After receiving the order, we began to eat in silence, occasionally exchanging glances.
"I wanted to ask you, who was the man taking pictures that night at the club?"
Kai: The reporter runs a news blog.
Ali: Interesting, whoever it may be, whatever we find on that memory card. The only way to initiate an investigation without it being buried before it can begin is by making it public, having the story heard by someone the people will listen to. That will catch the authorities' attention to probe, because if the town's high ranks are corrupt, taking evidence to them is pointless. They would just make it disappear and take us out for being loose ends.
Kai: That’s a solid plan, Ali, but we need to be cautious. And Ali, you should learn how to handle a gun.
Ali: Don't worry, I know how to use one. I worked in the police force. My friends there, they taught me.
Kai: (He looks at me, raising an eyebrow, as he finishes his meal).
— Wow, you’re full of surprises —
Ali: Why do you live alone in such a big house, and where's your family?
Kai: He sighs. This house belonged to my mother, but she had to sell it when she was forced out of the town with me, because she was a married man’s mistress. I worked in the city with my mother. Though she didn't provide luxuries, she was the best in the world. After she passed away, I sought out my father. My father helped me buy this house back, and with my half-brother, we started The Black Angel.
Ali: She must have been a great woman to raise you by herself.
Kai: She was the best. I miss her cooking. But her only sin was falling for a married man, and the town condemned her. You ever hear the saying 'small town, big hell'? That phrase fits this town well. We begin to wash the dishes.
Ali: That saying does suit it.
Kai: I noticed something off between you and your father at Jennie’s funeral.
Ali: We don’t have a good relationship because he blames me for my mother leaving him. I caught him in bed with the neighbor and he thinks I told my mother, but I know he’s hiding something from me. We just need to connect the dots. We were in the kitchen when a loud crash at the window startles us. Kai immediately grabs my hand and draws a gun, telling me to wait there. Impatient, I decide to go check and find a window on the lower floor shattered by a rock wrapped in paper with a note: "Don't search for what you haven't lost, for you may find it accompanied by your death." We exchange a look as I feel Kai’s arms around me. I can't deny that I've needed this for a while. I cling to his arm, listening to his words.
Kai: I know you don’t trust me, but Ali, I will protect you with my life if necessary.
Ali: I can’t understand why his scent seems so familiar and comforting, his gaze seems so sincere.
Kai: Be careful not to step on the glass and cut yourself. They just want to intimidate us into stopping the investigation.
Ali: After Kai cleaned the glass and covered the window with a large piece of furniture, we went up to the bedrooms. I took a shower, an analgesic for my neck ache, dressed in a sweatshirt and pants, but I couldn't sleep in that bed, just tossing and turning. So, I decided to knock on Kai’s door, which he opens bare-chested, clad only in sweatpants. Breathless at the sight of such a Greek god.
Ali: I'm sorry, I couldn’t sleep.
Kai: Do you want to sleep here? The bed is big enough.
Ali: I just wanted to talk for a bit; I feel like I'm going crazy.
Kai: (I open my door wider for her to enter, watch her scrutinize my room while I settle into the bed and she does the same).
—What would you like to talk about?—
Ali: Anything but this town. For example, how was your first love?
Kai: I see her get comfortable on the bed, her eyes sparkling. It was a girl from school when I left this town with my mother for the city, so I was the new kid who everyone made fun of for being chubby. But there was this beautiful, sweet girl who never mocked me. On the contrary, she defended and protected me. She helped with my homework, would make me desserts, and gave me my first kiss. But her mother transferred her to another school.
We lost touch until I saw her again in college; I recognized her immediately as our schools competed in sports, but she didn’t recognize me—I wasn’t chubby anymore. Yet she was with a guy, so I chose not to intrude and just watched from afar.
Ali: Maybe if you'd approached her, she would have recognized you. Maybe you were her first love too. While my eyes slowly close and I can't help but fall asleep.
Kai: As I adjust the blanket, she looks so beautiful. When will you recognize me, Ali? Seeking my warmth, she ends up asleep on my chest.
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