TIT 4 TAT

Chapter 3

•Roman’s POV•

I sat in my office, reflecting on the lady I encountered today. She spurred the memories of…her. Her brown curly hair and honey eyes and that unmistakable French accent gave her away, could it be her, could it be the woman I’ve sought for years, she died in that explosion.

A light knock on the door brought back my attention, Gobert strolled in and sat across my desk.

“How’s your new tattoo? I hope my plan to make you socialize worked, did you speak at all?.” He bit into his snack.

“Who is she?” I quizzed.

“I found her at a studio, she looked friendly and like she would willing to socialize so I picked her.” He aired without grasping the question.

“I think it’s her,” I muttered distantly.

“Cosa? Come on, the girl who saved your life seven years ago can’t be the tattoo artist, she died remember, It’s been a very long time why bring her up again?” Gobert phrased ignorantly.

“I can’t shake off this feeling that it’s her, it’s been seven years.” I fondled the ring on my finger in deep thought.

“I’ll look into her, only because I want to prove you wrong”. He said as he beelined out of the office.

I sat quietly as I reminisced on that night five years ago.

It was a snowy eve and I had to pick up some goods at a port in France, I had to finalize a deal with some rogue men who I worked with, but when I arrived, a fight sprung out, I was shot and pushed into the shore but I succeeded at memorizing their faces. I regained consciousness in a hospital and caught a glimpse of a drenched girl sitting with her back to me while communicating over the phone.

“Aunt nous allons bien, and it’s just a minor argument and nothing serious, we’ll get over it, he’s not always like this but we’ll talk later, Au revoir.” She hung up the phone and faced me, I couldn’t help but admire her beauty, when she spoke her French accent slipped out, her curly hair stuck to her face as a result of how drenched it was, her wrist had a clean bandage to it and her doe eyes gazed widely at me.

“Oh, you’re up.” She got up to meet me.

“Who are you?” I asked as I gazed at her.

“I’m-.” The sound of the door interrupted her as a nurse came in to check on me.

“I’ll leave you to her.” She said as she walked away, the way her drenched clothes clung to her curves only made her more attractive. I gaped till she was out of sight, Gobert came in afterwards to inform me that she was around the shore when she heard gunfire and saw me falling into the water, Thankfully for me she jumped in and hauled me out. She exerted pressure on my wounds before paramedics arrived, those men paid dearly once I was well. She also stayed with me at the hospital till I was finally conscious, I trailed her down days later and requested for lunch, we had a great time and when it was time to take our leave I watched her go into her car and I left the venue, when I got home I stumbled on the news that there was an explosion in the vicinity i just left, the images displayed properties that were ravaged and I could swear I saw her car, I reached out to her but there was no reply, the report didn’t display any information involving who was involved in the explosion or the hospital they were taken to and that was the last time I saw her and every since then I’ve felt heavy guilt.

•Halle’s POV•

“Mandy, allez, let's go.” I called out, as I rushed to the car. I was taking Mandy to spend the week with Bonny at her mom’s. My appointment was scheduled in the evening, Mr Gobert informed me that he had to take care of a business so I had to come in the evening.

I said my goodbyes to my Mandy and Bonny before I headed to the studio to stall for Mr Gobert. He arrived ten minutes afterwards and I got blindfolded as we steered to the mansion, the ride this time was shorter than the first, we marched inside to the room I toured the last time, the mansion looked more magnificent at night as dim lights were lit across the house.

I settled to organize my tools while I waited, my phone pinged and it was a photo from Bonny, she was enjoying her break with Mandy, I snickered as I reacted with a heart to the image.

Just then the man from the last appointment dashed in, his eyes meeting mine as he glared intently for a second before hesitantly fixing on the chair and handing me an image. This time it was a necklace, a very familiar necklace, it made me develop a strange awareness about this man. While I studied the image, I could feel his eyes digging into my face, anticipating my reactions.

“Left section of my chest.” He noted as he pulled off his shirt and relaxed on the armchair, I wobbled for a while before settling to start the image. I started the drawing, the very detailed necklace that induced shivers down my spine.

“Does this necklace belong to you?” I wavered as I asked about the necklace, it just felt queerly familiar.

“It belonged to a friend of mine.” He simply stated.

“What about it?” He asked.

“I was just curious,” I said, perhaps I saw it in a commercial or magazine.

I completed the drawing and handed him a mirror for a better view, he gave a subtle nod as he stared and put on his shirt.

“I’ll drop you off.” He said making me pause from putting away my kit.

“You don’t have to sir, Mr Gobert will take me home,” I muttered feeling awkward about the situation.

“I insist.” He said as he toddled ahead of me.

We got to his car, he got in while I settled into the back seat.

“You can’t sit there.” He started glancing at me from the rear-view mirror.

“It’s okay sir, I’m fine here.” I stuttered.

“Well, you’ll need to direct me.” He said with a slight tone of sarcasm, I got down and hopped into the passenger seat.

The drive home was silent but I could feel him stealing glances at me.

We arrived at my house and I stepped down to say goodbye.

“Good night, sir.” I chirped, making him crinkle his face.

“Roman, don’t call me that.” He said, referring to ‘sir’.

“Good night…Roman.” I said, I headed inside still feeling his eyes on me.