The Pretty Sister

Distancing Oneself from A Star

Chapter 5

Even though Cole told her to get out more, she wasn’t so sure that she wanted to leave. She felt safe. That was not the reason. Brick was just that –a huge brick building-. When he walked her back to her building after her lunch with Cole, she just felt his overwhelming presence by her the whole time. Even when they were in the city, he stood out. It was difficult to forget him when every person looked from her to him. She would have let that be the last time he escorted her anywhere, but Stacey called. Apparently, she had seen Fiona in the tabloids and wondered why they hadn’t hung out. The fact that she had successfully avoided Stacey for over two weeks meant she was lucky. She knew the luck would run out eventually.

She walked across the hall and knocked on the apartment door adjacent to her. Somehow, her brother had been able to rent out the apartment next to her for Brick. That way she maintained her privacy, but she was still protected. Fiona didn’t ask how her brother got a high-rise apartment like hers on such late notice. There were only three apartments on her floor. She was sure that she had some reclusive writer as a neighbor only a couple weeks ago. It was times like these that worried Fiona. Her siblings and she had been raised in a simple working-class family. Her parents worked hard to provide enough money for little luxuries until their death. She knew that after their deaths her brother changed. She huffed as she thought of why. It was their fault that her brother was becoming a workaholic who relied on his money to solve his problems. Before she could continue this thought, the door opened. Brick looked tired as he opened the door until he saw her. When he realized who his visitor was, his stoic face appeared, but Fiona could feel the anger cascading off him in silent waves.

“Ms. Delafield, is there something wrong with your phone?”

“Of course not.” I wished. Maybe I could have missed Stacey’s call.

“Then, could you not have called me? That is why I gave you my number. You could have been in danger.” Fiona silently turned her head to her apartment only four or five steps away. She returned his glare.

“Now the reason I came is that I would like to go out. Now isn’t it better that I chose to be reckless in my own building rather than outside on my own.” She could see him bristle at the smart comment.

“Fine. Come wait here while I check something.” He moved aside and she walked inside. She headed straight to the living room as he took a turn to what she suspected was the bedroom. The apartment matched the layout of her own. The long floor-to-ceiling glass windows showed the east side of the building rather the north side of her own home. However, unlike her beautifully decorated home, his was empty. Well, she understood that he wasn’t planning on staying long, but it looked like the apartment was still on sale. There was nothing in the living room, so Fiona sat on the floor with her legs out to the side. She had decided since she knew that Stacey would pick a popular hotspot that she might need to dress up. She loved how the red and white dress outlined her legs. She adjusted the shoulder as she waited.

When Brick finished checking some of his leads, he hurried to grab his coat. For the second time, his eyes widened in surprise at Fiona Delafield. She lay demurely against the carpet in a dress that outlined all of her curves in thin stripes of red and white. She smiled at him as he stuck out her hand to help her stand. He worked hard to keep his face impassive as his eyes followed the tight fit from her shoulders to the curve of her hips ending on the toned calves of her legs. Her small feet were in a pair of red wedges. Her blond hair was let loose over her shoulders. She looked gorgeous just like the movie star she was. He would have to remember. She was a movie star. His client. His charge. The moment you lose focus could mean the end. He would have to keep his old commanding officer’s motto in his head when dealing with this woman because he was losing focus rapidly when she came around.