Chapter 2

TWO

I have been watching her for the past year. Before I came to work for my father, I was away at school finishing my degree in business. When I got here last year, I was so overwhelmed knowing I was going to have to work for my dad, and be under his scrutiny. I came into this company, with every intention of staying long enough to get some experience under my belt and then I was going to jump ship and move on. Until the morning I saw her come through the door. The only thing I remember thinking is ‘holy fuck'! Who is she and how can I make her mine?

I watched her that first day. Closer than I should probably admit. I stalked her. There is no other way to say it. But doing so, I learned that she was a loner. Had no family and didn't date. So I waited. Until I couldn't anymore. So a few weeks ago, I moved out of my folks house, bought a 5-bedroom condo, close to the park for her dog and now it's time to claim my girl.

I was looking out the window when I saw her running after Bingo. Guess now is as good a time as any.

"Where are we going for lunch?" I look over at her as we walk hand in hand toward Mod Pizza. She is so fucking beautiful. Her skin is like cream. So smooth and soft. Hair the color of cinnamon with eyes the color of a beautiful jewel. Thank god we are walking briskly. She doesn't have time to see my cock vying for her attention.

"Well I don't know about you, but I am in the need for some pizza. I thought we would head over to Mod's and just talk. Is that alright?" she looks down and back up at me. Tucking her hair behind her ear, exposing her neck to me. The neck I want to bite and suck, marking her as mine.

"That sounds fine. I guess." We walk in silence which is fine. It gives me more time to look at her. Observe her. Obsess over her. We order our pizza and sit and wait for them to deliver it.

"What are we really doing here Zach?"

"Getting to know each other." I say simply. Feeling no need for anything else.

"I mean I get that." She says fidgeting and biting her lip. "But why? I'm sure there are women falling all over themselves to get your attention. I guess I just don't understand why me?" She says the last part quietly with her head down. I contemplate how to answer this, knowing I need to be careful. But maybe that is the problem. Maybe instead of being careful, I need to show her I mean business.

"It's simple really. You have belonged with me since you started here a year ago. I recognized the haunted look on your face, so I sat back and waited. Got some things in order, and bid my time. Time's up." I grab a slice of pizza and take a bite, quirking my eyebrow up at her shocked face. She is about to say something, argue, no doubt, when Bingo begins whining and begging to jump down out of my lap.

"I'm sorry. I will take him from you." She reaches for him, but I get up out of the seat, knowing that if I give him to her, she will take him and run.

"It's ok baby. You sit and eat. He probably just needs to go out and potty. We will be right back." I don't give her a chance to say anything else. I snap the leash on him, and we walk out the door. We are barely out the door twenty seconds with he tries to take off down the street. Thank goodness I thought I strap him.

"Bingo you little rascal. Calm down." I say to him rubbing his head and pulling him back. We walk to the end of the block, and he finally finds a tree to do his business. When he is done, as we are walking back, a little girl sees him.

"Oh mom. Look at how cute he is." She says before coughing. Her mom leans over and smiles at me, but I notice she looks a bit worried.

"Don't worry. He is very sweet. He won't bite." I tell her trying to ease her mind.

"Oh, he looks like an angel. I'm sorry. I wasn't worried about the dog. I must say though, I haven't seen a smile on her face since she started chemo. This cutie is a miracle worker." she says rubbing his head as he licks the little girl's face making her giggle. I really take a look at her and notice how pale she is. My mind begins to whirl as I think about what her parents must be going through.

"I am sorry to hear that she isn't well." I say, not sure what else to say. I don't know what I would do if I had a sick child.

Thank you. She got diagnosed with Leukemia last year. It has been non-stop chemo and doctors' visits. Most of the time she is hauled over the toilet holding nothing in. The rest of the time, she is either sleeping, or in pain" I can see the tears her mother is trying to hold back. My heart reaches out to her, but watching the little girl with bingo, you would never know she was ill. They play a bit longer before her mom suggest they leave for her treatment.

The walk back to the pizza place, my mind keeps going back to the little girl. I couldn't imagine.

"There you two are. What took you so long?" she asks, looking seriously concerned and a bit perturbed.

"We are sorry sweets. Bingo found himself a friend outside. A little girl. On her way to chemo actually."

‘Oh no." she gasps, moving her hand up to her mouth. "How sad."

"Will there be anything else for you both?" the server comes and interrupts the conversation. We both say no and have the rest of the pizza boxed up. As we are walking out, Bingo on leash, fretting to run, I don't want this day to end, and I have to find a way to keep her with me. Placing my hand on her arm, I turn her around to face me. As much as I didn't want to do this, it's now or never.

"Will you come with me? I want to show you something and was wondering if you would come back to my place." Moving her hair out of her face, I look her in her eyes, so she can see my sincerity. "It's not that, though believe me when I say I want that more than you"ll ever know. But, you are my future. So I can wait. Do you trust me?" I put my hand out, hoping beyond hope she takes it. I want this to be a symbol of things to come for us. She looks at me with such doubt. I have to wonder who has hurt her in the past. Has made her tuck her head inside herself and never want to come out. When she licks her lips and tentatively places her hand in mine, I release the breath I didn't know I was holding.

Finally I can feel the rest of my life coming together.