2 The Handsome Intruder

I wake up with swollen eyes from all the crying from yesterday. I contemplate my reflection in the mirror, this isn’t a cute look. I splash some cold water in my face and go back to bed, I have no desire to see anyone right now. I watch movies on my laptop, but I don’t really pay attention to them. I can’t erase the image of Sam on the ground with the gun inside his mouth. 

My phone vibrates, it’s probably a text from Miranda.

           UNKNOWN NUMER: U r a disgusting bitch.

I frown, upset. Who wrote this? I read the text several times, as if I could find something new with each reading. After a while I conclude that it was probably sent to me by mistake. It doesn’t say my name and it’s not from someone I know. Replying is pointless. 

I call Miranda and ask her to come visit me. While I wait for her I take a shower. The water running down my body makes me feel better as if I could be cleaned from what I saw last night. Miranda arrives short after I get out of the shower. I tell her what happened and she hears me in disbelief. 

“Wait, but your dad is like... old.” She says, astonished. 

“He may be old, but he has a young man’s heart and, apparently, a lot of strength.” I reply not loving it when someone calls my dad old. “You should have seen Sam’s face, he was so afraid. I feel terrible.”

“It’s not your fault you dad went crazy on him.” She says shrugging. “But what I don’t understand is why he has a gun? Is the flower industry dangerous?” She asks jokingly. 

I sigh annoyed. This is no time for her jokes. 

“I was thinking about it too and I think that maybe he got the gun after Alex was murdered.” I answer.

Miranda’s expression changes, she seems ashamed. 

“Oh, right... I wasn't thinking about your brother... sorry.” She says with an ‘i’m sorry’ smile. “It makes sense. But he should use it to protect you from criminals, not prospective boyfriends.” 

“I know. He was so out of line.”

“What did Sam say afterwards?” Miranda asks.

“No idea. I haven't spoken to him since yesterday.” I reply.

“What? Oli, you should call him and ask him how he is! It’s the least you can do after your dad almost killed him.” She cries out. “How come you didn't called him to try to fix this? What if he goes to the police? I know your dad acted crazy, but it would suck to see him in jail.” 

“I thought the same, but then my mom acted like it was impossible for my dad to go to jail. She said he has contacts or something like that.” I reply.

“Contacts? Like in the police? No offense, Olivia, but your dad imports flowers... and I know he has flower shops all across town and you have a lot of money, but that doesn't sound like the kind of business that gives you important enough contacts to avoid jail time.” Miranda looks at me as if I’m crazy.

“I know. That’s what my mom said, I don’t know what to tell you.” I shrug.

We spend the rest of the afternoon gossiping and watching series. I appreciate the distraction. At night, Miranda insists that we go out to a party she has been invited to, but I don’t want to upset my dad, I haven't seen him all day and I don't know how he might react if I go out. After a lot of insistence from Miranda, I go downstairs to let my dad know about the party and assess his reaction. 

He is in the dining room talking to some intruders. I walk in and they all shut up instantly as if they were talking about a big secret no one else is allowed to hear. My dad is reading some documents.

“Aren’t you going out or do you plan to spend the whole day in your room?” He asks without looking at me. 

“Yes, I’m going out.” I say relieved. 

“Good. Take Ivan with you.” He says and then he waves me off.

I walk up the stairs feeling happy. I thought my dad might ground me for going out on a date behind his back, but he probably feels guilty for what he did and maybe this is his way to amend things between us, he’s too proud to apologize. 

I tell Miranda the good news. She’s as happy as me. She really wants to go to the party, Barney, a guy she has a huge crush on, it’s going to be there and she’s sure this is her chance to hook up with him. 

We try several different outfits, I choose a yellow tight dress and Miranda wears a black mini skirt and a red top. My friend considers herself a semiprofessional makeup artist after all the internet tutorials she has watched. I let her do my makeup and the results are amazing, my blue eyes look even bigger than usual and my red lips make a great contrast with my black hair. It takes us like two hours to get ready.

We go down the stairs carefully, we don’t want to fall in this gorgeous high-heels. It’s a hundred times easier to walk in flats, but when you are a short girl like me, you have to wear the heels. 

“Ivan is being waiting for you for a while now.” Says one intruder smoking in the hall. 

I recognize his voice, he’s the one that held me yesterday and stopped me from helping Sam. I glare at him with contempt. Wow, he is handsome! The tall intruder looks back at me with piercing blue eyes and I feel intimidated. There’s a certain arrogance in the way he stands, as if this was his home and I was just a visit. He runs his free hand thru his short blonde hair with his eyes still focused on me. I gulp, I find myself wondering what it would be like to run my hands thru that gorgeous hair of his. 

I look away and walk pass him as if his looks haven't affected me. He seems different from other intruders, most of them look like thugs in suits, but he looks refined. Even his suit looks elegant, it must be very expensive and I know about expensive clothes. 

“Who asked you?” I ask with disdain. 

“Have fun, doll.” Replies the intruder with a smirk.

He looks at me from head to toe, cheekily. He doesn’t even try to hide the lust in his eyes. Who does he think he is? He acts so self-sufficient calling me doll and looking at me this way. I’m his boss’s daughter! He should show me more respect, especially if he wants to keep his job. 

“What a handsome man!” Miranda says as soon as we are inside the car. “Why were you waisting you time with Sam when you have such a hottie at home?”

Ivan, the driver, looks at us from the rear-view mirror trying to hold his laughter. 

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I reply embarrassed.

“Sure, you do! Come on! You can’t tell me you didn’t notice how good looking he is. What’s his name? How long has he been working for your dad? And how soon are you planning to do him?” Miranda insists. 

I close my eyes mortified. I really hate it when she talks as if Ivan wasn’t listening. 

“You know I don’t pay a lot of attention to the intruders. I saw him yesterday for the first time and I certainly won’t be doing him.” I mutter.

“Oh, come on! You have to treat yourself with the Handsome Intruder, you deserve him after the year you had.” 

“You are exaggerating. He’s ok looking, but his nose is too big and he’s way too tall for me.” I lie. His nose is my favorite thing about him along with his thin lips and his amazing cat-like eyes. 

“What are you talking about? His nose goes perfectly with his face and those fierce eyes... I could melt in those eyes and you, Oli, are a fool if you don’t make a move on Handsome Intruder.”  

“Handsome Intruder? That’s his name now?” I ask as I roll my eyes. 

“Yep and it will be until you find out his real name.” Miranda replies. 

“Can we change subjects, please?” I ask annoyed.

Thanks to the darkness of the night and the yellow street lights Miranda can’t tell I’m blushing and I’m very thankful for that. I would hate for her to know how attractive I find Handsome Intruder, especially because it’s a relationship doom from the start. I can’t imagine how my dad would react if I had something going on with one of his employees. It will be hell! Handsome Intruder could end up death or at least unemployed. After the unpleasant experience Sam endure because of me I won’t risk getting anyone else hurt. It’s not worth it.