Chapter 7

7

BLAIR

I spend most of the week with Brian, being pampered and adored. We go out to eat at fancy restaurants, and we visit the local museums and galleries. On Thursday, we even go for a helicopter ride. It's magical, and I'm falling for him faster than I ever thought possible.

By Friday, though, I can't help but feel restless.

I've enjoyed the week off, but I'm used to working, and I want to do something productive. So I grab Brian before he leaves and ask if he would mind if I worked remotely for a little while.

"Of course not, baby. If you want to work, you can work."

"Thank you," I tell him and kiss him. "I'll be done by tonight, I promise."

"Good." He smiles and smacks my ass, sending me off to work.

The hours fly by working in Brian's home office, and before I know it, the day is over. But it isn't just the work day that's over… if our original timeline is still standing, the day after tomorrow will be time to pack up and go home. As I gather my things from the office, a pang of sadness hits me. This week has been incredible, and I'm not ready to go back to reality.

I move to shut down the computer, but then, a new email pops up. I have a bad feeling about what it might entail. We've both ignored the existence of the stalker for the most part, Brian working behind the scenes to try and find the person's identity. I never showed him the second email, too worried that he'd put me under lock and key out of concern for my safety. I also thought that maybe once the stalker realized I wasn't scared, they'd give up.

Now, though, the little red icon indicating a new message blinks, and I know I'm screwed.

This message is the worst yet, ending with a demand to meet in person.

Hey Blair,

It's me again. I've enjoyed our little correspondence, and I have to admit, it's been pretty funny watching you try to ignore me. But I'm tired of playing games now, and it's time for you to meet me face-to-face. Don't worry, it won't be dangerous. I just want to talk.

Meet me tonight at 5 pm at the address below.

I swallow hard and click on the attachment, bringing up a Google Maps page. It's a small coffee house not far from here. If I'm quick, I can be back before Brian gets home, and he won't even know I was gone. Obviously, I can't ask Greta to take me, but I have enough money in my account to take a cab.

It's a bad move. A ridiculously stupid one, honestly, but if I tell Brian about it, he won't trust me anymore...and if the stalker doesn't actually show up, Brian will keep me isolated until he's found.

All of our dates, all of the wonderful time we've spent together...I don't want to ruin it. If I meet up with the stalker, maybe there's a way I can pay him off. I'm not making all that much at Beckett Industries, but maybe I can take out a loan or something.

Whatever the cost, I have to try.

I look at the clock and curse under my breath. I only have an hour, and I have to get changed and get to the coffee shop before the stalker arrives.

Hastily, I grab my bag and head to the closet where my suitcase resides, rifling through my clothes for something. In the end, I settle for a pair of skinny jeans and a T-shirt, throwing a hoodie on top for good measure. It's the best I can do on short notice.

My stomach churns with anxiety as I grab my things and rush out the door. This could be the biggest mistake of my life. But if it is, I have no choice. As I head out to meet my fate, all I can think is that I hope this will all be over soon.

My stomach is twisted into knots as I step inside the coffee shop. I'm early, so I order a drink and sit down at a table, trying to look casual. I don't know what to expect, and the uncertainty is killing me. There are a few people in the shop, but no one pays me any attention. My heart is pounding, and my palms are sweaty.

I glance at the clock, and it's 4:55. Five minutes until the meeting. I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves.

Suddenly, the bell above the door jingles, and a man walks in. He's wearing a black hoodie, and his face is hidden by a baseball cap. My stomach lurches, and I know it's the stalker. He sits down at the table across from me, and his gaze is intense.

"Blair," he says, his voice low and menacing. "It's time we had a chat."

I swallow hard and nod, my hands trembling.

"Why are you doing this?" I ask.

He laughs a cold, harsh sound. "Because you're a slut, Blair. You're a fucking whore, and I'm gonna expose you for what you are."

His words cut like a knife, and I flinch. "How dare you? You don't even know me!"

"That doesn't matter. You're fucking Brian after you didn't get what you wanted from his son. That's disgusting."

"No, it's not! I barely even dated his son, and it's different with Brian. We're in… Well, he cares for me, and I care for him."

He laughs again, shaking his head. "You're pathetic. Do you know what? At first, I was just doing all this because Tanner hired me to, but I can't deny that I think you need to learn a lesson too. You'll do anything for money and status, and now that you've got it, you think you can just run off and be a normal couple with Tanner's dad? Please."

My temper is rising, and I'm barely keeping it in check. "We can be a normal couple. What is wrong with you?"

"With me? How about we focus on what's wrong with you? Your whole life is a fucking lie, and you're the worst kind of person. A gold digger. Someone who will sell herself for money. And Brian..."

"Brian is going to make you regret the day you were born, you fucking prick."

We both look up at the deep voice coming from behind the stalker and there, still in his suit from work, is Brian.

And he looks furious.

"Get the fuck out of here. You're not worth my time or Blair's."

The stalker sneers and stands up. He may be tall but beside Brian, he looks almost like a child, with Brian towering over him. "You think you can threaten me, old man? I'm not scared of you."

Brian scoffs, shaking his head. "You should be. Because if I ever catch you anywhere near Blair again, I'll fucking end you."

With that, Brian grabs the stalker's collar and hauls him out of the coffee shop. I can hear them scuffling outside and the sounds of a fight. My heart is in my throat, and I can barely breathe.

A moment later, Brian comes back inside. He isn't even disheveled, but he looks darkly triumphant, and I know the stalker has gotten his due.

"Get in the car, Blair. I have a few things to take care of and I expect you to be waiting patiently for me back at the penthouse." His voice is rough and annoyed. My stomach is churning with nerves, and I'm all too aware that I've made a big mistake, but what can I do now except obey?

With tears in my eyes, I exit the coffee shop and find Brian's driver waiting. I slide into the backseat, and as the car pulls out into the street, I lower my face into my hands and sob.