Closer (A Dark Romance, Book 1): The Closer Trilogy

by M. C. Vann

  When I finally arrived at the place where I was meeting Henry, a self-conscious feeling crept up my skin as the dress I wore now was more revealing than my pink one. Walking toward the building’s entrance with the formally dressed crowd, I immediately searched for him, hoping to see him first before he saw me. I finally found him standing at the entrance of the lobby, looking straight at me. A smile slowly spread across his face as our eyes met.

  His tailored tuxedo fitted him perfectly, showcasing every inch of his slender yet muscular physique. His hair pushed back with the perfect amount of hair gel. It looked so natural and effortless … This man.

  I reminded myself to breathe, hoping to alleviate the drumming in my chest.

  As I made my way toward him in measured paces, I realized how confident I suddenly became. I felt as though I was glowing like an iridescent wave of courage had taken over. I didn’t know how or why. I just felt completely liberated. I was no longer aware of those staring at me and I could really care less. All of my attention had been completely captivated by one person in the room.

  “You look beautiful,” he simply said.

  Adam told me the same thing. Cynthia said it so many times.

  But with Henry, the words held so much more weight. It meant so much more hearing it directly from him.

  “Likewise,” I replied. Did I just call him beautiful? Oh, God. Way to be slick, Ally.

  Henry’s smile only widened as he held out his elbow. I tried not to tremble as I slipped my hand through his arm. He leaned into my ear, almost too close. “Are you nervous?”

  I felt his breath on the skin of my neck. I shook my head, hoping he wouldn’t notice how unbelievably shaky I was growing inside.

  “Good. Just remember. You’re the one in control.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  “Just smile widely and nod. You’ll be fine,” Henry kindly advised.

  He led me into the banquet room, and before we could even take a few strides in, I felt everyone’s gaze turning our way. My cheeks began to heat up as I imagined what kind of thoughts were going through these high socialites’ minds. But I don’t think it was me they were looking at. It was most definitely Henry. He just had that sort of effect on people.

  Our table was located near the front of the room, right smack dab in the center, and there were people already seated as we arrived. With a humble poise, Henry introduced me to everyone as his friend. Though he tried to hide it behind his well-spoken tone, only I could hear the slightest hint of discontent behind how he said the word “friend.”

  I reached out to pull my chair, but Henry’s hands quickly stopped mine. He gave me another graceful smile as he slowly pulled the chair out and motioned for me to sit.

  “Thank you,” I said, returning an appreciative grin.

  “The pleasure is mine.”

  I watched as everyone around me conversed. They mainly discussed their far travels in foreign countries, their buy-ins, and so on. Things I didn’t understand. Things I couldn’t relate to. I never had the chance to experience this other side of life: the wealth, the freedom, and the luxury that these people luckily possessed. I wasn’t even sure how we ended up in the same room because we were so different.

  But I quickly remembered who brought me here.

  My eyes flitted toward Henry, who was comfortably engaged in conversation with the woman next to him. She was downright gorgeous — absolutely stunning. She had crystal blue eyes with chocolate brown hair that cascaded down one shoulder in a nice retro wave. No doubt her black gown was also expensive.

  Why did he want to bring me? I looked down at my hands as I thought. With my fingers laced together in my lap, I quickly realized that I didn’t fit in with this society. Before my thoughts continued to sway, I felt someone’s hand grab my hands and almost immediately, I recognized the familiar touch.

  When I looked up at Henry, he was still talking to the lady. A smile crept onto my lips as I noted that even though his eyes were on her, his thoughts and his attention was on me.

  The banquet lasted about two hours. A few men and women went up to the stage to talk now and then before the food arrived. It was good, but not as delicious as the food from the restaurant Henry had taken me to before.

  Walking out of that room incited such a liberating feeling. Too many forced smiles and laughs were wasted in that room. But as quickly as we exited the room, the feeling of disappointment washed over me, knowing that my time with Henry was coming to an end for the night.

  “Ally, wait here for me,” Henry said, slipping away a few steps. “I have to bid farewell to an old friend. I promise I won’t be long.”

  I nodded. “Okay, take your time.”

  I watched as Henry disappeared back into the banquet room. I stood alone, waiting and pretending to look busy with my phone until a gentleman walked up to me.

  “Hi.”

  My eyes averted to the source of the deep sound. “Hi,” I replied without thinking.

  “Are you Ally, per chance?”

  “Yes, I am,” I replied, without thinking again. “How do you know my name?”

  He looked around the hallway, signaling to the people chattering around us. “Gossip,” he stated with a smug grin. “I’m Nick, a friend of Henry’s. Nice to meet you.”

  The handsome man raised his right hand and not wanting to be disrespectful, I held out mine. At least he was a friend of Henry so I could trust him, right? “Nice to meet you too.”

  “I have to say, Henry really outdid himself this time.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “All I’m going to say is that Henry is a very lucky man to have you as his girlfriend.”

  Girlfriend?

  “No, no, no,” I protested, too many times to my liking. “You’ve misunderstood. Henry and I are just friends.”

  Nick raised his brows, surprised at the fact. “Oh, I’m deeply sorry. I spoke too soon.”

  “It’s okay,” I mentioned, giving him a forgiving look.

  “It’s finally good to see him out and about and with someone too, even if it’s just a friend,” he sighed heavily as if something played right before his eyes. “Ever since he lost his sister, he just hasn’t been the same person as he was before.”

  “Before? How was he before?” I dared to ask. I could feel Nick’s hesitance.

  “Henry was very outgoing and sociable. He always hung out with us when he had free time. But ever since the incident, he didn’t return any of our calls. He kept his distance from all of us and locked himself up in his house. He shut the entire world out and drowned himself with work.”

  I was completely speechless. I knew he lost his sister because he briefly mentioned it, but I didn’t know the severity of its effect on him. Regardless of the time that had passed, Henry must still be hurting. How many smiles had he forced since then?

  In front of me, Henry appeared so different from Nick’s description. He smiled countless times. How many of those were forced too?

  Suddenly, Nick cordially took my hand into his. “Please do take care of him if you can.”

  I smiled and nodded, unsure of what to say. If I had agreed, would it mean agreeing to something more?

  Nick’s eyes flitted past me for a moment before a smile appeared on his face. “I have to be off now. Tell Henry I said ‘hello’.”

  Before I could even say goodbye, Nick trotted away. I watched him smile and say quick “hellos” to a few others on his way out.

  “Were you talking to Nick?”

  Henry’s voice caused me to jump. I whipped around to see him, his eyes staring off in the direction Nick had taken off. “Yes, he came over and introduced himself.”

  “What did he say to you?”

  I noticed the sudden change in his tone. It was suddenly cold — harsh even. I get the feeling telling him what Nick revealed to me wouldn’t be the best resolution. “Nothing much. He just asked me how I was and how I knew you,” I l
ied. My heartbeat thumped in my chest, feeling slightly terrible at the lie. “Are we leaving now?”

  “Yes, but no.” He shook his head, a contagious smile pulling at his lips. “The night’s not over yet.”

  He took my hand in his and led me out the back doors onto a patio that displayed a gorgeous lake scenery. There were lights everywhere, showcasing the enchanting view. The illuminating moon beautifully reflected on the surface of the water as we walked along a deck, extending out into the lake.

  Henry suddenly freed my hand and walked ahead of me, slightly hunched. When he suddenly stopped, there was a light tension in the air. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he looked up into the night sky and I wanted to say something to him, but I was never good at communicating my words.

  What if I said the wrong thing?

  “Whatever anyone says about me,” Henry began, his voice low and hushed, “don’t believe them. It might not be reliable information.”

  “Henry…” I half-heartedly chuckled to lighten the mood. I hoped for him to turn around to face me, to appease me with a smile. Even a small one would suffice. But he didn’t and I grew cautious. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because I don’t want them to confuse you.” Henry turned around to look at me and to my disappointment, there wasn’t that familiar smile on his face. He looked completely concerned about something. There was one small thing I was grateful for — he wasn’t forcing a smile for me.

  I tentatively took a few wary steps toward him. “Them? Henry, you are scaring me. What is it?”

  “I like you, Ally.”

  My heart skipped a beat, maybe even two, at his unexpected confession.

  “I like you too,” Henry repeated. “Very much so.”

  He inched closer, bridging the distance between us while his gaze fixed on mine the entire time as he approached. With every second, he came closer and closer. My mind was so confused. A part of me was demanding that I increase the distance while the other was too stunned to even think.

  “Say something,” he said in a soft, low voice. He was standing close — too close.

  “I… I…” The words left my lips so quietly.

  He leaned in slowly and my heart thundered in my chest. The beats clashed against my ribcage furiously as I imagined Henry’s lips on mine. His hand moved up to cradle my cheek, sending little sparks and tingles along my skin.

  This was too much. And too soon.

  “No.” I turned my head as I felt the tip of his nose graze my left cheek. I could literally feel the disappointment in his eyes at my rejection. “I’m sorry, Henry,” I said, breathing heavier than I should. I stepped away from him to avoid his gaze.

  “No, Ally, I’m sorry.”

  “No, don’t be. I’m the one at fault. I’m just a little shocked,” I said. I swallowed the pile of guilt that surfaced in my throat. “I think I should go home now.”

  I flashed Henry one last look before turning around and walking back to the building, leaving him at the deck alone and stunned. I wasn’t sure if he was following me, but I prayed that he wasn’t. I couldn’t face him after what just happened. I didn’t hear footsteps trailing behind me, so I concluded he wasn’t.

  I caught a taxi as soon as I walked out of the lobby. I told the driver my address and he immediately took off, taking me further and further away from a man who possessed unprecedented feelings for me. Were his words sincere?

  I thought of Henry the whole ride to my apartment. The sorrowful look on his face. The heartbroken stare. I kicked my heels off and folded my knees into my chest as I watched the city pass me by. No matter how beautiful the lights of downtown were, they weren’t enough to distract me from the distress I felt in my heart.

  It hit me like a train wreck when I suddenly realized that I was slowly falling for him too. For what reasons, I don’t know myself. I was simply afraid of our differences, afraid of getting hurt, and most certainly, I was afraid of getting hurt by him.

  Henry was rich and powerful. He could do anything he wanted. He could have anything he wanted. Why would he want me? What made me different from the rest?

  I took out my phone and clicked down to Henry’s contact. I stared at if for a long time before mustering enough courage to press the delete button. I shouldn’t ponder on him any longer.

  Our worlds were too different. Today was proof of that. It was best to get out before anything happened between us that we couldn’t stop.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The next two days of work were hard to get through. Hard was definitely an understatement. During those two long days, regret began seeping through the cracks of my decision.

  I thought deleting his contact information would rid me of him for good — it did the opposite. Henry constantly resurfaced on my mind, haunting me with his smile, his confession, followed by his mournful gaze. It was nothing, but a cycle of images I couldn’t shake off.

  It also didn’t help that Henry was such a popular subject. Everything was suddenly related to him. I couldn’t be anywhere without someone asking me his whereabouts or how he was doing. Eve and Rick, whenever I went over for dinner. Nancy while at work. In addition to my friends, Adam and Lily, whenever I was home.

  A week soon passed by without a phone call or a single text from Henry. I kept peeking at my phone every time I had a spare minute, just in case it was on silent or something. Then I’d remind myself it didn’t even matter because I deleted his contact already. Why did I even bother?

  By day seventeen, still no contact. I was now one hundred percent sure he wasn’t ever going to talk to me again. Either he was too embarrassed or his pride must have been too bruised by my rejection.

  I hoped it was the secret third option — because Henry was busy. Maybe he had flown to another country for a business trip. He did mention he traveled a lot for work.

  Friday finally came and there were only fours standing between me and the weekend. It was my turn to have the weekend off. As I came back from my lunch with Lily and Adam, Nancy informed me to send an order, her eyes twinkling with a cryptic smile.

  When I checked the order receipt, it was addressed to the Pearce Hotel with no specific name, oddly. My heart suddenly quickened as I thought back to that place.

  “Nancy?” She turned around from behind the front counter. “Can Sally go in my place?”

  “Why?”

  “Because ... Well—”

  “Don’t tell me it’s about that boy.” She frowned in worriment. Nancy knew me all too well. “Ally, dear, don’t mix your personal life with your professional life. That’ll only get you in serious trouble.”

  “But I—”

  “No buts, dear. I already have Sally on another project. Hurry along now.”

  And with that, Nancy handed me the order and ushered me out the door. A deep sigh fell from my lips as I caved in.

  The drive to Pearce Hotel felt shorter than expected. I felt my insides shaking at the mere thought of running into Henry. I wasn’t ready to face him yet — at least not in person. Safe to say, I was embarrassed too.

  But it was a Friday. Maybe he wasn’t in the office today. Maybe he was on that business trip I mentioned to Finland or Yemen or somewhere. Anywhere, but here.

  I walked inside the grand lobby, trying to look confident as I approached the reception desk. Though my gaze was straight, it was secretly on the lookout for him.

  “Hello,” I greeted the same receptionist from last time.

  “Good afternoon, how can I help you, ma’am?”

  “I have a prepaid order here. We weren’t given a specific name, but they asked to have it dropped off here.”

  “Thank you very much. We’ll make sure it gets to the right person.”

  “Great!” I smiled and handed her the order. “Could you please sign here?”

  After receiving the signature and turning around to leave, my eyes immediately caught the slightest hint of him. He str
olled effortlessly out of the gold elevators, his arms slowly swaying at his sides as he walked. The dark blue suit matched him well. His gaze was straight ahead but suddenly shifted to someone else. My heart sank as I realized that …

  He wasn’t alone.

  In a flustered panic, I quickly hid from them behind one of the love seats in the lobby and watched them carefully as they exited the building.

  I had never seen her around before. She matched him perfectly with her clothes, her size two figure, and her porcelain skin. He should be next to someone like her. By the looks they were giving one another, it wasn’t hard to tell that they were a thing — maybe even a couple.

  Henry gave the woman a hug and quick kiss on the cheek. He kindly opened the car door for her, and they exchanged goodbyes as she rode away in a black Escalade. He watched her car speed away, his smoldering eyes yearning as if he missed her already.

  I think I was going to vomit at that very moment. I felt lightheaded and queasy, finally realizing my concealed fear had come true. He had moved on from our … situation.

  Henry was with someone else already. It wasn’t because he was embarrassed. Definitely not because his pride was hurt and he was not on some stupid business trip.

  But he had found someone else.

  A little disappointment overcame every fiber of me. My heart plunged to the floor as a rock began forming in my throat. I had no right to feel this way. This was what I wanted. This was the way it was supposed to be.

  My eyes watched Henry as he stepped into the same elevator, checking his phone with a smile on face. I held my breath as I watched the elevator doors slide shut, taking in the final image of Henry’s face. I’d probably never see that smile again. A heavy sigh fell from my lips as I stood back to my full height.

  I walked out of the lobby with my heart becoming heavier with each step back to the car. It didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to leave … Not yet. So, I sat outside in my car, sulking in my full-blown regret. The image of Henry and the woman devoured and defeated me — every piece of it.