Four Elements (on hold)

Chapter 6 - Sven

Chapter 6 

Music was blaring and it mingled with the sound of splashing down below.  A delicious scent of roasting meat drifted up to Calista as she watched Sven do a cannonball into the pool.  Blake stood over by the grill, beer in hand cheering on the guys while he grilled the meat.  The next splash was from Ryan who took a running start, did a mid-air flip and landed with a huge splash in the pool. 

“Woooo!  Nice one Ryan!”  Blake raised his beer in salute.

Calista’s eyes drifted over to the dripping wet Sven as he talked to Blake at the grill while helping himself to a long drink from a cold beer.  He wore red swimming trunks that she guessed he borrowed from Blake.  At the exact moment Ryan dove back into the pool with an Indian war cry Sven’s gaze locked with Calista’s.

She had been caught staring, so with a small wave she turned back to Keira who was in the kitchen making a salad.  “How did this happen?”

Keira grinned and popped a piece of cucumber into her mouth before she answered.  “Sven showed up this morning looking for you.  Oh by the way, you were away on a lawyer emergency.  I invited him for breakfast and he ended up staying for lunch too.  The guys have been playing video games all day; when they finally got hungry again they decided to have a BBQ.  Here, butter this bread would you?”

Calista took the butter and rolls from Keira and started slicing and spreading.  “Why was he looking for me?”

Keira’s grin stretched from ear to ear.  “He likes you!  He was going to ask you to go the fair today.” 

The knife Calista was holding dropped to the counter.  “He what?”

“Yep.  Seems you have an admirer, and one with a gorgeous six-pack too!”  Keira was trying hard not to giggle.

“KEI-RA!!”  A voice called from below!  “I NEED SALT!!” 

Keira rolled her eyes, grabbed a bottle of salt and dropped it down the balcony into Blake’s waiting hands. 

“THANKS!”

She picked up the salad, topped off her glass of wine and motioned to Calista.  “Come on, let’s go six-pack watching!”

This time it was Calista who rolled her eyes, but she poured herself a glass of red wine, picked up the rolls and followed Keira downstairs.

Sven took over grilling the meat while Blake took a dip in the pool and Ryan was inside fiddling with the music.  The girls got settled on some sun-loungers and the splash war continued between Blake and Ryan.

Sven’s eyes drifted over to where Calista and Keira were spread out sipping red wine.  He didn’t mean to stay all day, it just sort of happened.  When his plans for the fair fell through, he did not have anything else to do and hanging out with these guys were tons of fun.

After one last turn the meat was ready.  “Let’s eat!”  Sven shouted.  He took the meat over to the large wooden picnic style table and Ryan and Blake were drying themselves off.  The girls slid onto the benches and Sven tried to sit down next to Calista inconspicuously.  “Hi Calista, glad you are back in time for dinner.”

“Yeah, hi Sven, me too.”  Awkward moment.  “Can you pass the bread?”

The guys started happily devouring their plates and chatted about a movie they wanted to watch after dinner.  Keira and Calista exchanged a knowing look. 

Keira stacked a roll carefully with as much salad as it could take before drizzling with sauce to finish it off.

“Holy hell Keira, how are you gonna fit that into your mouth?”  Blake looked shocked.

Keira looked down at the roll in her hands; it was twice its regular size.  “Like this!”  She opened her mouth as wide as she could and took a big bite! 

Cries erupted from around the table!  “Damn bunny-hugger, you’ve got skills!”  Ryan high-fived her.  Keira was still too busy chewing to answer.

After dinner everyone helped clean up before they all got comfortable around the television.  Calista was not impressed with the science fiction film the guys picked out.  Keira had fallen asleep as usual and the men were all engrossed in the movie.  She carefully got up and escaped to the kitchen before anyone noticed.

On the balcony the night was quiet.  Calista sat on a padded bench and sipped her tea while going over everything she had heard that day.  New breach.  Controlled.  Excel Labs.  Which side.  Why?

Sven stood just inside the doorway, watching Calista outside.  It was a full moon and she was illuminated against the night sky; she seemed deep in thought and did not notice him.  ‘Bad idea.’ He thought to himself and turned to go before he accidentally bumped into a stool. ‘Oops.  Too late.’

“Sven?  Can I get you anything?”  Calista asked.

“Thirsty.  I mean, watcha drinking?” 

“Would you like some tea?”

“Uhm, rather not, I’m not much of a tea drinker unless you make it with beer.  Do you mind if I join you?”  When she nodded he pulled out a chair and straddled it next to her, leaning his arms on the back.  “You seemed deep in thought, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Don’t worry about it, just work.”  Calista smiled at him reassuringly.

Sven just nodded.  ‘This was it, no backing off now.’  He took a calming breath before asking.  “Sooo did Keira tell you why I came here?”

She nodded over her teacup.

“I.. ah.. thought it might be nice.  For us… I mean for you to go.. with me.”  The last part came out in a rush.   ‘Nice Sven, real smooth.’  He ran a hand through his short hair.  “I’m sorry, I’m being weird.  I should’ve just called.”

A small smile played around Calista’s lips.  He was adorable.  She never really paid attention before, but now she did.  He was tall, handsome, extremely well built and Ryan trusted him.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t go, I would’ve liked it.  But work gets in the way sometimes.  Raincheck?” 

Sven smiled.  “Sure!”

They talked for a while about work and Sven’s family until the sounds from downstairs became quiet.  Calista was the first to notice.  “I guess the movie is done, do you think they are still awake?  Let’s go check!”

They joked about a pulling a prank on the sleeping ones but all laughter evaporated when the empty couches came into view.  The television was still on but the viewers were strangely absent.  Calista walked over to the table where she had put her phone; at first glance it was obvious what happened.

“Would you look at the time, they probably snuck off to bed the little sneaks!  I suppose you also want to get home Sven?”  It wasn’t really a question; Calista needed him out of the house.

“Uhm, yeah, I guess it’s pretty late.”  Sven glanced at his watch; not even eleven yet. 

But he did not get a chance to object; Calista walked him to the door, brushed a kiss onto his cheek and waved him off.  As soon as his tail-light disappeared around the corner she marched into Keira’s empty room. 

In front of the computer Calista put on the earphones and logged in.  “Guys, can you hear me?  Where are you?  What happened?” 

The screen came to life and Calista could see the three of them in dark clothes moving along a dark corridor, weapons at the ready.

Keira replied first in a hushed voice.  “The alert I set this morning went off about 20 minutes ago; same as before.”

Next Ryan’s voice.  “Entering the lab now.”

Calista saw Ryan press his thumb to the door before it opened.  Seconds ticked by as he disappeared inside. 

“Clear!”  Ryan came back out.  “They must’ve been in and out like last time.”

“Okay guys, come home, I need to brief you, you are not going to believe it.”  Calista signed off.