The Auction!

chapter 11

He escorted me out of the restaurant and over to the parking lot where his vehicle sat.

A 2015 all black Chevy Malibu with all black rims and dark tent.

He unlocked the door before he pulled open the passenger door where he gestured for me sit.

"Thanks."

He closed the door.

That smell.

I inhaled, taking in the scent that he left imprinted on his cloth seats. The scent that drove me crazy. The scent that left my legs shaking when I took in a whiff.

"Pretty clean car." I complimented.

"Yeah." Monte sat in the driver seat.

Monte started the car before he rolled out of the parking lot.

The ride seemed longer than I expected. I guess that was because our conversations had ceased.

Did I say something wrong?

He kept his attention on the road, oblivious to the glances I would take every now and then.

He seemed focused. Not directly on the streets, but something else seemed to be settled on his mind.

As I struggled to figure out what was going through his head, I almost didn't realize where we were heading.

Blue Hill Hospital.

Why were we at the hospital?

I wasn't sure if I should ask or sit back silently like I have before.

Monte pulled in under the main awning. He shifted the vehicle in to park before he shoved open his driver side door without a word to me.

Well excuse me?

He handed valet his keys before he opened up the passenger door to escort me out.

"Are you okay?" I finally asked.

"Uh, yeah."

I wasn't sure what to say because the look on his face was enough to keep my tense....

Third floor. West pavilion. Room 3205.

That was the room I was standing outside of. That was the room he stepped into with his brother before they closed the door. That was the room I stood outside of with his saddened mother, who clutched down on my hand without any knowledge of who I even was.

That was the room that held his sick father.

"I'm so sorry." His mother, Yura, wiped the tears from her cheek before she forced a smile. "I didn't mean to burden you with my-"

"No. No. Please." I begged of her. "Do not be sorry."

She nodded.

"Jesus, I don't even know your name." She chuckled.

"Alisha."

"Alisha." She exhaled. "Thank you."

"No problem."

"Are you...Monte's girlfriend or-"

"No!"

She was taken back by my outburst.

"Not like that. I mean he is a great guy- but we are not together. I mean we are on a date- I mean I purchased-"

Shut up Alisha!

"Mom." Yura quickly stood up to take her son's hand. "Dad is looking for you. Eric went down to the cafe to get you something to eat."

"I'm not hungry-"