11. Harper
Chapter 11
Harper
I searched my hotel room, and my passport is nowhere to be found. I shove my clothes in my backpack. I really don’t want to believe that the man who saved me from being kicked around on the sidewalk is the same one that stole my passport.
And my heart.
I head back downstairs and Henry meets me at the front desk.
“Everything okay, Ms. Anderson?”
“I’m checking out. I… I can’t find my passport and have to go to the Embassy.”
He starts typing into the computer. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is Bastian coming to get you?”
I wish… I’d give him a piece of my mind.
“No, your brother won’t return my texts and voicemails. I think… I think he played me.”
Henry stops working at the computer. “No. That’s not possible, Harper.”
“But my missing passport… and I was told that he worked for the police, but someone else, some Dieter, told me he saw him do it.”
“Dieter?” His brow furrows. “About this tall?” He holds his hand over his head about three inches. “Red hair?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
He steps from behind the desk. “Can we talk, please?”
I can tell it’s important and I want to hear whatever he has to say.
We take seats in a small alcove of the lobby.
“My brother is not who you think he is.”
My stomach drops to my feet and I feel sick.
He shakes his head. “No. No. My English isn’t great. I mean, he’s not who Dieter said he is.”
“Oh… then who is he?”
“He’s my hero.”
That seems to be a theme when it comes to Bastian.
“How’s that?” I lean back, getting comfy.
And the story he tells me explains a lot about my Bastian.
“He did what he needed to do to keep our family together. He helped me get through college. He helped our little brother get to the States for schooling. He sacrificed so much. I don’t think I can ever repay him.”
“He doesn’t want it. He just wants people to be happy.”
He smiles. “I know you’re right, but I still feel like he needs to find his happiness, too.”
I lean forward. “What about what that Dieter guy said?”
“Dieter? Dieter Bauer is the opposite of my brother. He pickpockets and steals for the rush, not because he needs it. He’s taken over my brother’s place as the best in the business, but it’s to grow his ego. I guarantee there’s more to that story.” His phone rings. “Excuse me, I need to take this. I’ll be right back.”
I sit back in the chair and stare out the window at the passing locals and visitors. All of them seem so happy. Like the day has so much going for it.
I pull out my phone.
Harper: My passport was stolen
Ella: Oh, no! Do you need help?
Harper: Actually, no. I don’t.
I smile and bite my lip. My heart beats calmly. I don’t need to get upset. I don’t need to get mad. I just need to get real. Really real with myself. I’m capable. I’m happy. And if I have to move on, I’ll be okay.
Harper: I fell in love.
Ella: What?! I mean, I fell in love in two days…I’m not saying it can’t happen, but with who?
Harper: The guy who saved me from being trampled.
Ella: Mr. Smirk?
Harper: Yeah. But… then I lost my passport and he’s nowhere to be found. He won’t answer my texts, calls… I hope he’s okay, but I want to know what happened.
Ella: Sometimes we don’t get to know.
She’s right. Maybe it was just one of those wonderful things that happens and then you have the memory of the wonderful and try to forget the not so wonderful.
Harper: Maybe it wasn’t meant to be.
Ella: Maybe. Maybe he has a good explanation.
Everyone keeps saying that. Why don’t I believe it?
Oh, yeah, the last jerk made me question everything. My sanity. My ability to love. My worth in a relationship.
Darn it, I’m fucking worth it. I’m Super Harper!
Harper: I’ll let you know what happens.
I stand up as Henry comes back.
I need to take control of my life. The first thing I need is a passport. If I have to go home, I’m not going to get there on my good looks.
Harper: I’ll let you know what happens.
Ella: You better! Stay safe and love ya!
“Henry, can you give me a ride to the Embassy?”
We’re in the car and he’s seems to be going really slow, but I guess caution is warranted. It’s a busy street.
I called and made an emergency appointment earlier, but they still said it would be questionable if they could fit me in.
The airline said to wait, but not to wait too long before rebooking.
Helpful. Not.
I look out the window as Henry points out some of the scenery and then I see some sights that Bastian and I saw before.
“Is this the way to the Embassy?” I look from side to side in the car.
“I’m… I’m taking a short cut,” he says with a sigh.
“Uh. Henry, I don’t know you very well, but you seem like a straight shooter. Is everything okay?”
He pulls the car over. “Please don’t be mad at me.”
The hairs on my arms tingle. “What’s going on?”
He points out the window. “He wants to talk to you.”
I turn and my mouth drops open.
Bastian
I’m waiting by the world’s best currywurst cart next to Lippenstift und Puderdose with two currywurst in my hands. I figure she won’t slap me if I have a gift in my hand.
When she exits the car, the look on her face is both curious and furious. I’m just wondering which might come to the surface.
I hold one of the sausages out. “For you.”
She crosses her arms. “Maybe I don’t want your sausage, Bastian.”
I smirk, thinking of the alternate meaning and the currywurst seller chuckles.
“You know what I mean!” she says with a tip of her head and glares at both of us.
“I promise, it’s the best you’ll ever have.”
She shakes her head. “You’re not being liebenswert .”
The currywurst seller chuckles again and now I’m shaking my head at him.
“Where were you?” she asks as her eyes glisten with a pool of tears. “Did you… did you steal my passport?”
That hurt. That she thinks that I could do that. It only tells me how far I have to go.
I hand the two sandwiches back and ask him to hold them. “No, my sweet. I didn’t.”
“Then where were you?”
“I was arrested.”
Her mouth drops open as a tear falls and I reach out to wipe it away.
She pushes my hand away. “No. Until I know what happened, please don’t.”
I crave to touch this woman. It’s as if we are two parts of a whole and without her, I’m half a man.
“I was trying to buy your passport. I was set up by?—”
“Dieter,” we say together, like always.
“Yes, how did you know.”
“Henry told me that he’s not a great guy.”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
“So what happened?”
“I was able to prove that he stole it originally and that I was trying to buy it from him to give it back to you.” I pull the passport from my pocket and hold it out.
“Oh, my God. Is that…”
“Yeah, they let me bring it back to you.”
She slips it from my fingers. “Thank you so much.”
We stand in silence for a few seconds.
She looks down at it in her hands before putting it into her backpack. “So… about your sausage…”
I burst out laughing and wrap her up in my arms, whispering in her ear, “You want to eat my sausage?”
“I’m willing to give it a try.”
We both turn and the cart vendor is holding out the currywurst paper boats.
I grab both and hand one over. She uses the wooden fork and stabs a piece, slipping it slowly into her mouth, just to torture me.
Her lips close around the circle of meat seductively and I moan.
“Such a tease…” I whisper.
“Oh… my… God,” she moans back. “This is incredible. How have I never had one of these before?”
“Because you didn’t know me before.”
“Well, I don’t know if it’s the best,” she turns to the currywurst vendor and he shrugs, “but it’s damn good.”
“Can we walk?”
“Sure.” She follows beside me devouring the dish, dipping the fries into the sauce and enjoying them just as much.
“I need to tell you something.”
“You were a pickpocket.”
“Yes, who told you?”
“Well, Dieter and then Henry explained the story.”
“Henry…”
“Hey, he has your back, like you had his. What you did for your family was inspiring, Bastian.”
I’ve never heard it called that.
“So you’re not disgusted?”
She stops and grabs my forearm. “You saved your family, like you saved me. Never, ever would I call that disgusting. You did what you had to do.”
“I just wish less people had to do what I had to do.”
“Maybe you can get your wish…”
“How?”
“What if we would open a center to help get access to help, assistance, counseling?”
“We?” I ask.
She stops. “Well, I was thinking of staying a little longer. I have some more time off and I haven’t seen everything I want to see.” She takes the last bite and then tosses the paper boat in the nearby trash.
I pull her into my arms. “I’m sorry I couldn’t text or call you. I hope you know that I was only thinking of you, trying to get back to you, wanting to talk to you.”
“I do know. Helga wants to have a conversation with you, though.”
I laugh. “I bet she does.”
“I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
“I probably can’t stay forever.”
“I think together we can figure it out.”
“My heart might be defective, but it still knows love.” She kisses me softly. “I love you, Bastian, you and your cocky smirk.”
“I love you, too, Ms. America.”
She laughs. “Let’s go see the Brandenburg Gate again!”
“Whatever you want, baby. Whatever, you want.”
I don’t have to be the hero. I don’t have to save everyone.
I only need to love this woman.