Stalking Charlie

Complicated

Charlie Raven

"This isn't helpful."

I just stared as Marco slap the folder down at his desk, a frown on his handsome face. He scratched at his chin and stared at me with those amazing azure eyes.

He looks exactly like Nick, now that his usually smiling face is darkened with a scowl that is a signature look of his son.

Guess Nick will still look hot in his forties.

"Does Alex look like her mom?" I asked before I can stop myself. Marco's face immediately brightened.

"Yeah. She's as beautiful as her mom." he nodded, a wistful look passing his face. Then he frowned. "Why'd you ask?"

"Nothing." I shrugged. "She just look nothing like you and Nick."

Marco just raised his eyebrows, then sighed deeply. He gestured to the folder.

"These reports is an absolute waste. It didn't give any clue as to who the stalker might be, and the motive written was very unclear, too broad. I can't connect it to the recent abduction."

I just bent my head downwards, my head full of worry and fear.

"Charlie." Marco called me. "I'm not a detective. You understand that I'm only looking into this because you have reason to suspect that this could be connected to what happened to you two years ago. That this could be the same person."

I sucked in a breath, nodding my head. Marco tried to capture my eyes, and I tried to look straight into his. But I can't.

"I already looked into that night you got assaulted, way back." he continued. "There wasn't any security camera around the park. So we can't be too sure if he's the same man in your past and followed you or he's a different man that you happened to come across with in the middle of the night."

Marco was talking very casually, as if he's doing a boring report or something. He lacks that concerned tone he usually gives to his children.

Well, he is doing a report. To me, as his client's daughter and current job. I'm not his kid.

I wanted to cry all of a sudden. Living with the Stones had made me see just how dysfunctional my family is. Marco's very loving to Nick and Alex. He's a caring and thoughtful father, but at the same time he conveys enough authority to his kids that made them fear and respect him.

How I wish Devin's like that.

I want him to always be there for me, even if I don't really need him. I want him to cook for me. Or for him take a time off his work just to check if I was doing fine.

"Charlie."

I looked up to see Marco watching me, his deep blue eyes unreadable. There was no smile in his face, no expression at all.

"The report said you were held captive for a week and that you never saw your abductor's face."

I felt my head swam with fear and uneasiness. Guilt and hurt. Marco's eyes seems to pierce my very soul, trying to find out what's inside my messy, tangled brain.

I'd tell him what he'd find. Fear.

I don't want to hear what he's about to say next.

"If you see him again," he drawled, his eyes suddenly full of wonder. "Will you be able to tell that he is the one?"

My heart stammered wildly inside my chest. I never spoke of this except my own therapist, which I haven't talk to in months. Marco Stone continued to watch me, and there was something lurking in those midnight blue eyes that I can't fathom.