She woke late Monday morning and called out of work. She was still too mentally fatigued and knew it would be pointless going in. Digging into her backpack, she found the shredded, photocopied notes and attempted to patch them up with tape. When they were reassembled, she laid them out on her table but stepped away. She wasn’t ready to read them, not after what Mr. Black had put her through the previous day.
Most of the morning was spent laying on her couch in yoga pants and Victor’s t-shirt, listening to upbeat music to try and sway her mood in a positive direction. It wasn’t helping. Late afternoon she finally decided to eat even though she had no appetite. Seated at the table with a sandwich, her eyes drifted to the pages laid out…
Eight is still trying to figure me out. What a fucking joke. I can’t be figured out. Can’t she see who I really am? I’m Mr. Black: a man who enjoys the emotional and physical torment he causes. She will learn the hard way that there is no light in me…
Elsa pushed her chair back and tossed her food into a nearby trashcan. She just couldn’t read or eat anymore.
A knock on the door startled her and she promptly scooped up the papers and put them in her bag. Through the peephole she could see Victor holding two medium boxes in his hand. Hesitantly, she opened the door. She hoped he wasn’t there to talk about what happened because her feelings were still too raw to discuss and she feared she would confess herself to him.
He offered her a nervous smile as he entered. When he moved past her, she smelled not food but his signature cologne. Placing the items on the table he reached for her and hauled her into his embrace. His large arms felt so good around her, but the misery of the previous day still haunted her.
“You haven’t eaten all day,” he kissed the top of her head.
She nodded and opened the largest of the boxes to find pasta primavera. “It was a lovely thought, Mr. Black. Thank you.”
He skimmed a finger over the top of her hand. “It’s Victor.”
She shrugged. It was the same fucking difference as far as she was concerned.
Victor found her silverware and brought her a fork. She poked at the food and forced herself to eat a few bites. Seated across from her, he pushed a plain white box across the table.
She eyed it cautiously. “I don’t want a consolation prize.”
He sighed heavily and his eyes darkened with some unidentifiable emotion. He opened the box himself and pulled out a dainty, rhinestone encrusted headband. It was beautiful but looked like something she might have worn when she was a teenager.
“I thought it would look nice on you tomorrow night.”
Elsa drew her brows together.
“I made dinner reservations for you and your mother at Juniper’s downtown. It offers a wonderful atmosphere,” he gave her a crooked, boyish smile. “It would be good for your mom to see the best of what Richmond has to offer.” He dipped a finger into her food and pulled out a long noodle and slurped it into his mouth. Elsa couldn’t help but give him a smile when he was left with pasta sauce on his chin. She reached across the table and swiped it away with her finger.
The animation left her face. “You really shouldn’t have.”
He lifted his shoulders in a half-assed shrug. “It was the least I could do.”
Yes, the very least considering everything he had put her through.
“I can’t stay even though I’d like to. I have work matters to deal with. I hope you enjoy your day with your mother,” he stood to leave. When he opened the door, he turned to face her, “Elsa…” and shook his head regretfully. “I hope we can move forward after what’s happened.”
A suffocating sensation tightened her throat. There might just be hope after all.
*
The remainder of Monday was a blur. Elsa never found the nerve to read the journal she was so eager to get her hands on. Instead, she sulked all night thinking about having been put in jail and about Mr. Black having been ready to send his notes to a serial killer.
What the hell was up with that anyway? Was she such a wreck in Victor’s eyes that she needed to be analyzed and pored over? He admitted that he found her beautiful, unique and strong. Not to mention intelligent. Why then couldn’t he answer the damned question? What exactly did he want her to be – weak? So he could break her down and make her do his will? Holy hell, she was already doing everything he wanted.
Elsa tried to put it all out of her head. Her mother would be there the following day and she just wanted to enjoy the time with her.
Tuesday’s work day was actually productive for a change. She half-expected to show up and be called into her director’s office to be let go from her position or put on probation, but nothing happened. No one called other than the usual couriers to deliver more medical equipment for her to work on. She kept her mind busy with her multitude of tasks and it helped to take away the haunting memories of Mr. Black’s ruthless eyes.
When she received the call that her mother was at the airport, she almost sobbed with joy. She left work early and when she arrived and saw her mother’s serene face and soft brown eyes, she fell into her arms and finally broke down.
Her mother looked distressed as she held her tight. “El, what is it, honey?”
All Elsa could do was to shake her head. There were no words to explain.
*
Dressed and ready for dinner, Elsa looked up the address for the upscale restaurant Victor had made reservations at. Thankfully, her mother hadn’t probed her for any information about her break down. Her mother was only staying for the day and had to return to Massachusetts the following morning for work, so their time was precious but little and Elsa didn’t want to spend one second of it ruminating over Mr. Black and worrying her mom.
When they arrived at Juniper’s, Elsa mentally thanked Victor for the recommendation and reservation. He was correct in that it was a wonderful place. It was set against the river and the view was outstanding. Her mother was thoroughly impressed and chatty, and Elsa’s mood brightened instantly when she saw the smile on her mom’s face.
Just as their wine was being delivered, she heard Victor’s deep voice above her.
“Wine on a weekday?” he winked when she looked up. “You must be feeling brave.”
Elsa measured him for a moment. He was dressed to the nine’s in a tailored, black slim business suit that accentuated his slim hips and broad shoulders. His hair was a perfect mess and he smelled, oh, so clean and edible. The darkest-gray silk tie he was wearing reminded her of the tie he had worn the night he tickled her and she quickly averted her eyes for fear he would see right through her shame.
“May I join you?” he asked.
Elsa’s mom looked bewildered and even a little flustered. It must be his cologne. Her mom had a thing for a nice smelling man, too.
Elsa hesitated and sputtered, not really wanting Victor to join them. If he did, then she would have to explain to her mother who he was. When she didn’t answer, he scooted in next to her, pressing his body against her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“I’m Victor Laurenzo,” he reached a hand across the table to her mother.
“Oh, well… nice to meet you. I’m Elise,” Her mother took his hand and shot Elsa a nasty look for not introducing them.
“I know Elsa was really looking forward to seeing you. She even stated that she missed you,” Victor commented.
Elsa sat dumbstruck. This polite and sociable man was not the same one she knew from only a day ago.
Her mother took a drink of her wine and looked him over closely. “I wish I had something nice to say in return, however, Elsa hasn’t mentioned you at all. Are you two dating?”