After one Kiss

It’s been a while since I last wrote any short story. Tonight I felt that I want to start one.

One Kiss After.
On the cold sinter night on the river bank of the City of lights, Samantha was walking alone. Fearing that the cold weather is going to cold her already slow beating heart. She could not feel her feet. And her eyes could not stop the flood of the sadness she felt. The only heat she felt was from the tears dripping from the side of her eyes. Yet it’s proven anything good cannot stay forever, for the heat of the tears was gone from the second it reaches Sam’s cheek.
She can’t walk anymore, she cannot stop herself weep, and she is out of breath because of it. She stop under the over bridge. She heard the sound of a bunch of teenager making a hassle in the distance behind her, walking closer and closer. Fear of anyone noticing her she tried to hide her face from the lamp light. Suddenly she felt one of the teenager came close and planted a warm kiss on her left cheek, she is totally shock and do not know how to react. She can only stare at the teen as he look at. Then he stopped, leaving his gang behind. It was as if he realise something and awaken from his drunken state. He was mesmerise. “Are you alright?” He asked. “I’m sorry. Did I scared you?”. “No, No. It’s nothing.” Turning away, Samantha tried to hide her shame. “I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to scare you. Are you alright? Are you alone here? Why are you crying?”. Could not hold her breath and sadness anymore, her tears just pour out like a water fountain.
“Wo, wo, what’s the matter? I’m try to do anything to you......”
“No, it’s not you”, Sam said in her French accent English. “ ’tis has nothing to do with you. My father have passed away. And I can’t even be there with him. ”
“Oh, erm, IF you don’t mind, I can stay here with you for a while. Sorry that I took advantages just now. It was a spur of the moment thing. I don’t mean to offend.”
“None taken...... ”, she continue to cry.
Awkwardly, Brett, the American asked,“So,.... What happened?”
“He was in California on a business trip and a car hit him. I didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye....”
“I’m sorry to hear that. You need any help? My brother is in LA now.”
“I don’t know.... I just want to be there.”
“I’m sorry that’s all that I can do.”
“You are one of the beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
“huh, you just saying that to stop me from crying.”
“I’m not. I know that’s kinda of the mark at the moment, but you are. That what catches me to kiss you just now. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.”

Not knowing what to do, Brett, looking up in the sky and waited in silence. As a reflex Samantha did the same.
“Isn’t it strange? A cold winter night light this. Not a cloud in the sky.”
Not even the normal mist around the river.
With a deep breath, Samantha sighs. “Hi I’m Brett.” Brett Buckley introduce himself in a desperate act to soften the situation.
Choking a little bit, “Samantha.... Hello. Ni..ce to meet... you.”
“Oh, my pleasure... erm, I mean. No. Not.... I mean it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Ha, ha. ” Samantha can’t stop giggle.
“huh, Huh!” Embarassed. Brett tried to hide it with a smile.
Trying to get Sam’s mind off the issue, “So you are a local here?”
“Si, I’m a cafe..... eh.... owner.”
“Oh, I see. The famous French latte maker....”
“Haha! Si.” Still looking up at the sky. “Merci, I need to go back to the cafe now.
“Can I come? And have a nice coffee? Now I’m all awake and Lost all my stupid friend.”
“Oh, Si. Come. I’ll make you one myself.”, surprised that Brett asked to go back with her. But she sees no reason to reject. Since he comfort her, and helped her.
“Merci” while walking towards her Cafe. “The kiss? It’s nothing. Ha! Ha! Sorry. I’m kidding”
“Ha! Ha!.......”
Both shadow walk off to the shadow of the shop beside the river.
Bringing Brett the coffee, Samantha sat with Brett and drank with him.
The whole time that Brett is in Paris, he had never felt comfortable. Although being outside his own country he can let loose a little bit. But he never felt at home talking to a Parisian, because of the language, accent and their attitude towards American. But here, now with that little kiss, he felt a little bit of connection with this little but beautiful lady.
Lady was telling him the story of her life. How her father has left her with the cafe. The last word he said before he left. Cried a little bit.
All through the night, he just can’t stop himself looking into this sad, soft yet strong emerald eyes of this lady in front of him. Falling, and falling deeper into her voice with every moment passes.
He has the urge to talk and talk just to stop her from crying. Trying to crack up jokes after jokes that’s polite yet funny. Telling her, how he got his scar on his forehead falling from a cliff. Realising only a couple of minutes later that he had made her cried again. Trying desperately to help, he made up some story of 3 old man in a lake arguing about cupcake. At last Samantha smile again.
The interaction continued throughout the not until the first light of dawn shines through the glass windows of the cafe.
However it brings no pleasure to Brett, because he realise that it is his time to leave.
“Are you going to California then?”
“Yes, but I still need to get the plane ticket.”
“Well, let me help then. I’ll talk to the American Embassy and see if we can arrange for a flight for you to fly over today and then return with your father.”
“I don’t want to bother you.”
“It’s no bother. I’ll go back to America with you. I’ll just end my trip here. The fellas won’t miss me anyhow. ”
Without saying anymore, Brett left.
Not knowing whether this stranger will really help her and return. Samantha realise at that moment seeing the shadow of this man into the sun rise. She is starting to admire his broad shoulder and wishes she can lean on it like she did beside the river last night for a few moments more.
Since it is a short story I’ll just leave it there and the rest up to your imagination.