When The Stars Align

Chapter 12

Monday arrived and I went to work soon. On my way there I couldn't stop thinking that I was going to see James that day and my hands began to sweat as I gripped on the steering wheel nervously. He had that effect on me. I parked at the usual spot and crossed the burning street at the peak of summer, it was too hot already for that time of the morning. I greeted the security and he called me.

"Ms. Fischer, someone left this envelope for you." I walked to the counter with my legs shaking a bit, somehow I knew that envelope was for him. I smiled at the guy and mumbled a faded thank. I waited until I got in the elevator to open the envelope and even before I read what was written I looked down at the signature and I smiled as my suspicions were true. It was indeed a note from James.

"Hi,

I'll be locked up in the studio with Lars the whole day, but I will call you as soon as I am done. Loved the fact that you texted me Andrea.

Kisses,

James"

I smiled like a fool looking at the piece of paper and then I took it to my nose as if I could feel his scent. I was doomed but too involved to care.

"Morning." I said happily as I walked past my secretary and then I locked myself up in my office. I picked up the divorce processes I had in my hands right away. Two couples divorcing where there was too much money involved, the usual, they wanted it all and the guys didn't want to give anything. I took a deep breath before beginning the considerations about the first one. I saw the light in my phone twinkling, and I picked up the call.

"Hello?" I took the call.

"Lunch at one o'clock? We need to talk." Belle told me with no previous warning.

"Ok. One o' clock." The call was as simple as that. We were both extremely busy and we would have time to talk during our lunch hour. I felt a bit anxious as I knew Belle had been at the barbecue and I knew James was there, but I didn't manage to talk to her during the weekend. When one o' clock arrived we met at the lobby of the building and we left walking down the street.

"Fuck...it's so hot today!" Belle exclaimed.

"You bet, it's unbearable. How was your weekend?" I asked her.

"It was great. Lars didn't let me leave to my apartment, so we were together since Friday night."

"Oh Belle...that is getting serious!"

"James was there..." She said and I don't know why the smile vanished off my face and my heart skipped. It was as simple as that all it took was to hear someone saying his name. We got in the restaurant and we sat.

"His girlfriend was there?" I asked her.

"Yes. She was there." I felt sad and sighed looking over the window quietly. "He asked me how you were doing." She said and my eyes diverted off the window to look back at her again. "I think he likes you Andrea." She said.

"No, he doesn't." I said shaking my head. "How is she?"

"She's young and she's not extremely pretty but she's very elegant. She's nice and her boyfriend has feelings for you." Belle insisted.

"She's that young..." I commented.

"Why do you care?" Belle defied me. I shrugged.

"Just out of curiosity." I said trying to sound casual, but Belle knew me too well and kept on looking at me waiting for another answer. "He doesn't like me Belle." I smiled.

"What if he did? Andrea...honestly, I think he has feelings for you my friend and I think you have feelings for him too. Why don't you try to talk to him?"