That goddamned thing

Chapter 3

I try to fight him but he is too strong for me. He drags me towards the couch, his hand still on my mouth. I feel hot tears in my eyes, I try desperately to blink them away but fail and they fall on his hand. His gaze meets mine and he says politely, "I will release you but you have to promise to keep quiet."

I am furious at him and don't want to give in but the trepidation wins over my ego. I try to say a muffled okay and just like that he releases me. I am half lying on the couch and he is leaning over me, his face just a few inches from mine.

"Tell me what you were saying about number 32." I can feel his hot breath on my face.

"You can't bully me into telling you whatever you want. You know perfectly well what you did there. Hurt me all you want but I won't tell you." I feel terrified while saying this but I don't want to give everything away so easily. Fresh tears roll down my cheeks. I rub them away with my hand.

He puts his hand on my shoulders and says softly, "I would have hurt you if I had wanted to." He stares at me for a while and when I don't reply, he continues, "Please, tell me what happened in number 32, this could be important." His blue gaze is so intense, like he is scanning me.

"Will you let me go if I tell you?"  He nods.

"Last evening, a burglar – most probably you broke in number 32 and made a mess there. He was searching for something, apparently."

His eyes harden and he lets go of my shoulders and swears. "Christ! They are here already."

I try to sit up. I have to think quickly. If I move towards the right and reach the glass vase on the side table, I can bang him on the head and run. Instead, I say "Who is here? What do you mean? Weren't you in number 32 last evening?"

He moves towards the living room window and opens the curtains and peeks outside. "Which one is number 32?" He asks after a while.

I hesitate for a while. He isn't answering my questions and keeps on asking more questions but what catches me off guard is that why doesn't he know where number 32 is? He is looking out of the window frantically and then glances back at me raising an eyebrow. "This way." I say, getting up from the couch and lead him into the kitchen.

I show him number 32 and he stares at the windows for a while. "Can you tell me what exactly happened there?"

"I should be asking you that question." I say just to play around.

"I didn't break into number 32. I didn't even have an idea about where it is, I just knew it was in the next lane." He says in a firm but calm tone.

Slowly I narrate my encounter with the police, the previous evening. His expression hardens and he walks back to the living room. I follow him. He is tall and muscular. His biceps are showing from his short-sleeved shirt and he is moving smoothly with a fast pace. As he enters the living room, he turns around to look at me, "So are you willing to rent out that room to me?"

"After all you did to me? You have broken more than 50 rules of law since last night." I say sarcastically.

"Law is born from despair of human nature." he quotes my favorite philosopher, José Gasset.

I gape at him and before I can reply, the telephone rings. I move around him towards it. Picking up the phone I turn around to look at him. He puts his hand in his pockets and leans his posture against the wall.

"Hello." I say. I hear my mum's voice, "Cara darling. How are you?" She seems quite out of breath.

"Fine, mum." I lie. "I am fine. What happened?" I think I know the answer but I ask anyway, glancing away from Alexander but then look back at him. I can't let him catch me off guard – yet.

"I just saw the news. There's been a burglary in an apartment in Lake View point. I was worried sick about you."

"Oh yeah, that. Yeah, I heard about it too. I am fine mum. You don't need to worry." I try to say casually but I know I am failing.

"I am glad to hear that dear." She sounds unconvinced. Then almost exclaims, "Why aren't you at work?"

"I" I try to make up a quick and convincible lie but nothing comes to my mind.

"I am a bit tired from last night, mum. I was thinking to take the day off."

"Are you alright, Cara? Do you want me to come over?" My mum asks concern in her voice.

My mum is very caring, fussy and sweet, so sweet that it annoys me sometimes. I stare at Alexander who is looking at the opposite wall and say, "Sure mum that would be great."

"I will be there in about an hour." She says gleefully.

"Umm, mum can you please bring along a pair of dad's old jeans and a t-shirt?"

"What do you need them for?" She is surprised.

"You'll know when you come here." And with that, I put the receiver down.

Alexander stands up straight and asks, "What did you say that for?"

I know perfectly well what he is talking about but I ask anyway, "What are you talking about?"

"A pair of jeans and a t-shirt?" He raises his eyebrows.

"Well, let's just say I don't like boys living in my apartment wearing dirty clothes." I say dryly. My heart is beating so fast that I cross my hands around my chest as if afraid that it might leap out. I just allowed a stranger who is most probably a burglar to live in my apartment. My gut is telling me that I did the right thing but my brain is giving me a red signal.

He smiles a goofy smile, all his teeth showing which are perfectly white, surprisingly and says, "I am grateful, honestly. Thank you."

"You should be." I reply with a clicking tone.

He hesitates, "I think it's high time that you told me your name."

"Caroline Gaspar." I tell him my full name. Most people call me Cara, but I am not sure if I can count him in those people yet.

"Caroline." He repeats. "I am sorry about all that happened. You should understand that I meant no harm."

"I am not sure whether to forgive you yet. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to prepare a meal for two."