"Yes, Mom, everything is okay here."

"You are sure you don't want to come home," her mother smiled sadly from the screen, turning to wave her arms around. "You can stay in your old room, visit with your husband and friends if you like. There are guards at every door here."

"I was able to sneak out when I was sixteen. I think someone with equal passion could sneak in as well. Listen, I am sure that all this would be resolved soon." Her mother laughed, and she rolled her eyes. "I am serious mom, I am fine. Aside from a few stress issues turning up, our life is still otherwise normal."

"Your husband was shot, in the chest, in the middle of a funeral. You got a threatening letter from a stranger, and there has been nothing to show from any one of the thousands of people you have hired to figure this out. The worst thing you can do, and I am saying this as our mother, is to act like this is going to just vanish."

She buried her head in her palm, massaging her forehead deeply. "Mom, no one is pretending that it is not happening. I just, I have been so tired that I don't have the strength for it. Do you know how many investigative shows about stalking I have watched back to back, just to get myself prepared for what might happen? My brain is on overload, and I am tired. I am eating a mile a minute, sleeping a bit too much. I am more than ready for the heel to just pop out and tell me what they want."

"You don't seem too worried, or scared for that matter."

"Oh, I am Mom, beyond. I wake up every morning and look out my balcony, thinking there would be someone watching me from the other side of my fence. I no longer have a normal life where I can go out and just walk or jog, too afraid that I'd run into a psycho. Every letter that comes through my mail is screened in case there's anything stashed in it. I am suspicious of anyone that I meet. Always thinking they also have some sick, twisted letter to deliver to me. That barely scratches the surface of all my fears and concerns about me. There is also Dominic, his family, and our family. My mind is in a mess, Mom. All of this is just exhausting."

"I can't even begin to imagine." Her mother muttered, and Nadine her chin propped against her hand. She took in a deep breath, looking over her shoulder thoughtfully. "Your father is equally as worried about you staying in that town as I am. We lost you once, and we don't want to do it again."

Nadine grimaced, sitting back in her seat, swallowing against the nausea that struck her. "Yeah. Yeah, I know."

"Baby, are you okay?"

She shook her head. "Stressed. All of this, no matter how easy I try to take it, my health is badly affected. Don't even start with a sermon Mom, I know. I am taking things easy, you don't have to worry."

There was a sound from the other end, and it caught her mother's attention. Nadine sat quietly while her mother discussed with the person with her. "Sorry, darling."

"Don't worry about it. Duty calls."

"And so will your father, later today. Be ready for it."

She pressed her palms into the desk and closed her eyes as when the call was dropped. Every time she thought an extra weight lifted off her shoulders, more appeared. The expansion of her restaurant was finished, the new wing had been installed days ago, and all that was left was to launch it. When everything was done, she would hand over all her work to Denise until the issue of their stalker was cleared.

The original plan before all the madness ensued was to use the expansion celebration as a time to get off work. She would hand everything over to Denise and take a few weeks off to travel, vacationing around with Dominic. Since the party was organised to be the same day as their anniversary, they wanted to celebrate through the night. Then, when they planned all of it, it had been so simple on paper, so understandable. Everything went to hell in a matter of months.

"You alive in here."

She looked up to see Denise breezed into the office in a festive get-up of a multi-coloured top and deep blue jeans. "You look vibrant."

"Got it as a gift from Jonathan. It looks amazing, isn't it? You look horrible."

"Looking better than I feel then." She dropped back on her seat, looking towards the ceiling. "I don't know if I would have any strength for the party this Friday, or if I should even be here. I am so crowded with thoughts and fears that I haven't had time to be excited about all we have accomplished. Haven't even thanked you for all your effort. Because of my problems, you have had to handle the bulk of this alone."

"You have thanked me, and I truly didn't mind. You didn't ask for any of this. Look, there would be a little more security at the party than we planned, but hey, we would find a way to make it work. You would be in and out in time for your little anniversary celebration."

Nadine smiled as Denise took her hand with a wide grin. "Thanks."

"Don't sweat it. Are you guys planning anything special this year?"

"We planned on going out, but now, with everything going on, we think it's best to just have a small thing happen at the house. After the party, we would go back home, have a small celebratory dinner, just us and call it an early night. Maybe watch a movie or something."

"Simple works just as well as exuberant. Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital? You don't look good."

"Overslept and still woke up with anxiety." She pointed at her face, "This is the product of all of that. I was just waiting to finish the call with my mother before I went to get something to eat. Have you eaten, or would you join me?"

"Joining you, of course." Denise packed her purse and phone that she dropped on the table. "You can also leave a bit earlier today, you know. I have the planner coming in later, and I can handle everything at that point."

"Why."

"Because you look terrible. More sleep wouldn't hurt, or maybe a long shower, or warm bath. Some massages here and there, swimming, anything but work."

"With all the breaks I have taken and the amount of work you had to do to cover me, I am surprised you haven't asked me to increase your pay just yet."

"Don't tempt me. I might just ask." Denise caught the hand of one of the movers and pulled her close. "Tell them to be as quiet as possible back there, okay? I don't want too much disturbance."

"Yes ma'am."

"Have all the tables and chairs been set?" Denise shook her head as they kept walking. "We might have to close the restaurant a bit earlier if we want to finish the decorating."

"I told you I have that covered; you just worry about getting better. I can cover for you as much as you need, but on the d day, you have to be ready and healthy. I can't take your place on that day. Speaking of which, I hope you have picked up your dress." Nadine faltered, and Denise tsked. "Are you serious? You have had your eyes on that dress. and you didn't even make sure to check on it when the time was right?"

"There is still time. I will go today, besides, I have some good dresses in my closet at home if I can't get the dress I like at the store. After I eat, I would have Jackie drive me. Everything would be fine."

"Well, food first then, and when you are gone, I would tyrannically make sure that the decorations are finished on record time."

Nadine had a small plate for breakfast, but she could barely stomach it. After listening to the rest of her schedule for the day and more of Denise's excited rambling about their launch day, she had almost the same amount of food on her plate. Even with Denise's insistence, she couldn't stomach another fork of food, so she decided to just continue with her day. Together they supervised the decorators until it was time for her to head over to the store.

"Dominic," She smiled, lifting herself into the car with the phone pinned between a shoulder and an ear. "Yes, I remember the dinner. I just have some things to finish up. I have a dress to go buy before Denise has my throat, some documents to sign, and a father's call to wait for and then I would be home in time for dinner. Has there been any word from the detective?"

"Silence. I asked him not to call unless he had news. I don't know about you, but there is no point in him calling when it's the same news as last time."

"I agree." The car lurched, and she gasped, dragging her seatbelt across her chest and resting her head on the chair. "Listen I have to go now. I need to read some papers as I am on the move. Let me call you back in...an hour, okay."

"Sure, take your time and take it easy."

"Of course. Love you. Bye." She dropped the phone into her purse and leaned closer to the front seat. "Jackie, change ofplans. Please...drive me to the hospital."