The Stalker Chronicles by Electa Rome Parks

dinner, because I really wanted to see you again. To be honest, you have been on my mind since we met.”
    â€œHow sweet, Dre’, but I had already agreed to dinner before my trip.”
    â€œI know, but I thought you might be too tired to join me after you returned. Was your trip business related, or do you have family members in L.A.?”
    She giggled in a girlish way. “Yeah, you could say it was business related.”
    â€œHow was it?” I asked.
    â€œIt was very productive. I got a lot accomplished,” she said as she took a sip of the glass of water with lemon directly in front of her. “A lot of obstacles came tumbling down. I believe I had a breakthrough.”
    â€œGood. Do you travel a lot?”
    â€œFor the past few months I have, but since my business is finished on the West Coast, I think I’ll be around home more.”
    â€œGreat. That will allow more time for me to get to know you better.”
    The waitstaff took that moment to approach with our entrées and drinks. We were silent as they arranged our plates and silverware in front of us and then left.
    â€œThis looks absolutely delicious,” Milan stated, looking over her steaming seafood feast.
    â€œDig in. Enjoy.”
    â€œWait. Go back, Dre’. You said I’ve been on your mind.”
    â€œYou have. I couldn’t even concentrate at work the other day. Kept thinking about the next time I would see you and that beautiful smile.”
    â€œReally? We just met. This is our first official date.”
    â€œI can’t explain it, either. Like I was telling my best friend, you’re a special lady, and I get a real good feeling from you.”
    â€œYou’ve been talking about me to your friend?” she asked, dipping a jumbo shrimp into the red, tangy cocktail sauce.
    â€œIt’s all good. He hasn’t been too lucky in the relationship department lately, and I had to rub you in his face.” I chuckled.
    â€œThat doesn’t sound nice.”
    â€œNo, it’s not like that. Xavier and I go all the way back to childhood. We have always had this friendly rivalry between us. All in good fun.”
    â€œYou two sound pretty close,” she said, waiting for my response.
    â€œWe are. Close as blood brothers.”
    â€œDid you say his name is Xavier?”
    â€œYeah, Xavier Preston.”
    â€œHmmm. That name sounds familiar.”
    â€œIt should.”
    â€œWhere have I heard that name before?”
    â€œRight now he has the hottest number one movie in America. Diary of a Stalker,” I said, cutting into my juicy, well-done, mesquite-wood-grilled sirloin steak.
    â€œReally? I haven’t heard of it,” Milan said, appearing not be interested.
    I placed both hands on the table and stared at her, waiting for the laughter to start.
    â€œWhat?” she asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
    â€œExcuse me? You’re kidding, aren’t you?”
    â€œKidding about what?”
    â€œYou haven’t heard of or seen Diary of a Stalker yet?”
    She quietly chuckled. “No, I haven’t. Should I?”
    â€œI’m sorry. It’s just that it’s been the topic of conversation in homes and workplaces across the country.”
    â€œWell, I’m sorry, too. I don’t go to the movies a lot, rarely watch TV, and with my hectic schedule, I simply don’t have the time,” she stated, taking a bite of her house salad.
    â€œIt’s a date, then. You have to see the movie, because I am so proud of my man and I’m probably his number one promoter.”
    â€œYou’re a good friend. His triumphs are yours. That’s nice.”
    â€œIt’s even more than that. The movie is based upon a real-life experience he had with a female stalker. The bitch, excuse my French, the chick turned his world upside down.”
    Suddenly I stopped talking because Milan had a look on her face that stopped