The Pure Werewolf

CHAPTER TWO: The Encounter

I flip the switch in my living room and the officers follow me inside.

"So can you tell us everything?", the oldest officer says

I narrate everything that happened, taking pauses here and there, with sobs in between.

"Can you describe any of them?"

"I'm not sure I can, it was pretty dark"

"That's alright", the lady says.

The doorbell rings. I'm certain it's Troy

Immediately, I open the door for him, I throw my arms around him, crying. He encircles his arms around me. I smell his cologne. It's strong and obviously masculine but still endearing. I get carried away and want to remain in his arms forever.

"Uhmm, Miss?"

"Maria", I say this sniffling. I leave Troy and move towards them.

"We're so sorry you had to go through this. If, by any chance, you remember anything. Let us know, please. This is my number". He says and hands me a little complementary card. Have a good evening. We'll be leaving now.

As soon as they leave, I hug Troy again.

"Call me insensitive but I wish these things happen often so you hug me like this all the time," Troy says

I laugh out so loud that I forget I was just crying a while ago.

" Oh my God, Troy, you're too much "

" I told you I'd sleep here today"

"Well, technically, this is another day. It's past midnight. I say

" Ok, Smart pants"

" Look, you're sleeping on the bed today"

"Best news ever," Troy says

"But, I'm putting pillows in between"

"Ria, why do you always have to be such a buzz kill?"

"It's not you, it's me, I'm sorry Troy"

"Ok ma'am, apology accepted "

I slept almost immediately, I was so tired, and besides, Troy was just beside me, so there was no sort of fear.

My alarm buzzes at about 6 AM. I hesitate for a while. This is why I set multiple alarms. The snoozed alarm blares again and I get up grudgingly.

I perceive pancakes. I'm so thankful for Troy. His phone chimes and out of curiosity, I peep. It's a message from Clara. It read " I told you not to go see that brat but you did anyway. WE'RE DONE!! Have a good life". I feel bad as I see this

"Look who's awake," Troy says

"Thank you so much and I'm sorry about Clara"

"What did she do now?"

I hand him the phone but he seems almost not interested in the message.

"We've had it coming for a while now"

"I'm so sorry, I feel responsible "

"No Ria, don't be. We're two adults and if anything, I blame Clara, and I

I hug him again and instinctively, draw him in and kiss him. The kiss was short and I could bet on my life Troy wasn't interested. I'm really confused.

"What?" Is it the morning breath that is putting you off?"

"Of course not Ria, why would you even think that?"

"Cause you didn't seem interested".

"Look Ria, whether you agree or not. You're the love of my life. I'd kiss you with urine dripping out your mouth"

"Ewwww"

"I mean it, Ria, as much as I would love to kiss you, I don't want you kissing me out of sympathy. You know? Kissing me cause you feel sorry for me"

" That's not it, Troy. I'm sorry if you feel that way". I walk towards the kitchen but Troy pulls me back and kisses me again. This one felt different. I felt pulses run through my body and I immediately felt numb and weak, he drew me closer but I retreated from the kiss

"What are we doing?" I say

"I love you, Ria" Troy says

"I love you too, Troy. This has always been without any doubt. It's just that I don't want to hurt you again.

You never did hurt me, Ria. Indifferent? Yeah, maybe you were indifferent in our relationship but you never hurt me.

"That makes me feel so good"

"Now, come eat," Troy says.

"Yummy". I reach out and get the honey bottle. I pour it judiciously on the pancake and sit down to eat. Troy hands me some coffee. My day is already made, I'm so happy I start smiling.

"What?" Troy asks

"Nothing, can't a girl be happy? I tease him

"Okay, I give up," Troy says and gets up. He gets two bottles of water and hands me one.

" Look, I gotta go. I'll see you later. I have to go to Clara's and pick up my stuff. He gives me a peck on my cheek and leaves.

I dress up almost immediately. I get to work and reach "The Fort Hospital". On getting there, I park in my usual spot, lock my car and get inside.

"You're late!!" my boss says.

"But it's only 8:00," I say as a matter of factly

"Duh! On-time is late, you know?"

Joan was my boss, she was only a few years older but she's made her mark in the pharmaceutical sales industry.

"Maria, you know we have competition. The earlier you get here to start marketing our drugs, the better for everyone"

"I know that Joan" I hated my name in full. Ria was more than enough but she's my boss, so I couldn't do anything about it.

"So, how do I look, Maria?"

"You look Okay"

"Just Okay?"

"Am I answering as your employee or as an honest acquaintance?"

"Ouch, that hurt. I consider you to be a friend, Maria"

"Oh"

It got awkward real quick so I had to do something.

"You know what, Joan? Your blouse is so beautiful and those Pumps? They're heavenly. I say, forcing a smile. Joan smiles broadly and we walk inside together. I go towards the Endocrinology Clinic with my handbag in one hand and another bag containing different types of drugs in the other.

" Hello Dr. John"

"Hello Ria"

It was so awkward. John and I had a one-night stand, against my better judgment. He wouldn't move on but I did and for good reason. He was a douchebag.

"So, what do you have for me?" he asks smiling.

"I have a better variant of metformin. This one has little or no gastrointestinal side effects. Here, take a look.

"Sounds too good to be true"

"Well, just give it a try. You'll be glad you did.

"I hope so, Ria. So, hmm…how about that dinner?"

"I have a boyfriend now, John".

"Do you mean that or you're just trying to put me off?

"Oh please, John, don't flatter yourself.

"Okay, I see. The offer still stands though. I'll be here, waiting. You know I'd love to consider your drug.

"You're such a jerk, John. Go f**k yourself. I storm out angrily.

I head towards the ladies' room to apply some lip gloss. It's a bit dark so I put on the light and stare into the mirror to see what I'm doing. As I do this, I notice the light flickers. I ignore it and continue with what I'm doing. I feel an ominous presence but before I can shout, he puts his hand on my mouth.

"If you shout, I'll snap your neck and it's all over" he whispers in my ear.

I know him. It's one of the men from the other night. He is still dressed in black, he has a leather jacket on this time.

"Look, I don't want to hurt you. I just need you to do a favor for me, that's all. I'll even make you worth your while".

My heart is racing and I'm scared beyond words.

"What do you want from me?" I ask, almost crying.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Ria". Tomorrow, your house. 5 pm. He advances towards the door. I'm lost for words. I'm so shocked he knows my name.

The door is ajar now and he now adds:

"After tomorrow, hopefully, we won't see each other again. If I'm in a good mood, I'll tell you what happened to Alia". He closes the door.

"What do you mean …umm wait…I run towards the door in a futile attempt to catch up with him. Nothing. He's vanished. I remove my stilettos and run towards the elevator. No sign of the strange man. I sink to the ground and sit there for a while trying to process what has just happened in the last few minutes.