by J. J. Sorel
By the end of it, I was exhausted and indecisive. I wanted them all.
Nathan approached me. “I’ve spoken to Brendan. The frames are yours for fifty thousand dollars. We were going to start the bidding at forty thousand.”
I stretched out my hand. “It’s a deal. I’ll take them.”
He regarded me for a moment, nodding slowly. “Good. I’ll instruct my man to put a sold sticker on them.”
“I’m sure I’ll be making other purchases today. If you like, I can write one check for everything together.”
“Whatever’s easier for you.” He paused to study me. “Do you live around here?”
Tabitha answered for me. “No, she’s a Malibu girl.”
“Nice.” He glanced at Tabitha then looked back at me. “When all this is over, do you feel like having a drink or dinner later on tonight, maybe?”
I smiled. “That’s sweet. Only, I should tell you that I’m engaged.”
His eyes went down to my finger where the outrageously big diamond sat. I was surprised he hadn’t noticed it.
“Wow. Look at that. Still, I don’t mind if you don’t mind.” He flashed a large smile.
“No, I’m good. Thanks.” I left him there and continued on. Tabitha flanked me. “He just asked me out. I can’t believe he didn’t notice my ring,” I whispered.
“He’s been too occupied with your eyes, and exploding bosom, I think,” said Tabitha dryly.
I giggled. “Let’s go and check out the gowns. I’m dying to see them. Come on. Hurry. We don’t have much time. I may need to try one on.”
Tabitha skipped along. The mention of clothes always put a spring in her step.
There were two racks of long, silk dresses. Being from the thirties, they were mainly in shades of champagne, antique pinks, and moony creams. They were so deliciously satin that as our hands slunk down the silk fabric, Tabitha and I aahed in chorus.
“Oh my, God, Clary.” Tabitha took one off its hanger. The streamlined tulip design promised to flatter the body by hugging to the thighs before flouncing out. It was creamy, rich silk satin with diamantes around the neckline, on the straps, and low-cut back.
“This is sexy as hell,” she purred, running her hands over the fabric.
I held it up. “It’s gorgeous. Do you think it’s appropriate for a wedding dress?”
She held it against my body. “It sure is.”
“It looks as if it would fit.”
“Quick, try it on,” said Tabitha.
CHAPTER EIGHT
I stepped out from behind the oriental screen and twirled. As expected, the dress flared out, floating in the air gracefully. It felt smooth and slippery against my skin and as I stood before the mirror, the sensuous gown caused my temperature to rise as I imagined Aidan’s fingers sliding smoothly over it.
“Clary, it looks amazing.”
Tilting my head from side to side, I had to agree. I played with the flouncing neckline. “I’m hanging out a fair bit.” The spaghetti straps meant that I had no support whatsoever. “I’m going to have to strap my breasts down with something, and with this low-cut back, I’m not sure how I’ll do that.” I turned and studied how the gown hugged my curves like a glove.
“It’s as if it were made for you, Clary. It’s fucking gorgeous,” Tabitha enthused. “We’ll figure out what to do with those exploding boobs of yours. It’s so you, Clary. You’ve got to wear it.” She rummaged through a chest and brought out a piece of cream lace. She placed it on my head so that it cascaded over my shoulders.
“Freaking hell. Will you look at that? We have a perfect match.”
Tabitha was right. The lace, which appeared handmade, was elaborately florid and ideally suited to the simplicity of the dress.
Tears filled my eyes. I couldn’t believe how quickly we came to it. It was a piece of magic at work. “Shit, Tabs, it shouldn’t be this easy, should it?”
She held her chin and shook her head. Her eyes were aglow. “You look gorgeous. It’s a must.”
After I returned to my former self, I went searching for Nathan. I couldn’t risk losing the dress at auction. I had to have it.
As soon as I entered the room, Nathan, who had been chatting with prospective buyers, gazed up at me.
“Can I have a quick word?” I asked.
“Sure thing,” he said, all smiles and hanging close.
“I want to buy this dress and lace.” I lifted my arms, holding the cascading slinky dress.
He raised an eyebrow. “Only if you let me see you in it.”
I frowned. “Are you joking?”
He shook his head. “No.” He was serious.
Shit.
I went over to Tabitha. “He won’t sell me the dress unless I model it for him.”
Tabitha laughed. “Boy, he’s keen.”
“What do I do?”
“Do you want the dress?”
I nodded.
She shrugged. “That’s your answer.”
Nathan waited patiently while I went back behind the screen. It felt weird and wrong, but I had to have that dress.
When I stepped out, I saw his face change color. Even though I’d kept my bra on, my nipples poked through the flimsy fabric. He noticed, because his eyes darkened with arousal. He pointed. “Turn around.”
I reluctantly moved.
“It looks absolutely stunning. You’re beautiful, Clarissa,” said Nathan. Approaching me, he brushed my shoulder. His eyes glanced down at my cleavage.
I crossed my arms and looked down at my feet. “Is that enough? Can I take it off?”
He nodded. “Sure. The dress is yours. Thank you. It fits you beautifully. It was made for you. Keep it.”
“I want to pay for it,” I said as he was about to leave the room.
“It’s yours,” he said.
I went to my handbag and pulled out my checkbook. “I have to pay for it.”
He shrugged. “You just bought those pretty frames. That was a tidy sum. And I’m sure you’re about to shell out at the auction. Take this as a gift.”
“But I want to pay.” I scribbled ten thousand on the check and handed it to him. Nathan’s head pulled back sharply.
“That’s generous. Look, that’s a night out for me. Keep it, really.”
“I need you to take it. The dress is for my wedding.”
His eyes widened with surprise. “Nice one. He’s a lucky man. Tell you what. Go in there”—he pointed to another room— “and take whatever you fancy. Then we have a deal, okay?”
I shrugged. He was adamant and I really wanted the dress. I nudged Tabitha, who was bantering and giggling with Jason.
When we were out of earshot, I said, “Tabs, you’re leading him on.”
“Hmm… and loving it.”
“But what about Grant? You better not fuck around with him, Tabs.”
“Hey… chill. We were just arranging for me to do a screen test.”
“Let’s hope he hasn’t got a nice big comfy sofa in his office,” I said sarcastically.
“You’re such a grandma, Clary, especially in that cardigan and that 1950s attitude.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked with my hands on my hips.
“Nothing,” she said, linking her arm with mine.
The Art Deco figurines did not disappoint. There were too many to choose from—women with bendy backs, in arabesque poses, and gowns splayed out as they twirled. There were also opulent antique Murano glass vases that I just couldn’t resist. Some items, I purchased as homecoming gifts for my father and Greta. I also bought a pair of matching figurine lamps for Tabitha, who was equally struck by the beauty of all the objects.
CHAPTER NINE
It was getting dark when we drove off. I was hungry and exhausted, so we stopped for a cheeseburger and shake before taking the trip home. Tabitha had arranged to meet Grant at his house, but I got her to change it for the estate after I begged her to come back with me.
I was there alo
ne and really needed someone I could talk to if need be. Susana, I barely spoke to. Will was there, but since he was Susana’s lover, I found conversation with him lacking. Roland, his son, was out most nights, and Linus, our security guy, hung out in his cottage, which was situated quite a distance from the main house. It was strange being in such a big estate alone. I looked forward to the return my father and Greta.
Aidan had offered for me to go to New York with him. But with the auction happening, I decided to remain at home. In any case, he was due back the following day. I couldn’t wait. I missed him badly.
After polishing off our burgers, we took off for Malibu. As we drove along the snaky coastal highway, I could see the sea swallowing the sun. The fiery ball sank, leaving behind a delicate bleeding turquoise sky, delightfully surprising, as always.
Tabitha sang along to Beyoncé on the radio, while my mood was heightened following an afternoon of staring at beautiful objects. The pìece de résistance had been my wedding dress on the backseat. Tingles of anticipation rippled through me. My wedding day had suddenly materialized in the shape of a seductive wedding gown. I couldn’t wait to see Aidan’s aquamarine gaze while I walked up the aisle dressed in the slinky dress.
A car with blinding lights suddenly appeared behind me. It was really close. Too close for comfort. The vehicle’s lights were so blinding, I couldn’t stare for long in the rear-view mirror.
“Freaking hell, that car is really close,” I said.
Tabitha looked over her shoulder. “Fuck,” she uttered. Her dramatic tone pretty much summed up the gripping in my chest.
I stepped on the accelerator, but it continued to tail me. “Shit, Tabs it’s close to ramming us.”
“Just keep an eye on the road. You’re doing fine.”
I was already breaking the speed limit. The curvy coastal road didn’t leave much room for error either.
“Should I pull off somewhere?” I asked.
Tabitha had her head turned, focusing on the vehicle behind us. “Fuck, that’s one determined sonofabitch.”
I couldn’t help checking the rear-view mirror. If I slowed down, the large SUV behind us would knock our little car off the road. I regretted not driving Aidan’s SUV. More importantly, I regretted not getting James to drive us.
I’d forgotten to breathe. My mouth was dry and bitter tasting.
There was a turnoff. I took it sharply.
Tabitha let out a cry. “Phew. Good one, Clary.” She turned to check behind us. “We’ve lost him.”
A long, tight breath filtered out of my open mouth.
I decided to pull up in a driveway that was surrounded by trees in order to hide.
As we sat there, I asked, “What should I do now?”
“Let’s wait a few minutes. Are there any other routes back to the house?”
“No,” I said.
Ten minutes passed. Tabitha hadn’t uttered a word, confirming she was just as frightened as I was.
I started the car. My hands clutched the steering wheel tightly. I had to remind myself to breathe as I turned back toward the highway.
Tabitha looked behind us at the same time as I checked the rear-view mirror.
“It’s clear, Clary. Quick, let’s get back.”
I put my foot down on the accelerator and got up to the acceptable speed. Finding my composure at last, I turned on the radio.
Before long, the lights reflected off my side mirror again. I glanced into the rear-view mirror and sure enough, the SUV was back on our tail. “Shit. He’s back.”
Tabitha turned sharply. “Holy fuck. This dude’s determined.”
“Yeah, too much so. Call 911, quick. There’s something wrong.”
She pressed the button and spoke. “We’re on the Pacific Coast Highway, heading for Malibu. A car is trying to ram us. Yeah, that’s right. He’s been following us for a while. Please hurry.” She turned and looked. “There doesn’t appear to be a license plate. Yes, I’ll hold.”
I turned to look at her briefly. I had one eye on the rear-view mirror and one eye on the road. “What’s happening?” I asked.
“Watch the curve!” Tabitha yelled.
I swerved and nearly hit a car heading in the opposite direction.
“Okay, sure,” Tabitha said. “Please tell them to hurry.”
The vehicle bumped us, and we screamed. “Shit, Clary. Step on it.”
I did just that. My eyes were on the road ahead. I had to keep stopping myself from looking in the mirror. My heart was beating so fast I was frightened I was going to have a heart attack.
It bumped us again.
My senses heightened. Adrenaline charged through my veins. Instead of fear, I suddenly felt angry. In my mind, images flashed of Aidan holding me tight.
I had to survive, if only just to feel my true love again. No one was going to take that away from me, I thought. As raging blood pumped through me, I went into battle.
There was no vehicle coming toward us. It was then or never, I told myself. Biting my lip, I performed a decisive U-turn. It was sharp. It needed to be. There was little room for error. The wheels squealed, and the car swerved, scraping the barrier. Fortunately, it aligned itself, thanks to the brilliant stabilizing mechanisms embedded in the nimble vehicle. At least that was one of the advantages of driving a small car.
Tabitha held her mouth. Although it was a matter of seconds, time stretched, and every little moment, one frame at a time, stood out sharply.
“Holy fuck!” cried Tabitha.
We heard a deafening screech of tires, and as I looked in the mirror, I saw that our determined enemy had pulled the same stunt. His heavy vehicle swung around. Only, as it swerved, the heavy bull-bar in the front knocked down the barrier and the vehicle tumbled down the cliff face.
“Oh my God!” Tabitha cried out.
I slowed down. A vehicle was behind me. Therefore, I couldn’t stop.
Luckily, in only a matter of seconds, a parking lot appeared at the side of the road. I pulled up there.
Finally, I was able to breathe again. My body was drenched in cold sweat. I noticed that the charge in the electric car was down. There was no way we’d get back home with that little power. Still, the brilliant mechanics of the vehicle had saved our lives.
I thought of James, my driver. Shit. How was I going to explain that to Aidan?
Tabitha and I looked at each other and shook our heads in disbelief. She was as white as a ghost.
“What do we do now?” I asked.
I looked ahead and saw the police with their lights flashing, heading toward us. I jumped out of the car and waved them down.
Tabitha’s phone buzzed. She picked up, uttered, “Grant” and started to cry.
I ran to the policemen. Tears flooded down my face. The adrenaline that had saved us had been replaced by deep sobs.
My mouth opened, but the words were stuck in my throat.
“You called us, ma’am,” said one of the policemen, writing down the license plate number.
I pointed down the precipice. “There’s been an accident. Farther back about… not far, a few hundred feet or so. I think.” My voice was breathless.
“Have you called 911?”
I shook my head and cried.
“It’s okay. It just happened, I take it?”
I nodded.
He spoke into his phone and gave directions while his colleague stood on the side of the road, flashing a light down the cliff face.
The colleague ran back to him. “I spotted something. I’ll go and check it out.”
The policeman nodded and returned to me. “We got the distress call saying that you were rammed by that vehicle. Is that right?”
Cradling my body, I nodded. It wasn’t a cold night, but my teeth chattered while my dampened frame trembled.
“Are you okay for me to take a statement now? Is there anyone you can call to come and help you? You’ve got a friend with you, I see.”
We glanced over at Tabitha
, who was still on the phone with Grant. When the policeman nodded toward her, she ended the call and joined us.
“Boy, are we glad to see you,” said Tabitha. “It was seriously scary. They were trying to kill us.”
“I’m told that you were being pursued by the SUV and that it knocked into your vehicle?”
Tabitha nodded. The policeman walked around to the back of the car and shone his flashlight on the car. “I can see indentations here. Have you got someone who can come and get you?” he asked, looking at me.
“Yes. James, my driver.”
Noting his eyebrow rising, Tabitha blurted, “Clarissa is Aidan Thornhill’s fiancée.”
“I see. He has been informed of this?”
I bit my lip. “Not yet.” My voice was small.
“Well then, we need to impound this vehicle for our investigation. I’ll wait here with you for your driver.”
The ambulance came screaming toward us. I looked at the policeman. “Can you tell us what happened to the driver? I mean…” Tears ran down my eyes. Was he dead? I wondered.
“All in good time. For now, make that call.”
My phone buzzed. It was Aidan. I looked up at the policeman. “Do you mind if I take this? It’s my fiancée.”
The policeman nodded, and then headed off to the ambulance, which had pulled up behind my car.
“Aidan.” The sob was deep in my throat. My voice was thick. I was doing my utmost not cry.
“What’s happened? Grant rang me and told me that you’ve been in an accident. Are you okay?” The desperation in his tone only added to my anguish.
“I’m fine, Aidan. It’s a long and frightful story. The police are here. The car that was chasing us has rolled down the embankment. I don’t know if he’s alive or dead.” My voice broke into a sob.
“What car?”
“I don’t know, Aidan. We were driving along when it started to push us along.”
“Who was driving, Clarissa. James?”
I took a deep breath. My nails dug into my palm. “No, I was.” My voice was so small. I was sure I did it on purpose so he wouldn’t hear my answer.