With a nervous look on my face, I hurried into the perfume shop we visited, while debating if I had lost my senses.
Probably, since I am here buying perfume for a man I hate.
Do I still hate him?
I ignored the cheeky voice in my head reminding me that my feelings toward Ryan have changed.
Well, I am not yet ready to accept it.
This, being here, buying him something, is just a ploy to get him to let down his guard.
Now, that is a much better explanation.
Coming up with this reasonable excuse calmed my mind, and I stood boldly in the room.
I combed the eager faces of the employees standing around for the right person to help me with my task.
The eyes of the woman from earlier clashed with mine, but she hurriedly looked away, acting flustered.
You better look away, I growled inwardly, sticking out my tongue at her. I brushed past her, landing on another employee.
A tall, lanky fellow, who looked to be in his early or middle thirties.
His brown suit looked like he had borrowed it from his uncle, who was heavier than he was.
Still, he has a patient face.
Perfect to ask the question I want. I don't need someone who would think I am crazy.
I walked up to him and spoke with a bit of hesitation in my voice.
"Hello,"
He looked at me, a polite smile automatically appearing on his lean face.
"Hi, miss, how can I help you?" He asked, his voice overtly cheerful. He seemed eager to please.
I gulp, my hand fondling the material of my skirt. I am a bit nervous about this.
Would Ryan appreciate it? Or think I am being over-the-top. I will hate it if he declines this.
Anyway, I am here. There is no going back.
"Do you remember the man I walked in with?"
His eyes clouded, attaining a dreaming look.
"Who could forget such a gorgeous specimen of manhood?" he gushed, and when he realized who he was talking to, he immediately pulled himself together and apologized with a hint of red on his face.
"I am sorry."
I waved away his apology, not blaming him. His description of Ryan is apt.
"Can I ask you something?" I asked, my voice a low whisper.
He looks at me with interest, his brow knotting slightly.
"Of course."
I took another deep breath before muttering.
"Do you know the perfume he is wearing?"
Ryan wears a unique, very pronounced scent that I am sure anyone who knows what he is wearing would recognize.
He nodded, his eyes sparkling.
I relaxed, glad that I picked the right person to ask.
"Do you have it here?" I eagerly inquired, my heart racing a bit with anticipation.
He nods again.
"How much?"
Six thousand dollars.
I fainted.
"For a bottle?" I exclaim loudly, attracting attention. I immediately piped down, pretending I wasn't the one who screamed.
The man smiled indulgently as he nodded.
"Right," I deflated, feeling a little disappointed that the gift I planned for Ryan might be a little out of my means.
Maybe a lot.
"Can I pay in installments?"
I don't know why I am insisting on this. Anyway, Ryan has done so much for me that I want to pay him back.
There is no other reason.
"Are you sure?"
That cheeky voice came again, but I blatantly ignored it.
"Of course. As long as you have a job, a permanent job."
I nod, while calculating in my head how long it would take to pay off the debt with my current salary. Though sizable, it goes more to my student debt and rent.
After the purchase, I left the store with a happy smile on my face.
Though the perfume cost me an arm and a leg, I was glad to do something nice for Ryan. I hope he likes it.
I became a little nervous at the thought of presenting my gift to Ryan. This would be my first gift to someone of the opposite sex. As my experience in that department is grossly limited, I didn't have many chances to gift anyone.
Lost in my thoughts, I ran into a hard wall.
"Ah!" I exclaimed, rubbing my hurt forehead. I looked up to apologize to the person, only to meet the ominous stare of a strange man.
"I am sorry," I apologized, slightly terrified by his presence and how close he was standing.
I went to walk around him, but he blocked my path. "I am sorry, Miss, but we need you to come with us."
At his words, I looked around and realized he wasn't alone. There are five of them, and although they are dressed in suits, they look like hired muscle.
No fucking way was I jetting off with guys who look like they are in the mafia. That is just begging to be murdered, and I am not in the mood to die just yet.
I smiled pleasantly at the man, pretending as if I was not scared out of my mind.
"Look, Mr., I know you are all nice and all, and I would be delighted to go with you, but you see, my boss, who has such a mean temper, is waiting for me outside, and he would totally freak out if I am a second late." I leaned in as if to whisper a secret to the man and said.
"Between you and me, I would love to keep this job, even though I hate it with all my being. I mean, with the recession, who would want to be out of a job?" I laughed, acting as if we were pals.
The men look at me like I am some crazy chick with a few of my screw lose. They didn't smile at my attempt to butter them up with a joke; instead, they stared at me with a look that said they meant business.
I believe shit just got serious.
I open my mouth to scream for help, but one of them moved like a blur and clamped his hand over my lips before my scream could escape.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," he whispered, his voice dangerously low, causing me to shiver. "We weren't asked to bring you alive, so do not give us an excuse to end your existence."
My eyes widened, and I looked horrified at his threat.
As they began to drag me toward the exit, opposite where Ryan waited for me, I screamed Ryan's name in my mind, hoping to inform him that I was in danger telepathically.
I didn't think it would work, but a few minutes into my mental scream for help from my boss, he materialized like an avenging angel.
He announced his presence by knocking one of the men out, and the deadly look in his eyes was terrifying to behold.
I watched, eyes wide and jaw ajar, in amazement as he flattened another one with a hard kick to the neck.
The man holding me quickly released me, as he and the remaining two turned to face my boss.
They went at him one by one, and he took them out with a practiced ease that left me gaping with my mouth wide open.
Wow! Is there anything he isn't good at?
Still gawking at him like he was an alien, I didn't realize when he got to me, and I jumped when he suddenly grabbed me. I didn't have time to react before he was dragging me toward the door.
The men whimpering on the floor noticed our quick exit, and the ones who could still walk flew to their feet and gave chase. This catapulted us into a race for the door.
To our dismay, upon reaching the exit, we realized it was pouring heavily. Ryan and I looked behind us to see the suit guys closing in, leaving us with no choice but to race into the rain.
I squealed as the raindrops struck my skin, while giggling in the process. I know we are running for our lives, but it felt exhilarating to run in the rain. It reminded me of when I was a kid, and my mum would let me play in the rain with my kid brother.
Those were the good times, I sigh heavily inside.
When we got to Ryan's car, we were fully soaked, and the men hadn't given up. They followed us into the rain.
Ryan quickly opened the door and helped me in before running around the car to get in. He just shut the door when the men reached us. One of them banged on my window, scaring the shit out of me.
I screamed while Ryan put the car in gear and drove off with the guys running after us.
"Who are those men?" I asked, looking back as they disappeared from view.
"You tell me. You are the one they tried to kidnap."
His words scared me, and I looked terrified. Who would want to harm me?
My first thought was Ryan, but he is here with me and hasn't left my sight all day. What would he gain from trying to kidnap?
"Hey," Ryan reached out to lightly touch my hand. "Don't worry about it, I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."