#Hotel Mare | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

booboodaddysblog · 9 months ago

Text

Illusory hope

Part two

Warning: hospital, crying, blood, kissing, arguing, punishment, cursing, teasing

Words: 7155

Suffering, betrayal, crying... and many other unpleasant moments in life make us feel vulnerable and pushed away from everything we cared about. We lose motivation and give up…

Every now and then Colin would lose consciousness and regain it again. Roberta would not let him close his eyes. He was losing a lot of blood. He was losing feeling all over his body and felt strangely light-headed. His eyes were closing uncontrollably.

- Colin! - Roberta slapped his cheek with an open palm - I told you not to leave me the hell alone! Don't close your fucking eyes! Look at me! - she cried all the time, she was unable to control her tears - the ambulance is on its way, everything will be fine - she whispered - don't leave me - she closed her eyes and squeezed his hand tightly.

He was unable to speak, only seeing her as if through a fog. It no longer occurred to him what was happening. He didn't feel her punch him in the face, didn't hear her shout at him. He didn't even feel when she clenched his hand tightly. With all his strength, he tried to fight not to close his eyes. But he was already losing control on that too.

Suddenly, paramedics rushed into the room, followed by Lizzie.

- Oh God! Finally! Faster! I don't want to lose him! - Roberta moved away from Colin, but for anything she did not want to let go of his hand, which was slowly getting cold.

The paramedic approached her and tried to pull her away from him.

- Please let go of the injured man and let us help if you want to see him again! - he shouted at her, and she looked at him terrified and quickly moved away.

Lizzie caught her in her arms and hugged her tightly, stroking her hair.

- Everything will be fine, believe it - she kissed her on the forehead.

Roberta was unable to answer anything. She was flooded with tears and would have fallen to her knees, but Lizzie hugging her tightly.

- Everything will be fine - she kept repeating it, trying to comfort her friend.

Paramedics surrounded Colin. They hooked him up to an IV and clamped a bandage tightly on his injured arm to dam the blood. They lifted him from the bed and placed him on a stretcher.

- Oh no! Where are you taking him! Don't take him away from me! - she tried to break out of Lizzie's grasp, but she did not let her.

- Calm down, they are taking him to the hospital! They want to save him! Let them do it!

- I will never see him again! - she wept loudly again.

- You will see him - she said this time calmly.

Colin was carried out of the room on a stretcher. His body was inert. He was no longer moving. He had lost consciousness completely. A healthy arm dangled from the stretcher.

Roberta ran out into the hallway after them, intending to walk Colin to the hotel exit. She was already a little calmer. She watched as they carried him to the elevator and the elevator doors closed behind them. She quickly ran to the next elevator across the hall and nervously pressed the call button.

- Faster! - she nervously pressed the button - oh finally! - she ran into the elevator and descended to the reception level of the hotel.

The paramedics were almost at the door. She wanted to leave with them when suddenly she felt a strong tug on her arm.

- And where do you think you're going? - James tightly clasped his hand on her arm. He smiled devilishly.

- Let me go! - she tried to pull her arm out of his grasp - let me go!

- I don’t suppose I will - James laughed and took a drag on the cigarette held in his other hand. He blew the smoke straight into her face.

- Let me go! Let me go! - she yelled at him.

- I don't understand why you waste so much energy, my sweet flower. It's without purpose. You will get tired and be useless tonight. I will frankly admit that it excites me extremely to see your inert body when you are sleeping. But nevertheless, I prefer you to be aware of what I am doing to you - he laughed again and leaned toward her ear - I like it when you make alluring sounds - he whispered.

Roberta stopped struggling and looked at James with furious eyes. She swung and hit him in the face with all her strength with her fist. His head snapped back, and his perfectly coiffed hair was now in disarray and fell over his forehead. James grabbed his cheek massaging it and looking with shocked eyes at his beloved. He felt blood in his mouth.

- Don't be ridiculous, you are dead! You don't feel anything! - she wanted to hit him again, but restrained herself - I would kill you again if I could! But I can't! - shouted to the whole hall - You take away everything I love, everything I like, everything that gives me pleasure. Spending time with you stops pleasing me. You are mentally unbalanced! You are abnormal! I hate you! - she cried again.

James brushed his hair away from his forehead and tried to comb it with his fingers to get it back in place, but to no avail. He sighed and extended his hand to his beloved. She moved away.

- Dearest, you are talking foolishness. You don't mean it. I know this, I already know you a little. I know that you will soon calm down and you will be my sweet angel again - he tried to touch her again - My hobby has nothing to do with you. But this insignificant detective stood in my way at the wrong time and place. He demanded something he can't get. He tried to achieve this with a lie. I wanted to teach him a lesson.

- A lesson?! A lesson?! You almost killed him! I have no idea if he will survive it! - she shouted again - you think only of yourself!

- But, no, sweetest! I think about you all the time! I want all the best for you! You are the most important thing for me!

- You are so selfish! - she shook her head with displeasure.

Roberta moved toward the hotel exit.

- No, you can't leave this hotel! I don't allow it! I don't agree! You are not allowed! You won't! - James shouted at her waving his hands.

- I'm not afraid of you! I don't want to be here! Fuck you, James! - she disappeared behind the door.

James watched in shock as his love disappeared out the door.

- I don't believe it - he whispered, dropping to his knees and hiding his face in his hands.

- I told you that she won’t be with you forever. I think you slightly went too far. I know you probably wanted to protect her... Well... it didn't work out. You can't kill people she likes or loves only to have her return to you out of loneliness and despair - Lizzie stood behind him - you won't achieve anything with this behavior. I think you will only make your situation worse.

James got up from the floor, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked angrily at Lizzie.

- What right do you have to talk to me like that? - he said with anger in his eyes.

- When next time you come to me to complain about your problems… don't count on it… - she turned and walked away toward the reception desk.

——————-

Roberta caught a cab in front of the hotel, she did not have to wait long.

- Where should I take you? - asked the cab driver as soon as she got into the back seat.

- The police station.

The cab driver took off. He didn't speak again the whole way. Not until they reached the place.

- We are on the spot. $60 is due.

- Thank you. Please send the bill to the address of the Hotel Cortez - she got out and moved toward the entrance of the building.

She tried to fix her smudged makeup with a tissue she found in her pocket, but she knew that without water she could do nothing about it. She went inside and approached the reception desk.

- Good evening. Where is the bathroom? - she asked the receptionist.

- Good evening. Oh, what happened to you?!

- I just have smeared makeup. I was crying. I'm fine. Please, tell me where the bathroom is. And then please let Mare know that I want to talk to her. This is very important. Then where is this bathroom? - she smiled coolly at the receptionist.

- Straight ahead and to the left. The second door on the right.

- Thank you - she moved in the designated direction.

She entered the bathroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

- I look terrible - she whispered and grabbed some paper towels. She wet them and began to wash her face. Only now did she notice that her clothes were stained with blood... Colin's blood - she felt herself to cry again, but held back her tears and sighed loudly. She threw away the used towels and washed her hands. She left the bathroom and walked up to the reception desk again.

- Mare is at her office? - she smiled.

- Yes. I informed her of your arrival.

- Thank you.

Roberta moved towards Mare's office. She stopped in front of the door and knocked.

- Come in - replied Mare and got up from the desk to greet Roberta - What brings you to me? - she looked her over from top to bottom - oh, why are you in blood?

- It's not my blood - she said with a sad voice.

- In that case, whose?

- It's Colin's blood... that's why I'm here.

Mare's eyes grew big with horror. She was unable to say anything. She sat down heavily on a chair and stared at Roberta.

- What... what happened? Where? When? - she said in a whisper.

- At the hotel. He was shot in the shoulder. About an hour ago - Roberta barely stopped herself from crying.

- Oh God - she whispered - is he alive?

- They took him to the hospital. He lost a lot of blood. I hope he survives it.

- We have to go to him.

- They won't let me in. You know very well how it works "only the immediate family" - sighed Roberta.

- Police can always come in. So you can join me - she looked at Roberta again - you need to change clothes. Wait, I'll find you something right away. I always have something here to change into - Mare looked in the closet and pulled out pants and a hoodie - it should be okay.

- Thank you - she smiled at her.

While Roberta was getting dressed, Mare prepared the documents she would need to enter the hospital.

- I'm ready.

- Okay, let's go, there's nothing to wait for - Mare put on her jacket and left the office. Roberta followed her in silence.

- I won't be back today. Good night Cindy - she said to the receptionist.

- Good night Mare.

They left the police station and headed toward Mare's car.

- When we are there, don't say anything. I'll take care of everything. I can see that you are not feeling well. I hope everything will be fine - Mare stroked Roberta's thigh - Colin is a great guy. A little annoying, but very stubborn. When he decides to do something... he will not let go. And here we have the consequences. Sometimes you really feel like giving him a decent kick in the ass to make him understand - she sighed - okay, everything will work out somehow.

Roberta only smiled at her and remained silent. All the time her throat was clenched, she was felt herself to cry. She swallowed her tears trying to show that she was strong. But she was in a lot of pain... she knew that Colin was suffering even more now because of her. It was her fault. She was the one who let herself get too close to him. And he caught the hook and this pulled him down. She closed her eyes and tried to breathe evenly to feel better. It didn't help much.

Finally, they were already at the hospital.

- Okay, like I said. Don't speak when we're inside. I'll take care of everything - Mare got out of the car.

Roberta followed her in silence. There was nothing else left for her.

They approached the hospital reception desk. Mare immediately pulled out her badge.

- Detective Mare Sheehan. You recently received Detective Colin Zabel with a gunshot wound. Where can I find him?

- Please wait a moment - the nurse began to review the documents - Yes, we have such a patient. At the moment he is in the operating room.

- In the operating room? - whispered Roberta. She felt herself getting faint.

- I see - replied Mare, looking at Roberta instead of the nurse - how much longer can it take?

- The operation started after 10 p.m. It's now about 11 p.m. I think they should finish soon and the patient will be transported to the recovery room.

- Do you have any information on what exactly they are doing to him?

- Unfortunately. Please talk to the doctor after the operation.

- Thank you. We'll wait - Mare smiled at the nurse - come on, you need to sit down - she grabbed Roberta's arm and led her toward the chairs in the waiting room - sit down, I'll get us something to drink.

Roberta nodded her head. Tears came into her eyes. She was no longer able to control them.

Mare returned with two mugs of coffee, a bottle of water and a chocolate bar.

- Drink it - she handed Roberta a coffee and a candy bar - and eat this, I don't feel like visiting you in the hospital too. Cheer up.

- It's not that easy - she said quietly and took a sip of coffee - thank you.

- I know it's not easy. For me too, but honestly... I'm already a little used to it. There is something going on all the time, someone gets shot or injured in various circumstances.

They were interrupted by a nurse.

- Mr. Colin Zabel has been taken to the recovery room. Of course, he is unconscious. But you ladies can take a look at him. Room number 4. I will tell the doctor that you want to talk to him.

- Thank you - Mare stood up - come on - she helped Roberta stand up.

- Do you know where we should go?

- Yes, I know this hospital very well - she sighed.

They walked down the main hallway and turned left. They passed the rooms one by one until they reached number 4. They looked through the window and saw Colin. He was lying unconscious on the bed.

- Are you sure you want to go in? - Mare spoke up.

- Yes, she answered quietly.

Mare opened the door and let Roberta in first. She walked slowly up to Colin and looked at him. He was sleeping so peacefully. His breathing was even and calm. He was not hooked up to any breathing assistance. This meant that he wasn't so bad. He only had a hydration IV. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it lightly. His hand was warm and soft, but he did not reciprocate the squeeze.

- Everything will be fine. He's a strong guy - Mare spoke up suddenly pulling her out of her thoughts.

- He looks so calm.

- Honestly, it's even better, sometimes it would be better for him to keep quiet. He is terribly annoying - she laughed.

Roberta only looked at her with a slight smile.

After talking to the doctor, they let go of the hospital with the thought that Colin was fine. That he would be fine... One thing was certain, he needed many months of rehabilitation and support.

Colin was a strong guy and stubborn, but his mental health was not at its best. Roberta hoped that she would be able to lift him up. That she would help him recover faster both physically and mentally.

Mare drove her to the hotel.

- Thank you for allowing me to go in there with you and visit Colin - she smiled weakly at Mare.

- No problem. If you want to go to him again, let me know - Mare patted her on the shoulder - and now run away. I have to go home.

- Thanks again - she got out of the car and closed the door behind her.

She moved toward the front door of the hotel. She did not want to go back there. At the very thought, she was overwhelmed with anger, and at the same time she wanted to cry.

She pushed the door with all her strength and went inside. She immediately headed for the elevators and went to the floor where the bar was located. She didn't mind that she didn't look very feminine in the clothes she borrowed from Mare. Most importantly, she was not stained with blood.

She sat down at the bar and looked at Lizzie. She didn't say anything, just waited until she realized she had sat at the bar.

- Oh! Roberta! - Lizzie suddenly noticed her and quickly approached - oh girl, what is this outfit? - she furrowed her eyebrows while looking at the hoodie that Roberta was wearing.

- It doesn't matter - she sighed - pass me my drink, please.

- Alright - she set about preparing the drink.

Roberta, meanwhile, looked around the bar and the guests who were sitting at the tables. Suddenly she noticed someone familiar. She squinted her eyes in disbelief at what she was seeing. She herself didn't know if she should be angry or merely displeased.

At a table against the wall sat... James. His back was turned to her. His pose was relaxed. He was smoking a cigar and every time he let the smoke out of his mouth, he tilted his head back. He was savoring it.

He was not alone. Next to him sat some brunette. Roberta could see her face in detail. She stared at James as if enchanted. She nodded at everything he said. She was delighted with him. She was smiling like she was in love.

- Do you have this drink? - she turned to Lizzie.

- Yes, I just finished it - she placed her order on the bar.

- Thank you - she smiled.

She got up from the bar stool and moved toward the man who declared his love for her. Who could kill for her out of love.

She approached and sat down at their table as if nothing had happened.

- Am I not interrupting? - she smiled artificially - I see that this place is free. I found that I will sit here. If I may, of course.

James looked at her in silence and took a drag on his cigar. He let out the smoke just as he had the previous time. He measured her with his eyes from the top - he looked under the table - to the bottom. He raised his eyebrows and curved his lips in disappointment. He sighed.

- Didn't you have any other clothes? - he asked without changing his disgruntled expression - this is not the right outfit to be in such a luxurious place - he did not take his eyes off her waiting for an answer.

- My previous clothes were stained with blood by someone. I think what I am wearing now is more appropriate to be in such a luxurious place - she looked at him angrily.

- Really? - he laughed quietly and took another drag on his cigar.

- Who is it? - she asked James looking at his companion.

- Carmen.

- Carmen... Carmen did you bump your head against the curb and can't you see how disgusting this man is? - she turned to her with a devilish smile.

- Roberta! What are you doing?! How dare you?! - James leaned toward her, looking at her with a menacing gaze.

- Calm down, James - Carmen touched his hand - I think it's rather you... - she measured her, with disgust, with her eyes - it's you who has a problem with your head, because you come here dressed like this. What a shame!

- Excuse me?! Who the hell are you?! - Roberta felt like slapping her.

- Calm down! - spoke up James - Roberta, please go to your room. We'll talk at another time. Now I have to do my business. And you... and you are disturbing me - he looked at her with an angry gaze.

- Fine! - Roberta got up and walked to the bar.

She put down her drink on the bar top and headed for the elevators.

Lizzie knew what was going on, but she didn't want to get into it. Roberta had to be left alone now. Any conversation made absolutely no sense now.

Roberta entered the room where she and Colin had been earlier. In which... she didn't even want to think about it. She slammed the door behind her with a bang. She looked towards the bed. Everything was perfectly cleaned. Mrs. Evers had done her job and, as always, cleaned up the mess after James.

She walked over to the bed and pushed back the quilt. She grabbed a pillow and threw it into the corner of the room. She grabbed the sheet and pushed it away as well. Then the blanket, until she reached the mattress. There she found pale traces of Colin's blood. Everything was still damp. Mrs. Evers didn't quite manage to clean everything.

In despair, she fell to her knees beside the bed and cried. She was a bundle of nerves that she could no longer control.

- You screwed up, James! You screwed up! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you so much! You motherfucker!

She screamed and cried at the same time. She cursed him. She was helpless. She slammed her fists on the mattress in despair.

James sat in an armchair in the dark. On the table next to him stood a glass of whiskey. In his hand he held a cigar. He watched the scene with a smile, but at the same time he was filled with pure hatred and anger. He said nothing, only looked. He wasn’t the least bit moved by what Roberta called him. He was completely indifferent to it at the moment. He only sighed quietly. Thus giving her a sign that he was here.

Roberta turned her head toward the sound she heard. It was coming from a darker part of the room. She got up and walked over to the door where the light switch was. She turned on the light and heard a groan. She saw James cover his eyes with his hand.

- Oh you are acting like a vampire, which of course you are not! You are pathetic! - she shouted at him.

He still said nothing. He uncovered his eyes and looked at her. He waited to see what else she had to say.

- Why are you silent?! Why did you shoot him! You almost killed him! Have you lost your mind?!

Roberta came closer and looked at him. She was so furious.

- Because you belong to me! The second that bastard set foot in this hotel, he soiled it with his person! He tainted this place! - clenched his fist - that bastard didn't deserve you! You can't just run away and sleep with anyone, no! Especially with a loser like that God-forsaken detective. It should be me! Me! I should be the only man in your life!

- Why the hell did you shoot him! - she didn't give up.

- I just did it, stupid woman! - he yelled at her. His veins on his neck became prominent - Once again I repeat! You belong to me! And only to me! You can't be with anyone but me! And he, didn’t respect our relationship! He didn’t respect what I said to him! So of course I followed you into the room and watched your actions with satisfaction! He's lucky I didn't kill him!

- You betrayed me many times and… I’m still here! I don’t know why I’m doing this to myself! You’re a monster! - she raised her hand wanting to slap him.

James grabbed her wrist before she could slap him. He held her tight.

- Oh, I'm a monster? Am I?

He rose from his seat and looked down at her. She could see pure, unbridled anger on his face. He was no longer the same charming man he had been before.

- Then what's stopping you from leaving? Hm?

- Because you once said that when I leave you, you will kill me! And I will stay with you forever - she whispered, without looking at him.

- Good girl! - he muttered, letting go of her hand and stepping back - That's why you're still here! You are mine! - he chuckled - And anyway, who said I can't shoot Colin? - he smiled again. He returned to his chair, sat down and lit a cigar.

- Please, don't kill him. He is really important to me. I love him, but… I love you more. He is my comfort person. I can rest with him. Please! - Roberta fell to her knees begging him - He is now in the hospital, in a coma. Please spare him! I will ask him not to go to the hotel again. You will never see him again! - she touched his knee.

James paused for a moment. He seemed to have taken the request into consideration. He inhaled his cigar, blowing smoke out of his nose before speaking.

- Very fine. I won't kill him... for now. But only because you ask - he looked at her, smiling. But this smile wasn’t sincere. It was forced - But I have one request for you...

- Yes, James? I’ll do anything you ask - Roberta squeezed his knee.

- Stop seeing him. Stop seeing anyone but me - he leaned slightly toward her, his voice became low, he spoke slowly - just tell him you want to stop seeing him. Tell him you don't love him anymore. Tell him that you need me and that I am your love, your everything, and he is nothing. Will you do it for me?

- Oh my god, James… but…

He raises his hand to stop her.

- No buts. Am I not your only love? Are you going to tell him or not? I need to hear you say it.

Roberta got up from the floor and started walking around the room. She held her head in confusion. Her thoughts were running wild.

- James... - she began to cry - James... please... this...

- Say it.

The way he said those words was as blunt as possible. He didn't try to comfort her, her reaction didn't concern him very much. She could cry as much as she wanted. He only wanted to hear confirmation of his request.

- Are you going to tell him that, Roberta? Will you tell him it's over? Yes or no?

She stopped and looked at him with weeping eyes.

- I love you, James. Please… - she whispered.

- I know you love me - James rolled his eyes - but that was not the question I just asked you. Are you going to say those words to him? Are you going to tell him that you no longer love him and that he means nothing to you. That from now on only I matter to you? - He raised his eyebrow and squinted his eyes.

Roberta swallowed her saliva loudly. She stared at James and was silent for a moment.

- Fine... I'll do it... but I don't know when he'll wake up from the coma. I could visit him for the last time in the hospital? One last time…

She reached for a tissue lying on the table and wiped her tears with it.

James watched her carefully while taking a drag on his cigar.

- Well, I reluctantly agree to it, but you can visit him one last time. And then you have to tell him. Do you understand? You have to tell him that you don't love him anymore. Do I make myself clear? - he said the last sentence louder than he intended.

- Yes… James… - she whispered.

- Good girl... - he smiled and got up from his chair slowly approaching her - just promise me one more thing...

Roberta watched him waiting for what he had to say. She stepped back slightly when he approached her.

- Make it… real, my dearest. Tell him I'm your whole world. Tell him that you are in love to the point of madness. Tell him... that you regret meeting him and sleeping with him. Let it hurt him... a lot... - he leaned over and whispered in her ear - let him also regret having met you... let him regret every minute he spent with you... - he lightly bit her earlobe and purred.

- But why? I can't be that mean! It's already too much! - she shook her head with displeasure - I'll just say... that I can't live without you, and that you are the most important to me. And I will apologize to him for hurting him... but... I hope he will find love... but... it won't be me… - she sat on the bed and closed her eyes.

- No, this is not enough! Colin must be hurt! I want him to be scarred mentally and physically! I want him to know the consequences of crossing the threshold of my hotel and appropriating what belongs to me! I want him to suffer! Do it differently from what I tell you to do, and you'll know those consequences too! - his voice became louder. He began to lose patience - say everything as I told you to! Word for word! Hurt him as much as you can! Do you understand?! Confirm it!

- James… please… I can’t…

- Say it!

He clenched his teeth and fists. He didn't care if she cried now, he didn't care if she begged him. All he cared about now was hearing those words coming out of her mouth.

- I promise to tell him everything... word for word... - she didn’t look at him. This was the only way she had the courage to say the words.

James stared at her in silence for a moment. He watched her cry. He watched the tears run down her blushing cheeks. He almost felt remorse for what he forced her to do... However, he quickly shook off the feeling. He felt no empathy or sympathy. He only felt a cold when he looked at her.

- You better do what you promised... - he leaned over her and lifted her chin forcing her to look at him.

- I promise… - she looked into his eyes with horror.

He leaned in even further, grabbed her by the neck and kissed her greedily on the lips. He bit her until she bled. She tried to pull away from him.

He licked his lips and smiled devilishly.

- I love the taste - he moved away from her.

He walked over to the table by the chair and drank the whiskey to the end.

Roberta touched her lips and looked at her bloody fingers. He had bitten her really hard.

He puts down empty glass and walks to the door. He stopped in front of them. For a moment he was about to return to her. He felt excitement rising in him as soon as he tasted her blood on his tongue. But he held back, clenching his fist and tightly clenching his eyelids. He sighed loudly. Without turning around, he said.

- When he wakes up, you will tell him. Don't let me down, my darling - he opened the door and walked out leaving her alone in the room.

She cried even more. She couldn't breathe. She struggled to catch air. She lay down on the bed and curled up her legs. She fell asleep very quickly. She was exhausted.

After a few hours, she suddenly woke up from a nap. She stared at the ceiling. She sat up on the bed and took a deep breath. She still had tears in her eyes.

She didn’t hear any sounds, which could mean that she was completely alone. However, James' presence was still felt everywhere. His voice still echoed in her mind. She touched her lips and hissed in pain. She closed her eyes again, dreaming of falling asleep again.

She got out of bed and wrapped herself in a blanket. She went to the bathroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her mascara was smeared from crying. She looked really tired and sad.

She washed her face and left the room. She headed for the hotel's kitchen, she was hungry. Although it was long after midnight, she didn't mind.

She walked down the empty hallway, hearing no one else around, it was really quiet. She took the elevator down to the right floor and entered the kitchen. She turned on the light and looked around. Everything looked a little suspicious, as if someone had just been here. But the kitchen was empty. But it seemed to her that she felt someone's presence and that this someone was watching her.

She shrugged her shoulders and walked over to the refrigerator. She looked at its contents. She selected eggs, arugula and red peppers. She took a frying pan out of the cabinet and put it on the burner. She grabbed a cutting board and a knife and began slicing the peppers.

She stopped cutting and looked around again. The silence was almost intimidating. It was quiet... too quiet. It made her feel uncomfortable. Maybe she was being watched. Or maybe she was being... being followed? It was too quiet... too... She heard a quiet thump. She clenched her fingers tighter on the handle of the knife.

She had the feeling that someone was right behind her, panting in her neck. She quickly turned around, but saw no one. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a soft shadow, but she didn't see anything there as she stared longer at the spot. She felt her heart speed up. She was probably starting to become paranoid. It must have just been paranoia... There was no one there. It was just her imagination...

- It's just my imagination - she said to herself and sighed. She returned to slicing the peppers.

However, she found it hard to bear the quietness of the kitchen. Too quiet.

Suddenly she felt a cold breeze on the back of her neck. She jumped up frightened and swung the knife breathing heavily. She couldn't see anything, so nothing or no one was there. She should continue cooking, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched from afar...

- Is there anyone here? - she gripped the knife tighter and started walking around the kitchen.

No one was around. Not a single soul. She barely heard her own footsteps as she walked along the tiles. She was completely alone. This is just paranoia. She sighed when she realized no one was there and went back to cooking.

Suddenly she heard a strange sound. A sound like something scraping against the floor or something being dragged across it? It was barely audible at first, but it was enough to get her attention. She started listening.

- Hello? - she whispered.

There was a moment of silence, then the sound of pulling sounded again. Now it was closer. She heard it clearly. The thing was approaching her, it was already very close, so close that it should already be within her sight...

She open her mouth in shock.

She heard the sound stop right behind her. Cold breath fills the space and air. The silence became deafening again, and the temperature dropped even further.

She turned slowly and looked into his eyes. She still held the knife in her hand. She was ready to defend herself.

And there he is. He was standing right in front of her. His usually snow-white shirt was now stained with fresh blood. His eyes were fixed on her, staring at her through small glasses. His gaze pierced through her, her heart, her soul, everything in her body. He didn't say anything. He didn't move. He just stood there looking at her.

She also looked at him and remained silent. She didn't know what he wanted from her. After all, they had argued and he had left her alone in the room, crying. She was sad.

The silence was deafening. He stares at her. The knife in her hand made him feel uncomfortable, he kept his distance. He felt like ripping that knife out of her hand. He longed to hug her, apologize and comfort her. To feel her skin against his own. So close...

- You scared me - she whispered.

He couldn't help but smile when he heard that he scared her. That was exactly his intention.

- I'm very sorry, I didn't mean to scare you - he laughed.

- What do you want, James? - she sighed loudly and rolled her eyes.

- Just checking on you, that’s all - this sentence sounded like he was making up an excuse on the fly. Not very good, but he hoped it would be enough.

- Aha and why are you soiled with blood? - Roberta looked at his shirt.

James hesitated for a moment and thought about what to say.

- I killed one of the hotel guests. He was terribly annoying. He watched porn all the time in that annoying and loud box. I couldn't stand it - he pointed with his hand to the floor - Do you see that path of blood on the floor leading to the cold room? This is my work - he laughed out loud - I had to drag him on the floor, he was very heavy - he pretended to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

- Was this your way of unwinding the argument with me and the fact that you yelled at me? - she raised an eyebrow.

- Not exactly the way I wanted to unwind it, but… - he said it in a low voice - and yes, I yelled at you. I know, I know... I'm sorry, it's just... I can't help it. I guess I really am jealous of you - he sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

James was confused. Confused by everything at the moment. Confused about his own feelings, confused about what he wants and confused about how he should act in this situation. She made him feel things he hasn't felt in so long. But he didn't want to show it. Not now. He knew he had made a mistake shooting Colin. He couldn’t now show her feelings and show that she was making him weak.

Roberta said nothing. She turned her back to him again and put the food on her plate.

- I'm so sorry you're dead and can't taste this wonderful scrambled eggs - she walked over to the table and sat down on the chair.

James squinted, walked over to the table and sat down in the chair next to her. He felt anger rising in him. He was furious, but he didn't want to let it show. His face remained neutral. He watched Roberta as she ate.

- I hope you're sorry you can't taste this delicious food - she shrugged her shoulders and sighed.

- I’m not even hungry. Hmm… or maybe I’m…

- Hungry for what? - she stoped chowing.

- I’m hungry for you, my hummingbird - he touched her thigh under the table and squeezed it.

Roberta pushed his hand off her thigh and moved to the other chair. Now he couldn’t touch her.

- Forget it, my darling. You made a mess so now you must have your punishment. I have my punishment from you. I have to say goodbye to Colin forever. And you are grounded for sex. For sex with me - she sighed loudly - And honestly I don't give a damn if you find someone instead of me to have some relaxation - she got up from the table and headed for the exit.

- But... sweet hummingbird... what do you mean I'm grounded?! Me?! James Patrick March, I’m grounded?! This is some kind of joke! - he started yelling - come back here! Don't you dare leave here now! - he got up from the table and started walking towards her.

- Stop! - she ordered him to stop - Call Mrs. Evers to clean up this mess. You can shout at her, but not at me - she grabbed the handle and opened the door - I'm going to my room. Don't come near me until I let you! - She disappeared out the door.

- Roberta! You have no right!

He stared angrily for a moment at the door through which his beloved had just exited.

- Mrs. Evers! - James shouted at full throat.

- Yes, Mr. March - she entered with a quick step through the door - how can I help you?

- Please clean up here! It's supposed to shine! - he walked to the door to leave the kitchen.

- What about your shirt? You look really repulsive - she croaked at the sight of him.

- I can handle it - he left the kitchen.

@robnovetre

Part one