Chapter 2 #2
She wrapped her hands around the warm mug, drawing comfort from the steam rising gently toward her face.
For a moment, she let herself breathe in the quiet, allowing the solitude to settle her nerves.
Outside, the world was slowing down, shadows stretching and deepening as night crept in, promising rest and, with enough time, healing.
But she could not stop the pain from surfacing. Her tidy ordered life had been upended. The man she had looked up to, admired for his strong moral principles and work ethics had failed her.
Sylvan Copeland had been nothing but a common criminal.
All the while he had been pretending that he was this upstanding citizen, going to church and participating in various activities, he had been skimming from the pot.
The lavish lifestyle had been at other people's expense.
Greed had fueled his desire. He had always gone on about hard work, when all the time he had been using foul means to maintain his lifestyle.
The humiliation was there, fighting with the pain.
During the trial, he had insisted on being innocent, protested that people were after him because of how successful he was.
She had wanted to believe him. Her mother had railed at the injustice and the fact that people were jealous and that was why this was happening to them.
Taking a sip of tea, Aria savored the warmth coursing through her stomach. And displacing the chill that had suddenly seeped into her body. She would get better. She was going to use this time to try and heal.
Yet, even as she sat alone in the quiet kitchen, Aria couldn't help but wonder what her future might look like now.
The uncertainty was daunting, but she sensed a flicker of hope growing within her.
A belief that, somewhere down the line, she could reclaim her sense of purpose.
Maybe this secluded cottage, with its gentle comforts and tranquil views, would be the place to start over and rediscover who she was beyond the pain.
She chose the larger of the two bedrooms and was delighted to discover that it boasted a big fireplace and a window seat, strewn with plump cushions.
Wood chips were already stacked. Turning a circle, she took in the chintz furnishing, the rose and lime green curtains at the double windows and the colorful rug at the foot of the queen-sized bed.
Marching over to the mantle, she picked up the box of matches and lit the kindling. Very soon the room was enveloped in a cozy warmth that wrapped around her. Dumping her suitcases inside the walk-through closet, she opened the small case and took out her toiletries.
Stacking everything in her arms, she went into the bathroom.
Letting out a squeal of surprise, she dropped everything on top of the wide counter and simply stood there admiring the claw footed bath.
Deciding that she was going to take advantage of it, she turned the old-fashioned knob and went to get her bath salts.
A soak in the tub will help her sleep longer.
She moved through the dim hallway, her footsteps muffled on the worn floorboards, and paused to look at her reflection in the bathroom mirror.
The face staring back was etched with pain, the eyes shadowed with exhaustion and grief, but there was a quiet determination there, too.
She resolved to take things one day at a time, trusting that each small act of self-care would help rebuild what had been broken.
She would take her bath and go to sleep. Hopefully, it will be a dreamless one.
*****
Kenneth considered himself to be a patient man. He also considered himself to be a man of principle, one who had never allowed his exalted position to make him think himself better than his fellow human being. He had been born with wealth and good looks. As well as more than average intelligence.
He did not use women. He loved them. They fascinated him. The differences in their shapes and the way their brains worked. It was all so interesting.
He also did not believe in being unfaithful. He was thirty-five years old and still unmarried. That was not something he had envisaged for himself. By now, he should have been settled with a wife and a couple of kids. It did not matter to him the sex. As long as they were healthy, he did not care.
But he had one fast rule. He was not going to get married until he had been swept off his feet.
He had to be in love. If he was going to commit himself to another human being for the rest of his life, it would have to be for love.
Not just attraction or some weak emotion, but something strong and passionate and durable.
So far, he had yet to find the 'one'. He loved women and had been with more than his fair share over the years. He was a Tierney and the men in his family had a very healthy sex life. Besides which, women gravitated to them like bees drawn to pollen.
His father and uncle were still sowing their wild oats.
After his mother had died from a stroke ten years ago, Kingsley Tierney had given up the idea of taking another in marriage.
Once was enough. His brother, Kevin had never considered the idea at all.
He was enjoying his bachelorhood. Why commit to one woman when there were dozens vying for his attention?
Kenneth was different, or so he liked to tell himself. He wanted a wife and really, as the heir to the Tierney fortune, it was his responsibility to produce the next generation. But he was not going to settle for anything less than love. And he would know it when he sees it.
With that in mind, he decided he had to end his current relationship. While Aria settled in for the night, Kenneth was preparing his parting speech. He was at the club. And after a long and bumpy flight across the Atlantic, he was not prepared for any drama.
He was sure Merva would understand. She was a reasonable enough woman, and they had both entered the relationship with their eyes wide open. He had explained to her that there was no spark. Because of that, there could be nothing long term.
The passion was there of course, and they had enjoyed a good six month run of being with each other. He had enhanced her acting career and funded a docuseries she had been bent on doing. He had been a more than generous lover.
Women were expensive and he understood that. It takes a hell of a lot of effort and expense to keep them looking attractive. He was not one to skimp on gifts and while he was with someone, he lavished them with attention and gifts.
But now the relationship was at an end. He had bought back an exquisite diamond and sapphire bracelet he had picked up during his travels. A fitting end to a memorable relationship. Dinner first (After all, he was a civilized man!) and then conversation.
He would explain to her that it was no use stretching it out further.
The relationship had ran its course. Time to move on before things got unpleasant.
Striding into the small intimate dining room overlooking the balcony on the east side of the club, Kenneth Tierney cut a striking figure, which had heads turning.
He was well over six feet, with broad shoulders, narrow hips and an arresting face.
His sable brown hair was precisely cut, the thick strands shiny and healthy under the recessed lights from the concave ceiling.
But it was his emerald, green eyes, a legacy from his Irish grandmother that gained him a second look.
Stepping onto the balcony, he paused to admire the light from the full moon shimmering on the Caribbean blue water of the pool, just beneath the balcony.
Smiling at the sounds of laughter and splashing from the occupants, he selected a seat away from all that.
One to the corner that would afford them some privacy.
He was not expecting a scene, really that was not something he was imagining, but he wanted a bit of isolation, not for him, but for the woman he was about to tell goodbye. He could always suggest they remain friends and was hoping she was open to it.
He had barely sat when she glided through the double glass doors, looking stunning in basic black. Her chin length sleek black hair was immaculately styled. Her skin was rosy and healthy, bright blue eyes sparkling.
Pushing back his chair, he walked forward and took her delicate hands in his, enveloping them and squeezing lightly.
"You look lovely as usual." Bending forward, he brushed his lips on her cheeks before taking her lips in a light kiss. He allowed regret to simmer through him and then just as quickly let it go. She wasn't the one and that's that.
"You're going to give me some bad news." Her ruby coated lips pouted as he slid the chair out for her.
"Why don't we have our meal first?" His deep voice was smooth and charming as always.
Her pout eased into a smile. One could not help it, not with a man like Kenneth. He oozed charm and courtesy and made everything looked normal. She knew it was the end of the road for them and while she had not fallen in love with him, she might have.
If her career had not meant everything to her, she would have continued to pursue him. But she was not one for hearth and home and he was. She respected his wishes. He wanted a family. Even the thought of spoiling her figure to bear children was too horrifying to even contemplate.
"Why don't you choose for me?" Leaning against the solid oak table with the snowy white tablecloth, she gazed at him beneath her lashes. It might be the end, but that did not mean they could not tangle one last time.
"The buttered lobster sounds delicious." With an easy smile, he relaxed, the tension draining. Merva was too smart and dignified to make a scene. He could see in her eyes that she suspected what was going to happen and was fine with it.
"Then that's what I'll have."
"Great." He only had to nod to get the waiter hovering to come forward. Giving the order in an authoritative yet respectful voice, he sent the man on his way.
"I have a gift for you."
Her eyes brightened. "I hope it's going to make up for the fact that you're dumping me." She said teasingly.
"I prefer to use the term, mutually agreed upon parting." He handed her the bag, smiling at her gasp of pleasure.