She had went about her business as normal. Elise had gotten up, gone to work, and now headed home to relax. One day she hoped to come home to something or more important someone. Her apartment was nice and simple. She wasn't t much of a decorator. She thought perhaps her status as a woman might be revoked due to this major character flaw. She didn't' t seem to mind but family and friend thought it almost criminal. She owned a couch and bed. She didn't understand what more would be needed. She fumbled with her keys before unlocking her apartment. As she walked through the door an odd feeling came over her. She cautiously looked around. 'Nothing out of place,' she thought.
"Hello Elise." came a voice.
She jumped and saw a man sitting on her couch, She froze. "Who are you? Get out or I'll scream.". She slowly began to back up.
"I won't hurt you. I'm here on behalf of another. Someone who has interest in you of personal nature." he said. For some odd reason, she believed him. He had dark hair and clean cut. His eyes were soft and she felt no threat, They were a deep brown. She hated herself for almost believing him. She stayed on guard.
"Then give your friend my number and quit breaking into apartments." she said hoping to hasten his exit.
He stood up. Elise on instinct stepped back.
"I promise I won't hurt you. I came here to see if you would come with me."
"To meet your friend? I'm not sure I want to meet someone who hires help to relate to others?" she said looking him square in the eyes to ensure he understood she was going nowhere.
He sighed and dropped his head. "Ok, he will be most disappointed but I will tell him." He started to walk towards the door then paused, "He did want me to leave this, no arguments." he placed a small box on her kitchen counter and quickly exited.
Elise quickly walked to the door locking it with the deadbolt. She slowly walked to the counter and looked at the box with a bow sitting atop. A simple white box with a red bow. This had to be the hands down oddest thing to happen to her. She didn't know if to open the box or just throw it out. She was always too curious for her own good. She opened the box carefully. Inside she found a beautiful flawless diamond solitaire. She looked for a note or anything but there was nothing. What was going on? To test her curiosity further she slipped it into her ring finger on her right hand. It was a tight fit. She then tried her ring finger on her left had. It fit perfect. Somehow this person obtained her ring size? She didn't even know her ring size? She could not accept this gift. This was not the type of gift that came without strings attached.
Her cell phone rang.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Did you like the gift?" asked the voice.
It must be the person, "Are you the person who made their friend break into my apartment? Who are you and why won't you show your face?" The phone was silent. "I can't accept this. This is too much and I don't t accept gift like this."
"It's not a gift." said the male voice.
"Then what would you call it?" I asked.
"Returning something to their rigfhtful owner." he said.
"You've obviously mistaken me for someone else." she said losing patience.
"I don't think so." he said.
"Then you tell me, who am I to you?"
"My wife." said the voice.
Her heart sank and the phone wet silent yet again. "You're crazy. I've never been married."
"You don't remember." said the voice.
"How convenient for you."
A chuckle came from the voice, "Oh, how I've missed you."
The way he said it, she thought, did sound like someone reminiscing with a long lost love. "Look, I don't t understand any of this and you need to let me know how to return this ring to you. You know my address so feel to mail your address and instructions. I'm ending this call now."she said as she clicked the button on her mobile phone.
As she laid her phone down she saw the ring on her finger. A moment of some familiarness hit her. She shook it off. She rationalized it as some longing to find a mate rather than this stalkers truth. Her phone began to ring again. She ignored it. She was not going to entertain this any further.
A few days passed and she heard no more. She never received instructions on where to return the ring. Elise had decided to wear the ring. for two reasons. One reason was in case she ran into her stalker she would be ready to return it immediately and two, well, it was beautiful.
"Elise, did you run off and marry?" Elise turned from her little table at her favorite local coffee shop to see Marie, an old college mate.
"Ah, Marie, hello. Uhm, no, just jewelry. I'm not married yet." she said, but then thought to herself, 'Well, I don t'think so.'
"Oh really? It's beautiful. I wish my Mark had such taste. We've been married for 10 yrs now and still only have a quarter carrot. So you bought it yourself then?" she pried.
"Uh, no, a gift actually from an admirer." she smiled hoping Marie would need to rush off, but instead she pulled out the chair opposite Elise and took a seat. 'Of course.' thought Elise.
'"An admirer, oh, do tell! How exciting!" she nearly squealed.
"Not really. More irritating than interesting." said Elise sipping her coffee. Her computer signaled an email. An alert window popped up. She didn't t recognize the email address but the subject stating 'Please meet with me.' gave her a good idea.
"Its the most romantic thing ever! If this is the admirer's idea of getting your attention I'd be so curious. And after all, you are wearing the ring." smiled Marie mischeiviously.
Elise smile back irritated, "Well, as you said, it is beautiful."
Suddenly Maire's phone rang, "Oh sorry, great seeing you! Gotta run! Good luck!"
Elise watched as Marie made her loud exit. At last she could get back to her work. Elise spent her Saturday mornings at the local coffee shop writing short stories for a small online website. It was completely volunteer, but she enjoyed it. It was a website devoted to creative mysteries based on real life. It kept her mind busy. Lately she had been feeling stressed and anxious for some reason. The odd events of recent somewhat fueled her creativity. Writing always made sense. In writing you can control the world. It kept her grounds, at least in feeling that she had control over something.
"Hello." came a voice next to her breaking her thoughts. She looked up. A man stood staring at her smiling. For some reason she did not get a good feeling from him.
"Hello." she said back then turned to type at her computer.
"May I join you?" he asked. "I was watching you and couldn't help but notice how beautiful you are and I thought perhaps I could get to know you.?"
"I don't think I'm interested, but thank you." she said.
He pulled the chair out next to her to sit. "I must inisist." he said. She was beginning to get a bit nervous.
"I'm sorry but I'm working and don't really have time right now-" she said but was cut off.
"Sorry dear, they didn't have any non-fat creamer so I went ahead and just got you black." said a different man approaching Elise table. They both looked at him. "I'm sorry I didn't know we had a guest, hello, I'm Ben." he said extending a hand to the other man. Elise was getting very nervous and unsure of what her next move would be. She saved her work on her computer as the two men exchanged a silent glance and she shut it off . She quickly loaded the computer into her bag to await her exit.
"I apologize I didn't know you were here with someone." he smirked looking at the man claiming to be here with Elise. "I'll leave you two then." he said walking away. Elise did not care for the man at all. She wasn't too sure of this other one either.
The other man took a seat next to Elise. "I am sorry to be so bold. He seemed to be bothering you. I was here earlier and saw him keeping a close eye on you."
Elise wasn't sure what to think. "Well, thank you, I guess for looking out for me." she smiled. He seemed like a kind genuine man. He had a British accent, dark hair, blue eyes, slender build. She had to admit she was flattered whille at the same time very confused. "Is this what you do? Come to cafe's and make sure no one is hit on?"
He chuckled, "Not exactly. Can I walk you to your car?"
"Uh, no, I walked." she said seeing the concern form on his face. "It's not far I really should be fine, Ben, is it?"
"Yes, Ben, and you are Elise?" he asked looking back over his shoulder at the man watching them intently.
Elise stared at Ben, "How did you know my name?" she asked.
Ben quickly turned back to face her, "It looks like he's leaving."
She looked over to see the man walking out the front of the cafe. "Well, I guess I should be going then. Thank you."
"You're sure I can't walk you to your apartment?" he asked.
"No, I'm fine." she smiled. He smiled ask he got up from his chair.
"Perhaps I'll see you here again?" he asked.
"Perhaps,"she said smiling at him. Part of her really hoped she would see him.
She walked out of the cafe and crossed the street. Halfway down the block the bold man from the cafe stopped her. "Well hello again."
"Uh, hi." she said and kept walking. He grabbed her arm to stop her.
"I wanted to talk to you." he said.
"You're making me uncomfortable." she said.
"Well your boyfriends not here now so-" he said but was cut off.
"Leave her alone, please." came the voice from behind Elise. She turned to see Ben standing behind her. She had to admit she was relieved to see him. She quickly turned back to the bold man.
"Please, just leave me alone." she said as she felt Ben's hands on her shoulder.
The man just stared at Ben. The silence put Elise on edge.
"I'll see you around." said the man walking past them.
Ben took her hand in his, "I think I'll be walking you home." he said.
"I don't think I'll be arguing with you on that." she said calming herself as she turned to make sure the man continued walking away from them.
"So are you married?" he asked.
She was watching the man closely. She had heard Ben speaking but hadn't heard exactly what he said. "Oh, I'm sorry, what did you say?"
He smiled, "Your ring, are you married?"
She looked down at her hand that he was holding. "Uhm, no, well, not that I know of."
He looked at her oddly.
"It's been a really weird couple of weeks." she said.
They walked together the next few blocks to her apartment.
"This is my place." she said stopping. "Would you like to come in?" she asked.
"No, I wouldn't want to impose." he said reaching into his coat. "But do take this in case you need me please call."
"Are you my bodyguard now?" she asked smiling.
"Whatever you may need." he said kissing her hand. "Goodbye for now Elise. Take care." he said as he turned to walk back down the street.
She hurried into her apartment and locked the door. Ben seemed like a great guy and she was thankful he was around when she needed. She just felt there was more to what was going on but not sure what. What was the interest of the bold man in her? And how did Ben seem to know where to be when she needed him? Was she just making more out of it all? She decided it was time to sit down and finish her writing for the website. At least that made sense.