~The Messenger: The Meeting~

The guy in the black leather coat approached me… well I wouldn’t say slowly, but he was definitely cautious (he wasn’t really making any noise or doing anything conspicuous). He probably thought I might attack him. Ha.

Just play it cool. He’s probably not even really looking at you. He’s probably looking at the person behind you.

So I acted like I was rearranging some things in my purse hoping that he would walk by me.

But instead he stood next to my table, looked at me and asked, “Can I sit here?”

I swallowed hard and looked at him. Keep eye contact. Play it cool. “Sure,” I said as I slung my purse strap over my shoulder, “I was just leaving.”

I stood but he said quietly, “Sit down Vanessa. We need to talk.”

And I obeyed him noticing the difference in his voice. This wasn’t the guy on the phone.

“Were you the one who called me?” I asked.

“No. My boss did. He told me to tell you that he’s sorry he couldn’t make it and that I’m going to take his place until he can rearrange his schedule to meet you.”

“Who’s your boss?” I asked somewhat harshly. Needless to say I was silently freaking out. Whoever this guy was he knew just as much about me as his boss did.

“He told me not to tell you.”

“Why not?” I asked somewhat childishly.

“Well tell me why you should know.” He said.

“Because I deserve to know what’s going on!” I countered.

Why isn’t he telling me anything? I wondered.

“I’ll tell you later. Any other questions or can I tell you what I need to tell you?” he asked somewhat coldly.

He doesn’t want to be here as much as I do.

“What business does your boss run?”

“We’re Messengers.” He replied.

“How many of you are there?” I asked hoping to get as much out of him as possible.

“A handful.”

“How long have you been watching me?”

“Long enough to know that your life needs “spicing up”.” He said watching me closely.

I squirmed in my seat a little. That’s the exact same thing that the Boss had said to me. Was he right?

I thought about it for a moment. True, I didn’t have any kids or any pets. I also didn’t have a boyfriend. But there were a lot of single people in New York.

I had friends, though. I had Shelly from The Diner and I had family that I was close to.

Maybe this guy had a point.

“So what do I have to do?” I asked.

Whatever it is you don’t have to do it. Everything is an option.

“Nothing hard. Just read this.” He said handing me a plain envelope from the inside of his jacket.

“What is this some promotional thing? I asked.

“Yes of course! We want you to be a Messenger!” he said sarcastically and turning his head to the side to look around at the others in Starbucks.

And his words stung me more than I expected them too (which was weird). I must have reeled or looked hurt because when he looked back his gaze softened and he said, “I’m sorry. But what’s in that envelope I can’t tell you. You have to find it yourself.”

He stood as I opened my mouth to ask more questions, “No more questions. I have to go.” He said.

And I closed my mouth as I watched him open the door and disappear into the sea of people in black outside. A flash of lightning illuminated the group outside and as I searched for the man it was too late. He had already disappeared.