Chapter 2
No Happy Ending
Gale Fears
Isighed as I sat down on my couch, looking out of the office window. Things really had gotten messed up. I wish I had never agreed to the fling with Hillary in the first place but calling it off had been the right thing to do. I recognized the familiar stirrings in my heart, and I knew they had to be squashed before they developed into something more. I had to protect my own heart before it was too late, I can’t fall in love and get hurt again.
“I heard you were working late tonight,” a voice said, and I looked up to see Daniel standing at the door.
“I have been knocking on your door for the last four minutes,” he said. “What’s up?”
“I should have listened to you,” I said, resting my head against the couch cushion. “I should have pushed her away.”
“Are you talking about your secretary by any chance?” he teased.
“I slept with her,” I said simply, accepting the cigar that he offered.
He whistled and said, “I am glad you scored, but I must say, sleeping with your secretary is frowned upon.”
“I was stupid,” I said. “I thought I could have some harmless fun without getting my heart involved. I liked her and I wanted her. I went against my better judgment. I shouldn’t have let her creep into my heart like that.”
“She is a pretty little thing, and it seems that she knows how to play her cards right,” Daniel said.
“You still think she is deliberately trying to manipulate me?” I asked.
“Think about it,” he said. “Whose idea was it to have a casual fling?”
I ignored the implication and changed the topic to something else that had been worrying me.
“Daniel, you have an uncle in the police, don’t you?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he said and then frowned. “But since when have you been so interested in my family tree?”
“I need to report some incidents to him,” I said. “A man who might be threatening and stalking someone I know.”
“I’ll give you his number,” Daniel said. “Even though I would strongly suggest that you stay out of this.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, even though I knew.
“You are getting deeper and deeper into this mess with the girl, Gale,” he said. “I don’t know why, but you have been fascinated with her right from the start. No, don’t shake your head at me. I am serious. Right from the first moment you saw her, splashing her wine over you and then throwing up, you have been acting weird. Something about her pulled at you from the very beginning, and this can’t go on. Not if you don’t want another Stella in your life. Or have you forgotten all about it? She is still looking for you, you know. Maybe I should tell her where you are. You seem to need a reminder.”
“Using her to threaten me into doing as you say?” I said, amused. “I don’t believe you, Daniel. I may hate Stella, but I know you can’t even stand the sight of her. Are you really going to bring her back into our lives?”
“Don’t doubt my loyalty to you, Gale,” Daniel said, quietly. “If I have to put up with that fiend of a woman to knock some sense into you, I will.”
I laughed. Daniel always did have my back, no matter what the situation was.
“So, you would have me stay single forever?” I asked.
“Actually, I would like it if you found a nice girl, of your standards, and married her, instead of having an affair with some poor, low-class secretary,” Daniel said.
I laughed again and shook my head. I had never agreed with Daniel's classist views, and it still surprised me how common these ideas still were. Nevertheless, I agreed with him when it came to staying away from Hillary. It would be better for both of us. she’s my secretary for crying out loud! Of all the cases I’ve taken before, there are surely more than a handful of secretary-boss scandals.
Yet.Her shattered expression flashed before my eyes, and I steadied my heart. It had to be done. But I couldn’t stop thinking of her. I couldn’t stop worrying about her, alone in that hospital, looking after her mother. A part of me just wanted to run to her and help her. But the more realistic part told me to stay firm, not to get involved, and to stay where I was. She could deal with it herself. I just couldn’t get the image of her tear-streaked face and I couldn’t help but worry about her. I should at least ask her if she needs anything. I can be friendly without risking my heart. I don’t have to talk to her much, but I should at least see how she is doing. After all, no one deserved to be alone in such a moment.
“Your father has been rather happy with your success lately,” Daniel said, sipping some whiskey he had poured from my office minibar. “We should celebrate. Perhaps another night at the club? Only this time, don’t let any girls throw up on you.”
“Let me know when you have planned something,” I said. “I will drop by.”
My mind was too preoccupied for me to pay much attention to him. I just couldn’t get Hillary out of my head. The way she had held me, the way her eyes had looked into mine. The way she had made me feel. Why? Why couldn’t I resist her? Why did she keep pulling me towards her? What was it about her? Why was it that even after pushing her away, she was all I wanted?
I got up from my couch and picked up my jacket.
“Where are you going?” Daniel asked, surprised.
“To help a friend in need,” I said. Whatever I might feel for her, I couldn’t leave her alone when she needed me. That man was still after her and her mother was sick. I had to help her. And that’s all I’d do. I had no plans of letting my heart melt towards her again. No, this time I’ll keep my walls strong.
