The man in black

This is the third version of 'just coffee' with a totally different flavour!

Disclaimer : I'm a huge KPop fan and you will come across names and photographs of KPop idols in most of my stories. They are my muse and inspiration in so many ways. The incidents and characters are fictional and have no resemblance to any K pop idol in any manner.

I saw him, again, standing in a queue while the person before him was billing his stuff. Dressed to kill- all black from head to toe! Simple black jeans and a tee, black leather jacket, black cap and chunky boots( again black!). Even a black mask ( a necessity nowadays!) which frustrated me as I couldn't see his face properly.... But those eyes.... I could recognise them anywhere. I wonder if he has a gun! My friends and family know I have this thing for the 'eyes'! Actually, not only are eyes the first thing I notice about a person, I feel that eyes are truly the window to a person's soul. No matter what, the eyes never lie..... I'm generally good with my instincts and first impression about people and the eyes always speak to me! So coming back to 'his eyes'... He probably sensed my gaze, because he stared right back at me. I flinch and look away but then I returned his stare with my own. He held my gaze and I could feel goosebumps all over! Excitement? Thrill? Yes!!!!! Fear? Creepy? Maybe.... His big black eyes were cold as they just stared at me unblinking. Last night, these eyes looked at me exactly like this.... I was really happy to be out of the house after 2 months of quarantine to buy some groceries from the supermarket. 3 months back I came home from work and walked straight into a murder scene as a stranger stabbed and killed my mother in cold blood. I had seen him and he knows that but I was too shocked to help the police. I was an eyewitness who couldn't remember the face I had seen so clearly! The shock wore off in a few days and I finally helped the police to sketch the killer's face. The delay gave the killer enough time to escape and I changed houses because I couldn't stay in that house anymore! It was spooky and unsafe... Besides the police required it for further investigation. Changing houses didn't help much as I realised I was being watched and stalked for more than a week now. However the quarantine ensured regular police patrols which made me feel slightly safer.... Being the eyewitness meant continuous police surveillance around my residence. Coincidentally, we reached our respective cashiers at the same time and almost reached the exit together. He stopped to let me go first and I quickly thanked him, as I almost ran towards my car. I loaded my packages and turned around only to bump into something black and hard- a muscular chest. "Coffee?", he asked in a deep breathy voice and despite my instincts telling me to just run away, I nodded my head. He was so mysterious and I found myself drawn to that voice.... We walked together towards the Cafe across the street. As I sat down, I looked at him taking his jacket off and couldn't help admiring his great physique and I'm really trying hard not to stare at his strong veiny forearms and thin long fingers. "Just coffee?" His velvety voice brought me back to reality and I looked up. He had taken off the mask and cap, so he should look less intimidating, right? Wrong. If anything his eyes were even colder up close- big, beautiful, mysterious but dead and cold. Handsome bugger! I looked up at him and said," Yes, just coffee, please." He sat back and watched me as I fidgeted with my fingers and looked down trying to hide my nervousness. The coffee arrived finally and I was thankful for the warm comfort of the cup. A sip of the hot sweet coffee gave me some much needed strength to fight that cold stare. "Are you scared of me?" His sudden question made me choke on the coffee. He handed me some tissues and carried on," You do know that you are being followed, right? I'm not the one you should be scared of. Do you have time to hear me out?" My head says 'RUN' but my heart says I should listen to him. I did think that he is the one stalking me for months now, since before the quarantine was imposed. He is definitely the one I saw in my balcony last night and a few times earlier. "What were you doing at my house last night? Obviously I'm scared of you! Aren't you the one following me ever since my mom's murder? Did you kill her? Do you want to kill me too? "I managed to speak finally as my lips quivered and eyes teared up. He sighed, exasperated and said,"You think I am the killer? Really? Do I look like I go around killing people? Well, I do but not innocent ones! Listen, I'm a cop and undercover right now, trying to find your mother's killer. After weeks I finally found your new location and I've been watching you, guarding you....Because I feel the killer might come after you.. Are you still scared of me?" I wiped away my tears and looked at him, my voice more stable as I said," No, not anymore....I will probably sleep well tonight after 3 months! Ever since mom died I see that scene playing out the moment I close my eyes! Please help me find him.... My mom's soul won't be at rest till he is caught and punished!" "We caught him in the supermarket just now. He was waiting near your car but my men got him before he could attack you. That's why I brought you for coffee. Now we have to go to the police station and identity him. Are you ready? Are you feeling alright?" He asked, concerned. His eyes had softened and a slight smile tugged at his lips as he held my hands and said," We got him, don't worry. He won't trouble you anymore now. Let's go. I'm Detective Jeon, by the way." I hardly remember the drive to the police station or back home.... My car was driven back by another cop as I was too shaken to drive myself. My legs felt like jelly and I felt two strong arms lifting me up and laying me on my bed. I woke up in my bedroom lit up with my favourite fairy lights. I felt a cool hand on my forehead and heard a familiar voice," Good morning. Feeling better? Why don't you wash up and come out for breakfast?"

Still sleepy and groggy, I washed my face, brushed my teeth, showered and changed my clothes. The appetising aroma of fried eggs, toast and coffee made my stomach rumble with hunger. Wow he can cook too! I thanked Detective Jeon for the breakfast as I munched away. He told me I was unconscious for 2 days, which the doctor blamed on lack of sleep and appetite. My mother's killer is in jail and since there's enough evidence against him, he would be locked up for good. As Detective Jeon filled me in with all the details, I thanked him for looking after me. It's been a month since then and I kept thinking about the agent. He never came around again or called, but he was constantly on my mind. I found out that he was undercover for another mission for now. I made some salad for lunch and picked up my phone to call up my best friend and wish her a happy birthday when the phone rang. Unidentified number? My heart was suddenly beating faster and louder. I took the call and said ,"Hello?" "Coffee?" Ah, that voice.... " My place.... Just coffee?," I asked with a smile. " Up to you...See you in 10!" I could hear him chuckle as he hung up.