Page 17 of Sweet Dreams
"It's okay, babe. It should just be my parents," Ivan told me as he moved to thedoor.
"What? Your parents?" I went from tired-but-wired to full-blown panic mode in the space of a breath. I wasn't sure what would be worse: my stalker showing up, or Ivan'sparents.
I whisper-yelled at Ivan, grabbing his arm to detain him, "Ivan, I'm in my pjs and my hair's a mess. And my house is a mess. I can't meet them like this. You gotta tell them something's come up. Tell them I'm sick. Tell them it's contagious. I'm puking, it’s everywhere. I can't meet them right now. You seriously called your parents? Why the hell would you do that?" I only stopped to take a breath because my lungs felt like they were on fire and there wasn't enough oxygen in theroom.
My absolute terror must have shown on my face. Ivan looked like he was trying really hard to conceal a smile which only enraged me more, as he got ahold of my shoulders and gave me a slight shake. "Esa, baby. Calmdown."
"Oh, bad move, bad move," Bailey said from behind us. "Never in the history of men telling women to 'calm down' has that actually resulted in a woman calmingdown."
Ivan tossed her a dirty look over his shoulder and she threw her hands up in surrender. “I'm just sayin,” sheresponded.
"Sweetheart, I called them and asked them to come over. My dad knows some people that do some undercover type work. He thinks we should hire them to help find this guy. Please let them help you. Just listen to what they say and give it some thought. My parents are nice people and you don't need to try to impress them. Let them in. Please?" Ivan was leaning down looking me in the face with an earnest expression. His eyes were pleading with me and I knew right then I couldn't win, couldn't resist thoseeyes.
"But...meeting parents is a big freaking deal, Ivan," I pouted. My shoulders drooped in defeat. I knew my face held an expression that only whiney two-year-olds make when they weren't getting their way. This was a losing battle, I could feelit.
"Please? For me?" Ivan whispered. Then he used those hands to massage my shoulders, and I discovered defeat felt better with amassage.
He was being sweet and totally rational, damn him. They'd come all the way over here at 6 a.m. to help a woman they'd never even met before. I'd be a total bitch if I didn't welcome them in and at least have a conversation with them. The doorbell sounded yet again, jolting me out of mythoughts.
"Okay, I'll talk to them." I took several deep breaths to steady my heart rate. Ivan squeezed my shoulders and gave me a quick kiss, then walked over and opened my frontdoor.
Standing on my doorstep was the most put together couple I'd seen in a long time. Ivan's dad was tall like Ivan, had blond hair mixed with a lot of grey, blue eyes, and a nice tan. He looked to be in good shape for his age, but had on the typical rich, white guy outfit of slacks, polo shirt, loafers, and sunglasses tucked into the V-neck of his shirt. Most importantly, he was wearing a kind smile which I took as a good sign. Ivan's mom looked impeccably put together, especially for an early morning surprise visit, with her dark blonde bob haircut, blue eyes, sweater set, slacks, and loafers. She had jewels in her ears, on her wrist, around her neck, and on her fingers. She too wore a kind smile, so I clung to that and hoped it boded well for our firstconversation.
I took this all in while also wondering how to get the hell out of this situation. I was in flip flops, pajama pants, and a thin camisole, for God's sakes. I can't believe Ivan didn't give me advanced warning. Suddenly I realized everyone was looking at meexpectantly.
"Um, I'm sorry, what'd you say?" I looked at Ivan for help while stepping closer to his parents. I plastered on a smile and decided 'fake it till you make it' was my motto thismorning.
"Esa, these are my parents, Susan & Mitch Whittington," Ivan repeated while gesturing to his parents. He kept one arm around my back, for the dual purpose of offering support and making sure I didn't escape, I'msure.
I immediately reached out and shook Mitch's hand with a big smile on my face. "Hello, Mitch. It's so nice to meet you," I said brightly. Then I went to shake Susan's hand, but she reached forward instead and gave me a big hug. "Oh, nice to meet you too, Susan. Now I know where Ivan gets his fabulous hugs from." They both smiled back at me and I moved back to invite them into myhouse.
"Sorry about spacing out there for a second. It's been a crazy morning," I explained as we moved into the living room. "Please, have aseat."
Bailey came into the room and quickly handed me my sweatshirt as she turned and introduced herself to Susan and Mitch. Thank God for best friends and their foresight. I whipped the sweatshirt over my head, sitting next to Ivan on one couch as they sat on the opposite couch together. Bailey took the wing-backed chair. Ivan wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close, offering support, knowing I was still freaking outinside.
"Oh honey, I can only imagine how unsettled you must be feeling right now. Ivan told us over the phone some of the things that have been happening. I'm so sorry to hear you're dealing with this," Susan said, sympathy all over herface.
"Thank you, Susan. I've never had this happen before so I'm not sure how I'm feeling quite yet. I'm just hoping the police catch himsoon.”
"Well, that's what we wanted to talk to you about, Esa,” Mitch jumped in, leaning forward with a serious look on his face. "We have a good friend who owns a private detective company that has solved some incredible cases. He's the best in the area, hands down. We think we should get him on your case ASAP. He'll work closely with the police, but let's be real here. The police can only do so much with their limited time and resources. This stalker seems to be escalating and I strongly feel we should hire this private detective before things get out of control. What do yousay?"
I blinked. Then took a long breath. Then blinked again. That was a lot to take in. "To be honest, sir, I haven't had a chance to think about the best course of action yet. I'd obviously like him caught, sooner rather than later, but I don't know what a private detective costs. I'm assuming I won't be able to afford that. Besides, I'm sure the police will be able to do all the same things," I explained, while alternating looking at Susan, Mitch, andIvan.
Ivan gave my shoulders a squeeze before leaning into me and grabbing my hands in my lap. "Don't worry about the cost of the private detective, baby. I've got that covered. I think you should hire him and catch this guy. He's obviously not stopping and my dad's right; his attacks have escalated. I'm worried his next attack will be less about property damage and more about hurting you. I can't let that happen. Let's hire the detective and make sure you'resafe."
"Bad move, bad move..." Bailey whispered from her chair. Mitch and Susan looked over at her curiously but turned their attention back to me when Bailey didn'telaborate.
I sat up taller, took a breath, and calmly explained why that just wouldn't work for me. "While I appreciate the offer, I can't let you do that, Ivan. This is my problem and I will take care of it as I see fit. I don't have the money for a private detective right now, so I'll let the police handle this," I saidfirmly.
I didn't want to seem rude in front of his parents, but I didn't appreciate him swooping in, throwing his money around and saving poor little helpless Esa. I'd made it this far on my own, I'd make it through thistoo.
"Esa, I really think you should reconsider. This stalker sounds dangerous. We just want to see you safe and sound," Susan interjected, with a pleading look on herface.
"And I appreciate your concern, Susan, I really do. I'll take a look at my financial situation and see if I can swing it. If I can, you and Mitch will be my first call," I placated, hoping she'd understand myposition.
After that, there wasn't much to say, so thankfully the Whittington’s cut through the tense situation by announcing they had some people to meet for breakfast. I don't know if that was the truth or not, but I appreciated their tact. They took off after hugs all around and promises to come visit them for dinner sometime soon. Bailey took off to her room to get ready for work and I told Ivan I needed to do the samething.
"Babe, why don't you take today off work. Stay home, get some rest, and try to relax. You've had a crazy couple of days. I'm sure Jaz can run things without you there.” Ivan pulled me into his body. He rubbed his big hands up and down my back, which was heavenly and totally tempting. It would have been so easy to rest there in his arms and take the day off, try to forget my problems. But I was made of tougher stuff. And I had a business to run. And a life to lead. No one could do those things but me. And my stalker wouldn’t change any ofthat.
