Kapitel 12: DEAR STRANGER

EVELYN'S POV

"I have to do some shopping for my mum at the local mall," I said as we stepped out of the restaurant. "The mall is just some blocks away on foot if you don't mind. After that, we can head to your place."

"I don't mind going with you," Lucas said with a smile. "I'm beginning to enjoy your company. I don't mind carrying the heavy stuffs after your shopping."

What a gentleman, I thought to myself.

"Alright," I said, "Tell your driver to bring the cars around. I hope he can manage that."

"Sure," Lucas said, "I will call him right away."

And with that, we stepped into the walkway and chatted as Lucas made to call his driver. The local mall was busy as usual, with people going up and down armed with trolleys and shopping baskets.

Actually, shopping was the best part of the week for me because it took my mind off things. Lucas, on the other hand, walked along indifferently, as he paid more attention to his phone than our conversation.

I saw a smile curve around his face, and I was eager to know what it was, but common sense told me otherwise.

"I have to go to the next section soon," I said.

"Uhmm…" was all Lucas could say, as he stood beside a rack, unperturbed.

A call came into his phone almost immediately, and he said, "It's a work call. I really need to pick this in a not-so-noisy place."

I pointed him to the direction of the restroom, and watched him walk away as he muttered, "Thanks."

I'm used to shopping alone, so today won't be an exception. With that in mind, I looked at my shopping list and disappeared into the next section to pick a few items.

As I walked briskly, I couldn't help but notice from the corners of my eyes that someone was following me. He was in faded jean pants with a worn-out gray polo shirt.

I turned to the shelf in front of me, as if to pick an item, so I might see the person closely. He didn't hesitate to approach me, but instead of confronting me, he turned to face the same shelf as if to pick an item too.

Then I turned squarely to face him. He was very lean but tall. He had a weird way of looking handsome in that polo shirt and faded jeans, which made him radiate a natural aura that didn't need the services of a designer label.

With a clean shave, he could've been mistaken for a human soldier, but his beards were unkempt. Werewolves rarely joined the military because they were born hunters, so it was hard to determine his affinity.

Then he turned to face me too.

"Are you stalking me?" I quipped at the top of my voice.

"Stalk?" the fellow replied in a deep bass voice. "I know werewolves are predators and not stalkers."

Thank goodness, that was out of the way. I thought to myself as I felt at ease and smiled back at the man.

"I have pepper spray with me, you know," I lied.

I didn't look at him as I continued picking bits and pieces off the shelf.

"Pepper spray, huh?" he said, as he followed me nonetheless. "That's quite intense."

"Well, it comes in handy," I said with a smile, as I moved along.

"I would love to spice up your day, but not with the burning sensation on my face," he said.

This one was a sweet talker, and I could already feel butterflies in my stomach.

Before I could say a word, he continued.

"I promise I wasn't stalking or preying on you, but it seems like I am good at accidentally being in the same place with you... in this mall," he said, as he gesticulated.

"Have we met before?" I asked as I squinted my eyes to see him.

"Except if in our previous lives. If not, then I doubt that," he said, as he drew nearer to me.

I was startled as he extended his hands to shake mine.

"I am Albert by name, and it is an honor knowing you." He said

I didn't resist, and I moved forward to sniff him. This was a true werewolf, I said to myself.

"Evelyn," I replied, in between breaths.

"A lovely name indeed for a beautiful soul," Albert said. "I couldn't help but notice how you smile from a distance. It is not every day someone gets to see a beauty like your humble self."

"Thank you," I flushed.

"Come to think of it, I am not alone," I said, as I looked around to see if Lucas was within eyesight.

Albert followed my gaze.

"I guess you're waiting for your boyfriend," Albert said, and when he didn't get a response from me, he added, "Or your husband?"

"Far from it," I flushed again, "he is neither of them."

"Then a brother maybe?" Albert probed further.

"Lucas is just a pack member from out of town and a client too," I needed to clear the air, "We just had a business date some hours so he decided to come shopping with me. That's all."

"That would be a coincidence because I am from out of town too," Albert said, pointing to himself.

Both of us smiled.

"Will you oblige me with a tour around your heart?" Albert asked, his eyes sparkling with interest.

"I guess I have to go look for him, he might be lost," I said, ignoring his remark. I now had a worried look on my face.

"Maybe I should pay for these items while you go look for your brother," Albert said, pointing to my trolley.

"Pack member," I corrected him, "and for the record, I know how these things end."

"What things are you talking about?" Albert remained defiant.

"These whole relationship stuffs," I gestured, "my last boyfriend was an asshole. So I know the drill."

I started to walk away from him. Albert pushed the trolley and followed me.

"I'd love to know the drill too," Albert said, his eyes still fixed on me.

I sighed and stopped. I looked back and burst out laughing.

"Now I make you laugh too, huh?" Albert remarked, with a fine boy look on his face.

"No, it's not you this time," I said, as I giggled, "I really don't need most of these things in the trolley. I was putting them in my trolley when I noticed you stalking me."

We both laughed as we started replacing the irrelevant items on the shelf. I had a smile on my face. Many thoughts flashed through my mind. There was something unique about Albert that made me feel at ease.

"Why not give me your number and I will call you sometime?" Albert requested.

"I don't give out my number to strangers," I said with a smile, trying to sound childish.

He looked disappointed but smiled. "I won't push it," he said, as he placed his hands over mine on the trolley, "I guess I must wait for my turn next time we meet. But don't be too quick to dismiss unexpected encounters though."

I was dumbstruck for a moment. Those were the exact words my mother had told me some days ago, moments before I slammed my door in her face.

"Did I say something wrong?" Albert enquired, as he noticed my discomfort.

I quickly pulled my hand from his. "Uhmm! Not at all," I said, as I shook off the uneasy feeling, "how did you know we would meet again?"

"Just a feeling," he shrugged, "then I won't be a stranger anymore. Would I?"

"Yes, if we ever get to meet again," I said, as I dropped the last item I didn't need, "then it won't be a coincidence anymore."

"And when will that be?" Albert's voice trailed after me as I left for the teller.

The question resonated down the aisle. When will it be? Would I want to see this stranger ever again?