Chapter 5 A road we will walk together.
CHAPTER FIVE
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
A road we will walk together.
“Do you know Tribeca stands for Triangle Below Canal Street?” Eve informs me with a warm smile.
I tear my gaze away from the lavish streets and smile at her, “I didn’t know that.”
The sun sets in the distance, and the whole neighbourhood softens.
The rush drains out with the daylight. Curious, I look out the window and see office lights dim behind tall windows. Tribeca is everything I expected. The streets have settled into a low, quiet, and expensive. This neighbourhood is undoubtedly expensive, very, and I wonder how we are supposed to make ends meet here.
If all goes according to plan, if I am hired by the Agency, money won’t be an issue.
Restaurants glow from inside, and I wonder if there is a way I can make money without selling my soul. Maybe I can get a job in one of those posh restaurants, but I know I can’t. Eve can. She has ID and the charm. I have nothing but baggage that threatens to swallow me up.
“Do you have a destination?” The driver chimes in, filling the silent space.
I inhale nervously, “Any cheap hotel?”
He laughs loudly and scoffs, “Cheap in Tribeca? You’re dreaming. There’s no cheap here.”
Eve leans forward, “How much are we talking about per night then?”
“Hm,” He muses, and shrugs, “In Chinatown or Lower Manhattan, maybe one sixty per night.”
I shake my head and insist calmly, “Not Chinatown, here in Tribeca.”
“Then, two-fifty per night for something good.” He stops at an intersection and glances at me.
I bite my lower lip in contemplation and glance at Eve. Her makeup is smudged, and she has bags under her eyes. I don’t even have to think.
“Take us there then,” I murmur, and he nods.
“Wonderful.” Eve leans against me with a yawn, pressing her beautiful hair against my face.
Softly, I wrap my arms around her, and she burrows herself further into my side. Her scent fills my nostrils, soothing my blood. She means everything and more to me.
“So, what’s the plan?” She whispers tenderly, taking my hand in hers. Her fingers are manicured, and she has press-ons on. She is effortlessly beautiful.
“Don’t lie to me, Scar. I know you have a plan.” She murmurs, without looking at me.
There is a knot in my throat, and I hear the words she doesn’t say. She left her life behind for me, and the least I can do is not lie to her. I glance out the window, then back at her. She is right, so I confess, “The Escort Agency is in Tribeca, a few blocks away.”
She is silent, so I continue, my cheeks flushing in guilt.
“I know what you are going to say, my love, but I need you trust me, again. I know I shouldn’t ask for anything anymore, but I need you to trust me. I have about two grand in my stash, and you have about five in yours. I am not going to let you splurge all the money you’ve saved on me when you can do so much better. I want to take care of you. You are my family, Eve, and I want to make you comfortable enough to pursue your goals.” I articulated, barely audible, with my voice unsteady.
She leans away from me, and my heart sinks. I brace myself for the inevitable rejection.
“I have conditions.” She declares, her shoulders squared.
I frown, caught off guard.
“I want to be with you in every single step. We are going to do it together. I am not particularly interested in that job, but I understand why you are. I still think it is very dangerous, so you are not doing it alone. We are doing it together. This is a road we will walk together, so don’t lie to me or push me out.” She expresses, not backing down. Her gaze is made of steel.
I exhale softly. I want to protect her, but she also wants to protect me, too, and this is the way we can agree, so I nod.
“Here we are.” The driver announces, and we glance out the window.
“Oh, wonderful.” Eve beams and steps out of the car, holding the bags.
I follow her and pull out bills from my apron.
The driver takes it from me with a warm smile, “Stay safe.”
I nod at him and step back. He drives away, and I stare at the hotel.
“Come on, my love.” Eve links our hands, and we walk forward.
I feel out of place here and very uneasy. The cold settles into my bones, and I bite my tongue. I push back everything I’m feeling and let my best friend lead me to the front desk. My paranoid brain is ticking and thinking of the worst-case scenario, but we are safe. We are safe.
“Card or cash?” The receptionist asks, and I blink, realising Eve has handled everything.
“Cash,” Eve answers, and glances at me.
“That would be five hundred dollars for two nights.” The receptionist doesn't look up as she types away.
Quickly, I check the apron and count the money. Luckily, it’s more than enough, so I pay. She gives us our room key, and I follow Eve.
Our room is small, but enough for us. The bed is large and looks comfortable. Exhaustion settles into my bones, and I want to sleep for hours, but I can’t.
Eve drops the bags on the bed. She opens hers, and I see clothes. I didn’t even think of clothes, but she had.
She throws me a short and tee. “Take a shower. I’ll order dinner.”
I nod and walk into the shower. I don’t let down my guard as I check every nook and cranny. When I find nothing, I strip and get in the shower. I stay under the water until my skin starts to prune.
My heart is heavy, and my soul is tired. All I want is a good night's rest. I am tired of being hunted. I am tired of running. I am very tired, but I can’t rest, not yet, not when the men who killed my parents are still out there, and even dare to come after me. I don’t know how, but I am going to make them pay.
Eventually, I step out of the bathroom and change into comfortable clothes.
Eve has ordered Pizza, so I eat it hungrily.
Before we go to bed, I lock the door and keep the key in the lock so no one can get in with another key. Then, I place a pillow by the door, and put the spoons on it. If the door is tampered with, the spoon will fall, and I will wake. Then, I block the peephole with a tissue.
“We’ll need to get you a dress and a bodyguard. We’ll visit the salon in the morning, and doll you up. Then, we’ll go to the Agency together.” She muses sleepily, and I nod, glad that I am not alone.