Song: The voice within by Christina Aguilera

By the end of the day, I have two dozen of roses, twelve white and twelve yellow roses. There is also carry out from the restaurant that he had someone deliver. We don't do take out orders but I guess he made an exception for me. When I got home the first thing I did was take a long hot shower. I let the heat consume me as I finish of crying. Now I am sitting on the couch with ReAnn.

"He brought you more roses; I think he really is sorry." She gives me this puppy dog expression.

"And?" I say coldly.

"And...dear lord girl can't you tell that guy is madly in love with you." She throws herself on the couch.

I sit down beside her and face her. "Re...I can't do this. If you only knew what he did? He freaking lied to me. I asked him if he was involved with killing Mr. Harper and he said no. But he was he ordered the hit. What if he also got rid of Raine, who the hell does he think he is? He doesn't freaking own me, hell we are not even dating and he is all up in my business."

Her eyes go wide I'd disbelief.  "Oh...shit...seriously he had something to do with that?"

"Apparently and the guy wanted more money that's why he took me, thinking he could get by with it and he did."

"Actually no he didn't; they have the money marked. They know where they are. They found them an hour after we picked you up. You were out cold on my lap when he was on the phone talking about it."

"Really...so if that is the case why didn't he get to me sooner."

"Well, when you called they were still in the process. They had hoped you would have still been with them. He didn't think that they would have dropped you off."

"Well they did, either way it doesn't matter I'm home now right," I sneer.

She doesn't say anything as she glances my way. She picks up the TV remote and looks through the channels to find a good movie. And we stay up late watching anything that will get me into a better mood. I know she is trying really hard but honestly a part of me just wants to be alone.

By mid-night we are both sleepy so I find my way to my bedroom. However once there my mind won't shut off and it keeps replaying everything that has happened in the past two days and even when I had asked him about Mr. Harper, how could he just lie like that straight to my face.

The next day more roses come, these are lavender and a note 'take the week off...if you want to talk I'm here.' I debate on throwing them all in the trash but I place them on the table with the others.

I have to get dressed and ReAnn is going with me to get another phone considering mine got lost. I no longer have any of my contacts which is good. I mean it could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. After buying it I call my dad.

"Hello, Sheriff Harlow here."

"Dad...it's me...I had to get a new phone; I kinda lost mine."

"Oh...everything ok?"

"Yeah...I just left it somewhere; I don't know but this is my new number alright."

"Ok, so how are you doing?"

"I'm making it. Maybe I can come home over the weekend and we can catch up on each other's lives."

"I would like that."

"Ok. I got to be going; I love you dad."

"I love you too sweetheart."

When I get off the phone, ReAnn rolls her eyes at me. "You didn't tell your dad that you were taken."

"Why worry him. I have put him through enough already and I'm fine."

"Yeah...ok!"

"Re...I am fine, really. Come on let's go get a bite to eat."

"Sure."

We choose Mexican today. I wanted something that I knew he would not have any reason to be there. I still don't feel like talking to him. And it doesn't matter how many dozen of roses he sends me or whatever else he sends me...nothing will make up for what he did.

For the week, I go to school but I don't go to work. I meet up with classmates to work on assignments. I even go out a few times to grab lunch. At night I hang out with ReAnn, mostly just in the apartment. We stay up watching eighties movies. She has been very supportive and understanding. She is going out later tonight with Gabe. She had asked me to go but I just don't feel like going out anywhere.

So instead I take a nice hot bubble bath and then go to bed early. The week is flying by and I know that I am going to have to talk to him. I just so dread the conversation with him. Friday after school, I decide to get in my car and leave for the weekend. ReAnn stays due to work and being with Gabe. She knows I am going home to see my dad and I am sure Vincent will find out but I don't care. I will meet with him when I get back. I just need to escape.

The drive home takes a little over three hours. I get out and stretch and out of nowhere this dog runs up to me and starts sniffing at my ankles and then starts barking. He is white with big brown spots and big ears that almost touch the ground. He is so cute and friendly.

When the front door opens, Marcie comes out. "Copper get down...come here boy." And the dog takes off back to her flopping his big droopy ears.

"Well he is adorable, Copper uh..."

"Yeah...we got him a few weeks ago. Come on in can I get you something to drink?" I walk in behind her and she goes straight to the kitchen. Everything still looks the same, however she has added a few things here and there and you can tell she is living here now. She hands me a glass of lemonade.

"Thanks, so you and my dad are like a sure thing. Are you guys getting married; I mean looks like you moved right on in?"

"Katana...oh...dear...this must be hard for you...I'm sorry."

I shake my head no. "I don't mind, really. My dad deserves to be happy. It's just weird coming home and seeing you here. I'm glad you make him happy. So are you guys going to get married?"

"We have been talking about it actually. We just haven't picked a date yet." She holds out her hand and she is wearing this amazing diamond ring.

"Nice...congrats. So what times does my dad get off work?"

"He should be coming home shortly. He said that you might be coming home for the weekend."

"Yeah, I just needed to get away, too much on my mind with school and work and everything in between."

"Well I need to go into town to grab a few things would you like to come along?"

"Actually I think I would rather just go to my room and take a nap is that alright."

"Why sure."

I grab my bag and carry it to my bedroom. Everything is still in the same place which is a good thing because I think if it wasn't I might just cry. This place, this room is like my little sanctuary. I can come here and I feel like I am at peace. I guess because I had so many years living here and spending so much time growing up in this room.

When my dad comes home, he grills out for super and it is freaking delicious. I haven't had food on the grill in forever. After we eat outside on the patio we set back and catch each other up on our lives. I talk about school and how stressful it can be. I talk about work. When he asks me about Raine I tell him that he moved to Californian and I am not seeing anyone. I don't tell him anything that happened to me and I don't talk about Vincent. If you only understood my dad, he would be so upset that he might not let me go back to Atlanta. He worries so much about me. I know it's a good thing.

That night, I have the best sleep ever in my bed. I sleep all night, not once do I even roll over. The sunlight comes in through my bedroom window waking me up, so I stretch out in my bed and then get up. I take my shower and head to the kitchen to find the two of them eating breakfast at the table.

I grab a glass and my dad pours me some of the orange juice on the table. I miss spending time like this with him. I miss the good old days. The whole day we spend time together. He took off for the day just to spend it with me. Awe...

We go see my grandparents and then we go out for dinner at this café that my dad loves. Throughout the day I watch the two of them, my dad and Marcie, they are so cute and I think she is for sure the one for him. He has been smiles all day and that alone makes my heart happy. I know he will be well taken care of. I wish I could find love like that.

Before going to sleep, I text ReAnn to let her know that I will be returning tomorrow. I decided to stay the night again to get another night of great sleep. Maybe I should take the bed back with me, I laugh. But honestly I think it's just this place in general. I feel safe here.