Forgive Me, Katherine

Chapter 9: The Newman Case

"You haven't been sleeping lately," Katherine stirred around some scrambled eggs in the frying pan, "What's on your mind? I've been with you for almost three years now Stefan, I know when you're not being yourself."

I adjusted and straightened out the stray wrinkles within my blazer jacket, "Just a lot going on at work is all. Mounds of case loads and files I'm having to sort through, it's got my mind going in a million directions. You know how it can be, stressful, but I've got to act as if I'm not bothered. Father handles these things like it's a walk in the park, I don't know how he does it. If I can't be like him when it comes to these things while he's working, how will I do it when he's in retirement?" 

Her attention returned to the breakfast she was preparing, a pit in my stomach slightly forming over the story I had just fabricated. I hadn't told Katherine about Callie. I didn't tell her about Jeremy's scopes being aimed for Callie, all the while I was mindlessly aiming in on her as well. Katherine didn't know about our strange encounter outside of Georgie's Pub, our small and strange introduction. I knew her name, but to Callie I was Casanova.

I gave Katherine a kiss upon her cheek before exiting the apartment and being welcomed into the morning Seattle air, and walking to where Benji was parked outside of the condominium. "Take me to the nearest coffee shop Benji, I need a strong one this morning to cure this headache of mine," I fasted my seatbelt all the while massaging the temples of my forehead.

Seattle was filled with coffee shops, a convenience for the plethora of business people needing a quick fix before making their way to work in the mornings. Benji took me to one I was most familiar with, I could almost be considered a regular. The baristas always seemed to fancy my presence, especially Gretchen who was the barista working that morning. She wasn't the prettiest of the bunch, but she had potential. Her honey blonde hair was always done in a bun, for management purposes of the coffee shop, her makeup was always kept with neutral and natural colorings. Her eyes were brown and almond shapes, lips plump and luscious, and if you looked closely you could make out the birthmark on the right side of her cheek.

Her eyes lit up when she heard the bell overhead ringing only to be accompanied by my presence, "Mr. Monroe, what can I get you this morning? Your usual I'd assume."

"Good morning, Gretchen. The usual is fine, dark roast. Make it extra strong for me, will you?" I asked generously, slipping a five dollar bill into the tip jar.

She gave a slight chuckle as she began filling the Styrofoam to-go cup with the inviting black liquid. "Black, just how you like it," she said flirtatiously as she handed me the cup, giving me a sly wink to which I ignored.

I held the cup up towards her as a way of thanks and made my way to the side table to begin adding the fixings to my drink. It was in this moment that I took notice into the woman that was standing behind me in line, her.

She was dressed different today than she was the night I had encountered her, more professional even. Her hair was now straight as opposed to the messy bun, and the short red dress had been traded in for business attire. She was wearing a navy blue blazer and skirt, paired with some dress-like flats and skin toned panty hose. She looked different, but still just as inviting and appealing. 

I caused for her to jump startled after she gathered her order and thought she was going to be making her way to the exit. I stood there staring into her eyes with a smirk smeared across my face, "I knew it was only a matter of time before our paths would cross." I casually stirred with the contents in my cup before seductively bringing the drink to my lips.

She shook her head in an act of disbelief trying to deny my existence, "I'm sorry, I think you have mistaken me for someone else. Have we met before?"

I gave out a small chuckle and found myself hunting for a booth, the hankering for breakfast suddenly burning within my gut. I motioned for her to join me, "Callie, let's not be children. Have a muffin with me, my treat." I cocked my head upwards at Gretchen, beckoning for her to gather up a couple of muffins. I watched as she grunted with jealousy as she made her way into the back of the coffee shop.

"It was nice to see you," she started as she held some files into the air, "But I'm in the middle of important business here. I've got to get these files to Mr. Monroe, otherwise I'll be out of a job and I don't think you want to be held responsible for my bills at the end of the month. I appreciate your offer, but I really must be going."

It grew silent for a few moments before I continued speaking, "Luckily for you, your job just got a whole lot easier. I am Mr. Monroe, now please have a seat."

She shamefully walked her way over to the booth reluctantly taking a seat, "Well, it's nice to meet you Mr. Monroe." She laid the files before me and watched as I took a few more sips of my coffee. I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

"Call me Stefan, Callie," I traced the files with one of my fingers, "We can talk about business later."

She bit her lip seductively, "Well this is supposed to be a business meeting. I'm on my lunch break now and was supposed to be bringing these files by your office."

I took a bite out of my muffin, "We've established that, and you have delivered the files. The Newman Case, I'll get to working and looking over the files when I get back to the office. I don't want to talk about work, Callie, I want to talk about you."

"Why would you be taking an interest in anything that has to do with me?" Her eyes shot towards the wedding band that rested on my finger, "What would your wife think? Does she know about us, about our little encounter the other night?"

"No," guilt began to warp over me once again, "And she's not going to know. Nothing happened then and nothing's happening now, it's just innocent conversation. That's all it is, right?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "I'm new here, I've only lived in Seattle for a few months now. I was really lucky to have landed the job that I did for the marketing company, but that's slowly being to tank. I don't want to cause any trouble is all, stepping on any toes."

"You won't be," I rested one of my hands on hers, "Stop worrying, it's innocent."