Picture Perfect

Chapter 4

VICTORIA'S POV:

After that dream I can't sleep.  Now I'm jumpy and nervous.  It's best if I just get up and start putting the house in order.  Going downstairs, I get the stereo system out of boxes and get it set up so I can listen to music.  My iTunes just isn't going to do the trick.  I need loud and distracting music.  It's nice not having neighbors to worry about.

Once I get music reverberating in the living room I walk outside and leave the French doors open so I can stand and look out into the garden.  It's dark but the moon is full and illuminating the labyrinth and back yard.  I see the pool.  That could be a lot of fun.  I check my phone to see what time it is – 3am; great!  Let's see, it's 7pm in San Diego.  Oh thank god!  I can call Nico.  I scroll to favorites and press her contact.  It's ringing.

"Okay, I want details; every single detail.  Did someone accompany him to your meeting?" she asks.

I am laughing already, the tension in my shoulders dissipating. 

"No, Niall was by himself.  I did talk to Harry and Gemma though, so..."

"No fucking way!  Get out!"

"I'm telling you the truth.  Gemma contacted my professional IG account and I accepted her follow request.  I'm going to Holmes Chapel tomorrow to discuss it.  I missed Anne and Robin's wedding anniversary but we have a plan for Robin's birthday" I tell her.

"You have your music blaring, what's going on?  Tell me that asshole didn't get your number and call you?  You changed your number, right?" she asks in a very concerned voice.

"No, he didn't contact me, at least not like that.  I had a nightmare – thought you would be asking me why I'm up at 3am?"

"Oh crap, it is 3am there isn't it?  Nightmare, huh – I'm sorry, babe.  You haven't had nightmares for 6 months, why now?  Are you getting stressed?"

"Maybe a bit, Nico – I think my subconscious is trying to warn me." I say quietly.

"Toni, stop it right this second.  You cannot just give up on physical contact and romance. You deserve to be happy in all manners.  That ass really did a number on you.  I really wish you would have let me hire a hit man.  I swear, no one will find out. It's still a possibility.  Just say the word...."

"Nico, you know I love you but no.  I don't need a hit man.  I probably need a shrink but I'll be fine.  Besides, I'm going to be so busy with all this work coming my way, I won't have time.  So how are things there?  Still frustrating the hell out of the good doc?" I say laughing.  "Are you ever going to give him the time of day?  He keeps texting and calling, sending you flowers – he's hooked.  You just keep torturing the guy."

"Hey, he deserves every bit of it.  He tried pulling that crap on me.  I don't care if he left his wife – he was married when he started playing with me - I'll teach him a lesson, I don't even mind that he's single.  He blew it and I'm not about to take it easy on him.  Besides, he keeps coming back; the man's a masochist."

"So cruel, Nico" I say knowing she loves being in control.  I don't blame her.  I'd be better off had I been in control.  The next time around; if there is a next time.

"So how is your dad?"

"He's good.  He says hello. Wants to know when you are coming back to California.  I keep telling him it isn't happening but he refuses to believe me.  You know, you'll break his heart if you don't visit him sometime this year.  You need to come back with me at least for a week.  We can paint the down red down here" she says trying desperately to convince me to fly back to San Diego with her.