Then I look up at the clock, it’s 5.30pm – Shit! I'm going to be late for Will!
I better get a taxi home, then I remember the £150 pounds in cash that Tristan stuffed into my hands this morning to cover taxi’s to and from work.I argued with him of course, and I certainly don’t intend using it all, but to be fair my legs are really aching from all the sex we’ve been having, so right now I am truly grateful for it.
Dashing through the building and out into the bright summer evening, I locate the nearest taxi and head back to the Marina…
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
BOY THAT WAS A WORK-OUT!As I walk out the gym and head down the concourse towards my studio, I can’t help wondering what game Susannah is playing. I mean she’s not just being weird with me, she’s obviously got Joyce’s suspicions going and she’s really upset Joe.
Gritting my teeth, I wonder aimlessly where she’s staying and debate for a split second of whether I should go pay her a visit, have a little chat, threaten her even to stay away from Joe.
Then I hear Joyce’s voice –‘keep your head down, do your work and don’t tell Tristan’– shaking my head I decide to take Joyce’s advice and try to forget about her.
As I reach my studio, I stare blankly at the patio door. It seems like a lifetime ago I was back here, yet it was only last Friday gone, just a few short days.
Taking a deep breath, I say a silent prayer that the melancholy doesn’t return. Putting my key in the door,I unlock it and walk inside...
AN HOUR LATER I HAVE SHOWERED– A long, hot relaxing shower, to try and ease my aching muscles, although I bashed my elbows several times, I think I’ve got used to Tristan’s huge shower, must remember to be more careful. The air-con is on, the room a perfect temperature, and. I have made a large salad for tea.CajunChicken for me and plain Chicken for Bob. I’ve already learned that for Bob, anything spicy is foreign crap, he likes everything plain.
As I'm sitting at my tiny table attempting to woo my appetite back, and staring blankly at the T.V screen, which is playing a recording of The Hairy Bikers cookery programme, my mind wonders to Tristan.
I wonder where he is, what he’s doing, if he’s ok. Quite honestly, it’s driving me mad. I was never like this with Justin, I never missed him, or ached for him, not like this. From the moment I left work, I have not stopped thinking about Tristan, his smile, his smell, his laugh, even the way he walks. I miss him, and I want his sexy body in my bed.I don’t feel as though I can think clearly anymore, I feel like I'm drugged up on him, it’s unnerving. I feel like I'm losing control of my own emotions.
Pushing my salad to the side, unable to eat anymore, I'm momentarily racked with guilt. I hate wasting food, so I decide to keep it for tea tomorrow. Maybe I’ll be so hungry that I’ll gobble it all up? Once I’ve stored it in a container and placed it in the fridge, I shuffle over to the sofa and attempt to clear my mind of all things Tristan and watch the show...
“WHO?” I MUMBLE. I DART UPWARDS, BLINKING MY EYES OPEN. I am on the sofa. It’s gone dark outside, the show has ended, the T.V has gone onto stand-by, and the studio is pitch black –I must have fallen asleep!
Then it happens again, a strange noise, whatever it was must have woken me up. I frown deeply and strain my hearing as I try to locate the odd sound. Then I see it, a shadow, a human shadow illuminated across the flooring from the lights outside.Holy crap!
I snap my head round. It’s coming from the front door, which I never use, and whoever it is, is just stood there, not moving at all and not knocking the door either.I swallow hard – Who the fuck is that?
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, just as a cold shiver runs down the length of my spine. I glance across at the clock on the wall, it’s 2.45am – Fuck, who is outside my door at this time in the morning?
I feel the panic try to take over, my hands are trembling, my breathing erratic. I stay firmly seated on the sofa staring at the figure by the door. I can’t work out if it’s male or female.This is freaking me out!
Then I think, maybe I should say something…I quickly change my mind, I’m not that brave. I look across the room, my bag is on my tiny fold out table – Damn it!I need my mobile, but I don't want to make any noise, and these floors creak when you walk across them. The door handle starts to move, it instantly stops my train of thought; whoever it is, is trying to get in – Holy Fuck!
I swallow hard, and try to keep my heart steady and my breathing calm, just like Will has taught me. I wish he was here now!
As I keep staring at the door, the shadow suddenly disappears,I sag with relief - Thank God I always keep that door locked! – Part of me wants to leap up, un-lock the door and see who it was. I’ll get a good view of them walking away, surely. But I can't move, I am frozen to the sofa, with my eyes firmly fixed on the door, I think I’m in shock.
Then I start to think a little more clearly. I wonder if I should I call the police? Then I think, what do I tell them?. It could have been anyone! It could have been someone who lives in one of the studios and was a little drunk, got the wrong place?
I shake my head at myself, knowing full well I'm making excuses up, trying to convince myself that it was nothing, so I don’t have a full scale meltdown.
Maybe I should go and stay at Tristan’s tonight? At least his place has an alarm system. As the fear start to subside, anger takes over. Fuck that, I'm not being forced out of my own place!
Marching over to my handbag and finding my mobile, I call the police. I figure whoever it was might have left some fingerprints, something the police can use…
HALF AN HOUR AFTER CALLING THEM, I'm told there’s no immediate danger, so they won’t send anyone to me until tomorrow morning. I tell them to forget it and just log the call. Slamming my mobile down on the table, I pace the room wondering if I should stay here after what’s just happened.Picking my mobile back up, I decide to call Gladys, maybe I can go stay there for tonight.As I go to call her, I notice I have five missed calls and three text messages.
Shit, Tristan! – I hadn’t taken my mobile off silent when I left work.
I open the call logs, the first one starts at 8.50pm the rest are in ten minute increments, I open up the first message.
*Coral, can’t get hold of you. Are you alright? Please let me know baby. I love you. I miss you. Tristan Xxx*
Then I open the second.
*Coral. Seriously starting to get worried now, I’ve called Joyce she said you left work on time. As soon as you get this call me, it doesn’t matter what time. Tristan.*
Then the third.
*Fuck’s sake Coral. Are you mad with me about something? Because not answering calls or replying to messages is very childish of you, I await your reply. Tristan.*
Oh dear! Tristan is not a happy bunny, and in fairness neither would I be. I decide to text him,if I call I might wake him.
*Hey, really, really sorry. I forgot to take my mobile off silent after work, fell asleep on sofa, just looked at my mobile. Tristan, I'm so sorry I didn’t mean to worry you. Call me if you want to, if not sweet dreams. I love you. Cx*
Literally two seconds after sending it, Tristan is calling me.
“Hey,” I walk over to the kitchenette and pour a big glass of water, eyeing the front door as I do.
“Coral!” Tristan sounds relieved.
“I'm ok,” I whisper.
“Thank god, you have no idea the things I was imagining.” I roll my eyes then frown at myself. I may feel like he’s over-reacting, but maybe he has a point. Somebody just tried to get into my place. A shiver runs down my spine again, just thinking of what might have happened...
“I'm really sorry, I wish you were here,” I tell him, and boy do I mean it.
“Next time!” He admonishes in his deep, husky voice.
“I know, mobile off silent. I get it,” I sigh and take a long drink of water.
“What’s wrong, you sound worried?” He quickly surmises.
“Do I?” I squeak.
“Yes,” he states firmly.
I contemplate telling him what just happened, but he’ll tell me to go stay at his and I don’t want to do that.Or worse still, he’ll drop everything and drive down here. Oh what to do?
“I….” Inspiration hits. “I just had a bad dream, that’s all.” Jeez I'm doing a lot of lying lately.
“Oh baby! Want to talk about it?” he asks softly.
“No, I'm good. Just the usual,” I say hoping to placate him.
“Want to share with me what the usual is?” he softly says.
I try to think of one of the many dreams I can tell him about, to try and ease his worry. I definitely don't want to tell him about the really bad ones.
“Just....I’m always running, running away from the really tall men in black cloaks. I can’t see their faces, but I know they are bad, like aliens or something and I'm running and jumping, sometimes I jump over roof tops like in the matrix, sometimes I jump over mountains. I fly through the air. I have to keep moving so they can’t catch me, it’s the fear that’s the frightening part…” I end on a whisper.
Tristan is silent. After all, he can’t save me from the bogeyman.
“Have they ever caught you?” he asks hesitantly.
I giggle at that one.“No, I'm too fast!”
Tristan is silent again. I instantly picture his face staring broodingly at me.
“Tristan I'm ok. You don’t have to worry about me. I had a kick-ass session with Will tonight.I can take care of myself. So please, don't worry ok?” I wonder who I'm trying to convince - Me or Tristan - I eye the front door again.
Tristan sighs heavily, then yawns. “I know you can baby, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to protect you, take care of you and keep you safe.”
I smile deeply at his beautiful words, Tristan yawns again. “Go back to sleep baby. Shall I call you in the morning as I walk to work?” I say dryly.
He chuckles at me.“You’re not getting a taxi?”
“Nope.” I answer cheekily.
“Ok,” he laughs. “What time?”
“I leave the house at 8am.” I tell him.
“Yes, call me and I’ll call you back, save your bill.”I roll my eyes at that one.
“Tristan I get a ridiculous amount of minutes for free, don't be daft!”
“Alright, have it your way. In five hours time I better get that call,” he admonishes.
“You will,” I giggle.
“Ok, sweet dreams my gorgeous girl.” My heart thumps slowly and deeply three times, stops, then starts beating rapidly against my chest.
“You too, speak tomorrow,” I say breathlessly. Trying to get the words out with no oxygen in my lungs is a trying feat.
“Dream of me,” he whispers.
“I will, you too,” I say closing my eyes, really wishing he were here.
“No doubt about that,” he whispers back. Oh Tristan!
Tristan sighs, then starts humming Some Enchanting Evening to me.
“Hey,” I scold softly. “Go to sleep!”
“Yes Ma’am,” Tristan titters.
“Love you,” I whisper.
“Love you too baby, Goodnight.”
“Night.” I can still hear him, he hasn’t hung up.
“Hang up Tristan!” I whisper.
“Can’t, don’t want to say goodbye.” I slump onto the sofa.“Me neither. But we both need some sleep and I need a clear head tomorrow, I’ve got such a manic day ahead,” I say.
“So have I,” he adds sarcastically. Yes, I’m sure his day is going to be more hectic than mine.
“That’s it then. We hang up together, ok?” I say smiling widely.
“Ok,” he chuckles.
“One, two, three…” My thumb hovers over the end call button. I can hear Tristan humming again. “Tristan!” I half scold, giggling as I do.
“What?” he chuckles, feigning innocence.
“It’s late baby. I don’t want to be tired and cranky at work tomorrow.” And right now I’m freaking out, I can't concentrate – I dash a look at the door again.
“No, I don’t want you to be either. How’s it going with Susannah?” Shit!
“Fine,” I mumble.
“That bad huh?” he says.
“No…I just…” I stop unable to articulate anything positive about her, so I pretend to yawn instead.
“Ok, sleepy I'm going. Miss you like crazy,” he says, sighing heavily.
“Miss you too baby,” I whimper.
“Love you. Bye.” Tristan whispers.
“Bye…” I whisper back, I hear Tristan chuckle then the line goes dead.My heart stops beating again. I take a ragged breathe in and slowly exhale.
Picking up my water, I take one last look at the door, then walk over to it and check it’s definitely locked. Then turning around I do the same with the patio door. This place is secure. I tell myself over, and over as I make my way up the stairs and into bed...
I AM DREAMING I’M ON THE BOAT AGAIN. Tristan is calling me, but I don’t feel the same warm, blissful feeling as I did before. I feel on edge, like all my senses are on hyper alert, like I can sense there’s danger.Tristan calls my name again, only it sounds slightly twisted, like...like he can't breathe – I immediately know something’s really wrong.
I silently head up the stairs. Tristan’s calls are becoming more frantic, like he’s trying to find me, but he can't. I want to call out to him, but a voice inside my head tells me not to, that I shouldn’t alert anyone to my presence.
As I reach the top of the stairs I scan the deck, I can’t see Tristan anywhere.As I look up above me, I notice the sun isn’t shining like before, dark ominous black clouds have covered it, pushing the blue sky away.The wind starts to howl, whipping my hair around my face, I can hear thunder in the distance.
I look out to the horizon, forks of lighting are lighting it all up, giving me a glimpse of the coming storm, the swelling sea, I feel scared and I don’t know why.
I hear Tristan’s strangled sob as he calls my name again. It’s like he’s got no strength left in him, I have to find him.I launch myself onto the deck staying as low to the ground as I can, my eyes darting left to right, trying to work out where his voice is coming from,then I finally locate him.No! Tristan!
He’s tied to the mainsail, his arms are bound and bleeding, he can’t move at all, and his head is lolling from side to side, blood oozing down the left side. I want to run towards him so I can untie his arms, stop the bleeding, but I’m scared. I feel like a child again, too frightened to do anything.
“Tristan,” I whisper trying to get his attention. I call to him three times, then finally,he groggily opens his eyes and when he sees me; they widen with fear.
“Run!” He growls so menacingly I shudder inside.
“What?” I frown back at him and take a step forward, holding my hand out to him.
“I said run!” He barks so loudly at me; it makes me jump.
“Tristan,” I whisper. “What’s wrong?”
His eyes suddenly move from focusing directly on me to behind me.
“Behind you! Move!” He bellows.
I whip my head round just as Susannah hits me hard across the head with something, it really fucking hurts!
I howl in pain, and as I fall onto the hard wooden deck, she launches herself on top of me. She looks shabby and her hair is all over the place, her lips pulled back over her teeth.I can feel her hands crushing my throat –Oh fuck! I can't breathe!
“He’s mine!” She screams psychotically. “Mine!”
Her hands grip my throat even tighter.I can feel I'm losing consciousness. I look up into her black eyes, she looks totally deranged. I go for a couple of gut punches, but each time I hit her, she squeezes even harder.
I can feel myself slipping under, and right before I do, my very last thought is of Tristan, his safety, and my love for him. I look up at him, and from my strange position on the deck, I see him upside down, trying to free him
self; he looks totally enraged – Tristan!
And then the blackness envelopes me...
I WAKE UP COUGHING, choking and gasping for air – gripping my throat instinctively. What the fuck was that all about? - Sitting up, I grab my water and take several long gulps, trying to clear my throat of the constricting feeling that’s still there. Then I take several deep breaths, and squeeze my eyes shut, trying my best to push the nightmare away.I’m soaked in sweat, my heart is hammering against my chest and I feel thoroughly shaken.God, that was freaky!
I try to laugh it off, make light off it, but something about that nightmare has got me feeling on edge, like I should be wary of Susannah, that I should be careful.I lie down and stare up at the ceiling. That’s ludicrous! Why should I be worried about Susannah?
I figure it must be the fact that somebody was outside my place last night, tried to get in, that’s got me all worked up, on edge, add that to the fact that Susannah hasn’t exactly made a good impression on her first day, and the fact that I'm missing Tristan like crazy, put them all together, and yeah, that’ll make a freaky dream. I should know, I have enough of them.
Checking the time, I see it’s 6.10am, my alarm goes off at 6.30am anyway so I decide to get up, get ready for my morning swim, and forget about that haunting nightmare…
AS I HEAD BACK TO MY STUDIO after my morning swim, I can’t help wondering where Tristan is right now. Is he still sleeping? I picture his face, his soft breathing as he sleeps, then I think he’s probably awake, working; the man has so much drive and ambition. Which makes me think about my career choice and whether Tristan is right.Should I be doing something different?
I push the thought away, I can’t think about that right now, I have to get back, get ready for work and face another day with Susannah. The thought makes me feel a little uneasy, especially after that awful dream. She really does come across as a nice person, but she’s already done some damage, and she’s only been with us a day.
Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him Page 62