Page 9 of Scorpion
With a sigh, I toss the weird box onto my dresser and head to my bedroom. I’d love to take a shower, but Scorpion and I admittedly spent a lot of time making out this morning. I’ll have to go without, but I can’t be too upset about carrying the scent of his cologne on me throughout the day.
After throwing on a dress, tights, and a pair of heels, I toss my hair into a ponytail and refresh my makeup. Once I’m satisfied with my appearance, I leave my room. As I’m passingthrough the living room, I cast one last glance at the box before putting it out of my mind. I’ll throw it in the trash when I get home.
Outside, Scorpion is glancing up and down the block. It’s obvious that he’s performing some sort of surveillance. My heart pounds in my chest, and I feel myself starting to get wet. God, I love how protective he is.
“I’m ready,” I say when he turns around to look at me.
“You look beautiful,” he tells me, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me in for a kiss.
The rest of my thoughts leave my head at the touch of his lips. He takes over all of my senses. He’s all that I can think about. He’s all I want to think about.
When we part, he says, “How about we take the bike to work?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” I say, unable to conceal my excitement.
I get my jacket and helmet from my trunk before hopping on the back of Scorpion’s bike and grabbing onto him tightly. Then, the machine roars to life, and exhilaration spreads through every inch of me. This is something I could get used to, something that I desperately hope I’ll have the chance to get used to.
I want Scorpion to take the long way to the insurance agency just so I have an excuse to spend more time with him on the back of his bike, but I’m learning that not only does he care about me as a person, he cares about things like my career. We go fast, surely breaking a few traffic laws, and somehow manage to arrive at the office five minutes before the start of my shift. I’m not sure if I should be ecstatic or disappointed.
As I pull my helmet off and lean down in front of his side mirror to fix my hair, he flips up the visor on his own and says, “You’re off at five, right? Same as yesterday?”
“Right,” I say as I straighten up, satisfied with my looks. I’m not perfect, but I’m presentable. You know, if you ignore the hickey that’s just below my ear. But I think I have concealer in my desk, so maybe I can hide that if it’s too obvious under the fluorescent lights.
“Good. I’ll get here a little early so I can walk you out,” he says firmly, his voice calming the nervousness that I didn’t even realize was collecting in my head. “And if anything happens, anything at all, call me. I’ll get here as soon as I can.”
“Thanks, Scorpion,” I say with a smile. I kiss my fingertips before slipping them into his helmet to rest against his lips. “You’re the best fake boyfriend a girl could ask for.”
“This is fake?”
“No,” I say thoughtfully as I tuck my helmet under my arm. “No, it’s real.”
“That’s what I thought,” he replies with a smile. “Now, get in there. I worked hard to make sure you were on time.”
“And I appreciate that,” I say, lifting my hand as I turn to walk into the building. “I’ll see you later.”
Scorpion’s motorcycle doesn’t rev up to leave until I’m inside the building, the doors closed behind me. I hum to myself as I walk over to my desk, and I’m surprised to find a distinct lack of Dan waiting for me there. Did this plan really work that quickly?
With a renewed spring in my step, I get busy settling into my desk. As I drop down onto my desk chair, I spot a note next to my computer. Before I even grab it and read it, I recognize thehandwriting. Dan might not be at my desk right now, but he was here.
My hands shake as I reach forward to take the page. I have to read it three times before the words actually stick.
IF I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU, NO ONE IS. JUST REMEMBER. YOU COULD HAVE GIVEN ME A CHANCE. WHATEVER HAPPENS TO YOU IS YOUR FAULT.
Is this a threat? It feels like one, even though he doesn’t specifically say he’s going to hurt me. Maybe it’s just meant to scare me?
After staring at the words for a few minutes, I force myself to my feet and walk numbly to the Human Resources office in the back of the office. Part of me thinks that I probably should have come here earlier, but I’ve never had concrete proof. I know that Dan hasn’t put his name on this, but I’m sure there are other records of his handwriting somewhere in the office.
I knock on the door, and the head of HR beckons me inside. When I walk into the office, she’s busy typing away at her laptop. I’m not sure what to say, so I end up just standing there until she finally looks up at me.
“What’s up, Lilah?” she asks, her smile warm. It calms me down enough to take a seat across from her and slide the note over her desk. “What’s this?”
“It was at my desk when I sat down today,” I say, hating how small my voice sounds when it escapes my lips. “I… I think it’s from Dan.”
The woman’s face hardens at the mention of him, and I wonder if I’m not the only person having problems with him.God, I definitely should have come in here earlier. If I’m not the only one being harassed, I could have helped build a case against him.
The head of HR sighs, putting the paper down in front of her before fixing me with an unreadable gaze. I shift underneath it, bristling. I’m prepared to defend myself, to tell the truth about how his behavior made me feel. But then, her expression takes on a sad twinge.
“I wish there was something I could do about this,” she says as she slides the page back to me. “I really do.”
