I wonder if she’s still doing karaoke out here. The thought of her having to feign off drunk men in a bar setting was making him angry. She’s living in a dangerous neighborhood. He knew that, as beautiful as Katherine is, she could easily attract men. God, what if she has a boyfriend?
Daniel began thumbing through the local paper. Every time the bell chimed on the door signaling that someone had walked into the coffee shop, he immediately looked. Just when he was about to put the paper down after reaching the classified section, he saw it. A male model was needed and the applicant had to contact Katherine O’Brian. His hands began to shake. With his phone, he answered the ad via email and used his real name. She wouldn’t know who he was. Daniel went back to his motel room and waited.
At ten-thirty that evening he received a response. They agreed to meet in the little coffee shop he was just in. She must live close to here! He said he could meet with her this evening and that it wasn’t too late.
Daniel was a nervous wreck. He made sure he was dressed to the nines. If she’s looking for a model, then I better play the part. Feeling satisfied with the way he looked, he headed to the Jeep.
Katherine was exhausted. She had no choice but to meet this guy. He said he didn’t have any photos of himself and the camera on his phone was broken. But he’d agreed to model for free. Please, please, please be the one! She slipped on a pair of clean black slacks, a blue sweater, and her faux leather jacket that she found at the resale shop. It wasn’t even warm but it was the best she had. In the strong, cold wind, she walked to the coffee house. She went as fast as she could, even running part of the way. The neighborhood was not the safest, but that’s why the rent was cheaper.
Daniel saw her go in the coffee shop and look around. She picked a little table in the middle, for safety. Good girl, Katherine.
Climbing out of the Jeep, Daniel pulled the collar up on his wool coat, kept his face down, and walked in.
“Hi, Katherine, it’s really good to see you again. May I sit down?”
“You moved to Ann Arbor?!”
“No, not quite. It’s a long story and I’d like the chance to explain everything to you.”
“I don’t have time for this, John, I’m waiting for someone.”
“You’re waiting for Daniel Giordano.”
“Wait, how do you know that?” Katherine was getting ready to dart.
“I’m Daniel Giordano.”
“That’s your real name?”
“Yes, Katherine, and I’m sorry I never told you.”
“Oh I see, so the nice things you said to me to get me into your bed were backed with a fake name so you could leave town and not be found! You son of a bitch!” Katherine got up and ran to the door. She flung it open and the cold wind hit her in the face as hard as Daniel’s words.
“Katherine, stop! Please!” Daniel ran behind her.
Out of breath, Katherine reached her apartment door. Her hands were shaking so badly, it took all she had just to hold the key. Aiming it at the keyhole was a different matter. She dropped it twice.
“Katherine, please let me talk to you.”
“There’s nothing to say. I don’t even know you!”
“You do!”
Finally, Katherine unlocked the door and ran inside. Daniel stopped the door from slamming in his face. Katherine picked up the phone as he cautiously stepped in and closed the door behind him.
“Do I have to call the cops, Mr. Whoeverthehellyouare?”
“Look, I’ll even stand right here at the door and I’ll open it back up and leave it that way. I want to talk to you for fifteen minutes. That’s all I ask.”
“Then you’ll leave?” Katherine was livid.
“Then I’ll turn around and walk away. You’ll never hear from me again.”
“Okay, start talking. If you even come near me I’ll beat your ass.”
“Katherine, I was a jerk. I grew up being an immature jackass with a lot of money. My father made me grow up and thank God he did. He changed my identity and sent me from a penthouse, driving an expensive sports car, to Prairie Tennessee, driving a beat up pickup and shoveling horse shit. I wanted to tell you who I was for so long, but I was forbidden to disclose my true identity by my father. I had to prove to him that I could make it on my own and learn some things about life. If I had failed, I would have lost the family business. I would have lost all his respect and that would have been incredibly painful for me.”
“So, how did Emily play into this? You’re such a player.”
“Like I said, I was an immature jackass.”
“Say that again…”
“I was an immature jackass. But I’m not anymore. Yes, I used women for sex. I wanted no commitment. I had no feelings for any of them and I didn’t even know their last names. So you were correct in calling me a pig.”
“How am I supposed to believe you?”
“Spend some time with me, let me be your model and get to know me. But I don’t want you staying here, Katherine, it’s not safe. I’ll rent you a room close to campus or on campus if there are openings. I’ll buy you a car. I hate the fact that you’re literally running around this town. I’m afraid that you’re going to get hurt.”
“My apartment isn’t safe? It’s funny, because this neighborhood has hurt me a lot less than you have!”
“If you want, I’ll have you on a plane and you can come and meet my family.”
“Seriously? You think I’d just pick up and leave with you? Oh my God, you’re crazy!”
“Look me up on the internet then. Look up my father, our business, our address.”
“Your fifteen minutes are up. Get out.”
“Okay, here’s my cell phone number, and I’m staying a few blocks down. Call if you want me to help you. If I don’t hear back, I’ll know you want me gone. Take care, Katherine.” Daniel walked out the door as promised and closed it quietly behind him.
Katherine ran to the door and pressed her palms against it. She didn’t know what to think, as part of her wanted to smack him, the other part wanted to believe him. He certainly dressed like he was wealthy. Having money doesn’t mean you don’t suck as a person. Katherine was shaken from the moment by her phone.
“Katherine, when do you plan on paying rent? It was due two days ago.”
“Carmen, I’m really sorry. I work this weekend, so I can pay you when they pay me. Is there any way you can wait?”