The Playboy's Assassin

Bad Dreams: Enrique.

I scanned the motel as Scarlett paid for our rooms. It was fairly good, modest with air conditioning in the lobby. It had looked like some kind of seedy establishment on the outside. The receptionist handed her the register and she signed her name S.R.

“I’m sorry but it’s our policy here that you sign your name before I show you to your room,” said the receptionist.

“My name’s already there. Can’t you see it?” She picked up the pen and wrote her name again.

“Those are initials. You have to write your full name and sign, please.” She was starting to look frustrated. She looked to me for help and I stifled a laugh. I was enjoying the show too much to intervene. Besides, Scarlett and I were on the outs. I had no intention of speaking to her until she apologized for pouring her disgusting coffee on me.

“Well…” She looked down at the name tag on her chest, “Carla. Tell your policy to go suck it and hand me the keys. My friend and I are currently running from people trying to kill us and writing my name on your stupid register is about as dangerous for you and me as me giving them a map to this place.”

Carla was shocked by her admission and she spluttered, not knowing what to say. Even I was shocked she said that with a straight face. I mean weren’t we trying to keep a low profile?

“Kidding. I’m just kidding.”

Nervous laughter escaped Carla and I breathed out in relief. “You had me there for a second,” she said. Then she sobered up and cleared her throat. “You still have to sign your name though.”

“I didn’t think I was going to have to tell you this considering I don’t know you and all that but I don’t have a name. I don’t know who my parents are. I practically grew up on the streets and I just picked the initials of a name I’d seen on a candy wrapper once. It’s awfully sad not having a name.” She poured a bit and looked down sadly. Wow! Just wow! This girl should be given a Grammy award for best actress.

“Oh! I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have made you tell me that. It’s just policies and all.” She turned and handed her a key. “Once again, I’m so sorry.” Now Carla was the one apologizing. Wonderful.

Then she stared at me. “Is that gentleman there also going with you?” She eyed me then looked back at the key in Scarlett’s hand. It was just one key. Meaning she only booked one room.

“Yes, he would. He’s kind of cuckoo in the head so I can’t leave him alone.”

She gave me a once over and grimaced. I was sure I looked quite a sight in my dirty robe, smelling of coffee and sweat. “Let's go now.” Scarlett grabbed my hand and pulled me along with her.

Once we were out of earshot, I jerked my hand away from hers. “Cuckoo? Really?”

“Well, you do look crazy in your homeless man attire.” She looked down the hall and sighed. “Would you mind going back to ask the receptionist for directions?”

“Yes. I do mind.” I dropped my shopping bags and stayed put. She gave me a nasty look then glanced at the key and up at the number on the door in front of us. “Never mind. We’re here already.”

She unlocked the door and I followed her in. The room was nothing much. It had a semi-large bed– which looked big enough for two– air conditioning and a view of the motel’s entrance. The bedding and carpet were also neat– which was a plus– I couldn’t imagine having to sleep in a room ridden with bedbugs and whatnot.

“Good. At least we can see everyone coming in,” she said as she moved the curtains aside.

“Do you mind telling me why you paid for one room instead of two?”

“Why? Earlier, you were offering to relieve me of my stress. Maybe I’m finally giving you a chance to do so.”

“Haha! Very funny. You poured coffee on me because of that statement so no, I don’t think that’s the reason.”

“Dimitri and Kira aren’t stupid. When they get here, I’d rather not be looking for you. So it’s safer for us both to be in the same room.”

“Right.” I nodded. “I get first dibs on the bathroom.” I dropped my shopping bags and headed to the bathroom.

“Whatever,” she said.

After a long, refreshing time in the shower, I came out looking like new money. Scarlett was nowhere to be found and I had the whole room to myself. I dropped the towel and spread my arm wide. The feeling would’ve been much better if I didn’t have my other arm in a half wet sling. I sighed as the cool breeze dried the water droplets on my skin. The door opened suddenly and my heart lurched, thinking they finally found us. But it was just Scarlett. Her eyes bulged for a second and she shook her head at me.

“Put some clothes on, you i***t. I don’t particularly like being assaulted in the face by your junk.” She moved to the bed and dropped the package in her hands.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy the show,” I said as I slipped on boxer briefs.

“Not in the slightest,” she said but then I caught her staring at my chest as I put on my pants. I smirked. She was into me. Just like every other woman on the planet, she couldn’t resist me. If I played my cards right, I might end up in bed with her before this was over.

“So what’d you get?”

“Some Chinese food.”

“A little help here?” I motioned towards the sling and she sighed. I expected her to help me with my shirt, but instead, she took off the sling and walked away.

“Now you can wear it yourself.”

I stared at her incredulously as she sat on the bed and drew her food closer to her, unbothered by what she had just done. I slipped on a shirt and opened my package. It was just noodles and chicken. Same with hers. I frowned. “Is there more food coming or is this all?”

“That’s all you’re getting. After everything you ate earlier, it might do you well to eat less for dinner.” She opened her food. I glared at her as she started eating. She didn’t even blink. I gave up and just ate my food. Next time, I’d be the one to get the food.

It was in the late hours of the night that I woke up to tortured screams. I opened my eyes only to see Scarlett turning in her sleep. I turned on the bedside lamp. Her eyes were squeezed tightly, her breathing was laboured and she whispered words I couldn’t understand. I moved my head closer to hers to listen.

“Please. I’m sorry. Uncle, please.”

Then she started crying and screaming. I grabbed her shoulders and shook her awake. “Open your eyes, Scarlett. It’s just a dream.” Her eyes opened and she punched me in the face. “Oh my God!” I groaned and grabbed my nose.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she screamed at me.

“What am I doing? You were crying and screaming in your sleep. I was just trying to wake you up.”

“Oh!” She touched her face and realized she had indeed been crying. She wiped off the tears. “I’m sorry.”

“I think you broke my nose.” I took my hands off my face and there was blood on it. My whole face hurt.

“I’ll check the bathroom. I think I saw a first aid box when I took my bath a while ago.” She went to the bathroom and came out a few minutes later with a first aid box. She opened it and brought out some cotton wool to wipe the blood. Then she touched the bridge and I winced. “Hold still,” she said as she grabbed my head and stuffed some cotton wool in my nose.

“It’s not broken,” she said after she was done.

I got up and went into the bathroom to wash my hands. When I came back, she was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling. “What were you dreaming about anyway?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Hmm!” I tucked my tongue in my cheek. “Kind of a bummer though. I mean you did almost break my nose. I was looking forward to a story.”

She glanced at me then. “If you want a story, why don’t you tell one yourself?”

“Ha!” I smiled. “I don’t have one to tell.”

“How about I pick one for you?” She turned and faced me fully. I rested my back against the wall. “What did you do?”

I sighed. “Again with the question? I already told you I didn’t do anything. I’m not some gangster or a serial killer. I’m just an influencer.”

“I find that hard to believe.” She looked away and went back to staring at the ceiling. “If I had killed you, I’d have killed an innocent man,” she said in a quiet voice with a sombre face.

“Hey.” She glanced at me. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re awfully sad for a crazy person. Don’t go soft on me now. I need you to go back to punching my face and dangling me out of moving cars tomorrow. I quite enjoy the thrill.” Her lips quirked up ever so slightly but she didn’t smile. I smirked. I was getting to her.

“What?”

“I’m going to get you to smile. I’ll make it my life’s mission from now on.”

She scoffed. “Good luck with that.” She fluffed her pillow and turned away. “Go back to sleep. We’re checking out of here tomorrow morning.”

The shrill sound of a phone ringing pierced the air and she jerked upright. “What is that?”

“That is my phone ringing.” I moved to the corner where I’d stashed my robe and brought it out.

“You have your phone with you? God! You really are an idiot.”

“I always keep my phone with me in case of emergencies after you attacked me.” I took out the phone from my pocket and it stopped ringing.

“Did it occur to you that there could be a tracker on your phone and Dimitri could be here any minute?” She got up, took out her gun and went to the window. She pushed the curtains aside slightly and glanced outside. “Kill the lights.”

“You’re overreacting. There’s no way anyone could put a tracker on my phone. It’s been with me the whole time.”

“Turn the lights off, Enrique!”

“Fine.” I gave up and turned off the lights. Then the phone rang again.

“Don’t pick the call,” she ordered.

“Too late. I already did.” I slid my finger across the screen and placed the phone to my ear.

“Enrique, where are you?” Diego shouted through the phone.

“Geez! Don’t be so loud. I’m perfectly fine.” I glanced at Scarlett and she glared at me. If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under right now.

“Where are you?”

“I’m–“ She hissed in warning. “I’m at a bar.”

“You’re at a bar? I came to your apartment and found dead officers outside your building, your apartment has been turned upside down and you’re at a bar? Where the f**k are you, Enrique?”

She grabbed the phone from my hand, ended the call and threw it on the bed. “Pack your stuff. We have to leave now.” She grabbed her backpack and slung it over her shoulder.

“Why? I was looking forward to going back to sleep.”

She paid me no attention and walked out of the room. I grabbed my bag and picked up my phone. “Wait for me. Damn it!”