Chapter Three - Meeting PJ

Scarlett

It was already ten a.m., but I was exhausted due to not sleeping last night because of the dread of meeting PJ today. I haven’t seen him in a year, and he made me believe I would never have to see him again. I should have known better. My anxiety was through the roof, just thinking about seeing him again. I wish I could just run, but that wouldn’t work because he would find me. The best thing for me to do was to do as he asks, and then hopefully, after that, he will leave me alone and let me get on with life.

I know that I should take my car as it would be safer and more accessible for me to get away if I needed to, but the place he wants to meet is five minutes around the corner from my house. I am sure he chose somewhere close on purpose. The time is now creeping past ten forty-five. I need to leave because late is something I cannot be. So I lock the door, fruit smoothie in hand, and off I go to hear what PJ wants me for after such a long time.

The closer I got to the park, the stronger the sick feeling became, and the knot on my stomach grew. I was trying to keep my shaking hands under control. I can’t show him fear because he could use that. I stood for a moment, taking a few deep breaths before heading over to where I was meeting him. I walked with confidence, even if that was the last thing I was feeling. He wasn’t here yet. I headed to the bench, sitting down, drinking my smoothie as I waited. The park was empty, kids at school and adults at work, another reason he picked this time.

I sat my phone on my lap, counting down the minutes until he would be here; he is always on time. But, as I watch the minutes tick by, my nerves are getting worse as it was now eleven- fifteen, and he is not here.

Why is he not here yet? Is he maybe just trying to get to me because he knows it will work?

 I get up to walk around, and just as I get myself ready, he comes into view. I can see him in the distance. He is just standing leaning against a tree, watching me with a smile on his face.

How long has he been there for?

He starts to walk over, and I feel sick all over again. I need to sit back down and just breathe slow. What is the need for him tormenting me this way? I showed up, didn’t I?

“Long time no see, Scar, looking good as always,” He said, a sly look on his face.

“Yeah, it has been a while, PJ,” I said, trying to steady my breathing.

He smirked, coming over and sat down next to me, closer than what he needed to.

“How have you been?” He asked.

Small talk, really? We are not friends.

“Fine,” I said simply, “And stop with the small talk, it isn’t you,” I added, trying to hide the annoyance in my voice.

“I want to have a proper catch up with you before I give you the good news,” He said.

“Good news!!! Nothing from you is ever good news. Just tell me what you want, PJ,” I said and sat looking down towards the ground, then back him nervously.

“Fine, fine, Scar. We are going to be seeing more of each other anyway, so plenty of time to catch up” He stares at me with a smirk on his face.

Don’t get me wrong, he is a good-looking man, and if I didn’t know who he was, he would probably be my type of guy. He has these gorgeous green eyes, but there was no emotion in them when he looked at you. His jaw perfectly sculpted, and his dark hair always sat perfectly. Anyone looking at him could see he looked after himself. He knew it though, he knows he was handsome, and this made him very arrogant.

“More of each other? I thought this was only the one job?” I said.

“It is, but it is going to take time,” He said, “You should get used to having me around again,” He added.

“Explain what I need to know or what I need to do so I can get back home. I have things to do today,” I said.

I don’t have anything to do, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“There is a coffee shop in the town centre, about fifteen minutes away. It is going to be your new regular place to go,” He grinned like a Cheshire cat, then laughed.

“Ok, what is this place called?” I asked.

“Café Rouge, it is a nice place with a bookshop at the front. So you can go in and sit in the coffee shop reading your sappy romantic novels,” He said, “That is the only information that you need right now,” He added.

How does he know what I read? My taste in books has changed since I last saw him.

“How do you know what I read?” I asked, feeling slightly on edge.

“I know everything, Scarlett; you should know that by now,” He said, “Do you honestly think I have only been watching for the last few days?” He added, laughing loudly.

How long has he been watching me?

“What does that mean? I have not seen you for over a year,” I said.

“Just because you haven’t seen me, it doesn’t mean I have not seen you,” He said, a smug look on his face when he did, “Did you honestly think I could go for over one year not knowing where you were or what you were doing,” he added.

“Are we done?” I asked, looking straight into his eyes.

I’m pretty surprised that I have managed to stand up to him.  I usually just crumble and do as he says without answering back, but this past year has made me stronger and stand up for myself.

“I say when we are done, you do not question me. Have you learned nothing Scarlett,” He stood up and stared down at me with an angry look on his face!!

“Do not talk to me that way,” I said firmly, “I am not the same weak-assed girl you knew a year ago,” I added, making sure to keep eye contact with him.

PJ laughed loudly, reaching in and began stroking my cheek. His hands-on me is enough to make me shudder in disgust.

“I will talk to you how I please,” He snapped, “Remember, sweetheart, I have the information that could ruin you in more ways than one,” He added.

At that, he turned around and started walking away.

“I will be in touch, darling and remember I will always find you, so don’t try and do anything stupid,” PJ said and continued to walk.

Darling that is something I haven’t been called in a while and something I do not miss being called. I just watch him disappear in the distance and sit back down to gather my thoughts before I walk back home. I pulled myself together after ten minutes and started on my walk home. I don’t know how I am going to cope with having him around again. Yes, I work for him, but if it were his choice, I would be doing more than that for him. He has never tried to hide his attraction to me. I wish what happened between us all those years ago never happened. Maybe his creepy obsession wouldn’t be as intense as it is now.