TEMPORARY CRUELTY

temporary cruelty 4

“It won’t take too much of your time and it will be fun, I will make it fun.” George smiled.

Morgan imagined working in a place where she didn’t have to face Eric and his critique and didn’t think it was possible. Ever since she signed a contract with Bradford modeling agency Eric had controlled where she worked. How would Eric feel to find out that she had potential to work outside Bradford modeling agency? He probably wouldn’t care; he had too many models in the company to bother with her.

“I will do it.” She replied reluctantly.

“Let’s drink to working together.” George lifted his bottle of beer and the two lifted their wine glasses.

Morgan couldn’t understand why she felt so apprehensive about making a positive change in her life; she had always worked for the Bradfords and there had been no need to work for anyone else even if so many people asked to work with her. She had trusted Allen to manage her career but now it seemed she had to look out for herself.

Morgan felt so exhausted from thinking and the wine she had taken most of the afternoon was making her lightheaded. As usual Fred made her drink all afternoon until dusk.

She finally decided to go home at 8pm before she got too drunk. When the three of them where outside the restaurant, She hugged Fred and then George and entered her car. She felt dizzy as she drove but she managed to drive her old jeep back to the condo.

When she passed through the sitting room she was not prepared for what she found. Eric was drinking his whisky with a contemplative expression on his face.

“Good evening.” She said walking away.

“I was waiting for you, we need to talk.” Eric said.

“If it’s about this morning, I am sorry; I shouldn’t have been in your room.”

“No, it’s not about this morning.” Eric moved closer to her. “You have been drinking.”

“Yes I have been drinking, from the look of things you too have been drinking.” Morgan laughed.

“I have been thinking…” Eric hesitated.

“You are always thinking Eric.” Morgan said moving closer to him. Her eyes found his lips and all she wanted was to kiss him and forget everything.

“I want you to come with me to Los Angeles; I have to take some photo shoots of some celebrities.” Eric went on.

“What would I do? I quit being your assistant years ago.”

“You and I know something is going on between us. We need to find out what it is before it drives us crazy.” Eric said desperately.

“How would coming with you change anything?” Her heart sung at the knowledge that Eric was attracted to her too. He hadn’t said so but she knew that was what he meant.

“We could spend some time together and find out what this is between us.”

“Spend Time together just the two of us?” Morgan asked expectantly.

“Yes.” He whispered.

“When are we leaving?”

“We leave tomorrow at noon.”

“Alright.”

There was a brief moment of silence.

“Sleep well, Morgan.” Eric said and walked away.

Morgan wished he had kissed her but it was enough knowing that he was willing to spend time with her away from the company.

Morgan couldn’t sleep, she spend the whole night thinking about Eric and wondering how it would be spending time with him. She wished she could make him smile because he never smiled and for the first time in her life she craved intimacy with a man.

The next day seemed to move slowly for Morgan. She hadn’t slept much and she spent most of the morning sitting on the bed with her suit case at her feet.

When the door to her room opened she got up hurriedly. It was Eric at the door.

“Are you ready?” He asked in his usual detached manner.

“Yes.” She could never get used to his arrogance.

He walked in and surprised her by carrying her small suitcase. “Let’s go.” He walked out of the room and she followed him quietly.

On the plane Eric worked on his laptop and he seemed to be engrossed in his work. Morgan found herself admiring his gorgeous face and smiling. She was looking forward to seeing him relax. She wanted to show him that life could be pleasant and to make him realize that there was more to life than contracts.

Eric looked away from the laptop and caught her staring at him, she looked away shyly.

“What is it?” He closed his laptop.

“I…” She hesitated.

“I guess this is another one of your mysteries I have to figure out.” He said signaling to the hostess to come to him.

“What do you mean mysteries?” Morgan didn’t understand his remark.

“What can I get for you sir?” The pretty hostess asked.

“Whisky… Two glasses.”

When the hostess was gone Eric looked at the confused Morgan and chuckled.

“What is it?” She snapped.

He was behaving like the old Eric; she couldn’t believe she was foolish enough to think he could ever change. He enjoyed tormenting her.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“I am not laughing.”

The hostess came back with two glasses of whisky.

“Here Morgan, you look tense.”

Morgan got the glass without a word.

The rest of the flight was spent in uncomfortable silence. Morgan was relieved when they landed at 6 p.m. On their way to the hotel she wondered what mess she had got herself into. It wasn’t the trip she had envisioned; Eric was more distant than ever.

They were dropped off at the Hilton hotel, something Morgan had already guessed would happen. Eric liked the very best of everything; it was a wonder why he never seemed to enjoy anything.

Her room was close to his and when she was alone in the room she fell on the bed and closed her eyes. A few minutes later she fell asleep. She was tired from the flight and thinking too much.

“Morgan.” she heard Eric’s voice in her sleep. She opened her eyes and saw Eric standing at the window watching her carefully.

“You slept like you were dead. Its morning, I have to work. I thought you would like to come with me.” Eric said.

“I…” Morgan murmured getting up from the bed.

“I will wait for you downstairs in the restaurant; I will order your breakfast.” And he left.

Morgan stood in the room for a while before going into the bathroom. It seemed she didn’t know herself anymore.

Eric was eating his breakfast when Morgan joined him in the elegant restaurant.

“You look tense; I thought this was supposed to be a fun trip.” Eric commented.

“The fun hasn’t begun.” Morgan muttered.

“We can tour after my work; I will only take three hours.”

The studio was packed with busy people, each doing different things. Among them were makeup artists, hair stylists, directors, producers and the whole lot.

Morgan sat on the sofa a few feet behind Eric and watched him prepare his equipment. He removed his jacket and walked back to give it to her. She could never get past the fact that he wore suits every time; she thought they made him appear standoffish and boring but she received the jacket with a smile.

Nina Lopez, a beautiful and famous musician walked in wearing a bikini. She walked straight to Eric and kissed him on the lips.

Morgan felt her heart knock hard against her chest. she managed to sit still and watched another woman kiss Eric. She tried to tell herself that it meant nothing but she was so angry with Eric for allowing it.

“Eric, darling you are more handsome than ever.” Nina said.

“You are still a charmer.” Eric laughed.

So they had known each other for a long time. Morgan wondered if she was one of his secret lovers because she knew Eric’s love life was enigmatic. In the years she had known him she had never seen him with a girlfriend, expert Liz who he denied being involved with. Even Allen confirmed that Liz was just his friend and that they had been close friends since they were children.

Morgan watched as Eric took pictures of the musician in different outfits.

“Can I get you something to drink?” The coffee boy asked.

He was a black boy of about eighteen or nineteen years old; Morgan had watched him moving around the room serving different kinds of drinks with enthusiasm. He reminded her of the times when she first begun working for Eric, she had enjoyed meeting famous people and travelling to different places.

“No.” she muttered.

Nina walked away from the set and stood next to Eric. Morgan saw her whisper something in Eric’s ear and she saw him smile. She couldn’t stand it anymore. It was obvious to her that Eric had invited her on that trip to torment her and to make her realize that there could be nothing between them.

She got up quickly and walked out of the room. She fought back tears as she thought of a way out of that place. She looked around for the car that had taken them there but there was nothing.

“Are you okay?” She heard a familiar voice.

She turned and found the coffee boy looking at her with warmth. He seemed smitten with her.

“I need a ride to my hotel.” Morgan said.

“I can give you one, my car is there.” The boy pointed at an old truck.

“Thank you.” Morgan said following him to the car.

She needed to leave that place and that city.

In the car she stared out of the window in deep thought, watching the beautiful old buildings and the overly dressed people that seemed to be in their own worlds. She hadn’t been in Los Angles many times but the times that she had visited with Allen had been wonderful, they loved driving by celebrities homes and taking pictures. Allen was obsessed with movie stars and their life styles.

Morgan was so caught up in her memories that she didn’t hear the boy speak.

“I am Dave.” The boy said.

“Excuse me?” Morgan looked at the bright eyed boy.

“My name is Dave.”

“I am sorry, am…”

“Morgan Keen, I know of you. Which hotel are you staying at?”

“I am sorry, am a little tired today.” She smiled. “I am staying at the Hilton.”

“He is a good guy,”

“Who?”

“Eric, what was happening in there meant nothing.”

“What do you mean?”

“I am sorry. Forget me; I always say things that don’t make sense.”

Morgan wondered if the boy knew what he was saying and if she had overreacted by leaving Eric. He kept quiet for the rest of the drive.

“We are here, mum.”

“Oh, thank you.” Morgan said removing money from her purse and handing it to Dave.

“No need, it was my pleasure driving you.” He said.

“Are you sure? It can help with gas.” She opened the door of the car and got out.

“Am sure, i hope you feel better soon.” Dave said.

“Thanks.” Morgan removed a card from her purse.

“Call me anytime you are in New York.”

The boy grabbed the card excitedly.

“Really?”

“Call me any day.” Morgan said walking away.

In her hotel room she picked up her suit case which she was relieved she hadn’t had the time to unpack. Just as

she headed for the door, it opened and Eric stood at the entrance.

“What is the meaning of this? You left without a word and I couldn’t finish my work because I had to start looking for you.” Eric snapped, walking into the room.

“Looking for me for what?” She retorted heatedly.

“What is that suitcase for?” He pointed to the suitcase in her hand.

“I am going home.” She tried to walk past him but he held her arm.

“We agreed to spend some time together.” He muttered.

“I don’t even understand why I came.” Morgan cried.

“We both understand we can’t go on avoiding what is going on between us.”

“I have to go.” She removed her arm from his grasp.

“Please stay.” His eyes were dark with emotions she couldn’t understand, he seemed desperate and annoyed.

“Stay and watch you flirt with your clients!” She shrieked.

Eric laughed.

“What is so funny?” She yelled.

“You.” He laughed.

Morgan turned quickly to leave but Eric ran to the door and stood in front of it.

“Move out of my way!” She barked holding back angry tears.

Instead Eric slowly moved close to her and as always when he was near her he took her breath away, she felt her pulse rush and when she attempted to move he held both of her arms.

“You look so beautiful when you are jealous.” He whispered moving closer to her.

Morgan just stood there watching him; she couldn’t deny her possessiveness not when she had felt so hurt seeing him kiss another woman.

“Let me go.” She muttered, knowing that if he did she would fall to the floor because he had sucked in all her strength with his touch.

“Nina means nothing to me…”

“Oh that’s why you were kissing her?”

“Nina kisses everyone, it means nothing.”

Morgan just stood there not knowing what to say. She knew a lot of artists that were very expressive and she thought that maybe she had overdramatized the situation out of jealousy.

Eric got her suitcase from her hand and walked further into the room and put it under the bed.

“Let’s have lunch.” He said walking to her.

“I am not hungry.”

“Accompany me, am very hungry.” He said holding her hand and she followed him quietly.

As they walked hand in hand Morgan felt a warm feeling in her heart, she was suddenly contented even if just a few minutes ago she had felt as if her world was crushing.

When they were in the restaurant she felt hungry and joined Eric for a meal. She hadn’t eaten that much ever since Allen died.

“How did you get to the hotel?” Eric asked cutting his steak.

“One of the workers gave me a lift.”

“What do you want to do later?”

Morgan wanted to tell him that it didn’t matter what they did as long as she was with him and he was kind to her as he was being then but she didn’t want to overwhelm him with sentimentalities.

“Anything.” She muttered.

“I know you love art; we can go to a nice gallery I know not far from here.” Eric said.

Morgan was surprised that he knew her interests but then they had worked together for more than six years.

“That sounds good.” She smiled and he just looked at her deeply.

Morgan wanted to go to him and embrace him. She wondered why he hadn’t kissed her again but she knew Eric had old fashioned notions; she supposed he wanted to make sure of his feelings for her before he took their relationship further.

After lunch they visited the small and beautiful gallery Eric had talked about. For the first time Morgan wasn’t interested in the art, all she cared about was being with Eric. She stole glances at his perfect frame and watched his face carefully. His facial muscles were relaxed and he seemed to be enjoying being with her.

“You don’t seem interested.” Eric remarked looking at her.

“No, the art is beautiful here.” She smiled.

“Which one do you like?”

She couldn’t tell him she hadn’t been paying attention. She looked around and pointed at a random painting.

“That one.” She said.

It was a painting of a woman walking with balloons in her hand.

“Then I will buy it for you.”

“It’s not necessary…”

“I want to.” Eric said holding her hand tenderly

And he bought the expensive painting. Even though Morgan didn’t particularly care for the painting she was glad he got it for her. It was the second gift she had received from him ever since they had known each other. The first gift had been on her twentieth birthday, it was a long brown dress that he designed himself and he put a note that read: just like the color of your eyes. Happy birthday. Eric. She had found the gesture strange and the words on the note

confusing but she still treasured the dress and only wore it on very special occasions.

Later that evening they dinned in the hotel. The meal was pleasant but they both seemed anxious.

“Can we take a walk before bed?” Eric asked politely.

“I am tired.” Morgan wanted to go to her room and replay all the wonderful moments she had spent with Eric.

“Me too.” Eric said getting up from the table, “let’s go.”

They walked towards their rooms silently. Morgan suddenly didn’t want to part from him; she wanted to spend the night in his arms even if it was just to hear him breathe.

When they were at her door, Eric leaned over to kiss her on her check but she moved her face and he kissed her lips instead. At first he was startled, he hesitated and then he slowly begun to kiss her lips. She responded passionately. All she wanted was to be with him, like that forever.

“Good night.” Eric said moving away from her slowly.

“Good night.” She smiled sweetly.

He waited until she got into her room before walking to his room next door.

Morgan laid on her bed smiling. Her cellphone rang and she picked it up, it was Fred. It took her seconds to answer because she didn’t know how she would explain being away with Eric.

“Hey…” she began.

“Where are you?” he interrupted.

“Los Angeles…”

“Since when do you leave town without letting me know? You are changing Morgan and for the very worst.” Fred snapped.

Fred had always been too presumptuous but he was right about her this time. She had changed. She didn’t know why she didn’t want to tell Fred about her feelings for Eric.

“How are you, darling?” she asked.

“What are you doing in L.A?”

“Some work, Eric…”

“I should have known that vampire was involved.” He retorted.

“Fred, don’t call him that, please.”

“When are you coming back?”

“I…” She hadn’t discussed with Eric how long they would stay there.

“When?”

“After two days.”

“Don’t forget the George thing; you need to spread your wings. Those damn Bradfords won’t take you to the heights you deserve to be.”

“Okay, I will call you when I come back to New York.”

“Sleep well, stranger.” Fred said.

“Good night, crazy.” She laughed.

Minutes after her phone conversation with Fred, Morgan thought about her behavior. She now understood that she didn’t tell Fred the truth because she was afraid he would tell her what she feared the most and that was that Eric would never love her. He was attracted to her then but how long could it last? She didn’t think she was strong enough to accept parting from him when he finally decided she wasn’t good enough for him.

Morgan woke up the next morning to Eric pacing around her room in distress.

“Eric,” she got up from her bed and walked to him. “What is going on?”

Eric didn’t seem to hear her. She opened the curtain and saw that it was still dark outside.

“What time is it?” she muttered walking to check on her cellphone.

Eric cleared his throat, “its four, our flight is at seven and we have to be out of here by five.” His voice was low and sad.

Morgan knew something very bad had happened for Eric to look so grief-stricken but she couldn’t guess what it was. She stood close to him and held his hand.

“Darling, what is wrong?” she whispered. Seeing him that distraught broke her heart.

Eric got her hand and walked to the bed where they both sat down.

“It’s my mother; she is back and she is very ill.” He said.

“I… I am sorry.” She embraced him.

Allen had been so sure Eric’s mother was dead. Morgan wondered what kind of mother would abandon her child for

more than thirty years. As Allen had informed her she had left Eric when he was less than one year old.

“I don’t know why she came back after all these years. I bet she couldn’t stand dying alone.” Eric muttered.

Morgan didn’t know what to say she just held him in her arms and hoped that it was enough to make him feel better. She hated the woman who was causing him pain. It was apparent to her then that he had always harbored resentment for his mother for abandoning him.

Eric stayed quiet in her arms for almost half an hour and then he got up looking as detached as ever.

“Prepare yourself; meet me in the lobby at five.” He said and walked out of the room.

Morgan sat still for a while hoping that she didn’t lose Eric because of that misfortune.

On the plane Eric sat silently looking through the window in deep thought. Morgan held on to his hand and before they landed she kissed his hand twice, just to remind him that she was there for him.

The car that picked them up from the airport took them straight to the hospital.

“Go home; there is no need for you to be here.” Eric muttered.

“I want to come with you.”

“You need to rest, you didn’t have much sleep.”

“Please, Eric.”

She begged because she knew when he made up his mind there was no reversing it. He was starting to build a wall around himself and she needed to be there to remind him that he could let her in without preservation.

“Go home.” He walked out of the car quickly.