I woke suddenly, with no idea where I was. A bell was ringing loudly somewhere in my room, I put on my bedside lamp and found out it was my alarm clock, I roughly put it off and got out of bed and trotted to the bathroom, as I washed my face, I looked in the mirror and couldn't recognize me.

The vandalising of my house had taken a great toll on me.

I headed straight to the kitchen, brought out some leftover lasgna of last night, microwaved it and took it to my study room, where I work.

During the last few days I hadn't written more than twenty pages and my deadline was drawing near. I put on my laptop and logged on. I tried writing a new chapter but I was blank I didn't have any idea what to write and I felt miserable.

My mind went to the last few days, they still hadn't caught the person who vandalised my house, so detective Rodrick sent some policemen to guard my house but since nothing has happened so far, they were sent back.

But from time to time detective comes to check on me, which I know he really doesn't like or me, my door bell jerked me back to reality.

"I'm coming," I say as I walked towards the door to check who it was.

"Good morning," detective John Travis says immediately I open the door.

"Morning, please come in," I say smiling.

"Thank you, i'm here for my usual check, " he says while taking a look at my dress.

"I know, please seat. Let me get you a cup of tea," I say, suddenly feeling cautious of my night gown. Its a short, revealing night gown with spaghetti hand, one could see through me. I bought it on the day, I was planning to sleep with Ricky.

***

John POV.

My ride to Liza's house was a confusing one, I didn't know if I was angry or happy going there, I was about to leave when I reached for the doorbell, but when I saw her in that nightgown my legs couldn't move, I hesitated when she said I should come in which I hoped she didn't notice, I didn't want her to think I had started liking her, but had I ?

As she went to the kitchen to get the cup of tea, I couldn't help but follow her, she was still the same way, I saw her yesterday but one could see the raid had taken a toll on her since the last few days.

She looked so beautiful I wanted to turn her around and kiss her fully on her mouth, neck, hands and ....

"Detective John, which one?" She ask interrupting my thoughts.

"What?" I ask ashamed of what I was thinking.

"I asked if you would you like your tea with or without sugar?" She ask smiling at me.

"Oh! sugar please."

"Here you go," she says handing me the cup of tea with some cookies.

"Thanks, very much," I say taking the items and heading to the living room.

"So is anything out of the ordinary?" Liza asked sitting cross-legged opposite my chair.

"Nothing," I say admiring her fair slender legs.

"Alright. I'm gonna have a shower after that I will try writing, please feel at home."

"Okay, I'll try and do some work here," I say bringing out my laptop. I switched on the power button on my laptop and immediately the case I had been working on last night appeared on screen.

The case was a few days old but it still hadn't been solved, it was about a serial killer who goes round killing women from different walks of life and I was trying to find a connection between the women to nail the fucking bastard down.

Liza was humming a song in the shower and her voice was melodious like an angel but why I'm I thinking of something like this when there is work in front of me.

When I turn I find her standing at the door, looking at me. Was I too in thought that I didn't notice when she came in?

"Do you want to eat something?"

"No, I'm already leaving," I say packing my things and taking my leave. "Remember to lock your doors at all times," I say opening the door.

"I know, you don't have to tell me everytime your leaving,"she says quite irritated.

***

Liza POV.

After having my shower and getting dressed, I went to the living room and saw detective John Travis lost in thoughts. I wonder what he was thinking about and when he noticed my presence he had a queer look in his eyes and why is it that he leaves when I ask if he's hungry and not only that he always tells me to lock the doors, doesn't he know am tired of always looking over my shoulders.

I carry my bag and head to MacDonald's restaurant, I have a date with my friends,its tradition for us to always meet every Wednesday and Fridays ( after work), as I step into the restaurant, my girls looked and waved at me, I came over and we all hug each other.

We ordered salads with coke, and Amanda told us how her date with Mr Sidat ( aka Mr billionaire) ended with them having a second date.

"Maybe, this one is gonna work," Samantha says looking at Amanda sheepishly.

"Yeah, this might the guy for you," I say really happy for Amanda.

"Are you ready to settle down?" Isabel ask Amanda, knowing who she is.

Amanda is thirty-five year old much older than all of us but was still a spinster but Amanda had typically slept with all the guys in Manhattan, married or single and she still wasn't ready to settle down with any guy.

Amanda was the type of woman who ages gracefully but still so beautiful, she had oxblood hair, with straight nose and brown eyes with a perfectly curved lips, she had a beautiful curved body and still walked elegantly with her long athletic legs.

"No, I'm not ready to settle down,am still having fun and I have just fucked 95% of men in Manhattan, i'm not yet done with them."

"Why, I'm I not surprised?" I say sipping my coke.

"So, tell us how he is?" Isabel asked Amanda eating her salad.

"Well, he is fucking rich and the fuck is wonderful. He loves kids,animals and loves eating," Amanda chuckling. "And he loves football, whenever his club wins then his very happy and when his happy, I keep the bed ready," she says winking at us.

"He sounds great, I really think his the one. Are.... you not tired of being single because I'm darn tired of being single," Sam says looking at us. "Aren't you.... you guys tired of being single, don't you want to get married and get kids?"

No one said anything, we all acted busy, I was drinking my coke, Isabel was eating her salad while Amanda was looking at her manicured nails, we all knew Samantha had asked the unaskable according to us. It was not like we didn't want to settle down, it was we hadn't really found the right guy.

"Fred is moving in with me," Isabel said trying to break the ice.

"That is great, I didn't know it was that serious,"I say happy for Isabel and happy the silence was broken.

Fred was the guy she had been dating for over two years, they actually broke up before because Fred couldn't deal with the fact that Isabel was richer than him and there are somethings, he wanted to give her that he couldn't afford, Isabel tried explaining to him that it wasn't his fault but he couldn't bear it and they broke up.

After some months, they crossed paths and began dating again and now he was moving in her home.

"But are you okay with it?" Amanda asked Isabel who was so smiling.

"Of course, I was even the one who suggested it."

"Well, that is a big decision,"Sam said happy for Isabel.

"Thanks, guys for your support. I really needed it," Isabel says drinking her coke.

"So, how is Mr hunky?" Amanda asked winking at me.

"Mr hunky?" I ask puzzled and confused.

"You know, the hot detective," she ask smiling.

"Oh! Detective John Travis you mean. Well he's fine, I guess," I say still confused. "But why are you asking me about the detective?"

"Well, he comes to your house everyday, so that means you guys have slept together, right?" Isabel asks me.

"No, gosh! Yes, I mean,… he comes to my house everyday but I haven't even thought of getting into his pants. Come on, guys I don't like him, not at all. No please," I shout utterly disgusted.

"You owe me 60 dollars,"Sam says to Amanda stretching her hand.

"Wait, a minute, you guys placed a bet on me?" I ask them clearly shocked and angry. " I can't believe this!"

"It's not what it sounds like," Sam says trying to explain.

"Then what excatly does it sound like, then?."

"We're sorry, we just ......"

"I don't want to hear anymore, please." I say taking my purse and leaving.

~~~~~

Love,

Uka.