Don't try to Escape

Chapter 4 - Part I & II

I hold the door, and I step back as an invitation to Mr. Mai get into the apartment. I am calling him like that because "Thomas" sounds very simple to a man who is wearing such a pricey suit. Dolce & Gabbana or Louis Vuitton?

"Sarah Baleatos speaking. I talked at the agency yesterday."

"Oh, yes. Hi, Sarah. How are you?" Daniel says.

Thomas gives a step forward and arrives in the living room with an elegant and eminent attitude. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to a real businessman. I move my eyes down to his ass, covered by the blazer. I can't believe I did this! I almost break my phone for squeezing it.

"I'm great. I'm calling to know how your schedule is to Thursday morning."

I look down and close the door behind me.

"Hold on a second. I'm gonna check it." Right after, the line is silent.

I look at Thomas, who is looking me up and down, probably wondering if I will leave or not. I reached my aim. We look at each other, and I say a silent "hi" with the lips. He gives a crooked smile and stills staring at me.

"Sarah," Daniel is back in line, "I'm free tomorrow, but I have a photo shoot at 2 PM.

I raise one finger to Thomas, hoping he understands that I need a minute, and he nods to confirm.

"It's fine. We start early in the morning, and we finish it before lunch. What do you think? " I say.

"It's ok for me. Did you tell Amanda?"

Thomas puts the hands in his pockets, and look around, observing the apartment.

"I didn't. I'm going to call her now."

"I can tell her if you want. We're going to meet soon," Daniel says.

"Oh, that would be great. Thanks. So everything is set for Thursday at 8, at Eric Sant 'Anna studio, ok?"

"Is it the one downtown?"

"That's right."

"Ok, then. See you on Thursday."

I hang up the phone, and I glance Thomas next to the kitchen counter. The contrast between him and my apartment is so big that I wonder if it is time for a renovation. But there is nothing wrong with my apartment. Thomas is the one who makes everything look dull around him. I see the way I look, and I feel discouraged by the idea of going to a restaurant dressed up like this. Come on Sarah, it's for a good reason.

"Your apartment is beautiful. Have you done the decoration?"

"Thanks," I say, feeling a bit invaded. "Yes, I've done the decoration."

"It's very nice."

He starts looking at the framed posters of old films hanged on the wall. I hope he honestly liked it and didn't say it just to look nice, but I don't think he would praise it if he didn't really enjoy the decoration.

"How did you get to convince the doorman to let you in?" I realized that his presence was not announced before he showed up by my door.

"The old man in the lobby?" he raises one eyebrow. "He didn't even see me passing."

"Mr. Rodriguez? Of course he saw you. That man doesn't blink!" I don't believe what he's saying. "It was one the reasons why I moved here."

"Because of the doorman of the building?" he looks at me surprised.

"Because of the security," I explain. "The alarm system is great. You're lucky he didn't see you."

If that's true, after all. Did he bribe the doorman? I bet!