Notice Me

  “Can’t I?” I smirked at Will. This made him see red as he smashed one of the glasses on my kitchen work top. I suddenly wished Charlie was outside, being alone had not been the best plan. “Will please calm down,” I pleaded, but he carried on smashing my plates, cups anything he could get his hands on. I moved to the end of my couch trying to edge towards the front door. Will could see what I was trying to do and grabbed me hard against my shoulders. The pain of his grip sent tremors down my body. I began to shake, scared, wondering what he would do next.

  “You’re not going to him. I will not allow it. Do you hear me Shannon? It ends now!” Will was shaking me, tears were falling down my face. I was petrified. “I’ll kill him. Do you understand, if you stay with him… I WILL KILL HIM?” Will looked crazy, he had completely snapped. I stared into his eyes. The ocean in them had turned into a deep maddening fire. Will was being serious. I was sure of it. My whole body crumpled from the pain. Will’s grip no longer bothered me, it was my heart. I couldn’t contain the pain as I sobbed. “You really thought you could stay with him didn’t you Shannon?” Will was laughing now. “I thought you were smart. I told you I would never give you up. You are mine.” I was still sobbing. I couldn’t even look up to tell him I belonged to no one. “You go to Charlie’s tell him it is over. I will pack your things, you are coming home to London with me, tonight!”

  “But my job I can’t just…” I tried to argue, but he put his hand over my mouth to interrupt.

  “I don’t care about your job Shannon. All I want is you back home where you belong. Or do you really want Charlie DEAD?”

  I could feel my lips quiver as I tried to speak. “You wouldn’t really Will. I mean you would be arrested. You couldn’t do that to…”

  Will began laughing a deep dark chuckle. “Silly girl. My family have people who take care of things like that. Especially when money is no object. I really wouldn’t call my bluff Shannon. It would only take one call… Then poor Charlie. I can see it now ‘Famous photographer commits suicide jumping off a balcony or something like that.” Will was still chuckling with his grip on me. The anger filled me again as I slapped him hard across the face. “I have to say Charlie has made you rather feisty. I like it,” Will laughed.

  “I hate you,” I spat back at him.

  “Doesn’t change anything. You better run along, say your goodbyes. Oh, I wouldn’t try running away either. I have a man watching Charlie already… like I said one call.” Will tapped his phone.

  My heart sank even deeper into my chest. Charlie wouldn’t let me go. How would I be able to make him understand? I loved him so much. I would not put his life at risk. I needed to find the strength from somewhere. The thought of Charlie no longer breathing even if I didn’t get to spend my whole life with him was unbearable.

  “How long do I have?” I replied wiping my tears.

  “An hour,” Will smiled gloating. “Which I think is fair.”

  “Are you going to tell Megan?” It didn’t bother me. I just wanted to be able to tell Charlie so he could watch his back. I had never realised how cunning the Fields could be. I guess I should have realised. How else did they get everything they wanted?

  “No, this is going to be our little secret. I want everything to go back to normal. You and Megan best friends. You and me together.” I looked disgusted at him. I could never go back to that not after what Will had done. “Shannon, you really have no choice. After what you have done to my family you will do as you are told. You will obey me Shannon no matter what I ask… or Charlie is dead.” Will opened the door for me as I scowled at him. I had given him everything. What more could he want from me? “You are going to marry me, Shannon. I haven’t decided when yet.” I froze, this was not happening. I felt as if I had been thrown into some old Austen book. This sort of thing didn’t happen anymore surely? Why would Will want to marry me? Did he hate me that much because I had hurt him that he wanted to ruin the rest of my life? “Actually thinking about it I want you to tell Charlie that you are marrying me. I am sure he will love it,” Will laughed at his new plan. “It will break his poor heart.”

  “Will, please don’t do this, if you ever loved me, you wouldn’t do this,” I pleaded one last time trying to free myself from this nightmare.

  “Don’t you dare use that on me. I am doing this for you. We are meant to be together, Shannon.”

  “Will, please I love him,” I sobbed unable to control the pain in my eyes.

  “You go to him and break his heart. Maybe then you will realise what you have done to me and my sister. That is why I am protecting her from this mess of course. Megan is so fragile at the moment.” He stared at me ruthlessly. “Not that you have noticed. You abandoned her to pursue the one thing that is destroying her.”

  “Will…”

  “Go now. You only have fifty five minutes now. Do not tell him his life is in danger either. Tell him you don’t love him. You never did. You just wanted to have what Megan wanted, but that you have always loved me. I want to be able to see his broken heart in his eyes.” Will pushed me out my door. “Have fun, my driver outside will come and get you in fifty four minutes. You better run.” The smirk on his face was unbearable, but I knew I had no time. I had to get to Charlie to save him.

  I hailed down a taxi trying to gain some control of my emotions. My whole body was shaking. I couldn’t stop crying. What I was about to do was impossible, but I had no choice. Charlie meant that much to me that I would happily destroy my whole life just to protect his.

  Charlie was waiting by his door eagerly. His expression changed as he caught sight of me. He rushed to my side putting his arms around me.

  “I knew I should have come with you. Sweetheart, you’re shaking what’s wrong?” Charlie wiped the tears away with his thumb. I looked into his beautiful eyes knowing this would be the last time. Fresh tears fell down my face. He tensed as he spotted the bruises on my arms. “Where is he? I swear.” Fury filled Charlie’s eyes. “What happened?”

  “Charlie, we need to sit down.” I regained some control brushing off the bruise of Will’s fingers on the top of my arm. I needed to do this right. To make sure Charlie would stay away from me. It didn’t matter how much this was going to hurt me. I had to do it for Charlie. “I don’t have long.”

  Charlie’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?” He asked wary.

  Charlie followed me into his apartment. I sat on the edge of his couch looking down at the floor wondering how to start. Charlie sat beside me taking my hand. His touch sent tingles all through my body. I had to gain the strength from somewhere to keep him safe.

  I took a deep breath. “Charlie, I am going back to London with Will tonight. In half an hour exactly,” Charlie just looked at me like he didn’t believe me. “Charlie it’s over. I have let this go on for too long it was wrong of me,” I said softly hoping it sounded truthful.

  “What has he said to you, Shan? I’m not scared of him.” Charlie touched my face. It felt so good. I closed my eyes so Charlie wouldn’t see the yearning in them. “I am not losing you Shannon Davis. I love you remember?”

  “Charlie, I was never yours in the first place.” My heart stabbed in pain as the lies came out. “I have to be with the Fields. They are my family. I became lost in this little world with you thinking it was good for me. But truthfully Charlie. I hate the person I have become. You turned me into someone I don’t even recognise.” Charlie dropped his hand from my face his eyes became wounded as he took in what I was telling him. “I can’t do this anymore. Will hasn’t told Megan so it will be fine. I can go back to my life with Megan and Will. You can carry on your life here, or wherever it will lead you. It is better this way. No one gets hurt.”

  “Apart from me,” Charlie muttered getting up to watch the New York skyline. I could see his reflection in the glass. His heart was breaking like mine. “When you say your life is going back to normal with Will. What do you mean?” Charlie whispered turning to look at me.

&nb
sp; “I am going to marry him someday.” The words were like a whisper that travelled straight to Charlie’s heart knocking him down like a bullet from a gun.

  “Marrying him?” Charlie asked confused. “I don’t get it Shannon. You told me I was everything to you.”

  “Charlie, you think you know me, but you don’t. I used you this whole time. I have been lying to you. I never loved you. I liked that you had written me those letters, but the truth of it was I liked that Megan wanted you. To finally have something Megan couldn’t have. I mean look at you. You’re gorgeous. I never realised I could have someone like you, but it has gone on long enough. I don’t want you to contact me. I would be grateful if you could stay away from Megan too. I just want my old life back.” I winced away from the torture on Charlie’s face. It was too much to take. Tears fell down his face as he watched me motionless.

  “You used me,” he whispered. “All this time you used me?”

  “Yes,” I replied strong knowing I was setting him free.

  “But you… you were so convincing. That can’t have been an act.” Charlie watched me so confused by my words.

  “I have lived my whole life acting Charlie. It’s not so difficult.”

  “You love me. I know you do.”

  “No Charlie. I don’t. I can’t love anyone. I have told you before. I am damaged. It was fun, but this meant nothing to me.”

  “Shannon, you love me. I know you, something is wrong. I can tell. You are being so cold.” Charlie reached for me. I couldn’t resist the closeness. I knew we only had minutes left.

  I unfolded myself from him pushing him away as I felt his grip become protective. Charlie could protect me no longer. I had to stand on my own two feet now to shield him from Will.

  “No Charlie you are wrong. I used you to get Will jealous. Now my plan has worked. I am going to be a Field. After all I am a business woman. It’s what I have always wanted. I mean what sort of life would I have had with you? Will gives me everything you can’t.”

  Charlie’s doorbell rang just at the second I heard his heart crack.

  “Well, you better go to him then,” Charlie whispered furious turning his back to me watching the New York night sky.

  I walked towards the door opening it to Will’s driver. He was a big guy dressed all in black. I could tell he wasn’t just a driver as he briefly gave me a wink as he pounded his fists together watching Charlie.

  Charlie suddenly appeared at the door pushing me against the wall. I lost my breath and concentration for a short second as he placed his hand forcefully, but tenderly on my face.

  “Please Shannon. Don’t do this. I love you,” Charlie begged stroking my face.

  “Goodbye Charlie. It was… fun.”

  “Shannon, please.”

  I pushed Charlie away walking out of his door. “Just get over it Charlie. This is over. I never loved you, move on. Don’t be such a fool with your heart next time.” I left Charlie with tears trickling down his face, pain imbedded deep in his eyes.

  My hearted stabbed me deep as I made my way back to my incarceration.

  Chapter 22

  Will was waiting for me when I returned with a sick sadistic smile on his face.

  “So how did it go?” Will asked still packing my belongings.

  “How do you think?” I glared as tears filled my eyes.

  “Get upset Shannon, but you made this mess yourself, remember that.”

  “Will, you are blackmailing me how is that my fault?” I asked angry.

  “This is your fault. I told you in London I wasn’t sure how I would react. I surprised myself at how I reacted, but it still doesn’t change anything. If I ever see you anywhere near Charlie Collins again it will be the last you ever see of him,” Will replied coldly.

  “But my job…”

  “I have already informed them. You will work with me at Field Organisation. Downing International will be so furious that we stole you. I mean you made quite a name for yourself in the marketing department,” Will interrupted.

  “Will, please don’t do this,” I pleaded touching his hand. “If you loved me you wouldn’t do this.”

  Will flinched from my touch, angry. “You have had your fun with Charlie Collins now you have to face the consequences for your actions.” The driver came in and began to take my belongings down to the car. “You have no idea how Megan would feel. What if she had seen you two instead of me?”

  “I am sure Megan wouldn’t have threatened to kill Charlie unless I leave him.” I felt a sharp pain hit my face. It didn’t take long to realise Will had slapped me across the face. My face ached with the stinging sensation.

  “You need to learn some respect, Shannon.” Will looked at me. He wasn’t affected by slapping me at all. “Just get into the car, Shannon. Our plane leaves soon.”

  I moved speechlessly downstairs into the car. Was this my new life now? Being a punch bag every time Will was angry with me?

  I sat alone in the back seat as we made our way towards the airport. I found a small compact mirror in the bottom of my handbag. My cheek still ached. I was sure I was getting a bruise. As I held up the mirror my thought had been right. My check was still red, but a faint yellow colour was beginning to appear.

  It was too heartbreaking to watch New York disappear in the distance. I focused on my hand bag, playing with the zip opening and closing it.

  I was escorted into the VIP’s lounge with speed as we arrived at the airport. Will said nothing. I was sure he had noticed my face and regretted his outburst now.

  The lounge was quite busy. A few business men sat reading their newspapers. A group of people were making their way through the complimentary bar. It looked as if it was a singer with his groupies but I couldn’t be sure. I didn’t recognise any of them.

  “Do you want a drink?” Will finally asked as he noticed me watching the groupies.

  “No,” I said coldly.

  “I am sorry about earlier,” Will whispered.

  “Are you referring to the blackmail or the bruises on my face?” I spat back.

  “Shannon, please.”

  “No Will, I have done what you have asked, but do not expect me to be happy about it.”

  “My family will be able to tell something isn’t right. I do not want them to suspect anything.”

  “I will act perfectly fine with them Will. Just do not expect me to be fine with you because at this moment in time I have never hated anyone as much as you.” Tears were beginning to swell in my eyes.

  “I have done this for you. Why can’t you see that? Charlie is not the sort of man you can build your life around. Look at how he treated Megan. I guess the woman he left her for didn’t last either?” Will laughed to himself. I remained silent with the words on the tip of my tongue to wipe the evil smile off his face. “You know I am right. Guys like Charlie are predators. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was using you to get back at Megan seeing as her career has taken off so well.”

  “You do not know him,” I whispered.

  “Well, he hasn’t made any hero attempt to come and get you. He can’t love you that much.” Will laughed.

  “I broke his heart. Why would he come?”

  “Shannon, if it was the other way round I would run over hot coals to get to you.”

  “Don’t underestimate Charlie’s love. I have just broken his heart like you asked,” I glared at him. Will was about to speak, but something in my eyes made him stop.

  Will remembered he needed to make a phone call, he disappeared into the check-in area. It was obviously a call he did not want me to hear.

  I sat in the lounge dumbstruck. How had this happened? Yesterday morning I was completely and blissfully in love with my whole life ahead of me. Now I was trapped in a never ending nightmare I would never awake from.

  I was so deep in concentration I almost didn’t hear the banging and shouting behind me.

  As I turned to see what all the commotion was about my heart burst. What was h
e doing? Hadn’t I made it clear enough? If Will saw him I didn’t know what would happen.

  Charlie was the other side of the glass divide in the waiting area. His hands pressed hard against the glass. I put my face in my hands to force the strength from somewhere. My body had already said goodbye to him. Having to saying it twice I really wasn’t sure my mind would cope.

  I got up slowly. Will was still deep in conversation, he hadn’t noticed Charlie yet.

  I walked towards the glass divide. Charlie’s hands were still pressed firmly against them as if he was trying to get closer to me. If it was only this glass that was keeping us apart.

  “Charlie, what are you doing here?” I pleaded noticing his blotchy blue-green eyes. They were lifeless.