Pursuit For Lucidity (Crashing Waves) (11 page)

“
Okay, fine, you win.  I hope you like my furniture.  I ordered it online.  It’s very modern, more up to date than the furniture at my old place,” I explained.

I helped Alex clean up the kitchen and changed into my dress from the night before.  I decided I would shower and change at home and waited for Alex to shower and dress
, so we could leave at the same time.

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As soon as Alex and I arrived at my condo, I rushed upstairs to shower.  It felt so good after all the sweating the night before.  Shortly after I showered and dressed, the guard called to notify me that my furniture had arrived.  I was very excited that my place would finally be cozy.  I had ordered a white leather sectional with a matching ottoman and orange pillows.  For the dining room, I had ordered a large glass table with a white acrylic bottom and matching clear acrylic chairs with white leather upholstery.  I had even ordered modern matching bar stools to replace the temporary ones I had.  Alex gave the men who delivered the furniture a generous tip before they were on their way out.

“
This looks so nice, Claire.  You have great taste.  And to know you ordered all this online, without seeing it in person.  It really amazes me how well it turned out,” he said.

“
Why, thank you, handsome,” I winked.

He leaned down and kissed me softly and wrapped his arms around my waist, i
nhaling my newly washed hair, “You smell so good,” he said as he continued to kiss me.  He knew exactly how far to go and when to stop.

My mother called inquiring about the furniture and I let her know it had just arrived.  She was very excited and mentioned she would come over the following day with my fa
ther to see how it turned out.

“
Mom, how about you and dad come over for lunch tomorrow.  I will tell Kathy and John also.  Since I have all this new furniture, we should celebrate by having lunch together here.  It will be like a little house warming party with my favorite people,” I decided.

“
Oh, honey, that sounds great.  Why don’t you invite Alex too,” she said.

“
Sure, I will ask Alex, Kyle and Calvin to come as well,” I looked at Alex and grinned.

“
I would love to have lunch with your family and friends, Claire,” he said.  My mother was happy to hear I wasn’t alone, especially with the furniture delivery.

“
Oh, Claire, he’s so charming and considerate.  I won’t take much more of your time.  We will be there around noon or so tomorrow.  Let me know if you need anything, sweetheart,” she replied before we hung up.

“
So, Alex, I guess you’ve accepted my lunch invitation for tomorrow.  I’m just going to text Katherine and my brothers to see if they can make it.  It’s short notice, but I really hope they can all come,” I grabbed my phone to send out the invitation.

Alex’s phone rang when I was texting everyone.  He looked a little edgy when he looked at his caller ID.
  “Claire, I’m just going to step outside, if you don’t mind,” he said and made his way out to the balcony.  I wondered who was calling him that he didn’t feel comfortable to talk next to me.  I had just spoken to my mother with him right next to me without feeling uncomfortable.  I could faintly hear a little bit of his conversation, “Just get this over with, please, it’s taking so long.  I don’t understand why this is so hard when it should be a lot easier considering the circumstances,” he stated to whoever it was on the phone.  He hung up shortly afterward and came back inside.

“
Sorry, I just had to take that call.  I didn’t mean to step out, but it was just…uh, just someone I had to talk to alone,” he said sincerely.

“
No worries, Alex.  Is everything okay?” I asked.

“
Sure, everything is fine.  It’s not something I want to talk about right now, but I promise one day we will sit down and talk, just not today, okay?” he pleaded.

“
Whenever you feel like talking about it, I’m ready to listen,” I replied.

“
I knew you would understand.  I’m so glad I met you, Claire.  You’ve changed my life in just a few weeks.  I know that’s a very short amount of time, but it’s just how I feel.  I wake up happy in the morning. Traffic doesn’t seem to make me as agitated as it did before.  It’s been a very long time since I’ve been this happy and I owe it to you.  Just promise me you won’t stop seeing me,” he pleaded.  It was interesting how I was so afraid to tell Alex my story the night before and not only had he been so understanding, but he didn’t want to lose
me.

“
Alex, I was terrified to tell you about my attack, but you…you made me believe that you are different from James.  You made me feel confident that I could be cared for and wanted by a man without being called a liar.  You made me feel confident that a man will be patient and help me through all of my issues if he cares about me.  And here you are, Alex, here you are asking
me
not to leave
you
.  It’s like you’re heaven sent.  God must have answered my prayers that day in the mall parking lot.  I feel so blessed,” I added, sincerely.

Alex came close
r and held me in his arms.  It was exactly where I wanted to be.  My cell phone beeped with a new text.  It was Katherine saying she and John would be able to make it.  There were a few more texts from my brother’s who would also be coming.  I told Alex and he was happy he would be able to meet everyone.

“
So, what are you going to cook, babe?” he asked with a grin.

“
Honestly, I have no idea.  I was thinking of ordering,” I confessed.

“
Let me cook, please Claire, you know how much I enjoy cooking.  Did you like the dinner I made for you last night?  If you did, then I will make this lunch better.  What do you say?” He asked, like a child asking for candy.

I couldn’t help but giggle. He looked e
ven hotter when he begged.  Especially when he asked for permission to cook.  “How could I say no to your cooking, Alex?  Plus, you are so much cuter when you beg,” I winked.  I leaned up to kiss him.  “Let’s hit the grocery store,” I said as I grabbed my purse. 

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When we returned from the grocery store, Alex helped me put away the groceries and organized what he would be cooking the following day.  He was going to make shrimp scampi, chicken piccata, rosemary potatoes, and sautéed brussel sprouts.  I asked if I could be in charge of at least the salad and he agreed to that.

After everything was ready for the preparations the next day, we decided to relax on my new couch and watch television together.  Alex took my hand into his and kissed it softly.  He pulled me closer to him and started kissing my lips, moving down to my neck, then slowly working his way back to my lips.
  We were interrupted by a phone call he received.  He seemed uncomfortable when he read the name of the caller.

“
Do you need to step outside?” I asked.

“
No, I’m about to head home soon so I will give them a call back on the drive home,” he answered.

“
Do you want to talk about anything, Alex?  Is something bothering you?  You know you can talk to me.  After I opened up to you last night, I want you to feel comfortable enough to tell me what’s on your mind,” I added.

“
No, baby, everything is fine.  Believe me, there is nothing more important to talk about in my life than you,” he said as he held me closer.

“
As long as you’re not an axe murderer,” I replied as we both laughed.

“
As much as I hate to leave, I need to go home, so I can return tomorrow morning.  I’ll be here early, so I can start cooking,” he gave me a long kiss and didn’t let go for what seemed like a few good minutes. “I miss you already,” he added and headed for his car.

Chapter 5

Sunday morning I awaked to the sound of my phone.  It was Alex letting me know that he was on his way.  I jumped out of bed to shower and fix my hair and apply some makeup.  I notified the guard at the gate that I would be expecting quite a few guests, so he would just let them through the gates without having to call me.  I decided to wear white dressy shorts with a black sequin tank top and wedge sandals. Alex arrived shortly after I was finished getting ready.  He was really excited to start cooking.  He looked very handsome, as usual, dressed in a white button up dress shirt and dark blue jeans that fit him so perfectly as if they were tailor made.  His smile was so bright as usual and his hair so perfectly combed.  In his hand were a dozen red roses.

“
For you, beautiful.  I thought you should put that vase to use again.  It looks a little lonely,” he kissed me as he handed me the roses.

“
Thank you, Alex.  I would love to occupy that vase with these beautiful roses,” I said.

“
Now, tell me where I can find an apron, so I can start cooking.  I don’t want to look like a slob in front of your family because I will if I don’t put on an apron,” he added.

“
Oh, yeah, I will get you an apron.  My mom had bought a few aprons for me as gifts.  Do you mind if they’re girly?” I laughed.

“
Uh, no, as long as it keeps the mess off my clothes, it’s good enough.  I’ll just make sure to take it off before people arrive,” he chuckled.  Alex put on the pink apron and started cooking.  I was in charge of the salad and setting the table.  I was glad my dining room table was large enough to seat everyone comfortably.  I could easily seat ten to twelve people.

I washed and chopped the lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.  Alex said he would make the dressing and I didn’t argue with that.  I l
oved watching him cook.  It came so natural to him, as if he was born to run a kitchen.  I wondered if he ever regretted becoming a surgeon, if his parents forced him into the medical field.  “Alex, can I ask you something?” I asked.

“
Of course, what’s up?” He asked.

“
Do you ever regret becoming a doctor?  I mean, did you feel obligated to go to med school because your parents really wanted you to?” I asked.

“
Well, funny you asked that.  I wasn’t obligated to go to med school.  I wanted to become a doctor, actually a surgeon.  I wanted to help change peoples lives for the better.  I also love cooking and have always dreamed of opening my own restaurant, but I do wonder every now and then what it would have been like if I didn’t go to med school and became a famous chef.  I’m not sure how my parents would feel about that.  They probably wouldn’t be too fond of the idea.  I brought up the subject a few times before I went to med school and they laughed at the idea.  They thought I was crazy and didn’t want me to choose a career path that had a high failure rate,” he explained.

“
Maybe you can do both one day, Alex.  You can still be a surgeon and have a restaurant.  Then your dream can come true and even if you fail, which I really doubt, you will still be a surgeon.  You will always have that to fall back on,” I replied.

“
You’re right, Claire.  You are absolutely right,” he agreed.

My kitchen smell
ed so good my mouth began to water.  The table was set, the roses were in the vase, and the food was almost ready.  I was getting excited to see everyone.  I was mostly excited about Alex meeting my family.  I wondered what Katherine was going to think of him.  She was always very honest and never held back her thoughts and feelings.  I knew Kyle and Calvin would definitely express what they thought of Alex.  There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that everyone was going to love him.  He was just so perfect and flawless.  I was one lucky woman.

“
Babe, come and taste this and tell me what you think,” Alex asked me to taste everything to see if I liked his creations.

“
Mm, Alex this is so good!  Everything is perfect and so flavorful.  I better stop tasting all this good food otherwise there won’t be anything left for the guests,” we laughed.

“
Phew, so glad I passed the test,” he sounded relieved and leaned down to give me a kiss.

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My parents were the first to arrive, and immediately noticed the aroma of the food.  “It smells so good in here, what’s for lunch?” my mother asked.  “The furniture looks beautiful in here, Claire.  I didn’t think it would turn out this nice because it was so hard to tell from the pictures online,” she said.

“
It sure looks good, honey, and smells delicious in here,” added my father.  “Hi, Alex, good to see you again,” he greeted.

“
Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan.  It’s a pleasure to see you again,” Alex was always so pleasant.

My parents made it obvious that they really liked Alex, especially my mother.

“What did you cook, Claire?  Did you make something or did you order?” my mother asked.

“
Oh, Alex cooked everything. He likes to cook, it’s a hobby of his,” I said.