- Enough. - Decided - you're toxic. - Confessed to the ground - can not do this to me ... it can not be hurt by anything and say whatever thinking then just give me a kiss and apologize and everything will return to normal. - Spat out the words with speed - Enough. You've hurt me too much. I will not let you do it again.
- Could you say the same thing. - I managed to drive out the words in a tone so low that not even sure if she heard me.
- Ended up.
A word.
Laura ran his hands through his hair and I saw the reality to invade.
Even though I explained my plan then ... I hurt you there, did not you? Hurt again. The same way. That same shit I always did.
She did not trust me to be loyal to her and that's what we destroy.
Where it.
- You talk to Tyler. - Growled - You explain pro your child the kind of man his father is.
He turned his back to go away and I felt that last blow like a skewer stuck in my heart, destroying my whole body.
I watched Laura away from a determined way and without regrets.
It was not that angry way she had gone after the press conference. That emotional and intense way heralded his actions as impulsive.
Now she was really leaving. A calm and definitive form.
Rational.
As part of it was preparing for that inevitable moment I betray her again and exceeded the barrier of acceptable.
She could not bear more and was leaving.
I bit my lip hard. I am hoping that the pain would distract me from that inescapable fact: I lost Laura.
I lost forever.
***********
I sat in the chair in my office at home, in the dark, staring at the ceiling and waiting for the alcohol made the pain go away.
A crack and someone turned on the switch.
I knew who it was even before the eyes down to the door.
We stared at each other for a long time. Our relationship had been damaged in a way that there were no words of greeting.
- What do you want, Eleanor? - I sighed, exhausted, before turning to look at the ceiling.
- I want to know if you've just come down that his self-destructive spiral and is ready to walk by again.
- Get out of my house. - I pointed to the door - You're not welcome here.
- Oh, shut up! - She exclaimed angry, throwing the bag on the chair and I realized I had never seen her lose control like that - you have given me a hell of a job in the last days! And for what? Because of that woman? GREGORY! - Abandoned little caution he had left and I blinked, bored - What is this power that women have over you?
- Does not matter. - Roared - Because over. And I know you were watching me on the forum so do not give me hypocrisies.
- And why is over?
- It's none of your business.
- You were one of the greatest men in the world! And he threw it all away by it! And now you do not want more and will do what? - She walked from one side to the other in my room spending excess energy she just could not hold on himself - Stay here in the dark drowning in whiskey?
- And if that's what I want? It's none of your business. - I turned what was left of dose and saw her grimace of fury explode.
- You need to put your life back on track! - I took the glass out of my hand, and I laughed with like your childishness - will not be easy after this scene that you created. But I'll find a way.
- Fuck your way.
- You can only be inconsequential because I'm here to solve.
- It is ... the grandson of Grandma. - Forced one sly voice - and then I still find it strange no one take me seriously.
- Stop, Gregory! STOP IT! - Shouted - Enough of this self-pity!
- Do not use difficult words, Grandma. - I laugh - I'm drunk.
- Go take a shower! - Decided - Have a good night's sleep and tomorrow we start to solve this confusion.
I was silent before his growls.
- I will not let you stay holed up here, living like a caveman because of a stupid novel that was doomed to disaster.
- Destroy the company. - I muttered, staring at the empty - The work of my life. Of my family. And I destroyed.
She paused staring at my sadness. She gasped exaggeratedly and sat down, tried my hand on the table and stroked.
- Let's do it all.
- Laura will take my son away. - Continued.
- Will you hire Andrew Conaughy back! - Scolded like a worried matriarch - will ask for custody of your child. You need to grow, Gregory! The boy is yours, you have to fight for it. You have rights! And is able to give you a much better life!
I blinked slowly, allowing me to look at her.
- Will you do it? - begged.
I inhaled and exhaled a few times, letting the tension build on it.
- Tomorrow. - Hissed, Loser - Today, I want to get drunk.
She let go of my hand and I could see the beginning of a smile on his face.
- I'll help you take care of everything. We just need to bribe the right people and I know exactly who they are. I have experience in the area.
- Eleanor, you killed my father and Amanda?
I dropped my glass on the table. Of the various hypothetical scenarios in which she must have seen that conversation, in any of them she would hear that question. His surprise was palpable and it took too long before trying to react. What turned out to be an answer in itself.
- That's what Laura told you? That's why fight?
- We fight because she had an affair with a Frenchman. - I filled the glass she freed - Traded financial favors for sexual favors. And lastly, he took a sizable loan and left without paying. He showed up at her house this week.
- I knew. - She confessed.
Not even took the time to pretend indignation. I was too tired for this, and if she had someone watching me, now was not the time to argue about it.
- So that's why she came back? So you give him money?
- I paid her debt ... - admitted, turning the glass - but did not come back just for that.
- And for what?
- That is why. - I put the small professional listening on the table and Eleanor took her to watch carefully.
- It was he investigating with her friend Interpol. - It was not exactly a question, and so I did not answer.
- Thanks for the warning, by the way. - I muttered wryly.
- Oh, Greg. Dear ... I feel to see him heartbroken.
I offered a laugh in derision and disbelief for an answer.
- Do not be so! - Complained - I do not like to see you suffer. But this woman was not good news.
- Eleanor! If you came here just to say "I told you so," I said. You can go now.
- I want to help. I'm your family, Gregory! The only one left.
The fact that she ignored the existence of my mother my stomach revolted.
- Do you want to help me? Then get me out of the dark! I spent the last year getting information by half, Eleanor. I never know what awaits me in the next corner. You are a horrible person, already discovered this. And it sucks, but it's right: it's the only family I have. I know you want the best for me and always trusted it. But you are surrounded by lies and I can not stand it. I'm full. Do you want to save the company, good luck. Do it alone. If you want my help, I want to know.
- Want to know what happened to your father and Amanda?
- I want to know what happened to my dad and Amanda. I want to know if you sent Boe kill Laura. I want to know what happened to Boe. And I know whatever the other skeleton you're hiding.
- I just wanted to protect you.
- Good job! - I laughed, indicating the surroundings and the shitty situation where I was.
- You will hate me. - Warned fearfully.
- Eleanor ... - sighed - I already hate you now.
Dry swallowed considering its options.
She was not my love. But maybe I could have my confidence.
- Very well. I wanted to prevent his father ba
ck ... I convinced her mother to leave him and knew he would run after her, as he always did. I had someone ... change the brakes to prevent it back in time. Never did the accident happen! - He added hastily, his eyes fixed on me, waiting for my decision - I just wanted to keep him back. For Audrey could leave him. Next to me, it would be more firm in his decision. If I could take it away from him in time.
- I just wanted to stop him from coming back?
- Only that! - He promised.
- And why not change the accelerator? - Spit - Why the brakes, Eleanor? If you do not want to kill them?
His lips trembled. I've never seen demonstrate this kind of insecurity before.
- You wanted to know what happened and I told.
- E Boe? - Drank another sip of whiskey. I was not nowhere near drunk enough for this conversation.
- I did not want Laura pregnant with his child.
- Surprise ... - sarcastically.
- I sent Boe ... put a product in her drink. I would make her miscarry sure.
- And just abort?
He gulped and decided.
- Maybe I could hurt her.
- Perhaps?
- I was going to hurt her. - He corrected himself - Very. Most likely.
- I wanted to kill her.
- I wanted her out of his life.
- You have a knack for getting into things that are none of your business. It's really impressive.
- Did you know!
- You know what hurts, Grandma? - Growled the last word with disgust - That none of this surprises me. - I admit - None of this is unexpected. What does this say about our family dynamics, huh? - I laugh.
- Does not matter! Good did not do what I sent.
- Instead, he warned Laura and did what? I told you she was dead?
- Something like. - Squeezed her lips and I got an angry eyebrow - She told me she was dead. - He sighed - I found that she was not by her mother. I made contact with her for many years. I wanted to know more about Laura.
- She called her mother when she was in hospital. - That part was never going to heal in my chest.
- And her mother told me.
- You threatened Boe?
- Not needed. - He looked at the whiskey as if considering herself a dose - Boe has done many services ... of questionable morality to me. He knows what I can do. When I discovered that Laura was not dead and that he had lied to me, he did not even hesitate. He disappeared before I could do anything.
- It was after him?
-. No, I knew he would be silent. It was only recently that I discovered that he had changed his mind. But I took care of that too.
- I do not want to know that part. - I raised my hand - I loathe you. He sent someone behind Laura? At the hospital? He sent someone to kill my newborn son?
She stared at the floor and nodded.
- Responds! - I exclaimed violent - I wanna hear you say!
- I sent. But they were no longer in the hospital when the person I sent arrived. They had disappeared again.
- Son of a bitch. - I whispered.
- Someday will be able to forgive me, Gregory? - There was a glint of tears in his eyes. Something I had never seen before.
- No.
She nodded, understanding.
- But do you think we can overcome?
- Overcome? - Laugh, leaning back in his chair - I will not need to overcome. - I shrugged - Your consciousness is your problem. Well ... - I felt the pleasant smile of triumph on my face - your problem ... - open the buttons of my shirt and display the microphone I brought discretely stuck to my skin - ... and the police.
In my office door he opened noisily and Zahner came accompanied by four police officers.
- Eleanor Baxter. - She announced satisfied. She stared at me, waiting for me to announce that it was a stupid joke - You're under arrest for conspiracy, attempted murder, fraud, tax evasion and bribery.
I blinked an eye at her and watched the four police officers began to take her out of rage and cries of indignation.
- This will not stand, Gregory!
- It will not even. I'll still find several other things to increase the list of his crimes, Eleanor. And I will work hard to be condemned by each of them.
- All I did was to ...
- Shut up. Save the little dignity you have left.
Zahner the handcuffed and Eleanor stood with downcast eyes, staring at the cuffs on her skin in contrast to the diamond bracelet.
Bye. Good riddance. You pay for their crimes although no punishment be able to undo the damage that you created.
- Greg ... - already asked at the door.
- Ah! And before I forget! - Smile, Darn - Boe is alive and well. I thought you'd like to know. - I waved - Since he agreed to testify against you
***********
- Zahner! I need a ride! - I pulled his arm so the police took Eleanor.
- Baxter ... I think she must be really pissed at you after our little show.
- Therefore it is urgent! - Begged - I need to explain to her as soon as possible! And you ... can you ...?
- Can I, can I talk to her. But from what I understand this problem of trust between you is a serious thing, is not it? You know the kind of damage that could cause before accepting help.
- I know! But I need to try. Gary, please! And my family.
- Okay ... But I have to follow her grandmother. I'll have one of the policemen give you a ride, okay?
- I need you to talk to Laura.
- Gregory, I was wrong about you ... You're a nice guy. But I did not come here to play cupid. I came to arrest the woman. I need to make me that everything will be done properly. I will not miss it by a technicality or failure procedure. I speak with Laura soon as possible. But I can not go now. I'm sorry.
***********
I climbed the stairs. Two steps at a time. The elevator would be too slow for me today. A panic took hold of my body every new centimeter won. Laura was stubborn, determined and intelligent. If she had finally decided that I was no good, it was better to stay away, but I could not do it in the same city, those few hours since we have seen in the forum would be enough for her to have packed up and gone somewhere in world.
Especially if she feared that I tried to take the guard Ty her.
If she wanted to go away, do it. I had done before.
I reached the hall with raised fist and punched the door nervously.
- Sun? Laura, open the door!
I wanted to be quiet and find out if there was some noise inside. Something to show me that she was still there. But I could not control my high and heavy breathing, the beating of my heart exploding through my entire body. And above all, I would not stop knocking on that door. It was the only thing that could calm me, pummeling the door until someone opens.
And someone would have to open.
If there was not anyone else there I could not imagine what would happen to me.
The door latch snapped high and I froze.
The door opened just a little. Laura put his face into the crack and looked at the space behind me before opening the door. I took a deep breath and prepared to ask for a million excuses and give him two million explanations.
But she spoke first:
- It's over and we still have to pretend?
Apologies and explanations caught on my tongue and I stayed with my mouth open the door of her house.
- Pretend?
- IT IS. - He shook his head with a smile obviousness - That's what you and Zahner talked full of mystery yesterday was not it? Eleanor wanted to fool?
- Did you know? - The sweeping relief hit me so hard that I almost fell on the floor.
- You got weird suddenly. - Opened his eyes and moved away to the side, allowing me to go - I could not think of anything that had happened to you both away. I mean ... - I laughed - I know you is unstable and a little crazy. But not as unstable and crazy.
I hugged her, squeezing her against the door. Squeezing his body tightl
y. Inundating the affection and longing.
- I thought you'd given up. I was afraid he had gone.
- It's ... I do it. - Joked, sticking his hand in my hair.
- I was afraid I had believed that I had fallen in Eleanor's conversation again.
- Yeah ... - he shook his head - you do it. - He laughed - But we had promised.
I kissed her mouth and let our noses stuck.
- Promised?
- IT IS. - He whispered - You promised you would trust me and take care of everything. And I promised I'd let you show how it was not a slave of his grandmother.
- Promises fulfilled? - Laughed in your mouth.
- Enough. - He pushed the lips giving me more a peck.
- When did you realize? - I walked away impressed.
- Now, Holt, honestly! Do not so surprised. It offends me. - He complained. He pulled me by the hand and closed the door behind us - At first I thought that you could be in another of his bouts of insanity ... But when he mentioned the Rossel when he saw Eleanor around, I knew he was up to something. You were not upset about it ...
- That's not completely true. - I answered, laughing.
- Anyway ... I thought you wanted to spend the idea that we were not good and decided to rely on your plan. Whatever it was.
- You told me that we had finished and could not stand it.
She rolled her eyes:
- No offense, honey. His performance was great. But if you wanted to convince Eleanor, I thought it would not hurt if I helped a little. - I winked and I pulled her another kiss.
I so loved this woman in my arms ...
- Zahner thought it best not to tell you. - I explained - He thought you could act superiority near Eleanor and make her realize it was a trick.
- Everyone always assumes that I will play the arrogant. But the truth is that the three of us, I'm the best actress.
- I do not doubt! - I laughed - You talked to me!
- And then? Not going to tell me?
- She confessed.
Barely closed my mouth and Laura had brought her hands to smile and was making a comical little dance around the room.
- Zahner took prey.
- Handcuffed? - He turned with wide eyes.
- Handcuffed. - Confirmed.
- I can not believe I missed it! - He stuck his foot down, sulky - I'll never forgive you! - The indicator pointed to me.
- I needed to be alone with her!
My Life in the End Page 43