Chapter 11
At that moment, things were going well for Sherlock Holmes and Esmeralda Valentina. They got along just like a relatively normal couple do. He enjoyed her company and her warm aurora and she loved his witty, sometimes sarcastic but wise personality.
However, this was Sherlock Holmes we were talking about here. This state of bliss was most definitely not going to last forever.
5 NEW EMAILS.
Subject: Win a brand new 50 inch television
Sherlock wrinkled his nose, restraining himself from rolling his eyes. What kind of feeble minded algae would believe this nonsense?
*DELETE*
Subject: My cat has been missing for over 3 years
This time, Sherlock couldn't help himself rolling his eyes disdainfully "I'm not even going to make a comment."
"Honestly, the average of level of intelligence in the modern 21st century is decreasing like wildfire."
*DELETE*
*DELETE*
*DELETE*
Sherlock paused his serial clicking to look close at one particular email. It wasn't spam or an idiot this time. "Hmm, maybe this might be a real case. Thorough my website. That will show John and his mundane blog."
Subject : Your assistance is needed
To: Mr. S Holmes
I have a matter at hand that is most urgent and requires your immediate attention.
My son Jaspar has gone missing in Rome, Italy after what I suspect was a run in with the Mafia. Unfortunately, I believe that he may have been in trouble with the wrong people which has resulted in his abrupt disappearance.
However, what makes this more complicated is that I know for a fact that his girlfriend, Kathy was with him when he vanished. When I questioned her about it, she said that she had gone out when he disappeared however days later I hear her laughing and talking to her friend on the phone about how she was "Never going to have money troubles again."
I have a feeling that this girl is more involved in this than she lets out to be.
If you choose to take this case, you will receive the more intricate details later. Obviously, you will be paid a very generous sum for your services and I would be more than willing to accommodate for your stay in Italy.
From,
Ms Bryony Gables
Sherlock lifted his head up from behind his laptop screen to look at Esme, who was lounging peacefully on his couch watching some mundane talent show.
"She'll never let me go to Italy alone to go a tackle a potential Mafia ring." Sherlock thought to himself "She can't go with me, it's too dangerous. John can't come either, he's been ranting all week about how snowed under the clinic is at the moment."
"So just don't tell her you're going." Sherlock played around with the idea before he thought "No way. She's not going to be happy if you disappear...again." Sherlock reasoned with himself "You can't let her control your life Sherlock. Work comes first, she must know that."
"Sherlock, are you alright?" Esme was looking at him with slight worry in her eyes. Sherlock blinked twice before saying "Yes, I am fine." He lied quickly. "Really? Because it looked like you were having some sort of mental fight in your head." Esme smiled, disguising the fact that she was watching him carefully.
Damn her female intuition.
"Nope. I'm good." Sherlock tried hard to keep his face blank, but his eyes shifted away from her gaze guiltily. Sherlock chuckled nervously before hiding his face back behind his laptop.
Why is it that I can't hardly even lie to that woman without giving myself away?
Esme raised an eyebrow at his suspicious behaviour but decided to stop pressing at it, as she turned away from him, and back to her show.
"He is most definitely up to something." Esme thought. "I know that twat enough to know when he's up to no good" Esme narrowed her eyes "I don't like that look he has on his face." Esme mentally shook her head "He looks worried." Esme continued "And something else...He looks guilty." Esme concluded solidly before asking herself another question
"What could he possibly feel that bad about and not want to tell me?" Esme pondered for a moment before her eyes widened in shock "No. He wouldn't do that. He wouldn't dare." Esme shook her head gently "Sherlock isn't like that, Esme. He doesn't get involved with women."
"But he got involved with me. I was the exception to that rule."
"The exception or an exception?"
Esme looked at Sherlock, studying his face and body language, desperately trying to deduct something, just like he had done a million and one times before. But she saw nothing. Nothing but a detached and cold exterior locking away any deeper thoughts and feelings beneath his dark curls.
"They say that the eyes are the gateway to the soul." Esme looked into his eyes that were trained on his laptop screen "Well that must be a load of bullshit because I can't see anything behind his eyes." Esme sighed, causing Sherlock to look briefly up at her before turning back to his thoughts.
"Just a coincidence or is a reason?"
"She's thinking about me." Sherlock deduced as he watched Esme stare vacantly at the television "She's trying to figure out what I was thinking about. So inquisitive."
"Stop being so bloody doubtful. He's my boyfriend and he's not going anywhere as long as I have a say in it."
COMPOSE NEW EMAIL
From: Mr. S Holmes
To: Ms B Gables
Will be able solve your case immediately. Send any correspondence to 221b Baker Street, London N15 SE4 addressed to Sherlock Holmes or to my email.
SH
Sherlock shut his laptop before striding upstairs to his bedroom, clicking the door closed behind himself. Sitting on his bed, Sherlock ran his hand quickly through his hair, messily ruffling his thick black curls, thinking over his elaborate plan. Then his blackberry bleeped.
1 NEW EMAIL -
From: Ms. B Gables
To: Mr. S Holmes
1 attachment.
I have attached your e-ticket for your trip to Rome, you did state that you would help immediately, so the plane has been booked for 10:00am tonight. As for now, this is a one way ticket as it's almost impossible to predict when you will return. However, I will pay for your ticket back and have arranged for you to be staying at Hotel Piazza de Mariya.
Ms. Bryony Gables.
Hastily he stood up, and unzipped the empty holdall bag that he had once use to bring his possessions first to 221B Baker Street. He flung open the doors to his wardrobe and began to neatly fold his various suits into the bottom of the bag. Then, he decided that some more casual clothes maybe needed for any situation that would require him to keep a low profile. This time, he haphazardly threw in a random array of different plain t-shirts, sweaters (Though Sherlock doubted it would be cold in Italy) and trousers. Next, were some shoes. Although had a wide range of footwear available to him, his preference was of course his prized D&G black shoes. However Sherlock understood that they were not always suited to the occasion and also placed in his white converses that he had worn on his first date with Esme and a pair of unused and pristine trainers that someone who obviously didn't know Sherlock Holmes very well, had purchased for him.
Once he had added underwear, toiletries and his passport to his luggage, Sherlock finally zipped close his now bulging bag. Then, he pressed his ear against the hard wood door of his bedroom. Silence. Sherlock guessed that Esme had fallen asleep on the sofa, as she usually did after watching TV. Sherlock shrugged on his long woolen coat and slung his holdall over his shoulder, then slowly opened his door. Sherlock padded down the stairs softly, so as to go undisturbed. As per usual, his suspicions were confirmed by the quiet snore that traveled out of the living room. Unable to help himself, Sherlock strode into the main room, to see Esme curled into a tight ball on his couch, her converses discarded by the side. Sherlock smiled and tucked a wild lock of hair back in with the rest of the curls before stooping to kiss Esme lightly on the head.
"I will be back soon. Don't lose any sleep over me, although I can see that you already aren't." Sherlock chuckled gently "I'm sorry but...I'm going to have to run away again." Sherlock turned and started to make his way towards the door when a voice called out.
"Sherlock?" He froze and then twisted on the spot slowly. "Yes...John?" Sherlock asked apprehensively calling out to John. Then John calmly appeared out the kitchen, eyeing up Sherlock suspiciously before saying "Where are you going?" John asked, staring at Sherlock's packed bag. Sherlock paused, twisting his mouth to the side and replied "Dry cleaners. My suit is absolutely filthy after running through that alleyway last week." He lied casually, looking directly at John, who looked back at him, and then looked at his watch
Believing Sherlock, John tossed his other coat to him, who caught it with ease and said "They are almost closing, so hurry. Take that for me, will you?" Sherlock smiled, almost breathing a deep sigh of relief "Sure."
And with that Sherlock Holmes turned and walked out of 221B Baker Street, not knowing that he would not be returning for quite a long time.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO IS STILL READING AND WHO ADDED THIS FF TO THEIR ALERTS AND FAVED IT AND REVIEWED IT! I LOVE YOU GUYS :) I know I haven't updated for a while and I'm so sorry and I will try to update more regularly, but this is my second longest chapter that I've written :) Thanks to CompleteSolitude (Thank you I will try to finish it:), Bookwormiie (Taps side of nose:) , Bookworm4000 (Hope you had a Merry Christmas too :) TheBrightsider (Your review was sooo kind, thank you :) TheDoctorsMistress (No probs about no leaving a review earlier but thanks for leaving one now :) and mundy (I loved that line too! :)
So I hope you enjoy that chapter and remember to leave a review because they help me write faster :)