9. Lie
1162 Words
By the time Rose reached her room, she had already made plans with Maria, her dear neighbor and friend, in regards to her sweet little Mey.
Stefan was with her as she made the call, almost as if he was making sure she wouldn’t divulge more than she should – like where she was and who she was treating.
Rose then declared she was in need of changing her outfit with a little bit of a grimace, and he reminded her of the clothes that had been prepared for her in advance.
She had expected them to provide regular low-cost clothes, and was surprised to find chic designer clothes.
She was almost tempted to call for Stefan, and tell him she couldn’t possibly wear these, but thought better of it after a moment. She knew she didn’t have much choice and would have to make do with them.
She chose the least ostentatious outfit, and put it on carefully, afraid as she was she might tear the top or something. They had been tactful enough to remove the price tags, but she had heard of the brand, and she knew it wasn’t something she could afford on her nurse salary.
She felt like the mafia boss went out of his way to make sure she would stay by his side, and provide the treatment he needed.
Opening the door to her room, she found Stefan by the door, a hand in the air, as if ready to knock.
“I’m ready to go,” she told him with a soft smile on her face.
He nodded at her in earnest, and then told her in a tone that bordered on the bored, but which didn’t allow any room for arguments, “Wear this, miss Rose.”
He handed her a silky scarf, red in color.
She couldn’t help but frown a little bit as she told him, “It’s not chilly outside though.”
“Wear it as a blindfold,” he told her without batting an eye.
“I beg your pardon?” Both her eyebrows shot up in her hairline, and she was too incredulous to say anything else.
“Orders of the boss,” he supplied, as if those words should appease her, his blue eyes boring into hers, “We can’t possibly allow a stranger to know our base.”
“I didn’t wear one this morning,” she argued right back, still finding it hard to believe.
“You didn’t have to. You fell asleep,” her retorted without delay.
“And if I decide not to put it on?” She put a hand on her hip in a demanding manner.
“No scarf, no cat,” he shrugged, showing her that he didn’t care about her or her cat in the slightest… reminding her just of the kind of men she was dealing with.
She clicked her tongue in dismay, and was quick to put on the blindfold.
“Lead the way,” she told him briskly.
“You can wait till you’re in the car,” he said promptly.
She was sure that he didn’t want to have to keep telling her to mind her step on their way outside, and that was the reason why he allowed her some more time before she put it on. The man wasn’t talkative, not that she wanted him to be… but she would appreciate it if he were to be less intimidating.
** ** ** **
“Can you stay in the car?” Rose asked in a hopeful tone of voice as she glanced at Stefan, once they reached her building.
“Hell to the no,” was his immediate response.
“But how am I to explain…”
She didn’t have to finish her sentence before he told her, “You can tell her it’s a family emergency, and I am your ride.”
“I don’t have much family left,” she aruged right back feeling frustrated with this man, with what became of her once tranquil life. .
“Lie… It doesn’t take a genius!”
She puffed her cheeks out, not quite sure Maria wouldn’t be able to tell, but there was no helping it – she couldn’t possibly tell her the truth. She wasn’t lying to protect herself, much less the mafia boss; she needed to lie to protect her friend.
She first went to her apartment, and found Mey waiting for her by the door. Her beautiful black kitten was absolutely endearing, and when she grabbed her to kiss her in greetings, Mey let out a loud Meow at the sight of Stefan.
“Don’t be afraid, Mey. He’s not here to hurt you,” Rose cooed in a soft tone of voice, as one would to a child.
The man merely shook his head negatively at the way she handled her little one.
“Can you be quick? I don’t have all day,” he said after a moment, seemingly not liking the waste of time.
“Let me just grab her food, and we’ll go to Maria’s place right away,” she told him flippantly.
Since he was no longer being courteous, she felt like she no longer needed to be sweet. The man couldn’t understand her attachment to Mey, and she wasn’t about to explain it to him.
Once she got her sweet Mey’s food and a couple of toys, she went back to him, who stood by the door, and told him matter-of-factly, “Let’s go.”
He merely nodded at her.
Before long, she was knocking on Maria’s door, and the latter didn’t take much time to answer the door thankfully.
Mey let out a sweet Meow at the sight of Maria, seeing as she was familiar with her, and Maria didn’t hesitate to pet her.
Then, the brunette’s eyes focused on the man behind her, and they bulged ever so slightly, “A friend of yours?”
Rose’s mouth became parched at once, as she didn’t find it in her to lie to her friend. Her heatbeat picked up in pace, and she soon mumbled a timid, “Not quite…”
“We’re family,” Stefan’s deep voice rang from behind her.. And soon, he was the one explaining the situation to Maria.
The brunette seemed to buy the excuses she was given, and did’t hesitate to tell Rose, “I will take care of Mey as if she were my own. Don’t worry, and go handle this family issue you have.”
Rose nodded at her, her gratitude knowing no bounds, “I owe you one, Maria.”
“Nah,” her friend dismissed her words. “Remember last year’s Christmas’ disastrous party? We’re even this way.”
Rose beamed at her, and soon was on her way down.
Back to the lion’s den, we go, she told herself in a dejected tone, already missing Mey and the place she called home.
- Writer
