Chapter 23

She swung around and saw the lady with a blonde hair and Aristocratic cheek bones walking contemptuously towards her. She was wearing baggy pants with multiple side pockets and a leather jacket that would naturally feel too heavy for a woman
"Good evening, ma'am".
Kimberly greeted curtly. She had an eyebrow quirked as she studied the woman who was only a feet taller than her.
"How can I help you?"
She asked as the young woman walked up to her.
"Oh, it's nothing serious. I'm just a big fan. Been following a lot about you recently and I really like you. Maybe I'm stalking you but I'm sorry"
" Oh, I see".
She said. The woman was eerily cold and her distant blue eyes contradicted the false admiration that her lips spoke. She didn't look like a fan to Kimberly.
"I'm Cathryn, Cathryn Ford. I'm a Martial Art Instructor".
She extended her hand and Kimberly took it. She had an athletic built and her firm grip on Kimberly's hand confirmed everything Kimberly thought.
"Nice meeting you, Cathryn Ford. It's a pleasure".
" Pleasure's mine. I should be on my way. I got to meet you and that's what counts. Have a good evening".
Kimberly watched her ascend the stairs and out of sight. She calmed her nerves. She wasn't in any danger.
Lennox was standing dejectedly next to the receiver in his living room. Max was ranting and complaining bitterly over too many things that related to his romantic life.
"The woman has not spoken to me once since you got back. You keep making excuses. Just say it if you two aren't a thing yet, stop making excuses!"
Max sounded ebulliently intimidating, he was resolute to squeeze out the truth about Lennox's relationship with Kimberly Foster. The last time he'd called, Lennox had told him that kimberly only just stepped out after spending an entire day in his arms. He'd tried to convince Max that kimberly was always at work and was too busy to say Hello to Max even though she was officially his girlfriend. Max had not totally believed him but he'd let the issue slide. Now he wanted Lennox to know that Blair would be getting married soon, he'd bought a house in Paris, in the place de la madeleine and he intended to move there with his soon to be wife once they were legally married. Infact, the house in Paris had been a property of one of Andrea's Maternal Uncles who had given the house out to his niece's husband at a measly amount. Lennox was happy, genuinely but he wished more than anything that Max would stop probing Into his Romantic life. He had more work than he thought he would ever have to do in a few weeks and daily, he got calls from potential clients who had only been referred.
"Max, there is more to life than getting married and making babies. Why not let me do this at my own pace. Stop pressuring me unnecessarily, please".
" You think I'm dumb? You think I don't know what life's made of?"
" I didn't insinuate that, Max. I just have a lot to do and, I already told you, kimberly and I are back together. I'll have her speak to you when she's around...or maybe you can call her".
" I'll keep that in mind!".
Max hung up. Lennox sighed, lightly exasperated that Max should bother him so much about Kimberly Foster. Perhaps, he made a mistake taking her home with him when he could have just announced that he was single. And then have Fiona cling to him all day and night? God forbid.
Kimberly dialed Tessy's number for the third time after she got In bed but the young lady wouldn't take her calls. She waited for the phone to ring once more and then tossed the phone aside. She settled in bed. She needed to talk to someone about the lady that had stalked her. She wanted to talk about it. She looked at her bedside clock, nine O'clock in the night and there was no one she'd rather speak with beside Tessy.
Her mind wandered to the times with Austin Lancelot, a tall brown eyed brawn man, a gym instructor and a professional basketballer who'd made a name travelling around America and a few countries for international games. He was good in his game and the ladies always wanted to be seen around the dexterous basketball player. He had way too many friends, largely female and Kimberly was never bothered about it. When he'd first noticed her, it'd been at the premiering of a Movie which subject matter revolved around Basketball, the protagonist being a dexterous basketball player, a black boy struggling to be known for his art. Kimberly had been alone like she usually was, ignoring the men who wanted to gain her attention. After the show, she was outside calling her cab man when Austin had sauntered towards her and said Hello. She'd said her Hello without sparing him a glance until he'd made a remark about how men in their right senses should never leave a woman standing out alone late at night after a show. She'd laughed and told him she was waiting for her cab man. As if on cue, the cab man arrived but Austin wouldn't step back from the car until he'd gotten her cell phone number.
Few weeks later, after a couple of outings, Kimberly decided to say yes to his proposal of a romantic friendship which had meant so much to her. She was in love and She was contented with her basketball playing tall man who never seemed to understand her own passion for Acting. He dismissed her talks about her profession and how she wanted more and she didn't see anything wrong with it at the beginning. He spoke more about himself and his dreams and Kimberly always gave him the encouragement she knew every human being needed even for the dumbest task. Kimberly had been bold enough to tell her parents about her boyfriend Austin Lancelot and they had pretended to care.
She most definitely didn't like how her relationship with Austin had ended but she was grateful for the strength to walk away from the egocentric and condescending man. Austin had been a chronic cheat right from the onset but she hadn't seen. The girls that flocked around him definitely have him the privilege of sleeping with them and he did. Kimberly had had a huge fight with him and she'd told him bluntly
"Damn you, I'm done with this madness. I've been tolerant for three fucking years but no more!".
" You can't end a relationship for no solid reason, we aren't done with this madness!"
He'd retorted. But she was too annoyed to even listen to him. Two days later, he was lurking around her doorstep and sending gifts which she sent right back. She declined his calls and never read the apology letters he sent every weekend. She had started to focus more on her dreams and sign up for auditions until she was picked for CRADLE. She was immensely grateful. Cradle gave her a decent amount to live on and she did a few other things that she earned from, which included taking a job at a high school as a movie director to students. The job was convenient for her as she was only available for the students on Fridays and sometimes, on weekends.
Her phone beeped, taking her out of her reminiscence. She picked up the phone. Tessy had sent a text telling her she was busy and would call once she was free. She apologized before urging her to leave a text if t was urgent.
She kicked her bedsheets off her legs and made her way up to Lennox's doorstep before she could stop herself. She rang the doorbell and the door opened almost immediately.
"Oh, hi. Hope I'm not a bother i_"
He didn't let her finish, he held her hand and whisked her inside. She was standing In his apartment with her robe hastily draped over her thin nightdress and she felt her cheeks begin to burn with embarrassment. She had no idea what she would say to the man and she had no flimsy excuse as to why she was suddenly in his room by nine O'clock in her nightdress.
"Sit, Kim".
He offered before going back to his drawing board. Kim was surprised that he worked late into the night. Like the last time, she thought, was going to pay all attention to his work and leave her seating there, only that this time, he'd called her Kim and not Kimberly.
"What would you like?"
He asked as he tidied a few work tools and started to move the things to his home office.
"I don't want anything, Thanks. I was just hoping I could talk to someone".
She offered before he could ask what she'd come for. He stopped to look at her.
" Hope there's nothing wrong? How was your trip? "
Kimberly saw the concern in his eyes and it warmed her. He assumed something might have gone wrong during her trip and he wanted to know. She forced a smile.
"My trip was perfectly fine".
"Your audition? Did you get the role?"
"No, not really. I didn't audition for it anymore. I changed my mind"
He nodded thoughtfully before speaking
"You're a star, everyone who's interested in entertainment knows about you already and I'm proud of you. Hector wouldn't stop talking about Cradle.".
Kim felt her heart leap. She was already this known and Lennox acknowledged it. He even said he was proud of her! Such words coming from him.
"Thanks a lot, I do appreciate it"
She said. She now found it difficult to talk about the Athletic looking woman who'd lurked around her doors until she came back and she felt maybe she should let it slide but Lennox saw the nervousness in her eyes and said.
"Tell me, what's that you want to talk about?"
" Oh, I'm sure it's not very important anymore. I'll let it slide".
She said, but Lennox was shaking his head, rejecting the idea of letting it slide before she was finished talking.
"It must have been very important If you could come up here with only your robe and a slippers. I'm a good listener, Kim, speak".
He sat next to her as he spoke and she felt all her reluctance crumble beneath her.
" A woman stalked me. I came back and found her _ she found me about to enter my apartment and she appeared from somewhere in the hallway. Her eyes looked challenging and even as she said she was a fan, her eyes screamed no. I don't know why it bothers me so much but I'm just used to my privacy and I wouldn't want it invaded for any reason".