Phillip and Nicole went out almost every night that week. They went to baseball games, saw movies, took long walks at nearby parks, and went out to dinner at nice restaurants. The week had been like a dream for Nicole, and had been very effective in taking her mind off her lack of progress at work.
It's not that she couldn't find reliable sources to get information from. That definitely wasn't a problem. The problem was that only a couple of people had responded to her calls and emails, and they did so with very vague answers to her questions. However, Nicole remained optimistic and believed that one source would come along soon that would tell her everything she needed to know. Until then, she would do what she could with the information she had. Besides, she still had a few more weeks to dig up some dirt, and was confident that everything would work out in her favor.
After getting home from the office on Friday night, Nicole immediately changed into her pajamas and flopped down on her couch with a big bowl of popcorn to begin her annual Friday night movie marathon, since she and Phillip didn't make any plans for the night since he had to work late. Around 8 o'clock, she got a phone call on her cell from an unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Is this Nicole Anderson?"
"Uh, yeah, it is. May I ask who this is?"
"This is William Harrison." Nicole let out a surprised gasp. She was completely speechless. "Listen," said Harrison, "I know what you've been up to Ms. Anderson. My sources tell me that you're snooping around in affairs that you have no business knowing anything about."
"Mr. Harrison, I-"
"If you don't put an end to your little investigation, I will personally destroy both that, and your career, permanently" he threatened before hanging up.
Nicole didn't know what to say or think. She froze on the spot, confused and extremely pissed off.
Who the fuck does this guy think he is, threatening me like that? I guess now I'll have something interesting to add to the article.
There was no way on Earth she was going to let his threats hold her back. A minute later, a knock at the door brought her back to reality.
Nicole took a quick peek through the eyehole and opened the door. "Hello?"
"Hi, package for Ms. Anderson. I need you to sign," said a delivery man.
"Of course, thank you." The package was enormous. Nicole couldn't begin to guess what was inside.
Maybe it's from mom and dad,
she thought, examining the very ornately decorated box. She ran to her room to see what it was, and who had sent it. Upon opening the box, there was a card on top of the wrapping paper that read:
Had we but world enough, and time,
This coyness, lady, were no crime.
We would sit down and think which way
To walk, and pass our long love's day;
But at my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity.
Thy beauty shall no more be found,
Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound
My echoing song
Now therefore, while the youthful hue
Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
And while thy willing soul transpires
At every pore with instant fires,
Now let us sport us while we may;
And now, like am'rous birds of prey,
Rather at once our time devour,
Than languish in his slow-chapp'd power.
Let us roll all our strength, and all
Our sweetness, up into one ball;
And tear our pleasures with rough strife
Thorough the iron gates of life.
Thus, though we cannot make our sun
Stand still, yet we will make him run.
Lines from Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress"
she thought smugly.
It has to be from Phillip
. She opened the wrapping paper, and nearly fainted. Inside the box was the $4000 Gucci gown she had seen a few days ago.
How did he know I was looking at this?
Not only was there the gown, but also a very expensive looking pair of Louboutin T-strap pumps
. I don't even want to know how much this all cost
. She began to feel dizzy and had to sit on her bed.
I know he's rich, but...
Before she could finish that thought, her cell phone rang again. "H-hello?"
"Did you get my gifts?" It was Phillip.
"Jesus, Phillip. What the hell were you thinking?"
"First of all, a simple thank you would've been nice. Second, I was thinking I wanted to see you in that dress."
"There's absolutely no way I can accept it. Or the shoes. Flowers and chocolates are fine, but a $4,000 dress is way, way too much."
"Nicole, I got 2 tickets for a gala at the opera tomorrow night. You said you've always wanted to go, so I thought tomorrow would be the perfect occasion. Of course, I assumed you'd need something to wear."
"Why would you do that!? We've only been going out for a week..."
"I did it because I thought it would make you happy. I did it because I
wanted
to. So stop making it seem like it'd be wrong of you to accept."
Nicole didn't know whether to want to kiss him or slap him. "Well, thank you," she said meekly. "I appreciate it, I really do, but like I said, it's too much. I'll have to pay you back somehow."
