Forced visit

A few days later.

Jo wasn't in the mood for any company. She had a lot of work to do before she had planned to take a short holiday. But Patrick stood at her front door for half an hour, bombarding her with phone calls and texts, threatening to use the spare keys, before she finally let him in. Luke came in right after.

She sat at the dining table with her laptop, enjoying her tea and some treats, listening to some pieces she had discovered recently. She was completely ignoring their presence. She hoped they would leave soon.

"We're all victims of the way it hurts when the love is gone

Forever is not for everyone…" She began to hum softly. She loved that masterpiece. The music and the lyrics were in perfect harmony, and that was so unique.

"We can't undo what's been said and done

'Cause I am a witness to love's death

There's no blood, there's no body, there's nothing left…"

"What are you singing, badass?" Patrick became interested in hearing the original music.

"Nothing, watch your movie."

Patrick turned down the TV.

"That's a very nice piece."

"Am I listening to unpleasant music?"

"No, but you have a specific taste. You have an ear for interesting music." He paused for a moment. "Would you like to go to a concert?"

"I have no time." Jo said casually.

"So when will you have some?" Patrick tried to talk to her.

"In a few days, but it will be time only for myself."

"Are you going somewhere again?"

"Yes, away from all of you, to have some rest." When she finished talking, she continued humming.

"What's the story with Alex?" Patrick asked.

"How come you know about any stories with Alex?" She was surprised.

"He called me. We talked." Alex was his guest for the previous two days, but he had to keep the fact secret.

"So you know what happened." She continued humming that sad song.

"Yes, but I still don't understand you."

"You don't have too, Pat. Guys have simple manuals, we are more complicated." She explained briefly.

"You always said that the most important thing in any relationship is friendship, not passion or lust."

"And honesty and trust, but that asshole lied." She added.

"Have you ever wondered how hard it is to tell a fucking independent, confident, and very strong woman about your feelings?"

"For God's sake, I'm not some monster. I am only a human." She got up, took her empty teapot, and went to the kitchen.

She was back in a few minutes with a full teapot and a plate full of pieces of carrots, celery, and radishes.

"Is that another crazy diet?" Patrick asked, curious.

"That's the way I always eat! I am surprised you didn't notice it for years." She exclaimed with irony heavy in her voice. She sat at the table and started to work. She needed only a few more hours to finish her report.

"What about the beautiful neck and his owner? You liked that neck, right?" Patrick interrupted her again.

"I don't have time for any games, Pat. Leave me alone, please. I have to finish my work."

"You liked him, badass."

"What did I like?" She asked with an irony in her voice. She looked suspiciously at her friend sitting on the couch.

"I remember the sparkles in your eyes when you talked about him."

"And? Any conclusions?" She was irritated.

"He is a good kid."

"Damn it! How do you know? Did you really have to do some background check?"

"Of course, I had too. Safety reasons. In case you like him. So what's the problem?"

"You promised me, you will leave that guy in peace."

"I did, badass."

"So how do you know he is a good kid?"

"Safety reasons, I already said it."

"Really?"

"Do you want to know who he has slept with?"

"Fuck! What else?"

"I am just curious about what you want to know."

"Nothing."

"Do you realize that he is a good kid, with no scandals around him, and a good reputation?"

She was furious. Do they have to meddle in her private matters? She understood their concerns, she was not losing her guard too, but it was tiring to have her friend's supervision all the time.

"You just hit the nail on the head. He's just a kid. I don't have time to waste it with kids."

"You are exaggerating, badass! As usual!"

"I am not. I am not going to waste my time. End of the story."

"That kid is handsome, I know completely not your style, but has a magnificent neck."

"I am not interested." She said in a firm tone. "And please, shut up! I am working."

"Why, badass? Does he lack anything?" Patrick didn't want to let go.

"Yes, balls."

"I didn't notice. It's you who is fucking frightening."

"Really?" She was irritated and didn't feel like continuing the pointless discussion.

"You are so afraid of letting somebody break the fucking wall which you have built around yourself, so it's easier to scare all the guys that come around you. Yes, that's the safest thing to do."

"Are you done, Pat?"

"No, I want to know why you think he has no balls. Is that an age issue?"

"It has nothing to do with age, it's maturity, Pat, so leave it, please." She begged. She was not going to explain why she had that opinion.

"I don't like the way you talk about that guy. I had a great conversation with him. I really liked him."

"What else did you do, Pat?"

"Nothing." He said in an innocent voice. He had a lot on his conscience, but he didn't do anything to hurt anyone in any way, so he was clean.

"I need a break from all of you." She announced.

"I don't like how easily you let go."

"I'm not letting anything go, I need a break from all the guys, from you too, Pat."

"You liked him, I saw it in your eyes."

"I like you too. So?"

"I know, but not in the same way."

"One more word and I will show you the door." She said pointing at the entrance to the corridor.

"I really like him, badass."

"So who's stopping you from dating him?"

"I am straight, badass. And I will meet him again."

"I don't care. End of the story, Pat. Shut up!!! I have to finish my work." She looked at her laptop and started to write.

"You are so fucked up, badass!"

"I am. What's the problem? It's me, not you."

"Why did you call a few aeroclubs asking about chartering small crappy planes? What are you planning?"

"Not your business, Pat. Did you spy on me again?"

"No, one of the guys you talked to, called me."

"What a fucking small aviation world! You cannot date, fuck or even call anybody without being noticed!" She was embittered.

"I won't let you fly with your crazy friend, if that's what you are thinking about."

"That's not your business, Pat."

"I will go with you wherever you want, just need a current medical checkup."

"I don't need you. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can, but as I said I don't have trust in your friend's flying skills."

"You don't trust anybody!"

"That's a career aberration, and years of disappointment!"

All this time, Luke sat quietly, watching them and listening intently to the discussion. He didn't know much about their environment, much less poking his nose into things he didn't know about. He just left for a moment to the front door as he ordered some takeaway.

A while later, the living room was filled with the magnificent scent of baked ribs. In complete silence, he brought some dishes from the kitchen and put them on the dining table next to Jo. He hoped she would stop working for a moment, but she had her nose deep in her laptop; she was working non-stop.

"Could you leave me alone tonight, guys? I have so much work to finish and will be grateful if you leave." She said without even looking at them or the food.

"We are not leaving you alone." Luke said in a firm voice. "Ann has a girls night planned, and they are in our house, so I am not going anywhere."

"So shut up and do whatever you want. You have Netflix, and a few bottles in a refrigerator... Just don't disturb me, pleaseee!"

"Roger!" Luke said, sitting at the table and putting a big portion of ribs on his plate.

"What do you have to justify this forced visit, Pat? You can leave."

"I am not going, badass. My neighbor, the slut captain, is having a party tonight. I was invited. I have no desire to participate in it. So I'm sleeping on your couch tonight."

"Fuck! What else?" She was losing her patience.

She took her laptop and went to work in the bedroom. She didn't last long there. She couldn't work in bed. There was absolutely no room on the dressing table to put a laptop there, and she had absolutely no desire to rearrange her cosmetics.

She came back after about fifteen minutes. She silently sat down at the table, plugged in the charger, and continued working, completely oblivious to her buddies sitting at the table, consuming the food that was delivered.

When they finished, they sat on the couch and began to watch some comedy.

After having a piece of ribs with some stewed vegetables, she sat on the armchair and watched the film with them. Her report was ready so she could relax a little bit.

Patrick poured her a glass of cognac. When she didn't protest, he poured her another one.

"What's wrong with me that I attract only assholes?" She started to speak when she reached her percentage limitations.

Patrick was surprised that after only two glasses her brain lost its guard.

'She didn't play, she must be really tired!' He commented internally seeing her glassy eyes and flushed face. 'Alex was right that she needs a break.'

"Nothing is wrong with you!" Patrick said softly. "You attract only the real diamonds, badass! Only sometimes they are unpolished."

"Don't try to comfort me, Pat." She was sad and very tired of all the events that had taken place in the previous few weeks.

"I am not trying to comfort you." He tried to reassure her. "You've always discovered the finest diamonds. Sometimes it's just those diamonds that need to realize that they're special. For some, it just takes time to become aware of the fact that they are special in some aspects..."

Patrick was next to her gently stroking her head. He had some idea of what she was going through, but still, it was only a little part he could imagine. Finally, she fell asleep.

"You better take her to her bedroom. I cannot stand the sight of her swollen leg. She said that everything is fine." Luke said, unhappy. "We need to talk when you get back. I sent Ann a photo of her ankle."