FALLING FOR MR J

Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

KATELYA:

After calling the only person I know who would help me, I'm still asking myself. I'm doing the right thing? I'm still in two minds about running. I mean, this is Johnathan Beezman, the same man I've fallen for. This is the man who completely owns me, and now I find this out. He's the one who'd taken me away from Ste. Not only that but there's a possibility he's responsible for his death. I know it's a terrible thought, but he has a motive to do it. Ste owed him money for destroying something of his. I'd assumed it was drugs, but I really can't see it. Jonathan doing something like that. Not since he specialises in art. No, I'm thinking maybe he's into stolen art? I'm not sure, but I'm hoping I'll find out soon. Once I've spoken with Chester. Officer James to you. Yeah, that's his name. It's a pretty hot name too, especially with the uniform and all. I think it kinda makes him sound like a movie star... minus the glitz and glam. His place is pretty standard though. It's a proper lad's pad. He's single and in his late twenties, with an arse so tight it could probably crush a walnut. He's pretty fit too, but not as fit as him. You know, Jonathan. Lord, this will kill me if it turns out he killed Ste? It will devastate me.

"So, are you ever gonna start talking? Or do I have to take you to the station and drag it out of you?" Chester asked while placing a cup of coffee in my shaky hands. He added a drop of whisky in there too, only because I asked for it rather than coffee. I needed something strong just to calm my nerves. They're shot right now. As expected though, he said, "It's far too early." So, I opted for both instead. To which he shook his head with a small grin on his lips.
"I don't know where to start with this one. It's so out of the park I'm finding it hard to process it myself. I guess the first question I'd like to ask you though, is how did you find this job for me? When I'd graduated from college, you found the 'Beezman gallery' for me. Did you know him? Do you know who he is?"
His brows nip together, and after a few moments, he shook his head.
"No, it hadn't opened, but after a while of searching for a place for you. Well, this was the only one that jumped at the chance of taking you on. They needed the staff, but they needed experienced staff. Obviously, you were perfect for it. Why what's going on? Why the hell did I have to pick you up so early and with tears smeared all over your face too? Have they fired you already? I told you to ease up on the coffee. I knew you'd clear them out, baby."
He's grinning when he says this, but when he sees I'm not joining in, his eyes opened wide.
"Oh shit! They didn't, did they?"
Do I tell him? Do I run to the possibility of Jonathan... The man I've been crazy about for weeks now could get locked up for life?
"I-I guess. Well... Sorry, I just."
Woman! You need to tell him. He needs to know who may have been responsible for his death. Not forgetting my kidnapping.
"Kat, what the hell's going on here? If it's something serious, even something to do with the case... I need to know about it."
Hearing his words makes me feel worse. I know I should tell him, and I know it's something to do with the case. But this is Johnathan we're talking about. My Johnathan, my Mr Beezman! My King Bee.
FUCK!
"I-I've kinda met someone and we... I'm sorry, Ches, I guess I kinda freaked out a little."
His face changed from worried to confused... I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing here, but something is niggling at me. Something's telling me he's not responsible for Ste's death. Oh God, I hope he wasn't. This could turn to crap really quickly if he was.
"What the fuck? Kat, you'd called me up at the crack of dawn. You called crying down the line telling me you need help! What the hell? Now you're seriously telling me it's because you've met someone?"
Shit! Okay, think fast, Kat. Get out of this or he'll drag you to the station.
"Sorry I... We kind of had a fight. Not a big fight or anything. I guess I just kinda freaked. He-he's my boss, Ches. I've kinda fallen for my boss and with everything going on. Well, I freaked out and called you. I need to know how to do this. How do I do this when he doesn't even know me? Not the real me..."
He's running his hands over his face now. I know I've probably freaked him out, but I truly don't know what I'm doing here. I feel like I need to wait. I've no idea why, but I just need to.
"Christ's sake, Kat! I thought you were in serious trouble!"
After sending him a little grin, I'm shrugging my shoulders. I also tell him I'm sorry for scaring him.
"It's not been an easy few months'. I'm just freaking because I've kind of fallen for him. I've fallen big time Ches and I'm petrified about where it will go."
I'm not lying about this. I'm truly worried about that fact... I'm not sure where we go from this point, but I am scared about our future. I'm not who I say I am, and no doubt he's gonna come looking for me. I ran with no explanation and after last night and after everything we've said to each other. Well, I can imagine he's pissed and hurt. If he doesn't already know who I am and he hasn't figured it out already? Well, he's gonna start asking questions now. He's gonna want to know why I ran from him and why I had Ches pick me up. He's not stupid. Hell, his security crew, are very officiant. Trust me, they'll have tracked his car down within seconds of seeing the security tapes.
"What if it turns out he's my soulmate? What then? Do I carry on with the lie or do I tell him? Can I even tell him? I-I think if I cannot tell him, I think I need to leave. I can't carry on, especially if I can't tell him. It wouldn't be right to carry this on, would it?"
He sighed and placed his arm around me when more tears flow. It's comforting, but it's not what I need right now. No, I need Johnathan, but I know now that I need to leave. I think it's the only way, especially if he is responsible for Ste's death.
"I'm so sorry, Kat. You can't tell him it's too dangerous. Nobody can know about you, not even your closest. I'm hoping it won't be for long though. We have a few more leads on Vincent's whereabouts, so we're keeping our fingers crossed. We're hoping it won't be too long before we catch him, but until then you need to stay hidden. It's just for a little while longer, Kat. Just until we know for sure you'll be one hundred percent safe. Hell, you shouldn't even be here. It's too dangerous."
As he said this, he stood from his seat next to me. He's looking out of his living room window, checking to see if anybody's watching. I'm watching, waiting for him to tell me it's clear. Only it doesn't come. He just stands there, lost in thought.
"Are you okay?" I ask and again he sighs before shaking his head.
"I'm fine. It's you I'm worried about. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It's not fair. You should work where you want to work. You should live where you want to live and be able to tell your boyfriend who you are. I have to admit though, I kinda feel guilty. You know, for being the only one who knows you right now. I feel bad I'm the only one you can come to for help and advice on this. I wish I could just find this son of a bitch and make you happy. I wish I could help you live your life the way you want it."
More tears filled my eyes just with hearing his words. I want that.
"Nothing would make me happier than for you to do just that."
Before I can finish telling him, I wish he could catch him and lock him away for life, he snapped his eyes to mine. Almost instantly, my body jumps. I'm thinking somebody's here, but then he moves from the window and sits in front of me. He's telling me something, but I can't hear what he's saying. I'm finding it a little hard to concentrate. I'm trying to get past the fact he's telling me to run with him.
What the actual hell? Where did that come from?
"I promise Kat, I can take care of you. You know this. I-"
Cutting off his words, I told him he can't be serious. It made his brows nip together.
"What, why? Kat, you just said it yourself, nothing would make you happier. So-" He tried to continue, but I cut him off again.
"Chester, I-I'm in love with him. I love Johnathan. I just meant that nothing would make me happier if you caught Vincent. I'm sorry, I had no idea you felt that way. Shit! I'm sorry I think I best get home."
I move to stand, but he stops me when he places his hand on my cheek. He's asking me to wait.
"Before you got this job, you were inching towards me. Kat, I know you were. Why did you stop? Did I do something wrong? Well, I know it's against the rules... I wasn't supposed to 'develop' any feelings for you, but I couldn't help it. You just got in my head. I know you liked me. Baby, our kiss told me so, so what changed?"
Why did he have to go there? I thought we sorted this? Yes, we've kissed. We kinda had "a moment" one night while staying in a secure hotel. I had a little too much to drink, and I became a little emotional. That's when I kind of kissed him. It became a little heated too, where we stripped each other naked before laying in his bed. The only reason we didn't go any further than that was because he got called away. Just as we were about to go further, his phone chimed. Once he left, I regretted it. I sobered up, especially when I realised, I didn't want that or him. I was just all over the place. Don't get me wrong, it was nice. I did kinda like him too. It's just, it's not as strong as what I feel for Johnathan. I tell him that last part, and he just looked at me. It's making me feel bad. I can see I've hurt him, but that "moment" was months ago now. So why the hell is he pulling it out now?
"Because I can keep you safe, not only that, but I know you... Kat, you don't need to hide who you are with me. I mean, we get along, don't we? I like you and I know you like me, so what's the problem? Give me a reason this wouldn't work?"
As he said this, he leaned in. I know what he'll do. But why? Why does he have to go there? He's about to touch my lips with his, I tell him why.
"I don't love you, Chester. I'm sorry, I know it's not what you want to hear, but I'm in love with him. I love Johnathan Beezman. I've loved him since the day of my interview. I know that sounds nuts, but as soon as I met him, I felt it. Yes, I liked you. I still like you, just not like that. Not anymore. Ches, what I felt for you was just lust. I was in a vulnerable place and I guess I kinda clung to you. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that. Well, I did. It's just. Shit, I'm not explaining myself very well. I just can't be with you. It wouldn't be fair to you or me. I'm sorry, I think I should get home. I think I'll look for another job. If that's the case, maybe I should call your partner. I'll call Elizabeth, so it's not weird for us."
Even though I see he's sad about this, he shakes his head telling me no.
"I'll sort it and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make this weird for you. I guess just needed to tell you, but I'll respect your wishes, Kat. I'll back off."
Again, he moves in while we're both standing now. I'm ready to leave, but he holds his hand against my cheek again.
"If you ever change your mind though, I'll be waiting." He leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on my lips. Feeling them made me close my eyes. I'm shocked and I've no clue what to do, but while I'm trying to make sense of it all he pulls away. He moves just as quickly as it came. Then he says, "I'll take you home."
Moments later, I'm stepping outside. Oh crap! My body pulls tight, especially when my eyes land on him. He was quick to track me down. He's there, making his way up Chester's pathway. He also looks mighty pissed. I know it's not the right time, but boy, he looks hot when he's mad.
"What the fuck, Lacy? What the actual fuck is going on? Who is this and why the hell did you leave my place with him too?"
I'm about to answer when Ches cuts in. It's after he stepped in front of me. Obviously "protection modes" kicked in. That's when he tells him to back off. Yep, he's back to being Officer James. Johnathan gets in his face and demands he moves out the way.
"I'm speaking to my girlfriend! Now back off before I make you."
I see Chester's about to go for him, but before he gets a chance, I step between them. I'm pushing them apart, telling them to stop.
"Just stop, please! This isn't helping anything at all. So just back up."
They do as I ask, but still don't move away from me. It's like they're both trying to protect me. There's that, or they're still readying themselves for a fight.
"Lacy, we need to talk about what's going on here. If you're with him, you need to tell me now before I lose my shit!"
Chester tells him, it's none of his business and he needs to leave. Obviously, it wasn't the best thing to say to him. Not after what Johnathan and I had shared. So yeah, he goes for him again, but this time I end up screaming at them, needing them to stop.
"YOU, you've no right to DEMAND ANYTHING!"
His eyes open completely wide. Then he asked what I'm talking about. Well, as you know, I can't tell Chester yet. Not until I know for sure what's going on. I know he won't hurt me. I know it in my heart he wouldn't. That's why I'm not saying anything, not until I know for sure.
"Lacy, what do you mean? I don't understand, I thought we were okay? Hell, I thought we were more than okay. What the hell did I do wrong?"
Oh God, his eyes are killing me. But instead of answering him, I turn to look at Chester. I'm telling him, I'll call him later. Hearing me say this, made his eyes open wide.
"It's okay, Ches. He won't hurt me. I promise I'll call you later, okay?"
He sighs and then Jonathan asks again, what's going on.
"Chester's my friend, that's all. I needed some advice about something, okay! Damn it!"
Then I see Chester. Oh crap, I know I've hurt him, but he knows how it is. Luckily, he hides it from Jonathan when he turns his head away.
"Wait in the car. I'll be there in a minute."
He's staring into my eyes when I say this. He's not moving. Well, not until I order him to "move it" anyway. Of course, I can see the words ticking over in his head. He's shocked I've ordered him to do it. Yet before leaving, he turned and looked at Chester. He's warning him to keep his hands to himself.
"I don't know what the fuck went on between you two, but judging by how you're trying to protect her. Well, it tells me something happened but I'm warning you now, you so much as look at her the wrong way, I will come for you."
Hearing his words made me jump to Ches's defence. I know he knows he's a police officer, but it still doesn't stop me from telling him to behave. You know, before he gets himself arrested. Luckily, he moves after I practically push him towards his car.
"Kat, I don't like this. You need to be careful now because my instincts are seriously kicking in. Hell, especially when he's handing threats out."
I understand his concern. However, I also know he's only doing it because he wants me. This has nothing to do with my "safety" now. No, he's only doing this now to pull me away from him. Trust me, I've been around Ryan long enough to know when someone is pissing in their corner.
"I'll be okay, Chester. I promise. I'll speak to you later; things may still change yet. I've still to sort this shit out, so there's a chance I'll need a new job."
Not forgetting a new home too, especially if I'm wrong about him. After hugging him, I make my way to Johnathan's car. Once inside, silence greets me.
"Take me home, please."
That's all I say before he opens up demanding answers.
"Lacy, I think I deserve an explanation, don't you? I woke up this morning feeling like the king of the world... only to return with our breakfast and a bunch of fucking flowers for you. I thought we were starting something? Hell, I laid it all out for you. I thought you felt the same."
"I do. Jonathan, nothing's changed there."
"Then why run? Why did you hide and then just walk out without a fucking word? Lacy, what did I do?"