Two years later
I sit outside a restaurant and laugh with Kate " do you know how stupid that was?" She asks me as she tells me about her misfortune adventure. We both are in giggles town by the time she finishes her story " Would you ladies like a refill?" We both look up at our server " Yes, please" Kate smiles brightly at the young man, and he smiles back before his eyes turn to me, I return with a polite smile " Yes, please" I respond. He refilled our iced tea, as he finishes, he glances up at me and I thank him.
"You know that boy been staring at you." Kate said as I take a sip of my iced tea "That's not true, Kate. Stop with the nonsense, he's being polite." I said
"He's being polite with me, but he's googling eyes with you," Kate says
" Nonsense. How's Alex?" I ask instead
"He's doing good, busy as always. We did manage to spend some more time together before he goes out of town to visit his grandparents." She sighs
"When he's coming back?" I ask
"Not until next week" Kate answered sadly
"Wow, how will you ever survive the long winter?" I laugh at my best friend
Kate swats my hand on the table "Ouch! That hurts you know" I remove my injured hand away from her
"You deserve more than that for saying cruel things," Kate said
"I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you. Movie night with pizza at our place after work?" I suggest with a grin
Kate narrows her eyes at me " What kind of movie?"
"The Proposal" my grin stretches wider, knowing I got her. Kate's eyes open slightly wider, she loves The Proposal with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock. Her all-time favorite romance movie, period.
"Ok, I'll allow it," she said
I laugh at her response
Almost a year ago, Kate surprised me when she asked if I wanted to get an apartment together with her, I always thought she would want this with Alex, given how much their relationship had developed. I had asked her if she didn't want to save and do this with Alex instead. She said no and that she couldn't imagine herself taking this step with anyone else but me. I honestly felt like I was being proposed to with how she was asking me so, of course, I said yes, we both jumped up in joy and lived happily together ever after.
"I'm going to use the bathroom really quick, be right back" Kate announces
"Ok" I reply
We're currently sitting in the front patio of the restaurant, many people are out walking on the sidewalk enjoying this beautiful sunny day, the wind provides a much needed breeze to make today a perfect outdoor day.
I lift my head slightly as the wind picks up and close my eyes, the gentle breeze circles around me, gently brushing against my hair and skin, and I smile. Someone clears their throat lightly to my right; I instantly open my eyes and was surprised to see the server now standing in front of me.
A smile appears on his face " Hi, I..." he said " My name is Charlie" he said
I smile back " Hi, Charlie. My friend, she's in the restroom right now. Sorry, we have been taking up your table for a while. I'll check with her when she's back if she wants dessert or is ready for the check."
"That wasn't why-" He starts but then he looks toward the direction of the bathroom " Your friend, she's back." His eyes return to me
"Do you want dessert? " I ask as Kate takes a seat
Kate looks at Charlie " We can stick around here a little longer, I'll have dessert." She said as she turns back to me with a smile
I look up at Charlie, but he's still looking at me " We'll take the whiskey fudge cake with vanilla ice cream on top" Kate said
Charlie wrote it down and left with our order
When he's out of earshot, Kate turns to me "What did he say to you while I was gone?" She asks nosy as ever
"Nothing" I reply
"That's not nothing, what did he say?" She asks again
" He introduced his name," I said
Kate bursts out laughing "Golden." she said, I shake my head at her.
———
I check my saving account online and smile at myself. My emergency fund, it's my ticket in case all else fails. I put everything I have into my savings after I paid for all my essentials.
I picked up more shifts at The Chef, and I'm also being cross train behind the bar, our current bartender is almost at her due date for her pregnancy, and tonight is her last night to train me before she takes some time off.
I'm not very good at having small talks with customers behind the bar, but I'm working on it. Money is money, and I need it.
I park my car and make my way inside the restaurant; the place is already buzzing with people. I make my way behind the bar and start setting things up to open. Anne walks in two minutes after I did " Don't get pregnant, Elena. It's no fun. Don't let society fool you." Anne remarks as she tries to catch her breath with her back against the counter
I smile "Hello, Anne. It's lovely to see you too." Anne waves her hand at me dismissively
"Let's get this party started," she said as she pushed herself off the counter, I'm surprised she lasted this long being on her feet and continues to work, her belly is so big now.
We work alongside each other and continue setting things up. Anne flips on all three TV behind the bar, I wash some of the glasses that were left from last night when an image on the screen caught my attention.
"Good evening you two! What a lovely night to see a such lovely couple at this charity event! " The reporter said
The screen focus on the couple, the girl looks directly at the camera with a bright smile on her face, arms wrap around her date's arm as they both get closer to the reporter
"Wow you both look amazing tonight; can you tell us what you're wearing Jackie? " The reporter asks
Jackie beams at the camera " Hi! Thank you! I'm wearing Bergdorf Goodman"
"Wow lovely," the reporter said
" What about you, Griffin?" The reporter turns her mic toward the man.
I didn't catch which designer he named; all I can focus on is him. Griffin looks...different.
He's having on a suit that must have been specifically tailored to him, the jacket expands over his broad shoulders, and it slims down to his narrow waist perfectly. His powerful legs are showcased in his black dress pants.
His face is well defined, his jaw even more angular he had grown even more. What caught me off guard the most is his eyes; they were much more intense than I remembered.
"Is this a date night for the two of you?" The reporter asks
"Something like that" Jackie smiles as she looks up at Griffin with stars in her eyes.
I drown out the rest when our first customer walks in.
"Hi, I'm Elena. What would you like to drink?" I smile at him
"Whiskey on the rock" he replies with a smile
"Coming right up," I said
I woke up with a startle in the middle of the night, I look around the room, but I can't see anything. I lay completely still waiting for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, something in the dark corner caught my attention, and I held my breath and focus on it. I squint my eyes to get a better adjustment, my eyes start to adjust I can slowly make out a silhouette. I quickly turn on my bedside lamp, and my breath caught in my throat.
It was only a dress that I had hung up on the dresser. I let out a sigh of relief, I need to calm down, I've been too on edge lately.
Kate yawns as she waddles out of her bedroom "Good morning, you're up way too early." Kate said sitting herself down on the island stool
I pour her a coffee in her mug and hand it to her " Good morning, look who's up as well" I reply
"I'm up because someone was rampaging through the kitchen," Kate said taking a sip from her coffee mug
"Sorry" I flinch
"It's ok. What's going on? You've been... on edge lately." Kate looks up at me from the rim of her steam mug
"I.." I begin, but don't know where to start without sounding crazy
"Come on with it, Elena. I'm all ears" Kate puts her mug down and looks at me
"I feel like I'm being watched," I said slowly
Kate's eyes open slightly wider "Oh my god. Do you think someone is stalking you?!"
"I'm not sure. It's just a feeling I've been having"
"Do you have an idea who it might be?"
"No, not a clue," I said sipping on my coffee
"Should we go to the police?"
"I don't think I can make a report based on a feeling "
Kate sips on her coffee as she thinks "What should we do then?"
" I don't know"
" I can get Alex to stay with us for a few days to help guard us," Kate said
" If you want him here for multiple nights in a row, just say so. Don't use me as an excuse " I tease her as I toss a napkin her way
Kate catches it and uses it to dap at her mouth " A lady got to have her meals sometime " she said
"Ugh you're disgusting" I laugh
-------------
I pull up to Godson's residence. A black SUV that I know all too well parks upfront.
I make my way inside and join Lisa in the kitchen " Good afternoon, Lisa" I said
"Afternoon, Elena" Lisa replies distractedly as she's preparing some beverages on a tray
"Can you give me a hand and help me carry these to Mr. Godson's study? " Lisa asks as she grabs more things from the fridge
"Absolutely" I grab the tray while Lisa put more things on it until she's satisfied with the arrangement, and we both make our way to the study.
Lisa helps hold the door open for me as I step in, muscle memory kicks in while I balance the tray and walk toward Mr. Godson's desk. I glance to my right and smile at Logan who's sitting facing Mr. Godson, Logan smiles back.
I freeze in my track when I see who else is in the room.
Standing farther to the left, his eyes are already on me.
If I thought they were intense through the TV screen a couple of months ago. This is much worse. His piercing gaze follows me in silence as I straighten my back and make my way toward Mr. Godson's desk.
I smile at Mr. Godson " Lisa prepare some beverages for everyone"
"Thank you," Mr. Godson said as I hand him a drink
I walk over to Logan and hand him his. Then I turn to the far corner where he stands.
I make my way toward his looming presence; I stop and then hand him his drink.
He takes it and drinks it in one gulp I watch his throat works taking down the drink. He hands me back the empty glass.
He says nothing.
I take the empty glass from him and walk out of the room in silence.
Once outside, I quickly made my way back to my room and lock the door.
His presence is completely different from before, he's so much more...domineering.
I pace my bedroom floor, debating whether I should go back and sleep at my apartment tonight.
A sound alerts me of a text, I grab for my phone
Kate: Hey are you ok with Alex staying over tonight since you'll be at the Godson's?
Shit.
I chew on my lower lip as I consider my reply. I pace the floor a couple more times my fingers hovering over the text.
Me: Of course.
And hit send.
I fall back on my bed and stare up at the ceiling.
Shit.