Chapter 15 – Call Me
The alarm clock was relentless. At this point she couldn’t tell if she was dreaming it or if it was real. “Please let it be a dream” she pleaded without much conviction. After blindly grappling at her nightstand for a few moments, her hands lighted upon the vibrating phone. So it wasn’t a dream, well, at least that god awful noise had stopped.
She pulled the phone in towards her, as the pounding in her head replaced that cacophony of the alarm. Blinded temporarily by the illuminated screen, she reeled back until she was able to turn down the brightness. Screen and eyes adjusted, she pulled the phone in close checking the time. She groaned realizing how late it was and how much she’d overslept. The voicemails and text messages count on her screen only confirmed it had not gone unnoticed.
Clearing the cobwebs in her head, she tried to recall how’d she’d come to be lying in such a prone position. She’d gone to attend the opera, that much she could recall. There had an event, and…wine. Of course, but that wasn’t it. How had she…
That outlines of a figure started coming into view as she pieced what few memories of the night were still her’s to hold together. Yes, there had been a man, a quite dashing one at that she seemed to recall. Or was that the wine? No she’d only been tipsy when she first met him, and, and, spilled his wine on his coat!
She groaned in embarrassment as she pulled the covers over her head, trying to hide from her own shame. Yes, that’s how’d they’d met. They’d quite literally bumped into one another. She cursed herself for her clumsiness.
Well there was nothing to be done at this point. It’s not like she’d had anyway to contact him now, besides it had only been a brief encounter. Hadn’t it? She prodded at the corners of her mind trying to scavenge any detail that might provide some clarity.
No, that wasn’t quite right. They had bumped into one another but that wasn’t the end of the night. He’d actually laughed it off? It ‘d had been an odd response, but it had seemed genuine. He’d gone so far as to introduce himself. Emery? Emrill? Emerson!
That had been the man’s name! Emerson! Yes he’d introduced himself and then offered to refresh both their drinks and thennnn…nothing. She could remember nothing. Well, a bunch of use this line of inquiry was. No matter it was probably of no consequence anyways, just another casual encounter if it had gone anywhere at all. He had been cute right?
Nowhere near ready to leave the sanctity of her bed, but unwilling to sit any longer with her own embarrassment. She dragged herself out of bed and towards the shower. Perhaps a warm shower could wash away some of the feeling and if not maybe some coffee would.
Turns out the answer was yes, both helped with the shame immensely, however it had done very little for the hangover that had sprouted in its place. Nothing two advil would cure, she hoped.
Walking her way towards the medicine cabinet her journey was interrupted by the once again angry buzzing of her phone. This morning was not being kind to her. Looking down at the caller ID, she did what could no longer be avoid.
“Hello Sir” She mumbled into the phone with as much confidence and cheer as one could muster at this ungodly hour of the morning.
“I’m hoping you have a very good explanation, for why your ass has once again missed another meeting” Short on patience and not a pitiable man, her boss cut straight to the chase.
She cringed. It had not been unexpected, but she didn’t really have a good reason either. “Sir I apologize, my…”
“Spare the excuses Caroline. I’ve heard them all. Just get into the office. And next time try to get in before lunch.” What a final huff he hung up the phone clearly not interested in what she had to say..
“Well that went well” She said to her apartment at large.
Frustrated, she put the phone down continuing her sojourn towards the bathroom and the blessed advil. What in the world had happened last night? She had gone to the event in search of Henry Aquitaine, hoping to do what up until this point in her investigation had proven impossible. Talk to the man. For someone who pleaded his innocence the man refused to cooperate in any sense of the word. At least his daughter had been a little more amenable.
A clattering from the other room, let her know that she wasn’t the only one up and about in the house. Walking back into the kitchen she found the contents of her purse splayed across the wooden floors. A single meow from the otherside of the kitchen island informed her she was indeed late and he was most displeased.
“OK that’s fair you’re hungry, but did it have to be the purse?! Look at this! The contents went everywhere!” She splayed her hands out to showcase the mess that had been made.
The feline seemed completely unphased by this admonition. He watched Caroline from where he sat, tail twitching, patiently waiting for the food that was owed him.
“Fine! You win. I’ll get you your food. Mangy cat.” She glared at the banded feline, collecting the contents of her purse from where all they hand landed.
“Oh? What is this?” She picked up the napkin with the name ‘Emerson’ written across it and a number below. She sat there crouched for a moment surprised by the note in her hand. Standing she continued to be confused. When had he given her his number? Why would he give her his number? Surely she had been a mess?
Theodore continued to meow in the direction of his owner, lamenting the emptiness of his food bowl, but it appears his plan at retribution had backfired.
Should she message him? What would she even say if she did? Before she could agonize further over the decision she picked up her phone.
“Hello” was all she texted. Best to keep it short she figured. He probably regretted giving her his number anyways.
Her phone buzzed before she had a chance to berate herself in full. Surprised, she looked down to see a number not programmed in her phone had sent a text. Emerson had responded in kind, if even, a little more flirtatiously.
“Hello :)”
Well that only raised more questions than answers.