Silence Reveals Hidden Answers’ by Michael Anderson novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Jennifer Marie.

“Is this funny to you?” I swipe at my check, annoyed at the tear I find there.

“I’ve been in the army for two years. I don’t make jokes, Marie.”

The moment my middle name, Marie leaves his lips, my heart just plummets.

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We used to be the same height, but now I have to tilt my neck to look at him. I used to be comfortable changing my shirt in the same room as him, and now I can’t even look him in the eye.

“I don’t need you anymore. You’re four years too late.”

I proceed to walk away.

“You’re single. Successful. You finally learned you’re not ugly. You have better self–esteem and the naive little Jenny is gone. Seems to me I’m right on time.”

I stop and look back at Harvey.

“Hmm. At least I’ve changed for the better. But I can’t tell if my best friend is in the mafia or if he’s the devil. You look like mafia, but you lie like the devil.”

A dangerous smile touches his lips as he takes his hand out of his pocket.

“Mafia.”

I squint. “What?”

“I’m a mafia. Not a devil.”

“You… you… you….” I’m so stunned that I stagger back a step.

In a freaking second, his arm is around my waist as if he sensed that I was going to lose my balance before I did. Now, with his hand on my waist, I’m pulled close to his chest where my tits press his expensive Italian suit.

My breathing is annoyingly shallow, coming in quick, embarrassing little pants. I’m shaking under my best friend’s hands, and I can’t stop it. He is just Harvey for goodness sake, why am I shaking-

“You’re shaking. How many cups of wine did you have?”

When I don’t answer, he uses his other hand to lift my chin. I look at the tattooed digits on his fingers, and a completely inappropriate thought of the length of them, pushing deep between my legs, parting me-

“Let go of me!”

I shove his hands off my waist and end the shameless thought, furiously! I mean, he’s Harvey. I don’t see him that way!

I don’t exchange another word with him.

I just rush out of the room into where everyone is packed, dancing and talking.

People bump into me. I feel taps on my shoulders from males, voices trying to confirm if I’m really the ugly duckling who somehow transformed.

“Jenny, is that really you?”

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15:03 Tue, Feb 3 M.

Chapter 2

“Jen…”

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Why won’t they just leave me alone? Can’t they see I’m not alright? I push through the crowd, find the elevator and jam the button for the lobby.

The second I step outside, everything gets worse.

“Ma’am, get out of the way!” a reporter snaps as I stumble onto the edge of a red carpet. Suddenly, I’m blinded by a barrage of camera lights exploding in my face. I can’t see anything. They’re yelling, shoving cameras forward as if a celebrity is in their midst.

Between the tears, the overhead lights, and the voices screaming at me, I’m completely disoriented. I trip, trying to shield my eyes when I crash and bury my face in the lapel of a suited man.

“Mr. Harvey! Mr. Harvey Prescott! One shot, please!” the reporters scream.

I look up, and there he is. He actually followed me out.

Harvey wraps his arm around my shoulders and steers me away from the reporters. Some others are holding the reporters back so the shouting fades behind us.

“Get in.” Harvey stops beside a black sports car that definitely isn’t mine and pops the door open.

“My car’s that way.”

“The paparazzi are still over there. Just get in, I’ll drive you home.”

“You must think I’m kidding. I thought I made myself clear back inside.” I squeal.

Harvey just scratches his brow. “I don’t think you’re in any state to drive. You’re flustered. So, I’m dropping you home. It’s not up for debate.”

“Are you not hearing me!?” I raise my voice but then I remember that Harvey never really listened to me before, so I guess some things never change. The moment I try to go past him, he maneuverers my body into the car.

Harvey’s body blocks the door as he grabs the seatbelt and pulls it across me. When the strap goes across my chest, it cuts right between my breasts, squeezing them up, making them swell over the top of my dress.

My face feels hot. I look at him and wonder if he notices.

If he did, he’s good at hiding it.

Once I’m secured in the passenger seat, he shuts the door and gets in. It’s only then I relax enough to notice how insanely expensive this car is. And those reporters outside the hotel…they were waiting for him. It’s like there’s a whole secret life my best friend has been living that I know nothing about.

The whole drive, I just stare out the window and text Tinka that I’ve left. It’s only when I finally pay attention to the route that my stomach drops. He’s driving straight to my apartment.

How does he know where I live?

“So you’re a mafia, a devil, and a stalker?”

Harvey almost smiles. “Don’t think so far. My manager sent it to me.”

I just squint. What is he even talking about? You know, a normal person would have a million questions but I’m just…

We pull up to my building, with its rooftop draped in fairy lights and hanging plants. I quickly undo my seatbelt.

15:03 Tue, Feb 3

Chapter 2

“I’ll give you some time to think.” Harvey pulls a cigarette from somewhere and lights it.

“Think? Think about what?” I pause and look back at him.

“You and me.”

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“There is no you and me. Best friends or rather, ex–best friends do not fall in love with each other. Four years ago or now, that rule is the same.”

“A shame you see it that way, Jen. I told you what I came back for, and that’s where I’m at. Go in.” Harvey picks his cigarette back up.

The way he talks…the way his eyes move.

And wait a second, who does he think he is to just order me around like that? To tell me when to go into my own apartment? It’s like I’m really talking to a mafia boss. Is he for real? I mean, he’s covered in tattoos like one, and he has this dangerous vibe I can’t even explain.

And the way he smokes… the smoke curls from his nose and mouth like it’s some kind of art form. It’s annoyingly hot-

I clear my throat. I need one question answered.

“Are you really a mafia?”

When Harvey looks at me, his gaze is so intense I actually blink. Why am I scared? Of course he’s not a mafia. He’s just saying that to… I don’t even know why he would say that.

“I already told you that.” he says and I scoff.

“Oh, so you must think I’m the same naïve Jenny who’ll believe anything you say. What’s the point of making up stupid shit like that?”

“I don’t lie-”

“Oh, sorry. My mistake. You just keep secrets. You also disappear for years. You also come back looking like a completely different person who has somehow “been in love” with me all this time.” I make air quotes around the last part. “Who in hell is going to believe that?”

That’s my shot to leave. The door doesn’t open as I try so Harvey leans across to help.

But before he pulls back, he stares directly into my eyes. “My manager will bring your car in an hour.”

Then his intelligent eyes, they drop. Not a shy glance but a square landing on my pale, open cleavage.

“Jen. I see them, alright. And they’re beautiful.”

Something hot rises on my cheeks and pools low in my belly. It takes me back to when I was sixteen, crying that I’d be flat- chested forever. Harvey patted my back and chuckled. “One day they will grow. And they’re going to be beautiful.”

He isn’t making a crude comment. He’s referencing that day.

My legs feel like jelly when I come out of his car. I rush through the gate of my apartment building without looking back. And there my heart palpitates in a way that I can’t explain so I’ll just blame the cursed reunion.

15:03 Tue, Feb 3 MW.

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