CHEF'S DELIGHT

Chapter 7 - Nightmare's Revisiting

After a beautiful evening by the beach, candlelit dinner, and slow dancing, Luke brought me home before midnight as he promised. He didn't attempt or insist on coming in. He just stood at my doorstep and kissed me softly.

The feel of his lips on mine is magic. It was soft, sweet, and so tender I teared up. No man had kissed me like this. No one has ever made me feel treasured and loved like what Luke is doing to me. He let go and stepped back a little.

" Goodnight, Stacy Morgan. That was just a taste of what is in store for both of us. Sweet dreams, babe, and I'll be waiting for your decision." He said and walked back to the elevator. I stood there for about a minute until he's out of sight.

I walked into my apartment in a daze. Okay, stay calm, Stacy, you got this. It was just a kiss, a very fitting end to a beautiful night.

I sighed heavily and suddenly felt tired. The tables have turned. I was supposed to be the one running the show, not the other way around.

I went to my bedroom and took off my dress. I got in the shower to wash away the salty scent off my skin and hair and to refresh my mind.

While the water is running down my body, images of the past flashed through my head. I placed my forehead in the cool wall of the shower and closed my eyes tightly. It all felt like it was just yesterday.

Why is it happening again? I tried so hard to forget about him. I have promised myself not to look back and forget that part of my life, but Luke must have triggered something in me to bring out all the kept emotions.

I shut off the water and wiped my body with the towel. I rubbed lotion on my body and walked back to my room. I always sleep nude. I feel comfortable and relaxed when I'm not wearing anything in my sleep.

After blow-drying my hair, I climbed on my bed and curled under the comforter. My thought went back to Luke's proposal and the conditions along with it. He didn't say about a commitment. It was more like a s****l proposition.

He wanted us to explore whatever it is between us. He knows that the s****l tension between us is strong. But am I ready for another relationship? Even though it's only physical and contractual? Is it possible to invest in a relationship without love and still be happy?

But I need this. I need to be as close as possible to Luke if I want that promotion. I know I could get into trouble if I write about Luke in the future. I would break my promise to him, and he will never trust me again. But who said life is fair?

It's the survival of the fittest out there. Kill or be killed. Everybody uses everybody. It's a battle of wits and strategies out there. If I don't go with the flow, I will be swallowed whole by this cruel world. I survived on my own. I have escaped an abusive relationship. I will get what I want, but this time, I hit two birds with one stone.

Luke Davies will condemn me, but at least, I get a taste of him, and I will have that position. This thought was playing on my mind over and over until I drifted off to sleep. I was deep in sleep until his face showed up.

I was running fast, but he still kept up with me. Finally, he caught me and shoved me to the wall. He had his hand on my neck and was grinning like a madman at me.

" You can run, but you cannot hide, my darling. I will find you, and when I do, you'll never get away from me ever again. I will find you, my little Stacy." He whispered in my ear and licked my face.

I woke up with a start, and I heard my scream. Oh no! It is happening again! Why now?! After many years, why did it come back? Is it a warning? Is he near to find me? I shivered and curled in my bed like a baby and wept.

I can't live like that again. I can't let that man ruin the life I've worked so hard to build here. It's time I get myself a gun or study self-defense. I have always wanted to enroll in those classes, but I was a little bit busy with work.

I went back to sleep feeling anxious and scared. The following day I woke up with a headache and looked like a truck run me over. I looked like death with dark circles under my eyes. I took a hot shower and got ready for work.

I'm sure those two crazy women are waiting in my office anxiously. They want to hear every detail of last night and if I banged Luke. I pulled in front of the Metro and looked at the magnificent building. I have worked here for years now, and I deserve that promotion more than anyone.

I went inside and walked to the elevator. On the way up, I saw my reflection in the mirror and grimaced. I look bad. Any amount of makeup doesn't help at all. The elevator opened, and I stepped out. As soon as I got into my office, my two crazy best friends attacked me and dragged me to my seat.

" How was it? Was he big? How many times did you two do it? You look like hell, so must have stayed the whole night humping like bunnies!" Nat hounded and kept me in my seat with a death stare.

" You're crazy, do you know that? Why would we f**k each other on a first date?! It was our first date, Nat, and it was magical. Luke was the perfect gentleman, and he did not try anything to disrespect me or harassed me." I told her and rolled my eyes.

" You're lying!" Becky butted in.

" No, I am telling the truth. Luke brought me home before midnight as promised and kissed me goodnight outside my door." I said and pretended to fix my things and ignored the two who is eyeing me suspiciously.

" You are hiding something from us, Stacy. What is it? Spit it out!" Nat insisted and sat on my desk facing me.

" I told you, that was all that happened last night. I looked like this because I stayed late last night thinking about that kiss." I lied to them. I shouldn't tell them about Luke's proposal and my nightmares.

" Are you sure that is all? As in, nothing happened? No humping or foreplay?" Becky asked again, and I shook my head. They both groaned and looked upset.

" I thought he is goinf=g to jump you the moment you two were alone—what a waste of time. I could swear he looked like he's having dinner when he saw walked out of the room. The s****l tension is so strong we can feel it from afar." Nat grumbled and walked to the door.

" well, I am sorry to disappoint you guys, but Luke is a perfect gentleman, and I had the best night last night," I told them with a smile.

" Yeah, yeah, he is a gentleman, but I wear he went home with blue balls." Becky yammered, and they both left my office. I sighed and was thankful they didn't push me too hard, or I would be stressed the whole day.

I thought about Luke's proposition and the assistant editor position. Why does everything have to be so complicated? Why can't Luke be a regular celebrity and enjoy the limelight?

Why does he have to be so private? What is he hiding?