Chapter 17: 'Believing the dream'

Molly added the finishing touches to her makeup, applying some cherry red lipstick. She took one last look in the mirror to make sure her hair was right, then stood back and checked her dress. The black silken evening gown hugged the curves of her body; she couldn't remember the last time she dressed up so imperially, or if she had ever enjoyed the sight of her own reflection as much as she did right then.

She had no idea what to expect from the night ahead and her 'date' with Hunter. She couldn't even be certain if he'd even show up, given his recent track record of showing an interest when it suited. She felt the inevitable butterflies fluttering around in her tummy, as she prayed that he would not let her down.

She hadn't been on a date for over a year; that had been a forgettable occasion, so she was fully prepared for a similar fate. The mere recollection of that horrific memory cast doubt into her fragile mind. She was not sure whether she really did harbour true feelings for Hunter, or was just lusting after something which should have been forbidden.

A quick glance at her watch confirmed that the time to discover the answer to her question was near. The show had finished and Hunter should have been on his way. Molly's attention was diverted by the buzz of her cellphone in her jacket, which she fumbled around frantically to retrieve. The display indicated that Dave was trying to contact her, so she flipped it open and answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Molly, its Dave."

"Yes, what's up?"

"Listen, that little bitch got away earlier... I'm... I'm sorry." Dave said repentantly.

"You and me both." Molly said assertively.

"Are you pissed with me?"

Molly paused; her immediate reaction was that she was furious with his ineptitude for allowing Trish to escape unharmed, but she managed to suppress the ill feeling.

"Not you Dave... You couldn't do anything about Shawn's interference."

"I guess... Well I'm sorry anyway. She won't get away next time, I can assure you of that."

"That's okay, I will deal with her myself next week."

"If you're sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Oh, one other thing."

"Yes?"

"We're hitting a club tonight."

"You're what?" Molly said, not able to hide disgust in her voice.

"Um, we're going out... Don't worry, Hunter said he was heading back there to check up on you... Unless you wanted to hook up with us?"

"No, I'm alright here thanks." she replied bluntly.

"Well, if you change your mind..."

"I'm not in the mood, but thanks for the offer all the same."

"Have a good night then, I'll see you tomorrow no doubt."

"Bye Dave." she signed off, flipping the phone shut. She didn't have chance to fume about the fact that Hunter was going to be 'checking up' on her, because there he was, stood in front of her in the penthouse suite. He scrutinized her attire closely, before fixing his eyes onto hers.

"Molls... You look incredible..." he purred.

Molly half wanted to spout a tirade of abuse... But the vision of the man in her presence put an abrupt stop to that. He was dressed in the most immaculate tuxedo, finely pressed without a crease in sight. His hair shined radiantly and was slicked back into a neat ponytail, and she could detect the light whiff of cologne in the air. She was lost for words, she had never seen a man go to so much trouble for her; at least she hoped it was for her benefit.

"What did Dave want?" he asked, having overheard the end of her phone call.

"He said everyone is off to some nightclub... And that you were coming here... to check up on me." she said disconsolately, fearful of the possibility he was going to leave her high and dry in order to join up with them. He picked up on her insecurity and laughed quietly to himself.

"You think I'm gonna desert you... I can see it in your eyes hun." he said, very calmly. Molly quivered, hating the fact he could read her like a book.

"I'm telling you, those guys can be a pain sometimes. If Dave hadn't have suggested I come check up on you, I'd have never have gotten away from them."

"You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble... For me." she said timidly.

"For you? Of course I should." he countered with conviction. Molly felt a hot flush come over her, as his eyes examined her up and down once more. "Judging by the hot chick I'm in the presence of, I'd say this is the minimum effort required on my part to qualify for your affections."

Needless to say, she blushed profusely at being called a 'hot chick'. She was mesmerized by the level of self confidence he had, which was the complete opposite of herself; she felt like a nervous wreck.

"Well... Do you like, or not? The silence is killing me!" he quipped, trying to lighten the atmosphere to make Molly feel more comfortable. She was having trouble composing herself, she didn't know what to say or do. Hunter walked across and took her hands into his, squeezing them tenderly.

"Its okay babe, this isn't a test or anything... Relax." he reassured her, "Listen, I'm not particularly hungry... Are you?" Molly shook her head, she had lost her appetite from the moment he kissed her earlier. The only thing she wanted to taste was him and those rough lips of his.

"How about we check out a quiet bar in town... Give us a chance to get to know each other better?" he suggested. Molly deliberated for a couple of seconds, because she wasn't much of a drinker. But the chance to find out more about Hunter tempted her into accepting his proposal.

"Sure, why not." she answered and her lips finally broke into a smile.

Hunter replicated her expression and took her coat from the stool it was sat on. He held it for her whilst she slipped into it, and then proceeded to lead her out of the penthouse, opening the door for her like a perfect gentleman.

The whole experience was totally surreal to Molly; the man who was known as the Cerebral Assassin and one of the most cold hearted people in the business, was treating her like she was royalty. It was almost as if he'd had a personality transplant after winning the World Heavyweight Title...