CHAPTER 7
SELENE
Standing in front of her mirror Selene felt like a schoolgirl again. She had gone through at least ten different outfits before she settled on this one. And she only settled because there wasn't much time left.
"Get a hold of yourself Selene." She said a loud. She should in the mirror with her head tilted checking herself out. She had plain blue jeans and she wore one of her favorite black sweaters. It was loose enough that it would hang off one shoulder. She shrugged. A little skin wasn't forbidden, she thought. She did wear a black tank top under so that it wouldn't seem too revealing on purpose…
She pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail and smoothed her bangs to the sides so she would be able to see those eyes… his eyes…
She felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She turned away form the mirror. It was time to go to the cafe. She had waited all weekend. Her mother kept pestering her trying to figure out if she was going out on another date with Kraven. Apparently he had stopped by the other day and delivered flowers for her. Though they weren't personally delivered. Kraven seemed to be so rich that he paid someone to bring them up for her while he sat across the street. Her mother still thought it was romantic, while Selene thought that was lazy. Especially if that was his car that last day she was with Michael. The shiny, expensive black car that sat across the street; Kraven could have came out and said hi if he really wanted to.
Maybe Michael intimidated him… The thought made Selene smile. That would be nice. But her and Michael weren't together… and this wasn't a date… not really. It was only a coffee shop. Did that count?
Selene looked at the time, through her coat on and was out the door. She had to turn back inside and grab an umbrella. For a Sunday it was pretty depressing outside. It was grey and gloomy. The sun was nowhere to be found. And it was raining which made it a lot chiller than usual. But nothing was going to get her mood down. Not unless Michael had forgotten about today…
As she got closer to the café her heart started pounding. What if he wasn't there? What if he decided he wasn't interested anymore? How many guys had Selene come across that were so open about their feelings so quickly? Maybe this wasn't a good idea… it was too good to be true…
"Selene!" A familiar voice broke her thoughts.
She looked up and saw Michael jogging towards her.
He wore a light jacket, the same from the other day. And he was soaked! His hair… looked like he just got out of the shower…oh god…
"Didn't you know it was going to rain? Where is your umbrella?" Selene asked, as he got closer, trying to distract her thoughts from completely undressing him.
"Didn't check the weather?" Michael replied.
"You aren't sure?" Selene laughed. Michael shrugged.
"You're the one who wants to be a doctor someday but you're out here about to catch a cold… let's get inside." Selene held the umbrella over his head. But Michael took the umbrella for her and held out his arm. She took it gladly.
He held the door of the store open and they entered. It wasn't packed, despite the rain. Selene supposed everyone was spending this Sunday morning with their families and making breakfast. Her parents used to do that. Now they all pretty much stay to themselves. Dad reads the newspaper and mom is cleaning, sewing, or cooking for a later meal.
"So what's your thing?" Michael ran his hands through his wet hair.
"My thing?" Selene tried not to notice how attractive he was when he did that.
"Well you said that you came here often. Do you have like a regular thing you order?" Michael looked her straight in the eye and smiled. "Are you on a first name basis with the cashier?"
Selene hit his arm playfully. "No! Of course not… not with all of them."
Michael laughed.
"They do have a particularly well made blueberry muffin. And their coffee is great also." Selene replied. "I like mine light and sweet."
As they went up to the cashier Selene ordered first. She could feel Michael's eyes watching her. And the cashier confirmed that he was staring because he tried to get Michael's attention twice before Michael ordered a tea.
"That's all?" Selene turned to him.
"Yeah. I haven't had much of an appetite lately. Don't worry about me though." He assured her.
Selene started to take out some money when Michael handed the cashier a card. He winked at Selene. She couldn't keep herself from blushing.
They took the only two seated table left by the door.
"So how was your weekend?" Michael started.
"Oh, just…" Just spent most of it thinking about you and today, Selene thought. "Very relaxing.
"That's good."
"You?" Selene asked as she pulled off a small piece of from her blueberry muffin.
"I… had a lot going on. Not much time to relax." Michael answered.
"Hmm…mysterious. It's okay, I get it." Selene smiled.
"Mysterious? Well I just don't want to bore you with the details. So I'd say considerate." Michael rebutted with a grin.
"Okay, okay." Selene raised her hands in surrender.
"So… no more blind dates? Is cupid taking a rest?" Michael finally asked. He really remembered that? Selene thought.
"Not that I've been made aware of. But you never know with my mother… I really hope not though." Selene mumbled.
"Why not? Was he so terrible?" Selene looked up at Michael. He seemed interested yet distracted. He was holding back… it couldn't be jealousy could it?
"Well, he was weird." Selene pushed the thought away and continued. "You know that car we saw the other day across the street from my house? The shiny back one? That was him. And apparently he was dropped off some flowers at my house… without stepping out of his car! Kind of strange no?"
Michael was silent.
"And he didn't even come out to say anything to me. So I don't think he was smitten by me… and I'm sure not feeling too fond myself." Selene raised her eyebrow. "Are you alright? You looked like you aren't breathing…"
"I'm sorry." Michael snapped out of his mood. "He sounds like an… interesting guy."
"I'm boring you aren't I? Blabbing about another man while I'm sitting here with you—" Selene stopped herself. She saw a smile spread across Michael's face.
"Well I asked for it." Michael pointed out. "But yes I think we can find something else to talk about. I find you a lot more interesting than your…friend."
"Well what do you find interesting?" Selene leaned her elbows on the table listening intently.
Michael followed her. Selene's heart skipped a beat. They're faces were so close. For a second Selene thought about leaning in just a little closer and kissing him… only for a second though.
"Well there is more to you than you let on... I want to know all about you…" Michael breathed. "I haven't been interested in anyone for a while. I don't know what is about you."
Selene couldn't find any words to say.
But before she could answer Michael's head spun around to the door as it was opening.
Selene looked at the man who entered.
"Kraven?" She couldn't hide her shock.
The pale man turned his head to her. He didn't smile.
"Selene. I heard I might find you here." He was soaked from the rain. Didn't any of these men own umbrellas? Selene thought.
"How?"
"I stopped by your house. Your mother said you usually came here." He answered stiffly. He looked at Michael…coldly.
"Uh, Kraven, this is Michael… Michael—" Selene tried to break the strange tension.
Michael stood up completely blocking Kraven from Selene's sight.
"Pleasure." Michael said.
"Not likely." Selene saw Kraven's hand roll into fist. She stood up.
"Kraven, maybe another time. I'm in the middle of something. You could have called or something." Selene tried to move around Michael to address Kraven. But Michael wouldn't budge… like he was protecting her.
"I just wanted to talk about the other night. I wanted to see how you were. I haven't heard from you since and I didn't know what happened." Kraven kept his eyes on Michael.
"Listen buddy, the lady said another time. Do you normally crash in on people's dates or are you so desperate that after one failed date of your own you need to keep an eye on a woman?" Michael stepped forward.
This was a date! Selene's heart leaped. He said it... but there would be time for rejoicing later.
"Failed! Why you—" Kraven shot his fist straight at Michael's face… Selene wasn't sure how, and wasn't sure she even saw it happened, but Michael held Kraven's fist. Kraven's winced.
"Excuse me gentlemen please take this outside!" The store manager shouted from the counter.
"Michael, Kraven, please stop this." Selene pleaded.
Michael grabbed Kraven's arm and opened the door. He pushed him out into the street. Kraven stumbled off of the curb but regained his composer. His head snapped around to Michael. Selene hurried outside forgetting her umbrella. The rain was cold and she was wet and shivering within minutes.
"Michael!" Selene grabbed his arm. But it was as if she wasn't even there.
When she looked back at Kraven something had changed...
She held her breath.
His eyes. They were blue, electric blue.
Selene started to step back from the two men.
Kraven finally noticed her. "Selene… come with me."
She shook her head silently. "Never" she whispered.
Kraven stepped onto the curb towards her.
She took off running.
She didn't look back for Michael… for all she knew he could be part of whatever was going on. It was strange that so quickly he was interested in her. He was always as persistent as Kraven and the other blue-eyed men. The other night must have been a set up… why was everyone suddenly so interested in her? Why was she attacked? Was Michael sent as a different approach to try to get her?
As she ran she the water she felt on her face was warm… not cold like the rain. Why was she crying? So many emotions ran through her. She was scared and anxious, but most of all she felt foolish and betrayed.
