“I’m about to call your dad.”
“No, don’t.”
“Kris, he needs to know. Between the phone calls and now this, it’s time to get him involved.”
“For what? It could have been a mistake for all we know. They could have been delivered to the wrong address.”
“You seriously going to live in denial? This could be serious.”
“And it could be nothing. If we get him and Mike involved then they are going jump the gun. Next thing I know they will have me staying with one of them as it’s not safe for me to be alone.”
“If you don’t tell them then I’m definitely goin to insist you stay with me for a while. I’m not leaving you here alone.”
“I’m fine, really. You’re overreacting.”
“Overreacting? Did you seriously just say that? You can’t tell me you weren’t spooked. I saw the look on your face.”
It’s times like these that I hate how he can read me so well. We must have went back and forth on this for a while because we both turned around to see an angry Nathan standing there seething. I know he heard our whole conversation and he’s not happy.
“I’m afraid I agree with Nick on this one. If you think you are staying here alone you have another thing coming. The only difference is you’ll be staying with me. You will be safest at my place. No offense Nick but not only do I have my security system I have a security detail.”
“None taken man. All I care is that she’s away from here.”
“Enough, both of you. Stop dictating my every move.”
“Kristina you have two choices. You either come willingly and make it easy on both of us or I carry your ass out of here. It doesn’t matter much to me which way because either way I see it you’re leaving with me.”
I went to argue but was cut off by Nick. “Stop arguing with us. You know that this is best.”
“I’d like it to be my choice. Not yours.” I looked at Nick. “Or yours.” I looked at Nathan. “Mine.”
“We can’t stand here all day arguing about this.”
“Then the two of you can leave and let me figure out what I want to do.”
“Baby, I ended an important meeting early to come here.”
“And who told you to do that? Not me.”
“I was worried. I couldn’t concentrate until I knew you were okay.”
“Well you see that I am. No need to worry.”
He talked his hands through his hair in frustration. “Nick, would you please pack a bag for her?”
“Sure.”
“Don’t you dare…” He walks away into my bedroom. “Nick!” I followed him. “Stop right now.”
“No, your safety comes first. Stop being such a stubborn ass.”
“Fuck you!” I shout.
“You can get mad at me all you want but I”m looking out for you. You’re my best friend and I couldn’t handle it if something happened to you. Especially if I can do something about it.”
I stormed back out into the living room to give Nathan a piece of my mind but the second he took one look at me he knew what my intentions were.
“The hard way it is baby.” He said as he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. Just then Nick came out with a bag packed for me.
“I’ll carry this down for you. You have your hands full.”
“Not funny Nick.”
“Wasn’t trying to be.” He responded dryly.
We headed to the elevator and took it down to the front doors. Tony opened that back door but didn’t say a word when he saw all of us.
“Tony put her bag in the trunk.” He said as he put me in the back of the town car. Him and Nick gave each other a look and a nod then he joined me on the back seat and Nick went to his car to leave.
I sat on the other end and crossed my arms. We rode the whole way in silence. When we arrived at his building he got out and waited for me to follow. “Are you going to fight me every damn step of the way?”
I just looked at him not ready to talk to him yet.
“The easy way or the hard way, baby. It’s your choice. What’s it going to be?”
I climbed out of the car. I looked down the street weighing my options when his arm wrapped around my waste. “Don’t think about it. I will chase you and I will catch you. Then I will carry you upstairs.”
I relented begrudgingly and went with him up to his penthouse. When we arrived at his place there was a guy guarding the door. “Vinny, this is Kristina, she will be staying here for a while. You remember the guidelines I put into place?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good.” Nathan nodded then opened the door to let me in. “Make yourself at home, baby.”
I just stood there in silence.
“Still with the silent treatment? You going to stay mad at me forever?”
I just looked away and went into the living room. I had nothing to say.
He followed me. He grabbed me by the waste and pulled me to him. My back to his front. “I’m not going to apologize for doing what needs to be done to protect you. You’re angry, fine be angry. Just talk to me. It’d kill me if something were to happen to you and I did nothing to stop it.”
I turned around to face him. I took a deep breath. “I know. I”m not going to apologize for hating the fact that the two of you once again took away my right to choose.”
“I understand, but do you understand where we are coming from?”
“Yes, but we need to find a better way.”
“I agree.” I raked his hand through his hair. “Look, I’m all for discussing this but I need to head into my office here and make some calls. I have some damage control to do from that meeting.”
“I’m sorry you had to cut it short.”
“Don’t worry about that. You never have to apologize for it. You come first. Your safety comes first. Do you understand that?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, good. I’m going to go handle business. Make yourself comfortable I’ll be back out as soon as I can.”
“Okay.”
Nathan was holed up in his office for over two hours. He wasn’t kidding when he said that was an important meeting and that he cut it too short. I felt absolutely horrible that he had to make that sacrifice for me. He tried to sure me it wasn’t a big deal but the guilt still ate at me.
The best way I could think of to make it up to him is to make him dinner. Looking through the kitchen I find pasta and what I need to make chicken parmigiana and garlic bread. While the chicken was cooking I also made a salad to have with dinner.
While the food was finishing up I set the table. Nathan was finally coming out of his office just as I was putting the food out. “Something smells good in here.”
“Thank you, I hope you like it. I made a salad with chicken parmigiana and pasta. There’s garlic bread to go with it.”
“I’m sure it’s as delicious as it smells and looks.”
“Sit down and enjoy.”
“I appreciate all of this but you know you don’t have to. I have a cook who prepares meals for me.”
“I wanted to do something nice for you after today. You dropped an important meeting for me then had to come home and work extra to make up for it.”
“Well, I appreciate it. I just hope you know you never owe me anything.”
“I know.”
“Good, now lets enjoy this delicious meal that you worked so hard on.”
When we finished eating I started to clean up. “Thank you that was absolutely amazing.”
“You’re welcome. If there’s anything else you need to do go on ahead while I clean up.”
“You don’t have to do that. You can leave the dishes. My housekeeper will do them when she comes in the morning.”
“No way. You don’t want to leave these siting all night. I’ll rinse them and put them in the dishwasher at least. She can put them away tomorrow.”
“Okay. Are you sure you’re okay with me getting some more work done? I can always stay and help you and get caught up tomorrow.”
“I’m good,really. I don’t want you to be any more behind than you already are.”
“Alright, I shouldn’t be much longer.”
“Do what you need to do.”
It didn’t take me long to clean up so to kill some more time while he finished working I decided to take a hot bath. That usually helps relieve stress and tension. I loved his tub, it was huge and I can lay down and still be completely submerged. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed soaking and relaxing. I must have been so relaxed that I fell asleep.
“Baby, come on wake up.”
“Huh?”
“Hey, you fell asleep. You really shouldn’t do that. It’s not safe.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to. I was just so relaxed.”
“I better you’re more exhausted than you thought. It’s been a long day and you didn’t sleep much the night before.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right.”
“Come on, get out and lets get you in bed.”
“Mmm, that sounds good.”
He held up a towel for me as I got out and wrapped it around me. He grabbed me a pair of sweats and a t-shirt from my bag for me.
“Get dressed and dry your hair. You don’t want to fall asleep with it wet.”
I was feeling too drained to dry it but he was right. When I finished I met him in the bedroom. He was ready for bed himself. My phone buzzed with a text and it was from Mike.
Mike: Got any plans Saturday night?
Kristina: No, why?
Mike: Jenna and I want to celebrate with everyone. Since we want to have the wedding the next weekend.
Before I could reply Nathan read my messaged and had an idea of his own. “Tell everyone to come here. We’ll have a big dinner and celebrate. There’s enough space and this way nobody has to cook or clean. It’ll all be taken care of.”
“Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.”
“Okay.”
Kristina: Nathan suggested everyone come here tomorrow for a big dinner celebration. He’ll have everything taken care of so we can just relax and have fun.
Mike: That sounds really good actually. Tell him I said thank you. We appreciate it.
I looked over at Nathan and he just nodded.
Kristina: He says you’re welcome.
“I know why you also suggested that.”
“Care to fill me in then?”
“You’re concerned for my safety and doing things this way gives you a peace of mind.”
“I won’t deny that is a plus. It is a priority for me. But I would have offered either way.”
“I think you’re too good for me.”
“That’s nonsense.”
I changed the subject. “I’m going to text Nick and let him know. He’s just as much a part of this family.”
“Absolutely, I figured that was a given.”
Kristina: Don’t make any plans for Saturday.
Nick: And why not?
Kristina: We’re having a celebratory dinner here for Mike and Jenna. they’re getting married next weekend so keep that open as well.
Nick: Oh, that’s awesome. I’m happy for them. I’ll be there.
Kristina: You better be.
Saturday arrived quick. The penthouse was busy with caterers and servers all getting ready for tonight. Nathan really went all out. “I don’t think they were expecting all this.” I mentioned.
“Why not? It’s an engagement party. We should be going all out. Let them have their moment.”
“You’re right and I’m sure they’ll be surprised and love everything you did.”
“I have one more surprise for them.”
“What’s that?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
“That’s cruel.”
“It’s my fun.”
“So mischievous.”
I think there’s way too much food for seven people but he just tells me not to worry about it.
Mike and Jenna were surprised but extremely happy for what we have done for them. They deserve it. After the main course was done and cake was served along with other pastries and champagne Nathan made his announcement.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Everyone stops and looks at him giving him their undivided attention. “Thank you. We are here to celebrate the engagement of two people who are very special to my girlfriend here. Cheers to Mike and Jenna. Congratulations. As my gift to the two of you I will be throwing you a wedding you won’t forget. It will be hosted at my beach house in California. It’s on a private beach so we can have the ceremony there and have the celebration dinner at the house. It will still be the small intimate wedding you want but you’re parents don’t have to travel far for it.”
Well all stood there in shocked silence.
“Are you sure man?”
“I don’t offer to do anything unless I’m sure I want to. All you have to worry about is the dress and tux and I’ll handle all the rest.”
“That’s incredible. Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure. I understand the urgency and you don’t need anymore added stress to it.”
“I don’t know how we could repay you.”
“Just marry the love of your life and enjoy your special day.”
The festivities were finally winding down and everyone was starting to leave. We said our goodbyes to everyone and I was ready to collapse for the night.
“You looked positively drained.” Nathan said.
“I think I have some energy left over.” I winked and started to back away.
“Oh, you little minx.”
I turned and ran towards the bedroom.
“I’m going yo catch you and then you’re all mine.”
“I’m counting on it.”
