CHAPTER 2

Four years ago, Elle had gotten pregnant for Fred. At that time, she only hoped that he would stop his damned act so that her child could have a responsible father but even through her nine months, he continued his sexual harrassment towards females.

Well, she had her baby safe and well. A cute little boy. Looked exactly like his father and nothing like her.

She'd wanted to keep her child safe so she asked her grandmother to care for her child immediately after his birth.

That's right, Fred hadn't been able to see his child. Elle had told the doctor to deliver the news that she'd had a miscarriage and Fred had been devastated.

He'd stormed out of the hospital that day and Elle didn't hear from him for about two weeks.

It had hit him to the core but Fred, being Fred, had done nothing to Elle. He didn't punish her like other men would have done. He loved her so much in ways that words couldn't Express and she loved him right back.

Anyway, Danielle's grandmother took care of her son, whom she later named Alexander.

She would have given her parents her son to care for but being the disciplinarian they are, her strict parents immediately disregarded her idea of her having a baby outside wedlock.

They loved her, though. Cherished her like a jewel but always stuck to their rules.

Elle decided to breakup when she realised that Fred wasn't ready to give up that act anytime soon.

She thought breaking up with him would make him change his mind but Fred was fucking stubborn.

This brings her back to why the bastard wasn't in jail yet. She was doing this just for her son.

Very soon, Xander will begin asking questions about his father and what will she say then, huh?

That his father was on jail serving his time? She might sound irrational but she didn't want her son to become embarrassed or a laughing stock.

Somewhere deep in her heart, she always hoped that her love and the father of her only child would regain his senses before he got caught.

Maybe then, she wouldn't be scared of telling her ex that she actually didn't have a miscarriage that day. That they had a child together. A cute little boy that looked exactly like him.

Then, she won't be scared of going to visit her child thrice a month like she always does. She won't have to be so far away from her child.

Few months after Xander had been born, Elle paid the expenses for a trip to Paris for her granny and her son. They had stayed there ever since and she continued her visits thrice a month.

She just couldn't risk Fred finding out about their son. But to think of it, her reason for protecting Fred hasn't been worth it. She could just tell Xander whenever he asked about his father that he was serving his time in prison. It could serve as a lesson to her son, right? Yeah, it could.

Sure, she would be dead embarrassed to have dated a criminal but she couldn't continue this senseless act. Besides, if she continued, there was an eighty percent chance that she would get caught and relieved of her job.

Now, as she glanced through the papers, she saw something really interesting. It was a statement from Mannie asking Mike for permission to interrogate the girls that had been raped by Fred.

To ask descriptions or anything they could offer about their rapist. Mike had tried this personally before but she had changed the profiles of the victims to girls she had bribed. The girls had done their work well and completely confused the cops.

She smiled as she mentally gave herself a pat on the back. She took the statement and put it aside then she arranged the papers neatly and kept them on Mike's table.

Then, she took the statement and locked up the station. She seriously hated being with the key, it automatically meant she would have to get here early and couldn't sleep in. Danielle began her walk back to her penthouse and got there faster than expected. She went straight to her bedroom and immediately undressed herself. Within minutes, she had her nightie on and was asleep.

**********************

Around 4am, her phone rang. Elle didn't really want to answer any calls at that time so she let it pass the first time. It rang the second time. Then, the third  and she decided to answer it.

'It could be urgent'she thought. She didn't bother looking at the dialers name, though.

She placed the phone on her right cheek and slept on her left side.

"Hello" she said, still feeling sleepy, there was silence for a while before the caller said,"Elle, darling, how nice to hear your voice".

Danielle immediately became alert. " Fred?"

" Sweetheart, how are you? Oh, how I've missed your voice." Danielle did a quick check at the dialer's name and saw: ' Private number'.

' Fantastic', she thought. She immediately tapped on ' record' and played along." What do you want O'Neill?"

" I want to see you. I'm sure you got my letter. Don't be late. You don't want to keep loverboy Mannie, waiting, do you?"

" Oh darling, you seem to have forgotten that you have no fucking right over me again ever since you chose killing over our love. You can't control me anymore, you son of a bitch." She said, trying to keep her voice low.

She was fuming. " Shit, Elle. Would you cut the crap. You and I know that you love me like you love breathing. Don't get me wrong, darling, I still love you. Never stopped loving you and you know that. "Fred said, really softly. Like he was reminiscing about the time they've spent together.

But then, just when she was about to say the right thing that would get to him, he said, with a serious tone, "So, yeah, I can still tell you what to do. You don't have a choice, though. You really can't bail on sweet little Mannie. Remember he helped you get over our breakup so be there and please, do not over dress. It's just Mannie and I, you aren't impressing anyone."

" Alright Fred, I'll be there but  you should know that it's definitely not for you. I'm doing this for Mannie and you'd better not embarrass him. It's his date not yours" She said sternly.

Then he chuckled. " Of course, dear. Elle, you of all people should know that recording our phone calls was the most stupid thing a person could do but you did it anyway. Ugh, you know what, good night sweetheart and oh, I love you" and with that he cut the call.

She immediately tapped on the recording but all she heard was gibberish. That monster was getting smarter by the day. Frustrated, she threw her phone on the bed and got ready for work. She wasn't sleepy anymore. He'd spoilt her fucking mood.

** ** ** **** ***** ****** *****

"Hey, Dani" Mia called, as she strode over to get to Danielle, smiling. "Mia , oh my gosh, it's been so long. " Elle said on sighting Mia.

With that, they hugged each other tightly. Then withdrew themselves and Elle took another look at her. A lot had changed within the past year. "You've changed so much, darlin'",Mia pointed out, smiles and all.

" I could say the same to you, sweetheart" Dani said, as she scrutinized her.

Her once blond curls were now replaced with bright red hair styled into a bob. Her skin glowed than ever and her blue eyes sparkled.

"Wow, one whole year!" Mia exclaimed. She still couldn't believe it.

"I know, right. We have a lot to talk about. Why don't we chat over a cup of coffee" said Dani, leading the way to her office.

" Definitely" she squealed, following closely behind Dani.

As soon as they got into her office, Dani dialed the receptionist for two cups of coffee as Mia sat patiently in front of her desk.

When she was done, "So... How has life been treating you?" She asked Mia, taking her seat behind her desk.

"Well, at first, things were bad for me. You obviously couldn't have expected good news from me at the time" she replied.

That was true. Mia Evans had been working as an FBI agent before she got fired.

It had been a really sad story.

Co-workers had accused Mia of being the mole in the station concerning the rape cases.

That had dropped solid evidences against her, even when the evidences were fake and had made her look guilty and disgraceful.

Dani had nothing to do with this. She didn't even about it till Mia got fired.

Dani had felt completely guilty since she had been the mole. She had felt so sorry for Mia but till today, no one knew who had plotted against her.

Not even Danielle.

"I'm so sorry, Mia" she said, sadly.

"Nah. Don't be. It's not your fault. You didn't even know shit about it. I just couldn't believe that this station could turn against me. But that's in the past now, ain't it? What's done's done, suga" Mia said and Dani smiled.

Though, it was so my fault, was what was running through her mind.

"But, hey, check me out! I'm living the life, baby doll. Now, that's that about me. Let's talk about you. Have you gotten back together with loverboy, yet?"

" Um, I'd rather not talk about Fred today, Mia" she said, pinching her forehead.

" What? Why? You always loved to talk about Fred. Even after your breakup with him. Haven't you heard from—" Mia was cut short by a knock on the door.

The coffee.

" I'll get it" Dani said.

"Well, duh...."

Dani walked to the door and collected the cups. She thanked the receptionist and walked back to the table.

Mia muttered a 'thank you' and that both began sipping their coffee silently after Dani had had her seat.

"I know you love him, Dani so I've been meaning to ask you why you broke up with him" Mia said.

Dani bit her lip and took another sip of her coffee.

"It's nothing, Mia. Drop it."

"Yeah,I will. I'll drop the matter but just know that we never kept secrets"

And there was silence.

Dani dropped her cup and sighed.

"It's not like that,Mia. It's just... It's something really personal. I'd appreciate it if you don't push this further, please" Dani literally begged.

It was Mia's turn to sigh.

" You know what? It's fine. But one last thing before you change the subject. Are you going on a date with Mannie already?"

' Shit' Dani thought.

" Yeah. On Saturday" she said and immediately put her cup to her lips.

" Dammit, Danielle. That's over the top bad. You know you still love Fred so why the hell are you leading that poor guy on?"

" Hold your horses, darlin. We've only gone on one date since my breakup. This will just be the second one.Besides, I'm really trying to forget about Fred and move on"

" Oh yeah, and how's that going?" She asked and arched an eyebrow.

" Really great. Thanks for asking. You know, I don't appreciate your sarcasm"

" I'm being sarcastic because I know that you'll never love anyone as much as you love Fred, not to talk of Mannie"

" What was that last statement about?" Dani asked. Mannie wasn't that bad. Though, he wasn't as heavily built as Fred but he was just alright. He had green eyes and jet black hair that was combed backwards. He was kinda cute.

" Oh, you know..."

" Ugh, Mia" and they both chuckled.

Dani missed her so much.

" Do what are you wearing?" Mia asked, as she emptied her cup.

" I have no idea. I don't want to be overdressed." She answered, as she recalled her phonecall with Fred.

" Alright. That's up to you anyway. It's not like I really ship you both. I'm a Frelle shipper." She said, glancing at her wristwatch. She became alarmed at once.

" Shit! I've got to go" she  said, getting up from her seat.

" Oh, already?" Dani asked.

" Yeah. I have a place I'm supposed to be at and I'm late. I'm so sorry my visit was short. You know what, call me and let's fix a date to catch up. How 'bout  that, huh?"

" Uh, yeah, sure. I'll visit my calendar"

" Alright, sweetie. See you in a bit, then." She said, as she went over to Dani and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

" Yeah, later." Dani said, waving and Mia was out the door within seconds.