Illusive

Chapter Two

                  Chapter Two
Daniella's Delight was overfilled with students, once again. I constantly wondered why I decided I wanted to work in a café that sells every single kind of donut, round donuts, square donuts, stretched out donuts, deep fried donuts... the worst part wasn't even the temptation to binge and get fat- it was the fact that every single Saturday and Sunday morning, the entire population of my university forcedly squashed themselves into the smallest café in town. Three o'clock is always rush hour, donut after donut, skinny latte after skinny latte... It seems the idea of a "skinny latte" makes every single girl believe that the amount of donuts they are consuming doesn't affect them because of their choice of drink. Ruby and I laugh about it, it's like ordering a triple stack burger with all the trimmings, but a diet coke. What is the point?
Ruby works with me, she doesn't go to my university and I'm relieved she doesn't. She's my only friend. She's small and curvy, she's got the bluest eyes and the most well conditioned brunette locks I've ever seen, she's the kind of girl that everyone is jealous of but nobody hates, because her looks match her personality.
"There's a guy out there! Asking for you!" She came through to the staff room, breathless. I conveniently took my lunch break during the busiest time of the day. I stopped eating my sandwich and looked at her.
"A guy?"
"Yeah, you know those things with dicks." Ruby laughed. "He's Australian, I think."
"Oh.." I blush, unintentionally, much to her delight.
"Is he a boyfriend? He's hot! What's his name?"
"It's nothing like that" I tried to convince her, throwing out the remainder of my sandwich. I walked outside to greet Bradley.

"What can I get you?" I asked him. Something about him was different, his eyes were dark today and he held himself as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"I need a favour." He replied bluntly. I was alarmed, there was no cheeky smile or awful pun, there wasn't even eye contact. He was looking everywhere but at me.
"Uh, sure... Come through." I smiled at him, awkwardly. As he walked around the back and into the staff room, the air was filled with the familiar thickness of awkwardness. I'd known him just over six weeks now and we've been getting on really well. We have lots in common (besides the same degree) and he has really been making an effort with me since our first encounter.

"What can I do for you?" I stood directly in front of him, but he didn't meet my gaze.
"I need you to look after something for me. Don't ask questions and don't open it." He said sternly.
"What?"
"I said don't ask questions Marleigh." He met my gaze this time, he stared into my eyes and I felt intimidated immediately. I took a step back and shook my head.
"How'd you expect me to willingly "look after" something if I don't know what that something is?"
Bradley rolls his eyes. "If you have that much of an issue then I'll leave."
"I just want to know what you're getting me in to." I tried to stand my ground as he hands me something wrapped in several plastic bags.

I looked down at the object in my hands and frowned, looking back up at him. He slowly raised his right hand, I noticed for the first time how large his hands are. He moved his hand towards my cheek and in that moment I realised how easily it would be for him to crush me with his hands.

He looked into my eyes and gently rubbed his thumb over my cheekbone.
"You're beautiful."
I looked into his eyes and then pulled away, feeling myself blush.
"So, I just keep this hidden?"
"I'll call you later, I've got to go."  Bradley kissed my cheek and before I could respond he left.

It was getting dark, it's mid October which means it doesn't get dark much later than eight these days. My coat clung to my body and I began walking home, the item Bradley told me to look after was weighing down my pocket, metaphorically and physically. What on earth would he have to hide? And why would he give it to me? My mind started to get the better of me, within the space of sixteen seconds I'd convinced myself that he's a serial killer and I'm his next victim. I quickly shook the idea out of my head and took the usual shortcut through the park.

The sun was beginning to set and I clutched my coffee, trying to keep myself from the cold. The leaves beneath my feet were bursting with shades of auburn, reminding me and the dog walker opposite that autumn is ending and winter is nearly upon us. It seemed the walk home is longer today, despite my shortcut.  I sat down on a bench as I neared the university, I leaned my head back and looked up at the sky, the sun was desperately shining its last rays through the canopy of branches, closing my eyes and exhaling.
"Excuse me?"
I sat up straight and turned to look at the person sitting next to me.
"Yes?" I cautiously made space between us, gripping my coffee.
"I couldn't help but notice you look troubled." He responded. I watched him carefully, studying each part of his face. He was probably around my age, if not a little older. His black hair fell just below his ear, his eyes were a light shade of blue.
"I'm doing just fine, thank you." I quickly stood up, about to walk away when the man grabbed my lower arm.
"Does the name Bradley Braxton mean anything to you?"
I pulled my arm away and frowned at him.
"No! I haven't heard of him, what the hell is this about?"
He shook his head angrily and turned around, walking in the opposite direction.

I reached my apartment and locked the door immediately, calling Bradley.
"You've reached Bradley! You know what to do."
Each time I heard it, the more frustrated I got. I stared at the item wrapped in several plastic bags. Just as I was walking over, there were three knocks on my door. I reluctantly opened it, Bradley barged in, regardless of my caution.
"I've called you six times! Why didn't you answer your phone?" I asked him instantly as I slammed the door shut.
"Where is it?" He completely ignored my question.
"Next to the toaster." I was frowning at him now.
Bradley scanned my face and body and then came closer, holding my cheeks.
"I'm sorry, things have been hectic.." He trailed off, walking over to the toaster.
I grabbed the item before he could and stared at him, showing my anger.
"Some random person, GRABBED me in the street and asked me if I knew you! Now if you want this you need to tell me what the hell is going on."

Panic seemed to have washed over his entire body, Bradley threw his arms around as he paced up and down my tiny kitchen. I couldn't help but notice the two dirty dishes behind him and wondered if he thought I was disgusting.
"What did this person look like? White? Black? Man or woman?"
"He was about 6ft, tall and white.. His hair was like a bob" I tell him.
"And what did he do to you?"
"He sat next to me and tried to talk so I stood up and tried to walk away but he grabbed my arm and asked me if I knew you, I told him I don't, obviously."
It was then that I saw the Bradley I'd met six weeks ago, his "hard" front vanished and he looked at me apologetically, furrowing his eyebrows, holding my hands.
"Marleigh I... I'm so sorry, I didn't want to drag you into this..."
"What is this? What's going on?" I asked him again, letting go of his hands."
"I can't tell you." And just like that, the mask was back. He straightened up and I saw the muscle in his jaw clench twice.
I shook my head and sat down on my sofa, wrapping my cardigan around me.
"Close the door on your way out."

I pretended to watch a programme on TV, it was one of those sitcoms that nobody really finds funny but it gives them something to do on a Friday night. Bradley is still here, but the awkwardness and the silence between us is too. He hasn't come over to talk to me, he's just stood in the kitchen, staring at the wall. As much as I wanted to help him, I didn't need this, whatever this is. I'm so frustrated with him, I lifted the remote and switched off the TV, which made him look up at me.
"I asked you to leave almost an hour ago! Why the hell are you still here?" I stood up and walked over to him, we were about one metre away from each other. Bradley looked at me and said nothing, I could see his eyes flickering from my own down to my toes and back up again.
"Bradley? Jesus! Just go!" I almost shout. Still nothing.
"How dare you! How dare you barge into my work and give me something to look after! How dare you come in here and disr--"
Before I could finish, Bradley closed the gap between us and grabbed my face and pressed his lips against mine. I clenched my fists and pushed against his chest, trying to get away. He moved his lips against mine in hopes I'd kiss him back. He's so much stronger than I am, I couldn't move him. I pushed against him again, desperately trying to get away. He stopped kissing me but stayed as close to me.
"Don't fight it, you're tense. Just relax."
I looked at him in disbelief, completely unsure of if I even wanted to kiss him. It was like every ounce of sanity had left my body. Bradley placed his hands either side of me and held the counter, leaning forward, kissing me again. I closed my eyes and slowly kissed him back, our lips moved simultaneously. I ran my hand through his hair and tangled a few strands around my fingers, his big hands cradled my back, pulling me as close to him as physically possible.
"I will never hurt you." Bradley said as he pulled away from the kiss, looking into my eyes.
I said nothing, but he knew from my expression that I believed him.

He will never hurt me.