looking around.

— Are you sure you're okay?! — he took me by the shoulders when I was about to leave, turning me to face him. This difference in height was too noticeable, and I felt awkward.

He tilted his head slightly to the side.

— Yes, I'm fine — he let me go, and I walked into the bedroom, sitting on the bed in a lotus position. My hair was wet, and I could feel it uncomfortably sticking to my T-shirt. Unfortunately, there was no hairdryer here.

He quietly followed me and handed me a bag with a croissant and a warm, almost hot coffee.

— For a snack, you must be hungry. — He sat on the edge of the bed and stared somewhere out the window.

— Can I tell you something? — I took a sip of coffee and looked at him intently.

— Of course — he turned to me, expectantly.

— Remember I told you about my mom...— I tightened the cup in my hands. — She was murdered, and I wanted, and still want, to know who did it. I searched for her online; it turns out she was a Ukrainian journalist. When I was in the bathroom, I saw her reflection; she said she's at the cemetery. If I want, I can visit her grave. But just as she was about to say who killed her, you knocked on the door. Sounds like complete nonsense. Maybe you think I'm crazy, that I saw something in the mirror and immediately believed it, but... — I wanted to continue, justifying what I had just said, realizing the nonsense I was spouting. He took my hand and squeezed it tightly.

— I believe you. And you're not crazy at all — I smiled and finished the rest of my coffee. Maybe I'll regret telling him all this.

— I'm very tired. I want to sleep; we'll have a tough day — I informed him and slid lower onto the bed.

— No problem — he let go of my hand. I lay down and closed my eyes.

— If you could change something in your life, what would it be? — he unexpectedly asked, and I still didn't open my eyes, pondering his question.

I could have immediately answered, "I wish I'd never been born. Or killed Pierce. Or chosen a different family."

— I wouldn't change anything. I believe that all situations make us only stronger. That's what life is for. There will always be something bad, no matter how much you change the past or the future. This game has no victories, saves, or resets. — he listened attentively to me. I could only hear his quiet breathing and the rustling as he changed positions. His chest rose and fell in rhythm with mine after my words. We breathed in sync with each other, and it calmed me.