บท 1: For the First Time
Keira pinched the bridge of her nose and looked up from the computer screen she used as a shield, pretending to scrutinize the library holdings.
In reality, she was actually just avoiding eye contact with the general public. It had been a long evening behind the reference desk, and the patrons had been lining up, not decreasing in numbers until just now, half an hour before closing time.
"I'd kill for an overpriced iced coffee and tuna sandwich from that questionable place around the corner," she muttered to herself.
"Would you, really?" The low voice from a newly arrived patron pulled her thoughts back to the present. "I can use a hand or two to kill my incompetent driver for that price. I will also give you a hefty bonus if you can do it soon. Preferably tonight."
Somehow, her fantasy-filled mind whispered how much the man sounded as if he was flirting. Keira blinked her eyes owlishly, silently cursing herself for saying unfiltered words out of her mouth and humouring the stray thoughts she just brushed aside inside her mind.
Massaging her temple with her right hand, Keira cleared her throat. "Excuse me?"
However, the man fell silent as though some cat had got his tongue. It was then that she realized. He might find her face disgusting, what with the sudden reaction and all. She wouldn't blame him. It was not the first time something like this had happened. In fact, she grew her hair out and let her pretty long bangs cover the right side of her face where her reddish birthmark had resided without her permission. Shaped like a blotch, uneven on her right cheekbone. Enough people had made her sympathize with the circus' exotic animals.
Consciously, Keira brought her hand down and masterfully hid her imperfect face behind her bangs.
"Nevermind. I just thought you look exhausted enough to go berserk and really kill people for food," he casually said.
Keira finally looked up at him, taking in his appearance and the lack of disgust or any hints of insulting reaction he might have had.
The man in front of her desk was quite tall and perhaps even athletic if the slim fit, three-piece suits he wore were any indication. A charming smile grazed his lips, generous in its kindness. Clearly not blind, she could appreciate that handsome feature displayed in this library any time of the day. At least, it would make her slow, boring days go faster and feel more pleasant. Moreover, if said man didn't seem to mind or react negatively to her strange birthmark.
"I was wondering, what does it mean by 'the book is not available'?"
"I'm sorry?" Keira offered him the very best version of her Professional Smile. It only hurt a tiny little bit around the corners of her mouth and some more inside her soul. She truly hoped that her fake smile worked enough not to offend the newcomer. Also, all staff recently had a full day's lecture on the importance of smiling as their boss was reviewing the library's customer service policy. Again.
But that was not the important point now. "What book are you referring to, sir?"
The man leaned against the desk and showed her his phone. He smelled of cologne and booze, though not in the same way as several of their regulars smell of booze. There were many flavours of alcoholism, and most of them parade around on display in the library on a daily basis. For instance, she was pretty sure this man wasn't the one who peed in protest in the corner between historical and supernatural romance shelves. Oh, what a day that was.
Reading what the screen displayed, she hummed. "Ah, yes. That's right. The book is in our reference library. Actually, it's in the section that is only open to scholars since this is separate from, uhm, 1691. Written in… Latin?"
"Come now," he smiled radiantly at her.
God, he was truly good-looking. That made her more conscious of her facial birthmark. Although, she also wanted to ogle him longer. Now, she was confident that it was the first time this man had visited the library. She would remember his face well if he ever visited once before.
"Surely we can come to some sort of an agreement…" his gaze lingered entirely too long at her name tag. Just over her right breast. "Ms Hawkins."
"I'm afraid it's only for scholars, sir."
"Do you know who I am?" His tone was incredulous, like someone believing they were a famous person and their name should be remembered clearly throughout history.
Keira stared and blankly answered, "I don't. If you have a memory problem, maybe you should consider visiting the hospital instead of the library… in search of a Latin book older than the United States."
She spoke from experience. The medical bill in this country, Keira just didn't have the energy to talk about it right now.
Oblivious to Keira's internal monologue, the man opened his mouth. "My name is Nathaniel Wolfe and you should–"
"Oh, so you do know your own name. Good to hear. That would save a handsome amount of money and time you can spend watching a movie." Keira cut him with a voice louder than she usually prefered.
Not because she wanted to be rude. She just didn't know where to put her imperfect face after this if the man staring down at her could hear her rumbling stomach. Why did she skip lunch again? Oh, that was right, they fell asleep in the break room and woke up to the library full of patrons needing the staff's help.
The man regarded her during a very brief moment of silence. As she looked straight into his wide blue eyes, she saw something akin to impatience. The tense shoulders he supported also backed her assessment that he needed the book as soon as possible.
However, he seemed to surprise her for the second time in the short moment they met each other. "Well, then I will have to become one, won't I?"
"Uhm… I'm pretty sure it doesn't work like that, sir," she replied because she was trying to nail customer service, and she was a hella good librarian and refused to leave a single question unanswered.
"Oh, it does." he chuckled, a low sound at the back of his throat as his tongue darted out, quickly, to touch his lower lip. It was the kind of look that promised her it would not be the only time they met.
Keira hoped that was the only time she met Nathaniel Wolfe. However, the universe wasn't as kind. Because next time, they do meet again…
"Let's make out in the philosophy corner," was what he said nonchalantly.
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