Empathy

Reuniting

I woke up a few hours later. I thought about my conversation with Bret. I thought about everything. I'm living in a criminals house. I laughed at the idea. I also thought about something else; Why didn't that bother me?

There was a knock on the door. "Come in." Bret came in with a trey of breakfast again. It made me smile.

"Morning, doll. Figured you could eat." He was already dressed, must be going back to that place again.

"Where you going."

"I'm going to work. Feel free to explore the building but only certain ones."

"Well, how do I know which ones?"

"You'll know." He walked out of my room and closed the door.

I ate my breakfast watched TV, and I was just lazy for a few hours. Bret had left a map of a section of the building which he actually left on my dresser. I manage to get myself to the kitchen for snack. On the counter was a map of the entire building with a not that said:

"Hello Doll,

The floors that are available to you are circled in red. I'll be back at 9. Again, don't try anything, I have men all over this building..."

I looked at the clock. 5:56pm. I still had three hours so I checked out the available floors. The building was so nice, Bret sure new how to decorate.

My favorite part was one of the very top floor, the floor about Bret's Bedroom. There was a balcony, and an out side patio on one side. On the other side there was an indoor part. It was all windows and at the very edge, you could see over the city. Next to there was a grand piano, all black. Everything about the building was so classy and dark, Bret's style.

Once I was done looking at everything I went down to my floor. I stepped off the elevator and a man in a black suit was standing in front of me.

"Bret! You scared me."

"Why were you doing something you weren't supposed to?"

"N-No." There's something about that suit that kills me.

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It's been about two or three weeks since I moved in and all the nights are the same. Lonely. I have know one to talk to, of course I talk to Bret but its not a full on conversation. Speaking about Bret he should be home any minute.

I went down to the living room to look at the lights. Then I hear a voice in the back of me.

"Hey Doll."

"Hey." I turn back to face him.

"Listen I have to talk to you about something."

"What is it?"

"You've been here for a few weeks now so I think I can trust you with this." He pulls out a small phone and hands it to me. I gasp in excitement. "Don't make me regret giving this to you, you're only allowed to make certain calls, and I will know every call you make to whomever."

"Bret, I-I-"

"I also invited you friend Francesca over tomorrow in the morning for a few hours."

"Bret, I can't thank you enough."

BRET'S POV

"You're welcome." I've never seen somebody's face light up so happily. She truly was beautiful. I wish she knew that.

AVA'S POV

He stared at me for a minute and I broke eye contact by looking at the floor.

"Well, I should get to bed." I walked away before things could get more awkward. I called Fran to confirm about tomorrow morning, she wanted to know everything but I told her it'd be better to tell her in person. I went to bed not being able to sleep. I was excited I get to see Francesca tomorrow.

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In the morning, I was so excited to see Fran that I was shaking, awaiting to tell her my story. Bret was going to be at the penthouse today because he wanted to keep a close eye on me.

When I went downstairs to the living room I saw he was making coffee. "You want some?" He was still dressed all in black.

"No thanks, what time is Fran coming?"

"Any minute actually. I had a Marty pick her up, she doesn't know where shes going and you better not tell her-"

"I won't, sir." Sir? He made a face at this but continued.

"Shes only going to be here for about an hour so hurry up." An hour was little but I didn't question his authority.

The door opened. "Fran!" I yelled, as she took off her blindfold. "Is this necessary?" I turned to Bret.

"Yes, I can't have risking her knowing the location. Go to your room, I've got work to do here." He sounded just like a parent. I took Fran, to my room where we spent the hour just talking away. We sat on the floor looking out the window.

"Its so good to see you Ava, I thought something terrible happened to you!"

"Something terrible did happen to me!"

"Did those assholes hurt you? Oh hell no! Someones gonna die today!" She stood up but I yanked her arm back down.

"Will you be quiet? Shut up they'll hear you. I'm fine I'll tell you what happened." I retold my story to her as she made various faces.

"Oh my god! Oh, so it turns out Bret's a good guy."

"I guess." I shrugged

"He's hot too! Are you doing him?" Her voice changed.

"No! No, no I'm not." I tried to sound disgusted.

"Ava, there's obviously something between you two."

"No, didn't you hear what I said, he's a drug dealer, his money comes from illegal activities."

"I know what you said, but love is love. And it's not like its the worst thing possible anyway. Your here, your not leaving for a fact, you wont get in trouble because of Bret. Why not?"

"I mean, I can't say I haven't thought about it..."

"Take a chance on love, woman!" She and I laughed.

"I don't know." I looked at her and she gave me a straight face. "What?"

"You're blushing."

"Oh, god." I put my face in my knees.