My blood runs cold within my veins. These threats weren’t a problem at first, I even planned for disgruntled business owners to be upset about the shopping mall plans. But over the past few days the severity of the threats has gotten worse.
“The officers assigned to your case think it would be best if you have some of us present for that conference. Several threats were made in reference to the conference, and we can’t be too careful.”
This is yet another reason why Rachel and I would never work out. There’s too much danger involved in these threats, and I couldn’t bring myself to put her in jeopardy. I shake hands with Jensen and agree to the security protocol, hoping none of these threats turn out to be promises.
Fifteen
Rachel
Over the past week, things have cooled off considerably between Tiffany and me. It’s hard to say for sure whether or not we even had something real, but I definitely miss having her around. Sure, we may have had our moments of passion, but I haven’t heard so much as a word from her since she hurried away without a goodbye that morning.
I’ve been taking very good care of Ana, but Tiffany barely seems to acknowledge my efforts. I set a beautiful table each night with a home cooked meal, but Tiffany’s plate always goes cold and uneaten. Even in the mornings, she will leave as soon as I arrive while coldly denying my daily request for coffee.
I admit that I’m pretty naive when it comes to relationships, but I’m smart enough to know when someone doesn’t want me around. She may not want me as a romantic partner, but she needs me as an employee. As I clear Ana’s clean plate from the table, I consider giving her mother what she wants and forgetting that the other night ever happened.
The attentive child must sense my sadness because she jumps up from the table and points to the television. “Do you want to watch a cartoon with me? It always helps me when I feel sad.”
I smile at her warmly, shaking my head after both of our eyes settle on Tiffany’s vacant seat at the dinner table. “Thanks for the offer, sweetie, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have to finish cleaning up and put your mother’s dinner in the fridge again.”
Anastasia pouts, her beautiful big eyes glistening with tears. “Mom never comes home for dinner anymore.”
The words hurt my heart. I somehow feel like Tiffany’s unexplained absence is my fault, and I do everything I can to ensure Ana knows it isn’t hers. “She probably just got caught up at work, she has a huge shopping mall project to finish.”
The irony of my statement isn’t lost on me, and I chuckle at my choice of words. Never in a million years did I think I would be in the Wake household, defending the woman who once threatened to shut down my business. Nonetheless, I pull myself together for Ana’s sake and begin to pull out some Tupperware containers.
As I pick up Tiffany’s untouched plate, Ana runs up to tug on my sleeve. “Wait, not yet. Can we wait a little bit more?” She looks as if she’s about to cry.
I can’t so no, and I also can’t leave this food sitting out all night. “Of course we can. But in a few minutes we have to move it to the fridge so it doesn’t go bad.”
Ana nods, thanking me before running off into her room. I sit back down at the empty table and debate the consequences of pouring myself a glass of expensive wine as I stare at Tiffany’s plate. The longer I stare, the angrier I become.
The constant back and forth of having strong feelings then getting denied is exactly why I don’t do relationships. I’m already doing everything I can for Tiffany’s daughter, and the woman can’t even thank me by showing up for dinner to please Ana. Just as I resolve to call Tiffany and give her a piece of my mind, I notice that my phone isn’t on the counter where I left it.
“That’s funny, I could have sworn it was right here a second ago.” I speak to myself softly as I retrace my steps, but I still can’t find it. Not even a second later, I hear a dial tone coming from down the hall.
Confusion washes over my face, and my mind is littered with flashbacks from the attempted kidnapping. Could someone be inside the house putting Ana’s life in danger? I bolt to her room, only to find the young girl with my phone in her hands.
“What are you doing? I was looking for that phone, young lady.” I sit on the floor next to her and end the call she started.
“I was just trying to call my friend.” She looks downcast, but still she hands me the phone when I ask for it.
“Well you’re not going to have much luck with this number.” The youngster has dialed an assortment of random keys, none of them even close to resembling a phone number. “It’s a little late to be calling a friend anyways, they’re probably in bed like you should be.”
“I know.” Ana sighs, hugging a stuffed animal close. At this point, I’m pretty sure there’s more to the story that she’s not telling me.
After a moment of silence, it dawns on me. “You were trying to get a hold of your mother, weren’t you?” I try my best to remain calm, though the simple fact tugs at my heartstrings.
Shyly, she nods and buries her little face into the stuffed cheetah’s fur. “I was only trying to help.”
“Help what?”
I can see a light blush forming on her face as she answers. “I want you and mommy to be happy together again. I miss her too, so I thought that if I said I was scared she would come and eat with us.”
I wish that Tiffany possessed half as much empathy as her daughter. “It’s not good to lie, even if it would make your mom come home quicker. Besides, she doesn’t seem to like me very much.”
“She’s happy when you come to our house! She said you make her smile, just like my other mommy used to make her smile.” Sadness accompanies that last part, and I decide that I’ve had enough.
On one hand, I’m overjoyed to hear that Tiffany shared my feelings at some point. On the other, I’m purely enraged that Tiffany keeps leaving Anastasia to deal with her mother’s passing alone. “Don’t worry honey, I’m going to call Tiffany right now.”