Where I want, when I want
2020, July 30th
(Maine, Caspira)
NATHAN
A week went by without me contacting Elena. She certainly wasn't about to contact me. Instead she chose to use the time to even things out a little. When I got back to my place, I found the telescope I had set up facing her home missing along with some other spy gear. I chuckled as I pulled a pair of binoculars out of my duffel bag, stood by the window where the telescope used to be and brought the binoculars up to my face. She had taken the time to have all the windows of the Moore residence tinted, making it next to impossible for me to see anything. I took my phone out of my pocket and called Elena.
"Well fancy hearing from you. I rather hoped you just dropped dead or something," she said.
She sounded frustrated, annoyed even, by me ghosting her. I stopped sending her flowers too so there had been no contact between us at all this week. Mind you, it wasn't something I chose. If it was up to me, we probably would have blown through the five dates already. I would have fucked her six ways from Sunday by now. As it was though, I was called in as a matter of urgency when Kate started circling Aiden and Keira. Good thing too, what with Kate almost blowing Aiden's brain to bits.
If Keira wasn't with Aiden at the time, Elena would probably be with friends, mourning him, instead of in her comfy PJs drinking wine. I knew that's what she was doing because that's what she did every day after work. Without fail, even if she intended to go out that night, Emily would sit herself down to a glass of wine and just stare at the wall for a good thirty minutes before proceeding with the rest of the evening's activities.
"I missed you too, My Lady. What is it tonight? Red or white?"
She paused. In my mind's eye, I could see her looking down at the wine glass, wondering how often I watched. If by some miracle, I was still watching somehow.
"You don't take rejection well, do you?"
"Red or white wine?" I persisted.
I found I really did want to know. The type of wine she was having mattered. It was my way of asking how she was.
"Red."
"Aah, red means a stressful day at work. You only have red wine when you're in a really shitty mood. Otherwise you prefer white. You rarely have white these days. I'll make sure it's a white wine day on our first date."
Silence. Was I catching her off guard by not asking about her raiding my place? I was certain she was going to tell me off the moment I called and put me in my place about keeping tabs on her. Instead, she chose her words carefully. Did my voice sound so forlorn? Could she somehow tell that I was lonely tonight?
Her not saying anything was going to my head. Maybe her little stunt didn't make them even in her head. Maybe her privacy was more important to her than the title of CEO. Did she even know what it meant to The House of Assassins if she became CEO of Moore Industries?
Either way, whatever the case, I felt the weight of the silence in my apartment. I always did after a visit home. If I couldn't see her, I at least wanted to hear her. So I spoke again, despite her lack of response.
"I'm sorry I haven't been in touch. I had some family stuff come up at the last second. Nice job on the windows. Do I need to do a sweep of my place to find out what else you took or are you just going to help a guy out and tell me? The jet lag's hitting me hard," I said, caving to my curiosity.
I yawned, throwing my body down onto the couch.
"When will this super special date be? I'm a busy woman. I need advance notice."
I smiled. She was curt. Didn't engage the way I wanted her to and yet her voice soothed me anyway. Was now too soon? Probably. I really had to stop being so attentive and needy. It was embarrassing.
"Tomorrow," I decided. "Take the afternoon off."
So what if I wanted to see her really badly? She was a beautiful woman. One would be hard pressed to find a man that didn't want to lay eyes on her.
"Aren't you bold, assuming I'll want to spend so much time with you? Anyway it's too last second. I need at least—"
"You'll be where I want, when I want," I said in a husky voice. "That's the deal. Be ready for me by one. I'll pick you up."
Silence again. A minute went by and then two. I didn't let it bother me this time though. There was something pleasing about listening to her breathe as she deliberated. Besides, I'd be more than happy to go and sway her in person if need be.
"Fine. Tomorrow afternoon at one confirmed."
"It's a date El, not a business meeting." I chuckled.
"Maybe to you. Goodnight Nathan."
"Tiny, silk PJs or short, little negligee?"
She ended the call.
"El?"
I took the phone away from my ear, looked at the screen and smiled.
"Goodnight El."