Chapter Eight - This can't be happening!
1403 Words
Scarlett
Seven a.m. on a Friday morning and my alarm was going off. I forgot to turn it off last night before going to bed. Well, I'm awake now. I may as well get up and enjoy the rest of my day. It's not very often I get a half week at work so time to make the most of it. First things first, a shower and coffee to start my morning. After I make my coffee, I head through to the living room to catch up on some TV, and that's when I see the white envelope sitting just inside my door. Pretty sure it's too early for the post around here.
I have the fear, I'm already one hundred per cent positive I know who it is from and if I ignore it, pretend I never saw I know there will be consequences. I have been in such a good mood the last couple of days, and now he needs to ruin that for me. I groaned in frustration, going over to grab it. I ripped it open, and there were only a few words wrote. There was no need for such a big envelope.
Meet me at ten. The usual place. Don't be late, baby doll.
God, I wanted to punch him square in the face, but that would be no good for anyone. Maybe he is finally going to tell me the information that I need to know. The quicker he tells me, the easier it will be, and the quicker I can get this over with.
There goes my nice relaxing day off, doing nothing, no matter what PJ always knows how to ruin it for me. I've had many years of him ruining my life, and here he is doing it again. I suppose I need to get myself ready and out of my comfy wear to go and meet him.
Hopefully, he will be there on time today and not keep me waiting around like last time we met. He can be so sleazy and creeping about watching me; he physically makes me feel sick, needs must. It was now nine-thirty, and I leave the house and start the walk to Shanter Park.
As soon as I arrived, I see PJ, sitting there. At least he was here, and not lurking in the shadows watching me. I groaned, making my way over to him.
"Good morning, sunshine," He smirked when he saw me.
I rolled my eyes, sitting down next to him. I just wanted to get this over with.
"Morning," I said with no emotion in my tone.
"Your target," He said, handing me an envelope.
I took it from him and opened it straight away. And the face in the photo was of the person I was really hoping it would not be. Caleb.
I just stared at the photo, why Caleb? Of all the people it could be why is it the guy that I'm getting to know and enjoying the company of. He is the first person I have felt a connection with, in a long time, and now I've been handed this photo of my target; my target the guy who makes my insides flutter in happiness.
"What has he done to deserve this?" I asked PJ.
"Excuse me!!!" PJ roared as he stood up, "Who do you think you are to question me?" He just stared at me without blinking.
"I didn't mean anything by it. I was just being curious PJ," I muttered quietly, "Sorry, forget I mentioned anything." I added.
He stood, studying me closely for a moment.
"You know him," He said, "How do you know him?" He added.
"From the café, we got to talking," I said.
I was trying to hide from PJ how Caleb was making me feel, because If I show him that, he will take that as a sign of weakness if the feelings are real, and PJ doesn't do weak.
"Well, that is perfect then, isn't it? He already knows you; it will make this easier than we first thought," He said, "Because I know it is impossible for a man not to fall for you, you will have him right where you need him in no time," He added, an evil, smug look on his face.
"PJ I'm not going to make him fall for me then do the job I need to do," I scowled at him, "It's not fair to do that", I added whilst fidgeting around on the bench.
He sat back down but was still staring straight at me with an expressionless look in his face.
"Have you forgotten who I am? If I tell you to do something you will, now you will go to the cafe and make him fall for you!!" He said, "I told you this was how it was going to work," He added.
"I don't let people into my life anymore. I don't open up to anyone and certainly do not try and get people to like me," I said to him then looked away.
"Look Scarlett; you do what I say when I say and how I say! You do not question me now not ever, got it?" He smirked.
I was about to argue him on it, but he was looking at me with a look in his eyes that scared me. I kept my mouth closed. It was all like some cruel joke. I have never had a target that I have a personal connection with. I swear this is karma because of all the things that I have done in the past.
"Is there a certain time this needs to be done by?" I said, still not looking at him.
"Not right now, but when I know, you will know," He said.
"If that is all I'm going to go now, I had plans today", I said standing up.
"Hmmm you do not leave until I say so Scarlett, so sit back down we are not finished yet," He said with an evil look in his eyes.
I've really gone and messed things up now. Why did I think I could just get up and walk away from him? You would think after so many years, I would know how to act around him.
"Ok, I'm not going anywhere," I sigh, sitting back down on the bench.
"Good girl, I can always rely on you to do as your told," PJ stood up "Well I'd better be off, things to do; people to see." He said with a smile, and then laughed at me.
I just stared at him, no reaction not even a comeback. I was genuinely lost for words: PJ and his silly little games.
"I'll be seeing you soon, sweetheart," He said.
He blew me a kiss and started walking away.
I sat there, waiting until he was out of sight because if I stood, I think I would go for him. He was testing my patience, and that was not a good thing.
I stood, pulling myself together before heading back home. I don't know if I can do this, not with Caleb. I don't even know why there was a hit out on him. I couldn't think for the life of me what a sweet guy like him could have done. I wonder if maybe it has something to do with the reason he moved from England to here. What was he running from? Was he a dangerous guy? I don't know, and to be honest, I don't think I ever will.
Getting home, I flung myself onto the couch and decided I wasn't moving again for the rest of the day. I can't believe the hellish morning I have had so far. PJ always mucks up anything good I have going.
After about fifteen minutes of pure silence passed, I went to put on the TV to take my mind off of things. I planned to chill out and watch something funny. I couldn't stop thinking about Caleb, though. I needed answers to all the questions I have, but I'm not sure how to get them. I can't just ask him outright.
My phone pings pulling me out of thought. A text message coming through, but it shows me a number I don't have saved to my phone. I need to unlock my phone to see who it is, but I'm not ready to as yet as it could be more bad news about Caleb. Instead of looking, my phone gets put on silent and flung on the other couch for now.
I need just to escape and forget about the real world.
- Writer
