Page 12 of Boss' Obsession

“This kind of reminds me of home. I mean, not the city but the water.”

“Do you think you’ll ever want to go back home?”

“No, never. I’m not interested in anything I left behind there.”

“Beth, did something happen to you?”

She stops dead in her tracks and looks out at the water, and her eyes fill up with tears.

“There was a man there. He was one of my professors. He was really nice to me in the beginning, and I just thought he was a good person. Later, I started running into him in the oddest places like the park where I used to run and outside the house where I babysat. I started getting this creepy feeling that he was following me. You know, watching everywhere I went and everything I did.”

“What did you do?” I ask, feeling the anger creeping up inside me.

“Nothing at first because there wasn’t any proof. It was just a feeling. But then, right before graduation, he approached me and told me he was in love with me. He said he was waiting until I got out of his class to act on our chemistry so it didn’t seem inappropriate.”

“What chemistry?”

“Exactly. There wasn’t any chemistry. I didn’t even find him remotely attractive.”

“Alright, so how did you handle it?”

“I told him the truth. I told him this was just a big misunderstanding and I didn’t like him that way. That’s when things began to escalate. He started driving by my house at night and showing up in more places. Believe me, I was always planning to leave town, but getting away from him was a bonus. That’s why I don’t want to go back there. I don’t ever want to see him again.”

“What about the police or your mother? Did you tell them?”

“I told the campus police and my counselor, but they said that if he hadn’t harassed me or threatened me, there wasn’t anything they could do. I think they thought I was just being paranoid. He has a very good reputation.”

“Well, if I had been there, I would have handled that for you.”

“I have no doubt you would.”

“Why is that?”

“I saw and heard what happened with your client yesterday.”

“Did you? And how did that make you feel?”

“Honestly? It was very flattering. Nobody has ever stuck up for me like that before.”

“You’re a very special girl, Beth. Don’t ever believe anything different.” I take her hand and hold it as we continue our walk back to the car. It feels so natural like an extension of me that’s been missing.

“Did you want to do something after work tonight or do you have plans?”

Surprised, I ask, “Sure, kid. What did you have in mind?”

“What if we go to your place and I make dinner for us? We can veg out and watch a movie or something.”

Jesus, I’m trying my best to take things slow with her, but a night like that is gonna really test my will. I don’t know if I can have her that close to my bed without trying to get her in it.

“Are you sure that’s what you want to do? We can go see a movie if you want.”

“Yeah, I’m sure. You’ve bought me three meals already. I may not be able to take you out to dinner, but I do know how to cook. Let me do this for you, please?”

I just can’t bring myself to say no to her, so I agree with her plan.

“You can follow me home after work, then. When we get back to the office, you can put a grocery list together for me. I’ll call it in and have it delivered so you have everything that you need.”

“Great.” She smiles from ear to ear.

---