Love Reborn: A Tale Of Redemption

The huge glass doors of Adrian Calloway’s penthouse let in a breathtaking view of New York that many people would kill to own. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows and looking out at the city skyline at the rainfall outside, turning the concrete jungle into a dazzling symphony as raindrops slid down the glass, distorting the view like an impressionist painting. Twinkling and sparkling are the overhead city lights, reflecting on the wet pavement and creating a dazzling display of color and light. The streets are mostly empty, except for occasional taxis that splash through puddles, their headlights casting a shiny glow. The sound of the raindrops pattering against the window was calming, a constant drumbeat that drowned out other other sounds in the vicinity. Adrian didn't see nor admire the view now though. The amber whiskey in the crystal tumbler he was holding sloshed perilously near the rim as his knuckles clenched tightly around it. He held several glossy photos in his other hand, gripping them as he took another look at them. Each of them was more damning than the previous. There she was! He had thought that Elena Vasquez would be his future. The woman he intended to wed and spend the rest of his life with. But now? All she was, was a lie. A bloody liar. He continued staring at the photographs with narrowed eyes, his chest heaving with sadness and the weight of betrayal, his breath coming in short, heavy gasps. His beloved fiancee, Elena Vasquez, was wrapped in the arms of another man, her sensuous red lips barely inches from his, her long, delicate fingers gripping the lapels of his suit loosely. What was worse? Adrian knew the man. He recognized him at once! How could he not? It was Caleb Frost, after all, his fiercest competitor in business. His blood ran cold. With the unmistakable click of heels on marble, the penthouse doors opened, dragging him out of his rage. That sound was familiar to him. He understood the cadence of the movements that accompanied it. Elena. She smiled sweetly as usual as she walked in, her coat was a bit soaked from the rain outside, and raindrops rattled off her hair. His Elena. Or the woman he believed to know so well but has proven otherwise from the photos he had just seen. "Adrian love," she called as she approached him, swinging her hips from side to side. Her voice was full of enthusiasm, utterly oblivious to the situation at hand and the tempest she had just walked into. "I've been trying to call you baby. I wanted to share something with you. It's—” With a loud laugh that startled Elena and didn't reach Damien's eyes, he interrupted her. “Oh, I'm sure you do." The way he stopped laughing abruptly warned Elena that something was amiss. " Her forehead wrinkled with worry. "Is something wrong? What's the matter with you?" Adrian remained silent. Rather, he flung numerous pictures onto the sleek black coffee table that separated them; the pictures spread out like a cruel deck of cards in a game. She looked down at it and the color drained from her face. She was surprised to see herself in such a compromising position with another man. She gave a quiet exclamation as she looked up. "What the devil is this?" Adrian stepped forward slowly and purposefully, approaching her in an intimidating manner, his massive body looming over her. But his voice was deadly calm as he said, "That's my question, Elena. What the devil is this?" She felt her hands become heavy and shaky as she blinked severally before picking up a photograph from the pile. "I don't—" Her dark eyes flickered with surprise as she glanced up at him. "I promise, Adrian, I don't-–this isn't—" He lost his cool. "You dare not tell me lies! Damn it!" He picked up the tumbler of alcohol he had dropped earlier in a quick, swift motion and hurled it across the room angrily. The loud screech sliced through the air as the crystal broke against the wall. Elena winced. "Hell, I trusted you! I gave you everything….access to my life, my bed, my f*****g heart! But you were f*****g him the entire time?” She flinched, although he had hit her. "No, I wouldn't—" "Save it, why don't you! I should've known about you," he said in a harsh voice that was tinged with something far more frightening than fury. “You did a great job playing the innocent girl. The loyal, kind girlfriend while two-timing with Frost behind my back. My f*****g adversary.” Her vision became blurred, and her eyes filled with unshed tears, but she refused to back down. She said with a weak voice, "I'm not sure what this is, Adrian, but it's not real. I'm being set up by someone!” He shoved a hand through his dark hair and scoffed. "Yeah, right? Because you were mysteriously captured on camera around another man.” She stepped closer and frantically shook her head. “Please Adrian, at least listen to me. This is not as it appears. I love you. Just you.” His jaw tightened. Love. She said it so effortlessly. He did not understand how she could easily tell. He stated icily, "I want you out. Out of here. And out of my life." Elena's lips parted as she froze. "What?" "You heard me. Leave now.” He stated with a tone of finality. Her fingertips brushed his wrist as she reached for him. "Don't do this, Adrian. Please.” As though pricked with something sharp he yanked his hand away furiously. "Don't touch me!" His tone was piercing and decisive. "I don't want to see you ever again." Her cheeks were now wet with tears. "You can't mean that Adrian." "Yes, I do." He turned and picked up his phone, typing a short message. The door opened a few seconds later, and two of his security guards entered, their faces grim as they awaited orders. Elena gasped for air. "No—please, Adrian—" Adrian ordered, "Escort Miss Vasquez out of my building," as if she were a stranger caught trespassing. "And ensure that she doesn't take anything that isn't hers." He didn't take his eyes off her, even if the treachery in her eyes was like a knife gnawing at his stomach. The guards paused. "Sir—" "Now!" One of the guards stepped forward and took Elena's arm gently. She gave a start. "Get your hands off me." There was a sliver of rebellion in her faltering, gentle voice. One final time, she looked at Adrian's face and pleaded for something, anything, to let her know that this was just a nightmare. However, she only saw and felt the cold in his demeanor. She let out a quiet sour chuckle. "I understand." She dabbed at a tear. "So, this is it? This is who you are? You don't even give me a chance to explain when someone whispers in your ear?” The room was silent as no one spoke. Adrian simply looked away as if he couldn't be the one she was referring to. Elena nodded to herself and let out a shaky exhale. "Goodbye, Adrian." Her mild perfume lingered as she passed him, a painful reminder of what he had just lost. The guards followed her to the door and in a matter of seconds, she was gone. Adrian stood still, his chest heaving, as he heard the faint click of the elevator doors shutting and the sound of her footsteps rescinding. He balled his hands into fists. This was a good thing. She had fooled him by playing him. He shouldn't fall for her little emotional blackmail. He refused to spend any more time lamenting a lie. However, something gnawed at the edges of his anger as he stared at the broken glass on the floor. Something he didn't want to pay attention to. A murmur in his head. What if, just what if she was speaking the truth? What if the greatest thing that ever happened to him had simply been tossed away? But it was too late. Elena had left. Also, he had ensured she would never come back. Elena felt the first waves of nausea strike her as she stepped out into the chilly night with her arms wrapped around her. Not only did the cold make her body tremble, but the secret she had intended to share with Adrian tonight also did. She put her hand to her abdomen. A hint of insight. She was expecting a child. She balled her fingers into fists. And Adrian Calloway, the supposed father of her unborn child would never know about it.