Illicit

Chapter Forty Three- Too Close

The day came when she would see him again. Her eyes continuously wandered towards the mirrored door as she checked her hair and makeup. Placing one final layer of lip gloss on, she twisted the cap and rubbed the uneven part with her finger before seeing his reflection in the door. She turned as he smirked before moving towards her.

"It's nice to see you haven't changed." She gave a polite chuckle before giving him an awkward hug. Either wanted to cease the hug, but it was her who eventually ceased it. She slid her hands through her long hair before smiling to him.

"Where are you staying?"

Taking a folded piece of paper in his pocket, he unfolded the creases before reading off the address. "Perfect..." She moved towards the cab before they both sat in back, with their fingers just inches from touching. He had his gaze set on her as she kept it upon the outside as they passed the water.

"I'm glad you finally got the recognition you deserve. I couldn't pick up a newspaper or turn on the radio without hearing your name on it. Or your company..." He paused as she politely thanked him, keeping her gaze from him. "I am sorry about Erwin...About everything..."

Her gaze turned to him. "That was a lifetime ago. We are both established adults now...no more pesky drama-"

"Or crazed fiances." He teased as she blushed. "So what made you decide on California? I thought you hated Californian's..."

"I hated the selfish ones and that's why I'm doing this campaign. I love what I do...but it gets monotonous and to be frank, quite dull..."

"I can imagine-"

"But..what's been going on with you?"

"I modeled for a few years-mostly..undergarments but then wanted to be taken more seriously. I mean...I had a teaching degree and a photography one under my belt and I felt I was wasting it...so I did this instead..."

"What exactly is "this"?"

"Well I teach around the states. I actually just came back from South America about two months ago..."

"Wow...I wish I could just get up and go-"

"It was for a job-"

"I wish my job paid my air fare for traveling-for work."

"Here." The cabbie called out to them as they moved from the car and he snatched his luggage from the back before they moved into the hotel.

"So what made you want to work on my campaign?" She asked as the elevator doors closed."

"I wanted to see you." Her lips began to tremble as his eyes connected to hers. "I wanted to make sure you were alright. I heard about Erwin and I tried to get ahold of you and found out you moved out here..."

"So you stalked me?"

"I tried to write...email...but it all came out jumbled-much like now..." Suddenly his hand moved through his hair and she saw a silver band on his left hand. He saw her caught gaze and threw his hand down. The doors came open as she moved quickly before he could stop her. She moved towards his room that was told by the woman at the front desk before standing as far from him as possible.

"We start shooting tomorrow and it will only take a week so you can get back to your wife." She moved passed him as it was the only way back to the ground floor before he snatched her arm.

"I thought you never wanted to see me again."

She pulled her arm back to her own possession.

"You have every right to live your own life Logan...just...don't make mine more complicated...okay?" He nodded before entering his hotel room, moving deep inside and looking out the window, watching her leave. As she got into the cab, she found she was shaking. Giving the man her address, she arrived back home to see everything trashed. Pictures had broken glass scattered around the floor. Her television was broken and everything that was ceramic was cracked, broken, or smashed. Her clothes were cut up and her movies were all scratched. Calling Sydney, she placed the phone close to her before hearing a creaking in the bathroom. Moving towards it, she found it to only be running water.

Sydney showed up before demanding she switch apartments. She bought out her lease as she felt somewhat guilty for not keeping her more safe before helping her move things in the midst of the cancer awareness photoshoot. The morning of the shoot was a jumbled mess as Sydney and Naomi rushed around town trying to organize each little detail before arriving to find Logan anxiously awaiting Naomi.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Now isn't a good time-"

"I need to..."

The eagerness in his eyes had pulled on her heartstrings, as always, and she agreed, walking off location with him.

"What is going on? You seem worried."

"Logan, I am trying to be profession right now...I am trying to pretend I wasn't just blindsided by my past-twice...so please excuse me. Because I have to go and arrange this and try not to get killed by my uncle!" He pulled her back as she tried to leave.

"He's here?!"

"He was released a few years back-the last year we saw each other. But right now...I just want this over. So please if you care at all, just help me do that."

And so he did what was requested as the day went as smooth as possible-ending the shoot at ten at night. She moved to her new apartment before installing her own locks and having Sydney come from the back room.

"How ya doing roomie?"

"I'll feel better when he is caught again..."

"You and me both..."