Free Semblance by Logan Patricks Page A

You just need a little help to reach your goals.”
    I was satisfied with his answer, and I smiled at him.
    “Thanks Shadow,” I replied.
    “Two dates,” he repeated.
    “Alright already,” I said annoyed. “Draft it up and I’ll sign on the dotted line. Man you’re like a broken record, you know that?”
    “Just confirming our agreement,” he said. “The human mind remembers things through repetition.”
    “Why don’t you just tattoo it on my forehead,” I replied. “Two dates.”
    Shadow seemed to ignore me as he found himself a piece of paper and pen. He began scribbling onto it, and then set it aside and began working on another piece of paper.
    When he was finally done, there were two handwritten contracts in elegant neat writing lying on the wooden oak desk.
    “Read it through,” he said.
    There was a lot of technical and legal mumbo jumbo that I was oblivious to. I skimmed through it briefly, searching for the few key words I was looking for.
    Finally on the last line, Shadow had written:
     
    After the second public meeting between Aria Valencia and Shadow Tremaine, the two shall agree to mutually terminate their courtship with one another. Shadow will provide Aria with assistance in furthering her career as a classical pianist through his vast resources (excluding money and personal time) and Aria Valencia will agree to cease any contact with Shadow Tremaine. These conditions are firm.
     
    I looked over to Shadow, who casually handed me a pen. “The contract is broken only when both parties decide to dispose of it. As long as one person is holding onto it, it’s binding,” he said.
    “You have yourself a deal,” I said as I wrote my name onto both copies of the contracts. Shadow did the same, before extending his hand towards me.
    “Deals should always be solidified with a handshake,” he said.
    I shrugged my shoulders and reached for his hand, taking it in mine. His grip was firm but gentle. There was a lot of strength contained within that muscular body of his and I pitied whoever was responsible for stirring the demons buried inside of him.
    However there was also tenderness to Shadow, and for a brief moment, I wondered what it felt like being held within his massive arms.
    I had to stop fantasizing about him. No good would ever come from being with this guy.
    Shadow was gorgeous. Shadow was mysterious. And Shadow was dangerous.
    “I’ll have Abraham pick you up on Saturday then,” he said in a business-like tone. “Wear something nice.”
    “Okay,” I said dumbly. I was still enthralled by the strength of his touch.
    “And you can let go of my hand now,” he added.
    How embarrassing. I released my puny grip from his large, strong hands.
    “Right,” I replied. “Saturday sounds good.”
    Shadow raised his arms to the ceiling and stretched while rotating his neck from side-to-side. “Great,” he said in between a yawn. “Well if there’s nothing else, I’m exhausted. You must be pretty tired yourself. I’ll buzz Abraham to give you a lift home.”
    He was right. I was ready to collapse onto my single bed back in the shack I called home.
    “Well, I guess this is goodbye now,” I said, adding, “it was a pleasure.”
    “I’d love to hear you play again sometime,” Shadow insisted. “Maybe you can on one of our dates.”
    I smiled. “That depends on how the dates go. I don’t play just for anybody you know.”
    “Right.” He shrugged, turning his attention to the outside of the bay window, peering out into the morning light. There was an unmistakable sadness hidden deep within him.
    Perhaps we weren’t so different after all.
     
    #
     
    It was almost noon when Abraham dropped me off in front of my apartment. I was wiped.
    “I shall pick you up on Saturday evening, say around five p.m.?” Abraham asked.
    I nodded wearily.
    “Make sure to check your bank account as well. Your payment should be there already.”
    “But I never gave you guys my bank account