Part 6

*PMDS*

He guided her down the sidewalk towards his parked convertible. Using his left hand, he dropped the brown grocery bag onto the front seat of the car. Della gently took his other hand that was bleeding from his knuckles.

"You need to get this cleaned up. I have some ice in my fridge, but not much else for that matter. That's the reason I was in town but Michael changed all that," Della's voice was suppressed.

"Michael, is the one that promised to marry you? He was inside the restaurant with another woman. I can't imagine why he would want to cheat, especially on you," Perry touched her arm tenderly, took it in his left hand, and held it. While standing there, his right hand throbbed with pain as blood started to leave spots on the sidewalk.

"Perry, come on. Let's go over across the street because I don't have any bandages in my apartment, but we need to get your hand cleaned." Della quickly pulled him towards the drug store. Once he purchased the supplies Della hurriedly fixed his hand, wrapping it around his hand, and gave a quick kiss as a good measure.

"There you go all better."

"I don't know how many times I've had busted knuckles out on my aunt's farm. By the way, that's the reason I'm here," Perry informed her as he guided her out of the drug store, placing it at the small of her back.

Walking towards his car together, Della had noticed that Michael had followed her while she walked with Perry. He was not impressed with what he saw. Sure, he made mistakes in his life but he wasn't about to let her go, not without explaining himself to her. As Perry and Della continued to have small talk on the sidewalk, Michael's jaw ached. He took out his handkerchief from his suit pocket holding it to his mouth as his bleeding started to flow again from his injured mouth.

"How far do you live from here? I can take you home Della. It's not out of my way. My aunt's place is about ten miles from here. It is no trouble at all for me to drop you off," Perry insisted.

"Yes, I'd like that. Thank you, Perry I do appreciate a lift back to my place," she stepped aside as he opened the car door for her. As he turned to walk towards his side of the car, he noticed a dark red Pontiac with a man seated behind the wheel which didn't look remotely out of the ordinary. Perry pulled his Cadillac out onto the street, where Della had instructed him to go.

"Okay, here. You can pull over here." Della pointed to the reserved parking area for the tenants of the building.

"You sure you're going to be alright? I don't want to leave If you think your life is going to be in danger." As he pulled his car into a parking spot and shut the engine off as they both remained seated.

"I told you I'm going to be fine. Come on let's get your hand in some ice before swelling and bruising start, and we don't want that, now do we?"

"Alright, if you insist." He chuckled exited the car and helped her out of the car. He stood by the door and placed a chaste kiss on her lips, and she responded by returning his kiss, slowly pulling back from him, looking into his loving eyes.

"I hate to break it to you, Della. I have to admit something right now. One, I think I'm falling in love with you. Two, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me," Perry told her when he inched forward. Della held her head high looking at him when the wind suddenly picked up and blew her curls askew in her eyes.

"Perry, I have to admit something to you as well. I've seen over the past few days how you treated me. I enjoyed spending time with you and talking to you. Being around you has made me happier than I have ever been." Della put her hand on his arm and stroked it when she noticed Michael had followed her to her apartment.

"Don't look now Perry but someone has followed me home."

"Della, what are you….." Perry turned around looking at the sedan staked out down the street. He also noticed in the driver's seat, a man holding a handkerchief up to his mouth.

"I guess he didn't learn the first time. You want me to take care of him?"

"No, come on. Let's go upstairs and get some ice on your hand," she took his hand and walked towards her building.

Watching and waiting in his car, Michael drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as the pair disappeared and out of his view. Thinking to himself, how he could win her back from this tall, yet handsome man. Della knew that Michael would be successful with his family business and, he wanted to have Della help run his operation. Not only that he wanted Della to be his wife, but also have his cake and eat it too, literally. She wouldn't know the difference, but that's not the case now. Perry was in the picture and that was a big problem, and he wasn't going anywhere.

"Here we go. Let's get that in ice," Della cracked open the fridge and took out a clean washcloth, wrapped the ice cubes in the cloth, and handed it to Perry.

"Thanks, Della. I'm sure this will help with the swelling. It might bruise a little but nothing that I can't handle," Perry placed the cloth over his fist and exhaled when the ice hit his injured hand.

"I wish I had time to stop at the grocery store but unfortunately that didn't go well," Della slammed the fridge door.

"Why don't you come with me out to my aunt's place. She's making dinner tonight and I didn't really tell you why I am actually in Chicago did I? Well, after you left, a message came for me to inform me of my aunt's problem. She had gotten hurt and my uncle is out of town until the weekend. I came up to help out on the farm until he gets back. I don't think she'd mind if I brought a dinner guest." Perry watched her from across the table as she pondered for a few moments before giving him her answer.

"I'd like that. Just let me change into something comfortable to wear." Della walked towards her bedroom chose a light-colored floral sundress with a round neckline and a matching pair of nude sandals.

After she had chosen her best dress, she walked across her apartment and peeked out the window that faced the street, and noticed Michael hadn't moved his car. Della stood still with her dress in her hand, when she felt a presence behind her and relaxed against his broad chest. He touched her shoulder, dropped his hand to her elbow, and stroked it lightly not to startle her.

"What's wrong, Della? Can't find a dress or something else bothering you?" he whispered in her ear making her shiver. Slightly turning to see his face as he looked down at her, she motioned for him to look in the direction of the street. Pulling the curtain back slightly with his left hand, he looked down and noticed that Michael still waited by the curb. Perry gently pulled her away from the window getting her attention away from the distraction that was outside.

"Della, go ahead and change so we can get out of here. He's in a world of hurt if he ever touches you again," Perry promised and she went into the bathroom to change into her outfit. While he stood to watch out the window, he looked back in her direction as she shut the door. Della came from her room after applying light makeup to her cheeks and lipstick to her lips.

"Della, you are so gorgeous. Have I told you that?

"Yes, you have and probably will not stop."

"Better believe I will not. I will never stop telling you. Shall we go?" Perry opened her apartment door, and she sauntered out in front of him. Reaching the main doors, he pulled it opened for her and escorted her down the steps. Hurrying across the street, with his balled bloody handkerchief, Michael took his chance.

"Della! I need to have a word with you, please wait!" he cried out to her. Della stopped in her tracks while Perry stood near her.

"What's all this, Della? Care to explain him? Did you meet him at law school? How long has this been going on?" Michael waved his hands accusing her of playing him too. Perry stepped forward ready to have another go-round, but Della paused him taking his arm, holding him still in his place.

"I don't need this right now, Michael. You never loved me from the start. You filled my head full of your nonsense about finishing my secretarial courses to help you run and handle your business operations. All the while, you took in the profit as well as a few side mistresses. I can't believe you of all people, someone who is supposed to love me, never did at all. I have nothing more to say to you. I'm perfectly happy where I am." Della took Perry by his right arm moving away from Michael who was speechless and never thought in a million years this would happen. Della made her point across that she didn't need to be mistreated ever again.