QUICKSAND

DISTRESS

FREYA'S POV

I planked my tired body on the bed but I thought as if my mind was more exhausted from too much 'Parker-thinking'. I still could not calm my heart. It was beating as fast as it was when I saw him today. My brain wasn't helping either. If these feelings could kill I would be at the mortuary right this instant and not staring at the ceiling of my room.

He left me perplexed. When he said it was good to finally know my name, I was so sure he had recollection of Italy. But when he left the work room and said it was nice meeting me, I suddenly became doubtful. Oh God, speaking of the work room, does he even have to be that chiseled? Or that awesome-smelling? I closed my eyes and could smell the Acqua di Gio sprayed on his skin. He has not changed his perfume in 3 years. Still fruity woody smelling that makes any woman not think straight. I remembered our long walks at Signora Carlina's vineyard. The autumn's wind caressing our skin, his scent traveling my way.

We sat once at a small hill near the farm, talking about anything and everything under the Tuscan sun. I was never fond of the heat but with him I forgot about the sun scorching my skin. When I talked about bits and pieces of my life, he would listen intently, his eyes fixed on me. Everytime some hair strands fell loosely to my face, he would brush them with his hands and tucked them at the back of my ear. Those small gestures made my heart a hopping rabbit on Easter. One time he talked about losing his dad. He said he passed away just a few months back. His usual gleaming eyes had become lifeless. His pain was felt. I believed him when he said he was being strong for his mom and siblings. I thought he just was not the type to lie about that. The care he has for them was dripping every time he mentioned them. Somehow, although I had no idea what his real name was what he shared was far more significant and I felt fortunate that he trusted me enough to share them with me. This could be the reason why I was now feeling guilty for leaving him without even a word. I knew he did not deserve that but I was afraid.

I lay to my side and tried to stop thinking about him, but it was almost impossible not to. Italy. The most reckless I had ever been. The wildest, most outrageous, out-of-this-world experience. Not even I could imagine that I could be such a fiery irrational woman. The only person who knew about what happened is my best friend Laura who I think I should be calling right now. I looked at my watch and contemplated on giving her a ring. Again, I was having the Hamlet Syndrome. To be or not to be. To call or not to call. After a few minutes I made a decision to get my phone and pressed her number.

"Ok. Cough it out." She knew me too well. "The only reason why you're calling at this hour is when something colossal happened. I am only half-awake so you better tell me what you want if you want me not to sleep on you."

"Lo," I hesitated.

"I did not receive your call just to hear you blurt your nickname for me."

I took a deep breath then, "I saw him."

Still half-awake, Laura couldn't figure out who I was talking about. "Who? The Devil in the Mirror?"

I realized that it was almost three. I was out that late? After I left the boutique where the hell did I go? I could not even remember much about what happened to the rest of my day after seeing him. I managed to tell Laura, "Do not scare me, Lo."

"Well, you always get this inarticulate every time something big happened. The last time you were like this was when you told me about Lucas. So you better tell me what's bothering you or else I would have to scare it out of you. If it is necessary to mention the likes of Sadako..."

I interrupted her, "Fine. I'll tell you. Just no scary characters popping out of your mouth." There was a pause, a deep breath, a pause again.

"I'm waiting," she said. I could imagine Laura looking all doe-eyed and pursing her lips.