Fire And Desire

POSH GIRL

Gia was stealing glances at the garbage bin down the street while the men dragged her along.

She was hoping for the life of her that her conspirator would come out of where he’s hiding and save her from these people.

But with the minutes that ticked by as they approached the building, it was clear that she was on her own.

After all, she got caught, and he had strictly told her that the rule on the street was, if one gets caught, they bear the consequences and never snitch.

Even at that, they weren’t only conspirators, she and the older boy were friends. At least they were friends when she didn’t find herself in this present situation.

Miss Hult was first to enter the cafe Gia had mostly seen in passing. She knew she was in trouble but it seemed otherwise since they were taking her to a cafe instead of handing her over to the authorities.

The men deposited her in a booth opposite her previous target, and they left to stand guard at the door.

“Who are you?” The girl seated on the other side of the cafe booth asked, her ocean blue eyes sizing Gianna up. “Anna,” she replied almost immediately, giving her the nickname she used on the street. But the girl only glared at her more, as if she could see through her facade, which only unnerved Gia.

“And why were you trying to steal from me?” She inquired, relaxing into the cushion like this was some sort of entertainment to her.

Gianna didn’t hide her scoff, nor her eye roll at the absurdity of the moment. Though to answer the question, she came off rather defensive with a counter attack in form of another question.

“Why do you think people steal, posh girl?” The posh girl in question only smiled, the side of her lip quirking up in one of those amused expressions. She leaned forward, both of her crossed elbows resting on the table in between them as she retorted.

“You know what, you have guts Anna. I like guts.”

In her short years of existence, she hadn’t met someone like this—someone her age who acted like this. And like her conspirator would say, a little missing detail could cost you everything.

Gia glanced at the glass door of the Cafe where the men were standing, craning her neck to see if she’ll find a young boy her age somewhere on the street, but the more she looked, the more her hopes were dashed.

“Looking for someone?” The girl asked, drawing Gia’s focus back to the table. She shook her head once in response, disappointed in herself for thinking he would come rescue her.

“What are you going to do to me now?” She asked instead, wanting to know the future, whether it be at the mercy of two bulky men, or at the hands of the authorities.

Little Miss Hult chuckled, a low and surprisingly genuine sound. “I don’t know,” she stated before adding, “I mean…it’s not everyday I see someone who tries to steal from me and proceeds to call me posh girl right after.”

Gia squinted her eyes, a habit that was second to her whenever she tried to analyze a new target or just decipher a person’s motive. In this scenario, it was the latter. “Does it matter?” she snapped, frustrated at the fact that she didn’t know what the girl was playing at.

While her patience was running thin, she struggled to keep her emotions under control.

But her tight voice gave her away, “it’s not like I got away with anything. I didn’t think you would catch me.”

The girl raised an eyebrow, clearly irritated, and when she spoke, her voice came out sultry like a predator playing with its prey. “I don’t appreciate anyone making me a target, much less an easy one. So why don’t you try again?”

Gia huffed a breath, trying to keep her cool in the mental corner she’s being backed into, but it wasn’t working. “I’m not sorry about my actions,” she blurted out. “I saw an opportunity and took it. Besides, it didn't matter since you looked like you didn’t need the bag.”

“And you needed it. Why?” The girl shot back, studying her like she was some piece of puzzle that had to be solved. When Gia wouldn’t say anything, the girl questioned again. “What is it going to be? To pay for something, or better still, to impress someone?”

Gia hesitated while the girl’s gaze on her remained unrelenting. She knew talking too much would reveal information about her which she couldn’t afford.

Aside from that, her street instincts knew better than to ramble. So to turn tables, and have a modicum of control in this conversation, she decided to ask the questions.

“Why do you care?”

“What’s the point of all this anyway? You’re not handing me over to the authorities and you’re not letting me go. Tell me, what do you want, then?”

At that moment, a waitress approached the table but the girl shooed her away as if she was in charge of the whole place.

A quick glance at the suited men, the empty Cafe, and the manner at which the waitress scamped. It all but confirmed her suspicions that she wasn’t dealing with just any other girl her age, this one was trouble.

The girl relaxed again into the cushion, her smirk reaching her face once more. “You’re quick,” she nodded approvingly, “but you’re asking the wrong question.” Gia tilted her head, at the same time squinting her eyes to better grasp what was happening.

“The wrong questions?” She repeated as if it would make more sense, yet it didn’t. “You should be asking me how you’re going to repay my kindness for keeping you alive after the stunt you pulled back there,” the girl explained not in the best way.

Gia’s blood ran cold, she didn’t know what to say to that. Hell! She didn’t even have anything to say after being threatened with her life.

Although she tried to dismiss the girl, yet her confidence and the smile that never seemed to reach her eyes spoke volume.

As if her state of shock wasn’t enough, the girl spoke profanities in the most serious of tones. “How about you become my friend and work for me?” “I am Rhian Hult.”