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

by M. C. Vann

  By her side stood a younger woman in her early twenties who wore a stunning and quite revealing forest green dress. I assumed she was probably the elderly woman’s daughter.

  “What?” I asked in confusion.

  “You’re Mrs. Pearce, are you not?”

  “Uh, yeah, I am. But please, you can just call me Ally,” I said. “And I’m sorry, but I missed your name.”

  “I’m Annette Sinclair. I was close friends with Henry’s parents,” she explained. “And this is my daughter Evelyn, also a close friend of Henry.”

  “So, you and Henry must go way back?” I asked Evelyn.

  “Yes, we grew up together,” Evelyn said, her voice charming just like her mother.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said.

  “You as well,” she replied, showcasing her perfectly aligned teeth. “You are one lucky girl, Alexandria. Every girl in this room has only ever dreamed of marrying him.” I glanced over at my husband who was still engaged in conversation with the same gentleman. “And now, you managed to somehow snatch him away. Do tell me your secret?”

  Her words caught me off guard. By the way she spoke, I sensed a noticeable tone that almost came off as spiteful. “I’m sorry. Excuse me?”

  “Never mind, a lady must never kiss and tell,” Annette intruded with a smile. “Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself, Alexandria. Where did you go to college?”

  “Umm, I ...,” I stammered as they both stared blankly at me. “I didn’t go to college. I—”

  “You mean you don’t have a degree?” Annette gasped theatrically. “Wow, I just never imagined. Where do you currently work?”

  “I’m a florist.”

  “A florist? How lovely. How about your parents? What do they do?”

  “They … passed away.”

  “Oh, dear. I’m so sorry to hear that.” She didn’t sound that sorry. “What did they do?”

  She still had the nerve to ask, I thought. Not wanting to cause a scene, I went ahead and gave her an answer. “My father was a journalist and my mother was a stay-at-home mom.”

  Both of them looked stunned as they stared at me.

  “How could Henry have fallen for such a low-class girl?” Annette said with a despicable tone. “You really … must be something.”

  Was this happening right now? Was this actually happening? She appeared to be a pleasant old woman, but her rude words cut like a knife. How could someone be so prejudice, so simple-minded and so disrespectful? I tried to suppress the urge to tell her off, but my insides were burning to spur French words.

  “Well, I suppose love is irrational,” she rebutted. “Come, Evelyn, we must have a chat with Mrs. Montgomery. I heard she just got back from vacationing in Europe.”

  I stood frozen in horror as they walked away. I couldn’t believe what had just happened to me. My thoughts raced over Annette’s words and I couldn’t wrap my mind around the humiliation I recently suffered.

  While I walked back to the table, I noticed Henry was no longer talking to the gentleman. I attempted to refrain from looking for him, but my eyes suddenly stopped on a couple on the dance floor. My heart sank as I realized it was Henry dancing with another woman.

  This woman ...

  She was drop dead gorgeous. Her golden silk dress showcased her curves amazingly, and her 1920’s style hair was swept to one side, cascading down her shoulder.

  But what hurt the most was the smile he was giving her, the same one he used to give me.

  I knew it was only a dance. It was harmless. But the way they gazed at each other, it pained me even more than Annette’s piercing words. How he held her close to him. How she would whisper something pleasant in his ear and he would nod with a seducing smile.

  I didn’t want to feel this way. I didn’t want to feel betrayed, but watching Henry with her broke my heart into pieces. Unable to breathe, I stepped out of the room. I needed to get out of there. I couldn’t stand being in that suffocating chair any longer.

  I found a balcony at the end of the hallway to grab some fresh air. No one lingered around here, which was what I needed. It was quiet and peaceful out here, away from everyone else.

  Just as I felt a little better, the images of us dancing — in Seattle, on the rooftop, at our wedding — they all came rushing in like an unstoppable tsunami. Tears pricked at my eyes as I thought back to those magical times. But now they were only painful memories laced with deceit.

  “Hey, Ally, was it?”

  I wiped away the tears in my eyes and turned around to a slender, blonde man. He was the man who asked me to take care of Henry at the last banquet, but I couldn’t quite put a name to his face. I swallowed and watched as he took in the empty space next to me.

  “Hi, nice to meet you again,” I said.

  A surprised expression appeared on his face. “You remember me?”

  “Partially. I’m sorry, what’s your name?”

  “I’m quite offended,” he said with a serious expression. “Everyone remembers my name. It’s quite a unique name.”

  “I’m sorry. What is it again?”

  “It’s Nick.”

  I thought he said it was a unique name. “I guess ... That could be—”

  Nick suddenly belted out in laughter, one loud enough to echo in the wind.

  “I was joking,” he said, but I didn’t laugh. “Is everything alright? You look like you were crying.”

  “Oh, yes, I’m fine,” I lied. “My eyes got some dust in them, so I came out here to let them air out a little. I’m okay now.”

  “That’s good to know,” he said. Nick was obviously aware of my horrible lying. “So, I heard you and Henry got married. Congratulations on your marriage. I knew you two weren’t just friends.”

  “Thank you. It was short notice, so I’m sorry for not inviting you.”

  “Nah, don’t worry about.” He smiled as he leaned his forearms on the rail of the balcony. “We’re not that close anyway… Henry and I. Can I ask? What do you see in him anyway?”

  “What?”

  “I mean, why did you marry him?”

  “What kind of question is that?”

  “It’s a legit question.”

  I thought about it for a moment. I married Henry … Well, I married him because I loved him. Now, I wasn’t so sure. “Why else would you marry someone other than—”

  “Love?” Nick finished my thought. A bleak chuckle fell from his lips before he conjured his next thought. “I guessed that was a stupid question. How are you then?”

  “I’m good. Yourself?”

  He rubbed his chin with his fingers, pondering the simple question. “I’m ... wondering if there’s any of that awful looking meat loaf left,” he said, putting the stress on the word “awful.”

  “You thought it was awful too?!”

  His blue eyes flicked to examine me, probably wondering why I had gotten excited suddenly. I was just thrilled to know someone in the same room had the exact opinion. I cleared my throat and folded my arms across my chest as I leaned back onto the rail. “What do you do again?”

  “I work for Horizon Airlines. My friend’s father is head of the company, so that’s kind of how I got the job,” Nick replied. He straightened himself, mimicking my position. “How about you. What do you do?”

  “Well … I’m a florist,” I answered. I carefully watched for Nick’s reaction, but he was genuinely interested, unlike some people I had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting today. “But … I think I might need a new job since my boss is thinking about closing the shop.”

  “That’s too bad. Let me know if you need any assistance finding one,” Nick kindly offered. “I know we have some positions open at the company. I can give you a recommendation.”

  “Thank you, but it’s okay. I think it’s better if I find one on my own.”

  “Just as well, it was good talking to you,” he said hurriedly, yet maintainin
g that flirtatious composure. I watched as he took out a business card from his leather wallet. “Give me a call if you want that job. I’ll keep it open for you.”

  I smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  I watched as the Nick trotted away, heading toward the stairway.

  I took a few deep breaths, realizing it was time for me to go back inside. Just as I stepped into the hallway, somebody roughly grabbed my arm and dragged me back to the side of the balcony. Before I could scream, I realized it was Henry who had seized me.

  “Talking to other men behind my back,” he stated sharply, his green eyes glaring.

  “Is that illegal?” I asked bravely.

  “Tell me,” he demanded. “Why were you with Nick?”

  I struggled to shake him off. “I don’t have anything to say to you.”

  “Oh, yes you do.”

  “How about you then?” I asked, raising my voice slightly. “I’m not allowed to talk with a nice stranger while you can go dancing with any woman you want.”

  He snaked an arm around my waist and pulled me toward him. “Are you jealous?”

  “Why would I be jealous of you?” I chuckled harshly to taunt him. “Don’t think so highly of yourself. I just want you to respect me as your wife when we’re out in public together. I don’t want there to be any rumors.”

  Henry was right though — I was jealous. He saw straight through me.

  “So now you admit you’re my wife?” he inquired with amusement.

  “I … I …,” I muttered, trying to think of a comeback, but nothing came.

  Henry pushed me away, and I fell back a few steps before catching myself on the rail. I swallowed as he lividly glared at me. I thought he was going to leave, but he slowly approached me, cornering me into the rail with both his arms.

  “Just remember, you’re all mine,” he sadistically whispered in the shell of my ear. He placed a soft kiss on my cheek. Then he turned away from me, but not before I caught a glimpse of that venomous smirk.

  Returning to the unwanted chatter in the room, I spotted Henry talking to Annette with her daughter beside her. Next to them also stood the woman who Henry danced with earlier. Annette’s hawk eyes shifted to me as I entered the room. She muttered something to those around her, and soon all their attention transferred to me.

  Feeling as the outsider, I turned around and let my feet take me away. I had enough for tonight and any more humiliation would just break me. I took off my heels and headed down the grand staircase to grab my jacket.

  As I stepped out into the cold, Larry was parked a couple cars down. He got out the car to open the door once he noticed me coming, but I told him to wait for Henry. Before I could let him convince me, I ran down the sidewalk.

  As soon as I was far enough, the tears I had been suppressing the entire night fell effortlessly from my eyes. The snow continued to fall, but the cold didn’t even bother me. Inside, I felt a deeper kind of cold, one that seemed to be amplifying by the second.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  The thick snow outside patched the ground completely white, illuminating the street below down a few blocks where the bus stopped to an empty house. After I had showered, I brushed my teeth and slipped into my sleeping gown, getting ready for bed.

  But I couldn’t fall asleep. It was almost midnight, and Henry wasn’t back yet. Did I not hear him come in? I’d have at least heard the car engine or his steps up the stairs. I peered out of the bedroom window to check if there were any tire tracks leading to the garages on the snow, but there was none.

  I looked at my phone on the dresser, debating whether I should call him, but I knew better. What was the point? If I called him to ask why he didn’t come back, he would probably find it amusing. Henry didn’t give a shit about me. He was an adult and old enough to take care of himself. Why should I worry about him?

  But deep within me, there was a part that still held onto him and I couldn’t deny it.

  Then the worse, chilling thoughts came across my mind. What if he had too much to drink tonight? What if he and Larry got into a car accident? The conditions outside weren’t that favorable either.

  And even though Henry had hurt me in so many unimaginable ways, I couldn’t bare seeing him injured. The unsettling thought only agonized me the more I pondered about it.

  I picked up my phone and dialed his number, desperate for an answer. I waited as the line rang, but no one picked up. It went straight to his voicemail, and I called again, being the insecure type.

  “Hello,” a strange voice answered.

  “Hello, who is this?” I asked, perplexed upon hearing a woman’s voice.

  “This is Vivian,” the woman replied. “Who is this?”

  Vivian? Who was Vivian?

  “This is Ally. Is Henry there?” I asked, trying to keep my voice from cracking as my pulse rose.

  “He is.”

  Good. That was all I needed to know. I was about to hang up the call, but she said something that caught my ear.

  “He’s asleep right now. I’ll let him know you called when he wakes up,” she responded rudely and hung up, leaving me speechless.

  I placed my hand over my mouth in disbelief. Henry was asleep? With a woman? At this hour? Only a fool wouldn’t be able to piece the two together. He was with another woman. I may be stupid sometimes, but I wasn’t that naive. How could he? And only after a couple days since our wedding?

  It felt like a thousand needles pricking at my heart. The oxygen level in the bedroom felt completely depleted as it became harder for me to breathe. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to stay. I didn’t want to be here.

  But with the money hanging over my head, I couldn’t simply pack my things and leave in the middle of the night.

  Should I call Eve? Would she be able to calm me down? No, I couldn’t. I’d be so embarrassed for not heeding her warning.

  Lily and Adam? How about Nancy? No. I didn’t want to bother them, especially at this late hour.

  And with the snow that was falling nonstop since early evening, my car wouldn’t make it two miles before getting stuck.

  I had to deal with this myself. I climbed into bed and pulled the duvet over me as I curled into a ball, trying to comfort myself. During the next sleepless hour, I laid wide awake, unable to fall asleep as my head pictured Henry bedding another woman.

  With a frustrated groan, I strolled downstairs to retrieve a warm cup of milk in an attempt to put my mind to rest. The lights in the house unexpectedly turned off as I was microwaving my drink in the kitchen. It couldn’t have been the weather outside as we weren’t in a total blizzard. I didn’t have my phone on me and even if I did, I probably wouldn’t have been able to figure out how to turn on the flashlight app. I didn’t even know where the flashlights or candles were stored in this house.

  Was a burglar trying to enter? I didn’t recall hearing the sound of broken glass or a door break in. But then again, this was a huge house. I couldn’t be everywhere at once.

  I started to feel scared of my unknown surroundings. And of course, Nana wasn’t here. She left in the early afternoon to visit her sister and wouldn’t return for a couple of days. And Henry wasn’t here either. The only person in this house at this very moment was me.

  As I rushed back upstairs to my room for sanctuary, I noticed a shadow move in the living room from the corner of my eye. My heart immediately skipped a beat. I looked over and saw nobody there, not a living soul.

  I bolted as fast as I could up the stairs, but when I reached the top, a dark figure greeted me, lifting my body into the air. The intruder carried me in the direction of Henry’s room while I battered at his back relentlessly. I struggled and screamed for help until my body landed heavily on the king-sized bed. I quickly backed away as far as I could to the corner of the mattress, watching the dark shadow of my assailant looming closer.

  “Who are you?” I demanded, trying to sound courageous, but it
wasn’t hard to hear the panic evident from my throat.

  The tall, imminent figure climbed onto the bed toward me and the outline of his features became clearer.

  “Your husband,” the voice whispered.

  I exhaled, both relieved and fearful to hear that native sound.

  It was only him. It wasn’t some burglar.

  We both remained silent in the darkness and after a long moment, I raised my hands cautiously and placed each one on either side of his stubbled jaw.

  For that moment, I felt him. That old Henry. The one who cared for and listened to me. The one I loved.

  Overwhelmed with emotions, I swiftly threw my arms around his shoulders and pulled him to me. The feelings I hold for him … lately, I had been trying to suppress them, but they all rushed back in this weak moment of vulnerability.

  “I was so worried!” I cried breathlessly. “I thought something bad had happened to you.”

  To my surprise, both his arms snaked around my back and pulled me against his body. He rested his jaw on the side of my neck, and I loathed that I loved the feel of his tender caress. How he held me urgently. How he assured me easily.

  But that woman’s voice rang in my ear — the forgotten phone call conversation earlier with Vivian.

  What the hell was I doing?! As quickly as I pulled Henry in, I immediately pushed him away, remembering that he had been unfaithful tonight.

  “What’s wrong, Ally?” he asked, reaching over to me.

  “Don’t touch me!” I warned him abruptly, moving back to the same corner of the bed. “Don’t you dare touch me!”

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  “What?” I huffed.

  “You’re the one who hugged me first.”

  “You’re the one who brought me here,” I lashed back. “How could you do that to me, Henry?”

  “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

  “Don’t pretend like you don’t. I know what you did behind my back tonight.”

  “What did I do?” he asked, his voice rising.

  “You have the nerve to ask. You slept with another woman,” I said, raising my voice too. The tears swelled in my eyes and I hated myself for being weak. Being susceptible to my emotions, I couldn’t help it — especially not in front of Henry.