Landen

by Holly C. Webb

  Landen woke early the next morning. He took a deep breath and Amelia’s perfume instantly filled his senses. He smiled to himself as he remembered the night before, how he had made her cry out in pleasure, as her body came apart beneath him, and all her worry and sadness seemed to have completely disappeared.

  He opened his eyes, smiling once more when he saw Amelia still fast asleep, looking peaceful and happy; just the way she should always look. He lay there for the longest time, watching her sleep, knowing she was safe when she was there next to him.

  His head was pounding. Landen knew it was from a mixture of the whiskey his father had brought with him, and his dark mood from when he arrived at the club the night before. He carefully pushed back the covers, and climbed out of the bed. He needed water and some painkillers. He walked into his wardrobe, pulling a pair of sweatpants on, then pulled a t-shirt over his head, before he headed for the door of his bedroom.

  He walked down the hallway towards the kitchen, where he found Carla busy cooking.

  “Good morning, Mr. Murphy,” she said brightly when she looked up and saw him walking into the kitchen. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you up so early, Sir. Are you ready for some breakfast?”

  “Good morning, Carla,” Landen replied as he walked around the counter, heading for the cupboard where he kept his glasses. He took a glass from the cupboard, filling it with water. “I just need water and a couple of pain killers.”

  “Sounds like you boys had a good night,” Carla laughed as she turned, walking to a cupboard at the far end of the kitchen, taking out the first aid kit for Landen. She quickly opened it, and took out the paracetamol that was inside, and handed it to Landen.

  “To a point,” Landen sighed as he remembered the events of the night before.

  “Is everything okay with Ms. Coleman?” Carla asked, giving Landen a worried look. He knew Carla knew that not everything was as it seemed with Amelia, but for now, they were still going with the story that her name was Amelia Coleman. The fewer who knew the truth, the better.

  “Amelia is fine, thanks, Carla,” Landen assured her a smile. “It’s just a long story.”

  Before Carla could respond, the buzzer for the front door echoed through the entire apartment. Landen winced as the sound just made his head ache more.

  “I’ll get that,” Carla replied as she hurried out of the kitchen, leaving Landen there alone. He quickly popped two painkillers into his mouth, swallowing them back with his water, then setting the glass down on the counter.

  A few moments later, Nikki’s voice drifted in from the hallway, and Landen could hear the annoyance in her voice. He knew she had come to continue their disagreement from the night before.

  Fuck! He thought to himself. Arguing with Nikki was that last thing he felt up to doing right at that moment, but he wasn’t about to brush her careless decision aside either. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for what was coming whether he was ready or not.

  “Nikki!” Landen said as he walked from the kitchen out into the living room of his penthouse. “What has you out so early on a Saturday morning?”

  “I want to know what your problem was last night.” She demanded without missing a beat. “I know you were angry with me about something. I want to know what the hell you got so bent out of shape about.”

  “You want to know my problem?” Landen shot back angrily, feeling more than a little irritated by Nikki’s attitude, while completely forgetting about his headache. He remembered the look on Amelia’s face when he arrived at the club the night before. “My problem was you taking my fiancée to a packed nightclub without even thinking if it was a good idea, or a safe place for her to be. That’s what my problem was. Nik. What you did was stupid and dangerous.”

  “Of course it was safe,” Nikki replied sounded hurt by Landen’s comment. “I go there all the time. I know what it’s like.”

  “Then what the hell were you thinking?” Landen demanded. “It took me a few minutes to find you it was so crowded, and there was a group of you, making you easier to find. What if Amelia had gotten separated from the group? How would you have found her? What if someone was there looking for her, they could have taken her before you had even realised she was gone.”

  “Who would be looking for her?” Nikki asked, refusing to back down. “Pete Reynolds is locked up in Chicago. Seriously, Landen. You’re becoming as paranoid as Amelia is.”

  Landen opened his mouth to respond, but at that exact moment, Amelia appeared as the entrance to the living room, from the hallway way that led to the bedrooms. She stood there for a moment, staring at them both, but she didn’t say a word. Landen could see the hurt in her face at Nikki’s words, as a sickening feeling settled inside him. He knew that this was bad.

  Nikki turned when she saw the look on Landen’s face change. He could see the regret instantly fill her face, knowing Amelia had heard what she had said.

  “Amelia,” Nikki said, her voice cracking with uncertainty. “I didn’t know you were standing there.”

  “Clearly,” Amelia replied, but her voice was flat and completely unreadable. “I heard shouting. I thought something was wrong. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I will let you get back to your discussion about me, then you both can pretend like I’m not even here.”

  Without saying another word, Amelia turned and disappeared back down the hallway.

  “Amelia, wait!” Nikki called out, but Amelia didn’t even slow down, much less stop. “Shit!”

  She turned back and looked at Landen; the fight that was in her face moments before, completely gone.

  “She sees him everywhere,” Landen explained, knowing that Nikki needed to know the truth about what had happened the night before. “She thought she saw him last night at the club, that’s why she freaked out the way she did. She is beyond terrified all the time, but I don’t know what the hell to do to make it all better for her. All because of that damn newspaper article.”

  “I didn’t know,” Nikki replied as what Landen said sunk in. “I guess I didn’t think.”

  “No, you didn’t,” Landen said with a sigh. “But I also know you never meant to hurt her.”

  “And now she hates me,” Nikki said as she sat down on the sofa. “She is the first proper girlfriend I’ve ever had, and I had to open my big mouth and ruin it.”

  “She doesn’t hate you, Nik,” Landen assured her as he sat down on the sofa next to her. “She is hurt, there’s a difference.”

  “I just wanted her to have a good night,” Nikki explained. “I just didn’t think that going there would be such a big deal.”

  “I know,” Landen sighed. In his heart, he knew Nikki had meant well. He just needed her to think more in the future. “And I know you meant well, just... maybe you should give her a little time.”

  “Okay,” Nikki nodded, slowly standing up. “I will call you later, if that’s okay, you know, to see how she is.”

  “You know you can call anytime, Nik,” Landen said as he stood up too, following his friend out towards the elevator. When the doors opened, she stepped inside, turning back to look at Landen.

  “Tell Amelia that I’m sorry,” Nikki said as she gave him a sad smile.

  “I will,” he nodded and smiled too as the door closed.

  Landen released a long, exhausted breath, as he turned, making his way back down the hallway to their bedroom, to where Amelia was. He hesitated before he walked into the room. He knew that she was going to be upset, and that he needed to choose his words carefully.

  He pushed the door open, slowly stepping inside, but was surprised to find the room empty. Landen walked across the room, and softly knocked on the bathroom door. He waited for a response, but none came. When he opened the door, he was a little thrown to find that empty too.

  Landen knew she hadn’t left the penthouse; that much he was sure of. So he had no idea where she could have gone. He closed the bathroom door, turning back towards the bedroom door. As he made hi
s way across the room, his notice the door to his walk-in closet was ajar, stopping him in his tracks.

  When he reached the closet, he slowly opened the door and stepped inside. The moment he did, he spotted Amelia sitting on the floor in the corner, her knees pulled up to her chest. When she lifted her head, Landen’s heart ached to see the sadness on her tear-soaked face.

  “Hey,” he said as he hurried towards her then sat down next to her on the floor, before he quickly put his arms around her, drawing her closer into his embrace. “Please don’t cry.”

  “I’m sorry for being so pathetic,” Amelia sniffed. “I know this is not what you signed up for.”

  “You’re far from pathetic,” Landen assured her with a nervous laugh. “And I signed up to be with you, the whole you; the good and the bad. This here is the bad, but there is so much good still to come.”

  “Why do you love me like you do?” Amelia asked as she looked up into Landen’s eyes. “Why have you turned your world upside down for me?”

  “Because you’re you,” Landen replied with a smile. “And I loved everything about you.”

  He lifted her hand in his weaving his finger between hers.

  “What Nikki said about me being paranoid,” Amelia said as she dropped her gaze to their hands. “Do you think that she’s right? Have I become paranoid?”

  “Not paranoid, no,” Landen said, knowing that his word could either help her, or hurt her more. “But you can’t live your life being afraid of him either. Amelia, he is locked up almost two thousand miles away. He can’t hurt you anymore. Except for inside your mind. Don’t let him have that power anymore. Take it back.”

  “Okay,” she replied giving him a smile. “I promise. I won’t let him win anymore more.”

  “Good,” Landen said as he brought their hands to his mouth, kissing the back of hers. “Now, how about we get dressed and go to Mom’s for breakfast. I know she is worried about you. I think she would love it if you dropped by and showed her that you’re doing just fine.”

  “I would like that,” Amelia replied, this time her smile widened.

  Landen stood up, pulling Amelia to her feet too. He kissed her softly on the lips, then gave her one of his killer smiles.

  “I do love you,” he breathed out as he leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers.

  “I know,” she whispered back before she leaned up, pressed her lips to his.

  When Landen arrived at work the next morning, he found Nikki already sitting in his office. Landen smiled when he saw her, because he knew before he even got there that she would be exactly where she was, waiting for him to arrive.

  “Good Morning, Nikki,” Landen said as he walked into the office. He slipped off his jacket, hanging it on his coat stand, before taking his seat behind the desk. “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “Landen!” She exclaimed, and Landen couldn’t help but smile. “Tell me, does Amelia hate me? Does she want to pick another maid of honour?”

  Landen laughed out loud, much to Nikki’s frustration.

  “IT’S NOT FUNNY!” Nikki huffed, and she stood up. “She is my best friend…”

  “I thought I was your best friend!” Landen replied, giving her a questioning look.

  “You are,” Nikki insisted, and Landen knew she was looking for the right thing to say. “But with Amelia it’s different. She is like the sister I never had, the last thing I want is to lose her…”

  “You’re not going to lose her,” Landen assured his friend, knowing he needed to set her fears to rest. “Nor does she hate you. You know that Nikki.”

  “But I know what I said yesterday hurt her,” Nikki replied with a sigh. “And that was the last thing I ever meant to do.”

  “I know that,” Landen sighed and gave her a smile. “And more importantly, so does Amelia.”

  “Does she?” Nikki asked, much to Landen surprise, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

  “Of course she does,” Landen replied. “Look, why don’t you come home with me tonight. We can have dinner, then you and Amelia can make up properly.”

  “Really?” Nikki asked with a hopeful smile.

  “Really,” Landen confirmed as he leaned forward in his seat. “But right now, I need the files for the Newton deal.”

  “Sure thing, Boss Man,” a happier Nikki replied as she stood up. “Can I get you a coffee?”

  “That would be great,” Landen said with a grateful smile. “Oh and actually, you know that florists I always use.”

  “Yep,” Nikki replied as she stopped at the door of the office, looking back at Landen.

  “Can you get me their number please,” he asked as he switched on his laptop in front of him.

  “If you want me to call them…” Nikki began to offer, but Landen stopped her.

  “Actually, I would like to call them myself,” Landen said with a grin, knowing that they meant more if he made the effort himself.

  “Wow,” Nikki laughed. “You’re learning.”

  “Yes, I am,” Landen chuckled before Nikki disappeared out of the office.

  A few minutes later, Landen’s intercom buzz and Nikki told him that she had the flower shop he wanted on hold. Landen ordered two dozen red roses, arranging for them to be sent to Amelia at work that morning.

  Landen had wanted her to take the week off before the wedding. He thought she was stressed out enough, without her needing to deal with work too, but Amelia insisted that she would be better off keeping busy. She also pointed out that Nell had everything organised for the wedding, so there was very little left for her to do. In the end she agreed to go in for just a couple of hours to finish up some last bits and pieces that she should leave by lunch time.

  Landen told the florist what he wanted on the card and asked that they be delivered before lunch.

  He smiled to himself as he hung up the phone. He knew that Amelia would love the flowers. Imagining her smiling, made him feel happy too.

  Two hours later, while Landen was still lost in paper work, Nikki knocked on the door to the office. Landen looked up from his laptop and smiled, but his smile quickly faded when he saw her. She was standing there holding a sheet of paper and her face was pale.

  “What’s wrong?” He asked knowing Nikki well enough to know that she didn’t get upset about many things.

  “This fax was sent to Caroline Clarke,” Nikki said as she held up the sheet of paper. “You know, she is Monica Devaney’s assistant down in Family Law. She was on holiday last week, as was Monica, so it wasn’t found until Caroline went through her paperwork when she arrived back this morning.”

  “What is it?” Landen asked as Nicki walked across the office, handing Landen the sheet of paper that was in her hand.

  Landen looked down at the paper in his hand, trying to read it, taking it all in as much as he could, as quickly as he could.

  “What…” Landen asked as he scanned over it again. “What the hell is this?”

  “It was sent to Monica Devaney’s office instead of ours by mistake,” Nikki explained. “It said that Pete Reynolds had been involved in some kind of incident in the place where he was being held; that he had been transferred to a general hospital for treatment.”

  “How the fuck did this happen?” Landen asked, looking from the paper, up to Nikki.

  “The only thing I can think of is, Monica’s number is the same as ours, except for the last digit,” Nikki offered. “Hers ends in six, ours in nine. I think they must have just hit a wrong button.”

  “How can they be so fucking stupid,” Landen demanded, as he stood up, slamming his hand down on the table. “I need you to get them on the phone right now. I swear, I will have someone’s head for this.”

  Nikki nodded and hurried back out to her desk. Two minutes later, Landen’s phone beeped with a call waiting.

  “Who is this?! Landen growled down the phone the moment he picked it up.

  “This is Bernard Robles,” A man’s voice said nervously from
the other end of the line. “I’m the Chief Administrator of the…”

  “I don’t give a damn what you’re Chief Administrator of!” Landen exclaimed, cutting him off mid-sentence. “I want you to tell me how you managed to send an important piece of information to the wrong department. Information that could put someone in harm’s way?”

  “I a…assure y…you, Mr. Murphy,” the man stammered. “Something like this has never happened before.”

  “Well that’s okay then, isn’t it,” Landen replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Tell me everything you know about Peter Reynolds, where he is right now, and what is his condition.”

  “Um…” the man hesitated at the other end of the line. “When we were notified of the situation, we contacted the medical unit that Mr. Reynolds had been taken to last week.”

  “And?” Landen demanded, but the tone of the other’s man voice already told him what he was going to say.

  “Well there seems to have been some misunderstanding,” the man continued, as his voice cracked with nerves. “And, um… it appears that Mr. Reynolds is no longer there.”

  “FUCK!” Landen yelled as he threw the phone across the office. Amelia had been right all along. She was probably being watched and more than likely, it was him she saw in the club on Saturday night. Landen had no clue how he was going to tell her the truth.

  Chapter 21

  Amelia

  Amelia was sitting at her desk, lost in a report she was typing up for Nell. She wanted to make sure that everything was left perfect for her, and for Eloise who was covering for her, while she was on honeymoon.

  Seven days in Cuba, followed by another seven days in Belize. Amelia couldn’t wait. When Landen was organising their honeymoon, he insisted on booking private villas so that they could have time to themselves, so for a short while, they could block the rest of the world out.

  “Are you doing okay, Sweetie?” Eloise asked, pulling Amelia from what she was doing. Amelia looked up from her laptop and Eloise gave her a warm smile.

  “Yep,” she replied, returning her friend's smile. “Just trying to get this report finished.”