What She Concealed

by Jannat Bhat

  Books by Jannat Bhat

  Love REVISITED

  Reckless Romance

  What She Concealed

  JANNAT BHAT

  Book One of Concealed Series

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.

  Any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.

  Prologue

  “…huff…huff…huff.” Eliana continued to rush. The moment the cabin crew had pulled open the door of the aircraft, she was running and out the ‘ARRIVALS’ gate. Eliana had a small handbag with her and hadn’t bothered to get any luggage because there wasn’t time. She had to get him to come back before the 48 hours deadline was up.

  “…huff…huff...huff.” She was out of breath from running so much. Though she was health-conscious and took almost daily runs in the gym or the park, she could get into better shape. But she couldn’t stop right now. At least not today. No, not that she couldn’t but she wouldn’t stop.

  Not until she had found Julian.

  Eliana rushed outside the airport and hailed a cab, hurriedly reciting the address that Ethan had given her earlier that day. The cab driver gave her a frowning glance for looking so disheveled.

  “Step on it!” She snapped. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. “Please.” She lowered the car window to get some fresh air and ease the suffocation she felt within her skin. The weather outside was dark and cloudy with the wind whipping her hair. Eliana closed her eyes and let the cold wind numb her face but it failed to numb the chaos inside.

  You might find something that would surprise you. Ethan had warned her before she left that afternoon. The Julian you know is not the one I’ve been familiar with. He seemed different with you but it looks like he’s gone back to his old ways. When Eliana asked what he meant by that, all Ethan said was ‘Be Careful.’

  Her flight had been delayed by a few hours because of the stormy weather in Greenwood and with each passing minute, her heart rate increased twofold. She knew that being anxious would not help in making things easy. But Eliana couldn’t help it. She never could have any control over herself when it came to Julian. By the time her plane landed in the city of Greenwood, it was late afternoon. And as per the address Ethan had given her, Julian’s house was about an hour away from the airport. But that wasn’t where he told her to go. Below Julian’s home address was another location mentioned. It was a hotel name and a street address, which was fairly closer compared to Julian’s home according to her GPS and also the cab driver. It wasn’t reaching Julian that would be a problem, it was convincing him to come back with her. And she had a feeling he’s put up a good fight, even if it was her who’d come to persuade him.

  “Thank you so much.” Eliana paid the driver and exiting the cab she rushed to the hotel building named Oak Avenue Square. She went up the steps that led to the entrance and passed via a revolving door. Just inside the hotel lobby, was a middle-aged man seated behind an elegantly designed white and gold marble counter. Letting out a deep breath, she walked right up to him.

  “Good evening, Miss. How may I be of assistance?” The receptionist greeted her cheerily as she approached him. He was a man with a chubby face, light brown eyes, and a friendly smile.

  Eliana hesitated a bit. She couldn’t just blurt out Hello, I’m looking for Julian Rivera. He might be doing something unexpected. Could you please direct me to him? She wasn’t sure of what to say except, “Goldmine.”

  “Excuse me?” The man’s mouth tightened at the corners and he leaned forward in his chair. The way he sounded made her feel uneasy.

  Eliana winced at his scrutiny and looked around her. A few people except herself and the receptionist were in the hotel lobby. She was a shy person by nature and hated to be the center of unwanted attention. But Julian had changed that. The moment she had met him, he had brought out a side of her she didn’t know existed. Their very first meeting, she had outright challenged him. Something she wouldn’t normally do. Now that he was gone, she was shutting herself down again. But she wouldn’t allow it to happen. So she repeated as Ethan had guided her. “Goldmine.”

  The man gave her a single nod. “Very well. Your ID please.”

  Eliana dug into her bag and pulled out the wallet, dark bangs falling into her green eyes. She swept them aside impatiently and handed over her driving license to the man. A few moments later after he passed it back, she waited anxiously as he picked up the phone and dialed a number. “Tony, I have a young lady here I need you to escort down below. Yes. Thank you.” He disconnected the call and looked at Eliana. “I must say, Ms. Bennett, you seem quite young to be interested in this kind of event. Apart from the participants, I usually see an older audience go to the Goldmine Lounge.”

  “Excuse me? What event would that be?” Eliana asked in trepidation, then looked at his name badge. “Mr. Grant?”

  “I’m sure you know already, Ms. Bennett.” Mr. Grant’s eyes flicked to the hovering guests of the hotel around the lobby which was getting busier with more people coming in with their luggage to check-in as she waited. “Isn’t that why you’re here?”

  Eliana didn’t know what she was getting herself into but she didn’t want to mess this up and lose the chance of finding Julian. She hoped it was the right place and that there wasn’t another hotel called Oak Avenue Square around. But the password that Ethan had asked her to provide looked like the correct one, seeing the man’s reaction to it even though it felt a little strange to her. So she stayed quiet and waited. The gold-painted elevator dinged behind her and she turned to see a muscled man in a black suit and an earpiece come forward.

  “Sir.” He said as he reached Mr. Grant at the counter.

  “Ah, Tony. Please escort Ms. Bennett here, to the Goldmine Lounge.” Mr. Grant told him, motioning towards Eliana with his right hand.

  “Yes, Sir.” Tony was a tall man in his mid-twenties. He was clean-shaven, had black eyes complete with black hair. Posture at alert, he nodded at Mr. Grant and turned to her. “Ms. Bennett, this way please.” He directed Eliana towards the same elevator which he had departed moments ago.

  “And uh, Ms. Bennett?” Eliana turned back at her name and looked at Mr. Grant.

  “Yes?” She asked, desperately hoping he wouldn’t ask questions that she didn’t have any answers to.

  “I’d like to ask you to please be discreet about whatever you see. But as you know the password, I’m sure you’re aware of the rules and restrictions that come with any associations to the Goldmine Lounge.” Mr. Grant said.

  “Yes, of course.” She lifted her chin and said with an air of confidence that she didn’t feel. At that, Mr. Grant nodded and put on his smiley face once more as she got into the elevator with Tony. She had expected Tony to ride the elevator to one of the floors on top but instead, she saw him press the button labeled GL. The elevator didn’t start moving until he swiped a golden card which he removed from inside his suit pocket then punched in some code into the panel. And instead of going up, she felt a hollowness in her stomach that told her they were doing down. She didn’t dare ask Tony anything and acted like she knew what the hell she was doing. Her heart raced and a feeling of unease crept up her spine. Anxiousness washed over her at what she was about to find.

  What are you involved in, Julian? What demons have I made you go back to?

  A hundred questions filled Eliana’s mind as the elevator finally dinged after a lifetime a
nd Tony walked out motioning her to do the same. They went around in a maze of royal blue velvet walled corridors for a few minutes before an indistinct buzz of noise reached her ears. She was led to a heavy double door painted gold and a black skull with a razor at its crown crested on it. He stopped just outside the entrance and turned around to face her.

  “Please, Ms. Bennett. Go on inside.” He told her, indicating to the skull. Eliana didn’t move. What in the world was going on behind these doors? What if she found Julian compromised? Would he be okay? Would he still be her Julian? She squared her shoulders and took another deep breath. No matter what she found tonight, it won’t change her feelings for him. He had come to her countless times when she needed comfort. Tended to her when she was hurt. He protected her from harm and had always been there silently waiting for her. A constant shadow of warmth and love and friendship, just waiting for her to see it.

  Julian had touched her soul without touching her body. He had taken her heart and made it his while she was busy resisting. Every stolen moment they spent together had bonded them before they realized it. And now, he needed her more than ever. She had to stop him before he went off the deep end. It was her turn to reach out and pull him out of the sea which was intent on drowning him. And she would not disappoint him as she had before. She pushed him away when he needed her the most, when he needed her to trust him and she couldn’t stop regretting her words. Words that made him return to the life he loathed. To the life he had run away from to be a better person. And the hatred she had spewed had sent him right smack in the middle of it. She could see the ghosts of the demons which still haunted him in those seldom moments when he thought she wasn’t looking. She wasn’t sure if Julian even wanted a future with her anymore. Most probably not. Especially after all the things she had screamed at him. She had said way more than she had meant in the heat of the moment and she’d take it back in a heartbeat if it meant he’d forgive her and come back.

  Eliana blew out her breath and slowly pushed the heavy doors open. Bright lights blinded her as soon as she stepped inside the room and Tony closed the door behind her with a soft thud. The first thing she saw was that it was crowded heavily and the source of the buzz she had heard was here. She saw people were surrounded near a circular golden cage which was about fifteen feet high from the ground up with a single door at the right side. She heard the crowd cheer loudly but for what she couldn’t be sure.

  Eliana took one step at a time looking around her. Observing men and women dressed in high fashion and so well-groomed that Eliana felt like a child even though she’d just turned eighteen a few months ago, underdressed in her plain blue jeans and white top with her mother’s dark green and white stole which she always wore, wrapped around her neck. She saw the room had royal blue velvet wall panels just like the corridors she had passed with a circular black leather seating arrangements. It had the utmost elite interiors and furnishings she had ever seen. The high society was seated in their furs and suits, money radiating off them on much higher ground while on the lower ground area where she stood, space was covered with the casual clothed crowd without any seating. Mr. Grant was right, they all looked much older than her. She almost felt like she was in a scene from WWE with Jaxon watching the channel almost every time he switched on the TV.

  Why are all these people here? What are they waiting for? Eliana thought and moved forward when she paused mid-step hearing his name. “Go Rivera!” “I love you!” “Marry me, Julian!” The female mob was screaming as if their life depended on it. Looking around, Eliana saw begrudging respect on the faces of the men who accompanied these women screeching Julian’s name so loud that Eliana had to cringe. She felt jealousy slither its way into her bloodstream. Julian wouldn’t spare a glance at these women, would he? She questioned herself. They were too old for him anyway.

  But why shouldn’t he? He deserves to have beautiful women who want him. And looking around the arena, all he had to do was turn their way and these women would come running. Said another voice in her head. It was the same voice that gave her a reality check every now and then. It’s not like she hadn’t broken his heart into a million pieces. And these women, they were stunning. Far more beautiful then she had ever considered herself. But Julian had made her feel special. The way he looked at her made Eliana feel no one could hold a candle to her beauty. That he could never see anyone else when she was in the room. But would he say the same now? After what she had done? After what she had said?

  Stepping closer to them, Eliana was sure of one thing. If she couldn’t take Julian back with her, she would never be the same again. She would have thrown away the one good thing in her life. All due to her jealousy, ego, and dithering.

  There were mixed shouts for Julian and someone named Creesto. A big screen above the cage displayed Julian’s picture and stated his physical details such as height, weight and the like and next to him was a picture of a dark man she had never seen before with his attributes. A giant clock next to it struck 8 PM on the dot and with a loud gong, the doors which were almost hidden on the opposite side of her against the dark wall opened up revealing a man who walked in wearing a white suit with a mike in his hand. Greeting the crowd and acknowledging the anticipation, he called out for Julian without any further delay.

  Eliana couldn’t wait to see him. Would he still be the same guy she had met months ago? Would the mischief linger in his eyes that had drawn her to him? The almost constant lift of his lips that would either smile or smirk at her. Eliana’s heart thudded wildly against her chest when she saw a shadow appear at the same door and finally Julian’s face comes to light welcomed by thunderous applause. She felt her throat clog and tears pricked her eyes. God, how she had missed him! Eliana was expecting him to be a little better now that he had been away from her for a few days but all she saw was his face devoid of expression, jaw clenched and a murderous look in his eyes.

  What in the world had he gotten himself into?

  Chapter One

  TEN MONTHS AGO

  Today was the most important day of Eliana Bennett’s life. She was about to start her first day as a senior at the prestigious Imperial High. She had dreamt of studying at the high school her father had run since she was a little girl and it was about to come true. She had come back after spending years with her Uncle Steve in Japan after her mother had passed away and continued her schooling there. But her excitement to join Imperial High didn’t overpower her nervousness. She wanted to do well and excel in her studies. She wanted to make her father proud.

  Eliana wiped the sweaty bangs away from her forehead and ran on the treadmill burning calories while also keeping her cholesterol levels in check and reducing stress. She wasn’t overweight at all but maintained her curves consciously and most days she tried to get fitter. But it didn’t matter what she did today, the apprehension she felt was going nowhere anytime soon. She pressed the stop button, bent down to stretch her hamstrings and got off.

  This won’t do, she thought. I have to get some air.

  Putting her black nylon jacket on, Eliana smiled and waved at Mary, her trainer as she exited the gym and made her way to the Veteran Grove Jogger’s park nearby. She ran for a good twenty minutes with music blaring in her ears before she took a break and sat on the bench near a small football court. Feeling much better, she took in a deep refreshing breath. Running in open-air beat running in the gym any day. She glanced down and saw that the lace on her right shoe was almost ready to untie itself so she leaned forward to tighten it. While retying them, she was unexpectedly hit on her shoulder.

  “Argh!” She gasped, more in surprise than pain and saw a football bounce next to her on the bench. She tightened her lips in irritation and whipped her head towards the court. Eliana saw a few kids who evaded looking her way and then spotted the criminal who had hit her because he was staring right at her. It was a guy, seemingly her age but she couldn’t be sure of that from the distance between them. The guy stretched both his hands above h
is head and she noticed his muscular arms covered in tattoos. “Can you pass the ball back?” He called out to Eliana. He had a deep soothing voice but at the moment she found nothing relaxing about him.

  She removed her earphones and shoved them into her jacket pocket all the while glaring at him. How could he not even apologize for hitting her? Eliana thought, her irritation growing at his arrogance. She picked up the ball and stood up. “You aimed this at me?”

  The guy came forward and so did Eliana. Once they were in the middle of the court she observed that he had medium length black hair whose strands wet from sweat, fell into his grey eyes. He wore an army green singlet tank top showing off his shapely biceps which were on full display and black jogger pant. He didn’t answer the question but stared at her curiously instead.

  “Do you not have the decency to apologize?” She asked.

  “Apologize for what?” He frowned lightly.

  “For hitting a person.” She clarified. How dumb is he? She narrowed her eyes. All brawn and no brain.

  “A person? Where?” He looked behind her. “I don’t see anyone.” He shook his head innocently.