Chapter 2: Just a Coincidence
Alex Rider was laid back, just like the entire country of Canada. Sure, there were some cranky people, but most waived and said their hello's like it was a regular thing.
"So, how do you like Canada, Alex?" Sabina asked him while they were walking through Calgary. Sabina was wearing a ridiculously short skirt, a blouse, and square sunglasses were perched on her forehead. Alex was wearing a red Billabong t-shirt and casual blue jeans.
"It's great!" Alex replied. "Everyone is so laid back and polite."
"Well good, because I just wanted to ask other peoples' opinions about this place," Sabina said sounding satisfied. "You know I like it too. But I just want to check if I didn't pull you into the worst vacation of your life, because it doesn't have as many museums and great restraunts like Rome or Venice."
Venice. That had brought back a memory Alex did not want to relive again. It was Scorpia, the lethal terrorist organization that had tried to kill him twice.
"Alex?"
Alex shook himself out of his thoughts and offered to get Sabina some ice cream. Sabina said yes.
The ice cream parlor had three unoccupied tables and a bar of selections in rows of two. Alex counted his money to see if he would be able to safely afford it.
"I'll be with you in a moment!" The cashier called.
The cashier was tall, buff, and bold and he seemed like someone who would be a bodyguard for a famous movie-star instead of serving ice cream.
As Sabina was ordering, Alex noticed a scorpion tattoo on the cashier's right forearm.
Could this guy be working for Scorpia? Alex thought.
"Alex, what would like to order?" Sabina asked
"What?" Alex was lost for a moment, but caught up quickly. "Oh yeah. Just a small chocolate in a bowl."
Alex sat down and enjoyed his ice cream and yawned when he finished.
It's just a coincidence,Alex reassured himself
As they left the ice cream parlor Sabina started staring at Alex like he was an interesting statue in a Sicilian art gallery, until he noticed.
"What?" Alex asked.
"I have just noticed there are no hot guys in Calgary," Sabina said to Alex. "I have to drag someone from England just so there is at least one."
Alex chuckled softly. All of a sudden he forgot about Scorpia and felt a lot better for being in Canada. His and Sabina's hands suddenly grasped each other as they embarked on their half-a-mile journey home and Alex's confidence was now at the maximum rate.
The sweet aroma of Italian cooking filled Alex's nose once he got to Sabina's house.
"What smells so good?" Alex asked once he was inside the Pleasures' new condominium.
"Spaghetti and garlic bread!" Mr. Pleasure exclaimed excitedly as he was carrying a basket to the dining room.
"Dad has been watching these cooking shows ever since we got here," Sabina stated, rolling her eyes.
"And they have paid off!" Mr. Pleasure retorted. "Sabs can't accept the fact I can cook now."
Alex snickered a little bit until Sabina gave him a face, so he sat down to eat.
The cooking shows did pay off! The spaghetti was delicious and the garlic bread was heavenly. Alex couldn't keep count on how many thanks he gave to Mr. Pleasure.
After dinner, Alex sat down to watch TV when he spotted the cashier from the ice cream parlor in a silver van heading south. Alex was too curious.
"I 'm going to go on a walk," Alex told Sabina.
Sabina said, "Okay."
Alex was right on the tail of the car when the cashier looked in his rear-view window. Alex moved to the cashier's blind side so the cashier couldn't see anything. Then the car moved on until it arrived at a dull brick building.
The result was a disappointment.
The cashier was just working out at a gym with his buddies.
Just a coincidence.
