Chapter 4

• Cassandra Meyers walked into her new apartment and symbolically, her new life. The neighbourhood was a good one. Serene and clean. It wasn't much, but good enough. The agency wasn't lackluster in things like this.
• She sank onto the living room couch. The whole place smelled like freshly laundered clothes. The agency had had people tidy the place, for that, she was thankful. She wasn't sure she would have been able to move a muscle otherwise. She felt tired to her bones.
• Sleepy headed, she stood up from her loungeringgggg in the couch. She had work to do. The kitchen was the first place Cassandra inspected. She nooded approvingly at it's portable capabilities, then she went to the bathroom next. Here, she grimaced at the rusted shower headdddd. The bedroom was saved for last. She walked in and saw why the agency had instructed her to pack little. The room was already filled with things, as if someone was already living there.
• Cassandra skimmed her eyes over the meagre accessories. Unable to resist the pull to inspecting the new wardrobe, she went to the closet, opened it and surveyed the garments that fitted her new personality. They were majorly simple gowns, plain dresses and sandals. It would be the least encouraging part of this, she thought as she closed it. Already, she missed the cashmere power suits and pin point heels she favoured. It was a little sacrifice, she thought.
• She walked back to the main room and picked up the small bag she came with. She zipped it open and took the two cell phones inside. She booted them. Next, she set the tiny
• Satisfied at having gone through everything-some to her liking and some not so much-Cassandra fell to the bed with a heavy sigh. She wished to fall asleep immediately, but the dizzy spell that had her on the train was now gone. Plus, the pulse of the new environment kept her awake. She went through the different stages of the things she had to do. If everything went as planned, this assignment wouldn't be too hard and she would be finished in no time at all.
• Cassandra stood up and walked to the window, the day was still very bright. Time enough to sleep, she told herself. She took off her shoes and fell back on the bed. Yawning deeply she set the alarm and closed her eyes.
• - - - - -
• This is a bad idea, this is a bad idea! I should turn back! Willow cautioned herself but she couldn't. She went on forward, presented her ID and slipped through the door. Immediately, she was engulfed in the beating music, and the twirling lights made her squint. There were so many persons dancing wildly, walking blindly and raising their voices in conversation. It all made the club one noisy place.
• Taking a deep breath, Willow headed for the bar.
• "Hi! Uhm, can I have a glass of iced water please?"
• The bartender turned to her in surprise, "let me guess, you're new in town?"
• "Yeah. How did you know?"
• "Well, I've worked here a month and no one has asked for iced water," "plus," he says, filling her water and topping it with a slice of lemon before sliding it to her, "If I'd seen you before, I wouldn't forget."
• "Thank you," Willow sipped from the glass.
• "For the water or the compliment?"
• Willow smiled broadly at him, eyes the nameplate pinned on his jacket, and says, "For both, Jamie.''
• Jamie grinned at her and came to rest his hands on the bar top.
• "Quit flirting around and get back to work!" Willow turned to see who had spoken. It was a man dressed in so much colours, it made her eyes hurt. His suit was stripped red and purple, his trousers were white and his spiky hair was dyed purple. He looked at her.
• "Hello darling." He sang.
• "Hi," she smiles.
• "You look pretty as a bride," the man whistled.
• "Thanks," Willow was wearing a dress she picked after much consideration. It was white, hung off the shoulders and cinched at the waist. The chiffon material teased her skin where it ended at the back of her knees. Her hair grazed her shoulders. She fingered the simple necklace she wore.
• "I haven't seen you around here before." Mr Rainbow mused. Willow laughed in her head, at the name she gave him.
• "I don't come out often."
• "Well you should. It'd be a crime to hide all this prettiness."
• Was that a word? Jamie was attending to other persons. She wished she was talking to him instead. She turned her attention back to Mr Rainbow who was still talking. Willow nodded at the words he said, most of them not making any sense. She tuned him out until he asked twice; "So where do you live?"
• "Oh, around."
• "Where?"
• "I don't recall it."
• "What? How's that?" He asked, his brows furrowed. Willow could tell he was a little drunk.
• "Well, uh, I just moved in. Still getting to know the place."
• He laughed. "You're funny." "I'd love to show you around, anytime."
• "Hmm," Willow says, tilting her head like she was considering it. She reached for her glass. It was now warm.
• "It's quite loud in here, how about we find a quiet spot? Just you and I?" He smiled encouragingly at her. He is handsome, if you look past the colours, Willow thought. She smiled.
• "Maybe next time. I really need to get going now." Willow says, reaching for her purse and opening it.
• "It's on my tab." He placed his hand on her shoulder and she tried not to flinch.
• "Thank you." She pinned her hair behind her ear.
• "Maybe I could drop you off?!" Oh no.
• "It's alright. I'll find my way."
• "Uh, well then. I guess I'll…see you around."
• "Yeah," Willow turned to leave and didn't stop until she stepped out into the fresh air. She released a loud breath. Who said conversations were not draining?
• Willow saw a cab approaching. She wanted to hail it when she noticed she wasn't with her purse. Ugh! She groaned and went back in to get it, but she bumped into another man who wouldn't let her pass if she didn't let him buy her a drink. In the end, she gave up and turned back the way she came. The purse wasn't worth it. And the money inside wasn't so much. Only, she'd have to walk home. Thankfully, it wasn't so far away and she knew the way.