Chapter Thirteen




Annabel knew she was early for her lunch date but she didn't mind. She sat at one of the wire tables outside the coffee shop where she had met Nicolas yesterday. She sipped idly at the coffee cup that held the steaming brown liquid, as she thought about what she would say to Nicolas as soon as he showed up. She also wondered why he had asked to meet her and why she had agreed.
Annabel wasn't left to her thoughts much longer when Nicolas arrived, taking a seat in front of her.
"Sorry I'm late." He apologized.
"You're not late." Annabel said, looking up at him. "I was early." She added.
For a few minutes, neither of them spoke or looked at each other. Finally, Nicolas spoke.
"I bet you're wondering why I wanted you to meet me." Nicolas said, his words startling Annabel.
"Yeah, that's right." She said, surprised at the sudden broken silence.
"To tell you the truth Annabel, I don't even know why I wanted to see you. I just have this feeling…" He begun but Annabel cut him off.
"I don't like feelings. Feelings are bad." She said, remembering her own 'feelings' that had lead to disaster.
"I know." Nicolas said, avoiding eye contact with the girl in front of him. "I just…I don't know why….but I think you should be careful." Nicolas said.
"You said that last night on the phone but you didn't tell me what I should be careful of. What is it?" Annabel asked, looking at Nicolas.
"I don't know." Nicolas said, standing up. "Look, I'd better go." He said.
Before Annabel could say another word, Nicolas was gone. Annabel bit her lip and frowned; Nicolas was 'weird' for lack of a better word. It was only after Nicolas left that Annabel realized that she never asked him how he got her number.