Paisley

Chapter 10

Through the deep silence, I heard him breathing slowly and softly. His slow deep breaths gave me some comfort but I was still petrified. Then he spoke to me.

  "You saw that painting behind you." He said in his soft deep voice.

It almost sounded like he was smiling when he said it but I still couldn't work up the nerve to look at his face. I didn't say anything. I just sat there and scanned the room with my eyes.

  "That painting is something very special to me. I had it for a long time. It was a gift from a friend of mine who toured with me in my early years of my career. It has that same affect on me whenever something is bothering me. I look at it from time to time and it gives me great wonder and comfort just like it did for you a few minutes ago. I've been looking at it more and more lately. I don't know why but it lets me know that even though this big world is crazy I'm not alone in it. God brought us together today. I can see that you have a gift just like I do. There was a reason I was drawn to you."

That was the lecture. He wasn't angry. He was very poised in his speech. I was then freed from the paralyzing fear of being shunned for my embarrassing actions. I slowing started coming to. I still didn't look at him but sat up slightly in my chair.

  "You called me Erin." I said still coming out of the fog.

  "Is that all you heard?" He said with a slight giggle.

  "No......its.....just......you don't call....me.....Erin." I stammered out.

He laughed out loud and looked down at the floor.

  "And that surprises you how?" He said.

His voice got a little higher as he showed his excitement for the answer to his question.

  "I.....like it......when you......say.....my name."

  "I thought you hated when I called you by your full name!" He said.

He almost looked confused by what I said when I finally looked up at him. His eyes. I swear if his eyes could kill. I was falling for his eyes and not the man. I couldn't stop myself. I needed lust rehab.

  "Erin come back your drifting again." He said waving his hands at me.

He caught me from my fall. Thank you Prince! It's about time!

  "Sorry I think I'm suffering from jet lag. You know I'm kinda tired." I said still recovering from my embarrassment.

  "Erinalia you are a puzzle." He said laughing at me again.

That was the moment when I really came to my senses. I let him have it.

  "Who you callin a puzzle!?!?!? I'm not the one that lives in an industrial packing plant for a house!"

  "There she is! Welcome home little miss!" He said throwing his arms up as if he was in a roller coaster.

He stood up from the edge of the desk and leaned against it. He was smiling really big now as if he was proud that I told him off! This guy is not normal!

I stood up next to him and leaned on the desk with him. He crossed his arms and turned his head towards me. I crossed my arms and just looked straight ahead.

  "What's on your mind my dear. Talk to me." Prince said.

God his deep voice is a turn on! His eyes are even worse. Is there anything else on this man that will make me fall harder???

  "You really don't want to know what's on my mind right now. It's pretty disgusting." I giggled to him softly.

  "Let's keep it PG rated then." He said smiling.

  "Prince your really cute. And I think I'm falling for you but I know I can't have you because......"

He stopped me.

  "I'm flattered but I'm married."

Annnnnd cue the tiny violins. Followed by the sound of my heart shattering into a billion pieces. My face got really hot again but this time it was from shame. I can't believe that I blurted out my fantasy like that. Time for recovery 101.

  "I knew that. I knew that! See I was pulling your strings! I got you really good didn't I? You thought I was feeling you! Look at you! Your ego was just inflated!" I rambled.

He then laughed at me again.

  "Saving yourself from that nose dive you just took are you?" He said to me.

Was that shade being thrown my way? I think it was.

  "Oh please you ain't even all that cute for real! I was just saying that to see what you would say! So who's picking themselves up now?" I shot back.

Prince must have thought that I was joking because he laughed so hard that he almost hit the floor from laughing so hard. His face was as red as a beet. He had tears in his eyes! After a good 3 minutes he got up and composed himself. He wiped his eyes and looked at me still chuckling away.

  "You know you are really funny!" He said excited.

  "Thanks I'm here all week!" I said laughing at his face for being so red.

I stared him down still smiling at him. He never looked more relaxed and happy. Seeing him smiling and happy made me happy. My eyes lit up as I saw his smile. This man must be casting a spell on me. Prince had the most beautiful smile that I've ever seen. It matched his beautiful eyes. Then his smile slowly began to fade and he calmed down from laughing so much. He gathered his thoughts and sat down in the chair next to me. I sat down in the chair and he leaned back.

  "Tell me Erinalia."

  "What do you want me to tell you Prince?"

  "You said that your parents passed away. What happend?"

It just got serious real quick. I wasn't expecting this conversation to get heavy after we just laughed our brains out. I looked at him and took a deep breath.

  "I don't think you want to hear about my tragedy." I said sadly.

  "Everyone has a tragedy but at the end of the day cream rises to the top."

My facial expression showed him that I was intrigued. His eyes shined as he smiled again.

  "Wow! That's deep brother!" I said

  "I try not to be deep but I really like you Erinalia. I want to get to know a deeper side of you." He said.

We locked eyes for about 2 seconds. I could see his curiosity. I then began to wonder if he was looking in my eyes and staring back at my pain. I felt like I was naked at this point and he was watching me. My soul was about to be bled dry.