Beautiful Disaster (The Bet)

by Francette Phal

  Nicholas remained at her side, watched her small face contort in pain and then relax, and watched her small nose wrinkle cutely as he counted ten fingers and toes, all dainty and small. In his head he silently christened her Bella because there was nothing else that suited her more. Nicholas watched over her until the very moment when the nurse came to inform him that visiting hours were over and even then he stole a few more minutes to be by her side before he reluctantly left the room.

  There was only one other person who he yearned to see in that moment and nothing or no one was going to stop him.

  "Welcome to Splendor, my name is Ellie and I'll be your waitress tonight." It was a switch she turned on, one that served the purpose of putting the customers at ease, make them feel welcomed. A good waitress earned a good tip. Let the sweet smile grace your lips, slip on the mask of enthusiasm and be eternally patient. Above all else, your problem, whatever baggage you had going on wasn't their concern, so leave the issues at the door and pick it back up when you're done with your shift. These were the rules Ellie lived by, ones she'd come to rely on a lot recently.

  School, along with everything else hadn't been pleasant as of late. She no longer had the shroud of anonymity. Everyone at school knew who she was now. They whispered behind cupped hands as she walked down the corridors, following her every move with hawk-like eyes as they recounted the events of that day. Some didn't even make it a point to whisper but rather blatantly spoke about the intimate details of her relationship with Nicholas like it was tabloid news.

  The girls were especially malicious in mixing lies with half-truths that Ellie didn't even recognize the stories they told. The pitying looks were the worse though and the teachers were the number one provocateurs of that. It all became too much after a while.

  Not for the first time in the last few weeks had Ellie not felt like the entire world was against them. Waiting with bated breath for either Nicholas or herself to give into the pressure, sigh in exasperation and wave the white flag. Renounce their love so that everyone else could be happy.

  It was a sore temptation for someone like Ellie, who had experienced both the miserable aspect of life and love to just give in. Even now Ellie felt tempted to forget their love affair had ever existed and just move on. Forget that for a brief stretch of time she'd been truly happy. Forget Nicholas...forget everything.

  But then a sudden thought occurred to Ellie and she wondered if it was at all possible to truly forget the other side of her soul. Could she forget his face, so permanently etched within the grooves of her mind? Was it possible to forget the sensation of being in the arms of a person who made you see the world so differently? The imprint of his lips upon hers still lingered, like ghosts now, but Ellie still felt them. The memories of those rare passionate moments they'd shared were impossible to forget.

  And the answer to all her questions became clear. Ellie didn't want to forget Nicholas, because she couldn't forget about Nicholas. She was physically and emotionally incapable of doing so. Moreover as clichéd as it may have been, Ellie believed that Nicholas was the other side of her. Nicholas Grayson was her soul mate.

  Love was a two-sided coin etched with eternal heartbreak and eternal joy and as miserable as it made you feel at times, the rewards reaped because of the misery would be bountiful. Ellie had to believe that good things were coming their way. She just had to keep her faith and know that love was leading her down the right path. She had to believe with her entire being that Nicholas would wait for her down that path.

  So today was yet another day she had to endure. The pain of missing Nicholas was always there, lurking in the depths of her heart, expanding until at times it was all she felt, but Ellie couldn't allow herself to fall victim...not again.

  "I have the beer braised beef with mushroom for the gentleman," Ellie carefully maneuvered the large plate of steaming food in the front of a giant man by the name of James Laurens, a regular at Splendor who happened to be a great tipper.

  Laurens or rather James as he'd asked Ellie to call him upon their first meeting, was a self-made millionaire who'd made his riches by breeding animals people paid a ridiculous amount of money to own. By just the looks of him, one would never surmise that he was worth anything. He had a joyful demeanor and a bawdy good-natured sense of humor that always managed to put a genuine smile of Ellie's face.

  "Well ain't this the grandest meal I've seen in a bit of a while. Gabe must be in the kitchen." Everything about James was bigger than life and that included his laughter, a jovial sound that reminded Ellie of Santa Claus.

  Ellie smiled. "Yeah, Gabe actually managed to get off his lazy butt and cook. He made the beef extra tender for you. And for the lady, I have the Lemon chicken and your potatoes will be right out. Can I get you anything else?" James looked over at the woman seated across from, who Ellie could only guess to be the infamous Tinsley Davenport. Ellie had heard lots things about her from James and she hoped that Tinsley made the gentle giant happy. He more than deserved it. With a promise to return in a little while to check on them, Ellie left them to their meal.

  With the dinner crowd arriving en masse, the rest of the evening did not allow Ellie a moment's pity as both the staff and customers pulled her in every direction. The thought of Nicholas did not enter her mind until well after the last customers made their way out the door.

  "Ells, Gabe told me to let you know he left early to go pick up Sophie." said Sandy, a slim and pretty brunette who hadn't been with Splendor overly long, but was a pro with the customers with her friendly attitude and ready smile.

  Ellie tipped them out, peering down at the receipts she punched in the last three numbers in the calculator before looking up. "Alright Sandy, thanks for the message. You can close up the back door and tell Josh to lock the kitchen and you're all free to go."

  "You're a Goddess! Did I ever tell you're my favorite person to close with, Ells?" She asked sweetly sweeping the terry cloth across the bar.

  Ellie wearily grinned. "I aim to please."

  "Hey, do you want to go out clubbing with us? Josh and Kennedy are coming with me."

  "No thanks, I'm really beat. I think I'll just go home, shower, and hit the sac."

  "I'm sorry, Ells, but you have got to be the most boring eighteen year old girl I know."

  "Josh!" Sandy threw her cloth at the lanky, auburn haired man who made his way towards them. A grin split his lips as he caught the towel and threw it back at her. "Don't be so mean."

  Josh rolled his eyes, as he settled into one of the spinning stools set before the long bar. "I'm not being mean, I'm being honest. For a girl as hot as Ellie is, life should be one massive orgy of parties and guys! My freaking Grandmother acts younger than her and she's like knocking on ninety!"

  "As much as I hate to agree with him, I'd have to say he's right Ells. Come on, it'll be really fun!" She cajoled, her bottom lip jutting out in a pout. "Please…?"

  Ellie calmly put the calculator away, sighing she looked them. "My life is fun. Just because I don't go club hopping and getting smashed doesn't mean I don't have fun. Besides I'm really not into that scene anymore, I went through it and I really don't want to go back. Now, if you two are done with everything in the back I'm going to go grab my coat and keys so that we can leave."

  "But---"

  "No buts. Thanks for your concern, but I don't want to discuss my life anymore." With that said Ellie turned on her heel and headed to the back to get her coat and keys.

  Sandy and Josh waved her goodnight before hopping into Sandy's red hot Mustang and driving off into the night. Ellie set the alarm on the door, before she too made her way to her car.

  The flickering orange glow from the street lights illuminated the unblemished snow on the asphalt, catching a crystallized snowflake every now than. Ellie mindlessly admired the simple beauty of it as she dug inside her coat pocket for her keys.

  She hadn't lied when she'd told Sandy and Josh that all she wanted to do was go home, get a shower a
nd go straight to bed. What she wouldn't do for the warm comforts of her bed right now. Ellie sighed for the umpteenth time today, with any luck she wouldn't dream of Nicholas tonight, she was so tired. The sudden gust of frigid air had Ellie tugging the black pea coat tighter around her body; it was only a little bit more until she reached the Ridgeline.

  The sudden screech of tires gripping the slippery asphalt prompted Ellie to look over her shoulder, wondering if someone was fishtailing. There was a white van heading her way...alarmingly fast. All thoughts escaped her as she started in a dead run, she could see the truck now, just yards away. The annoying vroom of the engine warned Ellie that the van was gaining on her, she cursed under her breath as she ran faster. Only a little bit more...

  "Just a little bit furt---" Ellie wasn't given a chance to finish her sentence as an arm wrapped around her midsection and snatched her into the dark confines of the moving van.

  Ellie struggled, fought and bit like a hellcat ready to be declawed. She swore and vowed revenge, but her assailants would not be deterred as they brutishly held her down, tied her hands, bound her legs, blindfolded her and wrapped a foul tasting cloth around her mouth, effectively stifling her swears.

  As suddenly as it all happened, everything froze to a deafening halt and the only sounds Ellie heard was the wheezing cough of the engine as the van zoomed down the silent parking lot, snow crunching beneath the tires. The anger slowly melted away, the adrenaline pumped at a more sedate pace and the chilling fingers of fear slowly took hold and began to freeze her insides. Fear and panic fused, formulating vicious thoughts and images.

  She didn't want to be raped! She didn't want to be killed! And she most certainly did not want to be KIDNAPPED! This couldn't possibly be happening to her!

  Ellie fruitlessly tried to loosen her bonds, her body writhing on the floor in her desperate attempt to be free. When that didn't work, she used her weight to thump against the walls of the van-if this was to be her fate, than she would not go down without a fight!

  Thump!

  Thump!

  Ellie did not know whether her captors where bothered by this, but she would make damn sure that they were. She needed to get them to come to her so she could---well she hadn't worked out quite what she was going to do, but right now her sole objective was to annoy the hell out of bastards who had captured her.

  Thump!

  Thump!

  THUMP!

  That one hurt her left shoulder; Ellie hoped she hadn't dislodged anything.

  "Shut up the fuck up back there or I'll come and shut you up" Ah! So she did have their attention.

  "The boss said not to lay a finger on her."

  "No shit Einstein, like I'm really going to hurt her. I just want to scare her a little, you know, get her to stop the banging!!"

  There was a momentary lapse of silence and Ellie would've gone about thumping some more if it hadn't been for the next words spoken.

  "You think it's a good idea going against the big boss like this? I mean I'm not afraid or nothing, but we could get in real big trouble..."

  "What are you, five? Grow some fucking balls Vinny! Besides, it ain't the big boss we need to worry ‘bout. The little boss is pretty damn scary when fucked with."

  Big boss? Little boss? Was she being kidnapped by members of the Mafia? Ellie's mind raced, this seemed so surreal!

  When the van finally came to a stop, Ellie did not know whether to be elated or wary that they had arrived at their supposed destination. She wasn't given a moment more to contemplate her situation as they unceremoniously dragged her out of the van and one of them hoisted her on his shoulders.

  With every jarring step the man took, Ellie felt her teeth rattle in her head. She was grateful when it finally ended and she was set down on a chair.

  Blindfolded, bound and not a clue as to what was happening or where she was, Ellie did not know whether to cry or laugh at the monumental joke that was her life. Her legs shook from all the pent up anxiety. The door clicked closed at her right and Ellie's legs doubled in speed.

  I don't want to die...I don't want to die...I don't want to die.

  It was a mantra meant to make her feel better but instead tears formed beneath the blindfold. They slid down the corners of her flaring nostrils and were immediately swallowed by the gag.

  With a few silent words exchanged with Vinny and Frankie at the door, Nicholas palmed the aureate handle and disappeared in the dimly lit comforts of the room. Instantly his eyes searched and found his quarry and he was ensnared. Ellie's invisible leash tugged him forward. One step, two steps and another brought him close. He paused, taking a moment to rein in the urge to grab, hold, devour and never let go. He needed to be in control, had to remain stable or Nicholas feared he would wash them both away with his emotions.

  Upon Nicholas's favorite brocade chair, Ellie sat. Her legs furiously bounced up and down, her bound hands set upon her legs moved in similar rhythm. The blindfold he'd asked Vinny and Frankie to use was firmly tied across a face. A face Nicholas knew quite well, unblemished, and as exquisite as the body it was attached to. She was the closest thing to perfection.

  This woman, so soft, so kind, so everything he was not was the only person Nicholas trusted, loved and would kill and die for. Ellie was his everything, his reason for breathing...his purpose. Without Ellie Holbrook, there was no Nicholas Grayson, simple as that.

  He was in front of her now, the need to have her in his arms, nearly overwhelming. He stooped down, his face inches away from the side of her neck, he breathed deep.

  Home.

  He raised his hands behind her head to remove the gag and he kissed her; chaste, sweet, a greeting of flesh.

  "Shhh---"

  "P-please d-don't do t-this...please..."

  "Shhh---" He licked at her cheeks, tasting her tears.

  "Let---let me go and I swear I won't say anything to anyone..."

  Nicholas smiled, always the martyr his lover.

  Taking pity, Nicholas removed the blindfold, it whispered along her skin as it fell away. He watched her blink, once, twice, three times as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting of the room, then focused on his face.

  Hazel eyes widened incredulously.

  "Nicholas?" while she gaped, he took the opportunity to untie her hands and feet. "Nicky?"

  "Yeah babe, it's me."

  She was in his arms in seconds, clinging to him like a lifeline. "Oh, God, Nicky!"

  "Shh, it's alright, Ellie. It’s okay now." He brushed her tears away in his attempt to comfort her.

  Ellie pulled away and grabbed Nicholas's face. "I love you, I love you so much! Please, don't leave me again...you can't leave me again." She kissed him then, desperate, frenzied, her emotions pouring out of her and into him.

  When they came up for air, Ellie took a moment to touch him, the gentle pads of her fingers coasting across his forehead. She brushed his overgrown fringe out of his eyes. Her fingers trailed down the patrician nose that flared slightly on the sides and finally down to full supple lips that were still wet and warm from their kiss.

  Nicholas stood silently still, allowing her the perusal and when it was over, he kissed the tips of her fingers.

  "You don't know how much I've missed you." She poignantly whispered, meeting his darkened gaze.

  He interlaced their fingers and leaned his head down, their noses touched and he smiled. "Not as much as I’ve missed you."

  The undaunted look in his eyes brought fresh tears to Ellie's own. She wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming, but his lips on hers, his warm breath sweeping against her face made her realize this was very real, he was very real and in her arms...alive.

  "I'm sorry...I so sorry, Nicky. If I had listened to you...if…"

  Nicholas silenced her with a kiss. "This night is only for us. Nothing and none else matters tonight, please give me that, Ellie. Will you do that for me?"

  How could she possibly say or do otherwise, with those stormy grey
eyes peering into her soul? Ellie didn't think it was possible to deny Nicholas anything right now.

  "Just you and me?"

  "Just you and me tonight and always."

  Chapter Thirteen

  The snow silently fell outside, blanketing the grounds and softening the stark structure that was known as Jacobs Manor. Just a few yards behind the manor was a cabin belonging to the late Abigail Jacobs. With the snow it painted a picturesque image of a winter wonderland.

  This was where the nephew of one Terran Jacobs temporarily resided. Having arrived last evening with nothing but the weight of a thousand weary men on his young shoulders, he had only asked that Terran provide him with temporary housing so he could gather his thoughts and escape the countless spies his father had pinned on him.

  Terran of course as ruthless and severe as he was with his students, could never deny Nicholas anything. The boy was practically the son he’d never had with his deceased wife and of course Abigail would've never forgiven him had he denied their nephew shelter from the callous antics of his tyrannical father.

  He was aware of the situation going on with his nephew. Though Nicholas only contacted him when absolutely necessary, he had informed Terran of what was happening in his life when he had arrived.

  Terran's opinion on the entire debacle was for Nicholas to cut his losses and start anew at Princeton in the fall, but his nephew was anything if not stubborn. So, Terran provided what was needed and silently watched from the sidelines.

  Charles would eventually call him with the demand that he not interfere and Terran couldn't wait to tell his older brother to cheerfully go to hell. Any opportunity to twist the bastard's nose was after all a favorite pastime. Maybe that was why he allowed Nicholas to run amuck, Terran silently reasoned as he tipped his coffee mug back. The fact that Nicholas's rebellious nature annoyed his father was most definitely an attribute Terran liked in his nephew.