Kyla’s Secret

Kyla was sitting at the table in front of her laptop when there was a knock on the door. Joe rose from the recliner, peered through the peephole, and then opened it. “Hello,” said an older woman with a foreign accent. Kyla could only see part of her from where she sat. The sun was low in the sky, directly behind the woman, making her appear as little more than a shadowy figure. Then the woman stepped into the room, and Joe introduced her as Officer Augustin. Kyla smiled politely and said hello. “You can feel free to call me Corrine,” said the officer as she placed a large duffle bag on the floor against the wall. The two officers chatted a moment longer, and Kyla stole scattered glances in their direction. It was the first time in her life she had ever found someone attractive the instant she laid eyes on them. She had been attracted to Zoey right away too, but not like this. This was different—something she’d never quite experienced before. The woman wasn’t even her usual type, and that made the whole experience even more intriguing. She was anything but tall and dark, standing perhaps five-five, just a couple of inches taller than Kyla herself. She also had rusty red hair and the sexiest blue eyes Kyla had ever seen. Her lips were full, and she was much older, too. Out of her usual preference or not, there was something about her that turned Kyla on. She wasn’t sure she wanted to spend so much time being this close to someone she was so attracted to, but at the same time she looked forward to it. She just hoped Corrine didn’t smoke—but Kyla didn’t smell anything on her, any more than she had with Joe. Joe finally left, and Corrine closed the door behind him. She turned to face Kyla. “Well,” she said with a smile too bright for a smoker, “we meet at last.” Kyla simply smiled, unsure what to make of that statement. “How are you holding up, ma’am?” “I’m hanging in there. I can definitely say, though, that my trip to California hasn’t been much of what I planned it to be.” Corrine laughed. “They say life is rarely what we plan it.” “I guess they were right about that one,” Kyla said as Corrine sat down across from her. Damn, those eyes were sexy. “I have never been to Hawaii, but I hear it is absolutely beautiful.” “It is. Funny, though, how those who have never lived in a place like it want to go there, while others who grow up in such places want to go elsewhere. I guess everyone wants to experience change—and the kind of climate they didn’t grow up with.” “This is true,” Corrine agreed. “Would I sound dumber than dumb asking what country you’re from? I can’t place your accent to save my life, but I’d say it’s definitely not English.” Corrine chuckled. “No, it’s not. It’s mostly French.” “Mostly?” Kyla asked, curiosity piqued. “My father is German and my mother is French. I spent my first few years in Germany, then we moved to France. My younger sister married an American soldier and moved here with him fifteen years ago. Five years later she convinced me to come over. That was sixteen years ago when I was twenty-five.” Kyla thought a moment and calculated Corrine’s age in her head. “Wow, you look great for forty-one.” Corrine beamed a smile, and Kyla blushed and apologized for her directness. “Oh, don’t be sorry. You yourself look a decade younger than you are, and I like a blunt person. Words were meant to be used to convey what we feel, after all, you know?” “Yeah, maybe that’s why I became a reporter. So I could tell it like it is.” Corrine laughed, and the two talked more than Kyla had ever chatted with someone she’d just met. They talked about everything—or so it seemed. Homes, places they hoped to visit, things they liked to do in their free time, movies, music, food, and more. “Ever write fiction?” Corrine asked at one point. “No, just the facts. This assignment is actually a bit different for me. I don’t usually write about what life is like for people in a particular place. I’m filling in for someone else who was supposed to take the job, but then got sick.” “I’m glad they sent you,” said Corrine, “despite the unfortunate and scary experiences you’ve had along the way. What do you usually report on?” “Crime.” “Ah, a crime reporter, huh?” “Well, yes and no. I don’t investigate and report on any big-time conspirators, corruption, or anything like that. I mostly investigate individuals.” “Individuals?” Kyla nodded. “Yup. Just your everyday, ordinary citizens.” “Interesting. Do you ever fear exposing them may bring harm your way?” “No, not really. Besides, as I proved the other night, one doesn’t have to go looking for trouble to find it. I was just going out to get some snacks to munch on while I waited for Zoey to come to work.” “Zoey?” Corrine asked, pretending to have no idea who she meant. “The dorm’s night watch. I wonder if she knows what the hell happened to me—though I suppose the news is all over town.” Corrine laughed, got up, and pulled something out of her duffle bag. “Yeah, I guess you could say you went from reporting the news to becoming the news.” Kyla rolled her eyes. “I think I’d rather tell it than be it.” “Well, while you’re busy being the subject of discussion, your Zoey didn’t forget about you. She asked me to give you this.” She surprised Kyla with a decorative bag covered in pink flowers. “Oh, wow,” Kyla said, taking the bag by its pale pink rope handles. From it, she pulled out a card and read it aloud: “Cheer up, get drunk, and be happy you’re alive. You’re a very brave and lucky girl. Just hang in there. You’ll get through these tough times. Missing our nighttime talks, Zoey.” Corrine sat with an expression Kyla couldn’t quite read and said, “Aw, how sweet.” Then she pulled out a bottle of champagne and looked around the room. “No cups.” “No, we’ll have to get some later. I brought bottled water if you need some.” “No, I have bottled water.” Kyla shrugged, holding the now-open bottle toward Corrine. “You allowed to drink on the job?” “No, ma’am. Afraid not. Besides, I don’t care for any right now anyway, thank you. It was for you. You enjoy it.” Kyla shrugged again. “Ok,” she said, and began to drink straight from the bottle. A moment of silence passed, then Corrine, sitting behind Kyla’s monitor, said, “Whatcha doin’?” “Writing horrible things about you in my blog,” Kyla joked. Corrine laughed. “You know you feel like you’ve known someone a lot longer than just a few hours to crack jokes like that. Everyone must feel comfortable around you, Officer Corrine.” “No, not really,” Corrine said with a matter-of-fact smile. “Most people consider my sense of humor a bit dry, and they tell me I’m too serious and quiet. I’m the kind who walks into a room and pretty much remains unnoticed.” “Even with those eyes and that body?” The officer blinked with surprise, and Kyla suddenly felt her cheeks burn. “Oh my gosh, I’m sorry! The alcohol must already be getting to me. I’m not usually that blunt that fast.” “No, no, it’s fine,” Corrine assured her. “I’m flattered.” It was true. Corrine not only had sexy eyes, but she had a great body as well. She had a more athletic shape than Kyla, but it was hot as hell. “You know you can’t be writing about anything we discuss in your blog, though, right?” “Yes, Officer, I know. I’m actually playing Mahjong.” Corrine smiled, and they locked eyes momentarily. Her dark mascara framed her cornflower-blue eyes, and her light coral-colored lipstick softened her expression. Her wavy auburn bangs framed her face nicely, the rest of her hair pulled back. Kyla had drunk nearly half the champagne when she asked, “So have you ever seen my blog?” Corrine wasn’t sure if she should be honest about that one, but finally she admitted she had. “Oh, so you know about my little crush on Zoey.” “I do,” Corrine admitted. “And while that may be all well and good, you might want to develop a new crush, because there are no guarantees you’ll ever see her again. The police are doing all they can to bring these guys to justice as fast as possible so you can have your life back, but you never know how long it may take.” “That’s what I’m afraid of—that I’ll be stuck in this room forever. At least the people I’m stuck in it with aren’t as crazy as the ones who put me here.” Corrine laughed. “That’ll be the day,” she said. “So, do you think you’ll stay in Cali?” asked Kyla. Corrine thought a moment, then said, “I really don’t know. I don’t like to plan ahead too much.” “Yeah, look what happens when you do. Those plans have a way of going to hell on you,” said Kyla, taking another swig from her bottle. She then wiped her forehead and said, “Whoa, I’m not used to drinking like this.” Corrine smiled. “Then why are you?” “It was free,” Kyla explained, holding the bottle up. “Oh, is that it?” They both laughed. “Well, I’d hate to be rude and not appreciate one’s gift to me. What else have I got better to do anyway?” She had just about finished the bottle when a wave of nausea suddenly hit her. “Oh my God!” She put a hand to her mouth, ran into the bathroom, and puked. When she was done, she splashed cool water on her face and stepped out of the bathroom, embarrassed. Corrine was waiting for her, thumbs casually tucked into the pockets of her pants as she leaned against the wall. “Ok, little lady?” Kyla nodded, though she still felt a bit queasy. She flopped down on the bed and Corrine said, “Maybe you should be a little less appreciative of Zoey’s gifts, oui?”