In Your Shadow (10 page)

Tom looked at the clock hanging on the wall told him he had been pacing  back in forth from the window for hours. The window was cracked so he could hear every noise coming from the street below.

He was panicing not knowing what was going on with her. Finally he stopped and pulled out his phone. He called her answering service and pleaded with them to give them her number. He hadn’t seen any movement since Friday morning , he was going insane.

“It’s an emergency I need to contact her please” he said.

The woman finally gave him her cell phone number. Looking down at the number his hands start to shake. He hangs up quickly and dials her number.

“Hello” she answered.

“Hello” she said again.

His mouth opened but nothing came out. He couldn’t speech he froze at the sound of her voice. What was he going to say? How was he going to talk to her? Fear set in his mind as sweat rolled down his face, his heart racing. He hangs up the phone not knowing what to do.

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I need to think” he thought.

“Where is she?” Questions going through his head.

Walking back to the window he stares at her apartment.

A couple was out walking his dog and a few were seating on their steps. The sun was going down, the street lights were coming on. It was a cold Sunday evening with the wind blowing trash from the sidewalk. They predicted inches of snow tomorrow. He walks away from the window he stops in front of her picture and stares.

“It time for you to be with me, I see that you are not going to be alone anymore,” talking out loud to himself.

Finally he walks over and pours him a drink and sits down at the window.

“No” he yells, his hands pressing against the window, after he saw her with another man.

“No no no, you can’t” he yells, with his eyes still on the window.

He was in rage he pick up a paper weight and throws it at the window. It shatters and the glass and the object flys out the window. A woman yells when the glass almost hits her as it hits the concrete. He jumps back when he noticed they were looking up towards his window. Watching from the corner the gentleman opened her door and they went in. Staring in shock he couldn’t believe she invited him in.  He grab his jacket and headed to the door. When he opened it a tall heavy set man was stand in front of him.

“What’s going on in there, what did you break?” His voice loud and full of anger.

“Nothing I just dropped a glass.” He answered.

“Your rent is overdue I want the money tomorrow are you will be evicted”

He turned his back to him and quickly pulled his door closed and lock it. When he turned around he was still standing in the hallway with his arms crossed.

“Did you hear me” he spoke again.

“Yes I heard you, I will have it tomorrow.” He snapped back.

“All of it” the tall man turned and walked away.

“That’s all I need is him on my back now, could it get any worst.”

He got on the elevator and got off at the bottom floor. He walked out the front door with  the wind harsh and cold. Blowing strongly against his face, he was too angry to fill the coldness. His adrenaline was pumping through his veins like pure hot lava. He stops directly across from her building and stares up at the lights of her room. He could see shadows moving around but he couldn’t tell who it was. He stood there and watched a delivery man bring food to the door. Katie came to the door and paid for the food. It looked as if she was wearing jogging pants and a button up shirt. The wind had caught her hair and was blowing it wildly around her face.

“Such a gorgeous.” He thought.

He saw her gaze up and stare at him for a second. With his heart racing he took a step closer her door closed and she was gone. He turned and started walking back to his apartment he wanted to barg in her house and grab her, but he knew he couldn’t not with that man there. His eyes narrow with his anger. He turned back around when he reached his door and he seen a gentleman go back in her house.

He unlocked his apartment door and headed straight to the window. He stood there and watched all the lights go out.

In rage he rips her pictures off the wall tearing them in half and watches them fall the floor. Yelling out of rage.

“How could you? You are mind and no one else’s. I just can’t trust you. I am coming for you.”

When he turned around his floor was covered will pictures scattered everywhere. Bits and pieces covered the room, she was everywhere. The wall was bare with nothing on it. Kicking over chairs, throwing anything he could get his hands on. The room was a disaster, ransacked and destroyed. He falls down to his knees as he picked up a picture of her that was torn in half , he placed it together and held it to his chest.

“I’m sorry Katie, forgive me” as tears rolled down his face.

He stood up and walked to his bedroom carry her picture like she was in his arms. Falling down on his bed, with his arms crossed and the photo of her tightly against his chest he closed his eyes. He could see her in a distance but she wasn’t close to him. He cried out her name and she walked away.

“Katie” he screams, watching her disappear into darkness.

He jumps up with his body covered in sweat, his heart racing out of control. He couldn’t breathe, he was having a panic attack. Sitting up in the bed trying to catch his breath he noticed her picture was on the floor beside him. Picking up the picture he sits there and closes his eyes. This time nothing came to his mind. The room was cold as the wind came blowing through the window. He got up and grabbed a piece of card broad and tapes it over the window.  He could see a light trace of snow starting to fall. Looking down at his hand blood was dripping from it and hitting the  floor. A piece of glass was sticking in  his finger. He watched the blood fall to the floor as it reminded him of when he seen her laying on the floor shot. He heads to the bathroom to clean the worn as he looked in the mirror, he seen a reflection of a man he didn’t recognize.  Rugged looking with his beard long with gray streaks, bags under his eyes, his hair was thick and dirty. His face wrinkled and dark rings around his eyes. He just stared at himself.

“No this won't do, she will never come to me like this.”

He picks up a razor and shaves the hair off his face, grabbing scissors he starts cutting his hair off. Taking a hair trimmer and correcting his cut. His hair was short and shaped nicely around his head. He shaved his face leaving it nice and clean. When he finished he looked like a different man.

Jumping in the shower washing all the hair off his body, he returns to the mirror.

“ You will like this new look.”

Walking away from bathroom he dresses and returns to bedroom filling self-confidence. He walks to the closet and get out a suit, lays it on the arm of a chair.  He crawls into bed and bundles up as the air was cold and damp in the dingy dark room. Is mind goes to thinking on the first time he met her. Vibrant, energic, full of life. He loved her the first time he set eyes on her. Many years he tried to get her out of his system but couldn’t. Moving away and coming back still she stayed in his mind. Wanting her, needing her, loving her. It was so overwhelming, and now he had to stop watching and dreaming and appoarch her. Claim her his, this was his dream his future. With this thought in his mind he finally closes his eyes and dreams of her with him.

Katie opened her eyes as the light filtered in through the blinds. Hoping this weekend wasn’t just a dream. Laying there thinking of the wonderful time she had with John, she didn’t want it to end. She realized she was cuddled up next to his warm naked body with his arm still around her. She felt happy for once in a long time. There were no nightmares they seem to cease. Was this because she was content are because she felt safe again. 

“Was she ready for a commitment are was this just a weekend fling.”  All these questions going through her head.

A part of her wanted to let her emotions loose and fall in love with him. She needed it, she wanted it, too long had passed without having it. Her heart was craving him now and she knew it. She stared at this godness of a man next to her.

She begins to stretch as his eyes came open. His dark hair and deep eyes made her blood rush through her veins. His eyes opened staring at her. She could feel his arms pulling her closer to him, his lips covered hers. Her legs went around him and she wrapped her arms behind his shoulders. It was like he was finishing where he left off last night. She didn’t have time to resist, he was giving in what she needed and wanted. He was on top of her before she could blink and they continued their lovemaking. She could feel his release at the same time of hers.

Only her national urge to pee forced her to move out of his arms in a hurry.

“Where are you going?” he smiles like he is had a secret.

“To pee” she giggles like a child.

“We should probably get ready for work.” She said coming out of the bathroom.

He was still in bed with his head on his elbow smiling at her. She took a deep breath walking slowly to the edge of the bed.

“I think we may be a little late “he said looking over at the clock.

“It’s 8 o: clock already, I overslept.” she jumped up and ran to the closet grabbing clothes to put on.

“I have a meeting at 9.”

“Isn’t it your company.”

“Yes, but I still have a meeting.”

Laughing out loud he got up and went to the chair and put on his pants own. He grabbed his shirt and walked to the window and pulled the blinds up. The streets were covered in a blanket snow; a few snowflakes were still falling.

“Well I’m not sure you will make you meeting.” He turns at her and smiles.

“Why is that?”

“Come look.”

She walks over to the window and there was a blanket of white covering the ground. “Snow.” She paused, looking at the bright white powder that covered the ground. A few cars were moving slowing down the streets, leaving a path.

“Well my office isn’t but a mile down the road. It doesn’t look that bad because cars are driving on it.”

“Slave driver huh.”

“Yes you can say that.”

The neighbor was out letting his dog jump around in snow. It looked only a few inches deep.

She walked away from the window and finished getting dressed.

John watched her call her driver as he was put his tie on. He walks up behind her and puts arms around her waist and turns her around and his lips covers hers. She pulls away and just stands there and stares into his eyes. A horn blew and broke her concentration.

“My driver is here.”

“I can tell, when can I see you again” he smile.

Katie’s heart was jumping, hard against her chest.

“Call me later” she smiled.

He followed her to the door with his hands on her back. Before she opened he grabbed her tightly and kissed her long and hard. When he released her she was catching her breath.

“Just a little something until next time. Thank you for such a wonderful evening.” He paused for a moment.

“ I don’t think you will need a escort service anymore.”Laughing at his statement.

“Oh you think that's funny do you.”

“Yes I do” he laughs louder.

“You never know I might need someone for my father's New Years party next week”

“Oh you think so. Let me remind you I am going with you.”

“I might call and request the regular person.”

“Oh really” he narrowed his eyes with a slight grin.

“ If I am not mistaken I think you father ask me to come.”

“That’s right he did.” She laughs and runs out the front door and balls up some snow in her hand. She waits until he closes the door and throws it at him. It hits him on the shoulder as he jumps back, looking down at the snow falling off his jacket.

“You want to play do you.”

John reaches down and gets him a handful and throws it back  at her. He missed and hit the car door, and watches her jump in. She laughing as he walks over and gets in the car and shuts the door. She has a great big smile on her face. It has been a long time since she has felt this way, so at peace so happy. How she missed this feeling.

The car drives off a few minutes later it is stopped at her office building.

“Impressive,” he’s looking out the window at this tall skyscraper building.

He got out and opened the door, he kissed her slowly on the lips and watched her go inside. She turned around before entering the building and gave him a quick smile, he returned the smile with a wink.

Katie felt like she was floating on air when she got on the elevator to the top floor.  Her mind so involved with John she didn’t even notice her receptionist wasn’t there when the door opened. Walking into her office she checks her messages. Of course her meeting had been canceled. She sat down at her desk with her mind still spinning and her body on fire. She had to try to concentrate on this contract. Opening he laptop she started reading more of her contract. Her mind was still on John and the wonderful weekend she had. She nods her head and tries to focus.

“Stop” John called out to the driver.

“Right her sir.”

“Yes just pull over here, I forgot something.”

“I can turn around.”

“There is no need I can walk it isn’t but a few block. Thank you.” John said as he got out of the car.

He didn’t want to leave her just yet. With the cold harsh wind blowing strongly  against his body, his jacket wasn’t thick enough to protect him from the chill. Light snowflakes were falling hitting his face  He was almost there just a block left. He stop for a moment when he seen red and white roses in a display window. He noticed the sign said open. Opening the door the scent of roses filled the air. Walking over to the corner there was some beautiful red and white roses sitting in a glass vase.

“She would love them” she thought.

“ I will take them” he said to the blonde hair  woman standing behind the corner. He watched  her smile as she wrote up the ticket.

He paid the lady and headed walked out the door and continued down the street. The wind was blowing hard against his face, as the woman put a thin plastic covering over the flowers to hold them in place. He was thankful for that are there would be a trail of rose petals down the street.

“I must be crazy walking in this weather with a dozen roses. Now I know what my father felt like when he met my mother” he thought.

Katie was into her contract as she heard the elevator door open. With the door cracked she could heard footsteps slowing approached her door as they paused for a minute. Listen closely it became silent. She looked back at the labtop and continured working, and there was a knock at her door. Trying to see who it was, but she couldn’t see though the crack.

“Yes” her voice slow and sharp.

She watched the door ease open slowly and there stood a man with sunglass’s own. He was clean cut and very short dark hair. He eyes stared at her with a creepy expression across his face. An uneasy feeling sweep though her body.

“Can I help you?”

There was no answer he continued to just stand there and stare.

“Sir, can I help you” her voice louder.

“ Katie…” he spoke so softly she could barely hear him.

He just stared at her, not taking his eyes off of her.

“Excuse me, do I know you” she answered.

“Ah…”

Before he could say anything else John stormed past him and stopped in front of her desk. He had arm behind his back.

The man studied John as hatred and jealousy spread through him. He was furious. He could see the two dozen roses he was hiding behind him.

“How dare him walk in here unannounced? No he can’t be giving her flowers. What is going on here.” he thought. Turning his eyes back at Katie. He looked at her with rage and so much jealiously.

“I’m sorry for the intrusion,” John said.

Katie was surprised to she John standing in front of her. A part of her was glad he was here. She looked back over at the man and he was walking out of her office.

“Sir, Excuse me.”

“Sir.”her voice loud”.

The man never turned around he was walking faster.

He continued to the elevator not saying a word. She hurried past John trying to catch up to him but he got on the elevator. The door was closing as she stopped in front of it, and looked through the crack.

“ How could you? Bye Katie I will see you again soon” the man said as the elevator door closed more.

“Who are you? How do you know me? She said as she watch the door close.

Katie pushed the button over and over again trying to reopen the door but it wouldn’t open.

“ How does he know me? What does he mean how could you? Do I know him from somewhere, why does he look so familiar? Her thoughts going crazy at this point. A sudden chills runs down her back.

Standing there for a moment pushing the button but the elevator continued going down. She waited but it never came  back up.

Finally she turned around and John had this bewilder look on his face.

“I am sorry if I interrupted something” he said.

“You didn’t.”

“May I ask what that was about.”

“I am not sure, he came in my office. He seems to know my name but I have no idea who he is. There was something about him that is so familiar. He is really creepy.”

“What did he say?”

“Nothing really, he just stared at me with this look before he called me by my name.”

“You need me to call security.”

“No he is probably gone by now.”

“Katie be careful up here by yourself.”

“You sound like my father.”

She walks back over to her desk .

“What brings you here anyway?”

“Well I thought I would work from home today.” He had a large grin across his face.

“Then why aren’t you at home!” She smiled.

“Well I was on my way and then I seen this shop that was selling something beautiful and I stopped. They reminded me of this beautiful woman I met. I thought they would make her day.”

He moved his hand from behind him and held out the flowers. Her face was priceless, eyes sparkling with passion, and no words came out of her mouth. He was enjoying every minute of this.

“There are beautiful.”

“Just like you.”

She takes the flowers from his hand and smells a rose. The aroma of the roses filled the room. Sitting the vase of roses down on her desk she turns and looks at him.

“Thank you! That made my day?” reaching up with her hand running her fingers across his chin.

He bends down his head his lips covered hers  kissing her passionately. When she pulls away she was gasping for air. She was lost in his touch again she couldn’t move are breath. He consumed her with his spell of love. Her body was coming alive and her heart was healed. She could feel again, the pain was almost gone.

“ I don’t want to spoil the moment but I really do have to finish this contract” her eyes still on him.

“I knew you would say something like that. Do you mind if I stay? I can work from the reception desk. It will protect you from strangers.”

“Well sense you think I need protection,” she giggles under her breaths.

“You can use the desk outside my office.” She walks back to her desk.

“ Well I guess that will have to do since I can’t work at your desk.” He laughs.

“You are pushing it aren't you.”

“Oh know, just don’t want to let you out of my site , you may have another creep come out of the elevator.” He laughs.

“I sure hope not, there was something about that man that was very unsettling.”

“I got the same feeling.” He said as he walked to the small desk on the outside of her door.

“Well enjoy your work” she said.

“I will, but not as much as I can enjoy you.”

Nodding her head she trys to get back to work. Katie was so nervous, how could she focus with him outside her door. It was impossible to concentrated as she rubbed her temble looking down at her file. She had to focus and get this contract done. It was a hard deal to manage. She opens the found page of her file looking at the offer the contractors had made.  This was the first time in a long time her mind went back to the night of the killing. This was the contract he had before he had got killed. Could she every put this to rest, why does it still haunt her after all these years. It was holding her back from having a life. She had to put closure on this somehow to move on finally with her life.