Dove
"You sure you don't want to head out?" Rodney packed up his workstation, "it's the second last bus for the night?"
I shook my head as I changed the needle to the sewing machine. "I'll catch the last one. I just really need to finish up this jacket."
"Don't work yourself into near death," he came over to squeeze my shoulder before he left me alone in the stitchers room.
Most had left just before Rodney and even though everyone was well advanced into their tasks. I wanted to make sure I was done. That would leave me more time tomorrow to work with the models and I'd be lying if I said the overtime was not a great motivator.
Even though the pay was not the biggest. It was a lot more than I got as a cook or waiter at the restaurant. Even though my body was aching I knew the rewards would be worth it.
With music playing through my headphones I continued grinding it out until I was done with the last of my five jackets. It was complicated work but I was grateful that I had had plenty of practice during my lifetime.
I had not even noticed the rain outside which made things worse. The bus stop was two blocks down and even though it was not a far walk, I didn't have an umbrella which would just make the journey miserable. I took my belongings out of my backpack and grabbed a plastic to wrap them in so water wouldn't damage them before shoving it back in.
I only had five minutes before the bus came, therefore I had to run. With a quick check out of my employee card, I ran down the stairs of the first floor to the entrance. The elevator would have taken too long.
With a burst out the building I tried to descend the stairs quickly but Lady Luck had never been on my side. My left foot slipped and next thing I knew I was facing the sky as my ankle twisted then I slid down the stairs with a scream.
Pain exploded through my left ankle and I let out a cry. With prayers that I had simply strained it I tried to stand but fell down again. There was no way I would have been able to walk with such an injury.
There was a slim chance someone was still in the office at that hour and that they might see me. Plus with the way rain was slamming onto my body and drenching me, crawling to the bus stop was definitely not an option.
Zahi would have probably already been home and I told him not to wait up for me. The drive from his house to the city was far out and I didn't want him driving this late when he had work the next day. I was screwed and with no money I had no idea what I was going to do.
For a second I allowed myself to cry over my miserable situation until suddenly the rain stopped. My eyes opened in surprise wondering maybe, just maybe, that the universe looked down on me and felt sorry. That maybe it would finally give me a break.
It lasted for a few seconds until I saw what looked like scuffed leather boots covered by denim jeans. I looked up with a gasp and even though it was not how I would have preferred my luck to come to me, it felt like I was seeing an angel.
The Cowboy from before. He was wet but his Cowboy hat seemed to have done a great job at keeping his face and partially his shoulders and chest dry. He still had on his sunglasses much to my disappointment.
Who wore sunglasses at night? Maybe there was a story to that. Maybe he had a scar or different coloured eyes. The mystery behind it was intriguing.
"Did you hit your head as well!" It took me a second to notice his lips were moving. "Should I call an ambulance!"
"I don't have money for that!" I called back sniffing.
"What!"
"I don't have money for that!" I was still half yell when he suddenly knelt down and the force of his cologne hit me. I had never smelt anything more sexy in my life. The water seemed to lift it off his skin even greater and I was drowning.
The cigarette from earlier had faded leaving him with the crisp musky scent of what smelt like pomegranate, mango and spice. It was nothing I had ever smelt before but it made my tummy rumble. Both from me being hungry and the fact he looked like a snack.
I let out a scream when without any permission whatsoever he scooped me up in his arms and let me tell you they were arms of a god. He was strong and I could feel the muscles under his shirt without even trying. I held on weakly like a damsel in distress and I finally understood all the cheesy moments in American movies.
I was living the American dream!
"If you can't afford an ambulance then where you going?" He lowly said against my ear. I knew he was just trying to make sure I could hear him but why did it feel like my heart was about to jump out of my chest?
"I was going to the bus stop," I tried to keep my voice even but I was close to a whimper.
"And where that?"
I pointed down the road and he simply nodded. He walked urgently but gently enough that he did not hurt me. I tried my hardest not to combust into a pool of lovesick lava but it was hard not to when I felt his heartbeat against my arm.
It was all romantic; even though he could have well been a serial killer, until I saw the rear lights of the bus drive down the street with the last load of the day.
As if things couldn't get any worse!