Meet the Boyfriend....

I pointed out to Duane what I saw, and he moved towards the door.  It was like something straight out of a movie; a flower with a note was jammed into the buzzer.  I just shook my head.  I went out to rip it out and Duane stopped me. 

D: “Don’t! I think we should call the police...”

Me: “I know you’re right.  But I am so sick of this...what the hell did I do to deserve all of this??”

D: “You did nothing wrong!  You don’t deserve this...but you can’t let either of them win!  We have to call the police...”

I nodded and he fished his phone out of his pocket and called 911.  We waited downstairs for them and Detective Parker showed up. 

Ben: “Miss Shim, I am sorry I never returned your phone call.  What happened here?”

Me: “Please call me Bella.  This is my brother Duane; he’s been staying with me until my fiancée returns.”

Detective Parker shook his hand, and I relayed the events of the evening leading up to us finding the lovely present jammed into the buzzer.  We watched as one officer donned latex gloves and removed the flower from the buzzer and put it in an evidence bag.  They dusted for finger prints, but were doubtful that it would pull anything useful.

Ben: “Well you did the right thing.  You didn’t touch it did you?”

Me: “I almost did but Duane told me not to.  I honestly just want this over with.  I have had enough of all of this.  I don’t know what kind of game someone thinks this is...”

Ben: “Well Bella...Duane did the right thing.  I will contact the Property Manager tomorrow morning and see if I can view the footage from the night of the break in and tonight.  Maybe we can finally see who it was.  We did question your ex fiancée and he had an alibi that checked out.”

Of course he did, his alibi was probably Candice. 

Me: “Let me guess...her name was Candice...”

Ben: “I can’t really divulge that information.  But you have every right to put a peace bond or a restraining order on either of them, if you think your safety is in jeopardy.”

Another officer came over with the note in an evidence bag.  The detective read it and then held it out for me to see

It’s not over ...I won’t give up that easily...

This could be from either of them, I thought to myself.  I shook my head and looked at Duane who was seething with anger.  He obviously thought it was from Craig.  But then he never met Candice. 

Ben: “Does this mean anything to you?  Does it help pin point any one person?  I think it is in your best interest to file a peace bond...”

I shook my head; the message was so cryptic that it could mean Craig isn’t giving up on me/us or that Candice isn’t going to give up on Joel.  I also shook my head at his last statement, what the hell was a piece of paper going to do for me??  I knew that Craig wouldn’t lay a hand on me, but Candice was a wild card.  I didn’t know what was going through her head.  And I was going to find out as soon as Joel arrived.  As much as I didn’t want to know all the details, this was a game changer.  I needed to know now more than ever what level of crazy I was up against.

The officers told them they got everything they could, and Detective Parker reiterated the peace bond, and told me to call him if anything else transpires.  We headed back upstairs and Duane went straight to his room and went to sleep.  I however was a little to frazzled to sleep.  What kind of game were these two playing? Why can’t he just leave me the hell alone?  I needed answers, but I knew I would never get them.  Despite being far away from everyone, California was looking better and better.  But I really didn’t want to go alone...maybe I can convince Duane to come sooner rather than later.  My eyes closed, but my ears were on high alert.  And just as I felt I was going to drift into a deep sleep the alarm went off.  I sighed and sat up; reaching and turning the alarm off.  I hoped I would sleep better when I had my boys back. 

I got up and started the coffee machine and turned on the kettle for me.  I went back to the bedroom and got dressed in sweats and a t-shirt.  I didn’t need to impress anyone; not at this hour anyway.  I let Duane sleep as long as possible, then went in and woke the angry bear.  He got up and got dressed; we looked like twins in our sweats and t-shirts.  I promised him he could sleep in my bed as soon as we got back. He grumbled something and headed towards the coffee maker.  I knew once he had some caffeine and a few more hours sleep he would be in better spirits. 

After we made our to-go caffeine, we had very little to say on our way down and out of the building.  We had to walk back to his place since we didn’t drive the first time.  When we got there we had to decide whether or not to take the truck (which would give more luggage room) or the car (which would give more people room).  We decided to take the car; hoping that Monroe didn’t bring back his entire wardrobe.  But I was hoping he snuck a few pieces away for me!

The traffic was light on our way to Pearson.   So we were there in no time.  We checked to see when his plane arrives and it was already pulling in early.  So thankfully we didn’t have to wait too long.  We sat outside of the arrivals gate waiting for them to come through; and secretly praying we had enough room for the luggage.  Of course he was the last one through, and right beside him was his new boyfriend?!  I waved to Monroe and he pointed over to us.  When he finally got to us he swept me up into a hug. 

M: “Oh it’s so good to see you baby girl!  I miss you so much!!”

Me: “Me too!! It’s so lonely!  It’s like Carrie without Preston...”

Monroe groans, he hates when I refer to us as them.  But he hates it even more when I say Grace without Will.

M: “Ugh!  I hate it when you refer to us as them!  But this is Trevor Andrews. Trevor this is my best girl Isabella...”

I scowled at Trevor...so that is the name he is using now? 

Me: “Well hello ...Trevor is it?”