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thought twice about talking to her.  She was the last person I wanted to see, after she accused me of being a stalker.
    How did she get my address if I ‘don’t exist’?
    ‘Cohen I know that it is you.  I followed you here from the library,’ she said, her voice assertive and strong.
    Then she suddenly pushed on the door, forcing it open, taking me by surprise.  I resisted her attack, keeping the door more closed  than open.
    ‘Cohen, let me in.  I want to apologise to you.’  Her voice was sincere and full of regret.  Then she barged in, taking advantage of my moment of weakness.
    Women.  Bossy, imposing, frustrating, annoying.
    I blocked her way into my apartment. I couldn’t let her venture further in because of the heavy surveillance.  I didn’t want her involved in any way.  I had to protect her.
    I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her.  It was the only thing that I could do under the circumstances.
    ‘Cohen?’  her voice was full of shock.
    I moved my lips close to her ear and spoke in extremely hushed tones.
    ‘Listen to me.  You need to leave. My apartment is under surveillance.  Every move that I make is being watched, recorded and analysed.  If you are smart, you will leave.’
    She placed her hand around the back of my head, sending a tingling sensation down my spine.  She kissed me below my ear and then put her lips close to my ear and spoke so quietly that her voice was barely audible.
    ‘Then let’s make it dramatic for them, whoever they are.  Kiss me Cohen, and then I will slap you across your face and storm out of your apartment.  That will give them something interesting to watch and analyse.’
    I couldn’t believe what she was suggesting.  It was way out of left field.  Women.  You can’t read them. You can’t predict them.
    ‘Georgia….I….I…can’t.  I don’t know you.  I won’t feel comfortable kis….’
    My words were taken away from me as her lips were on mine. Her warm soft sensuous lips, melting my knees, making me weak and taking my strength.  I wanted to melt into her.  I could very easily lock lips with her forever.
    Then she pulled away, looked angrily at me, and slapped me across the face.  Her slap biting into my skin, the sting echoing about through the layers of dermis covering my craniofacial bones.  My immediate reaction was to put my hand over my hurt cheek, and I watched her storm off, slamming the front door behind her.
    She was good.  Very good.  Even I believed her.  I stared at the front door for some time, reliving the amazing kiss.  And then I ran my hand through my hair, about turned and walked through to a large sash window overlooking the road. I watched her as she stepped into a cab, and disappeared into the distance.
    Why h ad my life suddenly become so complicated, dangerous even?  Why couldn’t I have met Georgia under pleasant circumstances?
    I breathed out in disappointment, and touch ed my burning cheek again.
    I turned on the sports channel, grabbed my beef stroganoff, and settled down in front of the television, wishing that my worries could be taken away, even for just a short while.
    There was so much to plan to stay ahead of the game, so much to do.  Was I running out of time?

Chapter 8
     
    ‘Mr Darcy,’ white girl’s voice squeaked, as bubbly as ever.
    ‘Good morning…aaahhh….’  I was waiting for her to fill in her name, but she didn’t. Must I prompt her like a child?
    ‘How shall I address you?’  I asked. Still no reply.
    ‘What is your name?’ I asked again -  for heaven’s sake…
    ‘Me?’ she asked, her voice impossibly higher.  I ran my hand through my hair in frustration and looked to the floor to control the laughter that was about to erupt from me.  Well, there is no-one else here but us.
    I looked at her and nodded, raising my eyebrows at her.
    ‘Oh….Mia, Sir.   Go right through.  Mr Rubin is ready for you.’
    ‘Thank-you Mia.’ I smiled slightly at her before