Page 10 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
Yeah, she is beautiful but clearly equally shallow and vapid.Besides, I shouldn’t even be considering her attractiveness anyway. Number one rule: never fall for a client.
”So…uh, are you sure you don’t want a drink or anything?” Her voice is melodious and high-pitched. She takes a deep breath and seems to compose herself, straightening her back, closing her eyes for a moment, then looking directly. She smiles brightly, flashing her perfectly white and straight teeth, but it doesn’t seem to meet her eyes.Interesting.
”No,” I respond bluntly. I don’t have the patience right now to be polite. We have work to do.
“Look…” I lean back a little onto the sofa then jump back up once I realize there is a fluffy white cushion behind me assaulting me and tickling my neck.
She put a hand over her mouth, hiding a smile.
I glare at the fluffy monstrosity for a second then return my attention to Everly, who is now blinking at me wide eyed like a deer in headlights.
“So this place is a logistical nightmare for your personal security.” I say, and she blinks again.
The tension is palpable in the room as I look at Everly, waiting for her response. Despite the seriousness of the situation we are in, shepouts.
“Is itreally?”
I eye her and rub my temple.
“It sure is. Either you move out, or we make some drastic changes around here.” A protest begins to form on her lips, but I continue on.”For a start, we need to set up an outdoor security system, make sure all ground floor windows are impenetrable, reinstate the lock system...”
Everly's mouth twitches into a grimace.
“That's all a bit much... Don't you think?” Her brows furrow.
“No, Everly, it isnot.” My voice rumbles. As I utter her name, she swallows hard.
“You've received concerning messages from one or more people that we can assume are stalkers, correct?”
She nods slowly.
“Then this can't be overlooked. It's my job to keep you safe, and I will dowhateverit takes to ensure that happens.”I try to convey the seriousness in my tone.
At that moment, she looks vulnerable again, a shell of the confident woman I’ve observed online. I have to suppress a twinge of sympathy. Her sad face tugs at my heart. It’s like looking at a lost puppy who has strayed too far from home.
An unfamiliar urge to comfort her fills me, but instead I take a step back and gesture to a chair. I need her to be mentally grounded in order for her to comprehend how serious this is. And her standing while I’m sitting down makes me feel uncomfortable.
“Now, let's go through the plan,” I comment as she crosses to the chair and sits down, her expression neutral but shoulders tense.
I tick off points on my fingers as I go through the improvements.
“Outdoor security system, reinforced windows, locks, and a system of designated visitors. We can get all these primary concerns addressed tomorrow morning with my contacts. They act fast. But I might need you to sign off on a few things as the homeowner.”
Everly nods.
“You have to understand that these sort of taunting messages pose very real threats against you and your safety. The messages you sent to us are seriously concerning.”
She shifts under my gaze, but I keep it fixed, hoping to show her how serious I am. None of my clients have been hurt or even injured yet, and I wasn’t about to ruin that record with a self-obsessed online celebrity who doesn’t care enough about her own life.
“You are not to go out alone. I will be accompanying you everywhere you go, as is procedure with personal security. I have to ask that you always runallof your content by me first to make sure that your location won't be revealed in any way that might give away your whereabouts.” Everly chews on her bottom lip.
I soften my voice. “I will do everything in my power to protect you. You’re going to be OK.”
”Fine, but I don't need to run my content by you first. I'm careful enough not to let my location be revealed,”she claims.
My eyes widen, and I raise my brow. How does she not realize the dangers of her online presence?
”Oh yeah? So what you’re telling me is that you’d never show anything that could allow someone to find out your location?” I ask incredulously.
