The Irish Girl and her Soul mate.

Change

Tristan and I fell into a comfortable routine living together. The freaky texts continued and persisted despite Tristan's best efforts to track the culprit.

I entered the apartment after work Tristan wasn't home yet. I kicked off my shoes by the door and carried the bag of groceries into the kitchen. Mrs O Connor was there and she eyed the bag.

"Is it okay if I cook tonight?" I asked

"Of course" she smiled

"Why don't you head off early. I can make sure Tristan doesn't starve"

"You are a good thing for him Freya" she laughed as she picked up her bag and left.

I began to unpack the items

"She's wrong"

I jumped out of my skin and spun to face Mercy.

"Oh hello" I replied

"Mrs O Connor. She hopes you're good for him. But I know him better than anyone. I pre decide his needs and meet them before he even knows them. You're a phase and I've seen many of those come and go." She bit. "Word to the wise don't get comfortable" she added walking away.

A little thrown and disoriented by my encounter with Mercy I continued my chopping and cooking. When Tristan arrived home we sat on the deck and ate in a comfortable silence.

"Your a good cook I'm impressed" Tristan spoke as I cleared the plates

"Leave them the staff will clear them"

"It's okay I want to."

"Aren't you being the perfect wifey" he shot back.

"Is that what you want?" I asked

"No I like my life" he answered.

"Okay" I went inside and began loading the dishwasher

Tristan followed me inside

"What's with you? You seem distant?"

"I'm not distant. I'm just working out if we want the same thing?"

" I don't know because I don't know what you want" he replied.

"What do you see in your future?' I asked

"A strong business, more deals, bit of traveling I don't know"

"And us?" I gingerly asked

"We're dating so yeah as it's stands sure" he paused

"Kids? Marriage?" I prompted

"I don't want children" he replied casually

"Why not?"

"Just don't, this life style doesn't suit for children."

"And marriage?"

"Who needs a piece of paper to cement their relationship. You should be able to walk away when you want"

"I'm a phase" I sighed

"What? Freya have you lost your mind? I thought we were having fun" he added.

"Yeah great fun. I think I'm going to take Mr Jones and spend the night at my old place. I haven't seen the guys in awhile. " I answered going to gather my things.

"Freya wait" he called. "What is wrong. You know the terms of our relationship. We're dating three months"

"Yeah just a bit of fun right?" Irrational anger bubbled up inside.

"Freya I'm not going to ask you to marry me" he snapped frustration etched on his face.

"Well now that's clear. I'm going home." I yelled.

"You can't" he grabbed my arm

"Watch me" I bit back wrenching my arm from his grip

"Have you become unhinged?" He asked "it's not safe"

"No I've been unhinged. I'm risking treats from some physco to be with a guy who doesn't want a future with me. So if I leave it's all solved I'm safe." I stormed into the bedroom and began packing my things.

"What's changed?" He asked

"Maybe I have" I sighed. "I thought despite the penthouse and servants that you would want a normal future."

"Hang on who the hell are you to decide what a normal future is?" His temper flared.

"Your life is not normal. A very minority amount of people live like this"

"Yeah the same can be said for you. A small minority of people live on a farm in rural Galway but it doesn't make the lifestyle wrong." He yelled after me as I stormed towards the elevator to leave. Irrational anger had now taken me over completely.

"I want to go home" I told Mr Jones who got up from his chair by the elevator.

"As you wish Miss Ash"

The elevator opened and the attendant reached out for my bag.

"Freya" Tristan tried to reach for me again.

"No Tristan leave me alone. You made it quiet clear we are different and want different things." I wiped an angry tear from my cheek.

"No I haven't. Forgive me but I thought our future was for us to live and decide."

The doors closed and Tristan was closed from my view. The tears began to flow freely. Mr Jones and the elevator attendant stood still their backs to me as I sobbed. After a few moments I pulled myself together and got into the car in the garage.

When I arrived at my brownstone there was a single red rose on the doorstep with a small note

Welcome home Freya. -S-

I turned the note over in my hand before flinging the rose into the street.

"Miss Ash" Mr Jones asked raising an eyebrow. I handed him the note. "That's creepy" he sighed. "You know I have to report this to Mr Devon"

I nodded as we went inside. Mr Jones darted past me to check the residence.

"It has to be someone close. No one knew I left Tristan like that except him, his staff and I " I said when he returned relaxing as the coast was clear.

"Yeah looks like that" he agreed.

"Make yourself comfortable. " I told him as I wearily went up stairs

"Freya sitting on the sofa on a Saturday night wearing the bed is not a good look for you" Pam sighed as I was wrapped in my duvet

"What is wrong with me?" I asked her licking chocolate ice cream off the spoon. "Why did I flip out?"

"You've been through alot and some weirdo is stalking you. It's pressure" she soothed.

"Or you're just a loon?" Rebecca responded direct and to the point as always.

"Rebecca" Pam gasped.

"No it's okay as always Rebecca could be right. Maybe I'm just a loon" I agreed. "Makes more sense then anything else"

James entered the seating area, followed by Mark Fitzgerald

"Mark?" I must of sounded very shocked as Mr Jones quickly entered.

"It's okay he's okay" I quickly waved off my shock. "I just hadn't expected to see you"

"I still hang out with the guys. James told me what happened. Get some clothes on I'm taking you for a burger" he smiled

"I'm okay" I sighed

"I'm not taking no for an answer" he folded his arms.

"Come on Freya"Pam pleaded

"Freya get your ass off the sofa." Rebecca added.

"Alright alright I'm going" I went up to my room. A quick shower, and jeans and a jacket later I was ready.

Mr Jones went to follow us but Mark stopped him flashing his police badge

"I got this she's in safe hands" he smiled

Mr Jones looked a little worried and indecisive.

"It's okay" I reassured him.

"Been a hectic couple months I hear" mark began as we sat in a diner waiting for our burgers. "I'm sorry it's not Valentine's five star restaurant. "

"I'm glad it's not. This is more my speed" I laughed.

We made small talk as we ate. It was comfortable familiar company. Mark walked me home after

"Feel better?" Pam asked

"Yes I guess" I smiled.

"Mr Jones left. Mercy called and said he was dismissed" Rebecca told me

"Well I guess that's that then" I muttered as I went up to my room I could hear Pam and Rebecca as I went.

"Wait a go Rebecca" Pam hissed

"What like she wasn't going to notice a whole guy missing" Rebecca retorted. I closed my door and blocked out any other conversation.

Over the next few weeks I heard nothing from Tristan. I felt tired and run down but I was stressed out by the ongoing texts and gifts from my mystery stalker. Mark had notified his work for me after another frightening picture of me in my office. He was hanging around more and more but his friendship made me feel safe.

With Mia as my assistant I was able to put her out front of events where Tristan was on the guest list and I could hide behind the scenes. It was working well for me.

I awoke one Saturday morning to find a poloroid of myself asleep on my pillow next to me. Panic rose in my chest as I bolted from the room. I banged on Pam's door.

"Pam, " I called tossing open her door.

"What" she awoke abruptly.

"The stalker was here while we were sleeping." I was frantic as I held out to poloroid of myself sleeping unaware

"This is insane" she gasped. "We should call the police" she grabbed her phone.

We all huddled on the sofa waiting for the police to respond. The door opened and Mark entered in full uniform.

" I heard the call so I said I'd take it" he began "what the hell happened?"

I explained holding out the picture.

Mark nodded along

"Ok let's get these locks changed. I'll call in a report" he added. "My shifts nearly over so I'll stay here just in case"

My stomach flipped I grabbed the waste paper basket by the sofa and threw up in it.

"Gross" Rebecca moved away from her position at the coffee table dragging her work files out of potential splatter distance.

"Freya" Mark crossed the room quickly to put an arm around me.

I waved him off.

"Go change the locks I'm fine, it's stress" I muttered as Pam handed me a tissue.

"Sure?"

"Yes go. I'll lie down after for a bit" I forced a fake smile.

After Mark left I wandered up to my room and leaving the door open I lay on my bed. The others were all still hanging out in the living room so I felt safe enough. Tiredness won me over and I drifted off to sleep.

"Freya?" Marks voice called softly.

"Hey" I groggly answered turning over to face him.

"You okay?"

I suddenly felt the dam break tears spilled from my eyes soaking my cheeks. I couldn't control the emotion. Losing Tristan, the stress of somebody watching me, exhaustion. It all crashed over me. Mark gathered me in his arms as I sobbed.

"It's okay I've got you Freya. I'm here for you" he soothed stroking my hair. "I'm by your side" he planted a comforting kiss on the top of my head as I cried. Mark held me a long time finally my sobbing subsided and I could hear the steady beat of his heart . I listened to it as it relaxed and centered my breathing before pulling away and wiping my eyes with my sleeve. I gave Mark a sheepish smile.

"Thanks"

"No problem. I'm drowned but it was all worth it" he joked as we both looked down at the soggy patch on his work shirt. "Freya you know I'm here for you by your side."

I numbly nodded. "I know Mark you're a good guy"

"Good guy?" He raised an eyebrow

"Alright my hero" I giggled playfully hitting his arm. "I'm going to jump in the shower" I added getting off the bed and stretching. "Do you mind hanging here in case" I nervously asked.

"Course ." He smiled making himself comfortable against my pillows and headboard.

I stood under the hot water flashes of Tristan and his touch burned through my memory. I shook them aside as I shampooed my hair.

****************

Tristan

I sat at my desk in the office reading through paper work when Mercy entered.

"Your dry cleaning. Your notes for this afternoon's meeting." She sighed hanging my clothing in the hidden closet and dropping my files on the desk.

"Thank you" I answered. "Any news on the other issue?"

"Freya Ash remains safe. She's buddied up with that cop. They're rarely apart."

My heart paused I bit back any pain I felt from Mercy's words. Keeping my face blank and my composure I nodded.

"As long as she's safe"

"Mr Devon is there anything else I can do for you?" Mercy asked

"No thank you that's all" I waved her away.

She shut the office door. I covered my face with my hands. Mercy had sent Freya numerous flowers which had been unanswered. It seemed Freya Ash had moved on despite my desperation to have her in my life. I never got close to women but something about Freya made me feel content and free.

*********************

Freya

"Penny for your thoughts?" Mark asked walking me to the door of my office block after grabbing a quick lunch.

I shook myself and smiled placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

"I'm just tired, bit drained" I replied.

"Okay if your sure?"

"I am I'm just a little distracted. " I reassured him.

"Okay well I'll be home after my shift. Blake will take you home and Xander will be home"

I sighed my friends had implimented a rota that made sure I wasn't alone due to my still active stalker. I nodded and went inside.

Mia was pairing shoes after a hectic fashion show the previous evening when I entered the closet office.

"Any messages?" I asked a under tone of hope in my question.

"No just a confirmation of the menu for you to proof for next months luncheon" her eyes were filled with pity for me.

"Thanks" I sat down to proof the menu and send emails.

Mia and I headed up to a model fitting I sat at the desk doing the paper work as Mia did the dressing. The designer flitted around the room barking orders at Mia, myself and the models. My mind wandered to Tristan and a hot weakness spread over me. I felt a sudden rush of nausea. I stood up and bolted from the room. Barely making the toilets I was sick. I held onto the cistern to steady myself my knees remained weak.

The door creaked open and Mia stopped there concern on her face

"You alright?" She asked placing a comforting hand on my back.

"Fine." I muttered going to the sinks and rinsing my mouth. "Just a physical reaction to missing Tristan I guess" I weakly admitted.

"Understandable" Mia gave me a hug. "Why don't you go get some air. I've got this we're nearly done"

"Yeah I think I will if that's okay" I agreed. Stepping into the lift I still felt hot and weak I stumbled from the lift into the marble foyer and straight into the path of Tristan Devon.

"Freya?" He asked as I swayed before all went black.