Fallen (Beautiful Book 1)

by Iris Deorre

  ‘Have you done it?’

  ‘Not your turn.’

  ‘Fine.’ She sulked.

  He pressed his lips against her bandaged face again and attempted to kiss her. They played their game for another thirty minutes. Faith felt tired, and he left her to get some sleep.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said as he slid off the bed. ‘Thank you for taking my mind off my misery.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’ He winked.

  ****

  The police arrived one morning, but they hadn’t come to see Faith. Instead they were pointed in Logan’s direction. Faith listened in. They’d spent so much time together she had an idea what it was about, she just hoped it wasn’t bad news.

  ‘Mister Davenport,’ said one officer.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘We just need to ask you some questions.’

  ‘Yes okay.’ He tried to get comfortable.

  ‘Could you tell us what happened? We need your version of the accident.’

  He did the best he could to describe it, but it was vague. The truth of the matter was that he was high on drugs, there was no way his side was accurate.

  ‘On the night of the accident, were you intoxicated?’

  ‘Do I need a lawyer, officer?’

  ‘Do you?’

  He was silent.

  ‘We need to get to the bottom of this accident. People were injured. We need to decide if this needs to go to court.’

  ‘I think we need to rearrange this Q&A when I have a lawyer present.’

  The cop looked at him a little annoyed. He wanted to nail the spoilt bastard. He’d heard enough to know that Logan was a no good son of a bitch. He hated guys like him. They had everything they wanted, with rich fathers who could get them out of any kind of trouble. He wanted this one to pay.

  ‘Suit yourself, but we are doing this.’

  ‘Of course. I just need my lawyer present.’

  The officers nodded. The one wrote a few notes down, and then they thanked Logan for his time.

  Faith watched the policemen leave the ward. She lay back and waited for him to talk. He was silent, deep in thought, nerves running rampage. He knew that he was in a pile of shit, and that it would be good to own up to his mistakes, but he also knew that if he wanted to, he could walk away scott free.

  ‘Are you okay?’ she asked finally.

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Do you want to come over and talk about it?’

  He smiled. He loved the sound of her voice, and he loved the fact she was concerned about him. He’d been so wrapped up in his own world that the small things like that, never occurred to him. It was nice to have someone care.

  ‘I’d like that.’

  It took him a bit to get out of bed and wheel himself over to her. She turned and smiled, he smiled back.

  ‘Do you want to lie next to me?’ Faith loved the feeling.

  He nodded. It was a struggle, but with practice he’d mastered a way to get onto the bed better. She shifted a little to give him room. He lay on his good side and let his bandaged arm rest on her stomach.

  ‘Speak, I’m listening,’ she said.

  ‘I’m worried.’

  ‘It is worrying.’

  ‘My father could make this go away.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘But I want to do the right thing.’

  ‘That’s a good start.’

  ‘But what if the right thing means going to jail.’

  ‘I wouldn’t know, but I think there will be some hefty fines to pay.’

  ‘Yes, millions. For all the damaged I’ve caused.’

  ‘You’ll have to compensate the injured.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it right now. Get well and see what your lawyer has to say.’

  ‘If I can stay out of jail, that would be good.’

  ‘I can’t guarantee that, but I think you’d feel better doing the right thing. The man who did this to me, deserves to go to jail. It doesn’t matter how sorry he is, which I know he isn’t, but it’s just not right.’ She felt a lump in her throat.

  ‘Do you have any idea who it might be?’

  ‘None at all. There had been some strange things happening prior to the incident.’

  ‘Yeah, like what?’

  ‘My toothbrush cup being moved, my shoes mixed up. Knives went missing.’

  ‘Shit, that sounds sick.’

  ‘To think this man was in my house. How the hell did he get in?’

  ‘You’ve got to think. Was there anything strange about him, anything that stood out?’

  She tried to go back to the night, even though it was painful, but she couldn’t bring out anything.

  ‘I can’t remember much.’

  ‘Trauma, but it’s somewhere in your subconscious mind. One day something or someone will trigger it.’

  ‘You really think so?’

  ‘Yes I do. I think when the time is right, the perpetrator will be brought to justice.’

  ‘I don’t know if I’d be able to face him.’

  ‘You will. I’ll be there with you.’

  ‘You can’t promise that.’

  ‘I can. And I will be.’

  ‘You’ve got your own issues to deal with.’

  ‘And I’ll deal with them, but I’ll make sure I can be there for you.’

  She turned into him. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘You’re welcome. Spending time here with you has been the best thing I’ve ever done.’

  ‘Really? None of your sexual escapades live up to this?’

  ‘No, not at all!’ He laughed. ‘This feels different.’

  She laughed. It did feel different. In a way, the incident had forced her to slow down and take time to look at her life. Things that had seemed so important, no longer felt so. Conversations with Logan were what she looked forward to, not endless meetings and chasing the next big contract. Life had certainly showed her a different path, and for the first time she enjoyed it.

  As she relaxed in his embrace, Mel and Ivy walked into the ward. It was an unexpected surprise on both sides.

  ‘Erm…you guys didn’t say you were coming today.’

  ‘Do I need an appointment to see my only daughter?’ asked Ivy amused.

  ‘Of course not.’

  Logan shifted and looked at the two women who had just arrived.

  ‘Mum, Mel this is my friend Logan.’ She didn’t know what to call him yet.

  They may have had intimate moments, but they hadn’t talked about what they were, and she didn’t want to assume.

  ‘Logan, this is my mum, and that’s my best friend Mel.’

  ‘Nice to meet you both.’ He got up and slid off the bed. ‘I guess I better leave you.’ He got into the wheelchair.

  They waited until he wheeled himself to the bed. Mel watched her friend with an amused look, but Faith ignored her.

  ‘Here, these are for you.’ Mel placed the orchids on the side of the bed. ‘I brought them to cheer you up, but I see you don’t need it.’

  ‘I take it you heard about Jacob.’

  ‘Yes. I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.’

  ‘I understand. It’s no big deal.’

  ‘You sound happier,’ said her mother.

  ‘I’m getting there.’

  ‘Has that anything to do with the gentleman lying over there.’ Ivy teased.

  ‘Mum.’

  ‘I think I have my answer.’ She sat down.

  They talked. It was nice just to have them around. Again, she felt the amazing peace within her. Faith realised just how much time she’d missed with the two important people in her life. They talked about everything under the sun, and soon the potential deformities no longer featured in her brain, at least in that moment. Her burns were healing, that’s what the doctors had said, but they weren’t so sure about the scarring yet. Her face had a mixture of first and third degree burns. The third degree burns more to the left.

  When Fa
ith had rolled from side to side during the ordeal, she’d stopped extreme damage to the right side of her face. Parts of her body also had a mixture of burns, but her left arm had also been severely burnt. It had been a brutal few weeks, the extreme burns taking longer to heal. She had to deal with itchiness, and sometimes blisters, but the nurses and doctors on duty had done their best to make her as comfortable as possible. But most importantly she was grateful for the people who were at her side during the worst of times.

  She smiled at her visitors as they spoke. She really listened to what they had to say. It was because of them, she’d survived the ordeal. She just hoped she had enough courage to take the next few steps.

  ‘I think we’ve bored you enough,’ said Ivy finally.

  ‘Not at all. I love having you here.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it. I really sense a change in you,’ said Ivy. ‘That’s a good thing.’

  ‘Yes it is. I just hope I’ll be able to face the coming weeks.’

  ‘You’ve faced the past few days. You’ll do the same with the future. Just take one day at a time.’

  ‘Yes. I will.’ Faith had Logan to thank for a lot of it. If she’d been left alone, she wasn’t sure she would have made it. But with him, she felt she could carry on, she just hoped that wouldn’t change when her face was revealed.

  ‘I’ll see you next weekend,’ said Mel.

  She nodded.

  ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ said Ivy. ‘Unless you have a date.’ She winked.

  ‘Mum!’ She smiled.

  She watched them go and felt peace within her. Everything would be okay, she was certain it would.

  Chapter Five

  Doctor Patterson made rounds. She checked on Faith first.

  ‘Things are progressing well,’ she said after the examination.

  ‘Why did you do it?’ Faith blurted.

  ‘Do what?’ Crystal didn’t know what she was talking about.

  ‘The sex for money thing. Why do you do it? You’re smart, I mean look at you, you’re training to be a doctor.’

  She turned and looked straight at Logan. ‘You told her?’

  ‘I don’t have doctor patient confidentiality. I can tell whoever I want.’

  ‘I don’t believe this! I could get into serious trouble if anyone found out.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. I’m just concerned that you don’t see your value.’

  ‘It’s got nothing to do with that. Sex is just that, sex.’

  ‘No it isn’t. You’re opening up yourself to another person, and as women, whether we admit it to ourselves or not, want to bond after it. Men can walk away, but we can’t.’

  ‘I’m different.’

  ‘You’re a doctor, you know that’s not true. You just suppress it and pretend like it doesn’t matter. But here’s the problem with that. One day you won’t be able to suppress it any longer and it will explode in more ways than one.’

  ‘Well, you don’t have to worry about it.’

  ‘I do. You’re young, don’t ruin your life for a quick buck. Work hard and you’ll earn your own soon enough.’

  ‘Well, I don’t want debt.’

  ‘And yet you’re creating emotional debt. I’d rather have financial debt than emotional debt.’

  ‘I guess I’m not you then.’ She was about to move on.

  ‘Be careful.’

  ‘I always am.’

  ‘Yeah, she has a black belt,’ said Logan.

  ‘I can’t believe you told her.’

  ‘We didn’t sign a secrecy agreement. You volunteered yourself remember.’

  She examined him a little pissed off, but she had to keep it professional.

  ‘I know that, but you didn’t have to tell everyone.’

  ‘Faith isn’t anyone. It was my story to tell.’

  ‘I hope this isn’t you getting back at me for not changing your records.’

  ‘I’m over that. I don’t need you to do that. I was talking about it because I wanted to.’

  She made sure he was all right physically, and then told him the senior doctor would make rounds later that day. She was upset, and it felt worse because she had a sex appointment that night. Faith’s words lingered, they actually drove her crazy. It bugged her, but she couldn’t just change. She struggled with the idea that if she took a loan for her education, she would be paying for it the rest of her working life. The sex for money hadn’t bothered her, or had it? She’d just pushed it deep down her being, but now it had just surfaced. She examined the rest of the patients and then left the ward, feeling angry and upset.

  ‘I’m sorry I told her,’ said Faith.

  ‘Don’t worry about it. Perhaps it was something she needed to hear.’

  ‘It seems I’m still the same person, regardless.’ She laughed lightly. ‘I’m always telling pretty girls not to use that as their strength, instead to use their minds.’

  ‘I guess if all the women in the world did that, we’d work harder for sex.’

  She laughed.

  ‘It’s been pretty easy, with my good looks and charm.’ He teased.

  ‘Is that right?’

  ‘Yes, but I think I might have a problem with a different kind of woman.’

  ‘I doubt that, the woman you seek, doesn’t have many options when it comes to men.’

  ‘Now that’s where I beg to differ.’

  ‘This is a fact. I’ve been chased by men the majority of my adult life. All because I was beautiful, but I refused to be measured by it. But look at me now, the reality has hit me. Look at what my ex did, and if you weren’t in this hospital, getting to know me, you wouldn’t give me the light of day.’

  ‘Erm…’

  ‘It’s true, don’t try to deny it.’

  ‘Perhaps we need a knock on the head, a near death experience to put our perspectives right.’

  ‘Well, that’s not going to happen. Men will always chase beautiful women, they’re visual. It’s a fact, the media has defined beauty as one way.’

  ‘Well at least I know different.’

  ‘Yes well. We shall see. I’m not even certain I’ll be able to embrace myself.’ She certainly wasn’t looking forward to the coming weeks, it scared her.

  Later that night, when the majority of patients were asleep, Faith heard light footsteps enter the ward and head her way. The curtain was pulled around her bed, and the side lamp switched on. Crystal stood in tears with a bruised eye.

  ‘Oh my gosh, what happened?’ asked Faith.

  Crystal pulled up a chair and laid her head on Faith’s legs. It didn’t feel odd at all. Instead, Faith lifted her right hand and placed it on Crystal head lightly. She shook and soon she was in bits. Faith waited. She waited until Crystal felt safe enough to talk.

  ‘He hit me,’ she sniffed.

  ‘Who hit you?’

  ‘The man I went to see tonight. He hit me. I let him tie me up; he’d offered five thousand pounds.’ She cried. ‘But then he started to hit me. I should’ve known better. I’m a fool, you were right.’

  ‘Ssssh, you’re not a fool. No one has the right to hit you. No one.’

  The doctor cried. She didn’t know where else to turn. It had been her secret, how would she explain it to anyone? The only person she could speak to was the woman who had told her not to do it.

  ‘You need to press charges.’

  ‘I can’t, people will find out what I do.’

  ‘Will you still do it?’

  ‘No.’ She sat up. ‘Of course not.’ She wiped away the tears with the back of her hand.

  ‘Then it shouldn’t be a problem.’

  ‘I can’t.’

  ‘You can’t let him get away with it.’

  She shook her head.

  ‘Okay. If that’s what you want.’

  They were silent. Faith’s strong presence was enough to make her feel better.

  ‘I think I’ll go home now,’ she said finally.

  ‘Okay. I’m here a
ny time if you want to talk.’

  She nodded. ‘Thank you.’ The doctor left.

  ‘What happened?’ asked Logan.

  ‘You’re not asleep?’ she smiled faintly.

  ‘No, how can I?’

  ‘Perhaps I’ll tell you in the morning. Now get some sleep.’

  He laughed. ‘Yes ma’am.’

  ****

  The next morning after rehab he was at her side. Faith couldn’t tell him, she’d promised Crystal, so instead they talked about other things. The more time they spent together, the more her heart yearned for him, but she wouldn’t let herself get attached. Not until she was sure she was what he really wanted.

  In a few days time, the bandages would come off, she wasn’t sure she was up to it. What would she look like? The bandages had been dressed regularly by the nurses, but now they were coming off, she dreaded it. They’d offered a counsellor, but she had declined. She wasn’t even sure she’d have the guts to look into the mirror.

  The days came faster than she would’ve liked. Mel, Ivy and Logan were all around her for moral support. She’d wanted to do it alone, but now that they were with her, she knew it had been the best move on their part. Doctor Patterson, a senior doctor and a nurse were at Faith’s bedside.

  ‘Are you ready?’

  ‘Not really, but they have to come off.’

  The moment of truth! The bandages were taken off slowly. The surrounding energy was filled with fear, her own included. It took a while and then finally it was done. She shut her eyes. She didn’t want to see their faces. She didn’t want to know what their eyes would show.

  ‘Beautiful,’ said Logan. ‘Don’t hide your eyes.’

  Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at her mother and friends.

  ‘Oh sweetie, you’re still beautiful.’

  ‘I agree,’ said Doctor Patterson. ‘You can never strip away true beauty.’

  Faith smiled mildly.

  ‘What everyone has said is true. You’re still the most beautiful girl I know. And I’m still jealous,’ said Mel.

  ‘You shouldn’t be.’

  ‘How can I not be, you still manage to bag yourself a hottie.’

  ‘I haven’t!’ She felt a little embarrassed. ‘We’re just friends.’

  ‘Are we?’ asked Logan. ‘I was hoping for more than the friendship card.’

  She looked at him a moment. There was no hesitance, he meant what he said.

  ‘Are you sure?’