#Chapter 12 – Feel Jealous
Abby

A cool breeze drifts in through the kitchen window, and I cross the room to peer outside. I live on the

top floor of my building, and I’ve got a great view of a nearby park. Standing at the window, I can hear

the whoosh of the wind, and shouts down on the street.

I’ve been waiting to hear from Karl, but he hasn’t called yet. I need to know if my restaurant can open

tonight, so I can get started on everything. The more time that passes, the more tense I become. I

spent the past fifteen minutes staring at the phone, but like a watched pot, staring at it just made it less

likely to ever ring.

My door buzzes, shocking me from my stupor. I cross the bright space and down a narrow hall to the

door.

I press the button and lean in close. “Hello?”

“Abby, it’s Karl. Mind if I come up?”

I don’t answer for a moment. I didn’t exactly tell him where I live, but I guess I didn’t have to. With all

those investigators working for him, I’m sure he knows everything about my life here. As much as I

want to refuse, I don’t think it will deter him.

“Sure.”

Of course, he couldn’t just call.

I press the button to let him in and open my front door. There are only five floors, and it doesn’t take

long before I hear his footsteps on the stairs. He rounds the corner and smiles when he sees me

standing in the doorway. He’s holding a man by the collar, and he shoves him ahead.

“What are you doing here?” I turn to eye the man with him. “Who’s your friend?”

“Oh him?” Karl shoves the man to his knees in front of me. He looks up at Karl with wide eyes, then

turns to me with a pleading look.

“Go on,” Karl says.

“I’m very sorry Abby.” He looks up at me, and I have a hard time meeting his gaze. “I own The Crystal

Palace. I’m the one who made a complaint against your restaurant.”

“Oh.”

Karl snarls at him.

going to make it right, and it

a terrified look. Karl just looks at me, waiting

I appreciate the apology.” I turn to

and the man jumps to his feet. “Sorry again,” he says,

curled in. Karl watches him jog down

really necessary?” I ask,

turns back to me. “He owed you an

have taken it a bit too far?” It’s just like him to

he asks, looking past me into the apartment. “You

me a talk.”

step out of the way. He wanders down the hall to

to the green couch and the

edge of one of the chairs and

you want to talk to me about?” I ask. “I don’t

wife after a divorce.”

his expression unreadable. “I’m here on behalf of

eyebrows go up. “Is

few years?” The sudden change of subject

So much for

it in for the first time.

large windows look out at the

and last winter I painted the cabinets a soft yellow to make

rows on the marble

and soft Persian carpets on the floor. My kitchen is

pots and pans. It’s

love how

been fine,” I say.

He nods. “Nice place.”

can’t tell if he really means it, but I don’t have

nods again, turning back to me. “And you’ve

I force a smile. “It’s doing really

that simple. A lot of things haven’t

food business. Opening a new restaurant and being successful

make it work. I’ve had to put all of myself into it to get the results I’ve gotten. But there’s

Karl to know

“Good, that’s good.”

us. I almost wish he’d get straight

making polite chit-chat with me. We were

feels especially

you curious about how I’m doing?” he asks after a stretch

any mention of him since

watch. If he’s attending a social event, I stay away from the media. I’ve had no

his perfect

about you,” I say, deciding that I should

with my life. And come on, you’re the

“I wish I could move on like you have, but

made three

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255