Chapter 3

Jocelyn knew there was something going on and she wanted Gareth to stay longer so she could interrogate him. These two have never really been good friends and suddenly they are sharing private jokes and secret conversations. It must be one of the women at Gareth’s office. He always said the women were gorgeous there. She watched him chatting up one of her friends and gently pulled him aside.

‘So, what are you men up to?’

‘Oh nothing. Just chatting about nothing. Rod is quite a nice guy.’ ‘Yes, but I suspect he is in love with some gorgeous woman. He was too pre-occupied today.’

‘Oh? I didn’t notice. Good for him if he is.’

‘I thought it might be someone in your office.’

‘Oh no. I doubt it. I would have seen him around there and somebody would have spoken about it. I doubt that very much.’

‘Ah, I see.’

But Jocelyn knew he was lying. She wondered why he felt the need to lie to her. She went to bed that night vowing to find out about that woman and to stop her in her tracks before that slut sunk her greedy claws into her man. She lay in bed, fantasizing about how she would rip that woman’s eyes out and how impressed Rod would be that she had fought for him.

Gareth also wondered why he had not simply told Jocelyn everything. After all, she is Rod’s best friend. He wondered why he had decided that he needed to protect Trisha. Perhaps Trisha had been right to be a little cautious around them. She had said she needed to leave when they were near her. He wondered why Rod threatened her so. ‘Trish, asleep?’

‘No, no. Trying to do some work.’

‘Are you succeeding?’

‘No, not at all. Gareth, there is something major about to happen. I can’t tell if it is good or bad.’

‘What do you see?’

‘Rod. Rod, everywhere. I can’t see what it means. He is everywhere in my head and the images are quick and vivid. I think he is angry with me, but then his eyes are kind and laughing. What does it mean? And there is a dark cloud. I don’t know.’ ‘Oh Trish, I don’t know what to say. He is definitely interested in you. He asked me if I was in love with you.’

‘What did you say?’

‘No, of course. But he is going to ask me more questions. He wanted to know if you are involved, who you live with and what you enjoy doing.’

‘Oh, and what did you say?’

‘I told him you like to be left alone. I told him that you like people to keep their distance. But I am not sure whether I simply raised his curiosity levels.’

‘Oh yes, fine. I also don’t know what to make of it.’

‘I really don’t know, Trish. He said something odd. He told me that your favorite color is blue and that you like the ocean.’

‘What? Who is this man?’

‘I asked him how he knew that, and he smiled and said, “I feel like I have always known her”.’

‘Oh Gareth what am I going to do?’

‘I don’t know. Also, there is something I don’t understand. He didn’t tell Jocelyn about you. Now that is odd. He tells her everything. When she tried to find out about you, I also said nothing. I just couldn’t.’

‘Okay, yes. I also felt a little heavy around her. There is definitely something dark around her. I think we need to be a little careful. I know that about her. What about him?’ ‘That I don’t know. Anyway, what could he possibly want from you?’ ‘I looked at my cards, but I got absolutely nothing. I tried too hard and nothing happened. So I gave up. I don’t know what to do about the painting. Since it arrived, I am feeling so restless and confused. It invokes something in me.’

‘Yes, he seemed concerned that you might not like it. Whatever it all means, he seemed genuinely concerned about that. So you can’t give it back. I think you should simply thank him and see what happens. If it bothers you too much, just turn it around to face the wall.’ ‘Yes, you are right. We shall have to wait and see. Thanks for the chat. I feel better already.’

‘Good, now get some sleep.’

But she did not sleep well. She tossed and turned and when she fell asleep, it was in the early hours of the morning. She decided that she would call him at work to thank him. She knew if she sent a note, she might not see him again. And she wanted to see him, just to find out what was going on, she told herself repeatedly.

When she got to her office in the morning, she found his number and called him. ‘Yes?’ his voice sounded edgy and impatient.

‘Hi, Rod, it is Patricia Diason. Hi.’

‘Oh hello, how are you, Patricia Diason?’

‘I am fine, thank you. And you?’

‘Hmm, fine.’

‘You sound a little busy. So I had better get to the point.’

‘Are you sitting down?’

‘Ur, yes.’

‘Good, now talk slowly and stop rushing as if I am going to do something awful to you. Relax, Patricia and talk to me.’

‘Okay, I just wanted to thank you for the painting. That was really sweet, but I guess I shouldn’t accept a gift from you.’

He was silent for a while. ‘Yes, you are right. Do you like it?’

‘Yes, of course. I ...’

‘Yes?’

‘I was a little embarrassed that you heard that conversation. I am sorry.’ ‘Why are you sorry?’

‘It doesn’t matter now. Thank you.’

‘So you will keep it?’

‘Ur,...I would like to.’ She could have kicked herself for feeling so weak and useless. ‘Good, I am pleased. It belongs with you. Now, talk to me about things.’ ‘Okay. How did you know where I lived?’

He laughed now and Trisha loved the feeling that warmed her.

‘Patricia, I know lots of people. Your firm works with mine, so I told them I had something urgent to give to you. There you go.’

‘Oh, I see. Okay.’

‘Any other questions?’

‘Yes. Why did you send the painting to me?’

‘Hmm, let’s see. Because when you spoke, I saw what you meant. I liked the way you looked at it and the way it looked at you. Together you make a beautiful image. I also hoped at least you would come over to thank me.’

‘Ah, I see. So is this how you pick up women?’

He laughed again. ‘No, I don’t usually have to pick up women. I have never bought an erotic painting for a woman before. Did it work?’

Trisha laughed now. ‘You are very charming, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, Patricia, yes. Have I got your attention now?’

‘Yes. Of course.’ She sighed. ‘I don’t know how to say this, but I am not really looking for a relationship at this time.’

‘I see. Do you have different seasons for relationships?’

Patricia giggled. ‘Don’t make fun of me. You know what I mean.’

‘I don’t in fact. At this point, I was just hoping for a dinner with you.’ Rod almost laughed aloud at that fat lie. If only she knows what I really want from her right this minute. ‘Yes, I see. I am a complicated person. My life is busy and difficult sometimes, so I try to avoid being picked up.’

‘Now I am curious. Have dinner with me and we will discuss this. Perhaps I will help you change this to a relationship season?’

She was silent for a while. ‘Fine, but you have been warned.’

‘Yes, good. Tonight. Shall I pick you up?’

She laughed. ‘I thought you didn’t have to pick up women.’

‘Hmm, very clever. Tonight, 8.00. Wear something casual, so we can relax.’ ‘Shouldn’t just meet somewhere?’

‘No, I will pick you up, okay? I want to.’

‘A little bossy, aren’t we?’

He laughed loudly now. ‘Yes. I will see you later.’

‘Okay, goodbye.’

She smiled as she put down the phone. He was quite cute and she was so excited that she would see him tonight. She phoned Gareth.

‘I have a crisis. I am having dinner with him tonight.’

‘Him?’

‘Yes, yes, Rod.’

‘Oh Trisha, what have you gone and done? I thought we agreed that a little caution was in order here?’

‘I know, but he was so cute on the phone, I couldn’t resist. He does have a good sense of humor.’

‘Ah. I see this so clearly. Between last night and 10.00 this morning he has moved from dangerous and confusing to cute and funny? Did he phone you?’

‘No, I called to thank him.’

‘Ah, I see. I see. So you want him too?’

‘Yes, but what will I wear?’

‘Nothing, by the sound of things.’

‘Oh Gareth!’

‘I don’t what to say. Things are moving so fast. Yesterday you met him, said two words to him, he sends you a gift and tonight you are worried what you will wear?’ ‘Yes, I guess. It’s just.... he is quite.... I don’t know....different.’ ‘Oh shit Trish! Different? Why?’

‘Because he has an effect on me. He makes me feel like a woman.’

Gareth could not argue with that. He smiled to himself. He wished she could make up her mind whether she wanted to be with him or to fear him.

‘Okay, wear those black jeans and a clinging t-shirt.’

‘Really, not too obvious?’

‘My dear, you are have passed the point of discretion here, haven’t you? If you want his body, then go for it. No. Wear a loose, slightly transparent top. That will keep him guessing the whole night.’

‘Oh Gareth, make up your mind. What will be more effective?’

‘I suppose he is an accountant. Let’s not push him too far. Okay, black jeans and ....that thin blue top. Yes. It looks casual, but it will do the trick. Also, wear that nude bra you like so much. He will definitely battle to focus. Where are you going?’ ‘I don’t know. He just said he would pick me up.’

‘Yes, I see. Trish, do you just want his body?’

‘Oh, I don’t know yet. I just want to be with him, even just to talk. I am curious about him.’

‘I see. Good luck. Phone me when you get back from the dinner. I can’t wait to hear the details.’

When Gareth got home that evening, he went and read his tarot cards and knew that Trisha was not going to phone him that night. He knew also that she would cry tonight. He held his breath and wondered whether he should phone her and stop her from going. But he knew that whatever was happening with Rod was a path she had to take to find the inner peace she so desperately craved.