Chapter Five
Becca
I paced back and forth in the elevator, frustrated at the confrontation that just took place. Howard Vaughn seemed like a tough businessman and an even tougher father. I felt for Chance, but I also knew that I was in this now, deep. I just made a commitment to not only Chance, but to his father, that I was the right person for the job. I had to prove myself to everyone.
The lump in my throat grew bigger as I choked back the tears and sadness that had overcome me. I cared for Chance, more than I realized and I was about to jeopardize my new job by overpromising what I was actually capable of.
For once, luck had been on my side. As I exited the building a cab had stopped at the corner and I quickly jumped in and gave the driver my address. I whipped out my notebook and jotted down thoughts and ideas as they came to me. It was crazy how much I had to do. My life had went from completely boring to overwhelmingly busy overnight.
After a twenty-five minute drive through the city, the cab pulled in front of my apartment, I paid the driver and got out, still entranced in my thoughts. I pulled out my phone and looked at my calendar. Two and a half weeks. Tomorrow I needed to lock down some dates. Becca, how do you get yourself into these things? I tapped at the phone with my thumb as I balanced my notebook under my arm and fumbled for my keys.
“Hey Becca. I knocked, but obviously you weren’t home.”
“Chris?” I said as I slowly walked up the steps toward him. “What are you doing here?”
“I just wanted to come and apologize,” Chris said as he moved toward me, “I hated the way I left things before.”
“It’s fine.” I really just wanted to get up to my apartment and avoid any conversation with him. “Don’t worry about it. I understand why you were upset. I should have–”
“No! I’m sorry.” Chris moved uncomfortably closer as I still fumbled for my keys. I was hesitant to open my apartment door, but I wanted to get away. I didn’t want him to take that as an invitation to come inside. “By the way, where were you? I came by earlier and you weren’t home?”
“Umm, no,” I said slowly, as I tried to move away from him. “I told you last night, I got a job.”
“This late?” Chris said as he once again moved closer. I was really starting to feel uncomfortable. “So you work nights now?”
“Well no…I mean…If I have to. It’s a big project.” I looked away, “I actually have a lot of work to do, so if you don’t mind, I need to go inside.”
“Okay, I understand.” Chris stabbed his hands into his pocket and looked at me. “Well, would you be free tomorrow night? Could I take you out for an apology dinner?”
“No,” I said softly, “I’m going to be really busy.”
Chris huffed. “Seriously?” His temper escalated slightly. “How about the night after?”
I took a deep breath and debated the best way to get rid of him. As he inched closer towards me I took a step backward. The attractive, yet dull man I had grown to like had changed into someone that was obsessed and possessive. I grabbed a hold of my keys inside of my purse and pushed past him, finally turning as I put my key in the door. “Listen, Chris,” I said slowly, as I met his gaze, “Right now, I really need to focus on this new job. I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”
“What?” Chris extended his hands, palms up and shrugged his shoulders. “What did I do? Please, Becca, reconsider…I really like you.”
“I’m sorry. Chris, it’s not you. I just need time to focus on my job.” My excuse sounded so cliché, but it was the best I could do given the situation at hand. “I’m sorry.” I unlocked the door and stepped inside, immediately locking the deadbolt behind me.
* * * *
My evening was spent with one eye open, listening for signs of Chris attempting to break in and kill me, and my mind racing with the list of things I needed to get done for Chance. Melissa had spent the night at her fiancé’s apartment, leaving me alone and scared. Something I was going to have to get used to once she was married. I got up early and started working. Midway through the morning I switched from coffee to wine in an attempt to loosen up my creative energy.
I stared at all of the papers on the coffee table, a glass of white wine ready for every stress filled sip. This was going to be nearly impossible. There was no way I would be able to get everything done in such a short amount of time. I had spent the last seven hours making calls, jotting down notes and researching everything I would ever need to know to get this project right. I needed to manage the impossible, not to mention I also needed time to fulfill my Maid of Honor duties. I polished off my glass of wine and set it on the table. I leaned forward, holding the sides of my somewhat aching head as I scanned my notes. My list of things to get done continued to grow and I was mixed with a combination of frustration, anger and disappointment. The two glasses of wine clouded my judgment as I picked up my phone and called Chance, ready to find a solution.
“Chance, this is insane! I can’t do all of this by myself! I have three pages of things that need to get done in the next few days! I have appointments with like three more people tomorrow! I don’t know how I can possible do this alone! I need help! I don’t have a problem making the decisions but I don’t have time to do all of the grunt work! How am I supposed to get this done?” The sobs of disappointed overcame me as I fumbled for words. I paused for a moment as I realized my outburst was being left on his voicemail. What was I thinking?
“Oh, my God!” I gasped, “There’s a way to delete messages, right? Oh, my God, oh, my God!” I randomly tapped the keys on the screen, attempting to delete the message. There was a beep and the automated voice played on the phone. "Message received. Goodbye.” The phone went dead.
“Nooooo!”