Author's Note: How do two people find each other in a world full of stranger?
Got to believe in magic
Tell me how two people find each other
In a world full of strangers
Got to believe in magic
(Got to believe)
Chapter 7: Bookshop Encounter
The night before was the most enchanting night she had. The meeting they had surely is one of the most pleasant she had. Alex Vause can definitely hold any conversation and make it enjoyable even if it is about business.
Undeniably she is attracted to Alex Vause, her employer.
I felt my body shivered from this realization.
No! No! Absolutely I will not fall to the same trap again.
I think I need to buy a new book to read. I grabbed my wallet and my sweater. I just hid my face in the cap in case a fan recognize me. Although it is not a common occurrence that a fans will come to me, it is for precautionary measure. I walked to my favorite bookshop for a few minutes.
"Hello, Piper. How are you?" Gloria, the owner of the bookshop, said.
"Hi, Gloria. I'm fine. How about you?" I asked.
"I'm alright. How can I help you?" Gloria asked.
"I'm going to buy a new book but I don't I have any idea what to buy." I said.
"There are new books in the contemporary literature section." Gloria said.
"Maybe I will browse there but in the meantime I will go to the classical section." I said then walked to the right part of the room. I inhaled and felt my world started to drift to wonderland. I caressed the spine of the books and picked one book from time to time to read the summary of the book.
"Hello! So you love the books?" a voice could be heard from my back.
"Yes. I love to read." I said then faced him to see his face. I saw a man with a moustache and a smile that is too big for his own good. A nagging feeling won't leave me but his next question made me dismiss it.
"So what can you recommend for me to read? I like books about woman who can fight their own battle even not physically." He asked then scan the spine of the books in the shelf in front of us.
"I recommend Merchant of Venice. Portia is one of the most intelligent woman in literature." I said nervously, not knowing why.
"I think I will read your recommendation. By the way, my name is Pornstache, How about you?" he said then he offered his hand.
"Elizabeth Taylor. I think I have to go." I said after accepting his hand.
"It is not your name." he said not letting my hands go.
"Please let go of my hand." I said with panic.
"Your name is Piper fucking Chapman, the most famous and beautiful writer I love." Pornstache said with a smirked that spread fear into my system. "I know that you like to have dinner with me. It will be in a fancy restaurant with candle and fucking pasta." He said then tried to grab my arm.
"If I were you, I would release her before some bad things happen to you." a voice said behind my back. I tried to look back but my arms hurt because Pornstache was twisting my arms. I could see curly blond hair but I could not see her face.
"Yeah? What will you do to me? Scratch my face with your tiny little hand?" he said sneering. "Oh I know! You are jealous because I'm giving Chapman all my attention. Don't worry blonde, I will play with you later after Chapman." He said then tried to drag me.
"No. She will not scratch your face but she will make sure that you will be put in a jail with your sorry ass. And I will make sure that you will have a stitch in your head." a low voice said in Pornstache back. I caught a black streak of hair before Pornstache released my arm to face the person talking to her.
I ready myself before the tall lanky man face me. I breathe properly and stand firmly in my position. I raised my arm and strengthen my elbow. When he totally faced me, I smacked her with my elbow causing his head to turn in the left and a deep cut diagonally in his nose bridge. I kicked his shin causing him to lose his balance and kneeled in one knee. I tried to punch him but his reach was longer, so he hit me directly to my eyebrow making some deep cut on it. Blood started to trickle down my face. I step back a bit to wipe he blood getting in my eyes. He tried to stand but Piper throw some hard bound books on him making him cover her head with his arms. I quickly move forward seeing that his upper body is open for an attack. I kicked him in the stomach making him lay in his back clutching his stomach. I kicked him again in the head causing him to lose consciousness.
"Alex! Are you alright?" Piper asked while swiftly moving towards my direction.
"Yes. How about you? Did he hurt you?" I asked more concern to her state being than mine. I examined her arms and anger welled up in my chest when I saw big printed hands on her arms. I wanted to kick the man again but Piper immediately hug me. I could see her shoulders rocking back and forth when I realized she was crying.
"Ssshh…everything is alright now, Piper." I said then hug her tightly while trying my best to avoid spluttering blood in her shirt.
"I was frightened when he punched you hard and see that you became disoriented by it." Piper said between sob.
"I'm fine now. A little bit of cleaning and I'm alright again. Hush now, Piper." I said then kissed her temples. Police started coming to our direction.
"I called them as soon as possible." Nicky said. Relief was written on her face. The police asked me to file a formal complaint against the guy they are holding but Nicky volunteered to do it. The police agreed when I said I will be following them in the precint.
"I'm sorry. It is not every day that a crazy one comes in here. Piper, dear, are you alright?" Gloria asked.
"I'm fine. Do you have a first aid kit?" Piper asked.
"Yes. I have in the room at the back. A bathroom is in the right side of the hallway in the back. She can use it to wash her face before you treat her. I have fresh towels in the rack." Gloria said then walked away to get the first aid kit.
"Thank you, Gloria. Come. I will help you to clean your face." Piper said then offered her hand to me. I grabbed her hands and we walked towards the direction of the bathroom. She opened the faucet and tied my hair back with her arms when I rinsed my face. I could feel a stinging feeling but I ignored it so I could finish cleaning up fast. I tried to grasp a towel but Piper grabbed my chin and she wiped gently my face. I am a bit higher than Piper so I was looking down at her. I could see how focus she is on what she was doing.
"Are you really okay?" I asked again. She nodded her head.
"I'm more worried to you. Don't you feel dizzy? Are you sure that we shouldn't check in the hospital if you have a concussion?" Piper asked then looked at my face worriedly.
"No. Don't worry. I'm fine. I have worst fights than that. Besides I'm more than okay now knowing that he didn't harm you beyond repair." I said then let our foreheads touch each other. I inhaled deeply so her fragrance will invade my system. It relaxes me how she softly still caress my face with her hand. I could feel my heart beating fast just by looking at her eyes.
No. It can't be. I don't do relationships.
But I can't resist the beauty staring back at me. Maybe just maybe what I'm feeling right now is a strong urge of passion. Yes! That's it! I'm only desiring what she can offer me. If the strong impulse to kiss her every time I see her especially right now is not an evidence for it, I don't know it anymore. Finally I gave in to my desire and lean on to her. At first I kissed her lightly, testing if she will resist it but she kissed me back lightly. Just when I though she was going to stop kissing me, she wrapped her hands in my neck and tug me down to crash our lips together longer. I thought my world spin faster when that happen but I can't resist doing nothing so I moved hungrily to kiss her more. I enfolded my arms to her waist to feel more her body heat next to mine. I sucked her lower lips tenderly but with fervent desire. I heard her moan softly against my lips and I swallowed it down to my throat. I could feel my body on fire.
A loud knock in the bathroom cause as to separate panting for air. I could see her face getting red from what we done, making me grinned from ear to ear. She opened the bathroom door to step outside.
"Here is the first aid kit to tend to her wounds." Gloria said but an amused look could be seen in her face.
"I think you need to wash it again because some blood trickle down again into your face. I will be waiting for you outside. Here is the towel again." Piper said then walked swiftly outside. I could feel my heart stop when she smiled at me sweetly.
Yeah. Definitely. I'm just lusting after her.
I breathe deeply trying to calm down my nerves after the kiss I shared with Alex. I can't believe I was down to yank her down again for a heated kiss. I'm not really a sexual person but with her all I wanted to do is to kiss and taste what she taste like. Damn these hormones! Maybe I should stop thinking about her so I will not feel that my body burning with longing.
"Here this is on the house. I hope you enjoy reading it." Gloria said when she approached me then leave immediately for the counter.
Four Centuries of Great Love Poems compiled by Debra Starr
My face became darker red when Gloria winked at me when Alex came out of the bathroom. I think she knew what we were doing in the bathroom. Alex cleared her throat when she approached me to get my attention.
As if my whole sense is not already smitten to her attention!
"Can you please seat in here, so I could tend to your wound?" I asked her then point to the chair beside me. She walked by in there and sit comfortably. I opened the kit and gently apply medicine on her wound.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" I asked curiously.
"From my MMA coach." She answered briefly before wincing a bit.
"MMA?" I asked.
"Mixed Martial Arts. But I'm not regularly training now because of my job. I was into tournaments also before but then again I have business to attend too. Hopefully if time permits me, I will go back to it." She answered.
This woman doesn't stop to amaze me. What else could I learn about her?
Whoops easy, Piper. You don't want to go back to that situation.
"I had heard that you used Elizabeth Taylor as your name when you introduce yourself to the guy. May I know why?" she eyed me intently.
"Well my whole name is Elizabeth Piper Taylor Chapman. Taylor is my mother's surname. So what other things you have heard from our conversation?" I asked her curiously.
"Just that part and the time he became crazy fuck up." She answered.
"Thank you for defending me. I know it is a bit late to say thank you but I'm still saying it." I said shyly.
"Anything for you. I will not let anyone harm you in any way possible." She answered.
"Can I ask another question?" I asked.
"Sure. What is it?" she said.
"How did you know I'm in trouble?" I asked. I assume that they are doing something in here that is why they are in here.
"Actually I saw you walk in the store. I want to ask if you want to have lunch with us but my secretary called me to remind about my flight going home. After that I received a text from Nicky that you are in trouble. I immediately walk inside to check you but I got lost in the shelves so I just came in time when he asked you about your name. I waited for a few minutes before taking actions so when a police report is needed, it will look like a self-defense on my part and not a wild woman going jealous seeing someone hitting on the girl she like." She explained thoroughly. I blushed hard when I understand the last part she said.
I looked at her intently and for the first time I felt fear. Fear that this woman, the goddess in front of me, might hold the most vulnerable part of me.
No. Vause! It can't be! You can't be falling for her! At first it was fun but now it is frightening to know that you might be vulnerable now. You cannot commit anymore because of your promise.
I'm afraid that I already have.
"Do you want to go somewhere else?" she asked her.
