I felt kind of bad that I was lying to my friend but I didn't want to share anymore than I already had. I wasn't sure it was really going to go anywhere and I didn't want to get her hopes up, or mine. If things ever worked out with us I would just explain to Chloe that I couldn't tell her at the time and I was sure, or at least I hoped, that she would be okay with it.
"Hmmm, I guess I'll let it go for now but I want to be the first to know if he comes on to you."
I smiled through the phone. "I promise you will be the first to know. So, how was your week? Anything new going on?"
"Not really, it's been a busy week but pretty quiet. Mike and I are going to Puerto Rico in a couple of months but that's all that's really going on."
"Puerto Rico? It is supposed to be so beautiful there Chlo, I'm jealous. I can't wait to go away with my boyfriend to a place like that, if I ever get a boyfriend."
"Well, if you play your cards right, you may just have a really rich boyfriend one day!"
"You are silly!" We both erupted in giggles, chatted for a little while longer and then made plans to have dinner the following week.
Talking with Chloe was a welcomed distraction and it helped take my mind off of everything that was going on, but as soon as I hung up the phone the first thing I thought about was Sebastian and how I still had not heard from him. I made dinner and after dinner curled up on the couch to watch some bad reality TV when my phone rang.
"Elena."
His deep voice sent chills down my spine.
"Hi Sebastian." I tried to hide the annoyance in my voice but I was almost positive that it was obvious.
"First, I apologize for not calling you sooner but I had a personal emergency and I couldn't get away, not even for a second, are you alright?"
His apology sounded sincere and I could hear the concern in his voice so it was hard to stay mad at him. I didn't know what was going on with him, but he told me that he would tell me when I saw him on Saturday so I would just have to let it go and wait to hear what was really going on.
"Apology accepted and yes, I'm okay. I was a little freaked out when I got the letter but I have had some time to think a little bit more, think about what I talked about with my therapist and I'm okay. Also, the fact that I got a restraining order this morning helps me feel a lot better."
"I want to get a bodyguard for you." He sounded very worried and his voice was firm but I didn't want a bodyguard, that was just silly.
"Sebastian, I appreciate the offer but I don't want a bodyguard. Besides, how would I explain that to everyone? People would talk and they would know that you hired him for me."
"I just want you to be safe, Elena. If anything happened to you I don't know what I would do." His voice was very soft, he sounded concerned and it was so sweet.
"I'll be okay, I'll be careful when I'm out and I will let you know if I need anything. How's that?"
He grumbled a little bit and I could tell that he wasn't happy with my answer but he didn't push it. "I guess for now it will have to be okay, but Elena, if anything happens I will be getting a bodyguard for you, and that's final."
His concern was so sweet and it made me miss him even more.
"Okay, agreed. So, how is Paris?"
"Paris would be much more beautiful if you were here with me. We are going to definitely have to make a trip here together. I wish I could say that it was wonderful but it has been a stressful trip. I don't know if I told you this before Elena, but I come to Paris every other weekend."
That was a surprise.
"You do? Why?"
"I know I keep giving you the same answer but it is complicated and I promise you I will … "
"Yeah, I know, you'll tell me this Saturday."
"About that, I might have to wait just a little bit longer before I can share everything with you. But please believe me I am going to tell you everything that is going on."
I was starting to get a little bit suspicious. Why did he have to wait even longer to tell me what was going on?
"Please tell me that you're not married."
"No! I am not married, I would never cheat on my wife. And I wouldn't string you along. It's just a little while longer."
That put me at ease. He hadn't really given me a reason to distrust him so all I could do was believe him.
I let out a deep breath, trying not to sound exasperated and failing miserably. "Okay."
"I miss you, Elena. It's only been a couple of days and I miss you like crazy. I can't wait to wrap my arms around you again." His voice dripped with seduction and it caused a stir in me.
"I miss you too, Sebastian. When are you flying back to Miami?"
"I am flying back on Friday and I have already made plans for us on Saturday night. I hope you like Thai food."
"I love it."
"Okay, good. We're going to Nikko By Sunshine, it's delicious Thai and it gets rave reviews."
"Is it on Lincoln Road?"
He hesitated. "No, it's not on Miami Beach, it's a little further away."
"Oh right, you can't be seen with me."
"Elena, don't say it like that, please. I promise things won't be like this for long."
"Good, because I won't put up with it like this for much longer."
"You won't have to. Well, I better let you go, it's nearly 2:30 a.m. here. I'll give you a call tomorrow, but it will be a little bit earlier if that's okay."
"Of course it's okay. You better get some sleep. Thanks for calling Sebastian and I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Okay, I love you."
I smiled into the phone. "I love you too."
I was slammed at work the next day and Sebastian called me in the afternoon and we spoke for just a few minutes. He told me that he would be home the following day by 2:00 and he was looking forward to seeing me on Saturday. That really made me happy so even though I had a ton of work to do, time flew by for me and I couldn't wait to see Sebastian. When I got home that evening I was looking through my beautiful new clothes trying to decide what to wear and I got an idea. I wanted to surprise Sebastian on that Friday instead of waiting to see him on Saturday. I decided that I was going to drive to his house and he would know how much I missed him. I really wanted him to know that I was into him and there was no doubt about us on my end. I was a little bit giddy thinking about his reaction and I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when I showed up at his house. I decided I was going to wear a sexy black strapless minidress and strappy black sandals over to his place and I couldn't wait until the end of the day on Friday.
All I could think about on Friday was getting home to shower and change. I felt like a teenager who was freaking out about getting ready for a date with the guy she had a huge crush on. I was having a really hard time focusing at work that day. Bev must have asked me the same questions at least five times every time she came to my office for something before I was able to answer her.
"Are you feeling okay, Elena? Can I get you anything?" I could see that she was truly concerned so I had to snap out of it and force myself to focus because I didn't want to worry her.
"No, I'm fine. I guess I didn't get enough sleep last night so I will definitely have to make sure that I catch up on my rest this weekend. Thanks Bev."
Thankfully that seemed to pacify her so I made sure to pay attention to whatever she asked me every time she came to me the rest of the afternoon. Six o'clock finally rolled around and I practically ran out of the office to my car. As soon as I got home I jumped in the shower and changed into my perfect outfit, made sure my hair and makeup were perfect and quickly spritzed myself with my favorite perfume.
I googled directions to his house on Star Island and when I finally arrived at a little after 8:00, the house had a huge gate and my heart sank. My surprise was going to be ruined because I had to call to have him let me in. I guess since I didn't live in the world of the wealthy I didn't even factor in that there would be a gate around his house. The man had a personal bodyguard and was a billionaire; of course there would be a gate around his house! I felt really silly for not even thinking about that because the average person, if they used their brain, would know that someone in his position would have security in every aspect of his life. A ball of nerves hit me suddenly as I dialed his number. What if he wasn't home?
"Blu residence." A formal male voice blared through the intercom.
"Yes, I am here to see Sebastian."
"Who may I say is calling?"
"Elena."
"Just a moment."