BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY

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BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY Page 26

by Mullen, Carol


  “Chiara!” Nico warned.

  “Your code name … Why don’t you guess? I can give you a clue if you want”

  Silence.

  “Okay then if you won’t guess let me tell you. It’s Merry Widow!”

  “What on earth?” Carries stomach sank. She felt sick.

  “Well that’s what the security team gave you as a code name” she finished with a laugh. “No-one gets close to the precious Devanti enclave without a full background check. You should be happy you passed! Not everyone does.”

  “Enough Chiara, stop this at once,” Nico ordered.

  Pain seared through her, a different pain than her raw grief but the betrayal was having a devastating effect.

  “Merry Widow! Is this true Nico? Tell me” she demanded.

  “I can explain Carrie; it’s a standard protocol for newcomers to the family to have a security check carried out.”

  “Really? When were you going to tell me I passed? Did I get a gold star?”

  “Carrie, I think you assets did that. Not your physical assets – enhanced ones I’m sure – passed you. I’m sure my brother can confirm that! Or maybe your bank balance did it? Not a gold digger then. I’ve seen the report remember, plenty of zeros there!”

  “Chiara, stop this nonsense at once you are insulting a guest in our home. Carrie I apologise on behalf of my children for any upset they have caused you.” Gino intercepted.

  Carrie was shaking with anger and upset. Fury overriding the betrayal.

  “Chiara, get me that report NOW” she demanded.

  “Well I anticipated this would be your reaction” she moved from her seat at the table, walked towards a small bureau and opened a drawer.

  “You planned this?”

  “Yes Nico, remember this the next time you threaten to stop my allowance and trust fund!”

  Carrie held the cream folder. Bold print typed with two words – MERRY WIDOW

  “You Bastard”

  She opened the cover. A few pictures unsecured spilled out and Carrie gasped. Her wedding photo to Rob. Pictures of her parents and sister from the wedding along with a copy of her passport and driving licence. All details to confirm her identity. The newspaper clippings detailing Rob’s accident along with the obituary. The crash photographs and the chaos surrounding it. She pushed them painfully aside. Two typed pieces of paper listed all her personal information. Date of Birth, immediate family, job and even a copy of her latest bank and credit card statements. But the most damning part of all the report was the cover note to Nico. It was dated the day they met.

  “As requested copy of background report on your mystery woman, we thought the code name apt!”

  That innocent day when she walked along the beach and met a man she thought she could learn to open up to.

  He had known all of this information. Information that had taken her courage to tell him but that she told him freely once he gained her trust.

  “You lowlife rotten Bastard. You invaded my privacy with this disgusting report, so let me introduce you to a new concept, it is called trust! I trusted you. What did you think you could learn about me on paper that I wouldn’t have told you?” This tirade she completed with a slap of great magnitude across his handsome face. Ouch her hand stung. Violence she abhorred but she had to retaliate physically as well as verbally to expel the feelings building up.

  “Carrie, I’m sorry, you were never meant to see this, and I didn’t mean to hurt you”

  “Congratulation you just did” the rawness of her delivery of the simplicity of her words conveyed her betrayal.

  “I hope you all enjoyed the floor show,” she turned to address the group and took a bow. “Remind me to decline any future invitations to dinner. Oh and Chiara don’t think I’ve forgotten about you”

  “Little old me?” she pouted.

  “Yes, little old you. For the record, my tits and teeth are all real, but it’s a shame about yours, better get back to the surgeon or request a refund! The next time you have a beef with your brother about cutting off your funds go get a job and get off your lazy spoilt ass. It’s time for you to grow up. I have a sister – oh that’s right you know this from the file” she paused to take a gulp of wine. “My sister is called Claire for those who haven’t read the file – Chiara is also Italian for Claire. But my sister has a heart so pure and light like the true meaning of the name… and you are NOTHING like that. You may share a name but are nothing alike. But to create a spectacle like this and maliciously plan to cause me and your brother upset. I pity you. If you are wise, you won’t attempt to cross me again you spoilt little bitch.” Still holding the goblet she tossed the remnants of her wine all over the Cruella outfit.

  “Arggh .. you crazy bitch!” she screeched. Her hands frantically mopping up the wine stains. “This dress is designer it cost five thousand dollars!”

  “Get a refund, you were robbed”

  Belle stood and clapped.

  “Well done my darling. You missed that in your homework Chiara, I’m Carries Aunt. That would be Isabella Hamilton, again for those of you who haven’t read the file! Whilst we are discussing the file, you had better add my resignation to that too. I can’t work with someone who clearly has no ethics.”

  “Belle don’t be hasty. You are doing a fantastic job in LA. The project will grind to a halt without you!”

  “Save it Nico, I think it’s in both our best interest to part ways.”

  “We have a contract Belle” he tried to warn.

  “Indeed we do. I’ve been in this business a long time. It pains me to say it but let’s say since you were a child but to cut to the chase. I refer to section 11 clause 4c. I reserve the right to terminate within ninety days without prejudice or penalty and retain all artistic control of my designs and strategy.”

  “What on earth? What a crock of shit! I never agreed to this!”

  “Your people Nico, they were too busy protecting your right to end my employment if necessary that they forgot that I might just want to walk away first! TSK TSK” she tutted

  “School boy error”

  She linked arms with Carrie and as they walked away from the table. Nico moved to follow them.

  “No don’t Nico, you’ve said enough, leave me alone” Carrie warned.

  She turned to Gino, leaned over and spoke to him face to face.

  “Ask your mama this Gino when you next speak with her; ask if she still remembers a west of Scotland saying – Malkie – because if your son ever comes near me again this is what I am going to do to him!”

  Carrie held her composure until they sat in the car for the short journey to the Inn. Jay was driving; he had insisted on their safe return to the Inn and could hear their every word.

  “What an asshole Belle, he really fooled me.”

  “Me too Carrie but its Chiara to blame for making this such as circus. Spiteful little cow. Playing games. Now Carrie, will there be room at the Inn for me? I was planning on staying at the Devanti’s”

  “I’m sure Terri will have a room. If not you can bunk in with me, plenty of room there”

  “Okay, what I need darling after all that drama is a wee brandy. So tell me, what did you say to Gino before we left?”

  “I just told him if his low-life son ever comes near me again, I am going to malkie him!”

  “Ha ha Carrie, only you could threaten to head butt a billionaire!”

  Terri had once again been a god send. She had another room for Belle and Carrie declined joining them for a nightcap. Her Aunt and Terri seemed to hit it off. Belle was already discussing off-season promotional activity ideas for the Inn. Normally she would have liked to watch her Aunt at work but not tonight. She wanted privacy to chastise herself for falling for someone like Nico. It was bound to end disastrously but she hadn’t expected it to hurt so much. A background report of all things. She told him everything about her, the only thing she had omitted was her bank balance. Her heartbreak over losing Rob she hadn’t glosse
d over but wanted him to know why she wasn’t out dating. The support of a loving family had gotten her through all of the dark times but that wasn’t listed on his report. Just names, dates, occupations all in black in white. But to leave her sensitive information where his scheming bitch of a sister could access? That carelessness she couldn’t forgive. Trying to humiliate her in front of the other guests had taken planning and Carrie was glad she gave as well as she got there. Merry Widow what a paradox. She was anything but merry. These last few days with Nico she had begun to feel alive again but not merry. The beautiful tulle dress of last night lay over the sofa where she had carefully placed it after it had been discarded on the floor during their passion. She had shared her body and mind with him and it hurt. Her Cinderella moment shattered. She had felt so special. The full make over treatment in preparation of the commerce dance. A designer dress and wearing jewellery that was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The only thing missing now was the pumpkin. She couldn’t look at the dress and stuffed it away in the wardrobe, out of her sight. Her phone was building up with missed calls from Nico. She hit the reject button, again and again before turning it off. The bastard wouldn’t get a chance to humiliate her again. As she scrubbed her face free of the make-up she felt disgusted that she had been so fooled.

  A fitful night’s sleep and she awoke at dawn. The scent of the roses and peonies still filled the room. No early morning walk for her today she needed to get away from the Cape put some distance in from the place. She wrote a note and posted it through the door for Belle to read when she woke. She didn’t want to alarm her with her disappearance.

  “Hi Belle

  I’m going out today. I just need some time away from everything to try and clear my head. To try and gain some perspective from it all. Will be back in a few hours and to book an earlier flight home. Reality beckons. Sorry for abandoning you this morning. Try not to worry.

  Love

  C x”

  She had always intended on going to another lighthouse and today seemed to be the best day to try. That morning with Terri she had picked Portland Breakwater Lighthouse which was also known as Bug light to visit. It was an unmanned light house but again surrounded by another park. As she had told herself at Portland head if it didn’t feel right she would turnaround and come back. The large tote bag had enough room for ‘Rob’. Her notepad with the details of the lighthouse and she was ready to go. The sky was a dark grey at this early hour and she hoped it would lighten up. She pulled on her jacket for some warmth over a light jumper and jeans with her comfy converse.

  “Good Morning Charlie”

  “Good Morning Carrie, the sky is a bit too dark for the beach today. You be careful you don’t get caught in the downpour. There are some umbrellas by the door if you need one.”

  “Thank you Charlie, I’m not going to the beach just out for a little while but I will take one of the umbrellas.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

  Carrie drove for a short while then pulled over to a diner. She couldn’t concentrate on the unfamiliar roads especially as the rain was now a downpour. The wipers were frantically keeping pace to clear her windscreen.

  “A coffee please” she ordered with the waitress and turned on her mobile phone.

  Beep, beep, and beep as it announced the missed call notifications. She turned the sound off. Wow fifteen missed calls and all from Nico. I guess he didn’t heed her warning of no contact.

  “I’m sorry Carrie; I guess you are pretty pissed off with me. Please let me explain”

  It would take more than a call or text for her forgiveness. She didn’t know who she was mad the most at herself or him. Just now it was a close call. Her phone began to vibrate as she still had it on silent. Nico. She hit the reject button.

  The rain continued to fall in a slow steady torrent and Carrie stayed in the booth of the diner. The waitress had refilled her coffee cup and seemed to sense that she wasn’t one for chatting with. She couldn’t call or text her sister it would be the middle of the night back home. Maybe a walk through another park and lighthouse would be her escape plan for today. The distraction she would need before going back to her humiliation. The rain never bothered her either; it was a gentle reminder of home.

  It was time to go to the lighthouse. She left a generous tip for the coffee and appreciation for the lack of intrusion from the waitress. She pulled up the hood of her jacket to shield herself from the rain as she ran to her car passing a few trailers that were parked up. The lighthouse was only a short journey away. She suspected that it would still be raining but she at least wanted to see the lighthouse before returning back to the inn. This lighthouse also had a museum but today she wasn’t inclined for any additional culture and just wanted to walk around the park a little. To take in the sights and sounds of the area. A distraction from her racing mind as she berated herself again and again for being so foolish over Nico. When they had their date she told him they moved in different worlds. Last night’s escapades at dinner were like something from a soap opera. Of course culminating in her throwing wine over Chiara and a slap to Nico. It was indeed a soap opera cliché. Was that what her life had become?

  The turquoise blue sign post directed her to the car park for the South Portland public landing lot. She parked and grabbed the umbrella along with her bag. During her research of the area she had learned that this lighthouse was not what you would expect. It wasn’t a white and red candy striped like others but it was a lot smaller. The design similar to a Greek monument. A long walkway towards the structure of the lighthouse itself. It was called Portland Breakwater Light but due to its size it was also known as the ‘Bug Light’. She could see open parkland surrounding the lighthouse with benches scattered throughout. She guessed on a sunny day the park would be busy but at this time the rain put paid to that. There were few people around at this early hour. She walked past the sign for the South Portland Historical Society and Museum at the entrance to Bug Light Park.

  You couldn’t escape the memorials to the war effort for WWII when acres and acres of land had been used for shipbuilding. At that time thousands of people had worked here. Along the walkway you could see for miles and miles of Portland Harbour where the bay once again was bustling. On a clear day it would be lovely to visit and picnic but today wasn’t for anything like that.

  She decided to walk out to the lighthouse. The walkway was made of large flat sand coloured blocks with a fence, a few steps then you could walk around the edge of the lighthouse. No one else was out there. The wind had begun to pick up and the rain was pouring down. She pulled the hood up closer around her head the umbrella forgotten in the car.

  This would not be the day for scattering of any ashes. It just didn’t feel right excluding the poor weather.

  It was a beautiful lighthouse in a different way to Portland Head but she couldn’t appreciate it and decided to return back to the inn.

  Thirty minutes later she was back in the same café. She needed to use the bathroom after all that coffee and to try to dry out a little. She was probably procrastinating and looking for excuses. The waitress recognised her from earlier poured her a coffee. It was 11.30am and still too early to call or text her sister. She checked her phone and there was another text from Nico.

  “Carrie, I’ve told you I’m sorry and I need to see you. I’m coming over to the Inn we need to sort this face to face.” It was sent twenty minutes ago. Oh well he would have wasted journey as she was miles away.

  A fact that was being explained at that very moment by Belle.

  “Nico, I think you are a little late for a apologising. Carrie isn’t here. She has gone out for the morning. Charlie said that she hasn’t gone to the beach as she usually does but out for a drive somewhere. Here she left me a note if you don’t believe me. Now she is going home early too. I would guess to put as much distance as possible between you both.”

  “Belle, I know I have been a fool. But I asked for that report before I knew Carrie.
I met her that morning and I was caught, hook, line and sinker. I was curious and just had to find out more about her. It was never intended to be discussed publicly like that.”

  “I warned you in LA how fragile she was and look what you have done. That and your nasty sister Chiara. God help her if she crosses paths with Carrie again.”

  “I’ve dealt with Chiara already and she knows she was foolish to create a scene like she did last night. I just want explain this to Carrie, I will never let anyone hurt her again.”

  It had finally stopped raining. Carrie left the diner as it was time to return to the Inn. She tipped the waitress again and left with a sad smile resigned to her fate. Distracted she began to weave between the parked trucks towards her car not really paying any attention to her surroundings. Dodging some puddles here and there. She felt a thud in her back and it sent her sprawling forward onto the ground. Her hands reaching out to break her fall scraping along the tarmac. The tiny shards of gravel breaking through the skin, tearing and bleeding as they embedded into her flesh as she landed heavily. She pulled her right arm in to protect her body with her bag as she crashed to the ground. The wind knocked out of her. A pain shot through her wrist and left arm where she had taken the brunt of her fall. She pulled herself up on her hands and knees quickly turning around. As the adrenaline surged she ignored the pain flowing through her body.

  Behind her stood a man in the shadow of a parked truck and it was obvious that he had pushed her when she walked passed him. Fear trickled through her but she didn’t show this. It was no accidental jolt that knocked her to the ground. It was deliberate. Her eyes were anxiously moving identifying everything of his appearance. She was 5ft 6” in height and he towered above her and was at least 6ft tall. A white male of slim build but dressed in scruffy, dark clothing of jeans and boots. His hair short and greasy. His eyes were spacey and he looked like he was on drugs or something to intoxicate him. He wasn’t that old either, early twenties she guessed.

 

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