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"I think that in the fifteen seconds you're sharing an elevator with a beautiful woman, it's almost impossible to show her intelligence, charm and humor."
- Hervé Le Tellier
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8 h 30 -
After a long day of posing for Cassie, I head for the door, eager to get home. Unfortunately, she decides otherwise and follows me out the door.
- Come on! I'm coming over! I remind you that you never invited me and we did a great job today
She really exhausts me, she's so full of energy, speaks loudly and radiates life.
- All right, then. You can come, but you're not sleeping at my place, is that clear?
- That's fine!
She grabs her metallic pink heart-shaped Doc Martens backpack and locks the three latches on the concrete door. She talks the whole way, over and over again. I don't really listen to what she's telling me, it's become a habit. All I have to do is nod and smile from time to time. When my front door opens, she jumps in and starts looking at everything in detail. The central room was bathed in subdued light, coming through the shutters that weren't fully open. I take off my shoes before opening them. I take the opportunity to air out the room a little, which I'm not used to. I light a monoi candle to cover up the musty smell. I love this smell, reminiscent of travel, vacations, the sea, sand and body oil. There's a fragrance in it that moves me.
- Good.... I love your place, but it's missing your dark essence, beauty. Are you sure this is your home? Plants? Paintings on the walls, I'm dreaming, pinch me! Okay, well let's see your bedroom.
I point to the door as I slump onto the sofa and she rushes to turn the knob.
- Ah... I heard her from the sofa
- Ah what? I said
- How can you sleep in such a big room with so little furniture! You just have a bed in the middle of... NOTHING. Your sheets aren't even made oh my god! What are you going to do when you bring someone back to make BOUNGA BOUNGA?
- I'll just have to undress him against the wall straight after I've gone through the door and push him onto the sofa, that'll bring out the fire.
- Argh, you get on my nerves when you have an answer for everything!
- It's a pleasure. I replied, winking at Cassie.
- So, what's for dinner tonight?
- Pizzas?
- Okay, but with extra cheese and olives!
- You're a pain in the ass, you know that?
- No I'm so cuuuuute! She says, making puppy-dog eyes. She hopped onto the sofa beside me, put her legs over mine and turned on the TV.
"BREAKING NEWS : We would like to ask you to stay alert when going out at night. Two lifeless bodies have been found in dark alleys in the town of Puento. The cause of death appears to be a blunt weapon, having severed the victims' jugular veins. Both victims have criminal records. The police think it may be a case of foul play, but we ask you to remain vigilant, and not to go out alone at night. An investigation is underway and the autopsy should take place within a few days"
- The world has gone mad! I'll leave in the morning, I promise, but you can't let me go alone, at night, with a sick man on the prowl. Imagine, I could get killed! I'm sleeping here, you have no say in the matter! Cassie grumbles, crossing her little arms over her chest, breathing loudly.
- You'll sleep in my room, I'll sleep on the sofa. I suggested, sighing and putting my arms behind my neck.
- Xio, I prefer the sofa, your room, it's... how can I put this, I'll have nightmares if I sleep in there, it's like a torture room. God, I'm so scared... We don't order pizzas! Imagine the delivery boy is the murderer. AAAAAH. She raises her voice.
- Shhh! I implore her, putting my hand over her mouth.
- Do you want the neighbors to think I'm torturing someone or what?
- Sorry. She's still gibbering with my hand over her mouth.
- I will order pizzas and beers. I'll pick them up at the entrance of the building, problem solved.
After almost thirty minutes, the delivery man rings the bell at the bottom of the building. I pick up the intercom to tell him I'm coming down to get the order. I leave the apartment and run down the stairs, skipping a few steps to get there faster. I've got the munchies. I pick up the order and take the elevator back up. Going down the stairs is no problem, but going up four floors, sober, is a bore. The elevator stops on the 3rd floor, the doors open to reveal the neighbor. Oh no, not again. He smiles at me and enters the enclosed space, our shoulders almost brushing.
- Hi
- Hmmm. I murmured without bothering to look at him.
- Pizzas tonight?
- Can't you tell? I said dismissively
He presses the button for the ground floor.
- It was stupid of me, indeed. he said with a smirk.
- So stupid yeah! I laughed out loud
He turned back to me with a dark look, which made my eyes light up.
The next second, the floor begins to shake and metallic noises are heard louder and louder, before the elevator comes to an abrupt halt just before the 4th floor. My body loses its balance because of the pizza boxes in my hands and he holds me back just before I collapse face-first into the wall of this small elevator.
- What the fuck is going on?
- Can't you tell? He resumes with the same disdainful tone I used earlier.
I roll my eyes at his remark and press the emergency button. A man with a hoarse voice answers and lets us know that an intervention will take place, but not for another 2 hours.
- Do you have your phone with you? I asked, removing the strands of hair that fall in front of my face.
- Yes. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out, eyebrow raised, wondering why I was asking him that. I snatched it out of his hand and tapped Cassie's number, while I heard him gasp just beside me.
- Hello?
- It's me, I picked up the pizzas, but I'm stuck in the elevator and ...
- You're what? Is this some kind of joke? Are you okay? Don't panic, right? Call the emergency button
- You're the one who's panicking... I've already called, they should be here in 2 hours so open the kitchen cupboard and make yourself some ramen, it'll go quicker. I informed her, massaging my temple and turning back to my neighbor.
- What about my pizza?! You're not going to eat both, are you?
- No, someone else is with me, so don't wait for me or... Go home. I replied, my eyes fixed on him.
- Oh... a charming man, I hope? This is just like in the movies, Xio! She seems far too happy about the situation I'm in.
- I hang up, make yourself at home. I blow out a long breathe.
BIP BIP BIP. I hand him his phone and he takes it back, looking at me intently.
- Was it... your boyfriend? he inquires with a lopsided grin
I choke on my saliva as I listen to his words.
- Just a leech
I bend down and sit on the floor. He sits down and our shoulders touch, sending shivers through my body. I open the pizza boxes and place them in front of us. I recommend that he eat by pointing to the pizza in front of him, while the smell fills the elevator.
- Are you sure? What a change in attitude! I wasn't expecting it.
- Accept as long as I'm nice or decline the offer and starve. I exclaimed curtly
- Aye, aye, ma'am. He continues, raising his hand to his skull in a military salute.
I look at him furtively, wondering who this man really is.
- Thank you. He opens the box and rubs his hands together, sticking out his tongue, happy at the thought of biting into this magnificent pizza with extra cheese and olives.
He opens the box and rubs his hands together, sticking out his tongue, happy at the thought of biting into the magnificent pizza with extra cheese and olives that perfumes this small space. He looks like a kid in this state, which brings a smile to my face. I realize it almost instantly, shake my head and quickly return to my cold expression, but despite my speed, I seem to have seen him looking at me out of the corner of my eye.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmKEFPGq24
