Love at First Site

HANK IS BACK

Eleanor's POV

A cold wind whistled through my window panes as I opened my eyes to take in my first sight of the day. The blur eventually cleared and I waited for my body to finally catch up with my awoken mind.

Just then, I got a buzz from my phone lying cold beside me and I picked it up. It was an email so I opened it. The blue letters spelling “VINE” sent shivers down my spine.

“He's out. That motherfucking bastard is out.”

I sat up straight. My body is now alert from a primal survival instinct.

My obsessive, borderline personality disordered narcissist ex-boyfriend had been released from jail and he was out free on the streets again.

I steadied shaky breaths and decided to go out for a walk to clear my mind.

“You're safe, Eleanor. You're safe. You picked up everything you had and moved thousands of miles to escape that bastard. You covered your tracks completely. No one—not even Rachel—knows your current location. You're safe.”

I left the house after packing a small cross-sling bag with my walking essentials and headed out into the beautiful streets of Monaco.

I hadn't walked for too long when my eyes caught the most beautiful historic building I'd seen since I'd moved to the gorgeous city of Monaco.

I had been job hunting with no luck. I could only get menial jobs to help me get by with my high school diploma so, I had a bit of free time to explore the city.

I drank in the sights around me—the beautiful people, the beautiful buildings, and the amazing scenery. It had cost me everything to move up here but it was worth it.

I'm going to make it. I'm going to find my footing here no matter how long or how difficult it'll take.

I found a nearby bench and decided to take a water break. It was the middle of summer and I knew I shouldn't be out on long walks so I don't get dehydrated but I needed to escape the prison in my head.

I glanced at the building in front of me again and smiled. Mesmerized by all its intricate details, I brought out my mobile sketchpad and began to draw in a frenzy.

Pencil in mouth and band in hand, I tied my brunette hair into a ponytail and let it cascade down my back as I dived right into business.

This should pose a good enough distraction from that upsetting news.

Lost in my world, I didn't notice anyone walk up to me nor did I realize that said person had been looming over me for a while, watching each pencil stroke, eraser clean, and paper turn.

After what must have seemed like an eternity to him, he coughed and I finally noticed the looming tower that rose far above me just as I was putting the finishing touches on my drawing.

As I lifted my head to match the stranger's gaze, I snatched a glimpse of his humongous Adam's Apple and veiny arms. Each bulge beckoned for me to touch. Feel. Grab.

I fought back the drool that threatened to appear out of nowhere and quickly got on my defense.

“Umm… do you know me?”

Bitch mode activated. Let's see you try to take advantage of me.

The man in front of me looked like an entire snack but was unkempt at the same time. I couldn't decide on whether I needed to scream for help or continue a conversation with him.

“No, I don't. I saw you from afar and wanted to see what you were drawing. Turns out I was right. You were drawing that building. For a second there, I had honestly thought you were staring at and making a sketch of me. Don't laugh.”

The guts of this weirdo to think that I was stalking him. Just because he's good-looking and…

“I'm sorry.”

“Oh.”

Apologies weren't phrases I was familiar with getting from human males. They were all too egotistical to apologize even when they were wrong. Always going about defending s**t and pissing me off the more.

So who is this rare breed that knows how to use one of the five magic phrases?

“Alright. Apology accepted, but first, I'm going to need you to sit down here. I feel like I'm facing the Great Wall of China with you standing in front of me like that.”

He surprisingly listened by giving me a courtesy bow and sitting quietly beside me. There was something about his aura that made me want to spill every secret I had ever held back including the one time I had flushed Rachel's goldfish down the toilet by mistake.

“I see you made some subtle changes from the original piece in your drawing. Why is that?”

His voice was soft yet firm at the same time. It felt like a hot knife on butter. I could already feel myself melting and it wasn't just my auditory senses that were being teased.

Stranger danger, Eleanor. I know it's been forever since you last got laid, but hold your s**t together. Stranger danger!

“While I love the narrow pillars they added right here, there, and there, I feel like it makes the building look congested; like it's gasping for air.”

“Gasping for air? The building?”

I saw the look of disbelief etched across his face and knew I had said something he probably hadn't heard before.

“Yes, the building. I like to think about architecture like it's poetry but in stone and steel. ‘If these buildings could speak, what would they say?’ You know, stuff like that.”

He was looking at me like I was a mad woman. I could tell. But I also saw a glint of amusement in his eyes and something in me wanted to keep stroking that spot.

“Those narrow pillars reminded me of prison bars and as such, felt restrictive. So, I decided to employ broader, widely-spaced pillars. This feels more inviting and they blend well with the rounded arches. Do you know how round edges suggest continuity? Well, I considered that, and now, those arches feel more like a welcoming embrace.”

“Wow. This is very interesting indeed. I'd like to… excuse me, I need to take this call.”

You'd like to what?! Why did that damn call come in?

“I'm so sorry about this. I need to leave now. It was a pleasure meeting you.” He got up briskly and pranced out in a half run.

I had so many questions. I wanted answers. I knew I'd be getting none so I stood up and stalked my way back to my studio apartment.

Not today, I guess.

As I walked back to the house, I got a pamphlet stuffed into my palm by a group of people advertising the Art Montecarlo exhibition and made a mental note to attend the event. I'd heard about it for years and always wanted to but never quite got around to it since the exhibition was way out in Europe.

Anything to get my mind off that bastard.

I dragged my heavy feet to my fridge and took out a jar of juice. After draining two full glasses, I felt my phone vibrate and all of a sudden, the air around me changed.

I couldn't place it but there was just something ominous about the text that had just entered my phone. I hesitated for a minute then eventually gave in to my curiosity. The text was from an unknown number.

“Hi, baby girl. It's me. Your hunk of a Hank. I just wanted to let you know that I'm back. Expect to hear from me more often.

xoxo”

I wanted to die. My abusive ex was back. The world spun around me and I felt myself losing my footing so I held on to the counter and firmed my grip.

How the hell did he get my new number?! No, this isn't the time for this. Get your s**t together, Eleanor. Hank is back.