Chapter 6

I was on the top of my game. Sashaying across the bar, garbed in red and shining in the limelight like some premadonna.

As I was walking toward Kassy and Jerry, my fellow card players hooted at me as I passed by them.

I could see Kassy waving her arms in the air at the far corner of the bar. Everyone was vying for my attention now. I had to keep my eyes trained on Kassy when I felt like I would lose track of my goal given the people swarming around me like a celebrity.

"That was killer, mate!" Fred commented loudly which distracted me for a moment.

I turned my head toward his direction distractedly and dumbly tripped over my own foot.

"Wha-!"

On reflex, my arms flailed forwards to break my fall. I was ready to face my fate literally face-first on the floor. But then, destiny had other plans for me.

Without warning, a large powerful hand grasped my arm swinging me effortlessly against a hard wall of pure muscles. I felt another hand span protectively behind my waist.

I blinked rapidly. And as if the whiplash wasn't enough, my eyes widened as large as saucers when I looked up to see who my impromptu savior was.

Oh no, not again! I thought this only happened in the movies?

He frowned, his smooth forehead pleating. Roman had such a beautiful pair of brown eyes. If I had to write down his most valuable asset, it would be his breathtaking brown gaze. And right now, those intense browns were directed at me at full force.

"What do you mean by again?" Kassy's voice effectively snapped me from the trance.

Huh? Wait, did I say that out loud?

"Yes you did," Kassy confirmed. She was dressed in a green dress which perfectly hugged her small frame and reached just above her knees. She narrowed her eyes at us suspiciously, hands on her hips. "Do you guys know each other?"

I was still trying to recover from the spontaneous exchanges, when Jerry began laughing rambunctiously over the jazz music. "You can let go of the damsel, lover boy!"

As though touched by fire, I pressed my palms against Roman's chest and with great effort managed to break myself free of him. At the back of my head, I knew that if he hadn't released me on his own accord, I would still be struggling against him like a mouse to a lion.

"Thank you by the way," I spoke belatedly, feeling my face flush in embarrassment.

"I'd do it all over again," was all Roman said. It was the first time I heard him speak, his deep, rich voice sending shivers down my spine, and I could just not resist turning to look at him again.

But he was already looking at me. For the first time in my life, I felt incredibly shy.

My entire face flamed and my whole body felt close to melting down from the intensity of his gaze. I wanted so bad to beg him not to look at me.

Seriously, why am I blushing like a teenager?!

Oh wait... I am technically still a teenager.

Someone cleared their throat. Thankfully, it snapped me back to attention.

What am I doing? This isn't me! I can't be disarmed by a singular man's gaze—even if that singular man were incredibly attractive and mysterious.

"So... are we gonna take a seat or what?" Jerry asked, his eyes darting back and forth Roman and I mischievously.

With a huge breath intake, I recalculated my next move. I needed to reign back my control.

"Yes," I replied confidently this time, straightening my shoulders. "We should."

We all rounded up a table for the four of us. I felt a little dismayed at Damien's absence. He was the number one suspect on top of Detective Michael's list and I wanted to get to know more of him.

That may sound very bad but that doesn't really imply that we have hard evidence that points to Samantha's boyfriend.

The partner is always the prime suspect. It's natural for him to be a suspect after his partner's sudden disappearance. Yet, he is still innocent until proven guilty. Though he seems clean enough of any suspicion, I needed to keep an open mind and a keen eye over everything else.

But right now, I needed to follow up on the most interesting lead and start my sniffing up traces there.

We ordered our drinks, mine was non-alcoholic. I didn't want to risk the chance of getting drunk by the end of this evening. I need to be on high alert of every single detail that could help with the investigation. That was why I was here.

"Firstly, can you guys explain to me why you seem to know each other?" Kassy began as soon as we had our drinks.

"We don't," I quickly rectified her. "We don't know each other. We've seen each other this morning in a... bizarre incident. But we haven't been formally introduced."

"What of this bizarre incident?" she pressed on, leaning forward. Kassy was seated beside me on the circular table which made it incredibly awkward.

To my left, Jerry added, "Yeah, what of this bizarre incident Milady?"

Kassy gasped. "How did you know her name? I haven't told you that! Or did she...?" she trailed off, turning to eye me.

Oh boy. This isn't going well. I've hit too many birds with one stone today.

"We've met this morning in what you would call a bizarre accident." Jerry made air quotes to emphasize the word. Now, they both looked to me.

I waved a hand in the air. "Okay, let's start from the very beginning.'" I sighed. "I was out on my bike this morning. It broke down while I was in the middle of the road. Luckily, Jerry was there and gave me a ride or else I'd have to have walked back to the hotel. Apparently, he worked in this garage. He fixed my bike. I paid him. We talked a little. That was it."

"And how about the owner of that garage?" Kassy queried.

"Yeah, what about the owner?" Jerry scoffed, clearly having his fun with grilling me.

I knew precisely who they were talking about, but I pretended otherwise. "I don't know who guys are talking about. The owner of the garage? Who's that supposed to be?"

Kassy gestured a hand toward Roman. "Him. How did you know him?"

"I don't exactly know him. I just met him when I was looking for the restroom after Jerry went back to work. I got sidetracked and heard these loud voices coming from one of the doors by the corridors. He found me..." I trailed off, glancing at Roman. He was sipping his drink leisurely as I narrated. Darn him and his coolness.

"... He found me there. We didn't really say anything to each other. I didn't know he was the owner. I still don't even know his name."

"That's it?" Kassy raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"What about this incident you were talking about?" Jerry asked.

"I just... stumbled? And he caught me."

Jerry nodded with a smug look on his face.

"So that was why you said again," Kassy finally laughed. "Just how clumsy are you?"

I grimaced. I wasn't really clumsy; I was the most careful person I know with a bullseye precision in firearms. But I couldn't deny I have been careless in my two meetings with Roman.

Is it just me, or is this guy a walking jinx set only on cursing me?

I finally understood how Mikee feels now.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Roman glance at my direction from across the table.

I needed to engage with him too; not just with Kassy and Jerry. I swallowed nervously before putting on a confident facade.

"You do realize that this is our second time meeting today, coincidentally in the same absurd circumstances," I began, facing Roman fully. "I think it's only fitting that we catch each other's names. Mine's Milady. And you are?"

He was still holding my gaze. Cold, calculative...

“Roman.”

I nodded, wanting to avoid eye contact. "Hmm... So I’m guessing you’re a romantic man?”

Thankfully, I didn’t have to explain the pun when he quickly replied, “A perfect contraction of my name, perhaps.”

My brows shot up in surprise. He was being surprisingly quick-witted.

“Well... I guess I’ll start calling you Romeo then.”

"And you can be My Lady... Juliet."

I laughed, genuinely this time. Kassy and Jerry looked mildly amused and confused at the two of us.

I couldn't believe Romam had such a sense of humor. "You get me, Romeo. You get me."

I found a ghost of a smile flit across his handsome countenance but it was gone in a second, making me wonder if I had imagined it. But his brown eyes though, they told me a clear message of his inner thoughts.

“Uhm, guys? Are you two done yet?” Kassy interrupted, sounding amused.

Clearing my throat, I nodded silently.

"I don't know what just happened or what you guys were talking about. But I guess I don't have to introduce you to anybody else here, do I?" She turned to Jerry and Roman. "Oh also, Milady and Van already met earlier in the afternoon. The three of us had a bit of small talk."

"And how did that happen? Another bizarre incident?" Jerry raised his bushy brows at us while Roman remained silent, observing.

"Kind of." Kassy shrugged. "Milady accidently spilled coffee on Van's shirt while he was on his way home. She wanted to buy him a new shirt and came to the shop where I worked. Long story short, the three of us exchanged numbers and I invited her here."

"You make making friends sound so easy, Milady." Jerry slung his arm over the back of my chair, leaning close to me. "What's your secret?"

I shrugged. "It comes naturally, I guess."

"So, I guess she knows about Sam?" Jerry looked over me to Kassy with a questioning eyebrow.

"Yeah. I told her."

"A mere stranger..." Jerry trailed off before sipping his drink.

"Milady was gonna know it either way. Besides, I feel a connection with her." Looking at me, she repeated, "I feel like could trust you, you know?"

I felt my heart being squeezed at her words, feeling my smile strain. "Thank you, Kassy."

"Anywho, Milady is new in town. Even if it's just for vacation. We ought to help her get acquainted with everyone here." Changing her happy tone, she continued, "How are you guys, by the way?"

"Having one hell of a fine day. You?"

Kassy flinched at Jerry's coarse choice of words. "Well... I was planning on visiting Sam's family. I wanted to ask if you guys would come too. Van doesn't seem like himself these past few days. I think we should bring him."

Jerry scoffed. "Good luck with that. He's a sissy, that lover boy. He needs to man up."

"Don't pressure him like that Jerry. You know how he feels about all this." A flash of hurt crossed Kassy's gentle features. It was a flash of hurt, not of sadness. Hmm... "He misses Sam so much."

It was quiet for a few seconds. I knew there was something condescending in Jerry's gaze as he eyed Kassy over the round table. He wanted to say something out loud; something irrefutably cynical. He held back though.

It was high time to intervene. "Has the police searched through the forests for your friend?" I asked hesitantly though I already knew the answer to that. I had a plan I wanted to execute, and they were gonna help me without even knowing it.

"The forest is thrice the size of our town, Milady. They've searched it but it's impossible to cover everything." She frowned, worry lacing her facial muscles. "Do you think that maybe Sam's in the forest?"

"It is possible..." I trailed off, watching her closely to consider my idea.

"What are you suggesting, Milady?" Jerry asked in turn.

"Well, we could conduct a search party throughout the entire forest. We should encourage everyone to help."

"And how do we do that?"

"I don't know, but it's better than nothing, right?"

"I agree with Milady," Kassy joined in, suddenly sounding optimistic and determined now. "We should do something about our friend's disappearance." Turning to me, she asked, "But how do we do it? Do you have any idea how to gather a big search party?"

"We can start with the city hall. Do you have any residential group here? Some community organization?"

"We do, but I'm not exactly close with them. Only my mom is."

"Let me guess. It's Mrs. Pierce?"

Kassy looked taken aback by this. Roman remained quiet while Jerry asked me, "How did you manage to figure that out?"

I shrugged again. "I met Kassy's mom earlier. I just remembered how they resembled each other. I talked with them for a few. Figured Mrs. Pierce was their... ring leader I guess? I just thought it adds up."

"You're pretty quick and sharp," Jerry commented, looking at me suspiciously.

"I'm just guessing randomly. So, are you guys in?"

"I am," Kassy jumped in. She looked at Roman and Jerry. "And you guys?"

"I'm busy. I have work. Tell your requests to my boss." He gestured toward Roman who had been quiet all this time.

"Roman?" Kassy hesitated. "Would you help us?"

I waited, wondering how he would respond. Jerry seemed reluctant and uncaring of the situation. Out of all Samantha's circle of friends, Jerry seemed the most unaffected, other than Roman of course. But that was only because I didn't know much of his thoughts. He was always expressionless, it could be a habit. His answer now would determine whether he really cared or was just too unfeeling of all this.

Roman looked up at Kassy, then his brown eyes shifted to mine. On instinct, I averted my gaze and looked down. I couldn't help it. Roman just makes me so shy...

Milady, you coward!

I forced my eyes to meet his gaze again. Holding it, I smiled.

"Certainly," was his brief response. "I'll give him a few days off if need be."

Jerry grumbled something under his breath; something about no work, no pay policy.

I snickered. He easily caught me and shot me a glare.

Kassy clapped her hands together. "Okay, so we'll start tomorrow then?"

Clearing my throat, I nodded. "As soon as possible."

Roman, to my surprise, spoke this time. "I will write a letter requesting the help from the mayor and print out a few posters for the bulletin and announcement boards."

"Jerry can help you with the posters! And I'll ask my mom to convince the President of the Liberty of Sylvan."

"Tell you what, I'll help you with that," I offered willingly.

"Really?" Her smile reached her ears. "That's incredibly nice of you Milady."

"Nonsense. I have nothing else to do anyway. So, I'll help in any way I can." That wasn't exactly true. I had a bunch of things planned out which are yet to be executed. But those would have to wait.

"Oh, Pam's coming over here." Kassy waved her hands in the air like what she did with me earlier. "Pam! We're here!" she shouted over the music.

I didn't have to look to see who it was. I resumed sipping my alcohol-free beverage ruminating on my next steps, when I noticed Roman's eyes on me again.

I willed myself to relax and lean back on my chair casually, pretending not to notice.

"Hey y'all!"

Kassandra and Pamela embraced each other.

"Pam, I'd like to introduce you to—" Kassy was saying, gesturing to me, when Pam cut her off.

"Oh, we already know each other. Right, pumpkin?" she laughed.

"Absolutely." I raised my drink before sipping again.

"Are you kidding me?"

Pamela blinked, surprised by Kassy's reaction.

I quickly added in matter-of-factly, "Pam's the bartender. I already ordered a beverage earlier, so you can guess how we got to know each other just 20 minutes ago."

Kassy nodded, pouting. "Okay." Changing her facial expression, she announced in a more serious note, "We were planning to visit Samantha's parents and organize a search party all over Sylvan's woods to help find Sam. Milady suggested it and promised to help."

Pam's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really?" She then took a seat between Roman and Kassy. "Well, that's incredibly nice of you, Milady."

"That's what I said to her!"

Pamela laughed, along with Kassy. Jerry and Roman remained quiet though, the former still looking unhappy and rebellious while the latter just out of habit and reservation.

"Actually, my brother wanted to talk to Milady." I was a bit surprised to hear this. "Did ya guys hear her sing earlier?"

"Definitely!" Kassy looked at me displaying all her teeth. "You were amazing Milady."

"Thank you."

"It was a shame we were only able to hear starting from the chorus."

"You missed one of the most amazing intro in the course of history!" Pam began gesturing wildly. "She dominated that stage from the very beginning. She gave me goosebumps!"

"She's exaggerating," I put in, laughing.

Turning to me, Pam announced, "Pumpkin, my twin brother wanted to speak to ya."

"Yeah? What about?"

"About earlier darling, of course! You were so exceptional on stage, he wanted to hire you on the spot."

"Oh?" I raised one skeptical brow. "Really?"

"Why sure, pumpkin. Really." She laughed. "So, do you accept?"

I pretended to think about it for a moment. I wanted to accept of course. Victoria's Bar was where Sam's car had been found when she disappeared, so working here would be most opportune to gather information. But I was too busy. There were a lot to be done still.

"Is it alright if I think about it first? I wanted to try to enjoy Sylvan leisurely for a bit."

Pam didn't seem disappointed by this. "Why of course. Take your time."

The rest of the evening went by smoothly. We talked about who's and how's, then when's and where's.

Phew!

My first day of plan execution is more than a success. Tomorrow... I have bread crumbs to trace.