The Next Best Thing: Part II

Fifty-Four

It was getting super ridiculous how much I couldn't stop thinking about Eoin. The time we spent together over the holidays was one of the most amazing, intimate and memorable times of my life. Now I couldn't stop thinking about him. After taking that next step into our relationship, there really was no going back. Not that I would. We were so secure as a couple already that I wasn't beating myself up for thinking about our future plans, the first one being moving in together.

My new job had its perks, a great salary being one. I didn't need to keep living with Min anymore because I was now wealthy enough to get my own place, albeit not as fancy as hers. I bought myself a new car, a sleek black Audi that allowed me to drive to see my boyfriend over the weekend if I didn't have any other commitments. The commune was hectic as expected, but it was always worth the trip - I could spend one night in his arms. My beautiful lover.

"I was thinking about getting my own place, babe," I informed him over dinner one such weekend. "I feel like such a burden to Min and I think it's about time I lived alone."

"Min will not be pleased," he said in a mock frown. "You know that, Zo."

"I know, Eoin. She's going to have a baby in the house soon so I won't leave her just yet, but I won't put it off any longer than I had before." Changing my tone of voice, I grinned, "Besides, it means we would have the whole place to ourselves everyday."

A naughty smirk played on his lips, his blue eyes darkening with an all too familiar desire. "Isn't that why you love visiting me so much?"

"No silly," I laughed at his constant forwardness and misinterpretation of most everything I said. "I visit you because I miss you all the time. You're irresistible sometimes."

He was irresistible at all times, especially the times when he was behind the counter, his glossy blonde mop held back and his apron loose around his waist, a crease of seriousness etched across his forehead. He always insisted to cook a wholesome dinner when we were together, whereas I always made sure we caught up on our many weeks apart over a walk in Central Park and some fancy dessert on our cosy little bench a stone's throw from the lake.

"As do I. And I know it doesn't help that we live so far away from each other," he sighed. He closed the physical gap between us, hugging me from behind and inhaling the air around me. "I missed you, babe," he whispered into my neck. His breathing was slow and lustrous, although his hands remained firm around my neck. This, just us, together, was what I missed.

Suddenly my phone vibrated loudly on the countertop beside Eoin's, an Imagine Dragons number slicing through the peaceful quiet to alert me of my anxious caller. I let out an exasperated sigh, my shoulders slumping as I reached for it slowly, praying it would go to voicemail. The caller was anonymous, no shocker there - nobody I talked to actually called me to have a conversation, with the exception of Eoin and my parents.

"Hello. Zoe Moy speaking," I said in a monotone voice.

"Oh, Zoe. Why so serious? It's only me," a posh accented voice slurred on the other end of line. I placed the call on speaker and turned to Eoin, a confused expression on my face.

"Who is this?" I asked as politely as possible.

Before the voice could respond to my question, Eoin's already pale skin turned a frightening ashey white, his jaw clenching tightly and his eyes darkening with a rage which didn't suite him in the slightest.

"She's forgotten, has she?" the familiar voice cackled. "I thought I was memorable, worth even your darkest nightmares." My blood boiled when I finally placed the voice, that same voice that haunted my sub-conscious occasionally when I closed my eyes. He had my number? But...but how?

"How...how did you get my number?" I whispered, my hand trembling around my phone. He continued to laugh at me, amused at how much he actually scared me. I was beyond frightened, I could cry. "Answer me dammit!" My voice cracked as I attempted to intimidate him, in my most menacing voice yet.

"I missed you, Zoe. I can't stop thinking about you, even though you put a restraining order on me. And for a minute there I thought we had a connection. I thought you actually wanted me," he whispered eerily. "But you, you Miss Zoe Moy," he continued in a mock serious voice, "You got me in so much trouble. You've ruined my life, Zoe, and I didn't get to do to you what you want, no, what you deserve. Now, I'll pay you the courtesy to tell you that you have it coming, baby. You have to pay now." With that he cut the phone as abruptly as he'd called, leaving me to ponder those chilling words. I couldn't believe he was out there and he was out to get me.

Eoin was as stunned as I was, in a contemplative silence as he rubbed my shoulders, his grip tighter and firmer than it had been earlier on. He looked scared too. "Zoe," he said finally. "Zoe, it's okay. He can't do anything to you. He wouldn't dare." He said those words trying to reassure me, I know that, but I could tell that he didn't believe it. I didn't believe it.

"Eoin, I'm so scared," I mumbled, hot tears stinging my eyes. "I had a dream that he raped me that night. What if he does? What if does...what if he rapes me? I can't believe he won't do this. I can't." I broke down in his warm, protective embrace, my head spinning as I realised how I was dealing with a sadistic sociopath. He was out to get me because I turned down his advances. I wasn't safe anywhere. Not even Eoin could protect me.

I hardly slept that night, springing up in fright each time I closed my eyes and I saw Sebastian above me, laughing hysterically at my lifeless naked body. Eoin was always too late in my dreams, too late to save me like he was so fond of doing. In real life, however, he stayed up with me, pulling me close to him and assuring me that it was a nightmare. He held me through the night, rubbing his hand on my back to lull me to sleep, accompanied by humming of some Irish lullabies.

Sunday was the next day, the day I had to drive back to New York - he wouldn't let me go home alone though. "No, Zoe. Not like this. I'll drive, okay?"

As usual, I protested. Eoin was a busy guy, an entrepreneur/philanthropist who always had something to do, even on a lazy wintry day. I understood that and I couldn't inconvenience him like this, especially if it'd cost him a day of his life. And as usual, he didn't listen to me; I was thrown over his shoulder, and grabbing my overnight satchel and my car keys strewn on the counter, he took us to the foyer of his apartment building.

"Morning, Mr. Macken, Miss Zoe" the desk clerk greeted knowingly, suppressing an amused grin. This wasn't the first time he'd seen Eoin lugging me on his shoulders and this of course wouldn't be the last. We greeted back politely and Eoin signed himself out. "Have a good day sir, ma'am."