Gasp!

• Vivian Tram-nguyen
• Short Story
• 2015

It all started in a cosy café after meeting her client. She had noticed him standing outside talking on the phone peeking inside the café. She felt sparks fly once his eyes landed on her. A smile graced his face sending blood to her cheeks, causing her to look away.

A soft ding radiated into the café, signalling that someone had just entered. A shadow crossed over her table. A gentle voice slipped into her ear sending shivers down her spine. “Is this seat taken?” Numbly, she shook her head and watched him sit down. A waitress came over and took his order, “One cappuccino please.” He smiled, “Oh and a slice of black forest cake for the sweet lady in front of me too please.” Her ears turned red at the compliment. A silence thick enough to be cut enveloped their table. She could feel his heavy stare but she refused to make eye contact.

The waitress came back and broke the awkwardness. A smile slipped across her face as she watched the cake appear before her. “There’s the smile I saw.” Her smile grew.
“Thank-you for the cake.” She giggled softly, enjoying the company.
“It’s my pleasure.” He winked, slowly sipping from his cappuccino. From there a conversation was initiated.

The conversation led to her exchanging numbers with him. Messages turned into phone calls; phone calls turned into outings. Friends turned into best friends; best friends turned into lovers.

To celebrate their one-year anniversary, he had taken her out on a picnic. Everything had gone smoothly. The weather was beautiful; birds were chirping. He even took her to one of the most serene and quiet places she had ever seen. Sneaking a glance at him she saw him slowly leaning forward towards her.

Her heart beat furiously in her chest and her palms sweated as she stared into the most beautiful brown eyes she had ever seen. Her vision drifted down to the parted lips that slowly and deliberately came closer. Her eyes fluttered shut as she prepared herself for the sweet, soft sensation she had always yearned for.

BANG!

A sharp pain shocked her eyes open as she stared into eyes that were once filled with sun-like warmth. Only this time a blank pair of cold orbs stared back at her. Lips that were pouted returned to its proper shape. His face betrayed nothing as she stared at him, struggling to comprehend what happened.

Red. Blood.

Gasps of pain shot out of her lips. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes as she dropped to her knees. The person who she once knew stood in front of her grunted. She watched him as he turned his back and walked away, leaving her alone. Blood spilled out of her wound as her life slowly ebbed away. Her vision became blank. Her gasps slowed until they stopped. She drew her last breath.


The stranger opened up their phone and speed-dialled the first number on their contacts. “Supplier acquired.”