All Chapters of Collide In Plain Sight: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

HarlowI stretch as a bright ray of sunshine intrudes the lovely dream I was having about sampling wine at a vineyard in the French countryside. I nearly scoff at myself. Like I'll ever be able to do that. I yawn and my eyes flit open, temporarily blinded by the bright light. I blink a few times, trying to remember where I am. I think back to the night before.The shift from hell. I got out of work almost two hours late and I remember crashing out from exhaustion on my couch. I stretch again and feel soft fabric under my hands, a soft billowy comforter on top of me. I'm not on my couch. I lift my head and look around, my stomach dropping and heart beating frantically in my chest. I'm not in my bed either. A quick look out the window tells me I'm not even in my house. "Oh my god." I murmur, sitting up quickly in bed. My head pounds slightly and I reach up to massage it, looking down at my body. I'm still in the sweatshirt and pajama shorts I was in last night. That makes me fee

HarlowI stare across the counter at Pierce as he eats a sandwich and looks out the window, wondering what the hell to think about this guy. I mean, he's obviously gorgeous. I remember when he was a patient on my floor all of the nurses argued about who got to take care of him each shift. Thinking back on it now, I remember that he specifically requested me. I didn't think much of it at the time. It happens pretty often that a patient will get comfortable with the same staff and request them whenever they can, but now I wonder if his obsession had started even then. But honestly, why would he do this? He's rich, beautiful, clearly intelligent. Why would he go to these lengths for a woman when he could do something so much more logical?Like ask me out on a date. I'm pretty sure I would have said yes, but I would have been as confused as I am now on why he would even want me. My life is a mess. I work too much, live paycheck to paycheck and have the emotional intelligence of a house

Harlow After my outburst I take a step away from Pierce, lowering my eyes to the ground as fear ripples through me. My mother always said my sass would be the death of me. I didn't think she meant it literally. I hear Pierce sigh from in front of me and when I look up at him again, I'm surprised to see guilt instead of anger etched across his face. He runs his hands through his hair and spins away from me, looking out through the fence towards the rolling hills before he turns to face me again. "I know, Harlow. I understand this is all kinds of fucked up. I just want you to be safe and happy. Here, I can keep you safe." he says, his voice taking on a pleading tone as he begs me to understand. "That's not your choice to make for me. I have a life." I spit back. "What kind of life was it?" he asks, his voice taking on a hard edge. "Because from what I could tell, all you did was meander from day to day, doing what was expected of you. You never moved forward. You didn't accompl

HarlowI spend so much time in what I have now decided is to be called the craft room, I don't realize that the sun has begun to set. Pierce brought me food for lunch and I took a short break to eat it, but he has mostly left me on my own for the afternoon. As much as it feels strange, I almost feel grateful for this break from the real world. It came in a terrifying way, but this is the first time in years I've felt myself totally disconnect from reality. That I let myself not worry about anything other than what is happening right in front of me. I needed a vacation. Not like this, but I needed a vacation.I stretch a little and take a drink of the water Pierce brought me, looking over at Goose who fell asleep in a basket full of yarn. He looks like he's in Heaven. I stand and wander around the house until I find the main staircase as my stomach grumbles. I'm not sure what time it is, but I'm starting to get hungry. Pierce said he had some work to do, and I doubt he would mind me

HarlowI grin to myself as I walk towards the bathroom to change. I was surprised when I realized that I actually missed Pierce over the last few days. I wasn't really sure why he pulled back from me so hard, if he was trying to let me adjust to living here or if he was just busy, but I found myself wishing he would spend more time with me. At first I thought I was just lonely but, truth be told, I'm not much of a people person. I do well alone. That's why I haven't worked hard to have friendships or relationships since my mom died. I enjoy the quiet of living alone, not having to answer to anyone, not having people rely on me. I enter the small bathroom and open a door on the other side. My mouth drops at the wide variety of bathing suits that Pierce bought for me. I'm happy to see a few more modest options, as well as some that show more skin. I go for a full coverage black option that still looks flattering when I slide it on. I grab a couple of towels and head back out to the poo