People have started to gather in the main exhibition room and there are two waiters strolling from group to group with trays of canapés. They look delicious, but of course I can’t have any since I’m working. Jeff comes over to me an
d tells me to stand by the door and welcome people in. I put on my hostess face, which isn’t very believable, but the arty set seem to be falling for it.
Most of the people who come in are in their mid-twenties to late thirties and are as middle class as you can get. You can always tell by the clothes, stylish and expensive, but subtle. I notice John standing over by one of his paintings chatting to two other men, perhaps explaining the significance of the piece they’re standing in front of. The deep meaning of it all. I have to make a conscious effort not to roll my eyes. I think the reason most artists only become famous after they die is because they are so irritating and full of it in real life. Nobody can stand their massive egos, so it’s only after they’re gone that we can properly appreciate the beauty of their work.
I’m still watching John pontificate with overly dramatic hand gestures when the gallery door opens again, a cool breeze flows in and somebody steps inside. I’m sick of smiling and being hospitable so I ignore the newcomer and continue watching the crowd, as small groups move from painting to painting and nod in appreciation.
About thirty seconds pass and the person who just came in still hasn’t moved on, I look down to the ground first and notice that they’re wearing big, heavy black boots. Not exactly the kind of footwear art exhibition types normally wear. Slowly, my eyes scan up the body standing in front of me, before resting on a very familiar face. A frightened and jittery scowl settles itself on my lips.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I hiss quietly, narrowing my gaze at the vampire slayer. My heart is suddenly beating a mile a minute, I feel like a rabbit caught in the headlights. This can’t be fucking happening.
Finn laughs low in his throat. “So you’re not going to give me a big hug and a kiss and tell me how much you missed me then?”
“Leave now,” I say, trying my best to put as much threat into my voice as possible, when on the inside I’m shaking like a leaf.
“You haven’t even heard what I have to say yet,” he replies, grinning in amusement.
“It’s been two years Finn, how on earth did you find me?”
“I have my ways,” is all he says. I can hardly hear his response because my heartbeat is making loud THUD, THUD, THUD sounds in my ears.
I cross my arms over my chest and glance around to make sure Jeff hasn’t noticed I’m having an argument with a suspicious looking character. Waves of fear and anxiety are rolling off me. “I think it goes without saying that when a person leaves their home city and doesn’t tell their friends or family where they have gone that they don’t want to be found.” I spit.
Finn takes a step closer to me, and whispers in my ear, “Just because you don’t want to be found, doesn’t mean that there aren’t people who want to find you. You should be glad it’s me who got to you first and not one of the vamps.”
I breathe heavily in angry frustration. But I guess Rita’s spell wasn’t going to last forever. I make eye contact with Finn for a long moment, and try to think of a way to get out of this mess. How can I get him to leave and not tell anyone that he knows where I am? The only solution I can come up with is to run away and start again some place else. That’s going to take a lot of effort though.
Finn is still standing there, watching me just as closely as I’m watching him. He’s wearing a black jacket with a tight grey t-shirt underneath and dark jeans. I try not to focus on how the t-shirt clings to his muscular chest. His eyes wander over me, before resting on my lips. I feel a little flutter in my chest. What can I say, despite everything, it’s been two very long and lonely years.
“I like the new look by the way,” he says, breaking the silence. “It’s very dystopian future chique.”
“You need to leave now,” I reply hastily, ignoring his comment. “Are you alone, or did someone come with you?”
He smirks. “I’m all alone, darlin’.”
“Good, that means you can go back to Tribane and forget you ever saw me here.”
He leans into me, and I can smell the fresh scent of his shower gel, his minty breath trickles over my skin when he speaks. “Now why would I want to do that?”
“You know what I am Finn, please, if the vampires find me they will kill me.” My voice is desperate now and a little bit scratchy. I do my best to hold in my tears.
Finn’s expression softens when he says, “Your secret’s safe with me, I’m not going to tell anyone where you are, but I need your help.”
I notice Jeff glance at me from across the room, his brow furrows when he takes in the sight of Finn, and then he starts to make his way toward us. “Look, I don’t have time for this right now, I’m working. There’s a café at the end of the street, wait for me there. I’ll be about an hour.” I tell him quickly.
Finn’s eyes narrow as he considers it, he’s probably judging whether he can trust me to meet him and not try to make a run for it. I plead with him with my eyes.
“Is everything all right here, Alexandra?” Jeff asks as he reaches us.
I turn to him and smile. “Yes everything’s fine, this man was just looking for directions.”
Finn glances at Jeff in irritation. “Yeah that’s right, thanks for the help, I’ll be seeing you, Alexandra.” There’s a subtle warning in his eyes. A warning that says I’d better meet him at the café when I’m finished. Then Finn turns and walks out the door and I breathe a sigh of relief. I wait to make sure he’s definitely gone before I look to my boss.
“Jeff, I’m not feeling very well, would you mind if I left early? I think it was something I ate.”
Jeff’s face is concerned when he says, “No of course not.” Then he glances about the room where the waiters are still handing out food and wine. “It wasn’t the canapés was it?” he asks worriedly.
I grin. “No Jeff, it wasn’t the canapés, they’re only for the guests after all.”