The Dance Of Fire

Chapter 2.

As soon as they stepped inside the car, Einar switched on the heating. But she was still shivering while they were exiting the parking lot.

-What is your name?-he asked her. She didn’t look at him, thinking about what to say.

-Are we using our real names?-she wanted to make sure. There was a hint of a smile on his face.

-Only if you want to. I'm Einar.-he offered. Nahara didn’t say anything. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to know anything about him. He called someone using the phone in his car. Nahara didn’t understand the language they were using. After a 15-minute drive, they stopped in front of the large glass building. It was an actual skyscraper. It must have had more than 80 floors. It was an actual corporation. She was right. He was a freaking CEO of something. He led them to the underground parking garage and stopped the car. Nahara stepped out of the car, following him to the private elevator. They had not seen another soul their entire way to his office. Each of them didn’t say a word or tried to continue their conversation. It was late in the evening. She told herself. Nobody is supposed to be here anywhere. When the elevator opened, they entered another dark lobby with empty reception. Behind was a wide black door that led to his office. A corner office. More than a corner office. His office must have taken most of this floor. Einar stepped inside with a bored expression on his face. On the right side was the huge writing desk just in front of a glass wall. On the left side were a couple of comfortable sofas and armchairs with a low table. Everything was done in glass and brown leather. The true office of a hard-working CEO. Nahara carefully stood at the door, making sure she could always run if he tried to do anything. Einar looked behind his shoulder. There was a shopping bag on his desk.

-I have told my assistant to buy you some clothes. I think a small size would suit you. There is a bathroom just next to the sofa. You can take a shower and change. I will order you some tea. Are you hungry?-his voice was calm. He was taking control of the situation. Nahara looked at him better under the light of the office. His face was cold. His eyes gave nothing away anymore. He wasn’t cold. From the time they left the bay, he didn’t seem to feel cold at all. His hair was long and light brown. Braided in a way she has never seen before. Something told her that he wasn’t just an ordinary person. He wasn’t just a desperate CEO.

-Thank you.-she said, taking the bag from his hands. Careful not to touch him. He nodded his head without saying another word. Watching her as she was going to the bathroom. She was tall, as he remembered. Her hair was a little shorter than before. But those eyes. Those dark orbs were the same. Even her voice had the same melodic sound. When she came close to taking the bag from him, he almost wanted to stop her. Pull her closer. But he stopped himself. When she left, he took a change of clothes from his desk. He will take a shower later. His assistant came in with a tray of tea and sandwiches. Not saying a word. He just dropped the food on the low table and closed the door behind him. Nahara came out ten minutes later. Dressed in plain jeans and a white sweater. He put her wet clothes in the same shopping bag. Her long hair was still wet from her quick shower. She was feeling better. Warmer.

-If you don’t mind. I'm grateful for your help. But I'm sure both of us just want this night to end. If you could call me a taxi I would be on my way.-her voice was still weak. He was standing in front of his desk just looking at her. They both knew what he had tried to do. Nahara felt that he didn’t want to talk about it. She wanted to leave him. He wasn’t her responsibility.

-My driver will take you.-he said coldly. She noticed the change in his voice. Bowing her head and trying to keep calm. The next time she looked at him, dark eyes were shining.

-I know I have no right to tell you anything. It is not my place and I don’t know what could be happening in your life at this time…-she still tried.

-Save me the speech!-he ordered. There was something in his voice that made her feel sad. A part of her felt that if she didn’t do something he would go back to that bridge. He will try again. He turned his back pretending to examine something on the desk. In reality, he had wanted to ask her to stay. To beg her not to leave him so soon. He was still convinced that she was a dream. She could not have been real. Nahara forced herself to come closer to him. Carefully, she placed a hand on his shoulder.

-I know what pain is Einar.-she spoke his name. -It can make us think all kinds of dark thoughts. It can break us better than anything else. If there is anything I can do for you to stop thinking about ending your life.-her voice was almost gentle. He didn’t turn. He didn’t look at her.

-Why would you care?-he wanted to know. Nahara pulled her hand away. It hurt to talk about it. But she could tell him little. Just a little more.

-I know the feeling when everything is taken away from you and you are left standing with nothing. I know it. I have felt it. Dreamt of it. I have survived it. And that is the biggest problem. Because we have survived. And those that we loved have not. I understand what is going through your head and what kind of feelings are forcing you to give up on yourself. You are not alone in that. Tonight, maybe you have lost that battle for a moment. But you are strong now. You will not do the same. You will stay to be a survivor.-there was courage in those words. He had believed her. Slowly he turned around. Looked into those dark pools of light. His heart was beating with new strength. She was in front of him. Alive.

-If you know all that, then you will not leave me like this. I just asked to stay until morning. Stay until I can think for myself. Stay with me for just a couple of more hours. You don’t have to say anything. You don't have to say a word. I just don’t want to be alone.-he asked. And it was difficult for him to ask this. He was a man that had never asked for anything before. Nahara silently looked at him. He was telling her the truth. If she left now, it would be as if she had done nothing. As if she never tried to stop him. It was a simple request. Just a couple of more hours. Until morning. Then she can go. He was aware of her thoughts. Dark eyes had nothing to hide in front of him.

-Let us have some tea then.-she moved to one of the sofas. Carefully sitting down, she poured herself a cup. Enjoying the warmth in her hand. Einar followed her and sat in one of the armchairs. They just sat there drinking tea. Stealing occasional glances at each other.

-Is this what you do?-she asked, moving her hand across the office. Einar looked at her. She was more skinny than before. Tired. But so young.

-My company has many different businesses. It's an investment firm. I found it a long time ago.-he didn’t go into details. Nahara gave him a polite smile.

-I must have read about you in the papers. I'm sorry if I don’t recognize you. You must be an important person.-she was saying all the expected things.

-What do you do?-he asked suddenly. She wasn’t sure how much she should tell him about herself, but even if she didn’t say anything, he could read about her life online. Nothing could be hidden anymore. She put the cup down, making herself more comfortable on the sofa. She was still feeling cold but it was better.

-I was a dancer before. But now I only teach others how to dance.-that was a modest answer. There was a frown on his face. She seemed much younger than she was.

-What type of dance?-he was interested. She stood by his gaze.

-I started with ballet when I was little. With time, I moved to contemporary dance. But after a couple of injuries, I had to stop competing and performing. So now I enjoy teaching others.-her voice seemed full of sorrow. Einar nodded his head. With each word she gave him he was more sure it was her. It was Nahara.

-Are you going to tell me your name?-he asked her again. This time her eyes didn’t show anything.

-My name is Nahara. It is an old family name. It means…-Emerald eyes came to life.

-It means light.-he finished her sentence. She looked at him confused. -I have a passion for different languages. Especially old names.-he explained himself.

-Really? So what does Einar mean?-she was curious. Now he was the one to give her a polite smile.

-Lonely warrior.-he whispered. And it suits him so well. Nahara nodded her head, feeling more tired than before. Her eyes became so heavy. There was finally more warmth in the room. She leaned her head on the armrest, aware of his eyes observing her at any moment. He had stood up and picked up a small blanket from behind the sofa. Carefully, he wrapped it around her body. Letting her have some rest. Just enjoyed being in the same room with her. Feeling as if the incident on the bridge never happened.