Ch-6 Most Wanted

[b]Meeting 6: Surprise at the Museum[/b]

“Why are you not eating your food Alex?” Her mother asked.

Alexis just sat on the dining table lost in thoughts of the boy. She couldn’t forget how he had come to her rescue in most desperate time, how he had held her in his arms, encircled around her waist, his green eyes scanning her face and his breath on her cheeks and ears , his husky voice whispering in her ears. Just like her dream.

“I am not hungry.” She said , not in a mood to answer lot of questions.

“You have been acting weirdly since summer vacation began.” Her mother said, sounding a bit annoyed.

She ignored that comment, knowing too well that it was true.

“Dad, did you find any clue in the theft case that happened in jewellery store?” She asked , her heart picking a beat on mention of him.

“We did, actually a bracelet lot like yours. But actually it was more than theft, the store owner was killed in his house and only the antique jewel that was not for sale was stolen, nothing else.” He said, his eyes resting on the bracelet on Alexis’ hand.

“Wow, someone else also owns a similar piece of jewellery like me and that has to be the thief.” She tried to turn it around.

Her father nodded , smiling.

“So , are you any closer to finding the girl?” She emphasised on last word.

“I doubt that our criminal is a girl, others might believe it. But I am thinking he might be a young guy, sharp mind and swift body.” He said, thoughtfully.

Alexis went in numb shock. She , for the matter of fact knew he was a young drop dead gorgeous guy. She was scared of him, very, especially after last night when she saw him killing two people in cold-blood. But her heart refused to tell all that to her father and get him arrested. She just couldn’t bear to see hate and disappointment in those green eyes.

“W-What? I mean are you sure? Are you any closer in finding him?” She asked all questions at once.

Her father laughed.

“You seem very interested in this case. No, I have no other clue, but I am sure he is still in town and he will make mistake, sooner or later.”

Alexis hoped for never.

Just then there was call. Her father picked up the phone and Alexis listened intently on what he was saying. It was nothing more than -what and I’ll be there ASAP.

“There has been two murders not far from our house. I have to go now, don’t wait for me. I might be late. This is third murder in a week, it’s getting serious.” He said sounding worried.

Alexis tried to look elsewhere, her mother always understood what was on her mind. Right now she didn’t wanted that.

“Dad...Maybe the killer have a reason behind killing all these people?” She asked, trying not be nervous and worried.

“Maybe dear, maybe. But there is someone above us all to pass judgement. He is no one to decide when one should die.” And saying that, her father left.

Alexis got up and went to her room. She buried her head in her pillow and tried to calm herself. She was confused right now, she didn’t want her father to get hurt, she didn’t even wanted the boy to get hurt after what he did tonight. Yet she felt wrong hiding all this from her father whom she loved so much and who trusted her blindly.

“God! Please don’t test me. Please, turn my summer vacation into something good.” She prayed silently.

------

“You really want to do this job? I mean you  have to come home alone every night.” Miranda said as they entered the museum.

Alexis understood what she said. She meant running into him again. Alexis hasn’t told her about yesterday yet and she wasn’t planning to do so.

“I will be fine and it will not be night. Museum closes at six in evening.”She said giving Miranda her most convincing smile.

She nodded, defeated.

“You can take my car, you know!” She asked, giving another try.

Alexis shook her head.

“Alexis, up for some guide work?” Julia asked.

“Yes, Julia.” She answered politely, still unable to look in her eyes and answer.

Only person she can look in eye was him, his green eyes held her eyes like nothing else did.

Alexis chided herself mentally to stop thinking about him. She has to stay away from him....can she keep that promise?

Her task here was simple , she has to help the tourist around answering their questions or telling them about some ancient artefacts. She was a bit excited, there were butterflies in her stomach and she felt a little nervous too.

“You do know about the best item in our museum Alexis, don’t you?” Julia asked smiling.

Alexis nodded smiling back at her and replied, “Endless Wait, the beautiful painting of a girl looking out a window waiting desperately for her love.”

“Then you are hired.” She confirmed and went away giving her a friendly wink.

Alexis was already feeling comfortable here.

She looked around, very few people were around right now. It was early for visitors to visit museum. She wanted to be early on her first day to work. She walked around admiring the statues and scenes created from memorable wars, the sword that belonged to King of Derksworth, long time ago when kings ruled here. Now they had mayor to rule the town. She disliked the mayor for some reason, but everyone else loved him. Even her father respected him, who seldom trusted anyone with power.

She passed a family of British tourist , with a young girl and a boy about her age looking immensely bored . His family might have dragged him here. I-Pod was keeping him awake. He looked up at Alexis and gave her a flirty smile. Being utterly shy Alexis dropped down her eyes. She was wearing a caramel colored pleated skirt and a pink cotton shirt for her work here. Shorts and T-shirt wouldn’t have been suitable . Her hair were tied neatly in a ponytail, she seldom left them open. She looked presentable but not good enough for someone to flirt. She had a feeling to laugh out loud at the boy for giving her a flirty smile.

She walked towards the Endless Wait, she loved that painting since she saw it first time and that was in third grade. Something about the painting charmed Alexis.

“Beautiful!”

The voice made Alexis turn around with a jerk, shocked.

“What?” was all she could say.

“The painting, it’s beautiful. Isn’t it?” Though he didn’t meant the painting.

He was here, in the museum , while town’s police force was looking for him. He was wearing a black t-shirt with ‘Death awaits you’ written on it and faded blue jeans. His rebook shoes completing his get up. He was as perfect as ever or better, his black hair ,silky and soft, rested unkempt on his forehead making him look adorable and not a criminal. If it hadn’t been  for the dangerous look in his eyes, Alexis would never have believed he was a murderer, but he was.

“What are you doing here?” She whispered , her heart never disappointing her , started beating a faster rate.

She felt warm from head to toe and she knew very well her stupid pale skin was giving her away by turning pink.

Without answering her question , he raised his finger and touched her cheek. Her eyes went wide in shock, she stood there frozen.

“How come you blush so much when I am around or is this usual?” He asked, his finger still tracing her cheek.

Alexis was too scared, shy and nervous to utter a word, his finger on her cheeks was making her dizzy somehow.

Suddenly realising something he jerked back his hand.

She still stood there, blushing more furiously.

“I-I don’t blush. My skin is pale and it gets colored during summer due to heat.” She tried to lie, failing miserably.

“Oh, really?” He asked amused.

“Do you remember I asked you to stay away from me?” He asked , annoyance coloring his tone.

She frowned at his abrupt change of nature.

“Me? I work here. I –I didn’t do it propose, really.” She said, desperately hoping that he will believe her.

He just glared at her and was about to go , when Alexis gathered her courage and asked, “Why do you hate me so much?”

And this time he was surprised, his green eyes giving him away.

He came towards her and she immediately regretted asking her question. Alexis was scared, again. Even in daylight on a working day , he was here to make her nervous.

She staggered a little back looking around for some help around, but the hall was empty where the masterpiece painting stood.

“Why do you go back whenever I come forward?” He asked, his eyebrows arched up.

“I-I do-do not. And answer m-my question first, why do you hate me?” She said, trying not to move back as he moved forward.

His eyes showed frustration and he looked like he himself didn’t knew the answer.

“Hate is a strong word Alexis.” He said mildly.

When he was inches away from her, causing her heart beat to go wild and get warm from head to toe, he asked in a dangerous tone, “Why haven’t you told anything about me to your father?”

Stunned Alexis managed to look up. He was close, too close for her comfort. His eyes were on her face and possibly widened eyes, they had his signature angry look accompanied by certain amount of amusement.

“I-I...I just...I-I don’t know!” She finally said, not knowing herself.

Logically she could have, she should have. But for some absurd reason she hasn’t.

Satisfied , he stepped away a smile appearing on his face . A slight smile, accompanied by his dimple.

“Alexis, you know what...This color looks nice on you!”

And left the museum with a exasperated and surprised girl.

The epic painting , Endless wait stared back at her as she tried to take in the big surprise in the museum!