Chapter 58

I didn't know if he was serious or not, so I said, "Text me, then," over my shoulder as I walked out.

I could sense him behind me as I went, watching me walk, and I suddenly had to concentrate so I didn't trip. Even when I wasn't looking at him, his presence was overwhelming.

The driver and guard arrived at my cubicle at six, a large scruffy man who smiled down at me.

"Ready to go, Ms. Laurentia?"

"Sure!"

We chatted cheerfully all the way to my house, mostly about the orphanage piece I'd written. He was interested in it, had known a man who came out of the system and was upset at the thought of there being problems.

"I'm afraid it's just getting started," I said, and he nodded. "That's why they've called my company in I guess."

He made me wait to get out of the car until he opened the door for me, checking both ways down the street before doing so. He followed me to the front door and watched around me as I fumbled with the key.

"Are you..." I hesitated. "...supposed to come in with me? It's fine, I just don't know how all this works."

He smiled. "It's different each job, so don't worry, but yes, Mr. Rafe insisted I go up with you, look around your place, and when it's all clear I'll leave you alone."

"Okay," I said a little shy. "But I warn you, I haven't cleaned yet this week."

He laughed and assured me it couldn't be as bad as his apartment.

He came up with me, looked around and declined a cup of coffee. "Okay, Ms. Laurentia, I'll see you later."

"Thank you."

He smiled and pulled my door shut firmly behind him. I suddenly felt like I was being shut in. No one had said I couldn't go anywhere, and yet I had the feeling if I did, I would see this cheerful man again.

An hour later Cathy arrived with a bottle of sparkling wine.

"Elena!" she said, her face serious as she gave me a hug. "Are you okay? What a horrible thing to happen!"

"I'm good," I said. We poured drinks and sat down on the couch. I told her everything I could and her eyes got steadily wider with every detail.

"So that guy sitting in the dark SUV across the street giving people dirty looks when they go in your building is the guard?"

"What?"

I put down the drink and rushed to the outside patio and looked down. Sure enough, the car that brought me home was still here, just parked on the other side of the street.

"Oh my gosh," I said, slumping slightly, but then waving and smiling as I saw him look up at me.

"I guess I'm happy about it," I said.

"Well I am happy about it, for one," said Cathy. "Ready for the footage of you?"

"Oh my gosh, no. I don't know why I asked you."

"Because it's a big deal. Because this is your dream come true."

"You're right."

"And you look beautiful anyway," she said and switched on my television. She fiddled with my network and her phone and soon was casting a recording up onto my screen.

I immediately shrunk back, cringing at the sight of my face and body. Charles, however, looked amazing. He was truly photogenetic.

As I watched, I realized that I'm not the worst thing I've ever seen. I'm no stunner, but I'm not bad.

"You're gorgeous," Cathy said. "And just the feminine energy Charles needed next to him. Just enjoy it."

When Charles introduced me as the reporter working on the story, Cathy applauded and hooted. I flushed, embarrassed but ridiculously proud.

"I'm a reporter," I said, looking at my friend with tears in my eyes.

"You're more than a reporter, girl," Cathy said, shaking her head at me. "You're the hottest journalist in the city right now. And I was going to save this but check it out."

She began to pull up message feeds.

"Our connections are all messaging me about you, like 'is that your friend from high school?' and 'when did she get so hot?' and I've been like, you dummies she's always been that hot."

"You're the best," I said, putting my arm around her.

"So what's up with Mr. Rafe?" Cathy asked, settling down and getting serious again.

"I honestly don't know," I said, shrugging. I felt my face getting warm as I remembered what we were doing just a few hours ago on the very couch I now sat on. "We've been, well, making out a little."

Cathy whooped. "On my gosh, you're blushing! And 'making out a little'? How do you handle just doing it a little?"

"I don't know," I said. "Things interrupt us. It's not the right time. I don't know!" I finished lamely, repeating myself in frustration.

"And has he finally realized how amazing you are and that he's not worthy to lick your feet?"

"Ew!"

"Okay, how about massage your feet?"

"That sounds way better."

Cathy looked at me expectantly.

"He seems to value me as a person a lot more, yes," I ventured. "But I still don't know. I thought he was embarrassed to be seen with me, but then today he kissed my forehead in front of employees."

Cathy's eyes went wide. "He did that?"

"Yeah."

"Elena, that's major."

I didn't know what to say. I was still confused about it, so I just threw up my hands in response to Cathy's statement.

"Which employees?" she demanded.

"People setting up the chairs, and his assistant."

Cathy sat back, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. "Finally."

"Finally what?"

"Don't you see, Elena? That's all levels of his business. He was, in a way, announcing your relationship to the world. You think those people setting up the chairs aren’t going to talk?"

"I don't know, Cathy."

"And if his assistant didn't care then it's because he's already prepped her. Not even a hesitation, you say?"

"No, like it was no big deal."

Cathy nodded, waving a finger at me. "Yep. He's making his claim public."

"I wish he'd tell me that. What if I didn't want it?"

"Oh please," Cathy scoffed. "One only needs to see how you look at the man, even when he's on a video!"

Sally's words came back to me when she said that. I guess I'd always been obvious with my feelings.

"But what if he is just using me, still? What if this is just me being a scent machine?"

"You've got to stop that, Elena. It's one thing if he's embarrassed to admit seeing you. But it sounds like he's done a full turn around."

"How is that possible, though?"

"He spent five minutes in your sweet, beautiful presence. Please, Elena. So many men who spend a modicum of time with you end up falling for you."

I thought back to Kevin, and even Craig.

"See?" Cathy said smiling. "I can see your wheels turning."

"So what do I do?" I asked, suddenly nervous.

"Do what comes naturally," she said, grinning. "Go with what you're feeling in the moment."

I thought about the way I lost control when he started to kiss me. I nodded my head. "I think I have a head start on that."

My phone pinged. It was Charles. "He must sense we're talking about him," I said. I read the text and looked at Cathy. "He wants to come over."