05

I look around as Stellan gestures me into the vehicle.

« I half expected her to still be waiting there. »

I nod, agreeing. « I know. Me too. »

He leans back beside me, resting his arm out against the leather. I kick off my heels and turn into him, resting my legs over his thighs, awaiting comfort. I get it, as I always do from him because he knows always when I need it.

« I have something for you, » he whispers softly, kissing my hair.

« Something ? » I ask, pulling back slightly. He nods, staring at me for a moment before he reaches into the inner part of his jacket. My jaw slackens when he pulls out a dark ring box, pressing his full lips together nervously. He sets it on my lap gently.

« I found it in a vintage store. I felt like it was… very you. »

Smiling softly, I grab it, glancing over at him apprehensively before I pop the gold clasp open.

« Oh, Stellan… » I gasp, grazing my hand over the intricate cut of a emerald ring. Tiny diamonds surround the larger, green rock- it’s absolutely stunning.

« The owner told me a older gentleman brought it into the store a couple months ago. He said the man had fallen in love with his wife as teenagers when she visited America from France and they spent two weeks together before she went back. » He grins slightly when I look up from the ring to his face. « The family didn’t want him with her but he bought this ring the day after she left and told the clerk that he followed her home and that they spent the rest of their lives together. »

« That’s… so beautiful. I don’t know, it kind of sounds like us. »

« I thought so. » He smiles, running a hand through his hair falling before his eyes. « I thought it was a good omen, you know ? They defied everything, family, reason, language barriers- even an ocean. That was the price in order to be together and he loved her enough to follow her anywhere. »

He stares at me, his eyes emotional and reaches up, grasping my face. I close my eyes as he caresses my jawline with the pad of his thumb. « I’ll follow you anywhere, Iris. »

My lips tremble as I smile, finding it hard not to cry at his words. With a noise of disbelief, I crush my lips to his, smiling while I do it. « I love you. »

We pull back, chuckling breathlessly. I think both of us were nervous for this one. He pulls out the ring and slides it onto my ring finger. I beam when it fits perfectly.

« Perfect fit, » he murmurs, lifting my hand to press his lips to the promise of our love.

I force myself to sit down onto the edge of the bed as I hold my phone in front of me, the number Stellan gave me already typed out. I’m gearing myself up- I don’t remember the last time I did it but I know speaking to her- to my mother- takes it out of me.

Swallowing with difficulty, I press call and raise the phone to my ear, knowing I need to find out what she knows. This better not be some fucking ploy to speak to me- some lie she created to get my attention. My eyes flicker to the doorway as it rings and I wait to make sure Stellan is still heating up the food in the kitchen.

« Hello ? »

« Vivienne, it’s Iris. »

« … I didn’t think he’d give you my number. »

« Stellan’s too good for that. »

« Is he ? »

« You know what ? I don’t appreciate what you said to him. »

« What do you expect me to think ? The man’s a former escort who’s being accused of beating a woman almost to death. I naturally don’t want my daughter with someone like that. »

« Well, it’s a good thing, Vivienne, that what you say holds no weight with me. You said you have information regarding a woman I interviewed. »

« I know you hate me, Iris. I know that and you have every right to be upset with me, and with your father, but I’m trying here. I’m trying to be there for you, despite how hard you’re trying to push me away. »

« Do you think you deserve better treatment ? »

« I know I’m at fault here- but believe me when I say, you wouldn’t have this life you do if you would have been with me and Nick. »

« But I would have had a family. I wouldn’t have been alone and that would have meant more than anything. That seems to be the part you have the hardest time grasping- the people I love mean more to me than anything in the world. I would do anything for them. I would pay whatever I had to, I would put them above myself, I would die for them. And that is the difference between you and I. »

« I’m trying- I’m trying to make amends. » I hear her sniffling in the background and I pull the phone from my ear, grinding my teeth together.

« Are you going to tell me about the girl or not ? »

I continue to hear her cry and despite myself, I close my eyes in regret, crossing my free arm protectively in front of my body.

« Please… I-I really do need to know. »

« The girl, she got into a Mercedes- the car has been following you for days. »

« What ? No, Eric would have seen that. »

« They’re parked next to the tea shop around the corner. They switch men every hour. »

« So, they’re always there ? I’m being followed ? »

« It’s not just you, I think. I bet your fiancée is as well. »

« How do you know this ? »

« I’ve spent everyday outside of your building. You pick up on things. »

I press my lips together, shaking my head. Vance wouldn’t be that stupid, that would be ridiculous. « And this girl ? You’re sure she went with them ? »

« Yes, I recognized her as the girl sitting in your office earlier today. »

« She’s my new assistant. »

« I would rethink that…These men don’t look like your average taxi service. »

« I-I will take that into account, » I answer, squinting in thought.

« Good. »

« Thank you, Vivienne… I do appreciate this. »

« I do hope… we can get together sometime, where I can try to explain. I want so much to know you, Iris. »

I can’t stop myself from asking. « Where have you been ? Do you live on the street ? »

« No, no. I re-married about twenty years ago. »