Chapter 5 Patch of Curiosity

'Unlike any I have ever met before. Her beauty infused in way both thrilled and scared me.' –Mars

-

"Here, your order," Tommy serve a thick-full quench of yellowish martini bottle with a bowl of roasted marshmallow.

"Thanks," The man replied as he places couple bucks to the table.

"Hey, Thanks, Man! What a lucky day!" Tommy plastered a wide grin as he put the bucks to his pocket.

"No prob. I wonder about something though."

"What is it?"

"You know a golden-brown-haired girl who's on wheelchair? Is she work here?" his voice is casual but filled with curiosity.

"Oh, you mean Lara? Yes, she's one of singers here. It's been weeks since she performed. Her unique performance draws attention and crowd to queued here. Also her vintage style that marked the audience with stash of nostalgia. It's pity she's trapped in such damn situation now. CURSE THAT DAMN THIEF!" Tommy blabbered.

"Oh, what happened?" The man took a short gulp.

"Shit! What a big mouth I am! Lara definitely hate me! You know, I truly shouldn't share about this, Lara will hate me if she knows, thanks for the tip, man!" Tommy rushed with tray on his hands.

"I wanna help her." Marshall said, clearing his throat before take a mouthful chomp of roasted marshmallow.

Tommy scratched his head unsure before take a sit back. Yeah, she accused for plagiarism and she has to pay hundred thousand dollars for reimbursement. She really wants to win that poetry contest to pay off her debt and take treatment for her condition in America."

"What a-" Marshall cut his own words as his ear caught a fervent husky voice chanting the line.

'Darling, Don't leave me,

Don't leave me all alone wither and dry,

Under The Metropolia Bridge that shaken and ready to fall...'

"What a pretty Muse." Marshall smirked.

__

"How's it going? Any progress?" Tommy approached, cannot hold to spill the question right as he spots Lara and Ronda.

"Tommy, can you hold yourself for at least, a minute? Lara is just finished her performance!" Ronda sulked as she handed a cup of espresso.

"No, we already visited the taxi agent. They said they found no journal there-" Lara turned her head. "...We also searched through the seat and still found nothing. So it did we as we looked in Ronda's place." Lara continued with trembling voice as she holds the cup shakily.

"LA-LARA! TH-THE CUP!" Tommy and Ronda alerted. But the cup eventually fell with its hot contain right onto Lara's lap.

Echoing thudded occupied the room as the cup crashed to pieces with the sound of liquid dripping onto the floor. A sharp hiss escaped out Lara's lips, followed by an emitting jolt of pain as splatter of hot espresso soaked all over her jeans, scorching her skin. "Aghh! It hurts!" Lara cried out tries her best to stand up as the burnt sensation met her skin.

"Stop it!" Marshall's voice cut through the panic atmosphere, his eyes narrowing and locks on Lara as he swiftly run to the trio.

"Are you okay?" He asked, immediately dragged a chair nearby and starts to blotting Lara's lap with wet napkin that he takes upon the counter. "I'm so sorry, Lara. This will be hurt a bit. So hold it, okay?" Marshall continued, a sense of urgency driving his movements.

"Aghh!" Lara grimaced, lifts her lap an inch.

"Oh, that surely is hurt, I'll be gentler now."

Lara nodded, turned her head a bit to the side so she can catch a glimpse of this man, who is attentively place bag of ice over the damp spot on Lara's jeans. Slowly, that intense burnt sensation dulled to a more manageable throb.

'Hah? Y-yes, he is that freak guy that I met last time! He's very kind, but how could he know my name? We haven't even-'

Ronda and Tommy watched the scene before them with mixture of astonishment, surprised and relieved. 'Huh? Isn't he the guy that helped Lara that night? And he strangely takes swift care of her? Why, who is this guy actually?' Ronda thought.

"Emm-emm, La-Lara-" Ronda finally said.

"Yes," Lara tilted her head to face her best friend.

"Y-you have to change your jeans. Because-- oh shoot, but I don't bring any spare."

"Oh, worry not, my girlies! I think we have a spare skirt in the dressing room." Screamed one of Lara's fellow bubbly appeared from behind.

"That's a relieved. Okay, I'll take Lara to the restroom. Don't forget to bring a chair as well, so Lara can sit while we dry the wheelchair. Be sure that the chair has the handle upon it!" Ronda commanded, wheeled off with Lara. Marshall's greyish eyes shortly met Lara's before she's really out of his sight.

Tommy scanned the room, make sure no one paying attention before takes a stealth steps toward Marshall's table. "Hey, I'm impressed with your quick response toward Lara's. it almost felt like you're the hero of romance that comes to the rescue. Thanks for saving her, Man!" Tommy expressed his gratitude.

"Really? Haha, I'll be famous very soon then."

"I bet. Oh, this is the right time if you wanna talk to her. Make sure to introduce yourself kindly and use soft approach on her. Because-not easy for her to 'close and trust on someone. And---" Tommy paused.

"And-" Marshall repeated.

"Be careful about Ronda though. She's like-- Lara's super protector. They had been friends for so long. So she's really care and worried about her, deeply. We all here are, for that matters." Tommy mumbled as he collected fragments of the broken cup.

"Alright, Sssttt-" Marshall then waved to Lara's fellow.

"Okay, put your hand on my shoulder, ready? One, two- three-" Lara's fellow counted their step as she led Lara's stepped forward before slowly tattered her body down to the ivory plastic chair. Soon, Ronda buzzed the hairdryer up.

"Thank you so much, I'm sorry that I bot..."

"Oh, shut up. We are friends, aren't we? So, don't worry. You're not bothering me at all." Lara's fellow said reassuring while she helps Lara lifted her legs to slipped the skirt down through her lap.

"Yes, you're right, we're friend." Lara breathed with a soft smile.

"Definitely. Glad the scars aren't that bad. Lucky that handsome guy come for a quick rescue." Lara's fellow exclaimed as she checked on Lara's scars. Fortunately, it only caused her redness and bit swelling. Even though the pain and burn sensation is undeniable.

"Oh ya Lara-" Lara's fellow whispered.