Fourteen Days

"See my little Kanga, that wasn't so hard was it," her Dad smiled trying to swallow his chuckle, "It's a great card for you."

Disgusted with her parents seeming approval of this anonymous Valentine, Kristy left shortly after, once again weighed down with leftovers and her mother's baking. With the amount she had been out in the last week she still had a freezer full from her last dinner here.

She had been home for about fifteen minutes and was beginning to get ready for bed when there was a knock at her door. Throwing on a robe she went to answer it.

"For someone with a stalker you are pretty trusting about opening your door at this time of night," Darren grinned at her.

"Are you the one stalking me?" she asked.

"Of course, why else would I be here knocking on your door at this time of night," He said with a chuckle.

"Don't stalkers usually just watch from the bushes?" She laughed as he walked into her apartment.

"Usually but you have your curtains closed, not so much fun for a stalker like me," he said sadly. "Plus I sort of liked kissing you good night the last two nights thought I might make it a hat trick," he moved toward her. Surprised when she stepped back, he asked, "Don't you like my kisses?"

"Oh, I do, I really do," she said with feeling, "It's just that, with this whole Valentine's thing, I just don't see how I can start something else until after the week is over."

"It's just a goodnight kiss, Kristy. It's not like I am going to take you to bed or anything. Although if that is on the table," he waggled his eyebrows at her.

"It's most definitely is not," she laughed.

"So then, there's no problem is there," he closed the distance between then and gathered her in his arms kissing her properly for the first time and she felt herself melt under the intensity of it.

"You better go," she said breathless pushing him away, "Before I change my mind about what is and isn't on the table."

"Tabitha might have mentioned that you were open to suggestions," he grinned as he let her go watching her blush. "But if it makes you feel better I will go, Tabitha also told me not to bother you until after Friday but I just couldn't help it. A good night kiss from you has been the best part of my day lately."

She couldn't be sure if he was teasing her or not, so she whispered, "Mine too."

"Look I know you feel you have to see this Valentine's Day thing through but book me in for Saturday okay? We'll do something fun, have a proper date," he said unconcernedly that she had a date with an unknown person on the Friday. "We'll have our own Valentine's day. If we go by having dinner together that will be our third date this week," again he waggled his eyebrows lightening the mood, "You know what that means."

Kristy laughed and pushed him towards the door, but he stopped before it and turned to look at her, "You're worth the wait," he kissed her again, and she felt herself melt even more. Then he opened the door and was gone.

*****

Kristy spent the night tossing and turning worrying about the valentine and how she truly felt about Darren. It was with bleary eyes that she got up for work the next day and remembered happily that it was Thursday, and she could come home early.

The owner's wife noticed her withdrawn manner and the dark circles under her eyes when she arrived and asked if she felt unwell.

"I have a few personal issues to deal with, and I haven't been sleeping well," Kristy admitted.

"Man trouble I bet," the woman harrumphed, "Such is the price of being young and beautiful."

"Come with me," she led Kristy into the workshop. "Gino, can't you see this girl is not well?"

"She is at work isn't she?" He looked at Kristy as if confused.

"Men!" the woman threw up her arms in a gesture of exasperation, "I am sending her home and giving her tomorrow off work, I will come in for her." Gino started to complain about it being the busy season, but she had silenced him before he started. "You think I cannot run this office on my own?" She drew herself up as if daring him to say otherwise.

"Bah, do what you want, you always do," he turned back to his work grumbling that he didn't know why she bothered to tell him anything when she had already decided what would happen.

Kristy gathered her bag and went straight home, collapsing onto her bed and curling up. Her phone rang fairly insistently, but she chose to ignore it as she sailed in and out of a light doze. She was exhausted, after months of being a virtual recluse the last two weeks had been bedlam and had truly worn her out.

Her room was dimly lit by afternoon sun when she finally heard the loud banging on her door and got up to answer it in her now rumpled work clothes.

"Oh, my god, what's wrong with you?" Gabrielle asked.

"Shit I forgot I was going to meet you again this week, I have just been so busy, and then I haven't been sleeping well," she threw up her hands, "I forgot I am sorry."

"Go back to bed, hun I will let everyone know you are okay," Gabrielle said gently putting an arm around her waist to support her because she looked so fragile at that moment.

"Everyone?" Kristy blinked.

"Well yeah, you haven't been answering your phone Miss Popular," Gabrielle gave a half laugh as she settled Kristy into bed.

"Give me your phone, I will fend off everyone for a while," she smiled as Kristy mumbled a thanks and rolled over her eyes feeling so heavy that all she wanted to do was sleep.

When she woke again there were voices talking quietly in her living room, and she got out of bed to go and investigate. Darren had obviously just arrived with Greg and Tabitha was telling them to leave.

"I'm fine," Kristy said from the doorway. "You can all go home now; I was just over tired that's all. A little nana nap and I'm all better," she said but wobbled on her feet a little unsteadily.

"You don't seem all better," Tabitha raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at her.

"I just need something in my tummy I missed lunch," she looked around at the clock, "and I guess dinner," she smiled, "Thank goodness I have a fridge full of leftovers from my mother. Have you all eaten there's plenty," she tried to sound upbeat.

"We can still make the late screening," Greg said to Tabitha.

"Go Tab, I will be good I promise," Darren said.

"Kristy, I am going to leave you with Jumpy but if you need me, you call me," she looked at her friend seriously. "You gave Gabrielle a big scare when you answered the door looking like death warmed up."

"The old nightmares are back again, probably because of all the attention you know, and the stalker like Valentine's, I will be glad when tomorrow's over," Kristy grimaced.

"Surprises are supposed to be fun not scary," Tabitha said loudly, "Just kick Jumpy out when you've had something to eat and go back to bed," She smiled. "Got any alcohol? Have a good belt of scotch or something before you go to bed it will help you sleep through any bad dreams."

"Go say goodbye, I can heat stuff up," Darren said squeezing into the small kitchen with her.

"Really I'm fine, and I have the day off tomorrow, the boss insisted. So I can relax over a long weekend," she smiled at Tabitha. "Go have fun. It will be different for you two to have a proper date."

"That's what I have been trying to tell her, so this is just a dress rehearsal, for the real one tomorrow," Greg winked.

The girls embraced, and Kristy shut the door turning back into her small apartment noticing for the first time the huge bouquet of roses on the table. She walked over to smell them knowing without looking that there would be a card. She picked it up and read it quickly:

" February 13th Day 2 The gift of flowers on Valentine's Day probably dates to the early 1700s when Charles II of Sweden brought the Persian poetical art called "the language of flowers" to Europe. Throughout the 18th century, floral lexicons were published, allowing secrets to be exchanged with a lily or lilac, and entire conversations to take place in a bouquet of flowers. The more popular the flower, the more traditions and meanings have been associated with it. The rose, representing love, is probably the only flower with a meaning that is universally understood. The red rose remains the most popular flower bought by men for their sweethearts. I am looking forward to tomorrow evening very much and hope you are too. From your Valentine, D."

Darren was strangely quiet as they ate leftover shepherd's pie. He seemed to be watching her carefully as if waiting for her to wilt or something.

"You know you don't have to go through with this tomorrow if you're not feeling well," Darren said softly.

"I will sleep better once I know the person who seems to be watching everything I do is. Then I can either accept his valentine or guard against him," she gave a half smile knowing that accepting the valentine overtures was probably a slim possibility now.

"I see," Darren murmured trying not to push her to accept his own advances until she was ready. "Want to watch a movie before you kick me out?" He asked.

"Sure you choose I will just take these into the kitchen and grab some of mum's caramel slice she made when I was there last," she laughed seeing him nod enthusiastically. Surprisingly he chose an old movie she had just watched recently but she didn't mind, it was worth watching again.

Putting a plate of small pieces of the caramel slice between them she sat back on the lounge beside him and encouraged by the arm that wrapped around her shoulder leaned into him as the movie began.

The movie had barely started when she felt her eyes start to droop again. She was startled awake by yet another dream of being stalked and chased to find Darren holding her close and stroking her hair. She blinked awake and smiled up at him.

"Bad dream?" he asked softly and she nodded. He leaned down and kissed her lightly whispering, "Sleep, I'm not going anywhere, you're safe with me."

*****

Kristy woke up the next morning in her own bed. She could smell cooking and hear someone in her kitchen. Wondering if Darren had stayed all night she went to investigate.

"Happy Valentine's Day, beautiful, I am glad I didn't have to wake you," Tabitha said brightly and moved from the kitchen to the table with plates, "Come on, or it will go cold!"

"You don't cook!" Kristy stood dumbfounded.

"I can cook but why would I when Darren is happy to do it," she laughed, "Plus he made the batter for the pancakes and organised everything before he left. He gave me very explicit instructions about greeting you by saying, Happy Valentine's Day Beautiful," she continued to laugh.

"Shouldn't you be at work?" Kristy asked.

"I have an RDO since we decided to have a party at our place tonight," she smiled. Darren couldn't get the whole day off, but I think he is leaving work early this afternoon, so for now, it's up to you and me.."

"Oh okay, sure I can help, what do you need?" Kristy laughed with her friend who was in a take charge mood.

"First eat a good breakfast, so I don't have to lie to Darren when he checks up that I did everything he asked this morning, then we go shopping," Tabitha grinned.

The girls spent the morning visiting party shops for decorations, grocery shopping for snacks and finger food and finally heading to the pub for drinks and ice for the eskies. Hot and sweaty they finally started getting things together at the house starting with decorations when Darren finally came home in the early afternoon. He laughed at their choices of small cherubs that hung from the ceiling with signs saying "kiss me" and the variety of pink and white balloons.

"As much as it pains me to ask, shouldn't you be getting ready for your big date?" Darren asked.

"You mean I don't look pretty enough now?" Kristy pretended disappointment.

"No, you don't!" Tabitha laughed as Darren stammered for the right words. "I'll take you home and leave Darren to sort out the rest of this fiasco."

"Don't forget tomorrow," Darren grumbled.

"I won't," Kristy said happily and followed Tabitha out of the door.

"Wait!" he called and jogged out after her. "Just so you don't forget," he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply.

Tabitha shook her head and put her finger in her mouth motioning being sick as they finally broke apart and Kristy got into the car making her laugh.

"Tab, I am not sure about going out with some anonymous guy," Kristy confessed.

"You probably already know him and don't realise. I mean look at how well he knows you, from all the gifts and cards," Tabitha said reasonably.

"I guess, but the whole blind date thing is just creepy, I can't get into the mystery of it, truthfully I'm scared shitless," Kristy admitted.

"If he turns out to be someone hideous text me for help and I will send Jumpy to pick you up," she smiled. "Believe me I doubt he will mind." Tabitha grinned.

"Promise you will keep your phone on you? Stick it in your bra or something?" Kristy asked.

"Sure I will even give it to Jumpy when I shower or better yet just call him directly," Tab suggested. "Like I said he won't mind one bit."

Kristy got out of the car farewelling Tabitha and walked up to her apartment.

She smiled as she stepped into the shower; Tabitha was right she could just call Darren to come and pick her up as soon as she found out who it was that had been sending her all the gifts. It wasn't that she was ungrateful for the thoughtfulness of the gifts and cards, but if they knew anything about what she had been through during the break up with her ex they would have known how freaked out she had become during the last ten days.

It was with the thought of seeing Darren later in the evening that Kristy dressed for the mystery date. By quarter to six, Kristy was ready and standing in her living room looking at all the gifts she had received, whoever it was really did know her well, she reasoned trying to calm her nerves. At six a knock on her door sounded and taking a large breath she opened her door.

A man in a suit she had never seen before stood there. He handed her a box and said, "I am driving your pumpkin tonight Cinderella. I will wait downstairs in the limousine for when you are ready to go to the ball," then he turned and left.

Confused she took the package into her apartment and opened it. A beautiful red Valentino dress was wrapped carefully in tissue paper, and an envelope rested on top. It was an invitation to the annual Valentine's charity ball.

She changed into the dress unable to resist a real Valentino and looked at herself in the mirror. There was no way a guy could know her exact size like this without the help of one of her friends could he? A shiver ran down her spine, and she felt all her anxiousness ball in her stomach. She wished one of her friends was here with their usual excitement to buoy her up and not let the bad vibe she had get out of hand.

Kristy called Tabitha and explained about the driver and the dress and the ticket to the ball as well as the fact that she still didn't know who the secret Valentine was. Tabitha wanted all the details, where the ball was, what the theme was, and reminding Kristy to make sure she kept her phone close.

With great trepidation, Kristy made her way down to the car, knowing she wouldn't sleep well until she could put a name and face with the person who had done all this for her. The driver saw her as she emerged from the building and opened the door for her.

Nervously she fidgeted on the short drive to the riverside venue and as she entered she could barely speak her mouth was so dry from nervousness. With the dining room not open yet she browsed the gallery of the silent auction sipping the glass of champagne she had been handed on arrival.

"I wasn't sure you would come?" Kristy froze as a familiar voice spoke behind her. She turned slowly feeling sudden sick and looked at Damien.

"You're the guy who has been sending me anonymous Valentine's?" Kristy was appalled, and her voice rose in her anxiety.

"I gave you enough hints in the cards," he said moving closer, "Let's not make a scene in front of all these people, this is a charity event and you could show me some and at least have dinner with me and listen to what I have to say."

"I think we said everything we need to say to each other months ago," Kristy looked around wildly, her head spinning that it was Damien and he stood close with an arm around her talking to her as if she was the one who had caused the break up. She felt trapped and horrified by the situation she had found herself in.

"I miss you Kristy, I never realised what a good thing I had when I had it. I'm a changed man," he forced her to look at him, "I am at my best when I am with you, just give me time to prove it to you."

"I gave you so much time, so many chances, you made me a basket case, I can't go down that road again," she said quietly seeing the flare of anger that scared her in his eyes.

"Then just give me tonight, no strings," he said in a calm voice that belied his body language. "I just want to catch up really I have missed talking to you so much and what would you be doing tonight but sitting at home alone watching old movies if you weren't here with me."

Kristy opened her mouth to say she would be with someone else, but he obviously knew she had been very reclusive since their break up, and she wasn't about to tell him about her growing feelings for Darren. She felt a shiver run up her spine as she realised he knew far too much about her life since she left him.

The doors to the dining room opened, and he lead her inside with a strong hand in the small of her back, giving her no choice but to walk with him or make a scene. She waited until they had found their table, and she had orientated herself to the room and the people they were dining with before attempting to excuse herself to go to the bathroom. Damien put this hand on her bag in an attempt to make her leave it at the table.

"Where would a girl be without her lipstick," she smiled pulling it from under his hand and walking from the table. She walked to the Ladies room finding Damien's sister, Layla, who they were sitting with, right behind her as she walked through the door.

"I'll look after your bag for you while you go in if you like, then you can look after mine," she said with a smile.

"Oh I am fine, thanks anyway," Kristy said lightly waving her away and entering a cubicle, quickly pulling her phone from her bag and forcing it into her cleavage she called, "Oh its gruesome in here on second thoughts you can hold it."

Handing her bag to Layla, Kristy quickly shut the door and grabbed her phone sending the quickest message ever, "Damien, trapped, help!" pressing send she hoped Tabitha had her phone on her as promised. She really didn't want to have to text Darren. Right now she didn't want anything to do with any man, she just felt ill. She put the phone on silent and wedged it into her bar thanking fate that she had worn a well-padded push-up bra under the fitting red dress.

*****

"Shit!" Darren exploded into the noise of the party making those directly around him stop what they were doing and look at him. He had taken possession of Tabitha's phone after she told him of the conversation with Kristy and stalking through the party to find her he shoved it her and declared, "I'm going to get her."

He began to walk away, but Tabitha yelled, "Wait! You can't just waltz into an invitation only event and demand to see her. You'll be thrown out in the mood you're in, if not thrown in jail for assault if you see Damien." Her mind was working fast as she spoke trying to calm her brother down.

"Well unless you have a better idea," Darren said through clenched teeth trying to reign in his anger, jealousy, concern and a thousand other emotions that ran through him at that moment.