CHAPTER SEVEN: THREADS OF TENSION.

Fred looked from Laura to Jerry, suspicion darkening his expression as he took in the scene.

Laura’s breath caught in her throat and, without thinking, she pressed herself against Jerry, her trembling hands clutching her bag.

“Laura?” He asked the question while stepping slightly forward, but a tone of mockery laced his voice.

As Laura looked up at him and watched him take a step closer, she gripped on her bag so hard to avoid falling off, she felt like a prey being hunted, and wished the ground would open up and swallow her.

“Back to upset me, I see,” Fred’s drawl oozed mischief as he moved forward, a smug grin spreading across his face. “Are you following me everywhere now?”.

Laura took a small, instinctive step back, her pulse racing.

The depth of his gaze was penetrating and almost teasing which made her feel uneasy.

“Why are you in my house?” He demanded as he looked at her with surprising amusement.

“Your...your house?” She repeated in a voice so low that only her thoughts could be heard as she wrapped her mind around the things he just said.

She felt a wave of panic rising, her body tensing with each word he spoke.

Fred’s grin widened, his eyes narrowing as if he could see straight through her.

“Yes,” he replied, his voice low and almost taunting. “My house.” He held her gaze, the intensity in his stare making her feel vulnerable and exposed.

Sensing the tension thickening, Jerry stepped between them, his tone calm but firm. “Fred, relax. She’s the owner of the purse I found and brought back here. She’ll be on her way now,” he said, hoping to defuse the situation.

Laura blinked, still reeling, and turned to Jerry as confusion etched across her face.

“Wait… I thought this was your house?” She added.

Jerry offered a smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Oh, no. Fred Walker here is my cousin,” he explained, nodding toward Fred, who watched their interaction with an unreadable expression. “When I moved to Inwood and got a job at the cafe, he offered me a place to stay until I found somewhere of my own.”

Fred crossed his arms, leaning back slightly, his eyes never leaving Laura.

“You heard him,” he said, his voice cold. “It’s my house.”

She could see a flash of something dark in his expression, something that told her he hadn’t forgotten their last encounter.

The flashbacks of her cutting remarks at the cafe, her dismissive attitude towards him, still resonated. It was as if she could sense the invisible wounded pride surrounding him which churned her stomach.

“So, please…. leave,” he continued, his tone hard. “You’ve got what you came for. Take it and go.”

He faced away from her with no intention of waiting for an answer and stalked off towards the house, the sound of his footsteps ringing in the calmness of the night.

There was a strange feeling in Laura's heart as if it was swollen and she struggled to suppress the anger burning inside her.

She gripped the strap of her purse hard enough to strain her fingers and her jaw set hard.

How dare he dismiss her like that?.

Jerry placed a gentle hand on her shoulder as he offered a sympathetic smile.

“I’m sorry for his attitude,” he said softly. “Please, don’t take it personally.”

Laura shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Oh, I won’t,” she replied, her voice laced with simmering anger. “He’s just an arrogant man who thinks he can treat people however he pleases, especially women.”

“Take care, Laura. And again, I’m sorry for all this,” Jerry pleaded.

She gave him a quick nod and muttered a short goodbye before she stepped out onto the dark street.

She was grateful to have her phone and belongings back, especially with her mom’s medical bills looming over her.

“What would I have done if I’d lost this?” she thought, her heart sinking at the idea of another setback.

A cab rolled by just then, its headlights casting a soft glow along the sidewalk.

Laura flagged it down, sliding into the back seat and giving her address.

She slumped against the seat, closing her eyes as the car pulled away. The events of the night played over in her mind, each moment with Fred leaving her both rattled and resolved.

***

Laura arrived home, it was very late and she was worn out, she immediately headed to her room for some rest as she reminisced on events again that had happened earlier that day and the audacity Fred always had around her.

“I just want to have a memorable and peaceful first day at work tomorrow”, Laura murmured to herself as she lay on her bed and shut her eyes to sleep.

***

At 6 a.m., Laura woke up, surprised at the quiet. For once, she hadn’t needed her alarm.

She stretched, a wave of excitement stirring within her.

Today was her first day at the new workplace, and she was keen to impress everyone.

She took a quick shower and dressed thoughtfully.

“First impressions matter,” she whispered to herself as she chose a crisp white shirt and black pants, giving her reflection a satisfied nod.

She combed her hair and let it fall in soft waves, pleased with the way it looked.

“Oh, my shoes!” she laughed as she spotted them by the door.

With a smile, she slipped them on, locked her apartment, and made her way down the street, the morning air adding a refreshing sense of promise to her steps.

She stopped a cab and, after talking to the driver about her destination, relaxed while mentally reviewing her day’s movements.

***

In a moment, they arrived in front of the cafe and she reached for her bag and handed some money to the driver before getting out of the car and walking into the cafe.

As Laura entered the cafe, her attention was drawn toward the friendly waitress who had facilitated her job acquisition the day before.

Once again, thanks for yesterday,” she said beamingly to the waiter as she neared him. “I owe you one.”

He returned her smile. “You’re welcome, Laura. Let me show you the changing room and give you the rundown.”

As they walked together, there was a funny feeling Laura got as she immediately remembered the fact that she did not even know his name.

"Hello, I am sorry, but what did you say your name was again?” Laura asked.

“Jerry Hills,” he replied, a friendly glint in his eyes.

“Nice to meet you again, Jerry,” she said as he guided her to the employee area.

Inside, she found a bag with work clothes waiting for her. She picked out a neat dress with an apron attached at the front, folding her clothes into the wardrobe.

"Flawless," she said with a smile on her face as she put on the dress.

As she was about to step out, her cell phone rang. She took it out and paused, her pulse raced at the sight of her mother’s name on the call log.

“Mom!” she answered, her voice warm but filled with concern. “How are you both?”.

“We’re fine, Laura. The doctors have been so supportive,” her mother reassured her. “How are things with you?”.

Laura’s face lit up.

“I found a job, Mom! And the pay’s good, it’ll help cover the bills!”. Excitement was overwhelming, and she was walking back and forth within the small room as she talked over the phone.

"Wow, Laura, I am really proud of you," her mother spoke with immense pride and relief. “Stay focused, okay? Don’t let anything distract you.”

“I promise, Mom. I’ll come by to see you both as soon as I can. Take care, love you.” She hung up, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.

“Oh no, Jerry’s waiting for me!” she realized, and with a quick breath, she opened the door to the changing room.

Her heart stilled. Fred was standing there as if he’d been waiting just outside.

Their eyes locked, and the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them. With a slow, deliberate grin, he leaned in, his gaze piercing. “Hello beautiful, it's me again” he said, his voice as dark as his eyes, filled with a terrifying intensity that sent a chill down her spine.