Chapter 4 - Sparrow
Three days before
Arizona's POV
I walk into this quaint coffee shop just a couple of blocks from my apartment called Elm's. It has quickly became my go to coffee place. The smell of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee surely tickled my senses. I ordered my usual iced white chocolate mocha paired with sugar donuts. Hearing my name called, I get my order from the counter and started to walk back to my apartment to finish unboxing my belongings.
Since I had to go to Africa for two years, I had to break my lease with my previous landlord and ship all my stuff to my parents house in Oregon. I was hoping that when I come back I could go back to my previous flat. Unfortunately, it was already rented out hence I had to look for another one. I was lucky enough to find one just across the street from SGM. Score! Once the papers were signed, I hired a moving company to bring my belongings here and arrived yesterday. As such, I haven't quite finished getting settled in. It's a good thing though that my parents are coming over this weekend to help me out.
While walking back to my apartment, I saw a commotion across the street. Intrigued, I payed closer attention. I saw a dog playing tricks. How cute and amazing it was. Unfortunately for me, being so invested in watching while walking, I hardly notice a woman exiting her car at the corner of the street.
Guess you all know what happened next.
*Crash*
I bump directly at the mystery woman. Cold coffee spilled and drenched her. Oh. my. God.
"Holy shh... thats cold." The woman exclaimed.
I quickly grabbed some paper napkins and start to clean it off her - getting far too near the woman's breasts in the panic of it... I froze. I noticed how thin the fabric is. I didn't mean to, but I can't stop oggling this woman boobs which is right in front of my face.
"HEY! What are you doing?" The woman shouted.
I jump back and look up, "Nothing! I'm just trying to help!"
At that moment, I got a good look of the woman. She chocolate coloured skin and has long wavy brown hair. Her face! My breath literally got caught up in my throat. She's so beautiful!
A man in black suit approached the woman and and gave her his blazer, "Sparrow, are you okay?"
I thought to myself, "Sparrow. Huh. Thats a unique name".
"I'm fine, Mark. Just a little cold is all." The woman said.
[Mark is Callie's trusty Bodyguard. He has been with the Torres family for over a decade now. For security purposes, Mark calls Callie by her codename, Sparrow. Not that he needed to. Callie insists that he calls her by her name but Mark already got used to it and is just following protocol. Over the years, they have developed a close relationship. Mark is always there for Callie. The same way, Callie is always there for Mark.]
Seeing how drenched the woman is, I said, "I'm so sorry. I should have been paying more attention"
"Yes! You should have!" The woman snapped.
"Listen, I live just a couple of blocks from here. You could get cleaned up there."
"No, thank you. Ugh, I'm going to be late" The woman said. Clearly annoyed.
"I'm confident that we will have you ready within five minutes. It's really not that far. It's the least I can do. Please..." I begged. This feeling of guilt is eating me up and it wouldn't hurt to have extra time with this woman,
Looking at her watch, the woman felt like it was her only option,"Fine. Since I have no other choice. Lead the way, Blondie"
I raise my eyebrow at her for calling me Blondie. But I decided to let it go for the time being and led them to my apartment.
"This way. I'm Arizona by the way. You are?"
"Sparrow. and this is Mark."
We continue walking and once we arrive at my apartment, I froze again. I suddenly remembered that I still had a lot of cleaning to do. I swiftly turned around and faced the woman, "Wait here."
I run inside tidying up frantically. There were still boxes that I haven't unpacked yet. I try my best to make the place look somewhat presentable. Once I was sort of satisfied, I ran back to the woman and saw Mark arriving. Panting I said, "You can come in now."
Amused at my dishelved state, she walked further inside followed by Mark.
I start by giving her a quick tour of the place, "Okay, so down the hall on the right is the bathroom. There are towels in the cabinet near the sink." Then looked towards Mark and said, "There is water, juice, beer if you prefer, in the fridge. Please, help yourself"
Looking down at my clothes, I noticed that I too had some coffee spilled at my shirt. I politely excused myself from Mark and went to my bedroom to freshen up.
Callie's POV
While on my way to the Torres Enterprise, my phone suddenly alerted me of an incoming call. Not bothering to look at it, I answered "Hello. This is Torres."
"Callie!"
"Addie?" I asked.
[Addison Forbes Montgomery is Callie's best friend. We have known each other since they were kids. Growing up, they were being groomed to take over the family business. But Addie did not want any part of it. She wanted to pursue her dream to become a doctor. Now, Addie is one of the best neonatal surgeons in the country and currently owns her own private practice in Los Angeles.]
"I heard you are in Seattle. I happen to be here as well for a surgery. If you have time let's grab some coffee." Addison excitedly said.
"I'm so happy you're here! Yes, I'm in Seattle for a business. I am actually on my way to the office but I'm still quite early so lets meet up. Where are you staying?"
"I'm out now for a run but I did see a coffee shop earlier packed with people called, "Elm's". I want to try out their coffee. Lets me there, say, in 20 minutes?"
"Elm's. Got it. I'm heading there now. See you soon."
Ending the call, I turned to Mark and said "Addie's here. She wants to have coffee at a place called Elm's. Let's head there before going to the Enterprise."
Mark nodded and changed the coordinates for the driver to follow and they headed to Elm's.
Within five minutes, we arrived at the corner of the street where Elm's was, "Stop the car. I can see Elm's sign there. I'll walk from here." I went out of the car and started to head to the coffee shop. Until...
*Crash*
"Holy shh... thats cold." I exclaimed. Ugh! This can't be happening. My clothes are soaked! I do have a change of clothes in the car but how in the world can I get cleaned up here. I'm meeting Addie in... 15 minutes! I can't been seen in public in this condition, I was broken out of my thoughts when I suddenly felt someone patting me near my boobs. "HEY! What are you doing?" I shouted.
The blond woman jumped back and said, "Nothing! I'm just trying to help!". I look at her and my mind went blank. Now, I am a very confident woman. It takes a lot to make me speechless but when i saw her face, her crystal blue eyes, her lips. I was captivated. She is a very beautiful woman.
I think the blonde woman saw my frustration and is really feeling guilty so she offered for me to freshen up at her place. Having resigned to the fact that I don't want to cancel my coffee date with Addie, I suppose I don't have much of a choice but to agree. Besides, who am i to deny this magnificent creature?
"Fine. Since I have no other choice. Lead the way, Blondie"
She asked us to follow her and introduced herself, "This way. I'm Arizona by the way. You are?"
I looked at Mark surprised. People usually know who I am being part of the Torres family. I'm mildly shocked that she doesn't know me. To be honest, it's quite refreshing for me to know there are people who don't. I thought of Mark calling me another name earlier so went for it and said, "Sparrow. and this is Mark."
Mark and I follow behind Arizona. I glance to my right and see Mark smirking at me, I look at him as if to say, "What?" Mark shrugged and whispered, "She's totally your type". I blush at his comment and continue walking straight. I didn't want to admit it but it's true. There's a part of me I want to know more about Arizona. He know's me well.
We arrive at Arizona's apartment building. Before heading up, Mark waited for the car to arrive to get my clothes. Instead of waiting, I proceeded to follow Arizona to her place. She suddenly froze upon opening the door and looked at me "Wait here."
I noticed that she had a lot of boxes unpacked. She was running around like a crazy person trying her best to clean up. I found it very cute.
Mark arrived and gave me my bag. Then I heard Arizona say, "Okay, so down the hall on the right is the bathroom. There are towels in the cabinet near the sink." I nodded and went straight to the bathroom to clean up.
A few minutes later, I emerged from the bathroom feeling refreshed. Glancing at my watch, I still have enough time to make it to the coffee shop.
I walk towards Arizona who is now wearing sweatpants, white tee and her hair is tied up into a messy bun. Why did it suddenly feel very hot here? I think even if she wears a garbage bag, she will still look hot. Stopping in front of her, I chuckle a bit as she is not very good in hiding the fact that she was openly checking me out. Not that I mind, cause I'm also checking her out. Neither of us said anything. It was like we are in our own world. But that bubble quickly burst when Mark cleared his throat. Stupid Mark.
"Right, uhm, thanks for your help Arizona."
"No worries, It was my fault anyway. It's the least I can do. I'm sorry again" I saw Arizona guiltily drop her head down.
I put my finger on her chin and gently raised her head up to face me, "Apology accepted. Next time I would suggest that you watch where you're going. But then again, I do hope you also drench another person so its not only me who had to suffer" I said jokingly and gave her a wink.
Arizona laughed. My God, it was music to my ears, "Hey! i'm not clumsy you know."
I laughed and said, "Okay, if you say so... Anyway, we best head off now. Don't want to be late"
"Yeah sure. It was nice meeting you, Sparrow" Arizona extended her hand for me to shake.
"Likewise. Take care, Arizona" I looked at her directly and shook her hands.
Sparks flying everywhere. Electricity is running through my veins. I don't think I've ever felt this way before. I didn't want it to end but Mark cleared his throat AGAIN. We both blush and let go. Note to self, buy Mark a freak-in cough medicine! He's been interrupting our moments. ugh!
With one last wave, Mark and I left Arizona's apartment and walked back to Elm's.
I can feel Mark is smirking at me the whole time but I don't care. I catch myself smiling dreamily the entire walk to Elm's.
Entering the coffee shop I heard someone call my name, "Callie!"
"Addie! I missed you so much! It's nice to see you again."
"Come here you!" Addie engulfed me with a bone crushing hug which I happily accepted.
We sat down and proceeded to tell stories about what's going on with our lives now. Addie asked, "Whats her name?"
"What?" I asked shocked and confused at the same time.
"Her name. You've been smiling dreamily and you have been very giddy since I saw you walk in."
I blush, "What are you talking about?"
"I don't think I have seen this look from you before"
"What look?" I asked coyly.
"Oh please, Like you don't know what you're talking about"
"I really don't know what you're talking about"
"Yeah, tell that to the police and see if they will believe you. So... name?" Addie raises her eyebrow at me. She knows me so well.
"Okay fine. You won't believe what happened before I got here..."
