The one you left behind

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Once I got home I took a long bath and almost fell asleep. I am so tired lately I can’t keep my eyes open. Drowsily I pull my robe from the bathroom door as I got out, the bubbles in the bath already disappeared. I guess it will take only one glass of wine to end this week. The next morning I woke up well rested and ready for the day. Glad that I haven’t had another nightmare since that rainy night. With some light make up and a flowy sundress I’m ready to head out. I got to the diner before Bev, who is normally on time. Something is really strange with her behaviour lately. Maybe she met someone and is keeping things on the down low. I’m her best friend she knows she can tell me anything, although I can’t judge her if she want to keep this a secret for a little while longer. I’ll just play along in the time being. Once I’ve sat down in our usual booth Camille approaches me with her pink glitter notepad “What a lovely dress Elle” she greets me with her vibrant personality, her hair up in pigtails and a waft of her perfume enters my nose. Why is this smell so familiar? Before my mind drift any further I put my order in. “ The blue berry muffin and caramel spice latte, same as the other night coming right up” She sing sang while walking off to the kitchen. I called Bev but no answer and I’ve been waiting almost an hour. Flaking on me for the first time since I’ve known her. I decide to pay, said goodbye to Camille and took a little walk. I ended up on my favourite spot in the woods. I have this strange feeling that someone has been here recently. I can still feel the presence and some of the leaves on the ground looks like it got trampled in the dirt with a boot. Is that a man size shoe? Before I could bend down further to take a look I almost jumped out of my skin as a man’s voice came from behind the tree.

Nick’s POV:

This part of the woods is exactly what I need right now to clear my head. Glad no one comes here and not many folks venture to this side of the woods. That’s when I saw her. Just standing there deep in her own thoughts with a cute frown on her face. I she aware that everything she’s feeling is shown on her face? Her hair is glowing in the peek through rays provided by the midday sun. Why does she seem so familiar? My soul is aching and my body gravitates toward her like it’s got a mind of it’s own. “So you’re my stalker, hhmm? Never had a lady stalk me before”. She jumps at the sound of my voice, her big blue eyes almost bulging out of her skull. Wow I’ve never seen such intrigued colour of blue, I can read every emotion in them as they pass through her mind. “I was not sure anyone ever comes here, this part of the woods is ‘cursed’ for bad luck…. wait don’t you have to know someone to be their stalker?” She slightly tilts her head to one side still keeping her eyes locked on me, waiting for an answer. This is the part she focus on? Two strangers who accidentally met in the woods, what a story to tell later. “ I don’t think you own this part of the woods do you?” She emphasize the word ‘own’ and a part of me wished I owned her. What in the world is wrong with me I’ve never reacted to anyone this way before? A light breeze rustled the tree leaves above our heads and for a second I thought this being in front of me commanded them to move with her mood. Something more than the leaves stirred deep inside me. This woman and her aura is making my body and mind behave like a teenage virgin. Get yourself together Nick, you’ve dated plenty of women before. “I don’t think anyone would want to own this part of the woods as you’ve just said it’s considered ‘bad luck’, is that the reason you come here? Not enough bad luck ey?” As soon as the words left my mouth I saw fire sparks fly in her eyes. I should think before I speak next time. Hell I’m not even sure there will be a next time. Who meets in the woods like this? It’s never been this hard conversing with a woman. “I think I’ll just leave then” She turns around to leave the same direction she came but came to a halt halfway and turned her head back at me with a question in her eyes. “Are you going to murder me in the woods Mr…..?” “You can call me Nick and no I’m not a murderer” “ That’s what all the murderers say” I was trying to look into her eyes not liking the way it feels when I’m not looking into them when I realise she’s looking at where I grabbed her arm. As soon as I realised I was still holding on to her arm I let go as if it was a hot iron. Well this sure won’t convince her now. “See you around, Nick” With that she turned and left. Standing here not sure what to do with myself. I’ve never willingly touched a woman on a first encounter. Watching her figure disappear behind the bushes I felt this overwhelming feeling of loss. Who is she? Small town folks are not very welcoming to new people it seems. On my way back to the guest house I stopped for a coffee and a muffin. This place can feel like home if you stay long enough, it has a certain charm to it and the diner has the best muffins I’ve tasted in my life. If it wasn’t for my company I would never have come here. Only a few weeks I remind myself, then I’ll be back in the city and civilization. If it wasn’t for my car who broke down in the rain the first night I got here I wouldn’t have found this place in the woods. I would’ve never met her.

Elizabeth’s POV:

As soon as I left the woods I released a breath of relief. Must be adrenaline pumping through my veins or all the scary movies playing tricks on my mind. I can’t shake the goosebumps running down my spine. Those brown eyes staring into the depths of my soul. I felt so vulnerable, like all my secrets being exposed and treasured at the same time. Is this what love at first sight feels like or just physical attraction? I never felt this way with Tianno and that did not end well. For all I know he really is a murderer and I once again were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Two wrong places and counting, wow that part of the woods must be bad luck and I just got myself some of that luck. The ringing of my phone brings me back to reality. “ Elle, we’re having a very important meeting on Monday please come in a bit earlier so that we can go over the proposal one last time” “Not a problem Dave I will prepare the last draft today and send it through before Monday for the meeting”. As soon as I hang up I got to work finalising the last draft of the new proposal. The rest of the weekend flew by in a blur and before I knew it, it was Monday again.

Days got better since I was left at the altar. I got to the office before Dave and Phoebe to make sure the Conference room was all set up and ready for the meeting with the new developers. I wore a knee length black pencil skirt today with mid heels and a teal silk blouse. Light make up to compliment my cheekbones and a nude lipstick to round of the professional look. This summer heat is killing my ankles in heels higher than four inch. Eat your heart out Dave I am so ready for this meeting. Not long after, Phoebe knocked on the glass door to let me know that she’s arrived. She was smiling like a cat who stole catnip, I just shake my head at her and gave her a smile. She always managed to put cheer me up, even on my darkest days. She should share some catnip, smilling as I make my own little joke. I finished just in time when Dave arrived, he just about greeted me when the elevator made a “ding” sound. “Good morning and welcome Mr. Salvadore. Please meet Elizabeth she’s been working on this project with us”. As I look up and met those brown eyes my breath got caught in my throat. I stammered like a teenage girl talking to her crush for the first time. “Nice to meet you Elizabeth” Shake his hand dammit, don’t just stand here. “Good day Mr. Salvadore, nice to be acquainted. Please come through” I did not waste any time as I turn on my heel, headed back to the meeting room. This is going to be slow torture especially with this new underwear riding up my special place. I can feel his eyes on my buttocks as if on cue with my thoughts. We continue our way to the meeting room. If I didn’t know any better I could’ve sworn he’s commanding the elastic to accommodate his view. I’m mentally face palming myself. I should just slip to the ladies room and remove the thing completely then there’ll be nothing to look at. After we took our places at the oval table Phoebe came in with a tray of refreshments. I quickly grab a water from the tray but just missed it as a big hand beat me to it. He pulled up one eyebrow in a ‘what, you want to say something’ way. I retracted my hand quickly and pulled myself together. Adjusting my skirt as I try to get comfortable in my chair feeling his eyes on me. My cheeks are burning and it takes everything I have to not look in his direction. The water bottle he was about to drink from stopped midway to his lips, just as he was about to take a sip. “Miss, I think you need the water more than me you seem flustered” Holding the open end of the bottle towards me. Who does this Mr out of nowhere think he is? I’m not flustered okay, I’m angry. “I think everyone got the first half of the proposal, should we discuss the amended draft before we continue into the final phase? “ I thanked Dave in my heart for being all business and getting on with the meeting as soon as possible. The rest of the meeting went off without a hitch as we focused on the main investors and final phase of the project. I poured my heart and soul into this project and it shows.

I was the last one to leave so I slipped into the coat room and rid myself of this sin called underwear. I can almost hear my her scream ‘freedom’ and quickly stuffed my underwear in my bag and left. Phoebe left me a message on my desk about some funeral and mom who wants me to call her back. I have no idea what it means; I guess I’ll call her later. First I need strong coffee, a caramel latte won’t do. As I took the elevator ride back to my office floor my phone started buzzing again and I try to fish the thing out of my bag. I forgot it was still on silent mode since the meeting. Just as I felt the phone with my fingers the elevator stoped and opened. Nick, stepped on while giving me an up and down look with a smirk on his face. “Can I have this ride with you miss? Or is this elevator ‘bad luck’ too?” I’m freaking fuming mad right about now and I just missed the call. Great, just great. Did the bad luck place curse me? Everywhere I turn he seems to be there. I pulled my back in a straight line and gave him a tight smile. “Sure you can Mr. Salvadore, I believe people create their own luck, so step on at your own risk” Although he sensed the double meaning of the word risk.Two more people got on as he was about to say something but instead he closed his mouth. I gave him the ‘ want to say something?’ look, mocking my eyebrow in an upward motion. The only audible thing in the elevator is the soft monotone music coming through the speakers. The elevator stopped once more with a ‘ding’. As he got out he muttered “Nice undies” and walked of. I’m crimson red from head to toe, damn this elevator. This whole time my undergarment was hanging from my bag in full view. This will make for good office gossip I’m sure. The office slut who slept her way to the top. Without any context who could blame them? As soon as I get back to my desk I’m going to show you what a stalker looks like Nick Salvadore. Everyone has skeletons. However nothing from both search engines can give me any useful information and I’m back to the start knowing nothing other than he’s one of the big companies collaborating with us on this project. Well played I’ll give you that much. Three points Nick, Elizabeth zero.

I got home and dumped my bag on the entry table, kicked of my heels and made my way to the kitchen. The answering machine is playing a message from my mom to call her back. Oh shoot, I completely forgot to phone her today and I quickly dial her number. Not long after I heard her soft voice coming through the ear piece “Elle dear how are you? I phoned the office but you weren’t there.” I’m sorry mom I had a rough day what is going on?” After a few seconds of silence she spoke in a lower tone “It’s about Bev dear… I’m worried about you. Burt told me you saw Bev’s car and you never showed up for your therapy session. It’s been a year since the funeral. I don’t think you are coming to terms with…..” Funeral? A ton of bricks hit me all at once all over again and the air escapes from my lungs. I can’t breathe, I need my pills. “Honey? Honey are you there?” The phone dropped on the floor as I’m trying to make my way to the medicine cabinet in search of my prescription pills but there’s nothing left. I never refilled the prescription. No this can’t be happening! I can’t do this again! It hurts so bad, god please make it stop. All of my insides twist and turn as I beg this pain to go away. My whole body feels numb and my knees give way. My heart and body both collapse on the cold floor. I squeeze my eyes shut and cried like I’ve never cried before. Earth shattering sobs echo on the tiles like the whole house is in mourning. Bev, I love you. I’m so sorry….

Camille’s POV:

“Yes Mrs Flounder, she was at the diner and said she’s waiting for someone but did not say who she’s meeting with. She even sat in the same booth and ordered Bev’s favourite ….Okay will do. Goodbye Mrs Flounder” “Honey, was that Elle’s mom on the phone?” I just gave my mom a nod and she returned it with a knowing look.