“Yes, that it is. I still havent seen it all, but I'm hoping to explore tomorrow before we check out. And I’m sure he likes the dress, not that it matters.” I say not convincing either of us.
She shakes her head in amusement. “Well you will have to tell me all about it. I have to get going, my husband is getting grumpy. He's not really a people person.” she says as he points to the man at the bar with a scowl on his face. We both laugh.
“I will tell you all about it. Drive safe.” I say as we hug.
Things are going so well that I think I should reward myself with a drink. I walk toward the bar and wait for an opening.
The bartender nods his head at me. “Disaronno on the rocks, please.”
A few moments later he sets it down in front of me and moves onto the next. I take a sip of the sweet liquor and smile at the happiness it gives me. I got so wrapped up in my drink that I hadn't realized someone was standing so close to me until he was speaking in my ear.
“Drinking on the job?” that voice sends a chill down my spine and makes me hot with anger at the same time. I know him and how he loves to get under my skin. I have only met the man a handful of times in my life and this is one I could have gone without.
“Grandfather. I would have thought this kind of thing to be beneath you.” I say with a sour look ignoring his question.
“You know I like to have my hands in all kinds of things. I own a large amount of shares in the company, and I like to see what they are doing with my money. Besides, it's not everyday someone rents out this place.” he says as he waves his drink in the air.
“I see.”
“That's quite a dress you have there. I’m sure your father would be proud to see his baby girl dressed and prancing around like a prostitute.” the smug look on his face tells me he is trying to rile me up.
“You basically disowned your daughter when she married my dad, so you have no right to speak on my attire or my father for that matter. He was ten times the man you will ever be.” I say as I pick up my drink and walk away before I say something to get me in trouble.
I feel his hand painfully gripping my upper arm before I hear his words. “It's just too bad he didn't die before he corrupted my daughter.”
I try to pull my arm from his grip, but he's strong for an old creep.
“Speaking of your mother, what does she have on Marcus? There's no way she could have sucked a man like him into her trap without some dirt on him. He is far too influential in this city to fall for a whore like her.”
“Take your hand off of me, you bastard. I'm not one to be intimidated by you, and as for Marcus, he is just too blind to see her for what she is. Slimy just like you.”
He tightens his hold on my arm and pulls me closer to him. “You are a disgrace to this family, you will never see a dime of my money. But you don't need it, do you. You have your claws in the Graham boy. You're just like your mother, you silly little whore.”
“Im nothing like her. I'm nothing like you or anyone from your cruel family, I don't want your money or your name. I have never claimed you and I never will. I cut my mom out of my life and I have no regrets, so to me all you are is a creepy old man that won't take his hand off me. Now let go of me before I make a scene and tarnish your name.”
That didn't seem to work out the way I wanted it to. His fingernails start cutting into my skin and he looks like he is ready to strike me.
Suddenly I felt a cool hand on my bare back.
“Ember, it's so lovely to see you dear.” Mr Graham says as he gives my grandfather a questioning look.
He drops my arm and puts on a fake smile. “Well I should be going.”
Mr. Graham leads me back to the bar and orders me another drink along with his scotch.
“Are you ok dear?”
“Yes, I am.” I say rubbing my arm and inspecting it for blood. Thankfully there is none, just deep indentations and a handprint.
“So who was that man that thought it was appropriate to put his hands on you like that? I can draw up the paper if you want me to nail his ass for you.” he says in a completely serious tone.
“That was my grandfather, and I highly doubt you want to go up against him.”
“Ah, so that is the infamous Carter VanWilden? I must say I expected more.” he said, shaking his head in disappointment.
I laugh and can't help but say “More what, he's a money hungry prick that disowned his own daughter for marrying beneath her...Oh, I’m sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out like that.”
“I understand. Money does horrible things to people. Nothing will ever change that.”
“Yeah, I guess. So, what brings you here?”
“I had some documents that still needed to be signed, my firm handles this company's legal needs. I suppose I could have sent someone, but I haven't been here since I proposed to my wife. I just wanted to see if it looked the same.”
“And does it?”
“Oh, yes. I don't think this place has changed in 100 years.”
“I have been meaning to talk to you. I feel awful that I haven't even asked how you are recovering.” I say remembering his surgery.
“Recovering?” he gives me a confused look.
“Oh, I'm sorry. Was I not supposed to know? I know how much you like to keep your private life away for the media. I just want to be sure you are healing well.” God I hope I didn't just cross some boundary.
“Ember, I'm not sure what you are talking about. I have not been ill at all this year. Not even a cold.” he says with a confused look.
“But I was at the hospital with Kade. We were there for hours while you were in surgery.” am I going crazy? I know I was there. Spent most of my Sunday in that creepy waiting room in silence because Kade was focused on a wall.
“No, dear that was not me...though my brother did undergo open heart surgery in May, I think.”
“Oh.” what the hell? Is he lying to me? Did Kade lie to me?
“I assure you I have not had surgery since I was in my twenties. I'm healthy as a horse.”
“Of course you are. I must have just misunderstood Kade.” I say, trying to put on a convincing smile. “I hope your brother is doing well.”
“He is doing very well. He's too stubborn not to. Well I really should get going, it's a long drive back home. It was lovely to see you dear. Will you be coming for the end of summer gathering?”
“Oh, yes I think so.” Hopefully I can break up with Kade before then. “Please drive safe Mr. Graham, and have a goodnight.” I say as I hug him goodbye.
The crowd seems to thin out as the older generation heads out, leaving the younger crowd to party. The DJ starts to spin and the lights go low, strobes and laser lights everywhere. Now the real party begins.
I find Spence and Janessa on the dance floor and join them. Things have really gone well and now I can relax and enjoy myself. I let the music take over my body and dance with my friends.
I feel hands on my hips, pulling me backward into a rock hard chest. The sweet salty scent fills my nose and my skin tingles as he runs his fingers up my arms. His breath is hot as it fans my shoulder before his lips trail kisses from my ear to my shoulder and back. I close my eyes and tilt my head back into him, loving the feeling he gives me.
I can feel his hardness against my ass and it makes me want to do so many naughty things to him. I grind myself against him earning a low moan from him, which in turn sends a flood of heat to my core. He turns me to face him, wrapping his hands around my waist and pulling me close so I can feel it pressing against my front. Shit I’m so fucking wet.
I want to be so much closer. I don't think I will ever be close enough to him. My hands reach around his neck and I interlock my fingers, pulling him down enough for my lips to be just inches away from his. His grip on me tightens and he pulls me up to his lips. No hesitation, no second thoughts.
This kiss is deep and full of passion. Like he is pouring all of his feelings into this one kiss. Everyt
hing he has been holding in, everything he desires streaming form him to me. I feel his cock twitch against me and moan into his mouth.
“Seriouly guys you cant fuck on the dance floor.” Spence says and he yanks me away and whispers in my ear, “and you still have a boyfriend.”
We had been so caught up in each other we forgot our surroundings. I was so caught up in Jonas that I completely forgot about Kade. Not that I have any feeling for him, but Spencer is right about the boyfriend thing. Wow I feel slutty.
“Sorry, I couldn't help myself.” Jonas says with a cheesy ear to ear grin that makes my heart speed up and my face turn a shade of red.
“I need a drink and some air, I’ll be back.”
When I get to the bar, the bartender is already pouring my drink.
“That predictable?”
He smiles and nods.
As soon as my stiletto hits the stone patio I feel the cool night air. I walk to the steps that lead to the garden path and lean against the stone railing, taking in the floral scent for a while. The stars seem so much brighter than most nights and I can't help but get lost looking up at them.
“Wow. Did I buy that dress?”
I look down the steps in front of me and see a face that should not be here. “What are you doing here?”
“Ouch, I came to see you. Or am I not allowed to want to be where my girlfriend is?”
“How did you get in?”
“Really? Ok, my father's firm handles legal needs for one of the companies. I used my last name. Are you mad?”
“Speaking of your father. How is he, Kade?” I say crossing my arms with my drink still in my hand.
“What? He’s fine I guess.” he has a confused look on his face.
“Oh, I know he is fine. I spoke with him a few hours ago. Funny that I looked like a crazy person when I asked him how he was recovering.”
His face morphed into one of fear. Then he opened his mouth. “Em, I can explain.”
“Please do.” I roll my eyes ready to see what lie he comes up with now.
He walks up the step and tries to take my hand, but I back away. “Em, please. I was scared, you were pulling away and I just didn't want to lose you. I needed you near me, I needed you to be with me. I know it was stupid but I know who was going to be at that stupid show that night and I couldnt have you anywhere near him. You think I don't see the way he looks at you. You are mine and I intend on keeping it that way.”
“So, let me get this straight. You lied to me, made me think your dad's life was in jeopardy and made me sit in a hospital knowing how that brings up bad memories for me. You did all of this because you didn't want me to leave you? I really don't want to deal with this shit right now. Just go away.”
I set my glass down on the stone railing and turn to walk back into the ballroom. Kade grabs my arm and pulls me back before I can step foot inside. He spins me around, but before he can pull me to him a fist hits him in the face knocking him to the ground.
“Keep your hands off of her.” Jonas yells and pulls me into his arms.
Oh, this is bad. Really really bad.
Kade gets back on his feet, and runs at Jonas yelling, “She my fucking girlfiend. You keep your filthy hands off her.”
They Punch and grab at each other and end up on the ground rolling around trying to gain control over the other. A crowd has started to form and I am desperately looking for someone to break them up, or my friends to help me.
By the time security gets them apart Kade has a broken nose, Jonas has a gash above his eyebrow and they both have busted lips. They escort Kade off the property after getting statements.
Jonas won't even look at me. My heart is breaking and it is all my fault. I hurt him. I did this. And for what? Because I was worried about hurting Kade's feelings? Because I was afraid of Kade's reaction? I really don't know.
“Jonas, I’m sorry. I should have told you. I messed up, I tried to make everyone happy and I fucked everything up. I never meant for you to get hurt, that's the last thing I want. I can't lose you.” I say sobbing as I stand in front of him, begging for him to forgive me.
“Why don't you go cry to your boyfriend.” he says as he walks past me like I mean nothing to him.
I could feel my heart bleeding out, leaving me cold and lifeless. I have never felt pain like this before and I don't know what to do. How to cope with this. I just lost the love of my life. I just caused him to walk away from me like I am a stranger, like I don't exist in his world. My world is crashing into pieces, and now I feel numb, I feel nothing.
Chapter 16
Jonas
“I can’t believe you hit him. What were you thinking?” Nessa yells at me when we get back to my room. “Do you have any idea how bad this makes us look. This was the worst possible time for you to lose your temper, Jonas.”
I can’t argue with my sister, I want to, but I am afraid I will lose it on her. I really don’t know what I was thinking. I saw that prick with his hand on my girl and lost it. Turns out she’s not mine, she never was. It was all just a game to her, just to mess with my head.
I can’t seem to calm down. I pace the room clenching my fist till I lose feeling in my fingers. How could she stay with him? Why? I want to go back down there and finish the fight. I know I had the upper hand, he was sloppy; I’ve trained and I know how to fight.
“Jonas! Listen to me.”
“WHAT?”
She takes a step back with a fearful look on her face. That is the last thing I want to see in my sister’s eyes. I drop my head into my hands. I can’t let my anger get the better of me. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing, calming myself.
“I’m sorry Ness. I shouldn’t have yelled at you…I know this is bad, I know I messed up. You really don’t have to remind me.” I manage to sound relatively collected.
“We are lucky the party had died down so much, the investors weren’t here. We can fix this. I don’t know how but I will find a way to make this go away or at least play it down.” she is really upset with me. I can hear it in her voice even though she tries to hide it.
“No, you don’t need to fix this. It's my mess, I will clean it up.” I know this is going to be a stain on my reputation, but at this point I could care less.
“Jonas?”
“Yeah?”
“You know this affects more than just our company, right?” she asks with a strange look on her face. I can’t quite tell what she is thinking or feeling.
“I really don’t care about the personal backlash right now. I’ll deal with it when it comes.”
“That’s not what I meant. I’m talking about Ember. This was her job, not just some party. She could end up losing her career. I know you are mad at her now, but could you really live with yourself if you knew you were the cause of it.”
“I don’t care what happens to her. She is not my problem.” I say coldly
“You don’t mean that, I know you don’t.” she looks hurt as she says it.
“I need to sleep.” is all I say as I walk to the door and open it so she will leave me alone.
“Jonas?” she seems to be searching my eyes for some emotion that she thinks I should have. Whatever it was she is looking for isn’t there. She shakes her head at me in disappointment and walks out and I slam the door shut.
“FUCK!” I’m irate, I can’t think about this anymore. I can’t think about her, it hurts. I have never felt this, never been so attached to someone. I fell in love with her and she just ripped my heart out.
I look around the room; I had expected things to go very differently tonight. I had this vision of how the night would end here with her in my arms, kissing her, tasting her. I thought all my dreams were coming true tonight and she would finally be mine, but she never wanted that. This was a one sided relationship, and I let myself get caught up in the idea of her. I feel so foolish.
I open the bottle of champagne I have chilling on ice. Guess I won’t be needing this, better not let it go
to waste. I chug half of it in one go. Not exactly the best idea I’ve ever had. The carbonation hurts my throat as I finish off the bottle, but I don’t much care. This is not going to be enough. I make my way back down to the bar and grab a bottle of whisky.
She is still here, she looks like she has been crying. I make my way into the shadows so she can’t see me. I don’t see that piece of shit boyfriend of hers. It’s probably a good thing, I don’t know if I would keep my cool.
I stayed for a while just watching her. She is apologizing to the guest and trying to make the best of a crap situation. I know this could cost her more than it would me. I know she loves what she does, and I can’t be the cause of her losing it.
Back in my room I drink until I pass out.
∞∞∞
I feel like death when I wake up, instantly regretting the almost empty bottle of liquor on the bedside table. I make my way to the shower to hopefully help with the pounding in my head. Cold water runs over my head, dripping down my face and chest. A ting of pink collects at the drain before becoming clear again. I suddenly remember the fight as the water hit the gash above my eye causing it to sting.
I was hoping it was just a bad dream. I don’t like the reality I have woken up in, I want to go back to sleep and try again for a new one. One that doesn’t involve this aching in my chest, this hollow sick feeling.
I finish my shower, get dressed and start packing my things. I need to get out of here. I want to be home, back in France where I belong. First, I need to see Melanie.
“Hello?” she sounded chipper.
“Hello Melanie, this is Jonas Drakos.”
“Mr. Drakos, is everything alright?” she has lost the happy tone.
“Could I ask you to meet me? There are some things I would like to speak with you about before you hear it from anyone else.”
“Well, I suppose I could. Would you like to meet at my office?”
“Yes, that would be great, thank you. I can be there within an hour if you are able.”
Ribbon of Fate: Love or lust? Page 14