Episode 2 Colliding With The Fraudster
1088 Words
Kristen was officially on leave. After the success of the Thorne case, she had requested a week to rejuvenate— she needed to breathe before the next storm hit her desk.
Wednesday, 8:30 AM, she woke up to the intense California sun peeking through her windows. After a hasty breakfast of leftover bacon and eggs, she inspected her untidy apartment and started with all round chores. She played a few songs in the background and danced with her man—which was a sweeping brush. You have no man in your life so drop that brush, her conscience pricked.
By noon, she sunk into the plush velvet of her sofa, and treated herself to an action film. She was just about to doze off when her phone buzzed. It was Ashley, the one friend who was dear to her like the sibling she never had. She had met Ashley a year after leaving the state’s care.
She swiped through her phone’s screen, smiling. “Hey gir…”
“Kristen, you have to come to The Velvet Table. Now. It’s… it’s important,” Ashley’s voice trembled.
Panic surged through Kristen. She didn’t hesitate. She ran into her room and pulled her dark brown hair into a sleek back ponytail. In haste, she prepped her caramel skin, swiped on a layer of glossy lipstick, and slipped into a brown, armless ankle-length gown paired with cream slippers. She looked elegant. For a second, she admired the reflection in the vanity mirror until her conscience pricked her.
You’re not going on a date, Kris.
“I know,” she scolded, grabbing her keys and heading to Downtown LA.
***
The Velvet Table was a highly frequented restaurant for the city’s elite. It’s glamorous chandeliers hung over the high, arched ceilings; casting a soft golden glow on the round tables with crisp white linen. The air was thick with the sophisticated aroma of freshly brewed coffee, mingled with the delicate, earthy scent of winter truffles from the kitchen.
Kristen was in awe when she recalled the exact reason she was there—Ashley!!!
She found Ashley sitting at a corner table, staring blankly at the menu on the table.
“Ashley?” Kristen patted her shoulder.
The moment their eyes met, Ashley broke into loud, uncontrollable sobs, making the entire restaurant stare in their direction.
“Ashley, what’s the matter? Is… someone hurt??” Kristen asked in a shaky voice, her FBI instincts dialing to ten.
“Yes, I’m hurt Kristen,” Ashley responded vaguely.
“Please make me understand,” Kristen begged, almost screaming.
“My… my boyfriend…,” she paused.
“Oh no! What happened to him?” Kristen asked in a cracked voice.
“My boyfriend… he broke up with me!” Ashley wailed.
Kristen froze. Is she serious right now? She forced a pitiable expression. “Oh my goodness, Ashley. I’m so… sorry.”
“Thank you sis!” Ashley said, hugging her. “And… thank you for coming,” she sniffed.
Kristen, still in shock like she just got her heart broken, sat down deflated, recalling the whole episode—from hurrying out of her house, heading to this place, and sweating as a result of what she had thought was traumatic.
“I thought it was something important,” she muttered under her breath.
“What?”
“Did I say something?” Kristen asked pretentiously.
“Yes,” Ashley gives her a long stare.
“Oh. Well, it was nothing,” she lied, feeling the irritation prickle under her skin. “But seriously, you brought me all the way here for this? You couldn’t say it over the phone?”
“No!” Ashley replied stubbornly.
“Why?” Kristen asked.
“You look good by the way,” Ashley switched topics, then winked at her.
Kristen gave a long, flat look before finally uttering a “thank you.”
They were about ordering something to eat, when it hit Kristen that they couldn’t afford anything on the menu.
“Ashley, we can’t afford this place. Your credit card is going to scream.”
“I don’t care, sis. Right now, I’m heartbroken. Let the bank deal with it tomorrow,” Ashley replied nonchalantly.
“One of those bad habits of yours,” Kristen smirked.
Ashley glanced at her in disbelief. “You’ll pay for yours, then.”
“Oh my days… Ashley? Please!” Kristen pleaded, doing the puppy eye thing.
“Fine!” Ashley agreed. “But on one condition.”
“What is that?” Kristen asked.
“You’ll have a snack, while I have—”
“Real food! Got it,” Kristen cut in.
Kristen ordered Porcini ice cream sandwich with crackers, while Ashley went for the Perilla noodles topped with fresh winter truffles, and cranberry juice. They talked about men, the case, and men again. When the pressure in her head became too much, Kristen excused herself for the restroom.
She turned too quickly and slammed into a wall of solid muscle.
Her breath hitched as she looked up. Standing before her was a man who looked like he had been sculpted from marble; dark, smooth hair, captivating brown eyes, and a beard neatly trimmed with lethal precision. He was the definition of Prince Charming.
I bet his pockets are even finer, her subconscious whispered.
“Hello? Hello?” the man greeted, his voice, a calm, rich baritone.
“So-rry,” Kristen stammered.
“It’s fine,” he answered. “I’m A—“
Kristen didn’t wait for the name. She brushed past him, without knowing why. Behind her, Alex Hunter stared at her retreating back in utter confusion before turning toward the counter.
***
In the restroom, Kristen gripped the edge of the sink, brushing her hair with excessive force.
Why did you walk away? her mind hissed.
“I don’t know,” she answered nonchalantly. “He’s a stranger. I apologized. That’s enough!” she retorted to her reflection in the mirror.
She walked out of the toilet and caught Ashley ordering more food. She wanted to join her and continue their conversation but she knew she couldn’t.
“The man that smelled like wealth just ruined my day,” she said as if someone would hear her.
She waited for her friend to notice her, but she didn’t. She waved her a quick goodbye and headed for the exit, unaware that she had just collided with the very fraudster who was soon going to dismantle her life.
- Writer
