Secret Double Life

Chapter 4

His blue eyes looked deep into hers with passion and love as he leaned in closer to her lips. His warm breath sent chills down her back as he caressed her cheek in his warm hand. Closer and closer he got to where their lips gently touched.

Suddenly a phone faintly rang and Gemma grunted and opened her eyes slowly. She laid there with her arm covering her eyes and she sighed.

"It was just a dream," she said sitting up. "Why did I have a dream about Magnús?"

After shaking her head to get rid of the images of the dream she picked up her phone which rang again. Kim's number was on the caller ID. Gemma rolled her eyes and answered.

"Isn't it early there?" Gemma answered.

"That's not important right now. I just called to see if you found anything out yet?" Kim asked.

"Kim, I just arrived yesterday. My cab never showed up at the airport so I walked halfway to my hotel but nearly froze to death. Someone rescued me and brought me to their home with my consent and I just woke up from a long night," Gemma said in annoyance and rubbed her face. "So no I didn't find out a thing."

Kim huffed. "Well, whenever you decide you want to work the story go right ahead. It's not like the company is depending on you or anything."

Gemma sighed. "I'll call you or email whatever I find. Just give me the day to get my strength back. I nearly froze to death."

There was a long pause and a sigh on Kim's end. "Fine. You're no use to us dead anyway. Just relax and enjoy today but get busy tomorrow. I'm looking for your email with something juicy!"

With that Kim hung up leaving Gemma in her thoughts. She didnt want to tell Kim she had already run into Magnús or that he was the one who found her. There was no Sportacus in sight so far. Perhaps Magnús knew something about this so called superhero of Iceland.

"I guess it wouldnt hurt to ask. But how does one bring up that subject?" she asked herself as she dug through her luggage for clothes. "I guess I can tell him the reason I came here was because I heard of a superhero called Sportacus and I wanted to know if it was true or not..."

Gemma glanced up at nothing and made a face. That sounded weird and unbelievable. Normal people visit another country for the sites and attractions not for a superhero that could or could not be real.

"Guess I'll just wing it," she shrugged and brushed her hair quickly and peeked out the door.

Everything was quiet in the house besides a low hum coming from the kitchen. Gemma quietly made her way in that direction, looking around to see if Magnús was anywhere.

"Why am I sneaking?" she asked herself and walked normal to the kitchen.

Coffee was being brewed and Magnús was setting the table for breakfast. When he turned their eyes met and he smiled brightly.

"Good morning," he said. "Breakfast? It is the most important meal of the day."

Gemma smiled shyly and sat down at the table. "I haven't had a good breakfast like this since my mom made it when I was little. This is a treat, thank you."

"Of course. You are my guest after all," he grinned placing a plate of sorted fruits in the middle of the table. "I hope you're hungry."

Gemma nodded and grabbed sliced apples. "I love green apples. They're my favorite."

Magnús flashed a smile from over at the stove. He seemed to be cooking eggs. Everything smelled fresh and she felt oddly comfortable. Looking past the fact she was in a stranger's home, she felt safe and comfortable.

Gemma played with the end of the table cloth and bit her lower lip in thought. She wanted to ask him about the hero Sportacus but didnt know exactly how to bring it up. Winging it wasn't looking too good.

"So, what brings you to Iceland?" he asked putting her eggs in front of her and taking a seat.

"Definitely not dying from frost bite, that's for sure," she joked with an awkward giggle.

He chuckled and shook his head with a sparkle in his blue eyes. "Yes, that's not good. But you are safe now."

She nodded. "But seriously, I came for the sites. I have also wanted to see the lights in the sky at night. I've heard they're absolutely amazing."

"That they are. Very breathtaking," he agreed. "I can show you good places here in town and take you my favorite spots if you like?"

Gemma looked up from taking a sip of coffee he had also placed in front of her. "That sounds like a blast. Um... also I heard there was this man named Sportacus. A superhero, if you will. Does he really exist?"

There it was, that question she felt silly asking. Gemma held her breath waiting for him to respond.

"That's another reason some people visit here," he said nodding. "Do you believe he could be real?"

Gemma shrugged. "I've never believed in superheroes or magic to be honest with you. It just seems to be farfetched. But what can you tell me about him?"

"Well, I hear he lives in an airship right above the town and watches everything. When someone is in trouble he has a crystal that lights up to let him know when someone needs help," Magnús explained.

Gemma arched an eyebrow. Everything he said did seem like it was part of a fairytale. One told to kids to help them feel safe at night.

"Do you believe in this hero?" she asked, her eyebrow still arched, looking at him intently.

"I believe that people need something to believe in now days," he explained. "And if Sportacus is real, I hope he's out there making a difference."

Gemma nodded slowly and sat back in her chair thinking about his words. She was the type of person who needed to see something to believe it.

"Maybe one day I'll get to meet him. I just hope I dont have to be in danger for it to happen," she said with a playful wink.

He smiled and rose from the table. "When I return home from work, I would love to show you the sites of my town. You can stay here if you want or call a cab to go to your hotel. A trusted driver's number is on the refrigerator door."

"Thank you very much," Gemma glanced at the piece of paper on the door.

"In a way, I hope you decide to stay. I enjoy your company," Magnús said before closing the door.

A smile crept up on her blushing face. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as flashes of his smile crossed her mind. She shook her head.

"No, Gemma... you cant get in too deep. You're here for a story not love," she told herself with a gentle slap to her face. "He cant fall in love with you anyway. I'm boring and depressing."

Gemma looked around the kitchen and glanced across the hall to a study room. Perhaps she could take this time to look around the large home. She still wasn't convinced that Magnús was Sportacus or Sportacus was even real. Only time would tell and hopefully secrets would unfold.