Piece of me

After dark. Chapter 9

~~~~~~~ Hudson Pov ~~~~~~~~

I was restless after leaving Emma at her house. I was no closer to answers about Jay's demise. I'm so sure she's hiding something. She comes across as a very sincere person, but there's just something, I can't explain it. I need to find out more. I know there's more to the story. The question is, how to unravel the truth? I understand she's cautious of our social differences. But Jayden is my brother, I have a right to know if she knows anything.

I felt for sure if I was alone with her she'd be more open with me. Maybe I'm wrong. There might be nothing more to it. But I can't get that engagement ring out of my mind. Its too expensive to have been given by a local guy. & why would she just keep on wearing it after the relationship ended? She could've sold it & used the money to start a better life surely. It just doesn't add up. What can I do to gain her confidence?

Briskly I head back towards the town, heading for the nearest pub. Its been a long day & I don't feel like going home just yet.

Approaching the bar I notice a local girl serving. She's tall & slim, dressed in tight jeans & a cropped top, showing off her slender frame. I already know I could go home with her tonight if I wanted, long before any flirting even starts. She gazes at me with those hungry eyes, just like they all do. Its way too easy.

"What can I get you?"

"A large brandy will do for now love" I reply with a half smile.

"As you wish" she wets her lips, looking me up & down slightly & flipping her hair as she turns to grab my drink.

"Cheers". I neck my drink & signal for another. She obliges & I chuck the next one down too. All the while her eyes bore in to me.

"You're knocking them back a bit fast. Rough day?" she hands me my next one & takes my money.

"Not really. Just a long day. I need to unwind".

"You came to the right place. This is the most popular pub in town".

The music is loud & the place is certainly busy. Not all locals either. I recognised some of the faces, from middle class bum lickers to upper class snobs were here. It wasn't a bad looking place. I wouldn't usually come to a place like this. But I didn't feel like trying to figure out where the nearest party was tonight. I just wanted to enjoy myself.

I glance around to decide my options for the night. There are plenty of women to choose from. I can have my pick.

"Hi"

"Oh, hi"

"On your own?"

"Sort of. My friend ditched me for some guy"

"Allow me to keep you company. Can I get you a drink?" I say to the pretty red head.

"Sure, red wine please".

I buy us both another drink & encourage her to join me in a quieter corner. We sit together. The barmaid looked visibly annoyed. I like to keep my options open though.

"You're new here?" she asks.

"Yeah. I've never noticed this place before".

"Where do you normally drink?"

"Upper class parties typically". I can see the cogs in her head turning as the words escape my mouth.

"Oh, wait, you're Hudson.... Hudson Phillips. I thought you looked familiar. I'm Tessa".

"Nice to meet you Tessa. Lovely name by the way".

"Thanks. So what brings you to this part of town?"

"I had business in the area. I wasn't ready to go home... Yet. Are you local?".

"Yeah, I live just around the corner. This is where I come to let off some steam after a long week". She bats her eyelashes at me. I'm starting to grow bored with the small talk so I decide to move things along.

"Do you want to get out of here?"

"Erm yeah" she finishes her drink & I lead her by the arm in to the dimly lit, crisp night air.

"Let's go to yours since its only round the corner".

"Sure, this way".

We arrived at her door after just a couple of minutes. She invites me inside. Upon the door closing I grab her & push her up against the door, we both know what we want. She turns her head to the side, I plant kisses from her shoulder up to her neck, moving closer to her jaw as my hands grip her hips.

"Shall we have another drink" she smiles as she leads me in to her kitchen, delaying my efforts to seduce her.

"Sounds good, what's on offer?"

"I have beer, wine & vodka. Or tea & coffee if you'd prefer".

"Wine is fine if you're having some?"

"Great" she pours a generous glass of wine each for us. "Lets go through here. Leading me towards a comfortable looking living room with a large black cuddle sofa. Tessa turns on some soft background music & sets the glasses on the coffee table. She pats the seat next to her. I remove my jacket, throwing it on the nearest chair as I join her.

"Nice place".

"Thanks. Its not bad for the price".

I was exhausted with the idle conversation. I was just being polite & feigning interest. I only had one thing on my mind. These girls never peak my interest beyond the obvious advantage. I didn't really want to work that hard to get what I wanted. It wasn't worth the effort.

I sipped at the wine. It was cheap stuff, it wasn't disgusting or anything, it just left an unpleasant aftertaste. It'd do for now.

Tessa's round brown eyes held my gaze. Her deep red hair falling around her shoulders, meeting with the strap of her tight sage dress. My eyes moved to her full cranberry lips, holding them in my vision a moment before returning to her espresso peepers... My hand made its way to the back of her neck. Not caring if I tugged at her hair as I dragged her body closer. Her right arm stretched around my neck as her left arm tugged at my shirt. Her ridiculously long fake claws nipped at my skin.

My mind wandered; as Tessa pulled the dress up slightly revealing her milky thighs, she slid herself on to my lap & flipped her hair away from her face again. Her fingers heaving my shirt up, I helped her lift it over my head. Her lips planted breathy kisses across my chest. Her icy hands exploring the definition of my abs. My own hands groped at her petite round buttocks. I kicked off my shoes, while lowering my back on to the sofa. I wasn't as in the moment as I'd hoped. Sure, this girl was attractive. I just wasn't in to it as much as I wanted to be. I need to do something to keep my mind away from flicking back to her...

Taking control, I grabbed Tessa's legs to support her body as I shifted her towards the other end of the sofa. Pushing her arms up above her head I ease her dress off. Pressing my weight against her, her back meets the seat of the sofa, her head resting against the arm, my hand pins hers against the sofa as I trace kisses down her left arm. My lips find their way towards her modest breasts, my teeth delicately pinch at her erect n*****s. A moan escapes her lips.

My kisses trail down, her body shudders as my lips meet her lower abdomen. My teeth sink in to her lace knickers, tugging them downwards slowly... Her legs wriggle helping me to slide them all the way off, before settling, wrapped tightly around my torso. Tessa frees her hand to undo my pants. Before I slip out of them, I pulled a condom out of my pocket & continued removing my jeans, pushing my boxers down simultaneously.

I handed her the condom. She rips it open with her teeth. I allow the moment to take over, just enjoying the task. My senses dulled slightly by the alcohol, I close my eyes & just go along with my imagination as the pleasure coursing through my entire body takes over...

"Wha... What did you say?"

"I said huh Tessa".

"Oh Hudson. That was amazing".

We are both out of breath, panting between words. I flop backwards, drained from the event. I grab the glass of wine & neck it. I discard the condom in the kitchen bin & get dressed as Tessa adjusts herself.

"Well, this has been great. I have an early meeting tomorrow though so I need to get home".

"Oh, are you sure? You could stay & leave in the morning".

"I don't want to disturb you. I had fun though." I can't get to the door fast enough.

"Oh, ok, it was fun. Can I see you again?"

"Sure, give me your number. I'll call you".

She tears a nearby envelope & writes her number down on it. She holds it out to me, I reach for it & Tessa pulls me in to a final kiss. I let her have that much.

"Well, bye".

"Bye" she had a hopeful look in her eyes. I abruptly walk away, hurriedly putting as much distance as I can between us.

Once around the corner my pace slows. What on earth was that. I couldn't get that woman out of my head. I need to talk to her again. I just have the need for answers on my mind, that must be it. Of course, I'm not simple, I know how alluring she is. I just had her in my thoughts because we talked today. That must be it. I will get my answers.

I cut through a ginnel, crossing between shortcuts towards the street where my town house is. I run in to 4 drunken men brawling. I try to pass by, one of them grabs my shoulder. I turn & thrust his hand away.

"Hey. Wh...where do you think you're going. This, this is our street".

"I'm just trying to get home. Kindly let me past".

"Oi, lads, mr rich wants to get past. I think he should pay a toll to get through".

The four men move closer, stepping in my path & blocking the way through. I attempt to step around them but get shoved backwards.

"I said you had to pay"

"Come on, you can afford it rich boy".

Not looking for trouble I turn to go back the way I came. The men move either side of me.

"I just want to go home".

"You can either pay by choice, or by force".

They block me again.

"Pay up now". The fatter one demands. They're crowding around me now.

I pretend to get some money out, seeing the temporary look of victory slither across their faces before I throw my fist at the guy with the biggest mouth, he stumbles backwards. The other men hesitate a moment, unsure what to do, before deciding to jump me as the ring leader regains his senses & joins in the attack. The fatter one is restraining me as the others lay in to me. The ringleader takes a run at me with a sucker punch as the other one of them is still holding me up, the 3rd guy begins repeatedly striking my gut. With the wind knocked out of me I fall to the ground just for 3 sets of boots to start stomping on my body as I attempt to protect myself with my arms. The big mouthed guy egging them on all the while.

"Cheers, wasn't so hard was it". The ring leader says as he grabs my wallet. He kicks me in the head. "That's for throwing the first punch". He spits at me.

A light suddenly blares from the nearest house.

"Let's get out of here before someone sees".

"This way."

"Come on".

The men leg it down the ginnel with my money. I roll on to my side & spit the blood from my mouth. Someone approaches me. I struggle to see through the brightness with my hazy head.

"Oh my god, are you ok". A woman kneels beside me she tries to help me up, but I struggle to move through the pain. "I'll get help, just a second"

The woman rushes back in to her house & returns with her mobile.

"Which service do you require".

"Ambulance please"

"One moment".

"What's the emergency".

"I found a man beaten in the street. I think he's been mugged".

"Is he conscious?"

"Yes".

"Ok, keep him warm & talking. Where are you?"

"34 kings road. Just off the main road inbetween the houses".

"An ambulance is on the way."

"Ok. An ambulance is coming for you".

"I'm ok, I don't need".

"Yes you do, you can barely get up. These streets are notorious at this time. You should never cut through here. You're... Not from round here are you?"

"N...No. I". Everything went dark.

I awaken feeling stiff, my vision is blurred. I can hear unfamiliar noises all around me chattering & clanging. As my vision steadies I notice I'm in the hospital. I try to sit up

but a searing pain rips through my entire body, accompanied by complete disorientation.

"Don't try to get up. You've taken quite a beating".

I look across to see a dr heading my way. He proceeds to check for signs of concussion.

"I wasn't sure how long you'd be out. One of the nurses recognised you. Your father is on his way".

"I'm fine really". I struggled to focus on the light he was blaring in to my eyes & his hand gestures.

"You have concussion & some pretty nasty bruising. But you're lucky, no signs of internal bleeding or serious injury. The police will want to talk to you soon".

"When can I leave?"

"I think you should rest here for a day or two, so we can keep an eye on you. Depending on how bad the pain is too. But we'll see, you may be fit for release sooner. There's food on the way. Fill out this to let the staff know what you want. Let the nurse know if there's anyone you want us to contact or anything you need. & a nurse will be doing the rounds with some painkillers any minute now".

The dr left to continue his rounds. All I could think about was getting out of here. I didn't even have my phone. I can't remember having it with me at the pub. I'll probably never see that again. Its got pictures that mean a great deal to me on it. Of course I hadn't even thought to back them up. I usually keep good track of my belongings.

The nurse took my filled out menu form away & shortly after arrived with my dinner. I'd been unconscious for quite some time. Like the dr said though, I'm incredibly lucky to not be seriously damaged by those thugs.

My dad appeared with his assistant as I was eating. The food wasn't actually that bad. I'd chosen chicken curry with chips. & tapioca for pudding.

"Hudson, I can't believe you got jumped. How much did they get? Not much I hope".

"Just the contents of my wallet. £40 maybe & my cards".

"Jim call & cancel Hudson's cards immediately & have it tracked where they've most recently been used".

"Yes sir".

"Hudson, the news are waiting to find out what happened. Are you up to talking to them yet?"

"I should speak to the police first dad".

"Yes, of course. Are they here?"

"I think the dr has them waiting until I'm ready."

"Right. Eat up & we'll get this over with. The sooner the better. Those mindless yobs need catching".

"Yes, I'm fine by the way dad" I say whilst raising the back of the bed up so I was sat more supported. I felt woozy & weak. The food was helping a little though.

"Of course I'm worried about you. I just don't think you should be stuck in here for too long. You'd be better off in the private hospital".

"Its good enough for the locals."

"You're not a local. Private care will be much better for you".

"I honestly don't mind. I'll be out soon enough."

"If you insist. I'll talk to the dr then".

My dad left to bother the dr. As he did two police officers entered my room.

"Mr Phillips, sorry to bother you, are you ok to just answer a few questions about last night".

"Yeah its fine."

"The woman who called the ambulance didn't see much that could help. How many were there?"

"4."

"Ok, could you talk us through what happened?"

"I was leaving a lady's house. I cut through the ginnel between the streets, by kings road. These 4 men were having a bit of a scuffle until they saw me. They started demanding I pay to get through. They kept getting in my way. I turned to walk back the way I came & they surrounded me. The leader of the group repeated that I had to pay. I told him I just wanted to go home. He shoved me & I turned & punched him. Then one of them grabbed me & they all jumped me & took my wallet."

"Did they take anything else?"

"No, just my wallet. I lost my phone somewhere else last night".

"Ok, can you describe the men for me".

"One of them, the ring leader had scruffy longish dirty looking hair, down to his shoulders. With a bit of stubble. He was slim, but bulky, slightly taller than me. He had an oversized green coat on & worn blue jeans".

"Anything else?"

"It was pretty dark."

"Can you describe any of the others?"

One of them was about my height. Slightly fat. He was dressed in black jeans & a dark blue jacket. He had a shaved head & ginger beard, he's the one that grabbed me"

"Ok, did any of them say a name or anything that could help us identify them?"

"No, they just took my money then ran after a light came on & the woman came to her door."

"Can you describe the other 2?"

"No, sorry. They came at me from behind. I didn't get a proper look at them".

"Not to worry. We have enough to go on for now. Here's a crime number & reference. If you think of anything else please get in touch. We'll get back to you if we need anymore information. Take care".

"Cheers".

They left & my father returned with a reporter.

"I'm not talking to the news right now. I just told the police what happened."

"Ok, I'll talk to the reporter. We'll appeal for anyone with information to come forward".

"Great" I rolled my eyes. My father left with the reporter. Nice to know he cares. I didn't have anything to do without my phone. The tv in my room had no sound on it & of course the headphones didn't work. The only entertainment I had was thinking about how stupid I had been to walk through that part of town so late. I had just wanted to get back to my shower last night & be on my own.

Thinking of that I pressed the button for the nurse. She came in & turned off the call button.

"Everything ok".

"Yeah, could I get some towels to have a shower".

"Sure, do you have some clean things to change in to?"

"Yeah, my dad brought me a bag with a few things".

The nurse returned a few minutes later with 2 towels. "there's a stool in there so you won't have to stand if you can't manage it. Just take it easy. Pull on the cord if you need any assistance"

She helped me to the bathroom & showed me the cord, assuring I could reach it.

Once she was gone I removed the hospital gown & relaxed under the heat of the shower. The stool helped massively as I felt dizzy from the pain. Standing wasn't really an option. I scrubbed myself vigorously. I felt pretty disgusting after last night. The hot water stung my skin at first, but after a few minutes it eased & gave me some relief from my body's aches.

I was glad to return to my bed afterwards though. The nurse had left me sone painkillers & a jug of water.

Stan appeared shortly after my shower. He's my assistant. At least my dad managed to do something useful in sending him here.

"Your dad sent me to make sure you have everything you need. How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been hit by a bus. But I'll live. There is something you can do for me, I need a new phone now for something to do. I lost mine. Also I need you to track mine down if you can, maybe its at the cafe I went to yesterday".

"Ok, no problem. I'll get the new phone sorted now. I'll be right back".

Stan left for the nearest phone shop. He returned after around half an hour.

"This is the best one I could get. I hope it'll do. They don't have many to choose from in town".

"Its fine its only a temporary thing." I plugged the charger in & began setting up the phone. Its a minor inconvenience. I'm feeling impatient with the setup. Finally once its ready I start setting up the apps I use. I log in to check my f*******:. There's no notification for her accepting my friend request. All that messing about for nothing. I click on her profile, she hasn't rejected my request. She can't have been online then. Unless she's just ignoring me.

I press on her picture & show it to Stan.

"Find out everything you can about this woman. & keep it between us."

He takes the phone & looks at her picture & checks her name.

"Is there anything in particular I'm looking for?"

"I don't know yet. Just look in to her background. Give me everything you can find as soon as possible please".

"Right, I'm on it." Stan turns & leaves again. I'm left with my thoughts & the profile picture of this woman that I can't figure out. I've never been unable to figure any woman out. She's different though. She doesn't look at me like the others. If anything, she couldn't wait to get away from me. I wasn't used to that. Women fall all over themselves to get close to me. She wasn't remotely like other women. I don't think status interested her. & she didn't seem to be easily drawn in by appearances.

I could barely wait for Stan to find out everything about her. Anything she's hiding will be known to me soon enough.