The Sound of His Voice

-Mina-

I decided going to work today wouldn’t be good for me. Picking up the phone from the nightstand, I called Corey. Two rings later, “Hey Mina, what’s up?” Thankfully, he answers. “Hey man, you wanna take a spin holding down the place today?” I knew he wanted to be promoted. I overheard him telling the other cooks he wanted to ask me, but with Larry dying and the anniversary of my parents’ deaths coming up. He didn’t want to worry me about extra stuff. 

I never told him I heard their conversation, but today I want him to know I agree. He deserves it. After all, we started together and busted our asses together. Of course, with only a few moments’ wait from Corey, he replied, “Hell yeah, I can do it. Are you okay, though, Mina? You never take time off, not in the 2 years I’ve known you.” How can I tell him about last night? I can’t. I don’t know how that man was or if he planned on coming back. “Yeah, I’m good, just one of those days, ya know?” I didn’t want to worry him, since we had grown close over the years. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back tomorrow feeling a lot better, promise.”

 We said our goodbyes and hung up. I swear I could see his smile from here. Corey was always a good friend and would fuss over me for not taking days off. I mean, why would I? The only thing waiting for me at home is a half-empty fridge, my bed, and the terrible view of the neighboring buildings’ fire escape. But today, that is something I need. I decided that once we were off the phone, I would lie down again.

Once I lay back in the bed, I put some music on and placed my phone back on the stand. This should help. One song plays, then the next, and suddenly sleep comes once again. The only thing I can hear is his voice. In that same tone again, “Come here.” I ran to the bar door, reaching for the latch, but it was stuck. “Fuck” I yelled. Why was this happening? That is when his voice echoed once more, “Come here, Mina.” Turning around, he was still nowhere in sight. Where was he? “Hello?” No response this time. I walked around the bar, then the kitchen, and when I reached the back door, “Mina, come here.” His voice. Loud. Finally, I gave up and walked back to the bar. 

He wasn’t here, but his voice was. Back at the bar, I find a gun. His gun. “What the fuck is happening?” I said out loud. I sit down at the bar and stare at the gun on the counter. What do you want? I thought. I lay my head on the cool countertop, wishing I would wake up. That’s when I heard it. Footsteps. I turn around fast, just to be stopped. It was him.

Standing tall at 6’3, muscular, salt and pepper hair, and a beautiful face to match. “You think I’m beautiful?” he asked me. I could feel the heat in my cheeks. “How the hell did you know that?” I asked him. It was one thing to think about, but the sound of his voice was enough. But with him in front of me, it is suffocating. He let out a slight grin.

 “You find me suffocating?” My breath hitched at the sound of his voice. “How are you doing that?” I asked. He said nothing. Instead, he stepped closer to me. I could feel the warmth coming from him as his legs brushed against mine. I looked down to see where he was touching. As I lowered my head, I felt his warm hand wrapped gently around my chin. Pulling me toward him with a force that was both tender and commanding. The world seemed to spin as his fingers brushed my skin, his touch sending a shiver up my spine. I could feel the heat of his hand against my jaw, the way his thumb traced the line of my cheek, as if he were memorizing the curve of my face. 

When our eyes finally met, the space between us vanished. It was just him, me, and the silence that spoke louder than any words. My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, everything else melted away. Nothing mattered but the way his gaze held me captive, the intensity of his presence making my breath catch in my throat. “Why are you here?” I asked. It was so real I forgot it was a dream. “Because Mina-” but before he could finish, I was jolted out of my sleep to the sound of my phone ringing.

I shot up, grabbing the phone, and almost falling out of bed. Pulling the phone to my face, the name “Corey” came across the screen. I hope he is okay. “Hello?” I answered, clearing my voice. “I hope I didn’t interrupt your sleep, but there is a man here looking for you.” Who would look for me? I jumped out of bed quickly,, getting dressed. “I’m on my way. Be there in 20 minutes.” I hung the phone up and forgot to ask who it was. Shit. 

Well, now I need to go. I grabbed my keys, slid my shoes on,, and left. On the walk, I couldn’t help but think about the dream. The sound of his voice, the warmth of his hand, how close we were. I turned down an alley that cut my trip shorter by a few minutes. Halfway through the alley, my phone started buzzing. It was Lola. Answering the phone quickly, “Girl, I have got to tell you some shit. Please tell me you can come by the bar tomorrow?” I could hear her laughing, “Damn, not a hello, how are you?” She laughed again, “Babes, I was hoping to hang out tonight. Tommy and I are going away for a few weeks tomorrow.” Well, even better, I thought to myself, “Well, I asked Corey to handle the bar, so I am free tonight.”

 We agreed on a time and got off the phone as I was turning onto the sidewalk beside the bar. Not paying any attention to the customers as I walked in, I went straight to see Corey at the bar. I sat down after grabbing a beer. “So, who was looking for me?” I asked him, opening the beer. “A guy named Luciano. Never seen him before, but he looks fancy,” he said, pointing behind me. Mid sip of my beer, I turned around and nearly choked when I saw who sat at the booth.