Carnival Chapter 3
She felt that she had waited forever for him to leave from that spot, before she could move. When she finally got back to her room, she was sore and stiff from crouching so long. She decided on a long hot bath, to soak her stiff muscles. Sara looked down and noticed that she still clutched the leather pouch. She opened it and much to her surprise after counting it; it contained over two thousand American dollars.
"What is it with men? I didn't ask for this." She muttered to herself, while stripping for her bath. She placed the pouch down on the vanity and climbed into the tub.
"Sara. Are you in there?" She could hear the banging on the door. Leave it to Melody to interrupt. "Sara! I'm coming in." She heard her lock click on her door and then Mel's footsteps.
"I'm in the bathroom. So don't go turning my room upside down, trying to find me or any indication of a rumpus." Sara sank below the water and when she emerged Melody was standing in the bathroom tapping her foot.
"Well?" Apparently Mel was not in a very good mood this evening…well morning now.
"Well what? I'm in no mood to pussy foot around with you and your tapping. So just spit it out already, Mel." Sara continued to wash herself, waiting for Mel to answer her.
"What happened to you? I looked around and saw you running off like a banshee. I saw that handsome man looking for you too. Did he do something to you? Did he hurt you?" Melody was kneeling besides the tub now. Her eyes were filled with confusion and worry.
"Nothing happened that I didn't want to happen." Sara sighed.
"He just paid me for it is all. He thought I was from the brothel apparently by my costume. I need a new one, care to join me today?" Sara drained the tub and grabbed a towel.
"Yeah, I'll join you and make sure we get you no more red." Melody said while leaving the bathroom, so Sara could get dressed quickly.
They left the hotel and walked down to the costume shop. Sara the perfect costume; two thin layers of black silk, with white silk out lining the breast area, and it had no slits in the sides. More like a black toga, but almost see through. Sara picked up a pair of black pumps with straps this time. All that dancing in those hooker boots, and running away from her tryst in the alley, had left her feet sore and on the verge of blisters. She paid for her purchase and they walked out.
"So are you getting hungry? I know of this little sidewalk café down the street we can grab a bite to eat." Melody looped her arm and pulled her along. Sara just let herself gaze around taking in the beauty. The town was transformed in the light of day. The canal had gondola's floating up and down, transporting people to different locations or even a romantic encounter. Quaint by day, Wild by night; it fit perfectly.
"Ms. Sidle?" A voice called out to her, breaking into her thoughts and surprise about this lovely city. Sara turned around Melody still in tow. Her breath left her lungs.
"Yes? Is that you Dr. Grissom?" Her voice was slightly breathless. Of course it is, who else would it be? She gave herself a mental shake. He just smiled and she melted. There was something familiar about his smile. It brought back memories from her adventurous night and she couldn't stop the blush she felt rising to her cheeks. He shook his hand in the air and gestured all around him.
"I'm on vacation, so the need for formality isn't necessary. Please call me Gil or just Grissom." He held his hand out; she was hesitant at first but slipped her hand into his. A sudden jolt of awareness and desire shot through her body. She looked into his blue eyes and they sparkled back. She instantly thought of her masked man and the passion he showed her.
"Hi I'm Melody." Melody thrusts her hand out. "I'm Sara's best friend. It's nice to finally put a face with a name. Sara talks about your class all the time, the lectures and…" Sara tugged on her friends hand to get her to shut up. Grissom chuckled.
"Pleasure to meet you as well; I however, haven't had the opportunity to hear anything about you. Sara tends to actually pay attention in my class, instead of talking and failing." Sara thought she heard pride and admiration in his voice. "Usually, I get some very misinformed ladies." Melody cocked her head sideways and pointed to the little café up the road. Sara nodded. Grissom turned towards Sara and she could see a wicked glint forming in his eyes. Sara cleared her now very dry throat.
"Ummm. Would you care to join us for lunch? I can understand if you're busy and please don't feel obligated to…" She was stammering and making a complete ass of herself. Sure in class a very intellectual person, but get her out on the streets or in public; she's a bumbling idiot. Smooth real smooth.
"I would love to join you lovely ladies for lunch, thank you." His voice sent Sara's nerves into panic.
"But I have to meet someone tonight and must get ready." He held up his bags.
"Perhaps we could get together another time? Have a good day." With that he turned and walked away. Sara's knew her cheeks were beat red now, no thanks to Melody's intervening. She just couldn't tear her eyes away from him long enough to yell at Mel yet. As Grissom disappeared around the corner, Sara turned to her friend.
"Why, would you do that Mel? Can't you ever cut me any slack? Last night you shove me into Mr. Tall. Dark and Handsome, and now you embarrass me in front of my college professor. I…I…" Melody started to laugh.
"He's hot Sara. Tell me something?" Mel looked at Sara waiting for her to continue. "What was with the misinformed ladies in his class? I know if I were there, I'd be…oh that's what this is about. So he's gay then." Sara couldn't believe her ears and started coughing.
"No! He's far from being gay." Sara sputtered. Melody just raised her eyebrow.
"Are you sure? Cause if not then maybe I'll try and get into his pants. Did you see his ass…talk about hello daddy!" Melody brought her hands out in front of her and squeezed air; like she'd be squeezing someone's ass.
"You need to calm your hormones down a few notches and focus. Trust me when I tell you that there were flocks of beautiful ladies all over him. You name it he's got it. There was this one time someone put some thongs in his desk drawer, he picked them up and put them in the garbage without a second thought." Sara sighed and Melody opened her mouth again.
"I didn't see a wedding ring. So he's still got to be single, right? A man that hot, regardless of age, should be taken by now. He has to have a fault then." Mel looked at Sara.
"He is very education and work orientated. I've had coffee with him a few times. We sat and talked about bugs and time-line regression." Sara remembered how nice it was and when he gently grabbed her hand and held it. "Anyway, enough of that let's eat, I'm starving." Sara decided on changing the subject and quick. They walked to the café not knowing what tonight held.