Unlovely Kind

04 Tempt

Chapter 4

"So that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this."

1 Thessalonians 3:3

Cliff was on his way to his unit that cold night. The mediocre, nostalgic view of Los Angeles' streets gives him the feeling of solitude. As he walked through the pavements of Mulholland Drive, the autumn's breeze touches and penetrates through his face; the whole thing seemed a catastrophe to his tired self. He walked on for more and happened to pass by a shop of flat-screen TV's. Cliff immediately stopped when he recognized who was on the monitor. It was that stubborn Eri Stainheart. What Cliff saw was actually a special interview of her during those past weeks after she went back from Moscow.

"...while I was in Moscow, I met someone there." Eri said to the talk show host expressively.

"Hmm... I bet 500 bucks that this 'someone' is a guy." Was the response of Eri's interviewer.

"Make it a thousand!" she nodded and laughed but before she did those, she first bit her lip and smiled sweetly.

"Oh!"

Cliff was still there, standing and watching Eri's bright face through the glass window.

He knows what fate is... nor is serendipity...

...until love intercepts.

"So I met this cynical, mysterious guy..." Eri continued trying to drag the topic.

"...And thought of something..." she paused again and went on, "Of all billions of people out there, only two are bound to meet." She said excitingly.

That surprised Cliff and made him pause for a moment too. Still watching Eri on the monitor, he grinned slightly and told himself, "...meeting her once was enough."

Cliff continued walking after that, when his phone's ringtone had him stopped again. He got it from his pocket and answered the call. The one who called from the other line turned out to be the management attendant of the condominium where he stays and was reporting that a drunk woman forcibly wants to get inside Cliff's unit. It was Eri Stainheart.

"Alright, I apologize for the trouble Mr. Green. 'Will be right there." Though Cliff was not really comfortable riding cabs, he was forced to hail one just to get there quick.

****************

"I don't think I need to tell you how much trouble you've caused last night Ms. Stainheart, do I?" Cliff asked Eri firmly the next morning. He was in his track suit attire and it seemed like he just came back from jogging that early morning. There was a face towel in his shoulders, his hair was soaked with water or sweat—she doesn't know; he looked damn hot though, Eri thought.

"No. Of course you don't have to." She replied in intimidation. She was still in bed, unable to move due to her awkward situation; thinking she'd die soon at that moment because of horrible humiliation and awkwardness for being alone with Cliff. Thank God she was saved by Mr. Plant-– Cliff's secretary after entering the room. But Eri soon realized that it only made the situation more humiliating.

"I've prepared the car outside, sir." Mr. Plant said and looked at Cliff and then at Eri.

"You drive her home, after she has breakfast." Cliff turned away from them.