Protect Me Not

Chapter 10

The morning air was vastly different in Toronto according to Mary's senses. Although her childhood allergies seemed to dissipate over time, her love of the fresh crisp city air didn't. Her early awakening proved to be a beautiful sight. Looking through the floor to ceiling window while the sun was just rising gave Mary a calming and relaxed start to her day. Knowing she had a difficult call to make, Mary wanted to soak up the day's purity before plunging into her nightmare past. She wasn't dreading the actual phone call to the psychologist, but rather experienced trepidation in having to relive all the horrific details of her torturous past relationship. Mary opened the picturesque window allowing everything the city had to offer to flow into the hotel suite. The soft dewy wind filled the suite rapidly permitting Mary the pleasure of the fresh fall air to awaken her senses. Strolling effortlessly into the kitchenette, Mary plugged the kettle in. Today was the day she would make the most important call of her life, and that call would hopefully put a smile on her face. When her cell phone rang, she jerked at the surprising interruption leaving her soothing ambiance in an instant. The adrenaline rush made her lightheaded so she picked up her cell phone and made her way over to the overstuffed tanned leather lounge chair. While seated, Mary looked at the local number on her display screen. The unfamiliar caller continued to ring. Reluctantly, Mary answered the call, mostly to get the annoying ring tone to stop making racket that early in the morning.

"I've got to change that ring setting," she said out loud just before answering the call. "Hello?"

"Hey there," the unfamiliar male voice responded.

"Hi?" Mary retorted questionably.

"How's it going this morning? Did you get a good sleep in?" the mystery caller asked.

"Yes. Well, somewhat of a restful night," Mary openly admitted.

"I'm glad to hear it because today my new friend, I am treating you to lunch at the most fabulous lunch spots around," he indicated.

"Ummm, I'm terribly sorry but I don't know whom I am speaking with," Mary admitted shyly.

With a nervous chuckle, he quickly reminded Mary about their encounter the previous day.

"I'm so sorry, I really should have said who I was from the get go. It's Camden. The fine young gentleman who drove you to your suite from the airport yesterday," he reminds her.

"Camden! Right, Camden how could I forget," Mary openly admitted feeling a little foolish.

"No worries. I just thought that you might enjoy some company today seeing as it's your first real official day in Toronto," he assumed.

"Right, of course, it is," Mary said convincingly. "Your offer sounds appealing however I'm not exactly sure how my schedule is going to pan out today."

"I completely understand," he agreed. "Please remember that I am at your driving needs for entire day. I'm sure you will need a personal driver to bring you about your business at some point today."

"Actually I do," Mary admitted. "I almost forgot about wanting to be completely clandestine on this journey."

"Your wish is my command," Camden said with complete drollery.

In a boyish undertone, Camden playfully verified a time for pick up and without notice, confirmed a lunch reservation at a swanky restaurant located near Mary's hotel.

"Wow," Mary impressively blurted out while unplugging the whistling kettle. "You are good."

With a full out belly laugh, Camden asked the appropriate question of what it is he's being accused of being good at.