Chapter 29 - Non stalkers and imaginary tasers.

Amelia came out of the shower dressed and refreshed with a smile on her face. She really couldn't wait to spend the whole day with Xavier.
She walked out with her high heels in her hand and her earrings.

"I'm ready! I know I took a while but it's all good."

She said handed Xavier her high heels.

"Sit down. Let me help you with your shoes."

"Thank you." Amelia murmured as she sat down, she was still occupied with her earrings when her eyes traveled to a package on her coffee table.

"What's that?"

She asked as she scrunched up her face. Xavier on the other hand was on his knees adjusting the straps of her heels. Xavier raised his head to stare at the coffee table.

"It's from a guy named Boston. Were you expecting it?"

"Boston?!!!" Amelia asked in amazement as she waited for Xavier to help her with her heels before going to pick up the package. She was very surprised. How the hell did he know where she lived.

"When did this get here? How does he know where I live?"

Amelia asked as she unwrapped the package. It was that same tiny painting. The one with the wrecked boat. The one she found intriguing but confusing. There was also more. A small note that she picked up and read. She raised her eyebrows. How did he know the painting was her favourite? Amelia had many questions. In fact, she had too many questions that were in her head.

"Wait, I thought you know the guy."

Xavier asked and Amelia shrugged.

"I don't. I met him at the art exhibit. He was the artist. I have no idea how he found out where I lived. I had just one conversation with him."

Xavier frowned.

"Should I be worried? It sounds like he's stalking you."

"Stalking? That's a little too much Xavier."

Amelia said as she chuckled.

Xavier looked serious as he shook his head, he started pacing around the room.

"How else does he know where you live? Did you give him your information?"

Amelia's mouth gaped.

"No! I didn't! I barely know the guy Xavier."

"Well, if you don't and he managed to get your address, then I think we should report him or something. He's stalking you."

Amelia's eyes widened, Xavier was taking things too far and she wasn't sure if it was because of jealousy or he really was being overprotective.

"I don't think he's stalking me Xavier. He just sent me a painting. That's all."

Xavier rolled his eyes.

"He knows you're married right? Or you didn't tell him."

Amelia finally snapped, she walked up to Xavier and glared at him.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you say that? I literally have my ring on my finger all day and all night! Why are you being so unreasonable?"

"Okay! I'm sorry! I'm sorry I asked that question. But you must understand, this guy, is stalking you."

Amelia laid her hand on Xavier to calm him down.

"Xavier, let it go. Please. It's just a painting. Let's go. We don't want to be late."

Xavier sighed and nodded his head.

He held Amelia's waist, pulling her close to him till their face was barely inches away from each other.

"Promise me once it starts getting out of hand or he's bothering you, you'll tell me."

Amelia smiled widely.

"Yes! I will. Don't worry."

"Now, we better get going."

Amelia added as she planted a kiss on Xavier's mouth.



Xavier left exactly three days later just like he had planned and Amelia was alone again. She threw her entire self into her work, stopping only to chill with her friends and eating or getting some much needed rest.
It was late in the morning when Amelia left the Gladstone art gallery after talking to Myra. She wanted to ask the woman if she was the one who gave Boston McNamara information about where she lived but Myra replied in the negative claiming she herself had no idea where Amelia lived. She was walking back to her studio apartment building tired and exhausted.

She wished she could spend the rest of her day with Molly and Ruby but Molly had gone to Paris for a business trip and Ruby on the other hand was still working. Her phone rang again and she ignored it. Her parents had been trying to reach her for the past few days. It could only mean that they needed something. That was the only thing that Amelia could think of.
She knew they were not sorry about a lot of things, but she was definitely expecting them to fake an apology or something just to get something out of her.

"Amelia!"

Someone called out and Amelia turned back with a frown. Who was that? She thought as she looked around her building's lobby. She found Boston running towards her and her eyes widened. He was wearing a black tank top that exposed his ripped muscles and golden skin and he had casual sweatpants on. His wet black hair was in a ponytail and his face looked clean shaven. He looked like he was just coming back from the gym.

Was Xavier right? Was Boston really stalking her? She asked herself as she took several steps back.

"Hey! I saw you coming in and I wanted to catch up with you before you reached the elevator."

"Are you stalking me?" Amelia retorted as she stepped back as Boston moved closer to her.
Boston looked shocked enough for her to believe him.

"No! No! I swear I'm not. I just moved into the building a week ago and I saw you a day after the art exhibit. That was why I sent you the painting."

Amelia narrowed her eyes at Boston, she wasn't sure she really believed him. Xavier had planted so many ideas in her head and she really felt like he could have been stalking her.

"Come, I'll show you my apartment. We live on the same floor."

Amelia was still hesitant and Boston chuckled.

"I swear I'm not going to hurt you or anything. I just want to show you that I'm not stalking you."

He said as she raised his hands up in mock surrender.

"Okay let's go. But just so you know, I have a taser in my bag and I know how to use it."

Amelia warned as they both walked towards the elevator and Boston looked at her tiny purse. He knew it couldn't fit a taser.

"That purse looks way too tiny to hold a taser."

Amelia glared at him.

"It does hold a taser."

She protested as she walked into the elevator with him. They made small chit chat in the elevator before they got to their floor and Amelia headed straight for her apartment.

"Hey! Wait wait! You haven't seen where I live yet."

Boston protested and Amelia rolled her eyes.

"Boston, I'm married. Do you remember that?"

She asked as she flashed her ring in front of his face and Boston shrugged.

"I know. And I respect that. I just want you to know that I'm not stalking you. I really live here."

There was a short silence in the hallway as Amelia decided whether or not she was going to go with Boston. She didn't know what he was up to and she really wasn't sure about going to his apartment. If Xavier heard, he'd most likely find a way to get her out of her place or exaggerate the issue.

"Okay. I'll take a peek and I'll leave."

She said as she walked with him to the other end of the hallway where his studio apartment was.
His apartment gave away his bachelorhood. Everything was functional. The mantle was where he put his keys and wallet. On the coffee table was a wrench set and a new set of wheels for a longboard. Under the small eating table was a pack of beer.
Amelia was guessing that the fridge-freezer held meals for one and although he claimed that he had recently moved in he had more clothes in his laundry basket that was at the far end of his living area. The room was fairly clean though. He got modern looking prints of the wall and a small photo of his folks on a side table.

He turned to Amelia, smiling shyly and Amelia briefly smiled back.

"Do you want something to drink? Eat?"

Boston offered as he moved towards his kitchen and Amelia shook her head.

"No, I'm fine actually. I should get going. At least now I know you live here. Thank you for the painting."

Amelia was halfway to the door when Boston grabbed her arm. She shrugged off his hand away from her as she turned to glare at him.

"I'm sorry. I really am. It's just that I just want to talk to you."

"About what?"

Boston scratched his head like a little boy as he shrugged.

"Well, the painting for a start. I promised you the story behind it."

Amelia contemplated her options. She could leave, it was very easy to leave but there was nothing at home waiting for her, only a cold bed and a few paintings. She might as well spend some time with Boston.

"I'd like some coffee please." She requested as she slowly walked back into the room and settled herself in his sofa. Boston had a look of triumph on his golden face.

"Sure! Give me a minute. Make yourself comfortable!"

He shouted as he rushed back into his kitchen. Amelia sighed and looked around the apartment. She didn't know what she was expecting but it wasn't as messed up as hers. And his apartment clearly didn't show any signs that he was an artist. She was still admiring a wooden sculpture on his coffee table when her phone rang. She rolled her eyes and prepared to end the call again if it was her parents.

She looked at the Caller ID and frowned.
She and Xavier rarely talked during the day since he was always at work.

"Xavier?" She called out as she answered the call and there was a long pause and muffled breathing.

"Xavier? Are you there?"

She called out. Her heart immediately skipped a beat as several thoughts ran through her mind. What was wrong with him?
There was a lot of shuffling in the background.
Why wasn't he answering?

"Xavier? Xavier what's wrong?"

She shouted a little more agitated as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

Finally, a raspy broken voice was all Amelia could hear and she was relieved for a millisecond before she heard the news.

"She's gone Amelia. She's gone."