Chapter 8: The Heart Has Boundaries

In the car with Stan, Tess could remember seeing Fred from the corner staring at her, but she chose to ignore him before they drove off. Now in the present, she wonders why he staring at her. Tess thought to herself as she held Stan's hand tightly, he noticed this and also the confused expression she had on her face, but decided not to speak about it.

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As they got home, Stan pulled Tess towards him and stare deeply into her eyes.

"what's the matter, babe? you've been acting a little bit strange since we left my office" he said looking worried.

"What…do you mean acting strange, I'm totally fine and nothing is wrong" she responds placing her hands on his chest.

"Was it because I left you alone in the office for so long?" he asked looking upset, seeing this she hugged him really tight.

"I'm so grateful for you, you are my knight in shining armor. This all seems like a dream, but it's all real, you don't need to worry, I'm all right" she said as she placed her hand on his cheek.

The frown on his face, turned into a broad smile as he looked deep into her eyes as if he was looking into her soul.

"This is not a dream Tess, it's all real, our love is real. I will never hurt you, Tess, I need you to believe in me, I promise to always love you if you will have me" she said with a smile. Tess knew she had hit the jackpot, Stan really loves her and she loves him. Now she knows she has found peace. She pulls him towards the bedroom.

"Let me show you, how much I want you, and if you will have me, I will forever be yours" she said as they both entered the bedroom and showed passionate love to each other. Her heart has found home, no more is she a damsel in distress.

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The next morning, Stan took her shopping. He just loves buying things for her.

"You really didn't have to buy me this much stuff, I don't need this much" Tess said embarrassed as she saw people staring at the pile of products they had bought.

"Really, so I should tell Richard to return them?" he asked, "Besides, I can pay for it all or even buy the entire store if I want" he said contently.

"No need for all that, besides, you already paid for it" she replied nervously.  He laughed when he saw the look on her face. He pulled her close to him as she picked up a blouse from a rack, "I love you, and I love buying you things" he said smiling at her, as she tried to pull out of his hands but in vain.

"Please, see it as an expression of my love" he said enthusiastically, "then how do I express my love to you?" Tess asked doubtfully.

Stan became serious and took her hand and lay it on his chest, "Please don't say stuff like that, you being with me is all I need" he said sternly.

Tess could see the pain in his eyes, but couldn't understand why, but took his hands, "My heart is connected to yours, if I break your heart, I break mine too. I promise to guide it with my life" she said. Stan groans with desire as he smiles at her.

'Are you though, I couldn't trust myself to speak to him about Fred' she thought to herself as he took her hand and led her out of the mall and went home.