by Middleton, J
“Huh” Olivia stared at his chest and then her eyes moved up to his face. He had a slight grin on his face.
“Is Katie up.” Before she could say another word she steps beside John with her rope on.
“Well I see I catch you to at a bad time, are should I say a good time.” She giggles.
“What do you need Olivia, I am getting dressed?”
“I can see that, looks like Mr. Hot Pants beat you to it.”
“Mr. Hot Pants huh.” John laughed moving away from the door and grabbing a shirt.
“Olivia I will be down in a minute.”
“Good your father wanted me to come get you two for breakfast.”
“Thanks we will be down in a minute.”
“You sure about that.”
“Olivia!” Katie snapped.
“Okay, see you in a minute.” She turned and walked away.
Katie closed the door blushing with a large grin on her face.
“Mr. Hot Pants.” John laughed.
“Yes that’s what she calls you.”
“I can show her hot pants.”
“John! You better not.”
Laughing at her reply he grabs her and kisses her hard and pulls away.
“You are the only one that has Mr. Hot Pants. I don’t think she could handle it.” Laughing again as he was buttoned up his shirt.
“You are something else.”
Standing a few feet from her with his eyes on her.
“Oh yes you can say that.”
He moved out of the way and watched her put on a sundress and pin her hair up. They hurried down the hallway when he looked down and she didn’t have any shoes on.
“Katie you forgot something.”
“What?”
“Your shoes.”
“No I didn’t I just want to agitate Jewels this morning.”
“Know who is something else, I think I have created a monster.”
“Not hardly, I use to be a monster, but you calmed the beast.”
“Oh, we will talk some more about that later.” He said as they approach the dining room.
Katie was right, that was the first thing Jewels noticed was her bare feet.
“Morning Daddy.” Katie said as she walked over and kissed him on the head.
“Good morning dear, did you sleep well.”
“Oh yes.” She turned and sat down beside John.
“Katie I hope you were shoes tonight. It would look so much better with your dress.” Jewels said as she brought the coffee cup up to her mouth.
“It depends on whether John lets me know where they are. Sense he took them off of me last night.”
Jewels choked on her coffee and spilled some on her shirt. Katie looked up with a grin on her face as her father had his head down giggling under his breath. Turning her head to John. He was nodding his head trying not to smile but she could tell he found it amusing.
“Excuse me, I have to go change my shirt.” Jewels was furious as she got up from the table and walked away.
“Katie that wasn’t very nice.” John whispered in her ear.
Olivia started laughing, “Now that I believe, you should have seen them when I ...”
“Olivia!” Katie snapped at her.
“I’m just kidding.” She smiles wanting to say something else.
John narrowed his eyes at Olivia warner her not to over step her bounds. She raised her eye brows back at him, like she didn’t care.
“This place looks wonderful Daddy, something out of a fairy tale.” She smiled.
“All for you, I went a little over broad this year because this is the last time I am going to have a New Year’s Ball.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, I am getting to old to host these things and I don’t like Jewels taste.” He laughs.
Laughter filled the breakfast table.
“Katie it is so wonderful to see you so happy.”
She smiles at her father as she took a bite out of her eggs.
“Did I miss something. I could hear laughter all the way down the hall.” Jewels said, as she sat down.
“You didn’t miss anything dear.” Daniel taking a drink out of his glass.
“Excuse me daddy, but I have some things to get ready for before tonight. One thing is to find my beautiful shoe’s” she laughed under her breath.
She couldn’t sit there with Jewels, if she didn’t get up her mouth would get the best of her.
“Of course dear.” Daniel watches her leave the dining area as John and Olivia was right behind her.
“What’s so important you had to leave breakfast? I think your dad was being amused by your actions with Jewels.”
“I am glad he was entertained but I have a voice mail. I need to call it back. Besides I didn’t want to sit there any longer.”
Opening her bedroom door, John followers her in. A few minutes later Olivia is right behind him.
“Don’t you need to get ready are something?” John said to Olivia.
“Don’t worry Mr. Hot Pants I want be long.” She giggled.
John takes a deep breath as she watches Katie make her call. The expression on her face he knew it had to be something bad. He knew not to say anything in front of Olivia are the whole house would know.
“Olivia, I think it is time for the hairdresser will you show her up please.”
“I know what you are doing. We use to talk about everything until know. I guess I will be your delivery person now.” She huffed.
“Olivia, I will ask John never mind.”
“Okay I will go.”
She watched her leave the room and shut the door. Her finger when up to her mouth as they stood there in silence for a minute. She walked over to the door and opened it and seen her reach the stairs.
“What is wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Katie I know that look.”
She sat down on the side of the bed and looked up at him.
“The security guard call me someone tried to break in my office.”
“What? Did they catch them?”
“No he chased them out the building.”
“Did they call the police?”
“Yes they are going over the security camera’s now.”
“Good at least they will have a picture of him. I wonder if it is the same guy that has been stalking you.”
“I think so, because before that someone came to my house yesterday when the movers were there. He was really upset because he didn’t nowhere I was. He stormed through the house yelling and screaming my name.”
“Katie I don’t like this at all. I am worried about your safety. I need to tell your father.”
“NO! He has enough on him. Beside if they get a description from the camera’s then maybe that’s the same guy and they will find him.”
“They better before I do. Katie I……” He didn’t get to finish his sentence before Olivia walks through the door.
“Here she is Gloria.” “Did I interrupt something serious?”
“No Olivia you didn’t. Whose is first?” Katie ask putting a fake smile across her face.
“I will.” Olivia jumps up to the offer.
Katie moved to the hallway as John followers. Olivia was telling Gloria what to do to her hair. She could see Katie from the corner of her eye.
“Please John don’t say anything to father about this. They will find out who he is?” she whispered.
“Fine Katie, but you are not leaving my side do you hear me. If you do, I am going to spill the beans.”
“Oh blackmail huh!”
“No, it’s not blackmail. I am worried about your safety.” Pulling her into his arms right in front of the doorway. His lips cover hers when he released his lips she was gashing for air in her lungs.
“Get the point, I care about you and I am not letting nothing happen to you.” He said kissing her on the head.
As they turned around Olivia was nodding her head and rolling her eyes.
“Ladies if you will excuse me I am going to see Daniel and get our suits for tonight.” Winking at Katie he leaves the room.
“Wow Katie I thought I would never see you so happy.” Olivia said staring at her.
“I didn’t think I could be this happy.”
They both laugh as she lays on the bed watching Gloria apply make up to her face.
Katie didn’t know what to think at this point. It was getting more frequent and serious than before. This whole thing was starting to affect her. She was trying not to show it especially to her family and Olivia. Her mind starts with the questions.
“What if he finds me? What does he want? Who is he?”
“Hello Katie. Hello….” Olivia voice trying to penetrate her head.
“What?”
“I have been trying to get your attention for the last few minutes. Can you please get you mind off of Mr. Hot Pants for a minute?”
“Olivia I wasn’t thinking of John. His name is John.” She snapped back at her.
“Whatever? What do you think of my hair?”
“It looks beautiful. I love it.”
“Good now it’s your turn.” She gets up from the chair and watches Katie go sit down. Olivia then goes to her room and gets some of her things. Looking at herself in the mirror she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. It wasn’t the withdrawn woman that she seen a few weeks ago. This woman was glowing and full of life, but there was still something different about her.
Gloria pinned her hair up and let the curl’s run down her back and a few beside her face. Appling just enough make up to bring out the beauty of her eyes and face.
“There what do you think?” she hands her a mirror. Looking into her refection, she didn’t recognize herself. This woman was gorgeous, sparkling like a star.
“It looks wonderful Gloria thank you.” Handing her back the mirror.
It was already getting late in the afternoon and it was almost time for her to try her dress on.
Katie just sat on the edge of the bed with her mind on the stalker. Then John’s voice came into her head.
“I want let anything happen to you.” Taking a deep breath and looking over at Olivia. She was finally busy trying to put on her grown. Pink with white lace, it was very pretty but not ball material. Olivia was always an odd one. Nodding her head, she watched her zip it up on the side. This was the only time she was quiet if she had something to do.
“Well I am ready,” she turned and looked at Katie.
“You’re not, why haven’t you put your dress on yet.” Olivia’s said.
“I’m getting dressed, if you want to go on down stairs I will be right behind you.”
“Well alright, but don’t be long, I am sure Mr. Hot Pants is waiting.” She laughs.
“Olivia, I will be ready in a moment.”
Watching her leave the room she finished dressing.
Chapter 25
Standing in perfection at the end of the stairs watching for her to come down. His arms behind his back his dark mask over his eyes. Waiting as the room filled up with people dressed in their ball room attire. Everyone had their mask covering their faces and looked like something out of a movie. Looking over watching the lavish dresses, his eyes caught someone at the end of the stair case. It was Olivia in the pink grown with a pink mask. She just let the air out of his balloon. That isn’t what he wanted to see, he looked behind her and still no sigh of Katie.
Olivia finally made it down to the bottom of the stairs with her gold ringlets handing down the side of her face.
“You look tasty.” She said staring straight at him batting her eyes with a slight grin on her face.
“Well I’m sorry but I can’t say the same for you.” Looking at the expression on her face. “You look nice.” He giggled under his breath.
“Nice, is that the best you can do, nice.” She said as she watched his eyes move to the top of the stair case.
She turned around and watched their eyes lock on each other.
He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, she was unbelievable, stunning. She looked like something out of a movie. There were no words that would fit it. She took his breath totally away. His heart was pounding as his eyes lit up with passion. Her long dress with her white gloves and her peal silver mask. Waves of curls on the side of her shoulder. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. His body was on fire, more so now than ever before.
“This woman is every man’s dream. She’s a love story that was never told. The one I want to spend the rest of my life with.” He thought.
Katie stomach flutters at the sight of him, watching his eyes traveled down her body and back up. He was hot there was no question about it. His dark suit deep blue eyes, she was amazed. She takes a step toward him as she heard his intake of breath like he was breathing in her scent.
“Hello, Hello!” Olivia trying to get his attention.
“Whatever Mr. Hot Pants?”
He never turned and looked at her so she walks off and starts mingling in the crowd.
Katie stops right in front of him as he takes her hand and brings it to his lips and gently kisses it. Leaning into her, he catches the smell of her sweet essence. Looking though her eyes there is passion and seduction. Taking a deep breath trying to pull himself back. He knew that he would walking her back upstairs.
“Oh my dear you are stunning.”
Blushing a deep shade of pink.
“You are very handsome. It’s going to be hard for me to keep the woman off of you.”
“Oh know my dear, I told you I only have eyes for you.”
His mouth covers hers. Her eyes close as he devours her lips. This was nothing like the kiss she had before, this was deeper and with more passion. Pushing further into him, wanting to be closer. He deepens the kiss before pulling away.
“You taste divine” he smiled.
She puts her hand around his arm as they walk through the crowd. She was floating on air. Someone could knock her over with a feather at this point. She was glad she was hiding under her mask when she noticed everyone was looking her way.
The waiter hands them a glass of champagne as they continue walking to the edge of the room with all eyes on her. She seen her father dressed in a black tux a few feet from her. His eyes filled up with moisture as a large smile came across his face. Stopping in front of him, he took her hand and kissed it.
“Katie you look so beautiful. Come let’s get some pictures together.”
He leads the way to the garden were the photographer was waiting. They shot a few pictures of her with John and then with her father.
Taking a sip of her champagne she was looking for a place to hide she hated big parties. John had his arm around her waist holding her close to him. He wasn’t about to let it go. The music was playing across the intercom as the couples were dancing. John sets her drinks down on a table and leads her to the floor. With his arms around her waist, she wraps her hands around his neck. Spinning her around a few times pulling her back into his body. She was in heaven, on top of the world. Her heart beating to the music. With his head against her neck she could feel his hot breath breathing against her neck. Sending chills down her body. She was into him so strongly she didn’t see her father come behind him. He tapped on his shoulders as they stopped swaying to the music.
“I would love to dance with my beautiful daughter.”
“Of course sir, but I have to say it is hard to pull away.”
“Yes I can see why.”
John moved off the floor and kept her in eye view watching her move around the floor with her father. The crowd was heavy it was getting harder to see. He moved to another spot but could only see her back. Suddenly he seen someone walk up to Daniel and they stopped dancing. He then started moving though the dance floor headed towards Katie.
A man walks up and taps Daniel on the shoulder and interrupts there dance.
“Excuse me sir
, someone needs your attention in the kitchen.”
He stood five 8 and was medium build. He was wearing a black top hat and a dark mask that came down to his nose. You couldn’t tell who he was.
“Excuse me darling, let me see what’s going on. I will walk you back to John.”
“No need, take care of the issue. I will find him.”
He kisses her hand and walks into the crowd. Katie goes to turn around and the man grabs her arm and pulls her into him.
“Excuse me sir, but I have to go.”
He holds her tighter ignoring her request. She tries to push away but his grip was too hard.
“Sir, I told you I have to go.” She demanded.
He never said a word as she looked into them deep dark brown eyes. Trying to push against him, but he had a firm hold.
“Katie I would like this dance.”
Surprised that he knew her name her heart started to pound hard as fear set in.
“That voice, I heard it.” She thought.
“Let me go now!” her voice more demanding as her body started to tremble.
“No, I told you I want to dance, besides the more you resist the tighter my arms get.”
Holding her so tight she could barely breathe. Taking shallow breaths trying to push against him. Her eyes were looking around to see where John was.
“Let me go?” Her voice much louder now, she was livid.
“Oh Katie I will never let you go. All I ever wanted was you. Can’t you understand that.”
Now her heart was racing faster, panic went through her like fire.
“Who are you? How do you know me? What do you want?”
Her body was trembling with fear when a thought crossed her mind.
“Could he be the stalker?”
She looks at his face and he has a slight grin, like he is looking though her soul.
“Tell me who you are!”
“Oh my dear I have known you forever, if you only knew what I have done for you.”
“Then tell me?” Her voice scratchy.
“Oh my little shadow. I know everything about you. Your favor color, your favor food, everything. Hum! Don’t you go to bed at 10.15 every night.”
Katie eyes filled up with moisture as she trembles harder, he knees shacking so hard she could barely stand up. She knew then that he was dangerous, and if she didn’t get away from him, something bad was going to happen. The fear of her being in his arm frighten her more than then the flowers he had left.
