Dangerous Love

Chapter Eighteen

As I sit behind the wheel, I replay the last two days in my head, and the tears flow as if they had escaped from the endless sea. As I drive down the road to our home, my eyes catch the warm light from our apartment. When I get upstairs, I unlock the door and there it is, the familiar smell of home. "I'm back!" I call, but the silence answers me. "Kate?" I go into the living room and then I hear it - the familiar sound from her room. It seems as if she is back on her feet. Not wanting to delay her any further, I go into my room. I take out my cell phone and dial my mother's number. It takes a moment before it rings. "Hey, honey!" "Oh Mom, Paige..." "What's wrong?" "Nothing bad, I'm just fighting back the tears. I say to myself." "I'm just happy to hear your voice," I answer. "How are you?" "I'm fine, but I can tell that something is bothering you.

You know you can talk to me about anything." "Yes, I quit my job. I want to be creative and write again." "I'm glad to hear that. But why did you quit? Is there a man involved?" "Oh," she asks with interest. "Yes, in a way. But please, Mom, I'm really fine." "Have you ever thought about working for a publishing house? With your degree, you'd have really good chances." "Mom, you know I prefer to write myself. Think about it again!" she says. "Yes, I promise, Mom." "I have to hang up now - Thomas made pizza." "It's fine. Say hello to him for me and bon appetit! See you soon.After I've finished the call, I throw my phone on the bed and sit down at my desk.

 I pull out my iPod, put the headphones in my ears and start writing in my notebook; I desperately need a distraction... I spend the whole night writing and finally fall asleep at my desk. The next morning I wake up to the warmth of the sun. I lift my head and look in the mirror. "Holy shit, Paige, you look terrible," my inner self thinks. I wrote twenty-five pages during the night; it's hard to believe. All the pain and discomfort seems to have a purpose. I slam my notebook shut and stand up, my neck aching. 

I open the door and go to the bathroom. After relieving myself, I open the bathroom door and see Kate's flirt standing in front of me completely naked. Instead of shouting, I just say, "Here, it's your turn." He looks visibly embarrassed. In the kitchen I make myself some tea and Kate comes out of her room. "Good morning!" she calls to me. "I'm glad to see you're back!" Paige hugs me from behind, the same childlike enthusiasm she always has. "When did you get back?" "Last night," I answer, "and it was... well, good," I add. Her expression immediately reveals that she is not entirely satisfied. "Just 'good'?" she asks. "Kate, I really have to go back to my room now to continue my writing." "Don't you have to work?" "No, I quit," I call as I walk towards my room. "What did you do?" Without further discussion, I pull the door shut behind me. I sit down at the desk with my cup of tea. When my phone makes a noise, I already suspect who it might be, but I check anyway.

From: Mr. Stevens

Subject: Contract

Date: August 18, 2017, 9:12 am

To: Paige Morgan

Paige, I hope you've already thought about this a little, so I'm asking with interest. I also hope you're making progress on your book.

Daniel Stevens

CEO, Stevens International GmbH.

I take a deep breath. Why can't he just stop? His behavior only complicates things for me when he's trying to be polite and nice. But I'm still going to give him an answer.

From: Paige Morgan

Subject: None

Date: August 18, 2017, 9:18 am

To: Mr. Stevens

Mr. Stevens, I'd like to focus on my book, so I hope you understand if we leave the situation as it is. I ask you not to put too much pressure on me in this regard or anything like that, but simply respect my decision..