Breath of Fresh Air

"You're always so secretive." Her face close to his shoulder, tipped back just a little to catch his eyes. Red lips, he noted, that, if she got her way, would soon colour his own. He laughed. "I am not. You're just too used to get whatever you want."

Her smile widened. "I have to work for it?" Fingers trailing down his neck. He shivered, put his hands around her. "Mhm. It won't be cheap."

The first smudge of red found his lips. "Tell me", she whispered, "a secret. Something no one else knows about you. Won't you?" He leaned closer, feeling her breath against his skin. Putting his mouth near her ear he whispered something. She blushed, threw her head back and laughed, curls jumping over her shoulders. "No! That doesn't count. Something real, please."

"It is real," he said. "It better should be." She laughed heartily. "I mean about you, though. Tell me something! What's your family like?"

His grip around her loosened. Her shoulders tensed. "Why does it matter." Sitting back against the headboard of the bed, he tried to lock eyes with her. "Lucia, darling, you know I love you. It's just not something I want to talk about it, it's a closed chapter. You are my family now."

Getting out of bed, Lucia started setting up her hair. Her hands worked quickly around the blonde strays. A bobby pin fell to the ground, breaking the silence. "Give it to me," she said. Her voice was hard.

He did as she said, watching as she finished. "How do I look?" she asked. "As always, stunning." Carefully, he laid his hands on her bare shoulders, massaging gently.

"Oh my god Frank!" Whirling around, she bore her eyes into him. "We talked about this, didn't we? You gotta stop touching me without consent. It's… it's outrageous."

He stepped back quickly. "I am sorry," he mumbled. I thought… I mean you just…"

"I just did what? Hm? Use your words!"

"Just kissed me."

She rolled her eyes, making a dismissive hand gesture. "Yeah, sure, fine. Whatever. You just don't get it, do you." Fumbling around the dresser, she found the bottle of mascara. Leaning closer to the mirror, she carefully laid a coat. Like always, her mouth opened in concentration. Pulling himself together, Frank reminded himself not to stare.

"I am really sorry," he whispered. "I can explain. If it's very important to you, I'll tell you about my family. I should have done it from the start, I am sorry."

"Ha." She gave a short laugh. Striding across the room, she opened her closet. "No, of course you don't have to. Don't overthink things so much, it's such a bad habit. Anyway, I am going out, love, Cassie invited me." He watched her find the red dress, the backless one, that went so well with her amber earrings. She got those too, and high heels, a kiss on his chin, a little peck, he thought, before the door slammed, and she was out.

A breath of fresh air, he used to call her. She was. Completely new and different, wonderful maybe?, each and every day. Slowly, Frank turned to close the door to the balcony. It was getting chilly, dawn already. He shivered.

Lilith sank down into her airplane seat, folding her hands in her lap. Behind thick glasses, attentive eyes followed the boarding passengers find their seats. She always took great pleasure in her little peoplewatching. Imagining who the people around her were, where they were going once the plane landed, what they were thinking about… so many questions to keep an old lady occupied! She smiled to herself. Although it wasn't a glamourous one, she was happy with her own little story. She couldn't wait to meet her grandchildren in London.

As the stream of people entering died down, Lilith turned to the window. Sad as it was, staring at people that had found their seats wasn't really acceptable. The runway wasn't very interesting; tarmacked, and with nothing but yellow grass growing next to it. Grey skies gave warning of rain.

To her surprise, a young man hurried in at the last moment. Casting a glance at her watch, she noticed it was indeed a little later than last minute. He glanced from side to side at the seating numbers, until he stopped by her. "Good morning," he flashed her a smile. "Seems like we're gonna share this journey."

She smiled back, feeling charmed, and thinking she might have found herself dazzled if only he had been fifty years quicker with his remark. "That will indeed be a pleasure," she said. Sitting down, he drew a can of energy drink from his backpack. "I would have offered the lady a sip, but…" he leaned closer, whispering, "it's not really supposed to be good for the heart!"

Lilith laughed. "No I am too old for that, believe me."

"Cheers then." He winked, lifting the can. Just as she gave a nod back, the plane was set in motion. "And off we go." Lilith's smile widened. "Can't wait to see my son and his family again. What about you, what brings you from New York to the land of gentlemen and tea?"

The man laughed. "Gentlemen and tea indeed. Believe it or not, but I am going to the great city of gentlemen to look for a fellow American."

"No shame in that," Lilith replied. "My son is American at heart too, I suppose, but his little sons I cannot vouch for." She let her eyes roam over her companion. He was indeed handsome, with blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes, but face pale as marble. His foot bounced up and down nervously.

"Not a fan of planes?" she asked.

"Huh? Oh, no, I don't mind them. Must be the caffeine." He winked again, but some of the previous spark in his eyes were gone. "Really, I am just wondering if I'll find this friend of mine. Well no, not friend exactly, it's for work."

"Oh?" Lilith looked at him inquiringly. Surprised, she saw how he studied her intensely for a few seconds, before letting his shoulders slump. "Yeah, it's a lawyer," he muttered.

"You need a lawyer?" She had to admit to being just a little excited at the possibility of drama. "What for?"

"Oh, don't worry, I am not a murderer or anything." He laughed loudly. "Uhm, no, but I think it might be a childhood friend I'd like to reestablish contact with."

"I see." Lilith smiled. "Were the two of you close, then?" He nodded. "Oh yes indeed. But you know what life can do."

"Offer lemons?"

He laughed. "Generously at that. In fact, I have to get some work done." He drew a laptop from his luggage. "Was lovely talking to you, though, milady." Shaking hands, she returned the smile. "Likewise, sir.".

"I have no dream of becoming a gentleman," he said. "Joe Hardy will suffice."