16. Discovered
937 Words
Jared cursed a lot while he was typing in the laptop. I didn’t know what he was seeing, but sure as hell he wasn’t liking it one bit. Once or twice he called up Liam. I couldn’t help but noticed that he only did that when Alexander wasn’t around. I imagined they had uncovered more photos from my past that I’d rather keep hidden and they were trying to hide them from their friend.
"This guy was almost ten years your senior, how in hell did he manage to marry you at such young age?"
"My father granted us permission. I was pregnant, remember? There was no greater shame to him than a pregnant single daughter..."
"Still…"
Suddenly I realized Sam was missing. Neither one of them had mentioned their friend but these guys were close… so where was he?
Alexander was by my side, and his hand never left mine. After his cathartic outburst, he went silent for a while, his eyes closed when he was sat with his head down. He got up, paced for a while and then sat again. His friends eyed him but didn't utter a word. It seemed it was his move, whatever it was. They were eyeing him warily, He seemed lost in thought when he suddenly got up and dragged me to the porch, closing the door behind me. Then he turned around and said bluntly:
"I’m sorry."
"Alexander…"
"I’m sorry for what I said. I’m not sorry for wanting a life with you. I’m not sorry for wanting to make you legally mine. But I’m sorry I left my own rage came between us. I’m sorry that my hurt feelings didn’t allow me to see what you had suffered. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be the man you needed when you needed. I’m sorry that I had to see those goddamn photos to realize what an i***t I was."
"Alexander…"
"Will you let me finish? I’m sorry and I want to start over. You had a shitty family and a shitty luck, but here, with me, you have all that. Family, friends… eck, if I step down, any of those guys will want to step in my shoes. Jared is on the verge of killing somebody on your behalf. And so am I. will you please forgive me?"
He was staring at me with those bright eyes so full of love, of hope… how could I say no? I loved him with everyting I had, however little it was, and the fact that this gorgeous man wanted me… it was out of this world. I purposedly ignored his comments about his friens wanting to replace him on his shoes; didn't know how truthfull his words were, and i didn't want to find out.
My answer was simple.
"I love you."
He kissed me. A carnal kiss, but with promises within. Promises of a new life together Finally, his touch again, his lips on mine, him towering upon me. I felt at home in his arms and I finally understood Mary.
Someone coughed behind us and we splitted.
"This better be good."
Alexander’s growl did nothing to phase Liam’s calm face. He seemed on edge, but why I couldn’t tell. And so he asked matter-of-factly:
"How exactly did you fake your death?"
"I threw my car over a cliff."
"You’re kidding."
"No, I had faked a headache. Since I have so many, he didn’t think nothing of it. He wanted me to go to the hairdresser since we had a party that night, or whatever it was at one of his client’s house, and I tried to back off. Said I was seeing little pointy dots. He slapped me, said it was all a lie and made me go… as I knew he would. His house is near a cliff, with lots of edges and curvy roads. So I just drove. Kept my foot on the pedal until the last second and jumped. I had hidden a bike in the nearby bushes with a bag with some clothes on it and a wallet with whatever money I could get my hands on, so I went to the nearest bus station. Hopped on the first bus out of there I could find, paid the ticket in cash and changed bus a few times."
"You could’ve died!"
"I was already dead inside, Alexander. I couldn’t go on like this for the rest of my life. I had already landed in the hospital a few times. One day I might run out of luck. Between dying at his hands or in my own terms, I choose myself."
I felt his arms around me, trembling… or maybe it was I who was trembling… either way, we took confort in each other’s company.
"He found your car."
Jared’s succinct voice made me open my eyes.
"What?"
"He found your car. With no body in it. He launched a campaign to bring your body home. He wants to bury you properly, it’s in all the newspapers."
"When was that?"
"I left him five months ago. I’ve been leaving on my own since then."
"I think he is on her trail, guys."
Jared’s voice was tense. It took everything I had not to faint in front of them.
"What?"
Jared turned the laptop’s screen to me. The headlines of the local newspaper said that Dr Thomas Whitehall is retreating to Paradise Mountains to heal his grief.
I believe I would have fallen to the ground had it not been Alex's arms around me.
- Writer
