Just Between Us

118

Stefani's pov

Just as I pull into the police station I stormed in catching everyone's attention.

"Mrs. Edwards-

"Good day to you, thank you for your services," I kindly cut him off and made way to the front desk with my laptop and file folders.

"I need to speak with a private investigator, let alone a lawyer. If not, a detective will do," I spoke to the front desk.

"How can I help?" A man in a suit walked up.

"But lieutenant-

"My hands are free. Besides, to what pleasure do I owe our biggest sponsor- I'd vote if you ran, you know?" the lieutenant approached me setting his cup down.

"Ethan," he stuck his hand out.

"Stefani," I gave him a firm shake.

"What report would you like to make? My office is this way if you want to disclose discretely," he lead the way.

"It's in regards to the detainment of Mart- I mean, Mary," I caught myself.

"The arrest that was made less than 24hrs ago?" He held the door open.

"Thank you- yes, she was arrested for slander among violation of the comfort in a work place environment of a private enterprise. However, I cannot let her be arrested for something as little as that when I have a paper trail of her stealing from the company," his eyes flashed into mine.

"I see the predicament-

"This is a tricky situation indeed because we can't just hold her to an account of one thing when she was arrested for another. But seeing the play here, it's more than possible she made a psychological gamble of throwing you off your initial reason of arrest to be arrested over- excuse me but, baby mama drama," Ethan cleared his throat at the last part.

"You're fine. But yes, that's exactly what's happened. These are copies of all the documents and a copy of the hard drive from my laptop that has all the recorded data and time logs and sheets. If you prefer the original-

"I will take care of this discrepancy. The less people on her tail, the less likely she'll suspect another arrest being filed. If anything, the IRS should be able to flag the unexpected transfers and sums of money she's been moving around under her name with her social security. By then, we can publicly assemble a team to open up an ongoing investigation without reason to make a second arrest- it's a little tricky to get into detail-

"I trust you'll handle this with care," I assured him that he had no need to mansplain his police terminology.

"As one of our biggest donors, it'd be an honor to take care of this. Is there anything else I need to know?" He came out with a bin to contain all the documents and information I gave him.

"She has a safety deposit key to a vault in my mother's name. I'd like access to it when you get flagged from the IRS. My assets are not safe until this woman is thoroughly handled... if you wanna go for the gold, have your best P.I. Look into my father. I'm not sure what the hell his affair with her somehow ties into all of this but I need clarity after the mess they gave me to deal with days before my step mother's wedding," I sighed.

"And, Best... P..I... on the... investigation... to disclose... Info regarding.. to kent Edwards- got it," he clicked his pen as he stood up to pin the sticky note the the white board in his office.

"Thank you for your time," I wanted to shake his hand again.

"Pleasure's mine. I feel as though knowing how the economy works. Any wide lipped officer would've gossiped and next thing, you have to deal with tabloids for not just one thing, but multiple. Here's my calling card if you'd like any updates, I'll put together the best team for this," he shook my hand firmly.

~~~

Just when one problem is dealt with, another one occurs..

I sat in my car finally taking note of the fresh leather seats... maybe a new car would make me feel better.

I just need to feel something other than dread- I know better but still, I'm just not possessing my per usual girl boss energy. I'm more lonesome and brooding than usual.

My phone rings and I immediately pick it up with out seeing the-

"Hey my love," Lillian's voice was soft spoken.

"Yes, Darling," I could feel my walls crumble just by the sound of her calling out to me...

I miss her so much it hurts and yet, we've been together since Mary's outburst. It just feels like a business casual relationship but I know we are so much more than that. She's the one I could take over the world with...

We're just out of place for the time being.

I shouldn't obsess over this, it's just a set back- yeah, a set back....

Oh for fuck sake Stefani, we don't do this self monologue shit.

"Dinner rehearsal is tonight. I know it's last minute but-

"Send me the details. I will be there," I assured her and there was a brief moment of silence between us.

I think I snapped at her when I meant to sound promising and confident- Damnit.

It was so quiet, I could hear her swallow before mustering up the strength to speak, "there's no color theme. Come as your usual polished and cleaned up self," she was shy as ever; more shy than the first time we met.

"Please do not hesitate on your communication with me. All I ask is to be patient... I know where we are now isn't the smoothest of sailings but all in due time-

"Stefani, I know you love me," Lillian cut me off.

The amount of weight in my chest had completely fluttered away as my eyes blinked simultaneously.

She- I mean- that's all I needed to hear. I never meant to have this cold of a shoulder...

Truly, we need to set time for us to talk about this. Even with so much unsaid, I'm sure we can still feel our way around with one another...

"I-

"The only thing I can think about is how to move forward from this. I know I made a terrible mistake, please... let me be the one who makes it right for once," she almost begged as she cuts me off.

"To be loved by you in your essence is to also be loved by your flaws. Even pain from your doing is considered to be bliss because it is all but a constellation of stars telling me that being with you is a bigger picture," I protested.

"I- did you drink today?" Lillian was thrown off.

"Im in distraught from keeping distance from you because of internal conflicts. I want to bring myself to your embrace, I can't see how and at the same time- I can't function... Lillian, I miss you and yet, I've had numerous encounters to embrace you," I've finally let it off of my chest.

"Let me come home to make something small before the dinner," she insisted.

"I won't resist," I promised- almost bit my lip in the process hearing her say she's coming home to me...

"I won't disappoint," she reciprocated.

I found myself staring off into space at the thought of her and for once I did feel the center of my chest flutter ever so lightly..

I don't doubt that one bit, darling.

AN: sorry it's taking me longer than usual to update, college is kicking my butt