Page 90 of David

The blinds are halfway down, partly containing the outside world when nervous fingers get busy with the lock again.

If this is Julie, why is she outside my door?

“David?”

It’s Julie.

Her key card must not work again.

She was supposed to use it sparingly, for instance, in an emergency. Or if I was out.

Neither applies to the current situation.

I tug at the sheet and climb out of bed before wrapping it around me as I straighten.

Bare chested and half asleep, I head to the door.

I unlock it and slide it open before awoman with pink hair and blue eyes looks at me sternly.

She wears black from head to toe.

Normally, I’d comment, but she’s making an effort, so I’ll let it slide for now.

I asked her to look professional, but she couldn’t take the goth girl out of her nineteen-year-old self.

She nodded in agreement when I asked her to do that––smart girl––and replaced her combat boots, ripped clothes, and layered jewelry with black pants, a button-up dress shirt, and rings on all fingers.

She’s more 'dark academia' now––she told me, and I nodded, not having the slightest idea what the fuck that meant.But I believed her.

Although she looks more like someone I owe money to. With her eyebrows pinched into a frown and a harsh look meant to affect me.

She doesn’t blink.

“What’s the emergency?” I ask, spinning around with her on my heels. “I thought you were off today.”

“James called me. He wanted to see you this morning. I explained to him––”

I flick my hand, cutting her off, while moving to the armchair where I left my pants. I reach inside my pocket and pull out my phone.

James called me once before leaving a brief message.

I couldn’t hear a thing since I was asleep.

“Something happened?” I ask, running my fingers through my hair.

“No, I don’t think so,” she says in response to my lifted eyebrow. “He wanted to discuss business with you. And you’re invited to his house this afternoon. It’s some gathering they have. It’s not a special occasion. You two can talk then.”

“When did he speak to you?”

“A few minutes ago, I was worried when he said you hadn’t answered your phone. That’s why I’m here. Not to see your shredded abs.”

Her jab at me makes me stifle a smile.

“So you’re not off today.”

“Uh… Obviously.”

I like Julie’s spunk.

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