PULSE

PART III - WHO IS YOU?

Black had always been a pretty good judge of character, its how he'd survived on his own for so long. He did what he had to do to survive comfortably, nothing more nothing less. He didn't make promises he couldn't keep and he maintained relationships within their necessary boundaries - never blurring lines. Women had always been the easiest to keep in check. He had a reputation as a sure thing, rules too like no contact it it wasn't about sex. No contact if she's on her period. If he needed someone to talk to he'd see a shrink. If he needed love he'd get a pet or visit Lisa the woman that raised him.

His size and demeanour did what he needed it to do. Keep people away.

Elle Blake on paper and in person were two completely different people. She'd lived a privileged life but could navigate the neighbourhood without issue. She didn't take his demeanour towards her personally and her mouth is fucking lethal.

Everyday, he'd see her walking home and everyday he drove past her, rain or shine. Since then Black had been getting presents in his washer and dryer. Boxers with days of the week printed on the ass, socks with toe slits in ridiculous colours with his name printed on the bottoms and other childish annoying shit. Today in the dryer were the lollies from down the street "suckers to stay sucker free". He'd have checked anyone else for it but he knew she was doing it purposely to get under his skin and not to be disrespectful.

The rain is really coming down and Elle looks around but all the cabs are occupied. He contemplates making his car spray her with water but decides against it pulling over slowly and opening the door. She looks confused before walking and getting in.

"Thanks" she mutters getting on her seatbelt on and shivering from being drenched. He turns off the air conditioning to keep her from getting a cold. She's pissed - not at him but he can feel the anger radiating from her. Her phone rings and she declines the call immediately taking a deep breath. Her phone rings again and she rolls down the window chucking it into a puddle. Black continues to drive when he hears her sniffle and she wipes the tears away smearing her make up. Its not an act, it's not like the games women ploy to get attention. He says nothing enjoying the silence until his phone rings. He hits decline not wanting to talk business in the company of someone else.

Black parks looking over at Elle and reaching into his glove compartment taking out some wet-wipes.

"You're not about to leave my car looking like that" he comments pointing at her racoon eyes from the tears and make up. She concedes taking the wet wipes pulling down the mirror and cleaning herself up . When she's done she gets her things taking her trash and unlocking the door.

"I'm not trying to get in your business-"

"Then don't" Elle snaps before sighing with tears in her eyes again. "Look, I appreciate the ride, thank you can we leave it at that?" She asks causing him to chew the inside of his lip.

"I hope no one in the neighbourhood has you soft like this" he comments casually looking away from her and at his mirror. He'd threatened her and she'd kept her cool - whatever this was it had to be big.

"Nothing to do with anything here" Elle sighs looking at Black honestly.

He nods unlocking the door, "Cool" he says but she's already out the car heading inside. He stops in his tracks seeing Dia Evans the best lawyer in the city, maybe even state and her daughter at Elles door. Their eyes are kind and caring; everything Elle doesn't want right now. She stops looking up at them and turning to head back towards the exit.

"Elle!" Dia calls before she can open the door.

"Kiz, Dia, I'm fine. I don't want company or to talk about it I just want to be alone - respect that or leave" Elle says calmly with tears in her eyes again.