2. A Shot

After Kim's departure, which was a relief, I decided to wander around for a while. Fortunately, she was in a hurry, so she wouldn't pursue her question. I succeeded in lying by saying that Pedro (our best friend) had hugged me before the flight. At least in her haste, Kim just believed what I said.

It seemed like visiting fun places around here couldn't go wrong. I opened G****e Map, searched for interesting places around here and found Colombus Square Park. Seven minutes away by car. Okay, not too far either.

Kim is calling...

"For God's sake, what is it again, Kim?" I said in an unusual tone.

"I'm sorry, Leanne …. Really, but I wanted to ask you one more favor. The folder I brought was wrong. Please bring—"

"Where did you put it?" I asked, cutting her off.

"I'm really sorry, Leanne," she squeaked.

I let out a long breath. I was absolutely sure that right now her expression must be that of a child who had just finished standing on the corner of the wall. Coupled with the baby-like complexion of her Asian face, I couldn't bear her sometimes. Kim had a Chinese father, and unfortunately she did not inherit the physical features of her American mother. Well, at least that was her charm that made me want to do whatever she asked.

"Alright. Where did you put the folder?"

"On the shelf next to the television."

I headed for the shelf Kim was referring to. "Which one?"

"The dark blue folder," she replied.

I shook my head. No wonder she picked the wrong folder. "There are four dark blue ones, Kim Chan."

"Turn to the first page!" Kim interrupted. I activated the loudspeaker mode and put the phone on the shelf.

"Project with Mr. Matthew Cumberbatch?" I read the first page of the first blue folder I picked up.

"No."

I opened the second blue folder. "Name: Kimberly Zhao Chan. Place of—"

"That's my curriculum vitae, Corbin."

"Hey, look, your forehead in this picture is really awful," I teased. Kim growled in annoyance on the other side. I giggled softly before moving on to the third blue folder. This looked like the news. "Mysterious Deaths of Weaver Family?"

"Yes!" she squealed excitedly. It's lucky I didn't stick my cell phone in my ear. "Oh yeah, just bring your notebook. There's a café nearby. You can do your work while waiting for me."

"You know that it's not free, right?" I started to walk out of her hotel room—which would be my room tonight as well.

"Don't worry, I'll take you sightseeing tonight," she chuckled.

"It's still not worth it, honey!" I said in a demanding tone.

"And treat you to a nice meal."

"Perfect!" I exclaimed with a chuckle. "Alright, send me the address!"

From: Kim

1000 Market, Saint Louis.

I stopped the taxi and told the driver my destination. During the ride, I thought of that man again. His sooty eyes are always ringing in my head. Sharp, cold, and warm at the same time. I even still feel his lips on mine. The fragrance of Terre D'Hermes that poisoned my mind and his embrace that felt like shackling. It was crazy. In an instant that man affected me, even just because of his kiss. And until now, I didn't know the reason for his behavior.

I shuddered softly when the taxi driver informed me that we had arrived at my destination. Oh, a television station building with a very famous channel. No wonder Kim was so enthusiastic about her mission this time. Well, at least it's much better than the private television channel she used to work for. Ah, my dear Kim Chan, you really know how to make money.

"Leanne!"

I turned to the source of the voice. There was Kim waving. With a small run, I approached her.

"Thank you so much, Leanne. You are indeed my best friend."

"You always say that when I bring you things, Kim Chan." I rolled my eyes.

Kim giggled softly. "Because I don't know what else to say, Leanne. You're so reliable. You must be tired. Walk a little north, you'll find a coffee shop. I'll be there in less than an hour. Thank you again so much, Leanne. I really owe you a lot."

"Of course you do. You owe me a lot," I joked. She chuckled softly. "I'll wait for you there. See you, Squinty!"

Arriving at the coffee shop, I immediately ordered my favorite Americano. It seemed like a cozy place to refresh my mind. I took out my notebook from my bag, intending to continue my research report from yesterday, about the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. From that organism, I was able to learn that something so small and even invisible could endanger the lives of other living things many times its size.

Shit! Even while typing, I'm still reminded of that guy. Weird. For God's sake, who was that charming bastard? I'm really going to go crazy if I keep getting influenced by him. I don't usually get like this. Even when Pedro kissed me before, it didn't have the same effect as that mysterious man.

About fifty minutes had passed, and Kim hadn't called yet. My gaze was suddenly drawn to a bald man wearing sunglasses. For some reason, I caught a strange movement from the man sitting in the corner of the room. His hand moved slowly, pulling out an object that I could tell was a gun. (Wait, what?) I looked in the direction the gun was going to be launched. Shit, the Baldy was aiming at the man sitting in a chair not far from me. Without thinking, I got up and ran at him.

Bang!

"Look out!" I pushed him just as the bullet passed us by. It all happened so fast as the gun missed and we hit the table, causing everything on it to fall apart.

"Thank you."

Time seemed to stop. I swear I recognize that voice and that tone. I was still holding him as those sooty eyes looked at me. For God's sake, it's him! The man who had been haunting my thoughts for the past few moments. The scent of Terre D'Hermes emanating from his body added to the conviction that this man was really the one who kissed me in front of the elevator earlier.

The realization woke me up. Suddenly, the atmosphere around us was noisy as a woman received the misdirected bullet. The man quickly got up and looked for the culprit of all this. He put back his sunglasses that had fallen off earlier. Things got noisier as the two of them clashed guns. Wait, this charming man is also playing with a gun?

People screeched as the sound of explosions came from their weapons. Some ran for their lives and others hid wherever they felt strong enough.

"Take cover!" the handsome man shouted at me. The ugly bald guy was still attacking us. The handsome man picked up the gun again and fired both of them while occasionally taking cover behind the table that had been overturned.

"Arrrggghhh!" I growled loudly as a bullet hit my left shoulder.

"Fuck!" he cursed. "Hold on!"

He pulled me to cover behind him.

My moans intensified. My right hand pressed against the wound. It really hurts. The heat and sting seemed to radiate throughout my body, centered on my left shoulder where the blood kept flowing.

The bang of the gun could no longer be heard. It looked like the bald guy had lost. The man carried me, who was now limp and gasping for breath. He shot two more times upwards in different directions. Maybe he intended to destroy the CCTV. I don't know, I'm not interested in thinking about it.

"Please, just hold on for a little while longer," he whispered softly and led me away from the place.

I felt him put me in the car. He tore off his shirt and tied it around my shoulders through my armpits. I couldn't see clearly anymore. He mouthed some incoherent words before I felt the vehicle moving. The sound of sirens sounded faintly in my ears, then his deep voice said something again which was the last thing I heard before unconsciousness picked me up.

"I will definitely pay my debt, Blonde.”

211122, Anne Joyce