Chapter 10: Anniversary at Costello's
Robin Costello lay silently in her tub thinking of many things. How she was still puzzled on why Erik decided to take a day off when he seems to be the kind of man who acts as if he literally works in his sleep!
She sighs and leans her head more on the small pillow. She recalls what Jack told her when she arrived at work earlier today.
"Listen, today is a special day for Erik. When he doesn't come to work neither should you."
"Well, why can't I work while he is away?" she asked Jack. Jack placed a hand on her shoulder.
"He doesn't like being left out," he says before heading back into his office.
It was now eight o'clock in the evening and Robin had eaten dinner over an hour ago. She was now resting her body and mind in her tub filled with water and scented soap. It's her favorite scent, the smell of Jasmine. Who doesn't love the smell?
Yesterday was the longest conversation she has ever had with Erik. The thought had just occurred. She knows that Erik is married to a woman who is in a coma and that he is deformed and that is it! Costello wishes she could say she knows more but those would be assumptions.
Erik is different then any man she has ever met. He was headstrong, stubborn, smart, and occasionally gentle. But she has only seen that side at the hospital. Other times he just turns into this – this jerk! Gosh she hates him! He pisses her off with his silence and him always getting angry with her just because of something she says! It's not her fault she pisses him off.
She has to give him respect though, hearing form other people especially Jack she has heard Erik has been through a lot. Robin closes her eyes with fatigue; not angering Erik was the biggest goal she has ever encountered.
Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
Tu pure, o, Principessa,
Robin slowly comes to, hearing Luciano Pavarotti's music made her heart soar. The only odd thing was, Robin didn't play Luciano Pavarotti before she entered her bath.
Nella tua fredda stanza,
guardi le stelle
che tremano d'amore
e di speranza.
As quiet as she could possibly be, Robin grabs a towel and steps out of the tub. A few drips were heard but not completely. She wraps the towel around herself before crouching down on her knees.
"Computer!" Costello whispered harshly reaching for her gun that was placed underneath her sink.
"Yes Miss. Costello?" the female voice asked her.
"Track down intruder," Robin demands tip toeing her way out of her bathroom.
"Tracking…" there was only a couple of seconds before the voice came back. "Apologies, I detect no intruder Miss. Costello." Responds the voice.
"Well then who put my record player on?" Costello demanded. This time, the voice did not answer her. Costello cocked her gun and made her quiet steps to her living room.
She made a quick glance and saw a form sitting down on one of her sofas. She hid herself as quickly as possible and took a breath. She counted in her head to three.
One, two, three!
With a small shout she pointed her gun at the intruder only to stop dead in her tracks.
A man sat on her sofa, a man who wore a black over coat and black pants. Erik sat on her sofa, soaking wet.
…….
I sat on the sofa, watching the eyes of wet Robin widen. Her gun was fully loaded and ready to be used any second. She then takes a breath and lowers her gun.
"Jesus Erik I could have shot you!" she shouts to me, her hand flying to her bare chest.
"You couldn't actually," I tell with a sigh. She frowns and sends me an offended look.
"Excuse me?" she asked placing her hand on her hip. I heaved another sigh as I sat straight.
"I said you could not, any cop knows they only shoot when it's necessary to shoot," I tell her. I then frowned. "Did you just get out of the bath?" She sighs herself before shaking her head, her wet black and red hair going from left to right.
"What the hell are you doing here Erik? And why in God's name are you wet to the point where you are ruining my favorite sofa?" she demands before disappearing to get dressed.
"Just thought I could drop by, and say hi." I say as Costello comes into sight again. She wore a thin crimson colored robe almost to the point where her black lace under garments could be seen. She heads to her home bar and I stand and follow her. "Also if you haven't noticed it's raining outside." I tell her taking a seat on a highchair. Costello sets her gun down and takes a seat herself. She watches as I reach for a bottle of vodka and pour myself a shot.
"You're drunk," she says with disbelief.
"You sound surprised,"
"Well yes I guess you can say I am surprised!" she says with anger.
"I don't see why," I tell her taking a sip. She grabs the shot and sets it down.
"You should! You're a detective!"
"Well detectives tend to have a drink every now and then," I say referring to her own personal bar. I then grabbed the shot and finished it.
"No Erik, not you," she says. I shake my head and grab the bottle. She sighs and snatches it from me. "What the hell happened?" she asks leaning in towards me. I chuckle at her words.
"Nothing is wrong Costello," I say calling her by her last name making her glare at me. "Just having a celebration is all," I said reaching for the bottle again. Robin moves away from me.
"A celebration? What day is it your birthday?" She asks with a frown. I shake my head.
"Nope, a day far more better then that." I say standing and walking behind her bar. "Jack Daniels No. 7, Vodka, you know you have almost all the old drinks, not to mention music."
"What the hell is wrong with Luciano Pavarotti?" She asks insulted. I glance at her before making my choice.
"Nothing, he's my favorite opera singer. He's just, dead now that's all. You know that was the first time I have ever heard you speak with your Italian accent." I chuckle before continuing. "I just wonder what you sound with an Irish accent." I tell her as I pour myself a cup, this time of Whiskey. Robin stares at me, she watches my movements.
"Erik," she begins. "What are you really celebrating?" she asks me. I glance at her and study those eyes.
"My anniversary," I tell her. Robin frowns then straightens.
"You and Christine," she states. I stare at her then back to my drink. She sighs.
"I read your -"
"You read my file, I know." I tell her taking a sip of whiskey. Robin sighs and places her head on her fist. She closes her eyes for an instant before opening them to glance at me and my wet clothes.
"So, what you decided to walk?" she asks. I chuckle before finishing my drink and poured myself another one.
"Precisely, didn't feel like making my car smell like alcohol right now." I said taking a small sip this time. Costello does nothing but shake her head.
"Why did you come here? And don't tell me it's because you wanted to say 'hi',"
"Well, let us say I had no where else to go," Costello frowns and becomes deep in thought.
"You could have gone home," she says folding her arms.
"I needed someone with me to celebrate," I say. Costello flinches then shakes her head.
"Alright Erik, you need to go home where do you live? I'll drive." She says quickly.
"Trying to get rid of me huh?" I suddenly stand and walk back to her sofa. Robin rushes to me but before she could stop me I fell on the sofa. She silently curses. "Well let me tell you something Robin, once you are with me, its hard to get rid of me."
"Yeah, that's for sure," she states scratching her head. I then study her more, how she wore that crimson colored robe. How it now reminded me of the stripper with that crimson colored ringmaster jacket. I shake my head of the erotic thought. "Erik, try and focus. Where-do-you-live?" she asks slowly. I chuckle at her expression as I respond to her.
"You read my file," I tell her gently rubbing my temple. I then face her with a grin. "You-should-know,"
"Oh my god!" Robin bellows with frustration.
Hi again! Just like I promised! Another chapter! I should be uploading another one soon so...stayed tuned!
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Crys A.
"Life is a mask, it's our job to take it off and discover the journey behoind it not in front for there is nothing there but a mask."