Page 5 of Unpermitted Love

I discreetly ask some of our neighbors about Hal and was surprised to learn that he is actually the owner of the building! Why didn't he live in a mansion somewhere on the south side of South Bay with the Hollywood celebrities? I'm sure the penthouse must be luxurious but how many billionaires would choose to live in a condo?

Several days passed before I saw Hal Torres again. I had a long day at work so I hit the gym to work off some of the tension building up inside of me.

I just finished venting my stress on the weights and treadmill when I decide to head home, exhausted from the day’s events. I need a long soak in the bath.

As soon as I get in the front door, I head into the bathroom and begin preparing the tub. I turn on the water and let it fill up. I scatter some rose petals in and smile, satisfied with the look. I barely place my legs in when my doorbell rings.

Who could that be? I'm not expecting anyone.

I wrap myself in a towel and head towards the door, looked through the peephole and almost fall backwards.

It’s Hal.

"Just a minute," I call and run to my bedroom to change into something better. I find blue gum jeans and a mustard tank top.

I take one final look in the mirror, then open the door.

"Hello, Anna."

"Hi, Hal."

"Can we talk?"

There was a strange certainty in his eyes and his demeanor. He’s so incredibly handsome, with his dark hair and deep brown eyes. His tight white T-shirt emphasized his muscular arms and broad shoulders. He looks like he could have been sculpted by Michelangelo.

"Anna?"

"Uh ... yeah. Please come in," I stutter in embarrassment.

"I love what you’ve done with the place."

"Thank you. Would you like something to drink?" I ask, walking towards the kitchen area.

"No, I'm fine, thank you,” he says quietly. “Listen, I just wanted to pop by to clarify a few things."

"Okay," I say, sitting down on one of the bar stools next to the breakfast bar that he now leans against. Looking up at him now, he appears as though he has a lot on his mind. His brow is furrowed and he reaches into his jean pockets. A few moments of silence stretch between us.

"I'm sure you know that Tasha and I aren't on speaking terms," he begins. “She's told you that, right?"

I wasn’t expecting him to be so bold, but I guess it was necessary.

"Yes I know,” I reply, the tension filling the air. I look up into his face, and he looks pained. I try to offer some comfort and add, “But before you continue, I'd like to apologize to you, Hal."

"Apologize for what?” He looks genuinely perplexed.

"The way I treated you the day I moved in … with the boxes. I was dismissive and rude, and I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have acted that way."

He smiles down at me now. I feel my cheeks flush furiously. I’m suddenly very conscious that I still haven’t showered or bathed since the gym and I’m in close proximity with this God like man, who actually seems pretty decent.

What is Tasha’s problem?

"It's okay Anna. I understand. I don't have a problem with Tasha. Not anymore. I'll admit that I never thought my dad would remarry, and certainly not to a woman much younger than him, and so soon after my mom's death. So back then, I did everything I could to sabotage their relationship.” He looks genuinely remorseful. “I was a pain in the ass, if I’m being completely honest, but I was grieving, you know? I found it all pretty difficult and hard to come to terms with but that was a long time ago now. I’m not perfect. But, who is?”

“That sounds pretty rough, Hal,” I say. So is this why Tasha had her issues with him? Surely she had the tenacity to understand a grieving boy's issue with his recently widowed dad’s newfound relationship.

"When dad handed over the family business to me, I didn’t want it. But he was insistent.” Hal looks at me intently as he tells me this. I listen with rapt attention. Tasha had previously told me that Hal had ripped the company from his dad.

“Why didn’t you want it?” I ask, to see whether his answer fills in any of the gaps. Between what Tasha and Hal have said to me, it doesn’t make sense why they fell out as hard as they did. Hal laughs.

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