Abigail was sitting on her bed, reading some magazines and overly just enjoying her free time. The ringing of a phone interrupted her rest.

Abi looked up from her magazine to locate the phone. It wasn't hers since that one was right beside her. She assumed it was her brother's and continued with reading the interesting article.

"Come up, I have to do something quick." The voice of her brother was loud enough for her to hear. She didn't give it any interest, but as she moved to an especially boring article, it struck her. Someone was coming to her apartment and she was just in her sweatpants and old t-shirt.

"Josh!" she screamed at her brother. "Who is coming?"

"Just Matt," he shouted back and locked himself in the bathroom, going for a quick shower.

Her jaw hit the floor. What the hell?! Right now? He is on his way here.

Abi frantically run through her apartment. Throwing things in the random shelves as she passed them. Then she had to stop herself. The man was blind, he wouldn't notice the mess that was her apartment. Which also meant his other sense were highlighted, one of them being smell.

Abi looked at her clothes. She showered yesterday. She was good but the apartment was something else. She quickly opened a window and sprayed few drops of perfume around. She hoped it wouldn't be too much. That would be the exact opposite of what she was trying to achieve.

Last thing she realized was that she didn't have her bra on. Horrified, she sprinted to her bedroom and put on a big sweater. Even if he couldn't see, Abigail would feel pretty awkward.

The light knock on the door alerted her of Matt's arrival and before she opened him, she combed her long dark wavy hair and checked herself in the mirror near the entrance. She still looked casual but at least not like a homeless person. She still wanted to look nice, or presentable.

While she was unlocking the door, her mind wondered to him. She kind of missed him and was strangely excited to see him again. How odd. It was just a guy she met few days ago. She shouldn't be feeling like this, not by far. Admitting that he was fairly attractive was one thing, but missing him? That was very unlike her. He didn't say her words. The whole situation was so new and she was quite confused about him and her discovered feelings.

He stood there with a stick in his hands, but that wasn't the first thing she noticed. Matt was wearing a suit. So professional and yet so hot. Her heart rate quickened, she had a thing for men in a sexy suits. Abi blushed at her train of thoughts and cleared her throat.

"Come in," she invited him in with a small smile and moved to the side to allow him a clear pass. She considered just going straight to the next room because she didn't want them to collide, especially since she was braless. But she only provided him some space and stayed. He might be not able to close the door at unfamiliar place.

He stepped through the door and stood there. She was in front of him and tried not to stare. Abigail pondered if it wasn't rude not offering him a drink so she politely asked Matt if he would like some coffee or water. He refused both.

They stood by the door, his face betraying no emotions. She didn't know what to do next. Beside her brother, no one really came to her place. She usually met with her friends at bars or restaurants. It was swiftly becoming an awkward silence. She couldn't take it.

"Why don't you sit while my brother showers?" He merely nodded. Abigail seated herself as well.

"Do you... Do you need a help?" She asked as soon as she realized that such an easy thing to do might come out as a bit harder to him. She was anxious about his response. Her last intention was to make him feel like he couldn't take care of himself.

But Matt wasn't offended. He just seemed to think about it for a second and then he shook his head with a small smile playing on his lips.

Her heart stopped at the sight of that smile. She was so relieved and they even made a progress! It was definitely a small step but the smile was quite a change from his usually stoic expression. Abi couldn't quite decipher why she was so happy at the moment. She must have some serious crush going on here. That had never happened to her before. She was always sure that the first time she would have romantic feelings for, it would be her soulmate. But well, a lot of people dated before finding the right one. It wasn't anything unusual.

Josh was taking his time in the shower, so she used the opportunity to go over the payment. They gave her a discount, technically they gave it to her brother. She was glad for that but couldn't resist the urge to ask why. Her brother was easy going and pretty friendly but she doubted he was already such a friend with his lawyer. But Matt beat her to that and answered before she could even ask the question. He said it was Foggy's doing.

And of course, Abi was a magnet for embarrassing moment and such so she dumbly asked who was Foggy, while wondering what kind of name it was. Probably a nickname but she couldn't think of any similar name.

"Nelson," Matt added, followed by her awkward oh. She slapped herself mentally. Even if she didn't know the guy's first name it was still bad. Who else would give a discount if not the co-owner?

They didn't talk much after that and then Josh was finally ready to go. Matt thanked her, she had no idea for what, and they left.

Abi sank deep in her chair and let out a huge sigh as the door closed behind them. It went terrible. She made a fool of herself several times. She wished her would never see her again. Wait, that sounded kinda wrong to even think. What she really wanted was to never encounter him in such a humiliating situation.

Josh hadn't returned that day and when she woke up, he was still gone. It wasn't anything new for him to disappear for even days so Abi wasn't worried. He apparently planned on coming back since her apartment was packed with his stuff. She just hoped that he hadn't gone to his old ways. Selling drugs and such. She knew he never took them himself but it was illegal and he was already in need of a lawyer. A lot of things could go wrong.

She had given Josh the spare keys to her place so he was okay. She had to go to work now. Her life continued even with her brother's shenanigans.

On the next day, Abigail received a call from her colleague Becky. Her son got sick and she asked Abi to cover the half of her shift. She would have to be at work till eight but Becky sounded so desperate so she eventually agreed, not very keen on spending extra time in her tedious job.

Even after she finished her own shift and half of Becky's, there was still more paperwork that needed to be done by Monday. The deadlines were hard to maintain with covering for other employees and Abi didn't feel like taking it at home so she stayed behind.

It was already ten o'clock when she was finishing and only other people left at the office were two cleaning ladies. She hated getting in their way. One of them, very old woman, always shouted at her. The temper of that woman was unbelievable. If there was no other way to leave, Abigail simply had to go over the area which was already washed. She couldn't fly for goodness' sake.

She never liked walking alone at the night. It was a bit different when she was drunk. Now, she was aware of every stranger and Hell's Kitchen wasn't the safest place to begin with. She silently prayed for calm night.

Even if her brother wasn't currently at her place, he would be back soon and with him around, she needed more food. But if she wanted to stop in a grocery store, she would have to take the longer way home.

The shopping bag was hurting her hand. It was so heavy that she had to constantly switch hands. Her phone buzzed in her purse. It took her quite some time to get it out, she thought the person might even hang up. But she managed to fish it out. The call was from an unknown number. Who could be calling me at half past ten?

She answered it with a caution: "Hello. Who's there?"

"Murdock." What was with this guy and short sentences? Abi pondered as her heart leapt. What could he want from her?

"Oh, okay. How can I help you?" she inquired and unconsciously slowed down her walking pace.

"I'm not able to reach your brother. I need to talk to him about something regarding his case. Do you happen to know where he is?" Of course it was about Josh. What did she expect? She hated to disappoint him, especially now that she knew he was working on her brother's case this late.

"I have no idea, but he does this pretty often. It's normal, he will eventually show up," Abigail answered truthfully. "If you don't mind me asking, why had Mr Nelson decided to..." She didn't finish because something else caught her attention.

A bar on the other side of the road and five pretty drunk men standing outside it. They were whistling at her and few guys yelled at her, 'nice ass', 'come here baby' or 'you will have fun'. Her heart beat risen. She ignored them and sped up.

As if sensing her fear and paranoia, Matt asked her if she was okay. She absolutely forgot to talk while she was passing the bar.

"It was nothing, just some creeps. What was I saying? Oh yeah, Foggy. Why that discount? Not like I don't want it," she quickly assured him. "I am just curious, that's all."

The long silence followed, she thought he might hang up.

"Maybe he likes you?" Matt slowly suggested. Her eyebrows shot up and she would stop in her tracks if she didn't fear those drunkards.

"What? I mean, that's sweet, but I don't think it would work, with whole that soulmate thing. And he didn't say my words, but we didn't actually talk. Jeez, I'm rambling," she laughed awkwardly and continued in her monologue anyway.

"I just, it's good to not walk alone at night. Even though I am only talking to someone on the phone. 'Cause I am so paranoid and it feels like someone is following me, a bad feeling, you know. Sorry, I am rambling again."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Matt asked her once again, concerned.

"Um..." The bad feeling was really strong. She couldn't resist and glanced behind her shoulder. This time there indeed were men following her.

"No," she literally squealed.

"What's happening?" He sounded genuinely worried about her well-being.

"Those guys were not there seconds ago." Her voice high pitched, dripping with fear.

"Where are you?"

"Howard street, I think." She told him, although she had zero clue why he had asked something like that. How could a blind man aid her?

"That's close to my place. You should come, it's not safe out there." Was that anger? But she didn't question him. As weird and awkward as it would be, she didn't want to stay here, risking those men. She didn't wish to be robbed, raped or worse, murdered. Abi had to remind herself not to run, alarming them that she knew of their bad intentions with her, would make them race her.

They kept talking over the phone the whole time about nothing at all. If it wasn't for those guys she would even enjoy it. Hearing his voice made her feel safe. Matt could be nice if he tried to, it didn't even sound forced. Her feelings running wild, not only from adrenalin and fright.

Matt opened the door immediately. He had already been waiting for her.

It reminded her of their previous encounter. But this time it was Matt who was wearing pajama pants and a black tank top, his hair disheveled as if he ran his hands through it numerous times. He was obviously not bothered by his looks. Abigail still found him as attractive as before, suit or pajamas.

Matt let her in and as soon as he locked the door, he reached for his red glasses to put them on but she stopped him.

"You don't have to." She didn't mind seeing his eyes, even though it saddened Abigail that they couldn't see her.

He gave her a puzzled look but obeyed.

The tension in the room could be cut. None of them knew what to do next. Abigail had some time to appreciate and admire his strong, firm muscles. The way they flexed when he moved made her week in knees. She noticed something unusual. A long gash graced his shoulder and disappearing behind his top.

She gasped and reflexively outstretched her hand to touch him. Sparks erupted on the place where they made a skin to skin contact. She blamed it on static shock and didn't show any intention to move her hand away.

"How did you get this?" she mumbled.

"Accident," he provided another painfully short explanation.

She was sure he lied but it wasn't her place to comment it so she unwillingly let it go.

"I'll take a couch and bathroom is over there," he said while pointing to the right.

She just stared at him surprised. She didn't really think of what would happen when she came here. And Abi definitely didn't even imagine sleeping in his apartment, let alone his own bed. She didn't want to intrude and he was injured, he surely needed the rest more. She was about to argue until he turned around and she spotted his soul mate mark on his right shoulder blade.

She gently traced her fingers over the words 'Take that mask off when you talk to me!' Her hands acting on their own.

It all came back, memories rushed to her mind. It all made sense now. The mask covered his eyes because he didn't need them. The blood on his dress and all the strange wounds. It was Matt all along. He was her soul mate, knew it and didn't bother to tell her. It also explained her sudden feelings perfectly. But Matt's behavior... he hadn't acknowledge her at all. He talked to her only because of her brother. Her eyes welled up with tears. Did he not want her? The single thought made her cry.

"Abigail," he faced her and said her name. Coming from him, it sounded so smooth as if it was something precious. The first sob escaped her.

"Why? Why didn't you tell me?" she sobbed without trying to hide it. Her hoped and dreams crushed. As every single girl, she had some expectations and visions of how her soulmate would look, how he would treat her and love her. She had never expected ignorance.

"I couldn't. You don't know who I am. What I've done," he said barely audible, his head turned to the wall on her side.

She stepped closer to him and took his face into her hands. "I know. You are the one they call The Devil of Hell's Kitchen, aren't you? Well, let me tell you something. I don't care. My own brother is a criminal! You are the good guy and I know you would never hurt me.

"We are soul mates! You know what that means just as much as I do. I don't know you yet and you don't know me but that's okay, we have time. I won't let you go if you promise to never let me go." Abi poured her heart out. The tears drying on her face and leaving long marks. He wiped them with his thumb and gave her a shy smile. She hugged him and he returned her embrace. She got to the core of his heart and just as she promised, Abi would never let him go. They were destined for each other.

THE END


Thank you for reading and reviewing! I really appreciate it :) I have an idea in head, her brother Josh and his soulmate... I might write that once.