Chapter 34

The first time she'd seen Lennox, she'd felt an urge to go tell him just how beautiful and attractive he was but she'd refrained from it until she thought it appropriate. She for one didn't think beautiful people liked to compliment other beautiful people but here was Walker. A drop dead gorgeous young man, just like Lennox, complimenting her.
He pulled to a stop in front of her building and before she could say nay, he reached and perked her on the chin.
"Good night, beautiful", he said softly.
"Goodnight, Walker", she replied before stumbling out of the car. He waited to ensure that she was In the elevator before he took off. Kimberly was half worried that she might see the stalker woman again and she clenched her fist in anticipation.
She reached her floor and the woman wasn't anywhere in sight. She heaved a sigh of relief and inserted her key in the lock. She stepped in and shut the door.
She was in bed when her mother called. Kim was surprised to see the call..
"Mum?"
"Dear. Did I wake you up?"
"No. I just got into bed"
"Well, the lady who's been stalking you _"
"Who told you that? How did you know?"
"Well, she is supposed to be your gaurd! She's supposed to see that you're fine and out of danger".
"What the fuck are you saying? For how long?"
"Well, your father and I decided that you needed a guard even though without your knowledge and we hired a man. He's been your guard for until he messed up".
"I still don't get it. How did he mess up, mum?"
" He sent a note to Hector. We know about Lennox, dear", she said impatiently.
Kim sat up. The complexity of the whole story was dizzying to her.
"What note?"
"Kimberly dear, I thought you should know. Let me explain. I hired him to see that you were safe and okay. He began to nurture feelings for you and when he felt he couldn't reach you, he sent a note to Hector with a warning to Lennox. He didn't know we had more than one PI to look after you. We found out from the other PI and so we sent him away and terminated his contract. Now, we sent the lady away because she was becoming threatening to you. Why would she scare you for gossakes. This people just can't stick to their jobs and it's pathetic"!
" Well, how come I didn't know of all these until now? I was going to report that damn woman to the police. She was always lurking around my apartment. And why must you and dad always manage to give me a reason to stay mad at you? When did I ever mention that I needed to be protected by all those people you kept employing?!"
Kim was surprised and angry and appalled all at the same time.
"I'm so sorry my dear", her mum said unapologetically. Of course she was convinced it was the right thing they were doing all along and giving a heartfelt apology meant it was wrong.
"You're not sorry, mum. You do not sound like you are"
"Kimberly, your father and I were convinced it was the best thing for you. Seeing that you are totally alone in these large cities you keep moving to".
" How In hell did you know about Lennox?! Isn't that an infringement on my privacy?!"
" It's not like that, my dear. We only had reports that you're, well, friendly with a man in your building".
" And what gave you the idea that I was going out with him?"
" Clairvoyance, perhaps. I just thought so. The agent didn't specifically say you were dating someone, dear. He only hinted it and remember he's fired.".
" I never knew anything about notes and I'm sure Lennox never got a note".
" Oh, my dear you can't be so sure"
" Goodnight!"
Kimberly was aghast by the time she set her phone away from her. She slept in a fit of rage.
✓✓✓✓
Lennox decided to talk to Hector about Hester and so he stopped by Hector's after he'd made part payment for the house in New York
"Why don't you take a trip to New York and see the place for yourself before making payment?"
The agent had asked him and he'd shrugged it off, saying.
"If indeed your assurances are genuine, and what I see on these magazines are true too, then there's no need for me to have to make a trip to New York before I make payment. I'll only be there in person when I'm ready", he'd replied.
As he rang the bell of Hector's apartment, he felt a sudden rush of relief. The door opened and Hector looked out
"Hey, come in here, man".
He said, ushering him in.
Lennox stepped in gingerly and shut the door behind him.
" Man, you also set up your workspace in the living room? Thought I was the only sloppy person?", Lennox asked as he walked towards the drawing board and other work tools that Hector had set up in the living room.
" This isn't untidy in anyway. It's beautiful here. The office feels kinda stuffy, yeah", Hector explained " what would you like, by the way?"
" Water, please".
Hector strode off to get him a bottle of water and a glass. Lennox looked around the room. He would move to New York soon after he finished the installmental payment on his property there but not without Hester. He would live in New York if only she was with him.
" Next tomorrow's Nora's birthday. There's gonna be a small celebration out on the beach. We'll get all those beautiful big awnings and stake them out in the sands. The party's gonna be set there "
" Oh, I see".
" Yeah..say, party should start by 6pm. She's gonna have a few friends come over. You can come with Hester Woodhouse if you want"
" We're not a thing. She doesn't have to be seen everywhere with me"
" Attending a party with her doesn't sound like everywhere to me, man".
" That would be the second time. We're not a thing for crying out loud and I am doing all I can to make her see that I don't have feelings for her. Inviting her will be an ostentatious display of my want for her when infact I do not want her". He picked up his cup and sipped some more water.
"I see. Spoken to Kimberly?"
Hector asked.
"No. I got a house in a good neighbourhood in New York. I'll move to New York soon and Kimberly would be with me", Lennox said matter of factly. Hector was amused and unbelieving.
"How do you intend to do that, man? She didn't even mention where she lives to you".
"I found out. Ran into Tess, the wench told me".
"Who's she?"
"Kim's friend and Colleague".
"Oh, I see".
They sat silent for minutes. Hector, not sure what to say while Lennox looked like he had more than enough words to say.
"Man, I might have a surprise for Nora. I want to marry her", Hector said at last.
Lennox smiled and Nodded.
" I see. Congrats to you both in advance. You're going to be married soon, man. Some good news to spice up the day".
Hector was smiling sheepishly and then suddenly he asked,
" Do you think she would say yes?"
" Of course. Somehow, I just know you two are good together and Nora would never turn you down"..
" You're absolutely sure about that? I've had a bit of fear. People change. It's been a bit challenging since we got back together. We're building the trust again,. you know".
" I see. Whatever the case, I wish you two good luck".
✓✓✓✓
Kimberly had flown into Mississippi on impulse to talk to her parents and unleash her anger. She'd been so set in her anger that she'd hardly finished speaking with Blakes Oxnard before hanging up.
When she'd arrived, she'd been insistent on knowing why they made people watch her every move. She threatened to sue them, she was an adult and she deserved her privacy to the fullest . Her parents had then become remorseful, apologizing and promising never to do it. She'd made to leave but they wouldn't let her until the next day. She called to inform Hailey but the call was not taken. Kim did not know about Hailey until she was back In New York and the police woman had called to say thanks for informing them just before it was too late. Hailey was in the hospital taking treatment. She'd been beaten and battered by her boyfriend whom she shared an apartment with.
He kept her under threats, promising to eliminate her If ever she spoke up about the abuses. For a few months, she'd refused to speak out. When the police arrived her apartment, she was laid sprawled on the ground, her left hand bleeding from a gash he'd made with a kitchen knife.
He'd been arrested and would be charged to Court. Kimberly was crying when she dropped the phone. She wished she'd reported the very first time Hailey had appeared with an injury. Maybe the gash wouldn't be on her. Maybe she woul have helped avert whatever pain she was feeling lying there on the hospital bed.
She sighed. A call came from Tessy.
"Kim, how are you?"Tessy asked .
"I'm fine", she replied In a croaked voice.
"Have you been crying? What's wrong?"
Tess asked. Her concern was evident In her sudden alarmed tone of voice.
"It's about Hailey".
"Your secretary?"
"Yes. She's in the hospital. She was assaulted by her boyfriend with whom she shares an apartment",
" Oh,.dear.. how's she now?"
" From what I've gathered, she sustained a severe injury on her arm only. I'm optimistic she'll be fine..right?"
" Of course, babe. Hailey's gonna be fine okay? Joe's fine now..could you believe the first thing he said when he saw me?"
" No, what did he say?"
" He said he was happy I was around for him. His sister had to move to LA too to take care of him but it seems his Korean woman isn't coming back anytime soon. Well, he said he'd like us to get back together when he was discharged from the hospital", Tessy said. There was a long pause and then Kim asked
" What was your reply?"
" Of course I didn't agree to that! Such pathetic buffoonery! I don't fancy him anymore. I see him as a friend now. Just like you".
Kimberly sighed for relief. They talked more about coming movies and the casting calls they would attend. By the time Kim was ready to go to bed, she got a call from Walker. He was leaving town and would love to see and talk with her again. They fixed a dinner date and she went to sleep peacefully.
✓✓✓✓✓
Nora's part was pretty exotic. About twenty people were in attendance. Friends of Hector and Nora and a few colleagues from work.
Warren and Abbie come too. They walk hand in hand and say hellos to other guests.
"You look so beautiful, Nora, I can't believe it! Look at you, girl, all this beauty you carry alone!" Abbie gushed.
"Thanks, Abbie. You do look good yourself",
" Thanks a lot".
Nora teased Abbie for having given Warren a hard time while he was trying to woo her. They laughed over it and moved to say hello to other guests.
" A remarkable setup, nice spot ", a woman who Nora didn't know was saying to Lennox. Lennox simply nodded and continued to sip his wine. Maybe she was one of those many people Hector knew from work. The evening was trudging to an inevitable end when Hector sought the attention of all present and being in a circle alone with Nora, he went on one knee and proposed to her .
"Will you marry me, Nora?"
He asked,. holding out the ring. For a few seconds, she held her hands to her mouth before beginning to nod. Her eyes misting up as she murmured yes and stretched out her finger. There were cheers and congratulations said to both people and Abbie couldn't hold her tears as she buried her face in Warren's sleeves. He held her and consoled while his smile at the couple widened.
Lennox was glad he hadn't gotten drunk and could drive clear headedly. The lady who'd sat next to him had refilled his glass countless times and urged him to drink up while her lusty leery eyes roved over his body. When he'd begun to feel a bit lightheaded, he'd stood up and went to another table where he ended up alone. She kept looking at him, his silent treatment infuriated or embarrassed her, perhaps. He didn't really think anything about it until he'd left. Too many women wanted his attention all at once, he thought.
Kim was dressed yet, in a turtle necked shirt but this time wit a pinafore dress as she made her way out of her apartment. Walker's car was only a few feets away and his eyes pinned her from the moment he caught her figure coming towards him. She reached the car and opened the door. He was watching her still as she sat.
"Hello, Walker".
"I'm sorry, I got lost looking at you. Good evening, Beauty", he greeted. Kimberly blushed and adjusted her coat. An unnecessary act to keep her discomfort from being too evident.
"You look incredibly gorgeous this evening", Walker said as he started the car. Kimberly was used to hearing compliments on set and in her day to day life but having him seat so close and saying it in all sincerity warmed her.
"Thank you, you're incredibly good looking too, Walker", she said. He chuckled.
"Thanks a lot"
"How's Cindy?"
"She's fine..she wishes I'd never leave New York!", He said with a short laugh. Kimberly smiled with an effort. The warmth between him and his widowed mom reminded her so much of Lennox and his Widower father. Lennox. She missed him everyday.
"It's like that. Once you grow older and live away from your parents so that they see you once In a while, they begin to get ideas of keeping you with them when they see you!"
They laughed again. She was warming up to him and it delighted her. She was sure she'd never have anything to do with him other than spending a few hours together and going their separate ways but the way he spoke suggestively soon began to give her ideas and she scorned at it. They arrived the eatery and took their table.
The waiter recognized Kim and asked for an autograph. She was relieved that it was not day but night and only a few people Would recognize her.
She had a hearty conversation with walker. He talked about work and a little about his personal life and he encouraged her to open up and talk more about herself. She did. She talked about her career journey, her childhood and also told him she was in a relationship with a man who was in Florida for the mean time, for work