Enjoy!
~!~
Sally took the step two at a time to reach Paul's apartment. She waited until Storm pulled away from the curb before leaving her apartment to tell her friend about her good news. She knocked on Paul's door impatiently and when he didn't answer the first time, she knocked again, harder. He threw the door open and she smiled at him.
"Hey there stranger, what's going on?" she asked.
"You're the stranger now. We no longer see or hear from you," Paul replied turning from her but leaving the door open so she could enter.
She did and closed the door behind her. "I know I've been busy and I just got back from my trip..."
"I thought you were suppose to come back yesterday. We were looking for you."
"Who was looking for me and why?"
"Well we were, you know your friends, the people who actually care about you." Paul sat his sofa and grabbed a cigarette.
"Hey what's wrong? Why are you snapping at me all of a sudden?"
"I'm not snapping..."
"Yes, you are. The first time I do something with someone other than you guys and you're upset, why? When I spoke with you, you were happy for me or at least that's how it seemed, so what changed almost overnight?"
"I'm not upset. We don't know this guy and if anything would have happened to you..., we care about you that's all."
"Thanks for caring. I really appreciate it but I have to take a chance at some point in my life." Sally sighed, "Come on, I don't want to argue. Why are you in a bad mood and don't tell me it's because of me and Storm because it's not. Did you have a shitty day at work today?" Just as Paul opened his mouth to speak, Sally spoke up again, "and by the way he's not just some guy. He's my boyfriend. We made it official this weekend. I'm dating him exclusively."
"What? You're dating him exclusively? Why? What's gotten into you?"
"What do you mean Paul? I...I want to date him. I like him a lot...why..."
"You don't really know him? You don't know anything about him but you're ready to become his girlfriend over a weekend."
"Okay, you're my friend and I understand that you care but don't have the right to say that about someone that you don't know and especially about my life. It's fine that you go out with half the city but when I begin to date someone you get pissed about it and tell me that something's wrong with me? Go to hell Paul."
Sally turned to walk away but Paul grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry. You're right I'm being a dick and you don't deserve that." He took a deep breath and breathed it out. "I'm jealous because my lover and I broke up. I thought he would be the one or someone that I could have something with that wasn't a one-night-stand but he turned out to be a real bitch. And here you come in glowing and happy about your new relationship and I'm jealous of you. I'm sorry."
She looked at him trying to see if he was being honest. When she was satisfied, she responded. "I accept you apology. And I'm sorry about your..."
"Thank you." After a moment of silence, "Well have you eaten? Are you hungry?"
"Not yet but I will be."
"There's a Closer marathon coming on in a few minutes if you want to watch with me? We haven't done that for a while now."
Sally smiled, "Yes that would be nice. What do you feel like, pizza?"
"Sure if you don't mind..."
"No...that..." her phone rang at that time and when Sally saw who was calling she smiled, "Just a sec Paul," she said to him before answering the call, "Hey there,"
"Have dinner with me?" Storm asked as soon as Sally answered the phone.
"No I can't. I'm having dinner with my neighbor Paul, the guy who watched my apartment for me."
"I'm being ditched already? Okay, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Maybe...maybe we'll see each other tomorrow."
"I'm reduced to maybe. As you boyfriend my answer should always be yes."
"That we're gonna have to talk about." Noting the look on Paul's face, she ended her call with Storm. "We'll talk later."
"I'm going to see Brad. Call me before bed."
~!~
Sally looked out at the ocean as she answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Hello, how are you doing?"
"Well thank you. Do you have the information?"
"Yes, I do. His name is Storm Antonio Niccolo Monsello and he is the son of the Antonio Storm Niccolo Mosello. He now owns the law firm that handled your case. Henry Lister was his Godfather. His personal worth is almost ten billion dollars not including what he inherited from his father with the firm. He speaks five languages fluently: English, Italian, Spanish, German and Portuguese, graduated top of his class and has several Juris Doctorate degrees. He's considered amongst the best lawyers and his reputation keeps growing. His sister is Ayasha Monsello. She has some shares in the firm but he has controlling interest. He's very good in case you were wondering about the safety of your transfer."
She knew he spoke Italian. She had heard him and his family communicate in the language. "Has he been informed as to who I am?"
"No he has not. Would like me to make the introductions?"
"No. It's not time and there is still a ways to go."
"Only a few months."
"Yes, I'll be prepared. Thank you for the information."
"Let me know if you need anything. Your information will remain confidential."
"Thank you."
~!~
As the woman walked to her car from a long day at work, her phone began to ring. She stopped when she saw the private number and after two rings the call ended. The phone rang again, showing a private number. This time it rang three times before stopping. The third call, she answered at the second ring.
"Hello?"
"It's me."