FALLING FOR VENGEANCE

5

Bitter regret.......

Samantha lay on the table, the cool air a contrast to the heat steaming in her body. The silence before the storm, she thought, gazing down. She stared longingly at the thick strands of black hair resting on her chest, her itching fingers unable to control themselves. She reached down, brushing and threading her fingers through his hair. Sighing unconsciously, she hummed a lullaby. This felt perfect, but soon she would have to return to reality. Here, she could pretend that she and Gabriel were lost lovers reuniting after many years, their love still burning hot, and even time could not dim their flames of love.

But alas, she knew the truth—Gabriel hated her; he had promised her and her father revenge; he had fathered a child he knew nothing about; she had betrayed his love. Life was complicated. They say time could heal all wounds, but even fifteen years later, time could not heal this—the lies she told, the betrayal, her father’s deceit. It was a disaster.

While lost in thought, she felt Gabriel stir, trying to lift his head from her chest. Just a little longer, please, she whined. Gabriel lay still. Samantha, unable to help herself, nuzzled his hair, breathing in his scent, trying to memorize it. After all these years, he never changed his scent—a bottle of his pomegranate hair wash still lay secretly tucked in her vanity. When she felt lonely, she sniffed it. She was obsessed. Smelling from the bottle cooled her nerves, but smelling it on him gave her peace, like everything was okay. But just as they say, all good things must come to an end.

Gabriel stood up, lifting his head from her neck. He made his way into the connecting bathroom. The silent click of the door signaled the end of their tender moment. Samantha lay mourning the loss of his warmth, but no matter what, even if she loved him, no matter how much she did, she must protect the livelihood of the employees. These people depended on her, and she could not let them down.

Just like yesterday, she remembered the look of panic on their faces when they learned the company was sold and Vale's Co would cease to exist. All her life, her father told her she was selfish, that she always chose herself, and now she had to prove him wrong. She was not going to take the easy way out; she was going to fight for them, even if they all blamed her for the ruin of the company.

Her heart set, she slowly came off the table, the mixed juices dripping down. Sighing, she saw her underwear hanging on the cabinet, looking like a centerpiece. Mortified, she reached for it, using it to wipe the sticky fluid between her legs. Deep in thought, brewing on how to approach Gabriel about the employee issue, she heard the toilet flushing. That was fast, she muttered. It’s showtime.

Gabriel looked at his face in the mirror. Even after fifteen years, he still fell for her—her smell, her touch, the way her thighs held him. He frowned. This is all a distraction. Even if she smelled and felt like home, time would never heal his aching heart. He would never fall for her schemes again.

Resolve in place, he opened the door, stepping into the office.

"Your sorry excuse for a distraction, although appealing, is not needed. Now, let’s talk about these so-called employees you care so much about," Gabriel said, sitting down. He gestured for Samantha to sit across from him, fingers crossed, leaning back. He looked like a predator resting after a nice meal.

Samantha felt ashamed. In just a few words, he had successfully belittled everything they shared. He had humiliated her, his words so sharp they could pierce her over and over again. But she could not complain; she had this coming. Even being arrogant, he looked handsome. She sighed.

"I haven’t got all day, so speak," Gabriel said, his voice bringing her wandering mind back to the present.

"Umm, Gabriel… they are good people. Please don’t let your anger towards me and my father make you ruin innocent people’s lives. I promise I can help you sort out the good ones," she said, her voice surprisingly calm compared to the storm brewing within her.

Gabriel sat, looking at her, watching her talk, and his member moved, hardening again in just a short while. This was unlike him—the urge to take her again, aching for her. He stood up, silencing whatever protest she had been saying. Turning his back to her, he made his way to the door, his hand on the handle. He stopped, calling out over his shoulder, "I need the file of every employee tomorrow morning on my desk by 9:00 a.m., or else consider you and every other person fired."

Opening the door, he made his way out, his feet eating up the distance to his car. Philip stood back, seeing his friend making his way out. He quickly hurried, following him. "Can’t seem to catch a break with him today," he muttered.