by S. Moose
I snuggle close to him again and once my head hits his chest I fall asleep and dream of our life together.
Chapter 23
Winter is finally over and the warm weather presents itself. Everything has been going well with Adam. No Kyle, no drama, nothing. He still hasn’t let me come into the office, but I’ve been video conferencing him and the rest of the team while coming up with strategic ways to advertise our products. The emergency wristband has hit the roof with sales. We’ve sold over three million dollars worth and have heard so many positive testimonies from our users and family members. Adam and Connor were in and out of area schools talking to students about staying focused and succeeding. The schools have been buying the web cams and they’ve donated many cameras to many schools. Right now, Optimax is in the process of building a high school internship program to help students get into business and marketing. Adam and Connor have been busier than ever. I don’t get to see Adam too much since he is always in the office and on the road.
I’ve met Olivia a few times and can’t find anything to like about her. She has been messing up my appointments and each time I missed a meeting, I could see Adam’s frustration. I explained to him that Olivia was trying to ruin me, ruin us. He didn’t listen and called me crazy. I was so mad that I told him to sleep on the couch and not come back until he believed me. That didn’t work very well, because we spent the next few nights apart. How could he let someone get in the way of our relationship?
I finally finish getting ready when I get an email from Olivia that Adam has to cancel our dinner plans and jump on a flight to New York City. She says that he will call me when he lands. It is weird that he doesn’t tell me in the first place. When I call him, it goes straight to voicemail. I am bummed, so I clean the apartment. Erin sees how sad I am and suggests we have a girl’s night. I am hesitant at first because it has been a while since I went out, but Erin will not give up. I let her have her way.
We are at Club H and it is packed. The music is blaring and there are people all over. We get up to the bar and take shots of royal flush. Justin Timberlake comes on and I pull Erin to the dance floor. We laugh and dance. All my worries fly out the window. It is nearly three in the morning when we call a cab to take us home. I am a little tipsy, but Erin is wasted. As soon as we get in, Adam starts screaming at the both of us. Connor pulls him away from me and I stand there wide-eyed. Oh, hell no, he is not going to yell at me! I scream back telling him Olivia told me he had to go to New York City. Adam waves away what I am saying. Connor takes Erin back to his room. It is just Adam and me in the living room staring at each other. I have had enough of this shit. I take out my phone and open the email. I shove it in his face and walk away.
The next evening Erin and I are watching TV when Adam comes home and kneels down in front of me. He looks over at Erin and asks if she can give us a few minutes. She gives me a smile and walks away. I am still mad at Adam and cross my arms. I do not want to hear his excuses. He bends his head down and starts apologizing and telling me that he should have believed me. I still do not respond. He takes my hands and gives me those puppy dog eyes. I can tell he is sad and wants me to forgive him. I tell him that I am his girlfriend and I am not crazy. We talk for the rest of the night and agree to talk to each other, not at one another.
* * * * *
I finish getting ready to visit Adam. I am wearing black wedges, a flowing white dress with a blue cardigan. I get in the car and head to the office. I know Adam will not like me going on my own, but I miss him and want to say hi. I pull into the garage and park the car. I make my way into the building and take the elevator to the top floor. I get giddy just thinking about seeing his beautiful face, my Adam. When the door opens, I start walking to his office. Everyone is running around and the office is busy. I feel bad bothering him in the middle of the day but I do not think it will hurt to pop in and say hi. It is almost lunchtime, so stealing him for an hour will not hurt. I go by Olivia’s desk and see that she is not there. Before I walk into his office, I see them at his computer and Olivia’s too close to him. I see her touching his shoulder and laughing. I open the door and walk-in. “Well hello everyone.”
Adam turns his head and smiles. “Baby what a pleasant surprise!” He gets up, moving Olivia to the side and comes to me. I flash him a smile and walk up to him. His arms wrap around my waist.
“I miss you.” I sadly say. I look over and see Olivia staring at us. I get a weird feeling and wonder why she is just standing there. “Can I steal you away for lunch?”
“Of course, baby.” He turns to look at Olivia. “Olivia, please get the faxes out and hold my calls.”
“Yes, Mr. Simpson. Don’t forget your phone conference at 1:30.”
I gently grab Olivia’s arm and give her a smile. “Is there something I can do for you Miss. Burns?”
“Olivia, the next time you try and get in the way of my relationship with Adam, I promise you will regret it.”
Olivia stares back at me but doesn’t say anything. Adam quickly gets up and takes my hand off hers. “Alright sweetheart, let’s go.” We start walking out of the office and onto the elevator. When the doors close, Adam bursts out laughing.
“You about done?”
“Nope.” He comes to me and rubs my arms. “Pretty girl you are something else.”
Adam takes my hand as we talk to Takka’s for lunch. We laugh and talk about what’s been going on. He still can’t believe I did that to Olivia. Shit even I can’t believe I did that. When we get to the restaurant, we’re seated in a booth and order We head out and it the sashimi platter with edamame.
“How’s work babe?” I look up at him and see the dark circles under his eyes.
He rubs his eyes, “Tough sweetheart. I am sorry I haven’t been spending time with you lately.”
I look down and play with the piece of salmon on my plate. “It is ok, I understand.”
I know he can hear the sadness in my voice and takes my hand. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I hear his phone go off. “I’m sorry sweetheart I have to get this.” He gets up and takes the call. I know I should understand but I get mad because we can’t have one hour to ourselves without being interrupted. I watch Adam as his shoulders tense and I know the phone call isn’t bringing any good news. Adam comes back to the table with an unreadable expression. I take his hand and look into his eyes.
“Everything ok?”
“I have to fly out to California tomorrow for an emergency meeting. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, one of the prototypes failed and I don’t know what they fucking did.” His voice is stern. I am upset he is leaving and I want to tell him to stay and let Connor deal with the problem, but I do not want to be needy.
“I’m sorry you have to go.” I wish he would ask me to go with him. At least in California, I would be ok and be able to go off on my own.
He starts to smile at me and I wonder what he is thinking. He pulls out his phone. “Olivia. Please book me a room in LA for Sophia and myself. Yes. And get the jet prepared. No, I will not need you on this trip. I need you to stay here and help Connor with the conferences. Yes, please tell him there is an emergency meeting that I need to attend in LA.” He pauses and listens. “Yes and thank you.”
I jump in my seat. “You’re bringing me to LA with you?”
“Of course, baby. You deserve a trip out of here and it’ll give us some time to be alone.” He winks at me and my body shakes with excitement. We finish our lunch and Adam comes back home with me instead of going back to the office. We make love all afternoon and I miss being with him. I miss the feeling of him in me and showing me his love, his lips and those eyes.
The next morning, Connor drops us off at the airport and we board for LA. I sleep most of the flight while Adam works. Once we land and make it to the hotel, I am breathless. The hotel is beautiful and so big! We check in at the counter and make our way to the suite. My mouth drops at the size of the room,
when Adam opens the door. I run to the bed and start jumping on it. Adam looks at me laughing and shaking his head. “How old are you baby.”
I bounce on the bed like a little kid and laugh. “I don’t care. This bed is so big and comfy!”
“Well, I’ll be sure to enjoy it with you tonight.” He walks over to me with a grin. “Now I’m going to be stuck in meetings all today so I want you to enjoy yourself. I have hired a driver for the day so go out and shop. Have fun.”
I pout. “But I want to spend time with you.”
“And you will my love.” He cradles my face and gives me a kiss. “Plus I have another surprise for you.” There was a knock on the door and I look at him. “Go answer it.”
When I open the door, I scream. “ERIN!” We both jump up and down. I cannot believe she is here. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have class?”
“I’m just here until tomorrow.” She says with glee. “Plus I mean California with my girl, hell yeah!”
“Alright ladies have fun and I will see you for dinner.” Adam gives me another kiss and heads out.
“Wait, where are you staying?”
“Connor reserved a room for me. He wanted to come, but had to stay behind. So, I met Olivia.” Her face scrunches and I know that look.
I point at her. “I told you! See!”
“Yeah I know. I told Connor I do not like her and he sees what I mean. There is something weird about her.” She takes a seat at the table. “Connor caught her in Adam’s office looking at his pictures. He said she had a scary look on her face when she saw the picture of you.”
I instantly feel my face burn up. “She is up to something!”
“We know that but Adam doesn’t see it.”
I can’t believe what I am hearing. Is Adam that blind? “Alright, I don’t want to think about it. Can we go please?”
We freshen up and head outside to explore LA. The driver is waiting for us as he opens the door to let us in. It is so hot out, but it feels so good. I put on my sunglasses, as Erin and I sing along to Carrie Underwood and dance in our seat. We stop at
Rodeo Drive and walk around looking at the shops. Everything in LA is beautiful. I hope to at least see one celebrity but that probably won’t happen. I look over at my best friend and see how giddy she is. I put my arm around her as we take in the scenery. I take out my camera and take pictures. “Here…smile.” I lift my arm up with my camera and we smile as I click the picture. We both look at it and laugh. It is great having her here.
After hours of shopping, we are exhausted. We stop at a little café and decide to get something to eat. Erin bought herself a Gucci purse and wallet, courtesy of Connor. I bought a few outfits and a nice dress for tonight. We are seated at a table outside and look through the menu.
“What are you in the mood for?” I ask Erin.
She looks through the menu. “I don’t know, maybe a salad? I don’t want anything too heavy.”
“Yeah, me too,” we decide on an apple and chicken salad but before we can order, I hear my name. I turn around and see Kyle’s mom heading our way. I look at Erin and she is just as nervous as I am. Mrs. Harrington makes her way over to our table. She is a beautiful and tall woman in her forties. Each time Kyle and I would meet with his parents, she was always dressed nicely.
I don’t know why she wants to talk to me, but I smile and get up to give her a hug. “Oh, Sophia how nice to see you,” she kisses both of my cheeks. “How are you darling?”
I motion for her to sit down and introduce her to Erin. “I’m good and yourself?”
She sets her bag down and sits with us. “Um I’m ok. Sophia, have you talked to Kyle at all?”
My body tenses. Just hearing his name makes me nervous. “No Mrs. Harrington, I haven’t. Why do you ask?”
She covers her mouth and shakes her head. “Oh darling, I don’t know where my son is. He has not called my husband or me; we don’t know what to do.”
Erin looks at her with frustration. “Mrs. Harrington, please don’t’ take this the wrong way, but your son was beating my best friend and put her in the hospital.”
I quickly look at Erin and give her a death glare. I do not want her to yell at the poor woman and I am scared to hear her response. I look at her and see the worry and sadness in her eyes. She takes my hands and cries. “I am so sorry Sophia. I am glad you’re ok and I can’t speak for Kyle, but we are so sorry about what happened.”
I start crying too and feel bad for what she is going through. “It is ok. I’m better now.”
Erin takes my other hand and we sit in silence for a moment. “Mrs. Harrington, if we see Kyle, I’ll call you.” Erin says reassuringly.
“Oh girls, thank you so much.” She gets up and gives each of us a hug. “Sophia, please be careful.” She gives me one final hug before leaving.
After Kyle’s mom leaves, Erin and I look at each other confused. “What the hell do you think she means?”
A worried expression comes on my face and I shudder. “I don’t know.”
We’ve lost our appetites and head back to the hotel. Erin heads back to her room to get some rest before her early flight. We give one another a hug and say bye. When I get into the hotel room, there is an eerie silence. I look around but there is no one here. I check my phone and see that Adam hasn’t called or texted. I get on the bed and lay down, thinking about what she meant by saying to be careful. I look at the time and its past five o’clock. I text Adam asking where he is and what time he will be back home. When I close my phone, I end up falling right to sleep.
I wake up and look around the room. It is still dark, but I see someone sitting in a chair at the foot of the bed. I look closer and notice Adam.
“Honey, why are you just sitting there?”
He slowly gets up and makes his way over to the bed. He smiles at me with that loving expression in his eyes. As he cradles my face, I pull myself closer to him. Out of nowhere, Adam punches me in the face, repeatedly. I feel each punch and his hits are getting harder. I can’t scream or move. There is nothing for me to do but take it. Why is this happening again?
“ADAM!!!!!!!!!!!”
Chapter 24
I’m shaking and can’t catch my breath. Everything around me is spinning and the blankets and pillows are wet. Adam comes running in the room toward me. “Stay away from me.” I scream.
“Baby, baby what is wrong?” He puts his hands on my face and I begin to shake.
“You...you were just hitting me.” I sob.
“Wait what? Baby, I’ve been in the other room reading my emails. I didn’t want to come in and wake you up. Sorry I came back so late, but the meeting ran long.” He looks at me and tilts my face up to him. “Baby, you were dreaming of me hitting you? I’d never do that.”
I shake my head and cry. “I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. I know you wouldn’t hurt me, but Kyle’s mom saw us and she came to talk to me and Erin today at lunch.”
“Kyle’s mom, are you ok?” I can tell he is mad.
“I don’t know, she said sorry and for me to be careful.” My voice is shaky. I wrap my arms around Adam and hold him as if he is going to leave. He strokes my back and whispers in my ear telling me everything will be ok.
“I will keep you safe baby. I promise.”
I lean back on the bed and look at him. “Adam we need to talk.” I want him to know how uncomfortable Olivia makes me feel. “Listen, there is something else,” I start to say, “I don’t like Olivia and I want her out.”
Adam starts to laugh and gets up from the bed. He unbuttons his shirt and starts to take off his pants. “What are you talking about Sophia? Olivia’s harmless.”
I get up from the bed and get in his face. “Babe, I don’t like her. You saw what she did before and Connor said he saw her in your office looking at my picture! She is fucking crazy! When I went to go see you at the office, I saw her all over you.” My arms are flying in the air and I look like a maniac.
Adam shakes his head and puts his arms around me. “Connor told me about that. Listen baby, I told her I’m with you and she understands.” He kisses my forehead and breathes out. “I’m not interested in her. I’m with you.”
I hug him back and feel better but I still don’t like her. My lips find his and I kiss him with urgency and passion. I feel him on me and the night is perfect again. We make love the rest of the night.
Since Adam was able to figure out everything the day before, we are able to fly back to North Carolina. The flight is fast and steady, with no issues. I think about what Mrs. Harrington said to me and I cannot shake her off. Adam holds me throughout the entire flight, telling me that everything is going to be ok. I have an unnerving feeling that will not go away.
