by J. A. Delese
“Delivery!”
“Again?”
She opened the door and found a deliveryman holding a bunch of flowers and a small gift box.
“Come on…!”
The deliveryman asked her to sign it, and she did it. There was no card, but she knows who sent it. It was him.
This was the third time that he sent gifts to her, and she had become quite uncomfortable with this. She sent back the previous two to his office and here came the third.
This is so crazy!
She didn’t even open the gift box this time. The other two were a bracelet and a necklace.
Maybe earrings this time.
She put the flowers and gift aside and lay on the bed again.
What does he want?
She was thinking of him. Maybe he wanted to apologize for what he did last time.
But, why? Is it because he wants to prove that he’s a better person? Well, he doesn’t really need to prove it to me!
Maybe it was because he was interested in her?
Possibly….
Otherwise a man in his position would not come to visit the firm just to talk with her. Actually, ever since he visited her, her boss Mitchell asked about her relationship with him many times. She said it was nothing, but it seemed like no one believed her. Even her other boss Gina asked her whether she could bring him on as a client for the firm. She definitely refused, but then Gina promised to promote her if she did. Honestly, she was a bit tempted by the offer, but whenever she thought about what happened the last time, she realized that she could not do it. That man was just crazy, and she hoped not to see him ever again.
“Whatever!”
She dragged herself up from the bed and took a shower. It was Saturday, but she still needed to work. Recently, she had so many cases, and all of them required lots of time and effort. She looked in the mirror. She noted that her face had an I’m-damn-tired look to it. She sighed heavily. She’d been working nonstop this month. Sometimes, she slept less than four hours a day. She knew that she should adjust her schedule a bit, but she just couldn’t do it. Working was tiring, but it also gave her some kind of satisfaction. Except for work, there was nothing that made her happy now.
Wait….
As soon as she finished her thought, one person’s face came to her mind—Patrick. Thinking of Patrick’s smile also made her smile. He was also hardworking and kind and more than that, very positive. Catherine loved his positive energy. She felt like she also became positive whenever she spent time with him.
She initially chose a black dress from the wardrobe, but then she put it back and took a red one instead. She wanted to look energetic and passionate today. Previously, Patrick had mentioned that she looked particularly good in red. She looked at herself in the mirror with the red dress on. It did look really good. She hoped Patrick would think the same when he met her tonight for dinner. She found herself smiling happily in the mirror, but she spotted the flowers and the gift box in the mirror, too. She sighed again and grabbed them. Thanks to that weird guy, she had to visit the post office again.
Tom
He was in the car. His driver, Reg, was driving the car to her home. She had returned all the gifts he sent. Whenever he contacted her, she didn’t answer. It seemed like she was still angry with him, but he had been trying to show how sorry he was many times. All those jewels were very delicate and luxurious, and she didn’t even open many of them.
This is too much.
She made him upset indeed. He roughly understood that she got angry a bit about what he asked, but she should accept his apology if he tried like this, unless she was just playing hard to get.
His car stopped in front of an apartment building. He looked up at the apartment through the car window. This was where she was staying. He had thought about visiting her firm again, but he doesn’t want to see Kleet’s dramatic welcoming.
Her house had no light on. It was still too early for her to come home. He knew that she was a kind of workaholic. It seemed like she was working more than fourteen hours a day. He was also a bit addicted to work, so he kind of liked this about her.
He was thinking of going back for a moment, but then he decided to wait for her. He leaned back on the car seat. He was thinking of how to start a conversation with her.
How are you, Ms. Lee? I’ve been waiting for you for hours.
No. It sounded like he was a stalker.
I want to apologize for what I said last time. I’m a terrible man.
No. He wasn’t a terrible man. He did what he had to do for him and for her. Actually, he didn’t really feel that he should apologize to her.
No apologies, then.
He thought about what to tell her. He didn’t really know how to start a conversation with a girl. It was always girls who started with him.
I brought something for you, Ms. Lee.
This sounds not bad. He was holding a jewel box. He didn’t know whether she would like it. He chose a bracelet with small sapphires on it. Liz liked sapphires. She also liked bracelets. All those bracelets look so nice on her thin and fair wrist. He couldn’t stop smiling when thinking of Liz.
“She’s coming, your grace.” Reg told him.
He looked outside the window. A tall girl with brown hair was walking towards the apartment. It was her. Reg got out from the car to inform her that he was here.
Catherine
She walked quickly on her way home. She was so hungry. She didn’t eat anything at all for the whole day, since she was so busy with meetings and investigations. Catherine was thinking about what she could cook at home. She didn’t have many groceries at home, so maybe she would just cook instant noodles. Her high heels were killing her feet as she walked faster to her home. Since she could not give up high heels, she had thought about buying a car, but she didn’t think she could afford it now.
“Ms. Lee.”
She lifted her head up and saw the person who called her name. He was African and quite tall and big.
“Ms. Lee. Mr. Sharpe is waiting for you,” he finished and opened the door of the back seats.
Are you kidding me?
She could not believe that he even visited her home and now his driver was asking her to get in his car. She did not understand this situation.
“Sir, are you asking me to get in the car?”
“Yes, Ms. Lee. Please,” Mr. Sharpe got out of the car and answered her question himself.
She was frightened. She didn’t really know why, but whenever she met him, she felt very uncomfortable and somewhat scared.
“May I ask why?” she asked. She really didn’t want to talk with him alone again.
“I want to talk with you. If you are not eager to talk in my car, maybe we can talk in your house?” He lifted his head up and laid his eyes on her apartment. Goose bumps rose on her arms.
“No need for that. Talk in your car, Mr. Sharpe.”
Just like that, she got in his car. He sat next to her. She felt so uncomfortable to sit this close to him. She didn’t even look at him. She just faced the front.
“Ms. Lee. You have returned my gifts,” he said.
“Yes.”
“I’d like to know the reason. You don’t like them?”
“I like them. They are all so beautiful,” she answered very quickly in an awkward tone.
“You didn’t even open them,” he lowered his voice.
She turned her head and looked at him, at his blue eyes. He looked at her in silence. Catherine felt that she needed to be honest now.
“Mr. Sharpe, I feel very uncomfortable that you sent those gifts and even visited me like this. I don’t understand why you are doing this and….” She looked at his eyes again. She couldn’t tell of any change of his facial expression. “And…I want you to stop it.” She said it firmly and checked his reaction.
He didn’t answer. He was just looking at her. She felt a bit scared but didn’t think he would do anything violent. So, she waited for him to t
alk, but he didn’t say a word and was just looking at her.
Was I too straight forward?
She didn’t really like hurting someone’s feelings, and she felt anxious and somewhat guilty for what she said.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Sharpe,” she said weakly.
“No, I’m the one who should be sorry.”
Finally he had spoken, and he sounded sincere. She had never expected him to say this.
“I wanted to apologize. That’s why I have sent flowers and visited you. I intended to say sorry in person,” he spoke in a very kind, serious tone.
She got surprised and felt that there was no reason to refuse his apology.
“Apology accepted, Mr. Sharpe,” she said politely.
“Thank you, Ms. Lee. I sincerely appreciate it.”
He smiled at her, and she also smiled as a courtesy. She felt relieved and was about to say good-bye to him, but he asked another question.
“So, can I visit you from now on as a friend?”
His voice was gentle, but she freaked out.
He wants to be my friend?
It could not be. They could not be friends. She knew that he was rich and powerful, but he just made her so uncomfortable. More than that, his pale blue eyes still crept her out.
“I still don’t think you should visit me more,” she refused flatly. She knew this might not be so friendly, but she thought that she needed to take firm action now.
His smile faded from his face at her words.
“Why? I thought you accepted my apology.”
“Yes, of course! But I don’t think we can be friends. You and I are just too different.” She said.
How could they become friends? How many more annoying questions would he ask as a friend this time?
I don’t even want to think about it! She shouted in her head and waited for him to say something, but he didn’t say anything. Catherine felt that she was being a bit too harsh, but she seriously didn’t think that they could be friends.
“I don’t see why two different people cannot be friends, and how do you know I’m very different from you? You barely know me,” he said in a surprisingly gentle voice.
At least his words didn’t carry any anger, so she was relieved at that. What he was saying was also roughly correct, but she didn’t even want to get to know him. No matter what, she wouldn’t ask such things like last time.
“Well, true. I don’t know you, Mr. Sharpe, but…,” she couldn’t finish her words. She took a look at him. She was thinking whether to say it or not. He was looking at her back. She hesitated, but she thought there’s no harm in saying it, so she did.
“I’m kind of attached….”
“Oh….” He looked a bit surprised. She realized that she was right. He was interested in her. If this was the case, she must cut him out today.
“I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”
“Not boyfriend…but I like him very much.”
“I see,” he answered shortly.
She didn’t know what to say. This was just so awkward. He wasn’t looking at her. He was looking nowhere. He looked like he was thinking of something, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to go home and eat something. She was so hungry and tired.
“Mr. Sharpe. If you don’t mind, may I go home now?” She asked cautiously. She didn’t want to make him upset, but she really wanted to go home. Her stomach was rumbling and getting louder every time.
“Sure.” he said.
“Thank you.” She felt surprised that he answered nicely. It seemed like he was perfectly okay. Catherine got out of the car. He also got out of the car. She turned back to him.
“Good-bye, Mr. Sharpe.”
“Good night, Catherine.”
He called her by her first name. Catherine felt it was strange, but didn’t give it much thought. She went into her apartment building.
Maybe he’s not so crazy after all?
Anyway, she was finally back home. She checked her phone and found several messages from Patrick. She pressed Patrick’s name on the phone and listened to his voice again.
Tom
It had been days since he had last met her. He’d been thinking of what she said. He knew that she refused him. She made it very clear. He was aware that he should give up.
Honestly, she hurt his pride and he was quite upset about this whole situation. How could she refuse him in the first place? She had no name and a very poor background. She should feel honored that a man like him laid his eyes on her. If she didn’t have Liz’s voice, he would never be interested in her.
Liz.
Thinking of Liz, he felt his heart ache. He misses her so much. Even though he couldn’t sleep at night because of his nightmare, he was still happy that he could see her in his dreams. Seriously, he would do anything if he could be with her again, but he knew it was impossible. He’d been telling himself for a long time it was impossible. This girl, however, suddenly appeared from nowhere, speaking in Liz’s voice and making him confused.
He was supposed to go back to London, but he extended his stay in New York. She said she was attached, but she denied that she had a boyfriend.
Maybe she just made him up to make me give up.
Why would she do that? She disliked him that much? He was looking at the view of the city through the balcony window. He tried to think of how he could approach her differently, but he couldn’t think of any other way. Beautiful flowers and gifts—that’s all he knew. Actually, he had never tried to win someone’s heart in his life. They all approached him first, and each one of them had their own reasons, like his ex-wife.
“Reg, I’d like to visit. Ms. Lee.”
He called his driver and got into his car. He knew that he should just go back to London. He also knew that this was just waste of time, but he couldn’t give up. He wanted to listen to her voice again. If possible, he wanted to listen everyday. It would be so sweet if he woke up every morning to Liz’s voice. Liz liked to say, “Wake up, Tommy!”
He closed his eyes and recalled the moments he had with Liz. It had been a really long time, but he could still remember it like yesterday. He could even remember her scent. He still kept the perfume she used, and he smelled it whenever he missed her. Preoccupied with thoughts of Liz, Reg drove the car to Catherine’s house and stopped in front of it.
“She’s right there, your grace.”
Reg pointed the street in the front. Tom could see her. She was wearing a tight-fitting top and leggings. It looked like she had gone to the gym. She was talking to a guy walking beside her. He looked tall and was tossing a basketball while talking with her. She looked so happy to be talking to him. She didn’t stop smiling. It was the smile he saw at the opera house. Tom realized that this guy was the one she had talked about—the guy she liked very much. He observed the guy. He had tanned skin and brown hair. Tom could tell that he was sinewy. This guy looked much different from him indeed.
“Do you want to speak to her?” Reg asked.
“Yes.”
Reg got out of the car and walked to her.
Catherine
She came out from the gym. She’d been trying to go to the gym regularly, but it had been so difficult for her to do. She was physically weak and a little lazy. Moreover, her working hours were just too long. Honestly, if it weren’t for Josh, she would not have gone to the gym today.
“Are you leaving now?” she asked.
Josh was texting somebody, but he stopped after hearing her voice. “Yes! Let’s go!”
She smiled at him. They both walked out from the gym. The weather was so nice, and she had just finished her case, so she could finally rest well today.
“Are you gonna go out tonight with him?”
“With who?”
“Your boyfriend-to-be.”
She laughed as she heard what he said.
“Sounds odd. I’ve heard of husband-to-be, but I’ve never heard of boyfriend-to-be.”
“Then, make him your boyfrie
nd tonight,” Josh said cheerfully. She laughed again.
“I don’t think so. He’s very busy with a new case now.”
“Hmm. Sounds like an excuse.”
“Hello, I’m his colleague. I know it is true.”
“Oh, yeah. I always forget that you are a lawyer.”
She squinted her eyes at him and he laughed. She started to laugh with him. Josh was her upstairs neighbor. He worked in the gym as a personal trainer, and ever since he recommended that she be his trainee, she had booked private sessions with him. So far, she liked his training style. It wasn’t like boot camp.
“What are you gonna eat tonight?”
“Something not carbo, as my trainer told me.”
“Good girl.”
She shook her head. Josh was so funny and easy to talk to, so Catherine loved to talk with him. They had almost reached their apartment building when she saw a black limousine parked in front of it.
“No way,” she stopped walking and unconsciously said it.
Josh heard it and turned his head towards her.
“What happened?” he asked.
She doesn’t know what to tell him. A billionaire stalker? A crazy pervert who had creepy eyes? She didn’t know how to describe that guy. She was about to say something, but she saw his driver is coming out of the car.
“No, please.”
She just hated this. What was wrong with him? What did he want from her? Why was he doing this? She wanted to shout out loud. The driver approached her.
“Ms. Lee. He is waiting for you.”
Oh my God.
She didn’t move. She was thinking how to refuse nicely this time. She really didn’t want to get into that car.
“Cathy, what’s happening? Who is this guy?” Josh asked her in an alert tone. It seemed he sensed something was wrong. She was still thinking how to answer to both of them. In the end, Josh asked the driver by himself.
“Sir, who are you?”
“I don’t think I need to answer to you,” his driver answered shortly. Catherine could feel the tension between these two guys. She felt that she should say something.
“If he wants to speak to me, I’d like to do it here, Sir,” she said firmly, but it didn’t look like he understood what she said.