Big, Bold and Beautiful

Chapter four

Immediately after my hand struck out I regretted my decision. I was never the type to resort to violence but I couldn't put into word the intense surge of anger that had overcome me. The stranger however looked more stunned than anything. The slap had forced his head to face to the side but I suspected that it wasn't a result of the sheer force or lack thereof behind the slap but rather due to the shock. When he turned his face to look back at me I did not register a trace of anger like I had suspected but rather he looked baffled.

He blinked once, twice then burst out into uncontrollable laughter. He was so overcome by the laughter that he bent over and held onto his knees whilst wheezing. I wanted to use this to my advantage and escape but his bent over body had managed to trap me and I had no other way of getting out of the corner I had stupidly put myself in without going through him.

As if sensing my need to escape he cut his laughter short and stood upright. He then loudly cleared his throat and sheepishly looked back into my eyes.

"Look Cara I understand that you must be very confused but I am only here to help." He said very softly. "My name is Chris and I was a friend of your brothers."

I was stunned.

Just hearing him say Matt's name made me sad all over again. Matt had mentioned a Chris a couple of times over the phone and it was my belief that Chris was his roommate. Unfortunately I couldn't confirm whether or not this man was Matt's roommate and even then what was he doing in my room in the middle of the night? How had he managed to get in?

"I drove up here in hopes of talking to you about Matt. He had a copy of your address in his room and I figured that you and I could have looked for him together seeing as two sets of eyes is better than one. However when I got to your apartment I spoke to one of the police officers and he informed me that you weren't home. One of your neighbors informed me that apparently a dead body had been taken out of your apartment and they believed it was Matt."

His voice quivered after mentioning the body. Matt's body. Whilst his explanation had indeed shed some light, I still had a lot of questions.

"Matt mentioned this hotel a couple of times" he continued, " he always told me that it was your favorite in town because your father brought you guys here when you were little."

"When the police officer informed me that you probably wouldn't be returning to your apartment any time soon I decided to get some sleep for the night. I figured I could always look for you at a more decent time." Whilst explaining he had backed up away from me and taken a seat on my bed. A part of me wanted to run off but then again I suppose I ought to hear him out before making a fool out of myself. Even then by backing up he had provided me with the opportunity to grab my phone off the bed and move towards the main door. If at any point I felt threatened I could always make a run for it or call the cops which gave me some semblance of security.

"Considering the fact that I don't know that many hotels in town I had already booked a room here. In the very next room it turns out." Throughout his explanation he never once looked away from me. Strangely with every word that he spoke I felt less at risk.

"I was actually walking down the hallway to my room when I heard you say Matt's name. Your door was open and I saw you laying on your bed. I assure you that it was never my intention to scare you." He murmured the last part almost embarrassedly.

"I recognized you from a picture Matt keeps on his night stand of you two from your high school graduation." Suddenly he looked away and I saw the exhaustion painted all over his face. If this man claimed to be who he was then he must be devastated by Matt's death just as i was.

"I had no intention of scaring you. I planned on shutting the door and moving on but you suddenly looked up and I was too scared to move. I assumed you would think I had been watching you like some creep and I panicked."

He looked awfully embarrassed. His cheeks had become bright pink and he wouldn't look at me anymore.

Perhaps it was naïve of me but part of me believed him. Understandably, I couldn't fully trust who he was until he confirmed his identity and I expressed this. He then proceeded to show me his student id from St George's medical school were Matt was also studying from. The picture confirmed that the man in front of me was indeed Chris.

Even though I wasn't completely convinced I found myself sitting down on the bed beside him.

"What now?" I asked. I hadn't said much to him but I felt somewhat comforted that I was no longer alone. Perhaps Kamal had been right that I needed someone right now.

Chris jumped off from my bed and boldly stated with the largest childish grin I had ever seen.

"We get out of here and I tell you what I already know about Matt's disappearance."

Now that was something I could get behind.

*******

-hey everyone, i apologize for the unexplained disappearance but a few things came up and i was unable to write.

-i hope you are all doing well and having an amazing day.

-thank you so much to everyone who has been reading. if only you knew i happy i get when i see that somebody out there cares to read the story. it puts me over the moon.i hope to hear more feedback from you guys on how i'm doing.

-anways have you guys heard the song 3 nights because i listened to it the other day and i am in love!!

lot of love