Chapter 23 #2
“Yes, sir.” I close the door behind me.
“How did it go?” Stefan smirks.
“How do you think it went?”
ALORA
The wind and the rain lash against the glass. Sitting on the window bench seat, I sip my tea as I stare out into the storm.
My mind has been a clusterfuck of confusion and hurt, and I honestly don’t know if I could have made more of a mess of my life lately.
I knew Edward Prescott was a walking red flag, but I was right with my underestimate, he was a red carpet.
A giant, loveable, addictive and toxic red carpet.
One that I’m hopelessly in love with and no matter how hard I try to forget him, I can’t escape the feelings I have. The sheer desperation to be with him and share a life.
The worst part is my heart tells me he feels the same but just can’t allow himself to go there with me…but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
They always say that men aren’t hard to read, that their actions speak louder than words. It’s what they don’t do or say that you need to listen to….
And he does nothing, he gives me nothing other than orgasms and I was dead on the money the other night giving him the third degree.
The next morning I was kicking myself for pushing so hard, but as the days have gone past I’m proud of myself for being honest. I wanted more and I told him…
. And he ran. I can’t say I’m surprised, just sad.
I get a vision of the life we could have had together, laughing and rolling around in the sheets, a family full of love and children, growing old together…and damn, I need to stop this before I have a full mental breakdown over him.
No man is worth this heartache.
Ring, ring…ring, ring…. I glance at the screen: Sis.
I smile, my beautiful sister. The built-in best friend who I can always depend on, she never lets me down. “Hi.”
“Hey, babe,” she says. “How are you?”
“I’m okay,” I lie.
“Did you hear from him?”
“No.” I shrug. “I think it’s officially over.”
“Well, screw him, you can do better anyway.”
My heart twists because I know there isn’t better, he’s the cream of the crop.
“Yeah.” I force a smile. “Screw him.”
“Why don’t you come home for a few days?”
“I can’t, I’ve got to work. Can you come here?”
“I wish, I have to work too.” She falls silent for a moment and we hang on the phone. “Put me on FaceTime, I’m going to wash the dishes while I talk to you.”
“Okay, I’m going to make another cup of tea.” I make my way downstairs, and flick FaceTime on. “It is raining cats and dogs here.”
“Really?” The camera comes on and I see her and laugh. “Why is your face mask bright orange?”
“I don’t know, I bought this shit on TikTok. It’s the latest trend.” She turns her head to look at her reflection in the camera. “Do you think it will stain my skin?”
“I would get that shit off immediately if I were you.”
She carries the phone into the bathroom and sets it down, I watch on as she washes her face and I smile at the normalcy of us.
I’m going to be okay.
EDWARD
“I just don’t get it,” Nicholas says as he reads out loud from his phone. “It says here….” The voices trail off.
I walk to the staircase and then back to the door, I look out over the sea and glance at my watch, it’s 6 p.m.
She’d be finishing work soon.
“You know how it works….” Theodore’s voice blurs into the distance.
I walk to the bottom of the staircase and back to the door.
Why hasn’t Philippe called me yet?
I walk to the staircase and then back to the door, I glance at my watch again.
Time passes and it’s now 7:30 p.m… hmm.
Maybe I should call him?
I walk to the staircase and then back to the door.
“Will you sit down?” Theodore snaps. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
I continue to pace, I glance at my watch again.
Is she working late tonight?
“Prescott,” Theo snaps.
I glance up. “What?”
“What the hell is wrong with you? You’re like a cat on a hot tin roof.”
“Nothing. Why?”
“You’re wearing the carpet down with all the pacing.”
“I’m not pacing.” I screw up my face in annoyance. “Can you all fuck off back to your yachts and leave me alone.”
“What is wrong with you lately?” William frowns.
“Nothing,” I snap. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”
The need to know she’s okay is slowly sending me insane.
I walk to the staircase and then back to the door.
Fuck this, why hasn’t he called? I storm out to the deck and dial his number.
Ring, ring….
“Boss,” he answers.
“What’s happening?” I snap.
“She hasn’t left yet, she’s still in her store.”
I glance at my watch. “What’s she doing in there?”
“I don’t know, the other staff left half an hour ago.”
“Go in and see if she’s alright.”
“She’s alright, I can see her cleaning through the front window.”
“Why is she cleaning after hours?” I bark.
“I don’t know, why don’t you ring her and ask.”
“You are beginning to piss me off, Philippe.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll call you when she’s home safe.”
I hang up and walk to the staircase and then back to the door.
Is she alright?
ALORA
ONE WEEK LATER.
I click through and type into Google:
Best beach holiday destinations
I’ve made an executive decision, I’m going on a vacation all by myself. Where I can lie in the sun, drink margaritas, and have daily massages. Somewhere that I can lick my wounds and get myself together in private, away from his guards.
For a while there having his guards still loitering around gave me hope, I mean if he cared enough to have me watched over then maybe he was coming back.
But as the days go by I realize this isn’t about coming back, this is about control.
Him knowing where I am at all times, and I’m sorry, Mr. Prescott, but I’ve had enough.
Screw. You.
The crying, heartbroken and wimpy version of Alora has morphed into the angry and mean version of Alora. And I like her a lot better.
Even if Edward came back now begging on his knees for forgiveness, I wouldn’t take him back. No way in hell, that chapter has closed for good. He had his chance and he blew it.
Asshole.
EDWARD
“Good morning, I’m Alora from Sorenson Antiques,” she says, my heart constricts at the sight of her smile, I feel it all the way to the pit of my stomach. Her hair is down and she’s wearing a fitted cream dress.
Always so effortlessly beautiful.
I don’t know why I keep putting myself through this by watching her morning videos, all it does is screw up my entire day. She’s clearly composed, happy, and carefree. While I’m over here dying a slow and painful death.
“Today we have a beautiful chest that I want to show you.” She runs her hand over the chest. “It’s early seventeen hundreds and would have been used as a blanket or storage box.
” The camera angle circles the chest. “Perfect for hiding useless things.” She opens the lid.
“Perhaps even spineless cowards and their pathetic letters.” She slams the door shut.
“Just joking, those things belong in the trash with all the other nasty things.”
Adrenaline surges, even when not addressing me directly she still has a way of pissing me off.
“And these marble lamps are beautiful.” She picks one up and pretends to swing it. “Excellent for knocking people out.”
I click out of my phone in disgust.
I won’t be watching these stupid videos again…who am I kidding, until tomorrow when her next one comes out.
The club is loud, the drinks are strong. My mind…distracted.
It’s been two weeks since I last saw Alora, although she’s haunted my every thought. Starred in my every dream.
Beautiful women are sauntering past, circling like vultures…. And yet all I can think about is her.
I’ve got it bad…really bad.
My friends are laughing and chatting, having a great night. And me, I think I’m having a midlife crisis. Perhaps even an existential crisis.
A big one.
I drag my hand through my hair, annoyed with myself.
Get the fuck over it.
She’s just another woman and this feeling will pass. From the depths of my dark soul a little voice whispers:
What if doesn’t?
I slam another shot back and slosh it around in my mouth, I feel it burn all the way down. I lick my lips and take another off the tray.
I’ll do anything to numb this feeling.
Mikaela saunters over, she’s wearing a silver minidress and has legs up to her ears. She straddles my leg and bends down to whisper in my ear, “I need to be fucked.” Her teeth graze my ear and my cock twitches with approval. “And only your cock will do.”
Hmmm….
Perhaps a good hard fuck with someone else is all it would take.
It would be so easy to lose myself in someone for a while.
But then…. The thought of having another woman doesn’t interest me in the slightest.
I only want her.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I pull my ear away from her mouth. “Not tonight.” I wave her away and glance at my watch. It’s only 1 a.m.
Screw this.
I need to go home.
PHILIPPE
“Good morning, Philippe.” Alora smiles as she walks out of her house.
“Good morning, Miss Sorenson.” I open the car door for her, she slides into the back seat and I walk around and get in behind the wheel.
“If you could please give me a lift to work and then I won’t be needing your services any longer.”
“Ah….” My eyes meet hers in the rearview mirror. “I’m here for your safety, Miss Sorenson.” I pull out from the curb and onto the road.
“I’m not in any danger, Philippe.”
“But you had a tracker in your handbag, remember?”
“Did I, though?” She narrows her eyes. “Or did Edward plant that in my bag so that he would have an excuse to have you follow me around?”
Stefan and I exchange glances.
“Edward and I are no longer together and he has you following me so that he can keep track of me.” She looks out the window as she talks, seemingly detached.
That’s why he’s been a lunatic lately.
“You broke it off with him?” I frown.
“No. He broke it off with me, so you can understand how infuriating it is that he still has you trailing me everywhere I go. I am not his possession and I won’t be treated as such.”
“Ahh.” I’m unsure how to answer.
“Today will be your last day with me.”
“I’ll have to check with Mr. Prescott.”
“There is nothing to check, Philippe,” she fires back. “If you follow me tomorrow I am calling the police and having you charged with stalking. What he is doing is illegal and I will no longer stand for it.”
“Yes, Miss Sorenson.” I nod. “I’ll let him know.”
“Thank you.”
“Just call him and get it over with.” Stefan lights a cigarette as we lean up against the car.
I give a subtle shake of my head, why do I get all the good jobs? I dial his number.
“Yes,” Edward answers.
“Miss Sorenson has let us know that this will be our last day with her.”
“No.”
“She said she’s calling the police if we turn up tomorrow.”
“So let her call the fucking police,” he snaps. “Somebody is tracking her.”
“She thinks that you put the tracker in her bag.”
“Why the fuck would I put a tracker in her bag?”
“To control her.”
“Stop insulting my intelligence. Stay. With. Her.”
“I don’t want to get arrested.”
“The police are on my fucking payroll,” he fires back. “Who the hell is going to arrest you?”
“She said you broke up with her.”
“That is none of your business and your high horse is a fucking donkey. Do your job and do not let her out of your sight.”
Click…. The phone goes dead.
Stefan raises an eyebrow. “Well?”
“We stay.”
ALORA
With my garage door down and hidden from the world I put my suitcase into the trunk of my car.
Today’s the day, and I’m not telling anyone but Helene where I’m headed.
I’m going to pick her up and she’s going to bring an empty suitcase with her and then she’s going to drop me at the airport under the guise I am taking her there.
Just as I suspected, the guards have turned up this morning, and our only goal is to outrun them.
I do a last check of my place, water my plants and grab my purse.
It’s vacation time.
I start my car and the garage door slowly goes up, they’re both leaning up against the car chatting away and I floor it and drive right past them. I glance into the rearview mirror to see them scrambling and I put my foot on the gas.
I giggle, proud of myself.
Catch me if you can.