Page 3 of Julian's Curse

A bit embarrassed that I’d been so late, I flashed him a warm smile. Even after three months of us newly together, I still felt the need to rub my eyes each time he reappeared. It all felt like a dream. Like I’d gotten drunk, passed out in my apartment, and had dreamt it all up. But if this were the case and I was still dreaming, I’d make the most of its vividness.

He looked salacious without making any effort in his tailored dark suit that hugged his tall frame. It seemed that he’d just gotten his haircut before our date, brushing his thick brown hair to spike up in the middle, shorter on the sides, his usual signature look. “Hi Greg, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your conversation.” My boyfriend’s lips curled into a smile that oozed the kind of sex appeal you’d expect from a movie star.

“We weren’t just talking about the people in real estate,” Greg attempted to save the situation. “More like the type of people that Sophie hangs out with now.”

I tried not to laugh at how he was suddenly embarrassed, while Julian’s attention darted to me. I’d worn a tightfitting black dress to work and while it was tasteful, it showed off my curves in all the right places. He gave it a predatory glimmer,then kissed me hello. “I didn’t think you’d make lunch, so I grabbed you some takeout.” He handed me a paper bag from the restaurant. His mouth split in a wicked grin of delight at my surprised look.

“You know what Lucie, I’ll go give the info to Kali.” Greg grabbed the piece of paper he’d provided to me earlier and left us to it. I didn’t even have time to thank him with how fast he’d disappeared to give us a moment.

But we were still in open space, so I’d become painfully aware of the attention that this visit had gotten me. The staff looked unnaturally glued to their screens, and the office seemed too quiet for a day when Amanda was not around.

“Really sorry,” I accepted the food with gratitude. My mouth suddenly felt dry because of the buzz that my boyfriend had created. A part of me was surprised there wasn’t a line of office staff waiting outside the door just to get his signature.

“Just meant to come by and say I love you,” his hand slid to my upper thigh, fingers curving in. It made me feel hot and heavy, as every thought eddied from my head except one. “I love you too.”

“Are you okay after yesterday?”

I examined his signature luxurious Breitling, an item that had now become nostalgic to me, then lifted my eyes to meet his. When we were exiting his office, a frantic fan had pushed me into a barrier.

“Yeah, not a single bruise,” I assured him. “I am tougher than you think I am.”

He still looked concerned. “Lucie, after everything that happened last year, I want to make sure that you are safe. I know passion is pushing you to work here, but it’s risky regardless of metal detectors and cameras.”

He still carried the guilt of my suffering, but he didn’t need to. While one of Julian’s business deals had made me a target for a contract killer, it had never been his fault.

My throat tightened. “Amanda knows what she’s doing.”

He kept his lethal focus on me. If we walked a dangerous line together, so be it. I wouldn’t surrender all my freedom. Yes, I’d made concessions, but I refused to live in total isolation. At my age, I had to have some independence.

“While Tarnakis and Niccolo are both in jail, there’s always going to be the possibility that someone will want to get at me through you.” He half-whispered so nobody could hear him.

“Julian, I am not afraid,” I squeezed his hand gently. The sun glinted through the windows, and I wasn’t willing to let anything ruin my inner peace. I’d just barely found my balance. “I am happy here.” In the corporate world he despised.

He nodded. “I have to go back to the office for a board meeting, but I’ll see you for dinner?”

Lately the two of us had gotten more into home-cooking, and I loved these cozy nights of staying in. “Definitely. Let’s make something French. From my Gram’s cookbook,” I suggested. This was the normalcy of our relationship that I craved the most. “Again, I am sorry for being so late today.”

“No big deal, I just wanted to see you.” He squeezed my hand.

“I am glad you came to find me.”

Visibly content with my answer, he pecked me on the cheek for a goodbye. I never liked seeing Julian walk away, not after he had almost died in a shooting, and not after I’d believed that I’d never see him again. But just like I had to work, he had to keep growing his business. Not because of money, but because of purpose. Entrepreneurial success for him was a fuel to his existence, just like writing atApogeewas a fuel of mine.

Since Greg had volunteered to help Kali, I’d gained some time. Pensive, I carried my lunch into the meeting room anddecided to eat it there in solitude. It was the only place where I could avoid the hard stares that would come after such a visit. It had convenient blinds that I could pull down. After a long day of stop and go, this was the silence that I needed.

I locked the door behind me, knowing from the reservation sheet that nobody would need the room anytime soon. Famished, I opened the paper bag, and alongside my usual lunch order and fresh squeezed lemonade, I found a note written on a napkin.

I can’t wait to take off that dress and cherish what’s underneath. Love you.Julian.

There wasn’t anybody more perfect than him, not for me. I’d never been in a place in my life when everything was this harmonious. So, I ate some of my food and browsed my phone for mindless media. I wanted to relish the sweet moment of doing nothing.

Bored with my newsfeed, I suddenly recalled Bradley’s call and realized this quiet moment might be the ideal time to return it. I didn’t want to wait too long, especially since I cared about him so much. With that thought, I dialed his number, hoping to hear good news. He answered on the second ring.

“Hey, Lucie.”

I’d missed his deep pleasant voice. It felt striking to hear it again.

“How is everything in Hawaii?” First, I felt the urge to explain my recent distance. “I didn’t want to bother you while there. I felt that you needed some time for yourself.” I half-apologized.

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