The sobbing gradually subsided into andvelling.
Austyn
exhaled
were red.
Hereyes and nose were
She looked like a helpless victim, which inade him look like the heartless bully.
Renounce His Past
He reached for another cigarette but stopped himself.
He turned towards the door. "Let's go."
"What? Kita looked up.
I took you here because you didn't give me your hotel address. Now that you are awake, it's time to send you home." Kita was reluctant to go
If she left now, it might be days before she saw him again.
She pressed a hand to her stomach and feigned a pained expression.
'I don't feel so well.
Austyn scowled. "What's wrong?"
"May I use your bathroom
Austyn narrowed his eyes, trying to suss out it she was telling the truth
Kira scanned the living room and the kitchen 'Is the bathroom upstairs? She was already moving towards the stairs.
Chuck And ChHUMThis belongs to - ©.
Chalk And Cheese
Austyn was at a loss for words.
He had never seen a woman who so readily made herself at home in a stranger's apartme
cord door on the left," he said
'Thanks."
Kirascurled upstairs.
She found the well-appointed balloom and sat down on the follet with its lid down.
she called Rony.
Kira? Where are you? I was getting wouled!"
I'm not going back to the hotel tonight. And cancel my ticket to Stamford tomorrow. I'm staying here. Tell him I'll be on leave for the next couple of-no, for next week. If he needs a field correspondent, get Anne-Marie to cover it." "What?" Bony shouted. What are you doing in Rinton? our job is done here, Jim is going to kill me if you don't-
"I have more than two weeks of unused leave saved up from the last couple of years," Kita cut him off. I'm entitled to take days off.
'But Jim will-
'I gotta go. Bye."
Kira hung up.
The she called another number.
The line was connected but Jesse didn't pickup.
Kira gave up after fourties and left him a message
She dawdled in the bathroom for a while longer.
She checked the time.
It was nine-thirty pm.
Kira took her time washing her hands and face, but she had to leave the bathroom eventually.
Austyn was leaning against the wall outside.
"Are you done?"
Kira nodded. 'I feel much better now."
"So you are ready to go home now?!
Kira changed the topic. T's thirsty'
She walked past him and bounded down the stairs
The bottle of Evian he gave her only contained 350 ml.
Kira sipped as slowly as she could, but the bottle was still empty after ten short minutes.
Austyn followed her downstairs and stood in the living room, waiting patiently.
Kiradarted her eyes around, looking for another way to stall.
needed an excuse to stay here.
She mee
Austyn raised an eyebrow when he saw her clutching the empty plastic bottle.
'Is there anything else?"
'Um, actually, yes, there is one more thing.
'What?"
'I'm hungry."
He crossed both arms. "What do you expect me to do about that?
"Nothing, not a thing she offered him an ingratiating smile. 'You have been kind enough to offer me the use of your bathroom. Would you also be kind enough to allow me to use your kitchen?"
I dabble in cooking. And I would like to thank you for your hospitality tonight by making you some home-cooked dishes. It'll just take ten, fifteen minutes to whip them up. May 1?"
She trotted towards the open-plan kitchen without waiting for a reply
Austyn stared atterber
It was rare for him to meet someone who was so.. thick-skinned
He watched Kina bustle about in the kitchen and chuckled when she bumped her head on the flow dens
Chalk And Cheese
Austyn was at a loss for words.
He had never seen a woman who so readily made herself at home in a stranger's apartment.
'Second dooron the lett,' he said.
'Thanks."
Kira scurried upstairs.