The Precious Topaz (The Precious Trilogy Book 2)

by C Renee

  “Let’s get into bed and then we can talk about whatever is bothering you.” I pull the covers half way down the bed for the both of us to hop in.

  Both our heads hit the pillow and I can feel sleep coming soon, we need to talk fast or nothing will get resolved tonight. I pull the covers over us and wait for Louise to say something.

  “Well, I like living with you and this apartment is great but I feel like if we are both sleeping in the same bed and sharing the same room, then maybe we should look at places where we both have more storage and can fit a bigger bed in.” Is she saying what I think she is saying?

  “You want to get a house together?” I have to ask the obvious question.

  “Well… yeah… I know we haven’t been dating that long but Alex, I love you and I want to spend every morning waking up to you.” Hearing those three words from her makes every doubt float away. Getting a house together shouldn’t be something I’m scared about. It just means we are moving forward together and that is great!

  “I feel the same way but I’ve been living in this apartment for nearly six years and would hate to see it go. It would make me upset, it’s been a part of my life from the bad and the good.” I don’t want to part with this place. It’s a good place to live in and I know where everything is.

  “I can understand that, but when I lay in this bed with you. I can’t help think about all the other women that have been in this bed with you and I kind of get jealous at that. I know the difference between me and them but I can’t help it.” I never knew she felt this way, sure there have been a lot of women grace this bed with me but she’s the one that’s going to stay around for a long time.

  “Can I have time to think about it? That’s a big ask of me and I am grateful that you said something.” I lean over and kiss the side of her head. She is lying on her back and away from me so we aren’t touching. I hope this doesn’t turn into a fight; I don’t do very well in arguments.

  “Okay, but please think about our future when you do.” That’s all she says when she rolls on her side away from me. I don’t think getting a bigger bed is a bad idea, but she does have a point. The bed won’t fit in here if it was any bigger than what I have.

  “Are you asleep yet?” I still have to talk about my day before I forget to tell her tomorrow. Chances are that I will be gone in the morning before she even wakes up.

  “No.” she doesn’t turn around or even look at me.

  “I just wanted to tell you about my day before I forget to tell you tomorrow or I don’t get a chance to see you in the morning.” I roll over to face her, I move over an inch so our bodies are touching.

  “I want a big house with you Lou, don’t think that I don’t want to see you in our house barefoot and pregnant. It’s just I’ve never been this serious with anyone in nearly six years and it’s hard. I just need you to be patient with me.” I touch her arm and she doesn’t flinch or move away. That’s a good sign I guess. There is still the issue of Jackie and the unclaimed baby, I want everything to be right with us before I even mention it to her.

  “Tell me about your day.” She doesn’t sound upset either, so that’s a good sign.

  “Well today there wasn’t a board meeting, Mr. Wayne just wanted to work one on one with me. It wasn’t that bad but I didn’t feel comfortable working so close to the big boss.” Thinking back to that moment from today still gives me the creeps.

  “Did you find out more information about locations or who Matt is working with?” I know this is hard for her to talk about but if she gets everything off her chest then it will be better for the both of us. I know she has to talk about this stuff with the therapist but I feel like she can talk to me more about it. I’ve been through it with her, well some parts of the terrible events anyway.

  “Yes, we have three suspects of who the mole could be but I can’t tell you any of that. When I get the all clear to tell you, I will but until then just don’t ask me about it. I want to tell you, I want to tell you so much but I just can’t.” Not telling her is killing me inside; I don’t want to lie to her. I don’t want to build a relationship on lies and resentment.

  “It’s okay, I understand. Tell me more please.” She rolls back over and she is facing me. I can’t actually see her face in the dark but I know she is tired from the way her words slur a little bit and how she hardly moves around.

  “I didn’t go see my mom today, I think I will leave that for Monday. I want to get my head on straight before I tackle that hurdle. I know she will be thrilled for me about dating you but she will be stressing about the fact that I haven’t taken over my father's company yet. I still want to talk to Damon about this but I can’t bring myself to actually call the prick.” She coughs to cover up her giggle.

  “Maybe just call the prick and get it over with?” She is laughing now, I don’t understand why she is laughing.

  “Maybe, why are you laughing?” here I thought she was ready to fall asleep.

  “It’s nothing funny, just today I had to say goodbye to my brother who is traveling overseas to find his woman. I don’t know when I will be seeing him again. Today was a hard day for me. Oh, and the fact that Steph dragged me gown shopping for this fundraiser event that coming up soon, a work related event and I’m not going. Oh and want to know the best part? I’m going to tell you, she didn’t even invite me to go along. She invited Reece instead, and get this! She even made me try on stupid dresses for her.” Her voice had gotten louder with every word she was saying, that is awful. I didn’t plan for Steph to mention anything like that to Louise; I just wanted her to try on a gown for when the time comes. Steph played that well, Louise doesn’t suspect anything. This is going to be the best surprise ever.

  “Lou, I’m sorry you had such a shitty day. I do have better news, we are waiting on results to confirm more information on a case we are working on.” Shit, I nearly slipped in telling her about the stalker. That would have been a disaster.

  “What case is that?” Of course she would ask but there is no way I can tell her.

  “I’m not allowed to discuss that with you, you know I would in a heartbeat but this is a touchy case.” I have to stop talking or I will tell her everything.

  “Lou, before you go to sleep. Can I take you on a date tomorrow?” I shouldn’t have to ask because she is my girlfriend now.

  “Of course, I would love to.” She rolls over to my side and finds my lips with hers. They are soft and warm, just how I would imagine heaven to be like.

  “Goodnight Precious.” I whisper against her lips. She rolls back over and I can hear her breathing get more even and heavy. She’s gone off to sleep.

  Today I will be taking Louise out on a date; I have chosen to take her out for lunch because I’ll be having her for dinner. I can’t wait any longer before I can have her again.

  At this date, I will be telling her about Jackie because I can’t keep that a secret anymore.

  “Are you almost ready Lou?” I shout from the kitchen, we need to get a move on before our reservation is cancelled.

  “Yeah, I’ll be there in a second or two.” Louise calls back. I don’t care what she is wearing, it’ll hopefully come off by the time we walk back through my front door.

  “Louise.” I call out to her again and before I can start walking towards the room, she appears. She is dressed in a long pink dress. She looks wonderful.

  “You’re lucky you came out when you did. I was ready to come in there and throw you over my shoulder. Ready or not.” I would have done it; it makes me wish I would have. We wouldn’t have made it to lunch anyway.

  “I’m here and starving so let's go on this date.” I watch her walk across the room to where I’m standing.

  Louise’s skin is glowing, the flush in her cheeks and the massive smile on her face. She looks so beautiful right now.

  “All ready to go?” I hold out my hand and she takes it.

  “Yes, let's go before I change my mind.” We walk out the front door and
towards my car. I open her side of the car and help her get in. I walk around and get into the driver's side.

  The drive to the restaurant wasn’t long enough to start up small talk.

  I have no idea how I’m going to tell Louise about Jackie and the baby. We still don’t know if the kid is mine. If the kid happens to be mine will Louise stick around?

  I can’t lose her.

  “Here we are.” I pull the car up outside the little Italian restaurant. You wouldn’t think it was a restaurant by the size of the house. It is boxed in between two double story homes. The owners of this restaurant own both of them. It has a brick footpath leading up to the house, there is a rocking chair out the front and the house is painted red, green and white.

  “How do you find these places Alex?” Louise comes to stand beside me.

  “I like finding and looking at the smaller picture before the larger one.” I take her hand in mine and we walk towards the little house. An older woman comes outside and greets us in.

  “Welcome back my boy.” The woman kisses me on both my cheeks and does the same to Louise.

  “It’s good to be back Mrs. Rosa.” We follow Mrs. Rosa to our seats and she gave us menus. We were the only people in here except the workers. I love having the place to ourselves, there are no distractions and I can have all my attention on Louise.

  “You seem very familiar with Mrs. Rosa, there must be a story there. I would love to know it.” Louise takes her seat opposite me.

  “You’re right, there is a story there. Mrs. Rosa used to work for my father until she got pregnant with her fourth child. No it wasn’t his but he was a kind man. He gave her this little house to live in, instead of the streets and he helped build this business for her family. She was one of the few people to believe in my father when he started his company.” No one really knows that about my father, he was kind hearted and loved by his staff. I hope that if I take his business that the staff will look up to me like they did my father.

  “That was very kind of your father, I’m glad I had the chance to meet him when I did.” I remember that night very well, it was the charity fundraiser. Louise was wearing that red gown, that night started everything for us.

  “Have you chosen your fundraiser? I owe you twenty thousand dollars.” I will do more than give Louise the money I owe. I will talk to the board committee to have Louise be a representative; I should tell her about this thought.

  “I’ve chosen Stand Against Violence charity, it’s the only charity that I feel very strong about. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want men, women and children to feel safe in leaving a bad situation and feel comfortable to stay in shelters that help those in need.” I had a feeling she would say that. She truly is a remarkable woman.

  “As you wish, but I want to talk to the board members about having you as a representative. I want the world to know your story, to have your strength and courage.” I will make it happen but only if she wants it.

  “Wow Alex, I wasn’t expecting anything like that but I wouldn’t know what to do. I’ve never done anything like that before and I wouldn’t know where to start.” I can’t tell by her body language whether she really wants this or not. I will never push her to choose, that decision will always be up to her.

  “Think about it, I want you to have the best experience when it comes to that and I will be there every step.” This wasn’t exactly the topic I wanted to talk about but I’m glad it was brought up. With everything that has happened in our lives, we needed to sort out loose ends.

  “Thank you Alex, I will think about it and I will let you know by the end of next week.” She places her menu down and looks at me.

  “Have you decided about moving? I can’t keep sleeping in your room and getting dressed in another.” I knew this line of discussion would happen, I know I need to make that leap into the future and I want that with Louise but moving places right now with everything else still up in the air isn’t a great idea.

  “Can you wait another few weeks? I have a lot on my plate and moving would only make things more stressful. It’s not a no, why don’t you start looking for a house?” I don’t want to lose her, so it’s compromise right now.

  “Okay, thank you Alex.” She leans across the table to give me a kiss; I kiss her back and let my hand rest on her cheek.

  I need this date to hurry up.

  “What will you both have today?” Mrs. Rosa just in time because I was ready to flip Louise over and fuck her on this table.

  “I’ll have the lasagna.” Louise looks at Mrs. Rosa and blushes.

  “I’ll have the same Rosa. Take your time, I have a few things to discuss before we eat.” I hand her the menus and wait until she’s out of listening range.

  “Louise, I wanted to lay you on this table and fuck you until tomorrow but that will have to wait until tonight.” Louise’s blush got deeper, it’s traveling down to her neck and her breathing has gotten heavy.

  I love how my words still affect her.

  “Alex. I… I want that too.” She shyly smiles up at me. This woman will truly end me.

  “I can make it happen but not here. We still have a few matters to talk about, really important matters. What I’m about to tell you next, you must promise me that you won’t leave.” Words keep circling around my mind; I’m not sure which ones I’m going to use for this.

  “You’re scaring me Alex, will you just tell me?” Louise looks around the room and then back at me.

  “When I first met you at the charity fundraiser I was seeing a woman by the name of Jackie. We had been off and on for a few years, I would take her to events to be my date and in exchange she would get her exposure for her modeling career. It worked well, until you came into my life. I tried to forget you but I couldn’t. Jackie had to go to Paris for a modeling show, we left on good terms and I moved on. While you were gone to that fucker, I ran into her again and the thing that shocked me was… she was pregnant.” I inhale a huge breath because the next words will be the hardest and I have to say them right.

  “Louise, she claims the baby could be mine. I have lawyers trying to get a DNA test but right now it’s proving to be a difficult task.” I hope she takes her time before she says anything. It’s a lot to take in especially if we only just started officially dating. I don’t want to fuck things up.

  “Um… well… I wasn’t expecting that. Alex do you think the baby is yours?” She looks mad but I can’t be sure.

  “The time adds up but she could have told me a false timeline. She did leave for Paris after the last time we had sex, so it could be mine or she got knocked up in Paris. I can’t be sure until the DNA test has been done.” Louise seems calm, too calm for this kind of news.

  “Please tell me what’s running through your mind. I was afraid to tell you because I didn’t want to lose you.” My palms start to sweat waiting for her answer. I don’t know what I would do if I lost her.

  “I’m shocked, after everything we have been through together. We get this thrown at us? Why is life such a bitch? I’m not going anywhere Alex, I finally have you and I’m not ready to let you go. No matter what we get thrown at us.” I sag in my seat, that is such a relief to hear her say that.

  “I love you Louise and no matter what happens from here on out, that love won’t die.” I reach across the table to hold her hand. She doesn’t hesitate and gives it a light squeeze.

  I’ve still got my woman.

  Lunch was delicious and the mood after the Jackie bombshell wasn’t bad. It was nice to have a real heart to heart discussion with Louise. No matter what I said today, she would forgive me and stay by my side. I really am a lucky man to have that woman in my life.

  “Thanks for today Louise, I’m grateful that you haven’t given up on me yet.” I open the car door for her and I bend down to give her that longing kiss she deserves.

  She is my woman.

  “Thanks for believing in me to tell me the truth.” She smiles up at me.

  �
�Now get in the car, take me home and fuck me into oblivion.” In that instant, I got a hard on.

  This fucking woman.

  “As you wish.” I chuckle when I close the car door.

  I turn around and I notice a woman standing a block away. She is staring at us, she looks familiar but I can’t rack my brain from where I know her.

  She quickly moves towards me and then it hits me.

  That woman is from the photographs Mr. Wayne had shown me.

  “Alex what’s wrong?” Louise opens the door and calls out to me.

  “Stay in the fucking car Louise!” I shut her door and I race around to my door, I open it and close it.

  The car is started in seconds.

  I look in my review mirror and see the woman has a gun.

  Fuck!

  I hit the pedal and off we go.

  Speeding down the road, away from the restaurant and that woman.

  She looks so familiar and it’s not from those photos I saw at the agency.

  “Alex what is going on?” Louise’s voice rings out in the car. I can’t think about anything but that woman and where I know her.

  “Alex!” Louise calls my name.

  “Sorry, I just wanted to get you home.” I try to come up with any excuse. I can’t tell Louise any of this, not yet.

  She changed her hair from the photos I’ve seen but those glasses look similar.

  Oh fuck!

  I know where I’ve seen her before.

  That woman had worked for my Father at Knight Enterprises; she was one of his receptionists.

  I can’t remember her name but I’m sure Mr. Wayne can do a background check on all of the employees.

  First things first, I want to have my way with Louise. If I don’t, I think I’m going to explode with desire for her.

  Tomorrow I will tackle the agency.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Louise