Whitney's POV
I stood stunned as Casio left. My heart raced, and I touched my lips, and a smile appeared. Closing the door, I made sure to lock it, then I looked at the windows and decided to get to it. One by one, I hung the curtains as I made my way to my bedroom, and my eyes caught a figure standing on the other side. I froze, and fear ran through my body. Attempting to reach for my phone, I kept my eyes on the figure, and then the figure shook his head slowly.
My body turned cold. What was I supposed to do? Casio left about an hour ago, if I could just get to my phone quickly and dial his number. Taking a few steps back, I grabbed my phone, then looked up to see that the figure wasn't there anymore. I let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding. Then my phone buzzed in my hand, opening it, there was a text that read, 'Not a smart move, darling. You will pay for that.'
I stared at my phone, my body turning ice cold. Who was that man, and how did he know where I lived? And importantly, how did he get my number? Focusing, I quickly got the curtain up and sat on my bed. Should I call Casio? Maybe not. Maybe I was just seeing things. But the text… I stare at my phone, not sure what to make of all this. And why was this man so obsessed with me? Can one even call it obsessed? I don't know.
I decided to push the thought aside and climbed into bed. Sleep didn't come; I was listening to the outside, wondering if that man would come back. After a few hours, I finally fell asleep. My alarm echoed through the room, making me startle. Turning it off, I lay back down staring at the ceiling. Taking a big breath, I made my way to the bathroom. I took a quick shower and did my hair and make-up, and set off to work.
My parents always wanted me to become a real doctor, to save lives, and so on. But I have always been the disappointment in my family. Next to my brother, I was always the outcast, the black sheep. My parents paid for my studies and said I needed to study to become a doctor. They never specified which kind of doctor, so I became a plastic surgeon. They were pissed that I chose that career, but I wasn't.
I was on my way to having my own practice. What does my sister have? Not her own practice, but still living in the shadows of the real doctors. She still hasn't finished her internship; she hasn't even been allowed to attend any surgeries. Yet she is still the golden child. My parents constantly stand up for her, saying she is taking her time to do things correctly. Correctly, my foot! She had screwed up so many times that she was almost fired on the spot.
I might not be a doctor who saves lives, but at least I finished top of my class. And stepping into surgery, the first month of my internship. Yet, I'm still the one who disappointed them; I'm the one who is still in the wrong. But I will not let my parents, let alone my sister, tell me that I haven't accomplished anything. I know I can pay my own bill, and I never have to rely on them anymore.
I arrived at the office, and there were two men standing outside. As I stepped closer, so did they. Just as I was about to enter the building, one of the men spoke, "Miss Rivers." I turned around to face them, "Can we ask you a few questions? We're from the special unit's division." They showed me their badges.
"Um, sure. Let's talk in my office." I said, keeping my voice steady. Why did these two men look so familiar? Then it hit me, they were the men who had spoken to Casio and Andy when we were at the barbeque. I led them to my office, and I closed the door behind us. "Can I maybe get you anything to drink?"
"That isn't needed. We won't be long. My name is Detective Morgan, and this is Detective Jordan." Jordan nodded in a greeting manner, "So, Miss Rivers, can you tell us how you know Casio Capone and Andy Gambino?"
I sat in my chair and looked at the in confusion, "Why do you ask?" The two men looked at each other and handed me a photo. I stared at the photo, and it was one taken of Andy and Casio, and there was another man standing next to them. "Okay?"
"Miss Rivers, are you aware what type of business these two men are involved in?" Morgan asked, crossing one leg over the other. I narrowed my eyes, confused by their questions. Morgan let out a sigh, "Clearly, you don't. I can tell by your facial expressions. Thank you for your time, we will show ourselves out."
I jumped up, "What is this all about?"
"All that we can tell you is to stay away from those two men. You will be safer if you kept your distance." Jordan said, then they stepped out of my office.
I fell back into my chair, my mind racing with questions. What did these men want? And why tell me to stay away from them? What did they mean by safer for me? What was going on? I knew Andy for close to ten years, and Casio, I just met a few days ago, but he was kind and sweet. Maybe I should ask him what was going on? Would it possibly explain why he stormed into my apartment last night?
Shaking my head, I pushed away the thoughts that were put there by those two men. There was a soft knock on my door, and my secretary popped her head through the opening, "Doctor, your first appointment is here."
I nodded, "Send her in, thank you." I had to keep myself busy today. I couldn't let two random people put fake ideas in my head.
As one client after the other entered my office, the day went past quickly. I even missed lunch, and it was almost time to go home. Then my phone rang, and Casio's name popped up on my phone. A smile appeared on my face as I answered, "And to what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?"
"Wanted to know if you are free tonight?"
"Think I can make it so. What do you have in mind?" I asked as I spun a pen between my fingers.
"You will have to wait and see."
I smiled brightly, "Sounds good. Um, you remember those two men you came to see you at Andy's house? The ones you said worked for you." Casio was silent, and a soft 'mm' came through the line, "Well, they were in my office today. Asking me questions about you and Andy. How I know you two."
Casio cleared his throat, "Can we talk about this tonight when I pick you up?" His tone was soft; I could hear there was something he was hiding from me.
"Can you tell me now?" I asked my tone laced with annoyance.
"Not over the phone. Please, I will explain everything. I'll see you later." Disconnecting the call, I let out a sigh. Something was going on, and I had to find out what it was. Clearly, he was hiding something from me, but what?
Finishing up with my last client, I locked up and greeted everyone before leaving. I decided to walk home; luckily, I only lived a few blocks away, and it was almost a ten-minute walk. As I was walking, I felt something or someone watching me. Looking behind me, I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. The streets were still busy and full of people walking on the sidewalk heading home.
It must be my nerves just working on me. Pushing the thought aside, I continued walking. But for some strange reason, the feeling didn't go away. This time, it felt like they were right behind me. I took out my phone and called Casio. He picked up on the first ring.
"Little Daisy." I could hear the confusion in his voice.
"Um," I turned around and saw that no one was behind me, and I let out a sigh of relief.
"Whitney? Is everything alright?" His voice had a hint of panic.
"Sorry, I'm fine. I just had a weird feeling. But everything's fine. I'm almost home."
"Good. I'll pick you up in just a bit, just finishing up the last things at work. Text me when you get home."
"I will." I disconnected the call.
I was only one block away from my apartment. Throwing my phone into my bag and the feeling of someone watching was gone. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid," I whispered to myself.