Winner Takes All

Part Two

Now I was really confused. "Okay, I just need to sit down. Its too early for this. Come sit on the couch."

The detective looked hesitant, but he entered anyway and sat down on the couch, looking extremely uncomfortable.

Lola climbed beside me and laid her head on my lap and I was grateful. I had a horrible feeling in my stomach, and I was starting to sweat.

"Miss Rose, do you remember the incident that occurred two years ago, on January eleventh? At approximately one in the morning, an intruder entered your home via balcony."

I immediately flinched. What a shit way to start the day. I suddenly didn't care how hot this man was, I no longer wanted to talk with him. Unfortunately, I knew this must be important if he was here for something that happened two years ago.

I swallowed back the bile that was threatening to make a presence. "I remember," I said quietly.

How could I forget?

Again, an apology flashed across his face. "Unfortunately, Miss Rose, the intruder, who you know as Jarvis, has been threatening your life, specifically. He was released from jail just over a week ago. Our informants said he mentioned you often."

Oh god. My heart starts pounding erratically in my chest. "Holy fuck," I said.

Tears started to fall, and I am way past caring about how hot the man sitting across from me is. "Can't you bring him back? How long until he finds me? He knows where I live!"

Detective Archer looked torn between wanting to comfort me and needing to be professional.

"I'm sorry, we are doing everything we can. Now, we are unsure of his ware bouts. I was sent to make sure you are aware of this situation. We are trying our hardest to track him down. Is there anyone you can stay with? Its not safe for you to be here."

I stared at him, unblinking, hardly realizing what he's saying to me right now. I could not stay with either of my brothers, neither of them knew what happened that night and they were never going to know if I had anything to do with it.

I shake my head, wiping the tears from my cheeks. "No. I don't have anyone."

"I would suggest you get a security system," He stands up and looks around my sad apartment. "And a dead bolt for your door."

"Okay." I suddenly feel very tired, like the whole world is weighing on my shoulders.

"I promise you Lennon, we are doing everything we can. I personally will be here watching your building as often as I can. If I'm not here, one of my men will be. The police are aware of what's going on and this place is on lock down. Try and stay inside as often as you can." He gave me one last look before setting a card on my table and shutting the door behind him.

I let my sobs go, and I sat for hours on my couch, slobbering and snotting and wailing.

Just as I was feeling good again after that night, when I was finally ready to move past it, it comes right back and slaps me in the face.

I skipped class the next three days. I was supposed to have two classes online and one in person, but I skipped them all, emailing my professors something about a granny I didn't have passing away.

Not only did I not go to class, I simply didn't move off the couch. I had only got up when Lola needed the bathroom.

On the third day, I ran out of food. I was done crying, and I was ready to get some fresh air again.

To be honest though, I was terrified. I had barely slept, scared of every noise and shadow. My eyebags were horrible. But I did need food.

I got up that morning and showered for the first time in days. My waist length curls were shiny and pretty again. I put on some purple jeans and a purple hoodie and finished off the look with doc martens. Look good, feel good, I told myself.

I grabbed Lola's harness and leash, and my purse, and got ready to adventure outside.

A flash of white on my table stopped me, and I reached down as I remembered Detective Archer leaving it there as he left.

It was a business card, with his personal cell phone number scrawled at the bottom. My heart skipped a beat. I'm sure he does that for all the cases he deals with.

I picked up the card and put it in my purse. Alright, I told myself. This is it!

I walked down the seven flights of stairs, my heart rate slowly increasing the closer I got to the real world.

Lola trotted happily beside me, excited for a real walk after being cooped up for days. I suddenly felt guilty, I needed to do better for her.
I landed on the main floor and threw the heavy door open with such gusto that I almost hit a man.

And not just any man.

"Detective Archer? Hi. I didn't expect to see you. Sorry for the door," I said, flashing him a bright smile.

Jesus, this man was mouth watering, even more so in the day light. His curly hair was styled again today, his piercing green eyes seemed to stare right into my soul. He was wearing a black jean jacket and black jeans, and winter boots covered his feet.

"Hi, Lennon. You can just call me Roman. And I told you, I am here watching as often as I can," He reminded me, standing outside with me.

I blushed. "Right. Well, I finally ran out of food so I thought it was time to leave."

He raised a brow. "Why don't I accompany you."

My cheeks burned, "Oh, yeah, sure." I was suddenly self conscious of my childish monochrome outfit. He looked like he stepped out of a Vogue magazine and I looked like a Walmart Bratz doll.

Detective Archer was extremely intimidating. He walked beside me in silence, looking deep in thought. My palms were sweating so badly, Lola's leash clutched tight in my grasp.

We made it to the grocery store and Roman waited outside for me with Lola in hand. It was a quick trip and he walked me back home without saying a word. I wondered if all detectives walked their cases to the grocery store.

We made it back to my apartment and I turned to face him, awkwardly looking at the snow-covered sidewalk.

"Thank you, uh, Roman. I appreciate it." I said.

"Anytime." Was his short reply.

Wow, this man talked a lot. Even Lola made more noise than he did.

"Thanks again," I replied, and left him outside. 

He was very attractive, but I guess the cold personality was probably just him being professional. I was just a case, anyway. He probably wasn't allowed to get friendly with people he worked with.

That was fine. My life was complicated enough, I didn't need a man to make things worse.