YOU BELONG TO ME

REJECTION

Taylor heard foot steps coming towards her ; she tried to make herself smaller in order not to be seen. She heard a British accent speaking gently to whoever was on the cell phone. " I told you I am busy, can't this wait until tomorrow? I have to sort out things regarding my contract and I am trying to convince this lawyer to take my case. Yeah she is pretty but not as pretty as you. You okay now? You're always my number one. Love you". So he definitely has a girlfriend Taylor said to herself.

When Joe left Taylor was nowhere in sight. Joe drove himself back to the city with a heavy heart, he was not even able to talk to Taylor about his case nor said goodbye when he left. He was a little bit puzzled when Harry came and Taylor  asked him to get close to her. Actually he enjoyed her closeness and she smells so good, such intoxicating scent. He could not forget Taylor coming out of the pool glistening with water, make up free, and looking hot in her red swimsuit.

It was already 2am and Taylor is still wide awake, thinking about Joe. He was so rude during their conference but seem to be kind when he offered to drive them home. He also played along with her when Harry came along. He smelled so good and his arms feel so strong and sturdy. " I am so confused, I do not want to take his case but Dad insists that I do.  I can't forget how rude he was."

Sunday morning was sunny, bright and beautiful. The family decided to visit the winery for wine tasting. They purchased a case of red and white wine for their consumption. After a satisfying and delicious lunch cooked by Taylor and Andrea, they all decided to go back to the city. Taylor drove with Selena, Gigi and Martha in her SUV. 

" Tay what was the deal with you and Joe? You  appeared  so sweet with him . It was co cute" Gigi called out. Everybody laughed out loud and started ribbing Taylor. " I just wanted Harry to get away from me That's all. By the way Joe has a girlfriend. I overheard him talking sweetly to somebody on the phone and he called me "this lawyer". He couldn't even say my name. So stop this nonsense."

Martha cooed in a singsong manner " Taylor is jealous, Taylor is jealous' and laughed out loud causing the rest of the girls to imitate her. They got back to the city safely and proceeded to their apartments.

Taylor was going through documents related to Joe's case when she heard her cellphone ring. She answered her cell without checking out the caller ID which was unusual for her. She has always been cautious and wary of unknown callers. She almost dropped her cell when she heard the caller's voice, soft, gentle with the sexiest British accent. "Hi Taylor , this is Joe. how are you?

It was too late to hang up and short of being rude she replied  curtly "Fine."

"Are you doing anything tonight? I would like to take you out to dinner in this newly opened restaurant in the city. Have you heard of Le Coucou in SoHo? I would like to take you there. It's an old school French restaurant. I know you would love it there."

" I don't have time for this. I already told you I don't date my clients. Is your girlfriend too busy not to be with you?"

" Oh does that mean that you are going to take my case? Thank you."

" You will know my decision tomorrow. Goodnight" then hang up the phone abruptly.

Joe was quite offended, he never had somebody much less a woman reject him like Taylor did. Women are throwing themselves at him and he likes the attention. He had never been popular, he was always the bookworm who loves to stay in the library with a good book to read. He was a cardigan wearing nerd with big eyeglasses, unruly thick hair, shy and socially awkward. He won awards in academics and the sciences. Even his parents were surprised when he told them that he wants to be an actor. In spite of his shyness he shined in university and became the man on campus. He changed the way he dressed; lost his glasses; used contact lenses and lost his shyness. He was more sociable and girls noticed him. He was never seen without a girl in his arms but to him it was just a way of having fun; no commitments. He had never met a girl who challenged him until he met Taylor.

Taylor grew up in Nashville to an upper middle class family, sheltered, pampered, much loved by her family. She had friends in school but one day they just started to drift away from her. She was never popular and was often alone at lunchtime. Her best friend growing up was her mom Andrea. The family moved to New York when she was in high school due to a better job opportunity for her dad. Scott opened his own law firm and  in a matter of a few years his firm is one of the best  in the US and became a multimillionaire. In spite of their socio-economic status Taylor has always been humble and down to earth. She blossomed into a beautiful woman admired for her intellect, kindness, beauty, charm, articulateness   with these traits she decided to follow in her dad's footsteps and became a lawyer. 

It's Monday morning and Taylor has to make a decision regarding the Joe Alwyn case. She remains conflicted and still not sure about what to do. By 1 pm she was summoned into Scott's office. 

"So Taylor are you ready for your new case? The contract has been drafted and Joe will be here soon to sign the agreement." Taylor was so upset because Scott didn't even ask for her opinion and just assumed that she will agree. " Dad I didn't say yes to this. Please hear me out. I don't want this case. Find somebody else." they continued their heated discussion not hearing the knock and opening of the door with Taylor saying out loud" I don't like him; I don't trust him. I will never ever do this for him"

Joe heard Taylor's last statement and he felt like he was in high school again being rejected by most people. He felt so small and insignificant. He couldn't hide the sad, rejected  expression on his face when both Taylor and Scott saw him standing by the door.