In Your Shadow (14 page)

“Hey dad.”

“Glad you called, still working hard.”

“Always.”

“Have you forgot about the New Year’s Eve party.”

“This Saturday right.”

“Yes it is, and I was going to let you know that I took the honor of ordering you a dress. Don’t get mad at me, I just know how busy you are dear.”

“Oh Daddy, I would have gotten one.”

“Well the party isn’t but a few days, and I wanted you to have something nice.”

“Well thank you.” She said, even though she was agitated that he got her another dress.

“John is coming isn’t he. I can’t wait to see him, I sure do like that guy.”

“I’m glad, I have to go now. I will see you Saturday.”

“Okay dear.”

“Bye daddy.” She hung up the phone and nods her head.

“Why does he think he had to buy me clothes?’ she thought.

Looking down at her contract she finally starts to work on it. She didn’t notice that John had walked in her office.

She looked up and he was sitting in front of her.

“What happened to calling first?’ she smiled.

“I thought you might like a surprise visit.”

“Who said I like surprises?”

Smiling, he put two little white square box in from of her.

“I thought you might like some dinner.”

“Oh, Chinese huh. I remember the last time we ate it.”

“I brought forks this time.”

Katie giggles, as she put her folder away. He handed her a small box of rice.

She grabs the box and opens it.

“Smells good.”

“It is.”

He starts to eat as he seen something in the corner of his eye. He turns to see what it was and it is a box with a ribbon on it in the trash can. He looks back up at her and she is eating her food and looking at her desk top computer. He bends over and grabs the box out of the trash. Upon picking it up a white lily falls out. His eyes narrow as he remembered the flower in front of her door. It was the same kind. Dropping the box and letting it fall back in the can. “Katie, who sent you this flower.” He said looking at her.

She was surprised that he noticed the gift.

“I don’t know.”

“There wasn’t a card?”

“No!”

He watched her as she put her fork down and stared straight into his eyes. He seen the face of fear and panic.

“It didn’t come with a card.”

“Just a small card with my name on it.” His voice low.

“Looks like you have and admirer.” He paused for a moment waiting her face.

“I think you may need to get you better security, especially here.”

“You sound more like my father.”

“I’m concerned.”

John watched her as she walked to the window and stood there and looked out. He then got up and walk to her. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her to him.

“I am fond of you Katie and worry about your safety. You have had some creepy things going on here lately.”

“It will be fine.” She answered.

Not wanting to let him know that she was worried. She looked up into his eyes as all her worries went away. His lips covered hers as her body melted into his.

When he released his kiss he could feel her body relax, it was if she was needing him. He was convinced know more than ever that she belonged to him.

“This is a suggestion; why don’t you stay with me for a few days. Are at least until we find out who this person is.”

“I’m not going to let someone run me out of my house over a few Lilies.”

“Katie no one is running you out of your house, I would feel better with you closer to me.” He smiled.

“I will think about it.” She said as she walked back over to her desk.

Looking down at the white box. A sudden chill rolled down her spine as a flash of her past hit her.

“What if this is that person that shot me? No it has been too long. It is just a crazy admirer.” She thought.   

Sitting down in her chair and noticed John was waiting every move she was making. Watching ever expression that was on her face.

“You didn’t eat.” She said trying to get the focus off of her.

“You didn’t eat much either.” He answered, studying her eyes. They told a story, one that he could read very clearly. There was fear, panic, love, and passion all rolled into one.  There was one thing about Katie, her eyes never lied. That was one of the things he loved about her. He didn’t have to ask how she was he could read it in her.

Katie jumps as her phone rings, she reaches down and picks it up.

“Hello Zoe.”

“Hey Katie, I was just letting you know you house will be ready the first of next week. The closing is set for the third of January. Everything is finished and waiting for your approval.”

“That great news. I will see you at closing.”

“You don’t want to do a walk through before then.”

“I may tomorrow, I will be busy the rest of the week.”

“That sounds good.”

“Great, I will call you after I look at it tomorrow.”

“Talk to you then.”

Katie hung up the phone with a slight grin on her face.

“Sounds like good news.”

“It is the house will be ready the third.”

“That is wonderful?”

“Yes I can’t wait, now you and my dad don’t have to worry so much.” She giggles.
“Oh we will still worry, but at least not as much with security out there.”

“When are you going to look at it again?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

“Yes, you can come with me if it will make you feel better.”

“Thank you and yes it would.” He smiled.

“I have a lot to get done by next week. I almost forgot my father's new year’s eve party this weekend.”

“That’s right?”
“I can’t go. I have to pack.”

“Katie you know you father is counting on you, and besides I will help you. It will get done stop worrying.”

“John I can’t stay at your house I have too much to do.”

“Well then let me help.”

“Don’t you have to work?”

“You forget one thing I own my company.” He laughed, “Besides I can’t seem to let you do this alone.”

“I don’t understand why not. I have been doing things alone for a very long time.”

“That is more of a reason to let me help you, so you don’t have to do it alone again.” As he stared at her watching her face flush a deep red.

“I have a feeling that you are not going to take no for answer.”

“You are so right my dear.” His voice seductive and low.

“Well I have to warn you I have a lot to do, so don’t get in my way.”

“Oh rest assure I want get in your way. Fine then it is settled I will go home with you and start helping you tonight.” He smiled.

“Tonight!”

“Yes.”

“Persistent are we.”

“Oh yes, I think you need a hand and with your little admirer lurking around you might need a body guard. Since you want go back to my place.”

Glaring at her, watching them deep green eyes that he could get lost in them forever. He wanted to get her out of this office somewhere more at home.

“What do you say we get out of here?”

“John, I have to finish this contract.”

“Well take it with you.”

She looked down at her watch, it was almost six thirty in the evening.
“I have a lot of work to do.”

“Of course.” He said, watching her close her laptop and put it in her case.

He put the boxes of food in a bag and followed her out her office. With one hand he closes the door.

“Good evening Katie.” Susan said.

“Good evening Susan I will see you in the morning.”

“Oh one more thing, Ms. Katie.”

“What is it?” She turned and looked at her.

“Well I know this sounds crazy put you have a few calls today. A gentleman asks if you were in. I told him yes and ask his name and he hung up. He did this three are four times this afternoon. I just find that a little odd.”

Katie looked at Susan with this surprised look on her face.

“It’s nothing, no it can’t be the person that left the flower, they will call back.” Katie chants under her breath, trying to hide the panic that came across her face.

“They didn’t leave a name are anything.”

“No, they didn’t.”

“I guess it wasn’t important then. Thanks Susan I will see you in the morning.”

Katie walked to the elevator and got on. It was dead silent. Her heart was beating hard against her chest as she noticed John had a worried look on his face but never said a word. With no warning he pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her. Making her forget everything that had happened today. His arms were so strong, but yet gentle. When he closed them around her it felt like she was wrapped in a cocoon, and nothing could touch her. She held him tightly breathing in his scent. This was the place she wanted to be, the warmth of his body against hers. Closing her eyes, she took in a few deep breaths letting out her stress of her day. Nothing could touch her here in his arms.

The elevator stopped as he released her just in time as the door swung open. A couple was standing in the threshold waiting to get on. They stepped out on to the main floor as her paranoia set in. Looking around with the corner of her eyes to see if she notices anyone different. She felt like everyone’s eyes was on her watching her every move. She could see thought the glass doors her driver was standing there with the door opened. John is right behind her almost close enough to feel the heat coming from his breath. He could feel the tension around her. She reaches the car and gets in John slides in behind her.

Johns fingers entwined into hers as he gave her a tight squeezed. The warmth of his hands went up her arm and down her body like electric blanket. Looking up to his face his eyes was on hers. He could read her well, her eyes told a story. The fear and the panic was running though her and he could see it. Before she could speech a word they had pulled up at her town house. John opened the door and helped her out. She handed him the keys and waved to the driver.

“Good evening Ms. Katie.” the voice came from her neighbor that was sitting on the steps next door. She was late forties with short hair, very pleasant smile. Her English bull dog was sitting in her lap.

“Good evening Emma.” She replied back as she reached her door. John put the key in lock and started to turn it but he didn’t hear it click.

“The door wasn’t locked”. He thought.

Katie noticed a brown envelope sticking out halfway from under her door mate. Looking over at John he reaches down and picked it up as he pushed the door opened. He closes the door behind him and notices a man’s cologne in the air. He knew right then that someone had been in her house. That wasn’t his cologne. This kind was a stronger and bolder.

He looked over at Katie and she didn’t seem to notice the smell.  She walked to a small room off to her right. Sitting her computer and purse down on a desk. She turns around and stared straight into him.

John is still holding the envelope in his hand. He watches her take her shoes off and walks toward him.

“I will take that.” She reaches for the envelope. Almost afraid to open it.

He hands her the brown folder, flipping it over to see if there is an address are anything. Nothing is own it, no name, no address, just blank. She opens it up and pulls out a white piece of paper and starts reading.

“As I am saying goodnight at the end of my day, and you are not here, but not far away. My heart is so empty, and so lonely inside. I wipe away a tear. I am trying to hide. I will hold you near in my heart. When these nights together can’t be ours, and time has kept us apart. I close my eyes and see you here. I will be waiting for you with a bottle of wine and a glass for two. I close my eyes and there you will be, just waiting, waiting for me. I begin to smile, and gently close my eyes lessoning the time, that we will be together and you will be mine. I can see you oh how beautiful you are. But you are not here, but yet not far. There is no question, it is you that I need. I sit here alone waiting with hope and you in my heart, no longing wanting us to be apart. Suddenly in a distance a shadow appears, a tear rolls down my face and the image is clear. I’m in your shadow that appears. Just liked I hoped I would be standing there with you next to me. I’m your shadow that you see, I am coming for you that is the way things will be.”

Her face turned white as her body trembled reading it over and over again. Letting it fall from her hands looking up at John like she had seen a ghost.

“Oh my god. Mitch use to say these words I’m your shadow. No it can’t be, he is dead. Who is this? Why are they doing this?” These thoughts are going through her head spinning around so fast it made her dizzy. All the memorize from that evening are flashing back.