Games

Alex makes a surprise visit.

Games

Friday night finds me home, as usual. After putting Bailey to sleep I prop myself up in bed with the remote. I’m debating a PBS documentary or Project Runway when my phone disturbs my reverie.

“Hello.”

"Hello, Camille? It's Alex." 

I drop the remote from my fingertips,

"Oh...um...hi." I check the clock, 9:15

"I'm sorry to call you in this late, but I was hoping to speak to you when you would have no distractions." The line is quiet. Where is this going? 

"Okay" I mutter. "Ms. Landry, I was wondering if you had an answer to my question?”

“What question?” I’m attempting to play my hand close to my chest now that he can’t see any physical reactions I might have around him. 

“How long are you going to make me wait for you?”

“I don’t have an answer.” I offer up as aloof as I’ve ever sounded. I’ve nearly convinced myself. 

“It’s dinner, not a proposal, come out with me.”

“First of all you will respect my decision to not go to dinner with you, and second of all you will not speak to me on this issue again.”

“I can’t agree to that.”

“You’re going to have to.”

“One meal, why can’t you just placate me?”

“Because we’re colleagues. Our relationship is professional and should stay that way.” 

“The only way to get to know someone is to spend time with them. As much as I’d love to shoot my film in your studio, I’d like to get to know you more.” 

“What is your deal? I can’t be the first woman to turn you down. How do you know that it’s not just the chase that has you all riled up?” I’m surprised by my boldness. 

“Well, I don’t. But I need to find out.”   

More silence. "I'd like to see you.” 

“We’ll see each other on Friday when you come to review the space you’ll need for your shoot.”

“That’s not soon enough.”

“I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Can I see you tonight?”

“No.”

“Camille, I don’t know if you heard me before, but I’m not a man to admit defeat.” 

“Alex, I’m in bed, my daughters in bed. The day is done, I’ll see you on Friday. Goodbye.” 

I hang up. I’m mentally high-fiving myself for standing my ground. Then there’s a nock on the door. I know who it is. I debate pretending I’m not home when he knocks again. I look down at my attire and again am underdressed to face Alex. I shrug and grab my robe to cover up my tank top and boxers. I hope that my messy bun, robe and makeup less face will scare him away. I doubt it, but it’s worth a try. I check on Bailey, who is sleeping with her foot hanging off the bed and her mouth gaping, I don’t have to worry about him waking my heavy sleeper. I make my way to the front door and get myself psyched for what feels like a battle. The door opens and I find a disheveled Alex. His hair looks like he’s been running his hands through it with some vigor. His left hand is holding him up on the doorframe, and his right hand is dialing his phone. He stops when I open the door, and raises his head to see me. 

“I’m glad you answered the door.” 

“What would you have done if I hadn’t?” 

“Called you until you complied with my demands.” He smirks, clearly intrigued by the game he’s began with me and is certain he’s winning.

“What do you want Alex?” 

“I think I’ve made that clear.” 

“Ok” I roll my eyes, “let me rephrase that, what are you doing on my doorstep?”

  

“I had to see you, can I come in?”

 

“No, who do you think you are? You show up at my home to harass me after I’ve already told you no? I’m not ready to date, I’m not ready to explain to my daughter what that would even mean. I’m not ready to upturn our lives so you can figure out if you just like chasing after me.” 

“Hey, I said dinner. I asked you to dinner, that’s it. I don’t think I’m being unreasonable trying to take a gorgeous girl out for a meal. Camille, why are you fighting this? I see the way I affect you.”

 He steps forward and my heart is pounding at what I’ve now deemed the Alex pace. He’s arrogant, but right. 

“I just want to make you smile? Please let me. If I don't see your beautiful smile again I’m going to lose my mind." 

The words are beautiful, but my defenses are at an all time high. I would be a fool to fall for such a line. I’m certain that I am not the first girl he’s treated with such words. Alex reaches out with is right hand and cups my cheek. His eyes are filled with longing. Not lust, or desire, and that’s what scares me. Before my mind can reason I rear back and slap him across the face. 

“Don’t touch me.” My eyes fill with tears. I’ve always hated girls who resort to tears, and now I’m one of them. Alex is stunned. 

“I’m sorry.” He holds up his hands, “I got carried away. Please forgive me.” 

“I think you should go.”

 

“Please say you’ll forgive me.”

 

“Alex you need to leave.” He looks panicked now. 

“I’m sorry, I don’t want to be someone who makes you cry.” I wipe my eyes, 

“Well here we are, I’d like you to go.” 

“Alright.” He closes his eyes and shrugs, 

“Goodnight.”

I watch him walk away and shut the door. Why did I slap him? I think it was the guilt. That’s not very professional, well neither is showing up at my house in the middle of the night. Either way, work will be much more difficult with him at the studio now. I sit on the couch and look out the living room window. I see a fancy black car parked in front of my house. I know it’s him. Why isn’t he leaving? I can make out a shadow of Alex resting his head on his steering wheel. He rubs his face runs his hands through his hair a few times and then makes a phone call. He talks for a while, fidgeting. I jump when he slams his hand on the dashboard. He hangs up, turns on his car, and peels out of my quiet neighborhood. I wish I hadn’t seen that, I’m finding myself feeling sorry for him. An emotion I’m not the least bit comfortable with. All the emotions I feel towards him make me uncomfortable. 

Reviews

[Jennie Baron]

MY breath certainly quickened during that last conversation! I love a story that brings alive that fantasy of having a gorgeous guy interested in you. He's also quite confident and assertive, I'd say. Can't wait to see how she finally allows herself to fall for him.

[Tina]

"I don’t I'm not expecting anyone." Is this remark missing a word?

[T. Adams]

Yup, thank you :)