Lucky Neighbor

by Gage Grayson

  Luckily, my time here is almost done. I can’t stay in one place too long. I plan on making my way down the road. Maybe I’ll go west. With my skills, it’ll be easy to create a new life anywhere.

  I can become a different person. I can erase my old identity and just morph into somebody else. At least, that’s the plan.

  But first, I need the news to die down enough so that I’m not recognizable in the streets. The last thing I need is to go to prison. That might be harder to break out of than just the local jail.

  And then I find myself thinking mostly about Marcus. I wonder if he is so angry at me that he wants to smash a wall or something. I wonder if I’ve ruined his business so badly that can never recover. I wonder if he understands why I did this.

  I watch the news online and, after a couple of days, a bank representative releases a statement. She tells the media that they have no knowledge as to who did this and why it was done, but that they’re doing their best to capture the culprit.

  This surprises me. Marcus knows I did it. He should’ve told the police about me.

  That’s why I’ve been in hiding. But instead, the company says they know nothing. What is that about?

  I’m resigned to my fate—that I have to leave New York City. I’ll miss this place, but I know that I can be myself anywhere.

  All I need is a computer and a bed, and I’m good.

  For the next few days, I watch a lot of news coming out about the bank changing its policy, as well as its regulations for the employees.

  They lower the requirements for small businesses to start a loan. They give more donations to charitable institutions, and the laid-off employees are hired back.

  This turn of events makes me feel optimistic for the future of the employees of the bank. Maybe other banks will follow suit and change will finally be made.

  In truth, I don’t know why the bank has rescinded its previous policies, but I don’t care. I’m just happy that I’m starting to see some change—any change.

  And as for me, I just want to stay hidden. My heart is broken after knowing that Marcus deceived me for such a long time. I feel like a hermit, and I never want to show my face in public again.

  I’ve made so many bad decisions in the past couple of weeks. Usually, I have my life together. Usually, I don’t trust anyone and that’s why my life wasn’t a mess.

  But somehow, I allowed myself to get swept up in one man—a man who was my enemy all along.

  The constant ache in my chest is enough to remind me every moment how much love can hurt. I never should’ve been with him. I was naïve. I blame myself.

  But that doesn’t make the pain go away. Some nights, it feels like my chest is going to split into two. That’s how bad it hurts.

  I sleep a lot and I eat and I do a couple small hacking jobs. But mostly that’s it. For two weeks, I’m holed up in this stinking motel room.

  Just as I’m getting ready to make my next move, just as I’m getting ready to leave this place and to start anew, I see a live TV show where Marcus is a guest.

  I don’t want to watch it. I shouldn’t watch it. But I can’t turn my eyes away because I just need to see him.

  It fills a hole in my heart, makes it stop hurting for once.

  I know I’m being indulgent and that I should hold back, but seeing his face is the healing balm I’ve needed all these weeks.

  I watch attentively as Marcus tells the host that someone made him realize the harsh realities of life. He admits that, before this happened, he was superficial—that he was just seeing the partial side of living.

  He tells the host, “I feel the need now to help people, to know that I’m making a difference in their lives. There are people out there suffering. There are people in this city who are living in unbearable conditions because they just don’t have the resources. What’s the point of having money if you can’t use it to help people?”

  The host is astonished. I am astonished. And I’m sure the world is watching, too.

  Tears stream down my face. I wonder if maybe I made the tiniest of difference in Marcus’s life.

  Maybe, at least, that part of our relationship was not fake. Maybe seeing those poor people in the slums of the city made him understand why I did what I did.

  The host asks him, “So, where is that person today—that person who inspired you?”

  Marcus looks down, a frown on his face. He looks at the host and says, “She’s gone now, but I hope that she will come back one day because I miss her so much.”

  I pause and hit the rewind button. I listen to the statement over and over again.

  Can it be true? Does Marcus miss me? And does he regret all that happened?

  I put my heart out there and it got crushed. Dare I hope it can be put back together by the same man who broke it in the first place?

  Seeing him on TV and hearing those words offer me the smallest glimpse of hope. It’s something that I thought would never happen. The thought of him—and of this being real—does something to alleviate my pain. At last, I can breathe again.

  I don’t know enough about love to know the answer right now. But what I do know is that Marcus put himself out there, on TV, in front of everyone and asked me to come home.

  Chapter 40

  Marcus

  The bright stage lights nearly blind me.

  The make-up artists hover around me, and so does the stylist.

  The studio is so big and daunting given that I’m broken inside—not one part of me wants to do this interview.

  The cameras roll and, once again, I’m sitting across from a popular television hostess who’s asking me questions about my bank and about all the changes we’ve made.

  “Marcus, you own the largest corporate bank in the country. How can you explain the recent turn of events? First, your bank was robbed of millions of dollars, and now there are changes taking place within the infrastructure of your organization. What’s causing all this?”

  I think carefully about my words. I have to be careful with what I say. A lot hinges on this interview.

  “Well, there’s no doubt that I’ve changed. I’ve been able to see how other people live—and not just the people at the top one percent. It’s opened my eyes. Seeing poverty and the inherent goodness of most people who are just down on their luck made me want to help.”

  I place my hands on my lap and glance at the camera. “I own a bank, and it’s one of the largest—if not the largest one—in the country. I have the financial means to help people, but I have not been doing that until now. One special person helped open my eyes to see how it’s my obligation as a leader to help the less fortunate. So that’s where all the change is coming from.”

  The hostess looks intrigued, her eyes widening. “So, you’re telling me, and you’re telling the world, that someone changed your mind in a big way. It must be someone very special to change a man like you.”

  I put my guard up. I can’t tell the world about Katy. No one can know who she is. I would never disclose her identity because I know she likes to keep things quiet. Also, she’s on the run from the law and I’m not going to be the one to turn her in.

  I want to be the one she comes home to. Her safe harbor. But I know this can only happen in my dreams. Right now, she probably hates me.

  “The person is special,” I admit. “But this isn’t just about me. Everyone with money needs to understand that there are ways to help the underprivileged. There are many organizations that are dedicated to helping the poor. If you go to our website, you will see a list of reputable charities that need help.”

  I figure it’s the least I can do—to use my newfound platform in the media spotlight to highlight some of Katy’s work. Granted, I’m doing it in a legitimate way. It makes me smile to think of Katy—the rebellious hacker with a good heart.

  Maybe if so many financial institutions change their policies for giving back, Katy won’t have to steal in the future.

  “Thank you, Marcus for spe
aking with us today. You’ve given voice to an entire range of people that usually go unheard.”

  The interview’s over and I’m glad for it. I’m happy to spread the message of how my bank is changing the lives of other people. But it’s hard to be happy about this when Katy is missing from my life.

  I’m dying to see her. I just want to hug her and go back in time—to erase all the lies that I told her.

  Once the interview’s over, the hostess hits on me. I’m not surprised. It’s the usual game of women wanting me for my money and power. And let me tell you, I’m over it.

  “You know, Marcus, I’m free anytime you would like to have dinner, or perhaps a drink?” she asks.

  “Maybe,” is all I say.

  This is new territory for me, being so set on one woman. And yet, I know that it’s my new truth. Katy will never escape my thoughts.

  I am determined to find her, even if I have to travel to the ends of the earth.

  I’ve set my sights only on her, and I’m hoping my investigative team does such a good job that I don’t have to personally travel around the world looking for her. One thing’s for sure. If they don’t get this done, they’re fired.

  I check my phone repeatedly, something I’ve been doing for the last two weeks, to see if my investigators have found her.

  I hired the best investigative team in town and yet she’s evaded even their watch. I knew she was good, but I’m always surprised at exactly how good she is at not being found.

  I drive home from the studio and make another call to my investigator, Mark.

  “Have you found her? Tell me that you finally found her.”

  “Sorry, Marcus. You know I would’ve called you first thing if we had her. I have all my guys on it. We’re searching the city, but she just hasn’t come up on our radar. I don’t know what else to tell you.”

  “Well, you have to do better. I need her found, understand? I’m becoming impatient,” I say, barely able to hide the fury in my voice.

  I go to my building and ride the elevator up to my penthouse. I’m looking forward to pouring myself a very stiff drink and falling asleep. Days and nights blur together. The one person I care about is gone.

  Maybe she’s already in Mexico by now or somewhere tropical. Maybe she’s gone to Europe under a new name. Maybe she’s forgotten all about me.

  The one thing I do know is that my finest bottle of scotch is waiting for me.

  I walk into my dark penthouse that is lit up only by the glittering city lights outside. I walk to the bar and pour myself a scotch.

  Before I can even take a sip, though, I see the figure standing in the window—and it looks familiar.

  I can see the perfectly curved lines of her body outlined against the moonlight.

  Can it be? Am I dreaming?

  “Katy?”

  She turns around and I see her face. My heart nearly explodes with happiness. I thought I’d never see her again.

  “Did you mean all those things that you said?” she asks. “Are you really changing the corporate infrastructure of your company? Are you going to help people?”

  I dare not walk towards her lest she runs away. I still don’t know what she’s doing here and whether she forgives me.

  I stand still and say, “Yes, Katy, it’s all true. It’s all because of you. Everything in the news is true. I’m doing everything I can to win you back.”

  She walks towards me and I feel my heart beat faster.

  I see her face at last as she comes into view. She looks so gorgeous.

  “But you betrayed me, Marcus. You were faking it all along,” she says.

  “Let me explain. You’ve never given me a chance to explain. At first, yes, I wanted to get inside information about how you and your former associates were going to infiltrate my bank. I knew I was your target. You would’ve done the same thing in my position.”

  “I never would’ve been in your position,” she says with a scoff. “I would never work at a bank.”

  “But listen,” I press on, “I started to fall for you. Everything about our intimacy is true. I never faked anything besides my name. I wanted to tell you, Katy, but the timing was never right. I fell in love with you. I am in love with you. And I should’ve just told you sooner. I’m sorry.”

  I try to maintain my composure, but it’s difficult. I’ve never felt like this for anyone before and I know she hasn’t either. Our connection is too real, too strong to be denied.

  But she doesn’t say anything. She’s silent for so long that I wonder if this is our closure, that maybe she can’t forgive me.

  “Katy,” I ask, “do you love me?”

  She slowly nods her head. Without a word, I wrap my arms around her. She tilts her head up and I kiss her more intimately and passionately than ever before.

  “I never thought I would taste these lips again,” I say to her. “I’m sorry, Katy. I will never hide anything from you again, I promise. And I’ll do anything you want, if only you promise to never leave me. I can’t have you out of my sight ever again. I need you. I want you.”

  She smiles up at me and says, “Then show me how much you have missed me.”

  As she says these words, her hand slides inside my pants to feel my throbbing cock and I know I’ve been forgiven.

  Chapter 41

  Katy

  I’m sitting in the dark, in my comfort zone.

  At last, my life seems on track.

  I’m still a hacker and that’s how I like it. I haven’t lost my identity at all. The police are off my case and there’s a certain freedom in knowing that you’re not wanted by the FBI.

  I’m alone in a room with nothing but the light of my computer to illuminate me. I like to be alone and that will never change.

  I’m hacking the security system of a bank—a very big one. It’s what I do best and I’ll never tire of it.

  I’m also munching on junk food and drinking an iced coffee. All is as it should be. I haven’t had to give up any part of myself for anyone.

  I’m still just the same—untrusting of most people and trying to keep myself out of the limelight.

  I prefer to be masked in shadows and darkness. I still know that I can get myself in and out of any situation that I come across. I am still as adept as ever at taking care of myself.

  My life is pretty good and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

  What would I be without hacking, after all? This is my line of work and I wouldn’t change it for anyone, not even for Marcus.

  The great thing is he hasn’t expected me to change in any real way except that I must give myself to him—body, mind, and soul—every single day.

  He’s the only man I’ve ever allowed into my private space, my intimate, self-sufficient circle of existence. And he deserves to have this because he has proved to me, in every way, that he is someone I can trust.

  I’m in love with him now more than ever, and that love only grows every single day as I uncover all the layers of his being.

  I never imagined a man such as Marcus could exist. I never imagined I could lose myself in somebody else’s strength.

  He’s so in control and all-powerful that it’s easy for me to relax and let him take charge.

  It’s the perfect balance. When I’m with him, I know I can let go because he will catch if I fall. My world has become secure in many ways—most of them mundane, but I realize what I’ve been missing out on.

  I’m relishing my alone time and these moments in the dark when suddenly, light fills the room.

  I look towards the door but I already know who it is.

  “Hi, Marcus, what’s up?” I ask, appreciating his gorgeous body in that well-fitting suit.

  “Nothing. I just wanted to check in on you and make sure everything’s all right.”

  I purse my lips before saying to him,” Well, you’re being a distraction. I’m trying to get some work done.”

  He’s endlessly checking up on me, and I have to say I love it. I l
ove being the focus of his adoration. I love being the only woman in his life.

  We’re in the beginning stages of planning our wedding. Obviously, it will be somewhere remote and it will be just us.

  Even though I’m in love, and even though I’m a changed person since having met Marcus, I still like things my way. And luckily, he respects that.

  He comes over to me and rubs my shoulders. His touch sends pulses of electricity through my body. I can never say no to him, and I’m always craving him. It’s a perfect world.

  “Babe,” I say with a groan, “you are seriously distracting me. I’m almost in the system.”

  “You are? Well, that’s not good. You shouldn’t be able to penetrate it.”

  “Did you say ‘penetrate’?” I tease. “I’m almost in and that means bad things for your system.”

  Marcus has a new security system on his bank. And my role is to try to hack into it on a regular basis to make sure that it’s well-armed. I’m the newest member of his company’s IT department—and I’m also the best.

  I’ve moved into Marcus’s penthouse and it’s a welcome change from my old life. I never thought I could be this happy.

  I never thought that I needed another person or a place that felt like home. But with Marcus, everything has changed. He makes me desire a better life. He lets me know that it’s okay for me to be happy.

  At the same time, we’ve started multiple charitable organizations. He’s a billionaire, after all, and he can afford it. Besides, we both want to help the world whatever way we can.

  In fact, I have several overseas trips planned for us to see where we can help things along in terms of the refugee crisis and homelessness in other countries.

  We’re going to Europe to look at their models of integrated health care and everything else.

  Marcus is rich and he has connections. I am fully planning on taking advantage of those connections to help people wherever I can.

  Even though I’m living this glitzy lifestyle, I will never forget how I started—as a kid on the streets, an orphan. No one wanted me, and that makes me determined to help other children find good homes and build better futures.