“Hey Stu,” Tristan says. I smile weakly at him. Stuart nods to us both. He is the most reticent man I have ever met.
“Let’s go,” Tristan says wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
We walk outside into the cool night air, and over to the waiting Jag. Stuart opens the back door and I slip inside the sumptuous leather seats. Kneeling down, Tristan leans into me and kisses me softly.
“I’ll be as quick as I can. I can't stand being away from you for too long,” he says kissing me again. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” he adds, shattering my heart into a million pieces.
“Yes,” I whisper. “Did I tell you how handsome you look tonight, and how safe and protected you make me feel?” Tristan smiles his shy, bashful smile at me; we silently gaze at one another for a moment, then he leans down once more, and softly kisses me.
“See you soon beautiful,” he whispers at my ear, planting a soft, wet kiss under my earlobe.
“I’ll miss you,” I whisper back. Tristan takes my hand squeezes it once, then slowly stands. “Oh hey Tristan...don’t...” I stop, I can't say it.
He leans down to me. “What baby?”
“I just...stay away from that guy, Simon,” I say.
His eyes narrow. “Did he say something to you Coral?” He asks, his voice low, his whole body tensing up.
“No...just a funny feeling...” I drift off.
“Oh! Well, I’ve never done business with him, but I’ll stay away from him, for you. Ok?” He says, smiling sweetly at me.
“Ok, I love you.” I murmur.
“Love you too baby, see you soon.” He holds up his hand as he slowly closes the door, I lift up my hand and wave back at him, smiling as broadly as I can, but Tristan doesn’t smile back at me, he looks as though he’s in pain, actual physical pain. Tristan, what’s wrong?
As the car pulls out into traffic, I watch Tristan blow out a deep breath; his gazing following the car the whole time, until, eventually, I can no longer see him.
The enormity of the situation finally hits me.
I start shaking from head to toe, I feel the tears bubble up to the surface and an angry scream building within me.I grip my hair with both hands, trying to hold onto my sanity.
Suddenly Stu pipes up, bringing me out of my stupor.“Coral?” He questions, his voice laced with worry. “Shall I turn around?” He asks.
“No!” I squeak. “Please Stu, just get me to the hotel as quickly as you can,” I manage to choke out.
“Right.” Stu slams his foot down and starts to race through traffic, and what seems like moments later we pull up outside the hotel.
“Stu, will you walk me up to the room?” I ask, he turns in his seat and frowns back at me. I can see what he’s thinking – Going into the boss’ girlfriends hotel room, just the two of us, but there’s no way in hell anything like that would ever happen.
“Tristan did say to come up if you asked, it’s just’ – “Please Stu, I don't think I’ll make it up there, and I don't want to be on my own. I just want you to stay in the suite until Tristan get’s back. I’ll be in the bedroom anyway, please...” I plead.
“If it makes you feel...more secure,” he says, frowning deeply.
“It will,” I tremble.
“Alright.” Stu drives forward and finds a parking bay. He exits the car and opens my door for me. Offering his hand out, I gladly take it and stumble as I get to my feet. Stuart quickly catches me, I can tell he feels uncomfortable touching me, like he’s feeling up his boss’s wife.
“Stu, nothing untoward is happening here, I give you my word. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, but I’m feeling quite faint. Can I take your arm?” I ask.
Stu looks a little taken aback at first, then he smiles a little awkwardly at me. “By all means,” he says, offering me his arm.
“Thanks.” I grip his arm tightly and we walk in into the hotel.
In no time at all, we have taken the lift to the top floor and Stuart is gently guiding me inside the sumptuous suite.
Reaching the main room, I slowly sink into sofa next to the fire and stare blankly at it.
“Can I get you anything?” Stuart asks.
“A Brandy?” I whisper.
“Coming right up.” I hear Stuart clonking around at the bar, moments later he’s handing me a glass.
“Thanks Stuart,” I say and neck the whole thing back, I know I shouldn’t, but I need the instant hit.
“Did you want another?” He asks, frowning down at me.
“No, no thanks,” I say. “I’m going to bed now, but you’ll stay in here?” I ask.
Stuart shuffles from one foot to the other. “If it makes you feel more comfortable.”
“It will, thank you Stuart.” I get to my feet and slowly make my way into the bedroom.
Shutting the door behind me, I stare blankly round the room. I feel the tears building, but I can't cry. Tristan will know something is wrong and I don't want to tell him until we’re out of London, away from that fucker!
I feel cold, so cold. I throw my clutch onto the bed and wrap my arms around myself, trying to generate some heat.
I need a shower – I feel so dirty and disgusting. Stripping my dress off me as carefully as I can so I don't rip my stitches open, I rid myself of the rest of my clothing and head into the en-suite....
THE FOLLOWING MORNING WE ARRIVE BACK AT THE VILLA IN CORNWALL. Tristan picks up our bags from the boot and I slowly follow him up the stairs. He un-locks the front door and gestures for me to go first. I have been trying since Tristan came back last night to act normal, but I’m not sure if I’m being very convincing. I walk into the villa and just stand there, gazing out at the view. The sky is a perfect blue, the sun is shining, making everything seem brighter, more beautiful. How anyone can have a problem on a day like this is beyond me – Except I do, and I know that today, I’m going to have to face it.
“Alright,” Tristan says, sighing heavily.
I turn to see he has shut the door, placed our bags down and is stood a few feet away from me with his arms crossed.
“I know something’s bothering you. Ever since I got back last night, you’ve hardly spoken a word. Have I done something wrong?” I shake my head at him. “Then what is it Coral?”
It’s taken such a humungous effort on my part to keep this to myself. Having to wait until we are far enough away from the fucker so Tristan can't do anything stupid – like kill him, it’s really taken its toll on me!
My legs start shaking, actually physically shaking, my knees knocking together, I look down at them. I can’t stop it. The rest of my body soon joins in, and I’m literally shaking from head to toe.
“Tristan,” I whimper and burst into uncontrollable, hoarse sounding sobs. He’s straight over to me, wrapping his arms around me, squeezing me tight, making me feel safe.
“Christ Coral, what’s wrong?” He asks, holding me tight, trying to stop me from shaking out of his hold. He holds me for the longest time, letting my cry it out.
When I stop shaking so much and I feel calm enough to tell him, I get a flash image of what he used to do to me back then. No! Then I feel it, the swish of saliva before your sick.
“Gonna be sick!” I shout. Tristan releases me, I run down the hallway, into the bedroom, fling the en-suite door open and manage to reach the toilet in time – and it hurts, hurts so much. The heaving is making my right lung really burn, and my shoulder throb painfully at me.
I feel Tristan kneel down next to me, and take as much of my hair out of the firing line as he can, his other hand is softly stroking my back. When the dry heaving stops, I flush the toilet, and Tristan helps me to my feet.
“Need to clean my teeth,” I croak.
“Coral, do we need to go back to A&E? – Tell me?” I look up at our reflections, Tristan looks worried, out of his depth.
“This isn’t about that Tristan. Something happened last night, but I couldn’t tell you until we were back h
ere,” I croak.
“Why?” He asks, looking quite perplexed now.
“Trust me,” I say, staring at his reflection. “Please Tristan, trust me on this. I’m going to clean my teeth, then I’m going to come and find you in the living room. But I’m going to need a Brandy for this, and so will you.” I say.
“Coral’ – “Tristan, I’m begging you. Trust me.” I stare back at him, my eyes pleading with his.
He nods once, leans forward, kisses the back of my hair, then walks out of the bathroom.
Taking a deep rasping breathe, I start cleaning my teeth. When I’m done, I find my Gaviscon and take two big mouthfuls of it, then I take another deep breath, square my shoulders and head out the bathroom...
TRISTAN IS SAT ON THE SOFA WITH A GLASS OF BRANDY IN EACH HAND. I silently take a seat next to him. He glances across at me and hands me a glass. I take a tentative sip, then I glug the whole thing back. Ouch! It burns as it goes down, then seconds later I feel it flood through my body, warming up a cold I can't seem to shake off. I see my hand is shaking as I place the glass down on the coffee table, I clench my hands into fists trying to hide it.
“Coral, what’s wrong baby?” Tristan asks, his voice soft.
“Please promise me something,” I plead, my voice trembling.
“Anything,” he breathes.
I reach out with my free hand and entwine our fingers together. “I promised you the other day that I would talk to you, tell you if something was wrong, or bothering me, and you said that we would work things out together?” Tristan nods once. “Ok, I’m about to tell you something that you’re not going to like. So please, promise me that you won't go off at the deep end. That you’ll keep your head and think logically about this?”
“I’ll try,” he softly says, lifting my chin so I have to look at him. “Tell me,” he adds in his authoritative voice.
I swallow hard and begin. “Last night...that guy...Simon’ – “I knew he’d upset you!” He barks.
“Tristan!” I scold, then the tears start again, making my vision blurry, spilling down my cheeks. “I really need you to be calm Tristan...please...” I sniff, trying to fight the tears, but I choke out another hoarse sounding sob.
“Christ...” He puts his Brandy down and pulls me into his arms.
I curl up on his lap. I feel safer like that.
“I’m sorry Coral...I’m sorry,” he says, gently rubbing his hand up and down my back, soothing me. I listen to the sound of his heart gently beating; we stay like that for a while, Tristan gently rocking me...
“Coral, I promise you. I won't say another word,” he suddenly pipes up. Somehow, I doubt that. But I need to tell him – I have to get it out!
I take a deep steadying breath. “He’s the one Tristan.”
“The one who what baby?” He asks, his voice deep. low, icy.
“Who abused me when I was...” I stop, I can't say anymore.
Tristan’s body has frozen beneath me, his hand has stopped in the middle of my back. His heart has gone into over-drive, and his breathing has stopped.
The silent tears continue to fall, one after the other down my cheeks. I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my head under his chin, I feel like a child again, a frightened child. I grip him even tighter as the tears continue to flow.
A part of me doesn’t want to see his reaction, I’m afraid of what he might do. Not to me, to him – Then I think maybe I should have had Stuart come with us, so he could stop Tristan if he decided to drive up to London and confront him. Then I think no, I don't want him involved, not in this.
I decide my best plan of action is to do nothing, and just wait until he’s ready to ask any questions. I still can't believe I’ve met him again, another shudder runs through my body. What are the chances of him turning up like that? It’s almost as though Tristan is the key, that he has been all along.
Finally, he speaks. “Are you sure?” His voice is lower, colder than I have ever heard before.
“Yes.” I answer firmly. “I’ll never forget those eyes... even though I’ve tried..so hard to.” I squeeze my eyes shut.
His arms squeeze tighter around me, almost too tight. “One hundred percent positive?” He asks, kissing the top of my head.
“Yes. And he knew too. The fucker teased me about it Tristan, that’s what he was doing last night ...” I break off, I can't continue.
Tristan gasps, then growls. “He teased you? How did he tease you Coral? What did he say?” He sneers, he’s fuming and trying to hold it in.
I take a deep breath. “That he remembered me, then he touched me’ – Tristan stiffens again – ‘twice, and...he said...my skin was,” I stop again, I feel sick. Another deep breath. “That my skin was still soft, he knew my name Tristan!” I sit up and look at him. “Didn’t think he was such a big man when he saw you walking towards me though. When he asked if I knew you, I told him you were my fiancé, he seemed worried’ – “He should be,” Tristan growls interrupting me. It sends a shiver down my spine.
“I threatened him,” I sniff.
“You did?” Tristan says, surprised.
“Yeah...I...I told him he’s a dead man.” I shake my head. “That was a stupid thing to have done. I shouldn’t have, I know that now. But I was so’ – Tristan’s lips find mine, gently silencing me with a sweet, soft chaste kiss.
“Whatever you do,” he chokes out. “Do not apologise for what you said to him Coral.”
I swallow hard. “I’m scared Tristan.”
“Hey.” He reaches up and places his hands against my cheeks. “I will never let anything happen to you,” he says, his voice firm, his eyes searching mine.
“It’s not me I’m worried about,” I squeak.
“Then what are you worried about?” He asks, searching my face.
“You. I’m worried you’ll do something to him...that’s why I didn’t tell you yesterday. I don't fancy visiting you in prison,” I choke out.
His eyes close and he takes a very deep breath, then releasing his hands from my cheeks, Tristan picks up his glass and knocks back his Brandy. He stares ahead, clenches his jaw several times, then slowly shakes his head.
“No wonder the fucker disappeared when I walked back in. I thought it was odd,” he says.
“Do you know who he works for? Maybe we can tell his employer?” I say.
“He owns his own company Coral.” He says, his eyes narrowed as he stares straight ahead, his mind elsewhere.
“Do you know the name of the company?” I ask.
“What are you thinking Coral?”
I shrug. “I don't know, I just...” I drift off.
“I thought you didn’t want retribution,” he states.
“I wasn’t thinking that,” I say.
“Then what were you thinking?” Tristan asks, still staring ahead, contemplating.
I shrug again. I’m not sure what I’m thinking, or saying. I have no idea what to do now. I never thought I would ever see him again, and now I have...I shake my head and grit my teeth.
“You understand why I had to leave last night, don't you?” I ask.
“Of course I do,” he scoffs. “But I’m mad at myself, my gut instinct was telling me there was something wrong, but...” Tristan drifts off for a moment. “You were right baby,” he finally turns and looks at me. “If you’d have told me last night, I’d have killed the fucker.” With that he gets to his feet, picks up his mobile and heads for the door. “You haven’t eaten today so I’m going to get us some breakfast.” He yanks the door open and without looking back at me he storms through the door, slamming it shut behind him.
I sigh inwardly. I don't think he’s gone to get food at all, I think he’s gone out to calm down, which is fair enough, I can understand that. I shiver again and wrap my arms around myself. I feel so tired, exhausted now I’ve got it out. I wonder off to the bedroom, climb under the quilt, pull it over my head, and curl up into a ball...
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
I look out at the view, there are so many people out on the beach, but I don't feel like going outside today, I just want to hide and forget the world – I hate that the fucker has made me feel like this.
As I walk into the living room I’m startled by Tristan. I didn’t hear him come back. He’s sat on the sofa with his laptop on his thighs, his legs stretched out in front of him, his feet resting on the coffee table.
He looks up at me, his big brown eyes wide and worried. “Hey baby.” He reaches his hand out for me, I take his hand and sink down onto the sofa next to him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask.
Tristan sighs. “Because I shouldn’t have left you last night, or today’ – I silence him with my finger. “Stop it. You did what you needed to do Tristan. I’m not upset you went out today, so don't you be. I was fine, I slept for a while, then I did some thinking.”
He reaches up and cups my cheek with his hand, he looks like he could cry. “What were you thinking baby?”
“That I am not having my first ever holiday ruined because of that fucker!” I spit.
Tristan smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You want us to forget it?” He says.
“I think so,” I say. Tristan moves his laptop to the side and pats his legs, I climb up so I’m sitting sideways on his lap.
“Are you sure?” He questions, squeezing me tight.
“Positive,” I say. Tristan glances down at his laptop, then starts to close the lid. “Whoa! Wait!” I shout. “You know something?” I ask.
“No, I was just looking over his company website.” He says, frowning at me, but I can tell he’s hiding something.
“Let me see,” I say, intrigued all of a sudden and pull the laptop onto my legs.
Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him Page 124