Chapter 3

"How did you get here?" I gasp, putting my tea with a trembling hand on the next table.

"Nice dress! It suits you very much!"

What is she doing here? I can imagine her lying on a deck-chair by the pool in some five-star hotel, but definitely not here!

"Where did you disappear after the plane landed?" asks Lana, pouting her sensual lips.

"I didn't find you on the plane, and I didn't see you when I was waiting for the luggage," I mutter embarrassedly.

"Jeeeez! I thought I'd have to bring up all my cunning connections to find you!" she laughs, fixing her dark hair. She has very beautiful hair, and her body is so strong and athletic. Focus, Esti! Stop drooling! I mean, she's way out of your league...

"So, what are you doing here?" I ask her for the second time just a few minutes after we finally got our big dinner plates: fried fish, rice, vegetable salad, even apples... Everything is delicious, warm and sunny, and it is sunny inside me too, but I do not know why.

She raises her eyebrow, looking at me in surprise, "I tracked you down: I was hired to kill you, but I fell in love with you at first sight. I ditched my clients, now we both have to hide from the bad guys!"

"I'm sorry... WHAT?" I’m blinking far too fast, not understanding what is happening.

Lana is laughing out loud, patting me on the shoulder!

"I am kidding you, girl, it's a joke! Hahahaha! You should have seen your expression! Did you actually believe me?"

Yes, she's right. I didn't believe her... It's hard to believe that someone could fall in love with me.

"Ohhh! Did you get offended about it?" Lana touches my palm. Her hand is very warm and strong. I sigh.

"What about having some ice cream in the Old Port? You said that they sell very good ice cream... so – khmmm," I ask unexpectedly. I've been rehearsing this phrase for so long on the plane, and now it sounds very pathetic.

The girl looks at me in surprise with her beautiful slanted eyes. She fixes her hair, "Listen... I promised to meet with my old university friend tonight. And he..."

"Please, stop! I-I understand! It was too intrusive. I understand! You have your own plans here," I’m blabbering.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"I'm not really hungry. Have a nice dinner, and it was very nice to meet you, Lana."

"Alana..."

"Oh, God!" I give a muffled sob.

"Wait!"

I run away barely holding back my tears. I’m ashamed that I invited her to eat ice cream together. What was I thinking about! And the name... Lord! What a shame! Alana!

My sister would say something comforting if she were here... or mom, but they will never say anything. Never.

I slowly take off my green dress, bursting into tears. This was supposed to be a great vacation. A reboot of my life.

I'm in no mood for going out today. Sniffling, I put on my purple T-shirt, hoping that we will not meet with Alana again: it will be so awkward!

Somebody's knocking on the door. It's late for the room service. I hastily wipe away my tears and open the door, "Could you come back later, please?" I look at my toes not to show my tear-stained face.

"Esti..."

"H-how did you find me?" I’m stammering being to confused in a company with such a beautiful woman.

"I'm a super spy. Besides, I live opposite," She’s showing at her door.

"Killer. You said you were a killer..." I sniff again.

"Forgive me. Shall we go and have some ice cream together?"

"What about your friend?"

"Forget about him. I already forgot!" Alana seems nervous, for she’s touching her nice hair again. "Have you been crying?" she asks me in surprise, noticing my red face in a dim hall. "And forgive me for this too," she says languidly, and her face is quickly approaching mine, meeting with my trembling lips.