In Your Shadow (20 page)

“Olivia.” Katie’s voice sharp.

“I assure you I am not a ghost, and if I was I would haunt Katie forever.” John voice very convincing.

He grabs her waist and dips her with his lips covering hers.

Olivia’s mouth dropped to the ground in shock that he would do that in front of her. She had never seen her kiss any one sense Mitch.

“Excuse me but we have a party to go to, besides get a room.” Giggling as she gets in the car.

John pulls Katie back up to standing position as her face was blushing a deep red and grinning.

“After you” he pointed to the car door. She crawls in and he gets beside her pulling her so close to him there was no room for a piece of paper between them.

Olivia was in a state of shock not knowing what to think. Was he for real, are was this a show. He was putting it on really strong. She had never met a man that showed his affection like that. She stared at Katie and she was hooked, you could see it all over her.

“Oh my god, she is in love with him.” Them thoughts going through her head. That was the first time she had seen her ever like this. Her father was right. She had met someone finally. Staring at them was like watching a movie. Olivia never thought she would she Katie like this. She was speechless but not for long.

Katie was in her own world leaning her head against John. Olivia talked the whole time until they got to her father’s house. John was ready for her to get out of the car. Just her voice alone irritated the hell of him. Katie tuned her out so she didn’t hear anything she was talking about.

She sees her father’s estate coming in view. Turning her face to John.

“Let’s get this over with.” She whispered.

“Let me in on the secret, no whispering in this car. Olivia spook up, as they both just turned and stared at her. Finally, they stopped the car, just in time Katie was ready to push her out of the car. No she knew why she didn’t go very many places with her, she never knew when to be quiet.

Katie rolls her eyes as John opens the door. She slides out and stood beside him as she watched the front door open and her father and Jewels was standing in the door.

John could feel her tense up as every muscle was tight as a rope.

“Relax Katie.” John whispers in her ear so low no one could hear.

“I’m so glad you made it. You look so good Katie.” Her father said, as he reached out his arms and hugged her neck.

“Thanks for coming John” he said reaching out his hand.

“I wouldn’t miss it sir.” He replied.

“Dear don’t you think them jeans are a little too tight.” Jewels rolled her eyes at Katie.

Katie narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth but before she could say a word John spoke.

“Personal, I don’t care what Katie wears. She’s beautiful no matter what she has own, and to me they are just right.” He kisses her on the top of the head.

“Jewels” Her father said in a loud voice grabbing her by the arm.

“Why don’t you check on dinner?” he ordered Jewels to the kitchen.

Katie watched her storm off relieved she didn’t have to slip her in the face.

“Never mind her, John is right you would look good in a paper bag.” He grins.

“Hello Mr. Jackson.” Olivia spook up with her bouncing voice.

“Hello dear, so great to see you. Listen why don’t Katie show you to your room why me and John get a drink.”

John wasn’t too sure about leaving her side, but she was home so in that case she would be alright.

“Sounds good, if the woman doesn’t mind.” He winked at Katie.

“Not at all.” Katie said as she grabbed Olivia’s arm and lead her out the room.

She was really getting on her nerves how she just stood there and stared at John. It was like her mind was trying to figure out how to suck him in. Leaning her up the stairs the house was being decorated for the mask ball. She finally got to her bedroom at the end of the hallway. She opened her door and her dress was handing on a stand with her silver and white mask. It looks like something out a Cinderella movie. It was so beautiful.

“Your dress Katie it is beautiful. Your father has great taste. You will be the bell of the ball.” Olivia said walking over looking at her grown.

“Yes daddy does have great taste. I’m sure someone else will have that part covered.”

“Well am I sleeping in her with you.” She laughs.

“Your room in across the hall.”

“That’s what I thought, Mr. Hot Pains will be in her right.”

“Olivia.”

“Sorry I just can’t get over you knew guy, I haven’t seen you with someone in so long it is taking me a while to get us to. You picked a winner. I would love to know where you found him. I can’t never find someone like that.”

“Glad you approve, but how we met is no one’s business but my own.” She said with a slight grin on her face.

“Well I just thought you could fill me end, but I guess I was mistaken.” Looking at her with this funny look.

“Olivia you know I don’t talk about my personal life with no one include you.”

“Whatever! Like you have a personal life.” She smarted off.

“Unless you want to be escorted home, you might want to cool your jets.” She popped back.

“Touchy are we. Fine have it your way.” She took a deep breath and walked to the bed.

“We need to get ready for dinner tonight, I don’t think Jewels cares for my jeans to well.” Katie changed the subject before she said something else.

“Yea she is a snot.”

“That’s not what I would call her.” Katie said as she walked to her closet and opened the door.

“Let’s see what would stir the house up tonight.” Katie pulling out a low cut formal dresses.

“I think this one will do.” Holding a white dress with no back. The front had a V-neck with small stapes. 

“Katie I think that dress will wake Mr. Hot Pants up.” Laughter filled the room after Olivia remark.

“I think you are right. It will also intimidate Jewels to.” Laughing some more.

……..

John was getting nervous it had been an hour and a half and he hadn’t seen Katie around. He had talked about everything from fishing to politics. He was getting bored and worried.

John poured him and Daniel another drink. Out of the corner of his eyes he noticed Katie coming in the door. Turning his head his eyes couldn’t believe what he was seeing, the blue jean lady had change into a sexy hot white dress with heels. Her hair pulled up in a curled down her back. She was beautiful, his eyes never left her as she walked up and stood beside him. He breath in taking in the scent around her. His body responding to her like fuel on a fire.

“My dear you look breathtaking.”

“Thank you, daddy.” She walked over and kissed him on the cheek and returned to John’s side. He put his arm around her and pulls her to his side. He was content now. She was close to him.

“Ms. Olivia you red dress is beautiful dear.”

“Thank you, sir.” She blushed.

Daniel lead them to the large dining room as they sat down to a long table. The servers but there drinks down and laid a soup bowl in front of them. Katie jumped as she felt his hand move to her thigh. Her body was trembling. She was struggling to breath as his hands moved to the inside. She turned her head slowly catching a slight smile. When she turned back around her father was smiling at her. She felt like she was under a microscope, if she could sink under the table she would. Finally, the food came to the table so she could pick at it for a distraction.

“Your face looks beautiful the shade of red.” He whispered in her ear.

Leaning her head down she cut a piece of salmon off and brought it to her mouth.

John managed to eat with perfect manners with one hand. A few times he made eye contact with her rubbing his nose in her hair.

“John how about moving our drinks to the living room.”

“Certainly sir.”

Everyone moved their beverages into the next room. Katie stood by the large fireplace as the heat covered her body. John shortly move to her side and put his arm around her. It felt like he had just touch a furnace she was hot. He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. When the kiss ended, everyone was staring at them. Olivia was steady watching. She was amazed how effected this man was.

“Well I have to say sir I am going to turn in for the evening it has been a long day.”

“Of course John, we have a big day tomorrow.”

“Goodnight Katie.”

“Goodnight daddy.”

Daniel watched them go up the stairs as Olivia wasn’t far behind them. She looked like a duck out of water with her bright red dress and her black boots. Daniel just nods his head and giggles to himself.

John opened the bedroom door and lead her in.

“Well I guess I will go to bed now.” Olivia said with sarcasm in her voice.

“Good night Olivia” John said as he shut the door behind them.

“Well some night.” Olivia mumbled.

John stood there so close to Katie he could see her pulse beating in her neck.

“Hey, Katie, how about a movie,” Olivia’s loud voice beaming thought the door.

“Goodnight Olivia” Katie and John said at the same time.

They started to laugh as he pulled her close to him.

Tom opened his eyes to nothing but darkness. Picking his phone up the light came on and it was four thirty in the morning. Blinking a couple of times, a dim light came toward him, it was her. Smiling with her deep green eyes glowing, her brown hair long across her breast. His heart started racing, as his breath became rapid. He blinks his eyes and the light of her was gone. The darkness went back around him like a blanket.

“I can’t stay mad at you.”

He smiles as he sits up in the bed and turns the lamp on. Moving slowly to the bathroom he splashes water on his face, looking into his reflection. His face was covered with stubble.

“I need to shave and look nice. She likes clean shaven men.” He mumbled.

Grabbing the razor, he shaved his face living nothing but bare skin. He glazed in the mirror again he looked like a different man. Smiling at himself he turns and leaves the bathroom, and reached for his cloths. Hurrying out the door it was almost 5:20, he had to get to her house before she went to work.  He pulled out of the driveway down the long spooky drive, a few rabbits jumped out in front of him. He didn’t even slow down he almost hit them. His hands were sweating as he gripped the steering wheel. It was still dark but he could see the sun coming over the arising making orange and red colors. He seen the interstate a few feet ahead that meant he was closer to her. Traffic was getting heavy he started to panic.

“I have to get there before she leaves.”

Finally, he seen her street, hurrying off the interstate he was looking for a place to park. There was nothing close to her house all the places where full. He seen a place a few blocks from her but he couldn’t see anything.

“Dam I will have to walk.”

Frustrated, and now he had to walk and stay hidden. This wasn’t starting off to be a good Thursday morning. Grabbing his jacket of the seat and slams the car door. The streets light was going off as light started to peek through the corners of the building. The streets were getting busy as people were headed to work. He found a place between two building that he could stand. He had prefect vision of her door. He disappeared though the crowd and positioned himself at the opening of a ten-foot gap between the buildings. Standing there looking over at her window the light was still on from yesterday. He looks down at his watch it read 6.45 am.

“She should be moving around soon.”

“Excuse me sir, you have light.” A gray hair man stopped and ask.

“No I don’t smoke.”

The gentleman walks off, as his eyes still focused on her house. Minutes had pasted still no movement. He leans against the wall holding his body up, watching the people walk by. He was already getting aggregated because everyone was around. It seemed like an hour had passed before he looked down again at his watch and it was 8:00 o’clock.

“Where is she? Why isn’t her lights coming on?” Something is wrong.” His voice low. Moving from his position he goes to the corner and crosses over. Stopping right in front of her door. Mrs. Smith her neighbor came out of her apartment with a cigarette in her hand. He turned around and walked a few feet and sat down on some steps. Watching the neighbor from the corner of his eye. Waiting for her to go back in, his eyes was still on her window. Still no movement, looking at his watch, 8:45 it read.

“What is going on? Why hasn’t she left? Suddenly a man came out of his door beside him as he got up quickly and walked back to the corner. He hurried back to where he was standing. He stood there waiting and waiting for something, some form of life. Nothing moved, no lights.

At this point he didn’t know what to do, he knew she wasn’t at work because she hasn’t left her house. Squatting down, he stayed in that position so long his legs where crapping. The last time he looked at his watch it ready 2:00 p.m. He was just about to give up then a white moving van pulled up in front of her door.

“Damn it, now I can’t see.” He watched the truck put his emergency flashers on.

Moving again he was furious no knowing what was going on. Making his way across the street again, just as he turned the curve he noticed they were taking things out of house close to hers.  The closer her got he realized it was her house.

“What is going on?” moving faster.

When he got up to the front door it was wide open. Without thinking he runs in and there are boxes on the floor, few men were packing down some of her thing.

“What are you doing? Where is Katie?’ his voice loud.

“Excuse me.”

“Who are you?” a man asks as he moved closer to him.

“That’s not important, where is Katie?” Demanding answers, storming thought the house looking in every room. She was no were to be found, when he turned around a tall man was standing in front of him.

“I need to know where Katie is, and what is going on?” His voice harsh, and demanding.

“Sir you are going to have to leave before I call the police.”

“I just need some answers.” He said as he started rumbling though some papers on her desk. Her papers falling to the floor, but no glue to where she was, nothing.

Tom watches the man get his phone out of his pocket. Panic hit, sweat forming on his forehead, he didn’t give him time to dial the number he runs out the door.  Running as fast as he could, weaving though anyone that got in his way. Finally, he makes it to his car feeling like he was going to collapse at any second. Sitting down in his seat he was gashing for air trying to breath air into his lungs. His heart pounding so hard he was pouring sweat. He looks in his mirror as the gentleman was standing in the street with the phone to his eyes looking around.

“What if he saw me get in my car?”

His hands trembling as he puts the keys in the imagination and drives off. Watching constantly in his window. He was livid, passing every car that got in front of him. Driving like a mad man until he reaches a parking lot, he pulls over and parks beside an over large truck. The white double cab truck was large it hid his car from site. His body was trembling, taking deep breaths to slow his heart rate. He felt around for his mobile phone which he had discarded a few ago.  He sees it and he picks it up and dials her office. The secretary answers on the second ring.

“Ms. Jackson Office can I help you.”

“Yes can I speak with Katie Please.”

“Sir she isn’t in today can I help you.”

He slams down his phone in the seat.

“You never take a day off. What is going on? I knew I should have done something a long time ago. I will find you and when I do so help me.” He yells, it was so loud it echoed in his ears.

Breathing in and out, his mind spinning.

“Where could she be? It will be New Year’s Eve tomorrow, where did she go. She better not be with him.”

Exhausted he leans his head back in the seat looking up at the interior of his car. Finally, he calms down still looking out his mirror constantly. When he realized that no one was following him lets out a deep breath in a sign of relief.

“What am I going to do now? Where did you go? I have to find you.”

His mind full of unanswered question. Then it finally accrued to him she might have left something in her office that would lead him to her. Putting the car in drive he pulls out of the parking lot, headed to her building. Traffic was at a standstill as he tried to push forward.

“This can’t be happening to me, not now.”

Looking over he seen a parking meter, he cuts in between two cars as they lay on their horn, and parks. Looking down at the time 6:30 it read. Getting out of the car and slowly makes his way up the sidewalk. With her building in view he seen her sectary get in a car. Stopping at a large stone block he leans against it. He waits there for thirty minutes until everyone had left. He walks up the steps and opens the large glass doors.

“Yes there opened.” He thought.

His heart racing as he hurries to the elevator. Pushing the bottom, he watches the light hit every floor. Finally, it stops and the doors pop open as he held his breath. He takes a deep breath and gets on his hand shacking. His adrenaline pumping hard though his veins as he pushed the twentieth floor. He had become brave and not caring. Standing on the side of the wall the door dings and opens. Slowly he walks through the door, there was no one in the foyer. He headed to her office. The door was closed he grabbed the door handle and tried to turn the knob. It was locked, shacking the knob hard, it still didn’t pop open. He looks up as he hears a light click sound, and there at the corner of wall a camera was pointed straight at him. He jumps back as he released the door handle and pulled his hoody further over his face. Running to the elevator he pushes the button continually until it opened. It seemed like it was taking forever for the door to open. It pops open and he hurried in.

“The camera got a picture of my face, that is just great. When did she install that system it never was there before?” his thoughts are getting carried away as sweat was running down his cheek.

The elevator dinged as the door flew open. He jumps off and heads for the door as he heard a man yelling at him.

“Hey!”

He walks faster, afraid to turn around.

“Hey stop!” he yells again.

Tom runs out the glass door and down the steps jumping behind a large concrete column. His heart beating faster and faster, he took in a deep breath and holds it. As he hears the guard running down the steps. He stops a man at the bottom.

“Sir did you see someone coming out of this building.”

“No sir, I haven’t “

Tom could hear the guard walking closer to him.

“I am caught.”

At this point adrenaline was running though his veins so fast he could hear his every beat in his pulse. Taking in another deep breath, the foot prints stop, by that time he was trembling, his legs were shacking so bad he almost fell to the ground. Standing there frozen to the wall, he was afraid to turn around. A few minutes passed and her heard the footprints again. They were more at a distance. Letting out a deep breath he knew he had gone back in. He took off walking as fast as he could. When he got to the parking lot he jumped in his car and turned the ignition. Hearing the sound of the engine gave him a sense of security. Breathing in and out he finally looked back, there was no sign of him. He put the car in drive and eased past his building. From the corner of his eye he could see a police car parked in front. They were walking up the long steps.

“Oh shit the camera. Now they will know who I am, that is just what I need.”

He pushed hard on the gas petal flying past a few cars. Jumping on the interstate he hit 90. His body covered in sweat as his legs were trembling. Looking down at his speed he finally slowed down as he approached his exit. Furious and full of anger, he flies down his road sending a cloud of dust behind him. Throwing his car in park he runs in his house and slams the door.

“Now what am I going to do. Katie what have you done. Everything is your fault, everything.” He is yelling at the top of his lungs until he had no air left.

He falls down on his bed beating his fist into the pillow. Hitting it so hard white cotton flies everywhere. His feet ache, his back aches, he is a mess from the inside and out. Minutes had passed before he finally stopped. His head was pounding so hard it was matching the rhythm of his heart. Covering his hands over his face he lays there in complete silence. The only sound you could here was the beating of his accelerating heart. Hours had past he was still in the same position. Dozing off and on, rolling from one side of the bed to another.  Finally, after a restless night he opens his eyes seeing the darkness of the room. The air was heavy and cold. His head rolls sleepily against the pillow, closing his eyes again. He could hear Katie’s soft voice. It felt so close he could touch her. He could feel her kissing her shoulder and wrapping her arms around him. Everything that had happened didn’t mean anything now, he could feel her. He would never leave the thought of her being his now. He forced his eyes open and could still feel her so close to him.

“Your mine.” He whispers.

Sitting up in the bed he reaches for the lamb and turns it on. Looking around at the dinginess of this cabin.

“I hate this you are always in my dreams and not my arms. I have had enough of this.”

He gets up wiping the sweat off his forehead, as he walks to the kitchen. Frustrated and full of rage, he looks at the sun beaming though his window. Taking a few sips of his coffee, he gets up and dresses.

“It’s time to come get you,” he thought.