Chapter 6
1867 Words
I can hear Michael ask Dean faintly, “Anything out there to worry about?”
“Nope.” Dean replies and lets out a sigh, “Don’t think they would try again tonight but just to be safe I will be on the lookout until dawn.”
“Do you think they could get to her?”
“Yes.”
I know I shouldn’t be listening but they’re talking so loudly I can’t help but hear.
“How do we keep her safe without telling her too much?”
“That’s the hard part, isn’t it?” Dean replies, “You know the risk, Michael?”
“I do.”
“I get it man.”
“It’s just so damn hard.”
“You are in love with her.”
What? Is Michael in love with me?
“Don’t be ridiculous, she has no future with me.” He replies quickly.
I know it of course silly Jessica he is way out of your league.
“And tell me how many times have you thought about this?”
“Every time I see her. I can’t help the way I feel.”
So Michael does like me more than a friend. How can this be? I’m suddenly not sure how I feel about this.
“You never know one day she might choose to give it all up for you.”
Give what up?
“I doubt that, but I do keep wondering why it didn’t work the first time Jared tried but later it did.”
The mention of Jared’s name sends butterflies flying around in my stomach. I vaguely remember a dark haired man with green eyes.
“No, she is definitely immune to any tricks any of us have, she went with Jared the second time of her own free will.”
Tricks? What are they talking about now? Are they high on something?
“I don’t get why she would go to him. He is pure evil.”
“Melissa told me that she sort of pissed her off when she told her to stay away from him and you know how she feels about people telling her what to do without a good reason.”
“That girl getting murdered tonight really scared me, when I went to check if they’ve arrived yet, I saw her, it looked like Jessica and I almost lost it.”
Is someone trying to kill me? Why?
“Thanks to Melissa they were late, if they showed up on time it could have been both of them.”
I really feel guilty for listening to their conversation. “Shit.” I whisper and close my eyes tightly able to control my breathing so it is steady. The bedroom door creaks open and then shuts a few seconds later. That was too close. I’m relieved and after I don’t know how long I am able to finally drift off to sleep.
***
I open my eyes, I have no idea how long I’ve been asleep I still feel drowsy but I’m in need of the bathroom urgently. I rush out and open the bathroom door without thinking and when I look up I see Michael standing in front of me. I immediately put my hands oven my eyes and notice the shirt lifts up a few inches but I can’t worry about that now, “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Michael replies. I can feel his eyes on me and I back out of the bathroom closing the door with my foot. I pace up and down in the living room. I’m so embarrassed. What if he had been naked? I have never seen a naked man before. No. No. No.
My head snaps up when the bathroom door opens a few minutes later and Michael comes out with a towel wrapped around his waist, there are still some water drops on his chest, without making eye contact he quickly walks to his bedroom.
I peek around the corner just to make sure the door is closed then I run into the bathroom. Once I’m done I head for the kitchen and start the coffee machine.
Michael comes into the kitchen wearing jeans and a black shirt. I can’t help but look at him, the conversation I unintentionally eavesdropped on pops in my head.
“Find everything okay?” He asks pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yes thank you.” I smile tugging some hair behind my ear. This loose hair is really starting to bug me. “Hope you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” He smiles.
I smile back, I can feel his eyes on my every move as I move through the kitchen, why did I only have to be dressed in a damn shirt.
“What time do you think Melissa will surface?” I ask having a desperate need to focus on something else. Anything else. I know he likes me but after last night it feels wrong for me like him. Just another complication I guess.
“You know her she could be out till noon.”
“Is my car here?”
“No, it’s still at the club.” He replies.
“Can you take me to my car please? I really want to get home and take a shower.”
“How about I take you home then when you’re done we can come back here by then Melissa will be awake then I’ll take you to your car and the two of you can do whatever it is that you do on a Saturday.” Michael suggests only it doesn’t really feel like a suggestion more like an instruction.
“Okay.” I agree as I pour a cup of coffee for Michael then one for myself. We drink our coffee in silence, when we are done he takes our cups to the sink while I get dressed. I scribble a note to Melissa on a pad I find in the kitchen then place the note next to her on the pillow.
The drive over to my house is silently awkward. Michael seems on edge. This is the first time we’ve been alone since that weekend with Melissa. I unlock the door to my empty house, “Just make yourself at home. I won’t be long.”
“Take your time.” He replies looking around in awe. He knows my parents are wealthy I guess he didn’t just know how much.
I go up to my bedroom and open my closet taking out some fresh clothes and lay them on the bed. I strip and put my robe on as I walk into the bathroom to turn the water on then return to my room to sit on the bed and think about everything. I’m still not able to pull all the pieces together. I feel so hopeless that I start crying.
“What’s wrong?” Michael asks kneeling in front of me.
“Michael?” I mutter then shake my head, “Nothing.”
“Something must be wrong if you are crying.”
Between sobs I manage to get out, “I don’t remember and what I do I don’t know if it’s real, there is something wrong with me.”
“There is nothing wrong with you.” He says gently wiping the tears from my cheeks.
“How do you know?” I ask looking him in the eyes, I don’t really care that he is seeing me crying. I need answers.
“I just do. Tell me what you remember about last night.”
“You told me something.” I reply not really sure how to say it without sounding silly.
“Jess…” But I stand up and walk to the bathroom door, I turn around, “I know I was just imagining it.”
Michael walks over to me and turns me around just as I am about to walk into the bathroom, inches from my mouth he says, “I wish I could tell you exactly what I feel but I can’t.”
“Why not?” I ask. What is it with all these secrets?
Michael doesn’t respond so I turn around and slam the door in his face. I know juvenile. I get in the shower and wish the hours away since I’ve been out of this house. I sink down on the floor and let the water run over me. I start to remember what happened last night, it plays out in my head like a movie. I continue to let the water run over me a little while longer. I realize that my life has just gotten instantly more complicated. I get out of the shower after quickly scrubbing myself. I need to speak to Dean ASAP. I open the door and find Michael sitting on my bed.
Michael jumps up, “Jess, I am so sorry, Please let me explain.”
“Whatever it is, it will have to wait. I need to speak to Dean, Where is he?”
“Do you remember what happened last night?” He asks anxiously.
“Yes, and now I need answers.”
“I understand. Dean will only be available tonight.”
“Right...So can you get out?” I ask my head still spinning.
“I can’t leave it's too dangerous for you to be alone right now.” Michael argues.
“I meant out of my bedroom. I need to get dressed.” I reply I’m wearing only a towel and am pretty self-conscious right now plus I got all the s**t from last night I need to deal with.
“Oh sorry, yes.” Michael blushes and leaves. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him blush. My emotions are all over the place so I can’t help but giggle.
I get dressed then make my way downstairs. I am pissed at everyone. Michael. Dean. Even Melissa. I know that she knew something and didn't tell me.
I find Michael in the kitchen when he sees me he asks, “Can I make you some breakfast?”
“Not hungry.” I reply, I can’t even think about food right now. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
Micheal looks away then opens his mouth to say something but shuts it again.
“Guess not.” I say and turn on my heels walking out of the kitchen. “Coming bodyguard?” I call over my shoulder as I reach the front door.
- Writer
