Murder At 12

Paris: The City of Love!

Next I know we are sitting in an inn, on a seat next to the window. Duh! These lovebird things. I glare at him," You purposely did it." He smirks ,"What?" He crosses his hands. I can see the muscles of his hands since he rolled up his shirt. He is so disheveled! Top two button of the shirt open and then these rolled up sleeves. Slicked back hair. Not that isn't exactly what I prefer but he is part of my work.

I inquire of him about his previous cases. He tells about his enmity-trade cases, love-jealousy cases but he does not speak anything about his personal life. He is keeping it closed off. He puts his hands on the table fingers interlocked looking directly in my eyes, "Now, start speaking already." I am least bit intimidated by him. I nod my head in disbelief that he could even think I was gonna talk about my personal life.  I turn to spot a bullet mark on his shoulder. I look at that mark and then his face," Hey William..." I muster up courage to ask him," How did you get that tattoo?" Silence prevails after my question. He smirks back ,"I'm sure you know that's no tattoo for sure." I quickly change the topic, " The coffee is really nice. I wish I could try the Hot cocoa of this place." I do not want to bother him by his painful past. It may affect the proceedings of the case. I do not want him to bothered by all this. He replies calmly though," I got this during my last case. " I can hear a distinct vague pain in his voice. I accidentally speak it out loud," Did you leave that case unsolved?" He says, "No, I solved the case. I do not leave things unsorted, but it follows many fearful memories. I do not want to talk about so go on Miss."

I randomly speak on ,"I..I dunno what to say..I am sorry..I didn't want to make it awkward."

After a short pause he continues," This mark carries a lot of importance. It proved to me the very saying 'If someone is silent it does not mean that he is unable to defend himself, but he is waiting to attack you when you will not be able to defend yourself.' I was cheated by my partner." 

I can feel the pain.

"He leaked the information regarding the case. This mark is gift form him. And this too," He shows me a bullet attached to a wrist bracelet on his left wrist." I always wear it as a reminder. Do not trust your partner." Before I can speak on he adds ,"BLINDLY." . 

 He has a story. He seems in pain.Something in me urges to share this pain. I start consoling him," It happens, in the field we work it is very difficult to trust someone. I just don't like to work with a partner for the same reason. I even work on the same principle ' Don't TRUST anyone till they prove to deserve your trust AND if you trust someone do blind trust. Else it doesn't matter" He then clears my cocoa mug from the table,"I believe in a different concept though." 

 I try to stand in order to help him but  he puts a hand on my shoulder and gently makes me sit on the chair. He smiles and shivers run down my spine. I've always been an independent lady so I rarely got a chance to be treated like one. I know how to change my car's tire. I've always placed my order and paid my bills. Being treated by a gentleman wasn't always on my list.

 He speaks calmly," I'll go get the order done. Enjoy the view till then." Good he seems a little relieved. He goes to the cash counter and I watch his broad back move. Once he is lost in the crowd I quickly pick up his coat to check the stuff inside but can not find anything of relevant importance. I instinctively smell his coat.

No sooner does the scent of strong cologne hit me than I'm intoxicated. He serves me my share of Oriental rice saying, "You can speak directly I don't deserve your partnership. Honestly I will not feel bad. I have bore a lot of pain this is nothing. I do not want to you to feel restricted. You are free to do as you wish. But checking up"

"It is not that you don't deserve to be my partner," Out of reflex I cut him short. It's just that I don't deserve a partner as good as you are. You care for your partner like crazy and here I am who does not want a partner. You are a convincingly good man Adamson" 

He smiles at my remark. His smile is so refreshing. He is looking so handsome. I gaze at him for some time, then he interrupts me by saying something. I am unable to hear any voice for some time. I am indulged in looking at his face so deeply. Perfect face cut, long eyelashes, deep thoughtful eyes. Something lies beneath those pair, what is it?

"Hey, earth to Merellanda," I come to my senses when he finally calls out to me."Yes I am right here. What happened? Are you alright?" I'm so shocked by his sudden reaction that I nearly jump up in response. He laughs at my reaction," You look so cute sometimes, I just can't believe the different type of faces you make. " I start blushing from embarrassment. I wish the fan falls over my head or the sky swallows me or I disappear somewhere. GODDAMMIT! THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING! "So even you space out at times. Looks to me you require another cup of cocoa or rather I should offer a strong coffee." He tries to reduce my shame. I even smile at myself.  He makes it comfortable. We sit there for sometime enjoying our coffees. Working with a partner is not half bad. I have no such problems with William. I have a gut feeling can trust him. I trust my guts.

After coming out from the inn I start walking towards to the hotel we booked. I enter the gate all employees bow to me knowing whom I am. I nod smiling to them. I search for the keys in my pocket but I don't find a single clue of my keys. I scold myself for being so careless when, "Impressive," William's voice rings out in my ear. I turn around and ask him," How come you come here?" He dangles my room keys in front of my eyes. I open my mouth to question him but he answers even before I can say anything," Dropped them when you got up." I take the keys from him. I look at them something's missing. My rabbit key-chain. "I suppose you are making that face for this rabbit," he says handing it to me. I notice one ear of the rabbit has been broken. He says mockingly, "What an unlucky rabbit" "Why do you say so?" I ask him. He says " It has lost one ear" 

" Oh, I thought because it is with me ," I just spoke it out without thinking. Or maybe an emotional thing brought out my emotional self. I dunno about that now. I hear him cautiously,

"Why do you take everything on yourself?" he says in a friendly tone adjusting the key-chain. " I grew up this way. I can't help it." I respond and turn towards the key and rabbit in my hands. Looking at the rabbit I ask him," Where are you staying tonight?" His shoulders slump in response to confirm my anticipation I look at him. 

But I'm wrong! He shrugs his shoulder ,"What? You were booking the rooms not me. If you didn't book mine. I will sleep in your bed then." He keeps his hand on the wall beside my head looking up closely at me.

I stutter out then compose up myself ,"You won't" I try to push him off but he leans in closer. He is way too strong. I start to freak and he moves away laughing. He looks unbearably happy. I do not like this teasing! I punch his bicep and he chuckles further , "Well right next to you my room is there."

We exchange smiles as we enter our adjacent rooms ." Good night." I never expected it. It has been ages someone said that to me. That brings bad memories. Tears sting in my eyes. I nod at him. He gets inside his room. I rest my head on the door, when I realize I am outside my room I unlock it.  I have been living alone for a while and I can't just.. I..I enter thinking about all the good time I once had with..With Him..Him.............

No sooner do I get inside I lean my back against the door as a support to my body. I sink to the floor thereafter. Before I realize I'm crying. I hug my knees close to my chest and start sobbing. I do not realize when my consciousness fades away.