With all these thoughts buzzing in her head Katherine was heading home after a long and busy day at the Faculty of Literature. Her paper on Shakespeare has already took her about two years. She did love exploring old Oxford libraries full of various folios with those cracking with years bindings. The atmospere in the library was exquisite. It’s just, spending so much time in closed spaces devasted her a bit and Katherine was really happy to finally escape the building and spend the remainder of the day walking the cosy streets of Oxford inhaling this fresh evening air and just enjoying some me time.
That’s funny… I can actually feel someone’s eyes on my back…
Katherine turned around to break her suspicions.
Nothing… – Well, I have probably spent too much time in those stuffy libraries. I start making things up. Come on, just relax! Goodness gracious! Why haven’t I considered wearing something warmer and more comfortable than this silk black dress. Sometimes, fashion forces to make foolish decisions…
Soon, the shiny Grand Cafe was finally withinh her grasp and Katherine hurried up to get inside.
At least, inside this cosy place my mind will stop playing tricks on me. I’m despearate for a cup of hot black tea.
When getting to the counter, Katherine spotted a handsome man in his early forties sitting next to the window. His face features delicate, sharp, and manly. His thick brown hair with a little touch of grey to his tempeles and beard. The stranger was busy typing something on his laptop. He was wearing a chocolate-brown three-piece-suit with his jacket hanging on the chair back. Suddenly the man raised his eyes from the screen and they shared a glance.
Seems like he’s smiling at me with those ocean-like quartz eyes. Must be one of our Oxford professors having a rest after a busy teaching day. Getting students’ attention can be difficult these days. But why does he keep starring at me?
Katherine could have continued this chain of suggestions but then she realised why did she come here in the first place.
– Hello – she addressed an accountant.
– Good evening Miss. What can I get you?
– I’d like a cup of an Earl Grey please.
– Anything to eat?
– No thanks, just some tea.
– That’s 4.95, please.
– Here you go. Thanks.
With her tea on a tray Katherine started scanning the place for the best table to sit at. There was a nice one near the fireplace.
I do like English cafes for such cosy corners.
Heading to the table, seating herself down, Katherine took her laptop out of a backpack (quite heavy to carry actually, but she had years of practise) and opened it.
Ok, so what do we have here.
Katherine opened her inbox to see a notification of one new message. As she was about to look into it the door swung open revealing two men of large and medium height on the threshold. They closed the door noisily and went straight to the counter.
– Hey, bimbo! -one of the strangers exclaimed with an Ameican accent that sounded so aesthetically displeasing…
Why do Americans always behave as they are the masters of the world?
These two annoyed Katherine a great deal.
They ordered some beer and were on their way to the table next to the door when they saw Katherine and stumbled.
– Hey, Ax isn’t that this chic the boss told us to get hold of?
– I suppose you’re right, Dirk. Let me check the pic. Damn, it is her! We are pretty lucky today!
They left the beer on the counter and moved right to Katherine’s table.
– Hey, babe! Feeling bored around here?
Oh God! I do hate the manner they address women! Some etiquette lessons would do them good.
– I beg your pardon? – asked Katherine taken aback.
– “I beg your pardon” tried a man whose name as we have already learned was Dirk, to mock at Katherine’s intonations. – British bitches, why do they always speak like some kind of royalty? Listen, stop playing games. You go with us now, and no one’s going to get hurt. You refuse, we shred up this place and bring you a lot of pain!
– I think you’re mistaken. I have no idea what you’re talking about and I’m going nowhere! -Katherine replied firmly.
– Why are you always so rude, Dirk? She’s a lady.-the middle height man whose name was Axel cut him off. – Listen, miss, we’d like you to come with us and you’d better contemplate carefully before refusing.
That chap is definitely more intelligent than his gorrila of a friend.
– Once again, I’m not going anywhere. Leave me alone, would you?
– She’s all yours!
Dirk grasped Katherine’s hand tightly and was about to force her to get up from the chair when a hand shook his shoulder.
– Problem, gentlemen? -it was the quartz-eyed man.
I bet the shorter one will leave all the dirty business to his giant friend. Though, he won’t stand a chance in a fight against the mysterious savior. With such a built, broad shoulders and powerful arms he’s a match for anyone.
– Who the hell are you? -Dirk blurted hastily.
– Wrong question, sir. I see you are disturbing this young woman and judging from her frightened face, I assune you’re not her friends. Why don’t you let her be and leave the place immediately? – the gentleman said confidently looking them straight in the eye.
– You’re a quickwitted chap, hah? Let’s see how your little brain works after I smash it into the wall! Out of my way! -Dirk exclaimed menacingly.
– Sorry to disappoint, but you’ll never see that happening. Once again, let the young woman be, before I make you. There will be no more warnings.-the man’s tone getting less polite and more demanding.
– I think that’s none of your business, sir. said Ax. – Get back to your table and proceed with that silly English tea you Brits drink day and night. Never understood this fucking tradition of yours.-the thugs bursted out laughing. -That was probably one of your best jokes, bro! -Dirk remarked laughing like a hyena.
– This conversation is getting on my nerves.-the stranger remarked irritably, towering over Axel.
– Dispose of him! -Axel commanded.
– Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.-the savior remarked taking a glass of beer from the table cracking it on Dirk’s head. Ax took out a knife trying to hit Katherine’s savior. No luck. The stranger was as fast as a bullet. In seconds he gripped the thin man’s hand and smashed him into the wall.
– Watch out! -Katherine alerted as Dirk rose up with a chair in his arms trying to hit the stranger. The man managed to dodge, as the chair flew towards him crashing the bar. They got in a massive fight when finally the stranger pushed the hulk hard straight into the glass door.
– Pardon the intrusion, ladies and gentlemen. Have a nice evenig! -the stranger apologised with his usual charm. Then he came up to Katherine. – Are you all right, Miss?
– Well, yes, thanks