Chapter 4

BERLIN

Richard walks out his hotel room, his duffle bag in one hand. The luxurious marble floors squeak loudly due to the silence of the night. He walk to the reception and hands the keys to the beautiful brunette behind the counter. She was distractingly hot with big green eyes sparkling under the thick black lashes.

“Thank you Mr. Snyder! I hope you enjoyed your stay.” She smiles flirtatiously.

“Yes, thank you, Sophia!” He eyes the name tag on her white shirt. As per usual, he doesn’t filter his thoughts, adding: “Could have been nicer if you greeted me at check in.” He winks and turns to exit the hotel. His driver is already waiting outside ready to pick his luggage up.

“Good evening Mr. Snyder. Allow me.” The man smiles warmly.

“Don’t bother Morris. You know I never let you. I’m a big boy, I can put it in the trunk myself.” Richard friendly slaps his shoulders. “And I’ve told you to call me Richie.”

“You’re always to kind, Richie.” Morris smiles and both men get in the car speeding away in the dark.

Richard strides through the entrance of the airport, the duffle bag lazily hanging in his hand. Once under the monitor, he checks the details of his flight back home, then glances at his Rolex to see there are two hours left to board the plane. Taking a seat nearby he ponders his options whether to wait and board or turn back around and stay a couple more days.

A quick two day visit on the Berliner site was all it took to secure C.C.M back into a renewed contract and there was really no immediate work left that required his presence, but Claudia’s words about taking a break bother him. He can’t remember the last time he left LA for more than necessary, to handle business. Maybe he can hang around a couple of days more to keep a closer eye on the company as well as enjoy the fresh breath of air?

Running a hand over the already tousled hair, he decides to grab a coffee and clear his mind. It feels nice walking unnoticed between people. No one knows him here and the casual look of jeans and black and white striped tee doesn’t attract as much attention as the three piece suits he usually wears.

Coffee in hand he passes by the ‘Arrivals’ area and a cascade of perfectly white hair catches his attention. For a moment he just studies the owner of the pearly hair, who is relentlessly searching for something in her handbag. Once it’s clear that she is in need of help somehow, Richard strides in long steps towards her.

“Can I be of help with anything?” he ask in a gently but deep voice.

“No thanks.” The woman replies, not bothering to look up from the bag. He kneels to gather what she has scattered across the floor.

“Here” he speaks again handing the stuff to their owner.

She finally raises her eyes to meet his blue one and his jaw snaps open, stunned. In contrast to the crazy hair color, she’s so natural, with big hazel eyes, a perfect pale complexion and pink plum lips.

“Oh God, thanks!” her voice wakes Richard from his daze.

“You’re welcome!” he replies mechanically as she resumes the searching.

“I’m screwed.” She says, more to herself than him.

“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.” The girl sighs defeated and turns to face him.

“I have lost my wallet and I’m going crazy. I only have my passport here.” She shows it to him. Richard looks around searching for something.

“There. Come with me.” he grabs her luggage and the girl follow, having no other option.

They head to the Passenger Information desk.

“I’m sorry I dragged you into my mess. Please go. I don’t want you to miss your flight.” That makes Richard stops, finally having the answer he was looking for earlier. Finding this girl was kind of like the sign he needed to decide.

“It’s ok. I just arrived.” He lies smoothly and adds a hearty smile. “I have plenty of time to help a stranger.”

“Oh I thought…Never mind!” she lets a little awkward laugh. “In that case, thank you. I’m Cassandra by the way.” She reaches her hand forward and Richard gladly accepts it, enveloping the delicate hand in his strong one.

“Richard. A pleasure!” they both smile and Richard resumes walking till they find the Information desk. “Let’s check what they can do to help.

Richard talks to the man behind the desk explaining the situation in German. He gives him Cassandra’s passport to take a picture and fills a form. Cassandra stands a few steps back, taking this opportunity to study the stranger offering to help her so willingly. He’s gentle and kind, something that his intimidating exterior contrasts. He turns around and she blushes, caught staring. Thankfully for her, he doesn’t comment into it.

“I’m afraid there’s not much they can do tonight. The guy will contact ‘Lost and Found’. The procedure requires 24 to 48 hours ’till they get back to you.” Richard explains with a defeated look in his eyes.

“What am I gonna do now? I had everything in there, my money, my cards…How am I going to stay six months without my cards?” Her shoulders slump and Richard scratches his head thinking of a way to delicately approach the subject and not scare her away.

“Will you let me help you tonight? We can figure out the rest later. Is there someone waiting for you that I can contact?”

“No! I’m traveling alone, but I have a reservation paid in full for my stay.”

“Alright then. Let me take you there.”

“I can’t ask that of you. Where are you staying? It might be across the city from where I’m staying. I don’t want to burden you.” He laughs lightly at her words.

“I’m staying where you’re staying, if they have any available rooms. I haven’t made reservations and I don’t really care where I end up crashing. I’ll be out working all day anyway.

****

Happy to have found a room at the hotel Cassandra is staying, Richard checks in, leaving his options open, not knowing how long he might stay. They walk together towards Cassandras room, both tired and sleepy.

“Okay then, this is you.” Richard smiles and places her luggage down. “If you need anything just call my room.”

“I’m already indebted to you for life. I don’t know how to thank you, really. You’re an angel!” she smiles warmly and does the only action Richard is dreading and hopes she doesn’t do. She hugs him.

The man freezes, trying to maintain his chill composure and robotically lifts a hand, pretending to hug her back, his body tingling at the foreign feeling.

“Far from it, but thanks.” He scratches his voice to sound unbothered by the physical contact and puts his hands on Cassandras shoulders, making her take a step back and look into his eyes.

“You owe me nothing. I’m just glad I found you and was able to help.”

“What’s the catch then?” she studies his eyes, which he rolls back letting out a deep chuckle.

“Go to sleep Cassandra. You had a rough day.” He gives her shoulder a little squeeze and lets his hands fall to his sides.

“Good night Richard!”

“Night sweets!” he walks away and the girl enters her room with a smile on her face and butterflies in her stomach.