“Is this the one?” she asked, persistently.
“Yes, I definitely think it is. I knew I’d be sure once I saw it again, and I do believe that it has the potential to become a lovely gallery,” I said, glancing around the big open space, trying to envision where everything would go once I finally received the keys.
“I can’t wait to see what you do with the place,” she said, grinning, practically shoving the last bit of paperwork into my hands, waiting for my final signatures. I took them from her, opening up the file and signing on the dotted line before I handed them back, taking in a deep breath.
“The place is all yours, Ms. Novikova. I can drop off the keys this evening on my way home from the office, if that’s alright?” she asked.
“Yes, of course,” I said, and she rushed out of the door like she had been late to her next showing, and I had completely forgotten to tell her that I’d be having a little gathering that evening.
It’ll be fine. She will only be there for a moment, and besides, I told Nat to keep the guest list short. Hopefully, she listens to me this time.
I sent a text message to Natalia telling her that I was going to pick up a few things for the party before heading home, running to find an appropriate outfit. I was rushing down the street with a few shopping bags in my hands when I noticed the overcast sky, and it wasn’t long before the rain was pouring down over me, soaking me entirely.
This is what I get for walking,I thought, rushing into the nearest building to dry off and waiting for the weather to let up a bit before I headed home. I glanced down at my wristwatch to see that I only had about two hours to get ready before people would start arriving, but I knew Natalia would hold down the fort if I was late.
“It’s crazy out there, huh? The weather’s been on and off all week,” I heard a voice from behind me. I was trying to wring my hair out on the porch of what I realized was a little coffee shop, and I turned and smiled back at the stranger.
“I should’ve brought an umbrella,” I said, and I could feel my smudged makeup begin to dry, but I didn’t care much until I got a good look at the handsome stranger. His dark hair fell effortlessly in front of his eyes, and his smile was absolutely captivating. I found myself growing rather self-conscious, that I probably looked like a mess, but he didn’t seem to mind.He’s probably just trying to be polite.
“There was no telling it was going to rain again after last night. Would you like to get a cup of coffee with me while we wait for the weather to clear?” he asked, and as much as I wanted to take him up on that offer, I knew that if I did, Natalia was going to kill me.
“I’d love to, but I really have to call a cab and get out of here. All of this last-minute shopping was for a party, and my best friend is going to kill me if I don’t show up on time,” I said, with a nervous chuckle.
“Of course. It was nice meeting you, uh?”
“Annika. My name is Annika,” I said, feeling my heart beat loudly in my chest, and I couldn’t remember the last time I was that anxious around a man.
“That’s a beautiful name. Well, Annika. I better let you go because you do look like you’re in a hurry,” he said, and I thanked him kindly. He left before I got the chance to ask him what his name was, but he was so lovely, he left me blushing.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had an encounter like that, and it lightened my mood, especially because I had no idea what the rest of the night had in store. I called a cab, heading back home with about forty-five minutes to get ready. I could already hear Natalia yelling my name from upstairs, and I rushed up to meet her.
“Well, it’s about time!”
“I’m sorry, I got a little held up,” I said, trying to hold back my smile.
“Held up, huh? You’re blushing! Did someone run into a handsome stranger?” she asked, and it was like she could read my mind.
“Something like that. We’ll talk about it later when Lara gets here. I have to get ready and hope that the rain didn’t ruin the new dress I bought. I hope that you have everything in order because if anyone tries to turn this house upside down, I’m the one that’s going to have to answer to my father,” I said, warning her.
“Everyone will be on their best behavior, I promise. We just need to let loose like the old times, have a night where we don’t have to worry about anything, and hopefully get laid,” said Natalia.
“I still have yet to meet this guy that you’ve been seeing, and if I know you well enough, he’s probably trouble.”
“What makes you say that?” she asked, with a giggle.
“You have a type, Nat. How many times have I pulled you out of bars before you went home with someone that was probably going to kidnap you?”
“It’s different this time, Annika. He seems sweet, and I don’t think he has any idea what kind of danger we’re used to seeing. We may not be readily involved in what our families get up to, but we aren’t stupid,” she said.
“Sometimes, I think that they believe we have no idea what they’re really up to, but I leave it at that. The less we know the better, and I have a feeling that once the time is right, they’re going to try to involve us whether we like it or not.”
“That is a problem for another day.”
“Yes it is, now let the night begin.”
I didn’t know what I was in for, or if I was even going to have any fun knowing that I was hiding yet another secret from my parents while they were out of town. It was hard enough for me to still be living at home, and on nights like this I couldn’t help but feel like a teenager, but my father had strict rules about having people in the house due to his criminal activity. He was always afraid that we were going to invite the wrong people in, and that we’d find ourselves in too much trouble, but I didn’t see the harm in having a few friends over. I was feeling rather stressed, and I could only hope that this would finally be the night I get to take my mind off of things and just relax.
No drama tonight, Annika. Let it go, and enjoy it for once.
