insecurities

Skyline Project

"How much?"

"We can launder ten million in three months for each branch... We can't risk being called out by the cops."

He took a deep breath and a sip of his drink before he shot his eyes at me. "I like It... Buy me in?"

"Five million."

"Craig!" Alejandro called out and a giant blonde haired oak walked in the room. "Make the transaction... Five million."

"Yes, boss." he muttered before leaving.

"Then you men got yourselves a deal!" he let out an excited laughter. "So, when are we launching?"

"Friday... Dress up." i said as me and Christian got up and were ready to leave.

"You know i will, brother." he walked us to the door and gave me another hug, "See you on Friday, Ian... Christian."

****

After a long while of driving i received a call from Alexis.

"Yeah..."

"I think I'm done tailing Bonnie for the day. She just got to her building."

"Tony?"

"They went out to lunch. She's alone now."

"You can call it a day. Thanks." I hung up on him.

Christian cleared his throat before asking, "Want to knock on her door?"

I simply nodded and Christian drove me there.

"I'll wait here."

It was a nice building, nicely furnished with a home feel to it. I took the elevator to the the third floor. The hallway was empty, floors covered with a navy blue carpet and some few art pieces hanging on the white walls. I walked down the hallway to the second last door to my left... Room 46. I hit against the brown wood with my knuckles and it was silent for a while, then i knocked again. I waited for a couple seconds and before I could knock again the door flew open.

Bonnie's eyes shot open when she saw me standing there.

"How..." she sighed and she walked away leaving the door open, so I invited myself in. Her apartment was peaceful and simply put together. Wooden floors, brown sofas, a round glass coffee table, huge tv,some pictures of her mom, Ming and Amy on display and the air conditioner was just about the right temperature. "How did you know where i live?"

"I have my ways."I said still taking in the lovely features of her apartment.

" What are you doing here? "she asked as she stood right in front of me making sure that i would give her an honest answer.

I stopped whatever I was doing and looked at her brown eyes. The heels she wore at work did her a great deal because she was basically still as short as she was back in high school... I had grown a few inches but i doubted that she did. She wore a grey v-neck, short sleeved top with grey sweatpants. She wasn't wearing any shoes and her hair in a messy updo. "Should i take off my shoes?"

She tucked her tongue in her cheek before kissing her teeth, "That would be appreciated."

I bent down took off my black, Italian leather shoes and placed them near the couch. I was left in my black socks and she walked over to the kitchen then i followed shortly behind her. "I was just driving by and thought of you."

"Lies... Ian, I know you."

I sighed, "Fine... You think i wouldn't have noticed that you were ignoring me?"

"I wasn't... And I don't want to talk about that."

I took a seat on one of the black kitchen chairs that were behind the counter and undid the first two buttons on my shirt. "So... Tell me about the last seven years of your life."

She sighed and just before she could say anything i cut her off, "I just want to know, Bonnie. If you remember well, we never broke up... So, me still caring is something pretty normal."

"Fine. Coffee?" she finally gave up on fighting me and I nodded. A couple minutes later she made us both coffee and sat next to me as she took a deep breath.

"Thanks."

"Well...I was away for four years. I came back and when I couldn't get any job for like two months, i worked as a waitress at a place two hours away. Did some counseling... I'm feeling a bit more open to new people, i don't freak out when I get touched anymore and haven't had a panic attack in seven years." she chuckled when she noticed my staring and took a sip of her coffee." What?"

“Nothing...Just admiring."

She squinted her eyes at me before proceeding, "Amy and Ming are still around me... So, that's another plus. And... Tony's nice."she stole a glance at me when she said that..." You're staring."

"You're so beautiful..."

"Ian?" she warned.

I sighed, "It was just a compliment, Bonnie."

We remained silent for a while until she decided as her last attempt to make conversation to say, "Your wife's nice. Pretty bubbly but overall I think she's nice."

I gave her a tight smile, "Don't do that, Bonnie."

"Do what?"

"Try pushing me away by mentioning Tony and Mira in our conversations."

She looked at me, "Fine. I won't,but don't try anything." she warned.

"It's not like I do anything you don't want me to."

"Ian..." she warned again.

"Fine... I'm guessing I'll see you again on Friday?"

She raised her eyebrow and pursed her lips, clearly didn't know what i was talking about.

"The launch?" she shook her head 'no'."We're hosting a a party on Friday... Maybe it slipped Tony's mind."

She scoffed, "I don't even have something to wear and you're telling it's in three days? Tony has a knack for last minute announcements."

"I can get you one..."

She shook her head 'no', "Ian, no... You can't."

I reached for her hand that rested on the kitchen counter and held it in mine. "I insist. I'll come by your office with someone to take your measurements."

"I'm not working tomorrow."

I smiled, "Fine, I'll come by here."

She blushed and looked away, "You do know that you don't have to...?"

I cut her off, "I know... But i will." I got up and stood really close to her looking at her trying by all means not to look at me. I placed a kiss on her forehead, "Thanks for the coffee and talking to me. See you tomorrow." she shut her eyes, taking a deep breath.

I put my shoes back on and left. It was a well spent two hours listening to her and just looking at her was something I had wanted to do again for the past seven years. And no matter what Mira would hit me with to get me upset wouldn't work that time.

****