Cut Too Deep (18 page)

At exactly eight o’clock that evening, Hadley received a text from PIG.

Miller: Congratulations on your promotion.

The exact moment she began to reply, the buzzer from downstairs startled her. Hadley dropped the phone on the coffee table. Anxiety instantly heated her skin. She wasn’t expecting Mac, which left the probability her visitor was her former guardian. She hadn’t heard from Harold Duwatski since she threatened him with sharing the details of their relationship, but she knew he wouldn’t be going away quietly. After more buzzing, Hadley pressed the button on the intercom prepared to hear his menacing voice.

“Who is it?”

“Delivery for Ms. Walker.”

Her nerves shot straight to the moon. The visitor was no doubt here to serve her papers. Mr. Duwatski followed through on his threat to reinstate her guardianship. Hadley thought the constant battle that had been her life was behind her, yet as another horrendous fight challenged her, she feared a knockout blow was imminent.

The courier rapped his knuckles on the door. A young woman greeted him with tear stained eyes. The pain on her face suggested he’d intruded on a private moment.

“Sorry to disturb you, but I have a package for Ms. Walker.”

Hadley sniffled before her gaze landed on a box in the young man’s hand. She expected a customary manila envelope, delivered by a County Sherriff’s Officer. Her eyes moved to his shirt embossed with a Hanson Courier Services logo. Relief washed over her. She accepted the package and placed it on the floor inside the door.

“I need a signature.”

The courier held out a small clip board and pointed to an X on the paper work. With his free hand, he offered a pen.

Hadley signed her name before glancing at the sender’s information—Genetti Industries.

A smile overtook her face. Hadley thanked her visitor.

The young man turned to leave, then stopped and turned around.

“Miss, are you all right?”

“I am now. Thank you.”

Hadley closed the door and heard vibrating from the phone on the coffee table.

Miller: Are you there? Have I upset you?

Upset her? He’d made her deliriously happy and she couldn’t wait to tell him so.

Hadley: I’m here. Sorry, but I had a delivery.

Miller: The courier was late.  Have you opened it?

Hadley: Not yet. Thank you so much for the tickets to the ballet. I’ve always wanted to go.

Miller: You’ve never been?

Hadley: No. My parents could never afford to take me.

That knowledge made Miller’s plan to provide her with an unforgettable experience that much more pleasurable.

Miller: There’s more. Open the package
.

Hadley opened the box while Miller waited impatiently for her response, hoping she liked her gifts.

Hadley withdrew the pale-grey chiffon gown from the box, admiring the bead work patterning the bodice, narrowing as the beads descended into single strands above the knee. She stood and held the strapless gown against her chest. It would fit her perfectly. She wondered how Miller knew her size. The gown had a sweetheart neckline and an A-line skirt that flowed elegantly to the floor. It was refined class and unlike anything she ever owned. She loved it. While admiring its beauty, her eyes fell on the label—Dolce and Gabbana. Hadley owned a collection of fashion magazines, full of designer clothing she could never afford. This dress cost a small fortune. She couldn’t accept it.

When Hadley went to return the gown to the box, another label caught her eye from the top of a shoe box—Fendi. These gifts were over the top, but admittedly, she felt like a princess. Curiosity would not allow her to ignore the shoe box. She draped the gown over the back of the couch, and lifted the shoes from the box, noticing they were also her size. Miller Genetti was apparently quite resourceful.  The silver sandaled heels were exquisite. Hadley especially admired the thin ankle strap with a small silver buckle.

As much as Hadley loved the thought Miller put into the shoes and gown, she couldn’t accepts such expensive gifts. She noticed a remaining box nestled at the bottom of the package—this one velvet. Hadley removed it and ran her finger over the embossed letters that read,
Preziosi Fine Italian Jewelry
. When she opened it, the sparkling jewels took her breath away.  The baguette platinum set diamonds swooped downward into a fringed tassel that resembled the beading from the gown. Included were a matching set of earrings.

Her sweaty hands trembled. The contents of her delivery surely cost more than everything Hadley owned. She imagined this must be what Cinderella felt like when the Fairy Godmother showed up to prepare her for the ball. Only this wasn’t a fairytale. Hadley didn’t have a Fairy Godmother with a magic wand to direct her life. In real life, Prince Charming didn’t exist. And, in her experience, men who gave gifts expected something unpleasant in return. Usually something Hadley didn’t want to give, but men took anyway.

Without hesitation Hadley replied.

Hadley: Thank you. Everything is beautiful and perfect, but I can’t accept such lavish gifts.

It was not the response Miller hoped for.

Miller: You most certainly can. Consider it a proper apology for my being a “pig” when I first wrote to you. I knew you needed something to wear, and I wanted to provide it for you.

Hadley felt her skin prickle. Her wardrobe was evidently not up to Mr. Genetti’s fine standards.

Hadley: It’s too much! You’ve already apologized properly, and I have a dress and shoes acceptable for your box seats at the ballet, if that’s what you’re worried about.

Miller: Do not insult me! I didn’t buy these things for you to uphold some public image!

The conclusions Hadley jumped to weren’t fair to Miller. She’d let her insecurities respond rudely, and for that, she felt the sting of regret.

Hadley: It wasn’t my intention to insult you. I’m sorry
.

Miller didn’t respond immediately. Hadley worried her insult hurt him more than she realized. She typed another apology, but the phone vibrated before she finished.

Miller: It pains me that I cannot attend the ballet with you. Nothing here comforts me other than my thoughts of spoiling you with a day you’ll never forget. If you do not want to keep my gifts after the ballet, then by all means, give them to charity or whatever appeases you. I promise, there are no strings attached here. I gave you these things for me, not from me. Please, allow me this one bit of happiness in this most miserable place.

Miller’s sincere declaration made her heart melt. It also increased her guilt for assuming the worst in him. His spoiling her made him feel good. How could she deny him?

Hadley: Now I’m the one who’s humbled. Lessons in gratitude are difficult for me. I will accept your gifts, but promise me, nothing else, please. I already feel like Cinderella before the ball. I can never thank you enough.

Miller: You just did…now tell me how your first day as Creative Director went?

Hadley: For starters, you could have let me know you were related to my boss.

Miller: Ah, that? He’s married to my cousin.

Hadley: It would have been useful information to have. I may have avoided calling him an ass.

Miller: Why? I’ve told him he’s an ass before! I highly doubt his being my cousin would make him less of an ass.

Hadley had to laugh at that one.

Hadley: Nonetheless, I thought he was going to fire me.

Miller: I told you I wouldn’t share your thoughts. You didn’t trust me?

Hadley: I don’t know you well enough to trust you.

Miller: I have a new approach for you to try. Trust me, until I give you a reason not to.

Hadley: I’m not sure I can do that.

Miller: Why not?

Hadley: I’ve been on my own since I was 8 years old, and I’ve learned trust leads to disappointment.

Miller: Do you want to trust me?

Hadley: Yes.

Miller: Then I promise not to disappoint you.

Hadley: I’ll try.

Miller: Good, now tell me how the first day went?

Hadley: You mean after I accused your cousin of promoting me because of my relationship with you?

Miller: Did you? I bet that went over well. Let me assure you, your boss is not influenced by anyone, especially me. He quite enjoys ignoring me.

Hadley: Yes, well, it took him some time to convince me. I suppose I should still thank you for bringing me to his attention.

Miller: Your work speaks for itself from what I understand.

Hadley: I’m excited for the opportunity, but supervising people will be a challenge.

Miller: I’m sure you’ll be brilliant.

Hadley: Thank you. Are you coming home soon?

Miller: I can’t answer that yet.

Hadley: Miller what’s happening between us. What does it all mean when you do come home?

Miller: I like you a great deal. When I come home, I plan to spend a lot of time getting to know you.

Hadley: I’m not easy to get to know, and I’m a little terrified when you come home, you won’t want to. I’m afraid that I’m not going to live up to your expectations.

Miller: If we were in the same room right now, I’d place a gentle kiss on your forehead and tell you not to fear me. Then I’d hold your cheek in my hand before I kissed your lips softly. Close your eyes and hear me say the words. Accept my kiss and know without doubt you’ve already surpassed my expectations. Knowing that soon, I get to explore our connection, keeps me going day to day.

Without realizing it, her eyes closed. She heard his words, felt his lips. When her eyes fluttered open, she thought she might float away.

Hadley: The anticipation keeps me going too.

Miller: They’re here for the phone. I have to go. Sweet dreams, Love. M

Hadley: Nite.

Her other phone chirped, and she swiped the screen to read a text from Mac.

Mac: The G-man sent me an Armani tux for tomorrow. This is going to be EPIC!

Evidently, Mac felt a little like Cinderella, too. She shook her head and replied.

Hadley: Okay, Cinderella. Be here at 12:30 for the ball.

Mac: Oh, no…you my dear are Cinderella. Our friendship makes me Gus-Gus.

Hadley: A fat mouse?

Mac: If the slipper fits…haha…see what I did there?

Hadley: Yes, you’re very funny. C U tomorrow!

Mac: Can’t wait!!!

T
hursday, Hadley tried to stay busy at work to distract her thoughts from Miller, but he was all she could think about. Knowing at eight o’clock that night she would have an hour with him made the minutes drag. At six, she clocked out and hurried home to take a shower and eat. By five minutes to eight, she sat on her couch, cell phone in hand.

At eight on the dot, Miller’s text arrived.

Miller: Good evening, Love.

Hadley: I guess it’s good morning to you.

Miller: It is now. :)

Throughout the day, Hadley thought of a million things she wanted to know about him, only now she wasn’t sure she did. She decided if she was going to continue whatever this was with him, she needed to be okay with asking him things, even things that embarrassed her.

Hadley: Can I ask you something?

Miller: Anything.

Hadley: How long have you known I was watching you?

Miller: Hmmm…how long have you been watching me?

Hadley: No, way. You first.

Miller: A guess…over a year. Now you’re turn.

Oh, man! He’s sure to think I’m a stalker now.

Hadley: The entire time I worked in the building.

Miller: And how long is that?

Hadley: Around 3 years.

Miller: I think it’s closer to 4.

Hadley remembered Mac saying Miller had asked their boss about her. Would he admit it?

Hadley: Okay, 3 and a half. How did you know?

Miller: I noticed you when you first started. It’s how I knew you took the stairs.

Hadley: But, you never talked to me. Why?

There were a few uncomfortable moments when Hadley was positive Miller wasn’t going to respond, tonight or any other, but finally the phone vibrated.

Miller: Why didn’t you talk to me?

Right!
Hadley laughed and felt relieved they couldn’t see each other.

Hadley: Intimidated, I guess.

Miller: Likewise.

Hadley: Of me? Ha!

Miller: You don’t have an inkling of how beautiful you are, do you?

It was Hadley’s turn to put a pause in between their messages. Other than her mother, she never heard it from anyone, and she certainly didn’t believe it.

Hadley: It’s not something I think about.

Miller: I don’t like how insecure you are. I know it stems from a painful place, and maybe soon you’ll open up to me. I’ve watched you a fair share too, and here is what I see. An inner beauty that shines through you is most intriguing, but it’s guarded. Your smile lights up a room, but you don’t do it often enough. I’d very much like to change that. When you blush, your skin glows, and flawless skin it is. I’ve thought about running my fingers through your hair to know if it’s really as soft as silk. And, your ruby colored lips, well, I’ve had plenty of thoughts about them as well.