a/n: [08-15-21] I've had this plot bunny while writing This Love, so I decided to write it down and upload it. Please tell me what do you think about it! Thank you for reading and I'm sorry in advance for any mistake.
Disclaimer: Fifty Shades Trilogy and its companion books belong to amazing EL James. This is a non-profit fanwork.
A Secret Language
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He saw her on an exceptional sunny day.
Seattle and sun. Those two words were usually at the opposite end of a spectrum. Christian used to the dreary air and gloomy clouds which would greet him first thing in the morning when he took a walk to the public transport. A drizzle here, and chill wind there. So, it was with a great surprise when he looked up from the newspaper on his desk, the bright light from gleaming sun filtered through the library's colorful stained glass.
The light, as cliché as it seemed, fell onto the brown-haired lady in the corner.
There was nothing special about her, yet she oozed something like mystery and reminded him of children fairy tale about a witch in the forbidden woods. Though, she wasn't like a witch at all in appearance. It was her aura. Since when he knew something about aura? Christian didn't even try to understand his complicated train of thoughts.
The fact that the lady indeed reading some children fairy tales wasn't a surprise for him.
He casually stole a glance at her direction once every few minutes. The lady seemed to be immersed in her reading and writing. What was she writing, he wondered. An essay, perhaps? A thesis? Grocery list? Once in a while she would wave her hands around like she was excited about something.
What a strange, interesting lady.
Christian couldn't recall if the lady ever borrowed a book. He usually remembered the names of the regulars in this small public library. But he didn't remember ever assisted this lady in his shift. Come to think of it, he was just seeing her today. Maybe a newcomer. Yes. Christian would see if she needed any help before his lunch break start. He rose from his seat as the librarian.
Approaching her slowly as to not startle her, he fell into the lull of air condition's hum, the sound of pages flipping, and low whispers of a group of readers. He fell into her gaze. The lady had thick eyelashes that looked like it would brush softly against her cheeks. Delicate. The word popped into his mind as he watched the way her elegant fingers traced the book as she read.
He felt drunk.
He didn't know why.
As he stepped behind her, he looked over her shoulder to see it was one of a Grimm brothers' children stories. Little red riding-hood. How fitting, he thought, because right now he looked like a Big Bad Wolf, about to pounce on the little girl.
"Excuse me, miss."
The lady didn't respond.
Does she wear earphones? Christian shifted his stance so that he could she her ear. It seemed like she did wear them. But, wait, the design was kind of new. Its light brown part was somewhat rested behind her ear, a clear tube attached to it as an ear piece. He vaguely remembered seeing something like that before.
"Do you need any help?"
Again, she remained silent.
Did she deliberately ignore him? No, it didn't seem like it. She was still moving her hands around, flicking her fingers like she was making a code, before writing down something on her notes.
Then, without warning, she turned her head and their gazes met.
She was visibly startled at the sight of him. She let out a tiny squeak, then blushing like a ripe tomato.
"Oh, I'm sorry—"
She shook her head. A corner of her mouth lifted a little, and Christian beheld a small, cute dimple on her right cheek.
Her fingers moving rapidly like mad.
And it hit him at once.
The lady hurriedly gathered all her things on the table: notebooks, pencil, colored pencils, some sheet of papers; and then shoved them into her bag.
She bowed her head at him once again, before bolted from the seat, and walk fast to the exit door. Her fragrance lingered in the air. A mixture of apple and something Christian didn't know.
The lady ran and brought away the sunshine with her.