by Jani Kay
Throwing back the covers, I swung my legs off the bed and got up. Still shaky, I padded to the bathroom to freshen up. A new toothbrush was set on top of a guest towel. I smiled at the gesture, ripped the packaging open and gratefully brushed the stale taste of alcohol out of my mouth.
Catching a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror, I grimaced at the dark circles under my eyes and gaunt, pale tightness of my skin, accentuating my high cheekbones. Death warmed up—not a good look on anyone. I even contemplated slapping my cheeks a few times to get some color into them, but decided against it given my head already pounded. I sighed as I twisted my unruly hair into a knot, hoping it would behave.
Returning to the bedroom in search of my shoes, I glanced around the sparsely decorated room with its black-and-white color scheme. Glass lamps with black shades stood on mirrored side tables. I wrinkled my nose. It was too clinical for my tastes, but then my gaze fell on the bookshelf, which groaned under the weight of overcrowded books. He likes reading. I couldn’t help the spark of interest discovering this. Scrutinizing the titles on the shelf, I noticed a mix of books—from classics to modern, from poetry to murder, from German to English, and a few French ones too.
Kurt speaks French?
Not finding my shoes, I gave up searching and made my way downstairs barefooted. Halfway down the stairs, I came to a halt. Kurt grunted as he pushed weights above his head, his muscular body dripping with sweat. He sensed my presence and lifted his chin, a wicked grin on his face. His shoulders bunched with ripped muscles as he slowly lowered the weights and breathed out in a huff.
“Slept well?” Caught staring at him, I nodded shyly. “Hungry?” He wasn’t a man of many words, using the bare minimum to convey his thoughts.
My stomach rumbled and my head was splitting. “Starving.” I smiled back at him, holding my arm over my stomach.
He wiped his face and body with a towel, his rippling muscles glowing from the sheen of sweat on his skin. “I think you need those—” He nodded towards the kitchen counter where he’d placed a container of headache tablets and a glass of water. Shaking two pills into my hand, I swallowed them along with the whole glass of water.
“Good girl.” He smiled at me before bounding up the stairs. “A quick shower before breakfast.”
Unsure what to do, I sank into the leather couch, waiting for his return. On the floor next to the couch, lay a neatly folded blanket and a pillow. Did Kurt sleep down here? I certainly hope so. It would be much easier to stomach than the alternative. If I was having sex with strangers, I at least wanted to remember it.
Still tired, I closed my eyes and drifted off.
Startled, I woke with Kurt leaning over me, softly kissing my forehead. He smelled clean and fresh, unlike me. I’d been wearing the same clothes since the day before.
“Breakfast is ready.” He straightened, holding out a hand to help me up. I placed my hand in his and pushed up from the couch, following him to the kitchen. A big bowl of muesli with yoghurt and fresh fruit awaited me, along with a gigantic glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. I hadn’t eaten properly in weeks. Salivating, I sat on the barstool and reached for my bowl, hungrily taking a mouthful.
“Healthy food for a healthy body and mind.” I squirmed as Kurt’s gaze skimmed up and down my body, sizing me up. He was right. I’d been neglecting and abusing my body. I chewed the mouthful, deciding to make time for a decent breakfast every morning.
He leaned over and sprinkled some healthy looking brown powdery stuff over his bowl and then mine. I wrinkled my nose, making him laugh. “It's LSA. Linseed, sunflower, and almonds ground up. It's good for you.”
“Oh, okay,” I said, digging in for the next mouthful.
“It's Sunday. I don’t have work today,” he said, watching my face as I chewed. “How long are you staying in Munich?” He took a sip of his orange juice as he waited for my reply.
“Another seven weeks. Business and pleasure, rolled in to one.” I squirmed in my chair. Another lie. I hadn’t had much pleasure since I’d arrived.
He narrowed his eyes. “You look stressed. Fresh air and sunshine is what you need. Vitamin D for a healthy mood.”
I laughed. “You sound like a doctor.”
He smiled and nodded. Pride shone in his eyes.
“Doctor Kurt?” I lifted a brow. “So why are you working in a bar?”
A deep, hearty laugh rumbled from his chest. “I’m studying medicine. I'm in my final semester before I qualify. In the meantime, there are bills to pay. I’m also a personal trainer, alongside working a few shifts in my brother’s bar and working at the hospital.”
Impressed, my eyes widened. Doctor Kurt was clearly an ambitious and driven man.
“I serve alcohol, but I don’t condone putting it into a person’s body. Ironic, isn’t it?” That explained him refusing me more alcohol last night.
“Do you save every damsel in distress?” Touched that he was willing to stand up to Clone, I realized just how much he’d risked saving me. He could have lost his chance to qualify or get his license all because of my foolish behavior.
“No, only those who really need it. Like you.” His penetrating gaze caused heat to rise from my chest and over my cheeks. I hadn’t managed to shake the blushing thing.
He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “I still don’t know your name, pretty damsel.”
I liked my new hero. “It's Rebecca.”
“Rebecca.” He swirled it around his tongue, testing it. “How about I take you out today for fresh air and sunshine?”
I lifted the bottom of my shirt to my face and inhaled, then wished I hadn’t. Worse than I remember from last night. “I need to shower and change first.”
“That’s a yes then?”
“Yes.”
He grinned. “I’ll take you to your place and wait while you shower. Where are you staying?”
“In an apartment nearby. Within walking distance from the bar.”
Chapter 5 – Rebecca
The short walk from his apartment to my place made him laugh out loud.
“I see you meant it when you said you were planning to walk home from the bar. At least it's close.”
“That’s why I chose your bar—location, location, location.” I grinned at him. “How was I to know you lived just across the road from the bar and a block away from my place?”
“At least I didn’t need to take your keys from you,” he winked.
“I don’t believe in drinking and driving.” I shrugged. “Besides, I don’t have a car.”
He chuckled as we entered the building. I indicated the black couch where I wanted him to wait for me. Leaving Kurt in the lobby, I took the elevator to my apartment. I jumped in the shower, scrubbed down and washed my hair in record time; feeling refreshed when I emerged. After drying my hair, I tied it into a ponytail and changed into jeans and a white T-shirt, throwing a cardigan over my shoulders. Slipping into flat pumps, I grabbed my purse with a bottle of water, spare headache tablets, and made my way out.
I was looking forward to a day out to see the sights of the city. Since Alain had taken so much time to show me around Paris, I was loath to go out on my own in Munich. It just wouldn’t be the same without someone to share the experience with. Maybe it had something to do with being the oldest sister who always had to keep an eye on younger siblings since Dad died and Mum had to work extra shifts, but I wasn’t a fan of doing things on my own. I’d much rather have good company and at the moment I needed a friend—someone to snap me out of my misery. Kurt seemed a likely candidate. Not that I had other choices since I’d avoided becoming friendly with anyone after the breakup, but he was growing on me and I suspected he’d be a really great person to have in my corner.
Kurt pushed to his feet as I entered the lobby, neatly folding the newspaper he’d been reading before placing it back on the rack where he found it. I guessed that being a neat freak was a good trait in a doctor. His ripped muscles flexed under his
tight black T-shirt as he stretched out and yawned. Even his jeans were black, like most things in his apartment. This was in stark contrast to his pale skin, blond hair, and bluest of blue eyes. Perfect rows of super whites smiled at me.
“That was quick.” He looked at his watch, seemingly impressed that I hadn’t been long. “Have you been to Marienplatz?”
“No, I haven’t had time,” I answered, not being completely truthful. “I was planning to visit it some time.”
“Okay, then we’ll go there today. We’ll take the train,” he said. “It’s quicker.”
Back on the sidewalk, he reached for my hand and pulled it through his arm casually.
“The cobbled sidewalks in this part of town can be tricky and I don’t want you falling and hurting yourself.” The concern in his eyes was genuine. “And after last night, your legs may still be a bit wobbly.”
Appreciating the gesture, I nodded. He felt comfortable and safe. We walked towards the station, passing the bar where I’d made such a fool of myself. He didn’t say anything—not a single witty remark or saying shit like ‘I told you so’. I squeezed his arm, a silent gesture of gratitude.
We caught the next train, getting to know one another as we chatted. I asked questions about his family and where he went to school and why he’d decided to become a doctor. Each question was answered with just enough information to satisfy my curiosity, yet keep me intrigued.
All too soon, we’d reached our destination and left the train. There was still a lot more I wanted to know about the smart young doctor, but he seemed relieved he could escape further interrogation into his life. He pulled me towards an open market and sat me down at a long table already full of people. They shifted up to make space for us.
“I’ll be back soon,” he said, leaning in to plant a kiss on my forehead before he disappeared into the crowd. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that kiss. It seemed innocent enough, but I didn’t want him getting ideas. I'd have to explain to him I wasn’t available for anything more than a friendship. Resting my chin in my palm as I waited, I watched the people around me, wondering idly what secrets they were hiding.
Everyone has a secret.
Secrets could cut other people in half. Destroy their hopes and dreams. Shatter their hearts. I sucked a few deep breaths into my lungs.
Determined to shake the melancholy that crept up on me and ambushed my heart whenever I let my mind wander, I turned my gaze to a group of children playing nearby and smiled at them. They giggled and waved at me.
Kurt returned with two gigantic pitchers of beer, one in each hand. Tucked under his arm was a huge twisted pretzel the size of a dinner plate, sprinkled with salt crystals. He chuckled when he saw the expression on my face.
“Beer? It's only eleven o’clock in the morning!” Laughing, I shook my head. “Besides, you said you don’t like alcohol.”
“All Germans like beer. Anyway, believe it or not, it will help with your hangover.”
“Strange remedy, Doctor Kurt. Are you sure it's not an excuse to start drinking before midday?” He wants me to drink all of that? I stared in awe at the pitcher of beer he placed in front of me that was about three times as much as I’d usually drink.
I watched as he took a huge swig, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He broke off a piece of the oversized pretzel and held it out to me. Surprisingly hungry again in spite of the healthy breakfast earlier, I took a bite. The saltiness making me thirsty, I took a sip of ice-cold beer to wash the pretzel down.
Kurt laughed as he placed his hand casually over mine. “Feeling better?”
Nodding, I smiled up at him. I genuinely felt so much brighter, relaxed and at ease in his company, soaking up the morning sun as it broke through the trees overhead. We continued getting to know one another. This time it was Kurt asking most of the questions. I told him about my sisters back in Australia, and how all three of us looked so alike that people often mistook us for triplets; we were so close in age too.
“It sounds as if you’re all close. I like that.”
“Yes, we’re very close, especially since my father died. We learned that family is so important.” I blinked a few times, fighting the tears and thickening of my throat. I changed the tone of my voice, trying to sound more upbeat. “You’d really like Lily. She’s the youngest. She loves reading as much as you do. She always has her nose in a book.”
I reached into my purse and found the mini photo album I’d tucked in there with pictures of everyone so that I could stare at their faces when I missed them too much. Opening it to the page of Lily sitting on a bench with our cat on her lap and a book in her hand, I pointed to her. “See. That’s the lovely Lily.”
Kurt took the album from my hand and stared at the picture of my baby sister, smiling. “She’s got freckles. You don’t.” Mischief danced in his eyes. “Lily looks like my kind of woman, beautiful and smart like her eldest sister.”
Turning the pages, Kurt asked questions about the rest of the family, too. I told him stories about the three of us as kids, about how we’d get into trouble yet always manage to get out of it because we stuck together.
We finished our enormous glasses of beer and the pretzel between us.
“Thanks, I'm actually feeling better now. Who knew the cure to a hangover was more alcohol? I’ll remember that.”
Kurt grinned. “No, it has to be beer. And you have to drink it with a friend.”
The more I got to know him, the more I liked spending time with Kurt. He was sweet and caring. If the way he treated me was any indication, he was going to be an excellent doctor.
I noticed that most people rose to their feet at about the same time and walked in the same direction toward the square. “What’s going on?”
“Let's go. You’ll want to see this.” Kurt pulled me up and walked me the short distance to the square. We were surrounded by historic buildings and crowds of people here for the same reason as we were. He pointed to a tall structure while peering at his watch. “It's exactly midday. Watch.”
Like everyone else, I gazed up to the tower, and to my amazement, music started playing as life-size figures moved around a clock. I clapped my hands, grinning as I watched.
“Oh, wow. That’s so cool.”
“The Glockenspiel,” Kurt said, pride emanating from him. “It re-enacts two stories from the 16th century.” We watched, enthralled as first the top half played out its story and then the second part below it.
Hordes of tourists, everyone with their eyes raised to the tower, stood around us, moving closer and closer as more people came into the square. Forced to move closer to Kurt as the space filled, he placed his arm casually around my shoulder.
My awareness shifted to a sudden jerk on my purse. Instinctively, I clutched it tighter to my body, gasping as my attention was drawn to the petty thief grabbing my bag. Kurt let out a curse and grabbed the boy by his collar, nearly lifting him off the ground.
I didn’t understand his words, but it seemed as if the boy was apologizing. His clothes were dirty, his slim face smeared with grime. Deep sunken eyes pleaded with mine.
“Let him go, Kurt,” I said as I laid my hand on his arm. Hunger was universal. A basic human need. I took twenty Euros from my purse and shoved it in his hand. “Go home now,” I said as I stared into the boy’s eyes. Tears welled up behind his lids, threatening to spill over. He nodded, rolling the money into a tight scroll before tucking it into his worn shoe. Kurt and I watched as he shuffled away from the crowd.
Kurt cocked his head, a strange look in his eyes as he hugged me to him.
“He’s a lucky boy. Most tourists, and locals, would treat him a lot harsher.”
“Every city in the world has homeless people,” I whispered. “I wonder if the boy has a family.”
Transported back to the awards night when my new boss, Maxwell Grant, had been honored for his philanthropic work by helping thousands of homeless people, I remembered the pledge I’d made that night: to
help others in need. To the boy, stealing was one of his few options. He’d be hungry again tomorrow. If only there was more I could do to help him.
“As long as he didn’t hurt you,” Kurt said, concern etched on his face as he inspected my face and arms.
“No, I’m fine,” I reassured him. “Maybe just a bit shaken up because it was so unexpected, that’s all.”
He pulled me into a hug. I hugged him back briefly then pulled away. It seemed that Kurt had a need to protect me, but I didn’t want him to think there would be anything more than friendship between us.
A small golden bird chirped three times, marking the end of the spectacle. An awkward silence fell between us. I swallowed the lump in my throat. It was time to explain to Kurt I wasn’t ready for anything serious, and that I’d like to be friends only.
“What’s wrong?” Kurt asked, cocking his head to one side. “You’re lost in thought. A million miles away.”
“Um, there’s something we need to talk about. I appreciate what you did for me last night and I’ve had a wonderful day with you. But you must know that I’ve just come out of a relationship. All I want is a friend. I really like you a lot, but it can't be anything more.”
He looked down at me and smiled. Small crinkles appeared at the sides of his eyes. “I enjoyed hanging out with you today. I'd love to be friends with you, Rebecca.”
“Thanks Kurt, that means a lot to me. After everything that’s happened to me in the last few months, I could do with a genuine friend.”
He hooked my hand through his arm as we left the square. I was a lucky woman to find a friend like Kurt.
Chapter 6 – Rebecca
An overwhelming emptiness filled the cavity where my heart sat, yet I was determined to find the right man for me—one I could love with all my heart and be loved back in return—without endless complications. He’s out there. Probably looking as hard for me as I was searching for him.
