Chapter 8
EIGHT
We makeour way up the winding road as tall cypress trees tower over us, casting long shadows on the ground. A magnificent manor looms ahead, its grandeur illuminated by the soft glow of countless lights. A majestic water fountain stands proudly in the front yard, its gentle trickling sound adding to the serene ambiance. Ivy creeps up the walls of the building, adding an extra layer of charm and character to the already picturesque scene. The vast gardens surrounding the manor are a sight to behold, with rows upon rows of rose bushes, each bursting with vibrant colors and sweet fragrances.
Cain parks the Jeep and I can feel my heart pounding with anxiety. He kindly opens the car door for me and extends his hand, signaling for me to step out. I comply, my eyes fixating on the imposing manor looming before us. I can feel the nerves getting the best of me. However, Cain gently takes my hand and offers words of comfort, “It”s ok, princess, just breathe.” His reassuring touch and words of encouragement ease my tension and I feel safer with him by my side.
Cain and I approach the towering, black door embellished with intricate, gold detailing. He wraps his fingers around the massive knocker and strikes it twice against the door. My heart races with anticipation.
The door creaks open, revealing a butler dressed in a black suit. He greets us with a warm smile and takes our coats, gesturing for us to follow him. As we walk down the corridor, I can”t help but admire the luxurious decor. The carpet is a deep shade of red and the walls are adorned with ancient portraits of the family”s ancestors.
I feel awe and intimidation as we approach the hall where the other guests gather. All eyes seem to be on me and I can”t help but wonder what impression I”ll make on these high-society individuals. I grip Cain”s hand tight.
We hear a loud voice calling out our names. Turning our heads, we see Helena walking towards us, arm in arm with Alastair. Her stunning, dark navy gown sparkles at the bottom and her hair is styled in tiny ringlet curls that must have taken hours to perfect.
Alastair greets us, firmly shaking Cain”s hand and kissing me gently on the cheek. Helena then follows suit, kissing Cain on the cheek first before turning to me and planting a soft kiss on my cheek as well. The evening is off to a great start and we can”t wait to see what the rest of the night has in store for us.
Helena”s arms reach out as she compliments me, “You look stunning, Tessie.” I feel my face turning bright red as I blush and I respond with a soft-spoken, “Thank you. You look lovely, Helena.” I feel self-conscious, as if all eyes are on me after Helena”s comment.
Suddenly, a new presence appears beside Helena and she places her hand on his back. “This is our son, Archibald.” Dan”s friend from college, Archie, stands beside Helena in a white shirt with three buttons undone. He looks like he has been partying all afternoon and the smell of alcohol emanates from him. I start to feel uneasy, but I go along as Archie leans in to kiss my cheek, saying, “Tessie.” Alastair asks if we know each other, to which Archie responds, “Yes, Father, Tessie studies at the same college as me.” I tighten my grip on Cain”s hand, increasingly uneasy.
Amidst the chatter and music in the hall, Alastair”s voice rings out loud and clear, commanding everyone”s attention. “No, you can”t put their tables together,” he declares, pointing a finger at the staff. “Sorry. I”ve got to deal with this. Have fun.” With that, he whisks Helena away, leaving a trail of curious glances and whispers.
Archie turns his gaze towards Cain, studying him critically. “Sorry, I”m Archie,” he introduces himself, extending his hand for a handshake.
Cain accepts the handshake with a firm grip. “I”m Cain, I work with your father,” he replies curtly. The two men lock eyes, sizing each other up before releasing each other”s hands.
“Nice,” Archie says. “Well, enjoy the party. I know my mother is auctioning off some paintings later. Might not be your thing,” he adds the last part with a hint of sarcasm, speaking under his breath.
Archie walks away, disappearing into a sea of people. The atmosphere is lively and the sound of chatter fills the air. Suddenly, a butler carrying a tray of champagne passes by us. I take a glass and Cain follows my lead. The bubbles tickle my nose as I take a sip.
“So, let me get this straight. That was the Archie inquiring about Dan”s whereabouts?” Cain asks me, arching an eyebrow.
I nod in response. The music picks up and people start dancing around us.
Helena stands on the stage, her voice amplified through the microphone, commanding the entire room”s attention. “All partners to the floor!” she shouts with an air of authority. “No exceptions. Dance time!”
I glance at Cain. We groan inwardly at the prospect of dancing and place our glasses on a table. Cain takes my hand. As we make our way to the dance floor, I feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Although I have never been a great dancer, Cain seems confident in his abilities.
He places one hand on my waist and the other in my hand as we move in time with the music. Despite my initial reluctance, I can”t help but smile as we dance together. The beat of the music fills the room, and for a moment, it feels like we are the only two people in the world.
“They say you shouldn”t dance with the devil,” Cain whispers in my ear, leaning.
A sudden wave of weakness washes over me as I listen to his words. Despite that, we continue to dance, our bodies moving in perfect harmony to the rhythm of the music.
“What if I wanna fuck the devil?” I breathe in his ear.
“Say that again, I liked it...” he deeply chuckles.
As he twirls me around the dance floor, I can”t help but ask him, “When did you learn to dance?”
He responds with a hint of arrogance, “One of my many natural talents, princess.”
I peek over Cain”s shoulder and catch a glimpse of Celeste in the corner of my eye. Her presence commands attention and I can”t resist turning my head to take a better look. She looks stunning dressed in a white gown that accentuates her curves. Her blond locks cascade down her back in loose waves, giving her an ethereal glow. I would have mistaken her for an angel if I hadn”t known her true nature. But her piercing glare as she watches Cain and me dance reminds me of the harsh reality.
I reach up close to Cain and whisper, “Do you see Celeste over there? She”s watching us.” Without saying a word, Cain swiftly turns us around and spins me in a circle. After a moment, he breaks the silence by saying, “I see her now. I believe she”s Helena”s hairstylist.”
Helena”s voice booms over the mic, “Now switch partners!” I feel a jolt of surprise run through me. Cain and I exchange a quick look of confusion before he releases his hold on my hand and waist. I turn around to find an elderly couple standing next to us. The older gentleman reaches out to take my hand and I can”t help but notice the strong smell of cigars that emanates from him. We start to dance and I can feel his firm grip on my hand as we sway to the music.
As I glance over at Cain, I see that the elderly lady has taken his arm and they are moving slowly around the dance floor. Despite the unexpected change in partners, I can”t help but feel a sense of amusement bubbling up inside me. Seeing them dancing together is too cute for words and I can”t resist a little giggle of delight.
As we move to the rhythm of the music, the elderly gentleman by my side introduces himself, “My name is Bill and my wife over there is Barbra. People just call us Bill and Babs.”
I grin and respond, “I”m Tessie. The gentleman dancing with Babs is Cain.”
The music is booming and everyone is enjoying themselves.
I continue to dance with the elderly man and I can”t help but steal a glance at Cain. My heart swells with warmth as I watch him gently hold the old lady”s hand, his kind and compassionate nature shining through.
Suddenly, Helena”s voice echoes through the speakers. “Now it”s auction time. Please all gather around.” The crowd quickly stops dancing and starts moving towards the center of the room. I stand there and I notice Cain walking toward me. He grabs my hand and I can’t help but smile at him. It was heartwarming to see him dancing with an old lady.
I gaze up at the stage and my eyes fixate on a framed picture that appears to be painted by a child no more than five years old. ”The starting bid is five thousand dollars!” Helena exclaims, her voice echoing throughout the grand hall. At that moment, Cain and I exchange a glance, trying our hardest to stifle our giggles. Suddenly, Cain tilts his head towards the door and silently mouths, “Wanna sneak off?” My heart races with excitement as I eagerly nod in agreement. Without a second thought, we quietly slip out of the hall and make our way down the dimly lit corridor. As we walk around a corner, Cain pulls me close and whispers, “Shit, a butler.” In a swift and impulsive move, we grab each other”s hand and rush towards the nearest door. With a quick turn of the knob, we burst into the room and found ourselves standing in front of a luxurious swimming pool. The room is illuminated everywhere we look with a soft, blue hue, casting a serene glow throughout the space. We peer out of the floor-to-ceiling windows and we”re greeted with a stunning view of the sprawling gardens outside.
Cain guides me towards the serene pool and we settle down on the cool, tiled floor. He tenderly lifts my legs onto his lap and helps me remove my heels, allowing my feet to rest in the refreshing water. The tranquil atmosphere around us is only broken by the gentle sound of the water. Suddenly, Cain breaks the silence and utters, “You look stunning tonight, princess.” His words cause me to beam with joy and flush with pleasure. As I gaze into the clear water, I say, “You know, Cain, I realize I don”t know much about you.” Cain scoffs slightly, the sound barely audible over the water”s gentle ripples.
I reach out and place my hand on his thigh and he tenderly asks, “What do you want to know?” I think for a moment. “Well, I don”t know anything about your childhood,” I say. Cain looks at the water and I notice the ripples’ reflection on his face. “My mother gave me up when I was a baby. I was in and out of care.” His words echo in the stillness of the moment and I can’t help but feel a sense of empathy towards him.
“I”m so sorry, Cain,” I say, the concern evident in my voice. Cain looks down and takes a deep breath before continuing. “It”s fine,” he says, his voice heavy with emotion. “My mom was just a teenager when she had me. I found her when I was in high school, but she made it clear that she didn”t want me to contact her or look for her again. That”s when I lost my faith in women and they became nothing to me,” he adds, his voice trembling slightly as he speaks. The raw pain in his words is palpable and I can”t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him.
“It makes sense now as to why you treated women like they are nothing,” I say, my throat feeling tight. I had always suspected that there was a deeper reason for his coldness towards women, but I never knew for sure until now. He places his hand on top of mine and I can feel the warmth of his palm on my skin. It was a comforting gesture that made me feel like he was finally opening up to me.
“It”s ok. I”m over it now. You know, you”re the only woman I”ve ever treated right,” he says, his voice soft and gentle. I can’t help but smile at the compliment. I feel honored to be the exception to his usual behavior towards women.
I look at him, waiting for him to continue. He seems lost in thought for a moment before he speaks again. “After I saw you in the club, I watched your every movement once you left that hospital. I had to have you. I want to treat you like the others, but I can’t. I tried, but you make me weak, Tessie,” he whispers into my ear, his breath hot against my skin. His words sent shivers down my spine and I can’t deny the attraction I feel towards him.
“When you were admitted to the hospital, Rae stepped out of the room to use the bathroom so it was just the two of us in the room. I remember vividly; you were lying on the hospital bed, looking frail and helpless. Suddenly, you opened your eyes and reached out your hand towards me. You looked at me and said, ”Help me.” At that moment, I felt a surge of emotions I had never experienced. I’ve never had emotions for a woman,” he explains with a pained expression on his face. My heart sinks as I listen to him recount this heart-wrenching incident. Without hesitation, I lean in and grab his face, planting a deep, passionate kiss on his lips.
I watch as he pulls his face away from mine, his eyes locked onto mine with an intense gaze. With one hand still cradling my cheek, he speaks softly, “From that moment in the hospital, I knew that I would never allow any harm to come your way again. I knew I had to be in your life no matter what. Even if you didn’t want me. I became obsessed. Yes, I still am.” The sound of water swirling around my feet brings me back to the present moment, reminding me of our surroundings.
The sound of approaching footsteps catches our attention. Our eyes meet as we look up to see Celeste walking towards us. She holds a cigarette in her mouth, the smoke swirling around her as she takes a drag. “Sorry, did I interrupt?” she asks, her voice laced with a hint of mischief.
Cain inhales deeply, his chest rising and falling with the effort. He turns to face Celeste, his expression guarded. “What do you want, Celeste?” he asks, his voice low and tense. Celeste flicks her cigarette into the pool, the bright orange ember sizzling as it hits the water. “Nothing,” she says, her tone surprisingly soft. “I want to make peace. I”m sorry for calling you a whore.” She takes a few quick strides towards Cain and me, her long legs quickly eating up the distance.
She lowers her body, lifts her pristine white dress slightly, and gently graciously sits down next to me. “Again, I”m sorry,” she says softly. I look up at her, taking in her delicate features and the sincerity in her eyes, before responding with a reassuring nod. “It”s ok,” I reply.
She leans in towards my face and the sweet fragrance of her perfume envelops my senses. “They’re right. You are a very pretty little thing, aren”t you?” Her breath feels warm against my skin and my heart races with each passing second.
I sense Cain”s intense gaze piercing through the back of my head. Suddenly, Celeste”s soft touch on my cheek snaps me out of my trance. She leans close and whispers, “Let”s see what all the fuss is about.” Before I can react, her lips meet mine and I”m frozen in place, unsure how to respond.
Celeste halts her movement and locks her gaze with mine. “There”s no need to worry. He can watch us.”
As she approaches me again, I can”t help but notice the pungent smell of a cigarette and alcohol on her breath as she kisses me again.
Suddenly, her lips parts from mine and I hear a loud, piercing scream followed by a thunderous splash, as if something or someone had fallen into the water with great force.
As I lift my head, I notice Cain”s towering figure looming over me. Suddenly, my eyes shift downwards and I see that Cain shoved Celeste into the pool. In an instant, Celeste emerges up from the water with her dress soaking and screams in a high-pitched voice, “YOU BASTARD! THIS DRESS IS FUCKING DESIGNER, CAIN!” Her tone is filled with frustration.
Cain”s voice drips with sarcasm as he comments, “Well, it”s a wet designer now.” He then proceeds to help me up to my feet, carefully putting my heels on. “I know what you are trying to do, Celeste. You’re only doing this to get back at Nate. Plus, I’m not gonna let you touch our girl,” Cain explains to her.
As we step outside to the gardens, I look back. Celeste stands at the side of the pool, drenched from head to toe. Her clothes stick to her skin and her hair drips with water. Determined, she utters, “I”ll find a way to get back at him, no matter what it takes.”
As Cain and I stroll deeper into the gardens the bright moonlight illuminates our path. Eventually, we come across a bench and settle down. Concerned, Cain touches my shoulders and asks, “Are you ok?” I try to answer, but the cold air has caused me to stutter. Sensing my discomfort, Cain quickly takes off his black blazer and places it over my shoulders, providing me warmth and comfort.
“Don’t worry about Celeste,” he says, holding me close to his chest.
“I’m not worried,” I reassure him.
He pulls me closer and I feel his arms tightly wrapping around me. I lean my head against his chest, feeling his warmth. Suddenly, I notice a beautiful hedge maze with cast iron Victorian lamps ahead of us.
“Look, a maze!” I exclaim, excited and giddy.
Cain follows me as I rush towards the maze. “Wanna go in?” he suggests. “Sure. How about we start at opposite ends? You start at the entrance, and I”ll start at the exit. Let”s see if we can find each other,” I suggest, feeling adventurous.
“And if I find you?” he asks, his voice low and seductive.
Without a word, I cock my eyebrows and giggle before running off to the exit. I watch as Cain enters the maze from the entrance, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation.
Clutching Cain”s blazer tightly around my shoulders, I find myself lost in a perplexing maze, each turn leading me to dead ends. My heels dig into the soft earth beneath me as I try to tiptoe, my heart pounding. The old cast iron lamps, flickering dimly, and the moonlight are the only sources of light in this labyrinth. Their glow casts eerie shadows on the towering hedges surrounding me, making me feel small and vulnerable.
I navigate through the maze and gradually reduce my pace to a leisurely stroll. The footsteps echo through the narrow passages, prompting a playful giggle to escape my lips. I can sense Cain is nearby and the anticipation of their arrival fills me with excitement.
As I wander through the intricate maze, an impish thought crosses my mind–to hide behind the lush green hedges and surprise him. But the idea of dirtying my dress stops me from doing so. As I take a few more steps, the maze leads me to a dead end yet again. I try to retrace my steps when I hear an eerie sound of deep breathing. Turning around, I am startled to see Celeste standing barefoot and soaking wet, clutching a bottle of vodka. The moonlight reflects off the wetness on her skin, and her expression is inscrutable.
“Jesus, Celeste, you scared me. Go back to the manor and dry off. You’re gonna freeze,” I say, hoping to avoid further conversation. However, she quickly moves in front of me, blocking my path and forcing me to stop. I can”t help but notice the strong smell of alcohol emanating from her as she speaks. “You think you are so special, don”t you?” she sneers, her words dripping with contempt.
“What are you on about? Let me pass,” I say, trying to keep my cool. However, she isn”t keen on letting me go that easily. “You stole my man,” she spat out in a venomous tone.
Before I can say anything, she continues, “Every man I know wants you. Why? You”re nothing.” As she speaks, she moves closer and closer, forcing me to retreat to the dead end of the maze.
The lamp casts its warm glow over us, illuminating our faces. With a heavy heart, I utter, “You”re right, Celeste. I am nothing. However, I want to clarify that I never stole Nate from you.”
She is seething with anger as she bites her bottom lip and snarls at me with a fierce gaze. “You liar! You need to pay for being the little slut you are!” she exclaims before suddenly backhanding me across the face. The impact of the blow knocks me off balance and I stumble to the ground, feeling momentarily dazed and disoriented.
I feel a sudden surge of fear. I open my mouth and let out a piercing scream, hoping that Cain can hear me. My grip loosens on his blazer and it slips out of my hand, falling to the ground.
I watch her drop the glass bottle from her hand with a clatter. I raise my hands instinctively, anticipating her attack. With her long nails, Celeste scratches at my face. I feel her nails dig into my skin, leaving cuts in their wake. I feel her grip on my hair and I can’t help but plead with her to stop. Her face is twisted with anger and her grip on my hair is getting tighter.
She punches and slaps my face. Her fingernail grazes my lip, causing a cut that begins to bleed. A moment of shock passes as I realize I’m helpless.
She drags me across the rough ground by my hair. I feel the back of my legs getting cut up. Blood pours down my face and I scream out. In a swift motion, she reaches for the glass bottle lying nearby.
I punch at her hands and struggle to free from her tight grip. She suddenly releases me and I manage to stand up. I hear Cain”s voice echoing in the distance, desperately yelling my name.
I find myself pressed against a lamppost”s cold, metal surface, feeling its rough texture against my back. Suddenly, she smashes a bottle above my head. The glass shatters, sending shards raining down around me.
Celeste stands there with my blood on her white dress and in her blond hair. She holds the jagged half of the broken glass bottle tensely. As she approaches me with her arm outstretched, I kick at her and dart away before she has a chance to catch me. I feel a rush of adrenaline as I run through the maze.
As I sprint down the maze, my heart pounds in my chest. I didn”t dare look back to see if Celeste was still chasing me. My mind is racing with fear and anxiety, and I struggle to catch my breath.
Suddenly, I turn a corner and collide with Cain. His strong arms wrap around me and I collapse into his embrace, feeling both relieved and exhausted.
I gasp for air and I can feel the blood trickling down my face from the numerous cuts. Cain”s voice is filled with concern and anger as he demands, “Who did this to you?”
I slowly regain consciousness and I find myself lying in his arms. It takes me a moment to open my swollen eyes, but I mutter, “Celeste.” His face is twisted with anger as he scoops me up and carries me with a sense of urgency.
I find myself stirring in the back seat of the Jeep, slowly becoming aware of my surroundings. I try to shake off my grogginess and hear Cain”s hushed voice on the phone. His tone is urgent and I strain to hear his words. “She’s signed her own fucking death sentence,” he says, his words heavy with meaning. “I hope you know that, Nate.”
I slowly openmy eyes and feel the mattress” softness beneath my skin. I realize I am propped up with a pillow behind me. I look around to see the trio of people standing at the end of the bed. Nate holds a glass of water in his hand and walks towards me. He sits at the edge of the bed and hands me the glass. I can feel the coolness of the water as I gulp it down, refreshing my dry throat.
Nate extends his hand, holding two small tablets. He offers them to me and explains, “Pain medication.”
Lightheadedness washes over me instantly and my vision blurs. With a shaky hand, I reach out and take the tablets from him. I quickly swallow them down with a gulp of water, hoping for some relief from the pain.
Mike asks, “How are you feeling?” I feel terrible. I adjust my body uncomfortably and mumble back, “Like shit.”
Mike takes a seat on the floor beside the bed, “We cleaned up the cuts on your face and legs while you were asleep,” he says
Nate holds my hand and looks very emotional. “I”m sorry, baby,” he says, his eyes filling with tears.
I look at him, confused. “What for?”
“It”s all my fault. What happened with Celeste,” Nate says, his voice choked with emotion.
I grip Nate”s hand tightly and say, “No, it”s not, Nate. Don”t you dare blame yourself.”
I then ask, “What happened with Celeste?” My lips feel sore and I remember there is a cut on them. The trio all exchange glances, but before they can say anything, Cain interjects, “She was arrested and she has been dealt with.” I feel relieved to hear that, but I still have doubts in my mind. “Don”t I need to give a statement or anything?” I ask. “No,” Cain replies, “she admitted to it. Let”s not talk about her again, ok?”
Cain exits the room. I become concerned about the state of my face. “Is it bad?” I ask Nate and Mike, hoping for some reassurance. Nate puts a comforting hand on my shoulder and replies, “Don”t worry, baby. It”s just some cuts and bruises. It”ll take about a week to heal, but you”ll be fine.” His words are a balm to my worried mind and I feel grateful for their support in this tough situation.
Mike suggests, “I”ll list you as medically absent from college for a week.” Nate offers to take time off work, but I refuse, saying, “No, it”s alright. You don”t have to do that.” Nate reassures me with a chuckle to ease my concerns, “Don”t worry, baby. I run my own business, so taking time off is not a problem. Plus, someone has to keep an eye on you.”