Chapter 2
She hung up the phone and turned back to the computer. She couldn't wait to go home, only...five more hours. She groaned and picked up the phone that was once again ringing. "Dr. Ambrosia's office."
"Illana? It's Vanessa."
"Hey girl. What's up?"
"Nothing, just wanted to know if you were gonna be free for lunch."
"I don't think so. I'm so swamped it's not funny."
"Damn, I wanted to talk to you."
"What about?"
"Well Nick and I are going out to dinner tonight. It's gonna be at this really fancy restaurant and all. Really romantic."
"Sounds great. So what's the big brouhaha about then?"
"Well it's just that, Nick's been acting funny lately. I just don't know. I think this will be good for us ya know. Help us to spice things back up."
"You two seem really happy, I'm shocked actually."
"Yeah, we may seem like we're altogether and stuff, but no. I'm really worried about him."
"Damn, sorry honey. I hope this night goes well."
"So do I. Look I'll let ya go. I'll call after and let ya know how it goes. Hopefully it'll be tomorrow morning." Vanessa giggled.
Illana rubbed at her eyes. "Hopefully. I'll talk to ya later then Vanessa. Bye."
"Bye."
Illana hung up the phone and turned once again to the screen. She couldn't believe it. They seemed so perfect. Nick seemed fine to her. He was supportive, sweet, and sensitive. Everything Illana herself liked in a guy. She rested her head in her hand.
Her ex, Matthew had been like that, at first. All sweet and nice in the beginning, then he changed. He became more demanding and whatnot. After that it was all downhill. Illana was known for her boldness, and when she let Matt know that she wouldn't take being controlled, he ended it. They'd been dating for two years, and the split was nasty. When she'd gotten home from his house, everything that reminded her of him was in the garbage. She sent all jewelry and stuff back to him. It was just as well; she was better off without him. Here it was a year later, and Nick was still like that, he was a keeper.
She looked up at the clock, still five hours left. She sipped at her now cold coffee, and returned to work.
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Opening the door, she trudged into her apartment and dropped her purse on the floor. She was so tired; all she wanted to do was sleep. She headed up to her room and grabbed a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom. A short time later she emerged and headed into her room just in time to get the phone. "Hello?"
"Hi." Came the soft voice.
Illana frowned. "Vanessa? Is that you?" She heard a sniffle.
"Yeah, it's me."
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"No, nothing happened and that's the problem. I'm home from the date with Nick. It was a mess."
"Aww honey, I'm sorry."
"Me too. I just don't know what's wrong. Things were going so well then...bam! I-I'm sorry, I have to go. I'll call you later."
There was a click and then the dial tone. Illana slowly hung up the phone frowning. What was going on?
