Love to Hate You

by Liliana Rhodes

  I nodded, unsure what he was going to do.

  “Sir, it is none of your business who it is from. It is a gift for Miss Stone. And if I hear you talk to her again the way you did earlier, you will be smoking those cigarettes out of your arse.”

  Giggling I opened the car door and breathed in the beautiful new car smell. I sat inside and took everything in. I couldn’t believe it. I had never had a new car before, let alone one I dreamed up.

  I removed the bow and carried it into my apartment, then quickly got dressed. Dennis was still outside, chain smoking. I didn’t say anything to him as I walked past him. I got into the new car and drove to Winslow Environmental.

  As I entered the glass building, the woman behind the reception desk stood and smiled at me like she knew me.

  “Good morning, Miss Stone,” she said. “Mr. Winslow is expecting you.” The elevator doors dinged as they opened. “His office is on the twentieth floor.”

  Smiling at her, I got into the elevator and pinched myself as the doors closed. Everything was so surreal, I found it hard to believe I wasn’t dreaming.

  When the doors opened, a woman with a tightly wrapped bun and rust colored reading glasses was waiting for me.

  “Good morning, Miss Stone,” she said. “I’m Marcia, Mr. Winslow’s personal assistant. If you have any problems with the car, if anything isn’t precisely to your liking, please let me know.”

  I stared at her, unsure what to say.

  “Thank you?” I said, hesitantly.

  “Mr. Winslow is expecting you,” she said. “Also, I took the liberty of ordering your favorite breakfast.”

  “Which is?” I asked, curious if she really knew.

  “Brioche french toast and hash browns with warmed syrup and a glass of orange juice.”

  “Okay, this is too freaky,” I said.

  She laughed. “You’ll get used to it.”

  “I don’t think so,” I said. “Where is he?”

  “Right this way, miss.”

  I followed her down a long hall. At the end of the hall were open double doors. Marcia knocked on one of the doors and then waved me in. Brent was standing in front of the wide window looking at his view of Canyon Cove University. He smiled as he watched me enter the room.

  “You got the gift?” he asked.

  “Yes, thank you, but I can’t accept it.”

  Marcia entered the office and placed my breakfast on a table with a white tablecloth, then left the room and closed the office doors.

  “Are you going to tell me what this is all about?” I asked.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. “I do this for all my friends.”

  “Oh? What’s Gunnar’s favorite breakfast?”

  “Black coffee with lots of sugar,” he said.

  “You’re so full of shit.” I shook my head.

  I was flattered. Maybe I should have been nervous that he went out of his way to find out all these things about me, but it made me feel special. No one had ever made such a big deal about me before.

  “You should eat your breakfast before it gets cold,” he said.

  “How did you know about this? Did Sam tell you?”

  “I’ll never reveal my secrets,” he said with a grin.

  “That Sam,” I said shaking my head. “I’m worried what else she might have told you about.”

  “Don’t worry, nothing embarrassing.”

  I started thinking about the things Samantha knew about me. She and I had been friends for so long, she was like the sister I never had. I thought about the things she might have told Brent and my exes came to mind.

  “Did she tell you about Dennis?” I asked.

  “Not really,” he said as his mouth set in a fine line. “Only that you’ve been on and off for four years. In her defense, I asked her about him last night after he wrecked your car.”

  I nodded, understanding why he would be curious.

  “What about Marc?” I asked.

  “Who?” he asked, his brow furrowing.

  “Nothing. Never mind.”

  My stomach growled hungrily. I sat down and Brent joined me at the table. While I ate, I thought about how he had been showing up wherever I was for months. I thought about the car he bought me, and I thought about breakfast. He wasn’t treating me like someone he hated. Why did I ever think he felt that way about me?

  As I finished eating, I pulled the Mini key fobs from my bag and set them in front of Brent.

  “I can’t take this,” I said. “I love it, but it’s too much. Take it back.”

  “If you don’t want it, you can take it back and use the money for something else,” he said. “It’s your car, not mine. You needed a car and I got you one. Just enjoy it.”

  He slid an envelope across the table to me. I didn’t have to open it to know it was the title.

  “You’re crazy,” I said. “You’re practically stalking me, you bought me a brand new car, and your evil proposition of having sex with me is all about my having multiple orgasms.”

  He laughed. “Tough life, huh?”

  “I thought you hated me,” I said.

  He leaned back into his seat as he crossed his legs at the knee.

  “Yes, you did think that, but I never knew why. I don’t think I’ve ever acted like I hate you, have I?”

  “No, you haven’t,” I said. “I guess I just thought that since I was such a bitch to you, that you should hate me.”

  “I don’t think I could ever hate you.”

  “At least let me pay you for the car. Figure out a payment plan or something,” I said.

  “How about this,” he said, leaning towards me. “How about you stop hating me? Just give me a chance and I’ll say you paid for the car.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “So you can’t stop hating me?” he asked.

  “No, I can’t. I stopped hating you a while ago.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Jackie

  I left Brent’s office on cloud nine. I drove all around Canyon Cove from downtown, to South End, then onto the freeway and through the canyon road to the beach, before I headed home. I wanted to feel guilty for accepting such a huge gift, but Brent was so genuine about giving it to me that I only felt happy.

  As I climbed the steps to the second floor of the apartment building, Dennis stood from where he was seated on the floor. He took a long drag off his cigarette and then tapped it out against the concrete wall.

  I didn’t say anything to him. I kept my eyes on the door and pretended he didn’t exist.

  “Jackie, come on,” he said as I reached the door. “You know that’s me. I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry?” I said. “Did you learn a new word?”

  I put my key in the door and unlocked it, but I didn’t enter. I knew he would follow me in.

  “I’m trying to apologize to you,” he said. “I saw that car and just lost it. I don’t know why, maybe I was jealous, but I know I have no right to be.”

  “That’s right, you don’t.”

  “You’ve been nothing but nice to me,” he said. “I know you have no reason to let me stay with you and yet every time I’m in a jam, I can always count on you to help me out.”

  I shrugged, trying to keep my anger, but listening to him made it slowly evaporate.

  “It’s what I do,” I said.

  “I know! That’s what’s so great about you. Whenever anyone needs help, you’re right there to help them out. I remember that girl you worked with who was booted from her apartment. You found out at work that she was sleeping in her car and you let her stay on your couch for a couple of nights. You barely knew her.”

  “She was sleeping in the grocery store parking lot. I couldn’t let her do that,” I said.

  “Or what about that woman with the seven kids that one year around Christmas. You barely earn enough to make ends meet, but you gave her money to buy a tree and presents for her children so they could have a Christmas.”r />
  I looked down at the floor. I hated talking about this stuff. I knew they were great things that I did, I knew people didn’t usually help others, but I couldn’t do that.

  “You do all these things for people and never expect anything back,” he said. “And after all that paying it forward, that billionaire buys you the car you’ve been drooling over for years,” he said.

  I shrugged and turned the doorknob, keeping my back to the door.

  “I really don’t want to talk about this,” I said quietly.

  “And that’s another thing,” he said. “You do all these things and never expect anything in return. I’ve probably taken advantage of that and I shouldn’t have. You are a much better person than I will ever be.”

  I couldn’t stand there listening to him go on and on about me. I didn’t want to hear it. I pushed the door open and entered my apartment. Dennis came in behind me.

  “I know you don’t want me around,” he said. “I know I cause more trouble than I’m worth and I’m not easy to deal with. I haven’t said anything to you, but I’m going through a tough time right now. I got RIF’d last week.”

  “You were fired?”

  “They downsized and I was one of the ones they let go with severance. I knew it was coming,” he said. “I’ve been lucky you’ve been so nice about letting me stay here for so long, but I know I overstayed my welcome. If you could just give me a couple a days, I promise I’ll be out of here and in a new place.”

  My lips twitched with all the words I kept to myself instead of saying to Dennis. Our relationship always had a lopsidedness that benefited him. He was egotistical, conniving, and didn't care about anyone but himself, but I never held that against him.

  I made excuses for Dennis’s behavior. I made excuses for most people. I believed Dennis was just how he was and there was no changing or fixing his behavior, that was just him.

  The way I thought made it hard to stay angry at him. It was like being angry at a puppy who peed on the rug. It was pointless because the puppy didn’t know any better. That’s what I thought of Dennis. And that’s why I always helped him.

  I looked over at the couch and thought about my schedule for the next two days. I had to work both those nights and I needed to work on a paper for class. I probably wouldn’t even be home anyway.

  “Fine, you can stay,” I said. “But only for two days. If you don’t have an apartment after that, I can tell you about a nice parking spot at the grocery store. I’ll even buy you a tent.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Brent

  Weeks had gone by since I last saw Jackie. With the Thanksgiving holiday she was busy with classes and even more catering jobs.

  I had backed off from showing up where she was to give her a break. Giving her the car was a little too much and with everything she was dealing with, I thought she needed a break. She was confused and I wondered if it had anything to do with her involvement with Dennis.

  Reginald told me what he heard at her apartment when he dropped off the car. It took everything in me to not go over there and kick Dennis’s ass. And if I was her boyfriend I would have done that, but I wasn’t, he was.

  The reason for his being at her apartment was clear to me. She must have loved him. In some weird, warped way, she had to love him. Why else would she put up with such an abusive person?

  If Dennis was good to her, if he treated her well, then I would have backed away and let her be happy with him. But whether he was her boyfriend or not, he didn’t treat her right. I knew I would.

  It wasn’t my place to judge her and her situation. I only wanted what was best for her. In time she would see that that was me.

  I wanted to see her more. I wanted her to be mine. I wanted to show her what she was really worth. Instead, she was with him.

  As I leaned back in my office chair, I thought about our arrangement. I hadn’t pushed it any further because I knew I was falling for her. Each time I saw her, every time we were together, my feelings for her grew.

  Originally I thought any time with her would be enough, but it wasn’t. I wanted more. I had to make my move. She needed to know without any doubt how I felt about her. And I needed to know the same.

  My private line rang. I tapped the speaker button as I put my feet up on the desk.

  “Brent speaking,” I said.

  “Brent, it’s Xander Boone. How have you been?”

  “I’m good. I saw you’ve had some great acquisitions lately. Good to see the Boone name expanding again.”

  “We’re growing slowly, but I’m moving into new markets. Some interesting technologies out there. If you’re interested we should meet for a round of golf.”

  “No, that’s more my brother’s thing,” I said. I got the invitation to your Christmas Eve party.”

  “That’s great. Hopefully I’ll see you there.”

  “You will,” I said as an idea struck me. “Mind if I bring a date?”

  “Of course not, the more the merrier.”

  “Great. Listen, Xander, I’ll have to call you back. I have a few things I need to take care of. It was good hearing from you.”

  “I’ll talk to you soon,” Xander said as he hung up.

  The Boone Christmas party was the perfect place to take Jackie on a date. It was someplace she’d be comfortable and familiar with everyone so we could focus on getting to know each other better.

  I tapped the button for Marcia.

  “Marcia, make reservations at the most romantic restaurant you can think of,” I said.

  “How about The Breezes? It’s right on the ocean and has a beautiful view.”

  “That sounds perfect,” I said.

  “Do you want me to buy it out for the night?”

  “No, just make sure we get a nice table away from everyone.”

  “Yes, sir. Anything else?”

  “If I think of anything I’ll let you know. Thank you.”

  I picked up Jackie’s work schedule for the week. I was going to surprise her again. I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of being with her again.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jackie

  I set my tray down and pulled out my phone to see if I had any messages. Why haven’t I heard from Brent? It had been two weeks since the day he gave me the car. What happened?

  I kept playing things over and over in my head. I thought for sure that things would change between us, instead I didn’t see him at all. I didn’t realize how used to running into him I was until he wasn’t around any more.

  I missed him.

  After loading my tray with champagne flutes I made my way around the wedding reception. It was a Saturday night, a big night for weddings at the Arc Hotel, even in the middle of December.

  As the champagne disappeared from my tray, Jayne, one of the other waitresses, came over to me. She matched my pace as we walked through the room.

  “Holy shit, you should see the wedding in the next room,” she said.

  “Fancy?” I asked.

  “You wouldn’t believe it. Apparently they had a beach wedding over the summer and already wanted to renew their vows.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said. “Seems like overkill.”

  “A waste of money if you ask me. When you get a chance you should check it out. They have photos from their first wedding outside their event room too. It’s crazy.”

  “I think I’ll pass,” I said. “Nothing worse than a beach wedding anyway.”

  “Yeah, so cliché,” Jayne said.

  With my tray empty, I decided to disappear so I could send Brent a quick text. There was no reason why I couldn’t text him. After all, he did say I knew how to reach him.

  Jackie: Missing -- one stalker. Any idea where he went?

  I waited for what felt like forever for Brent to finally respond.

  Brent: I knew you’d miss me. I just handed over my car to the valet.

  Jackie: Here?

  Brent: Of course. You kno
w how many weddings there are tonight? No best man can handle that amount of women, they’ll need back up. You know I do my best work at weddings.

  Jackie: You’re such a jerk.

  Brent: But you love me anyway.

  I stared at the words on my screen. I knew he was just joking around as usual, but it hit home for me. He was right. After all that time of pushing him away, of trying to convince myself that I hated him, I was falling for him.

  Jackie: Where are you?

  Brent: I’m in the hall. I’ll be there soon.

  I couldn’t wait to see him. As I stepped into the hall, I saw Brent at the other end. In between us was the other wedding with the photos on display at the entrance.

  The loud music thumped as I walked towards Brent. One of the photos caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I tried to ignore it, but something about it nagged at me.

  As I turned to look at the photos, the bride and groom were in my direct line of sight as they cut the cake. The bride’s wavy blonde hair bounced as she giggled, but it was the groom who caught my attention.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off him, but I could have looked away and still known what he looked like or how his dark brown hair fell over his left eye whenever he laughed. I would recognize the timbre of his voice or how his brow knitted when he looked at the cake. It was Marc.

  My heart stopped and my mouth opened as I gasped for breath. I started to shake as I stood in the hall and watched as the couple smiled and laughed as they fed each other cake. Pain shot through my chest. As the room started to spin, I caught my first full look at the photos. They had a perfect summer day for their beach wedding at sunset.

  I can’t do this anymore. I just can’t.

  The tears started to fall before I realized I was crying, but they were welcome. I couldn’t see the couple or their ridiculous oversized photos through the blur. Brent rushed over and put his arms around me.

  “What happened, Jackie? Are you okay?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.