Notice Me

  “I know I am meant to just be your wedding coordinator, but I just can’t help it you are such a lovely young lady Shannon Davis.”

  “Thank you Mrs Gray.”

  “You take care my dear. Don’t forget your spa treatment tomorrow.”

  “Like I could forget,” I rolled my eyes.

  “It will do you good I think.”

  “Yeah I guess,” I replied as I helped Mrs Gray into her taxi.

  The spa treatment did relax me the next day. I was massaged, moisturised, cleansed and toned from head to toe. I decided to have my nails done as well. I lay in the salt pool for a good two hours just wishing the day away wondering if this was what my life was going to be like now. Would Will really keep his promise about me being able to return to work after the wedding? Part of me didn’t believe that. I knew what life I had ahead of me. One not so different from Lady Veronica Field – pointless, meaningless and lonely.

  Megan came back a day early with a suitcase full of clothes for me to take on honeymoon. I cringed hiding my face from all the lingerie Megan had bought for me.

  “So how was the shoot?” I asked trying to change the subject. “Did Maisy enjoy herself?”

  “She enjoyed it more than you did last year,” Megan teased.

  “I enjoyed it,” I raised my voice slightly.

  “I know,” Megan put her arm around me. “I saw Charlie in Paris.”

  I froze, if Charlie had told her anything I would have been thrown out of the house by now I was sure. “Really how was he?” I tried to ask indifferently.

  “We didn’t talk long. He looked a mess Shan. I felt sorry for the guy. Whatever is going on in his life he was in pain.”

  I tried to fight the tears by wiping my eyes before they fell. “Really, poor guy.”

  “He did apologise for everything. He said he may have got it all wrong. He wants to meet up for a drink some time.”

  I saw red from pure jealously. “Megan, what are you thinking? He broke your heart and you want to go back for seconds?” I spat at her.

  “Easy Shan. I didn’t say a definite yes.” Megan laughed at me. “Still so protective over me,” Megan sat down and hugged me. “I am so lucky we are going to be sisters. Will is the luckiest man alive marrying you.”

  “I know,” I forced a smile as I hugged her again it gave me a chance to wipe the tears away trickling down my face. Whatever Charlie had been playing at I did not like it.

  The wedding was only two weeks away. It was like counting down to the day of reckoning. Will and I were out with Megan on one of her charity nights. I sat tapping my champagne glass looking up at the crystal chandelier. These red carpet nights out had become so predictable. Will would spend the whole night showing me off like a shiny new toy. I was in fear of losing myself more than ever before.

  “You seem quiet tonight, Shannon,” Will commented from our table.

  “I wonder why that is?” I glared.

  “Shannon, please.” Will touched my hand and I flinched away. “We are to be married in two weeks. I will make you happy. I promise.” Will had tested my patience tonight. Showing me off like a possession. I was furious with him.

  “You show me off like some possession. Is that how you see me?”

  “No, I see you as the woman of my dreams. We are so right for each other. Our marriage could be so perfect if you just tried.”

  “When everything is based on hatred?” Will looked down at the floor. “I will marry you Will, but do not think for one second I will ever love you.”

  “You act so well around my family. They actually think you love me. Why can’t you live the lie with me Shannon? Make the most of this life I will give you. I will give you the stars if that is what you want.”

  “There is only one thing I want Will and you will never let me have it,” I spat, watching Megan make her way back to our table.

  “Some party,” Megan giggled sitting next to us. Will wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me closer to him. This time I couldn’t pull away, not with Megan watching. “I have just seen Sir Straton. Do you think Charlie might be here?” Will’s grip on me became painful.

  “Perhaps,” my voice was almost a whisper.

  “Shall we dance, my love?” Will pulled me from my chair onto the dance floor. I knew he was scanning the crowd as he held me tightly in his arms.

  “Will, I doubt Charlie is here.”

  “He better not be.”

  “We are bound to run into him from time to time.” My heart was skipping as I looked across the crowd of people. Please be here Charlie, I pleaded in my mind.

  “If he is here you are not to speak to him. Do I make myself clear?”

  “That might look a little odd to Megan. Don’t you think?” I glared. Will was thoughtful for a second his hands gripping me so hard I groaned out in pain.

  “The son of a bitch,” I turned in the direction Will was watching. There on the edge of the dance floor was Charlie.

  “Will please,” I begged. “Don’t hurt him. He wouldn’t have known I would be here.”

  “I know that,” Will smirked darkly. “Kiss me Shannon and I don’t mean a peck on the cheek.” I winced. “Think about Charlie.” My heart sank as my eyes shot to him for the briefest second. “You better make it look convincing. We are getting married in two weeks after all.” I crashed my lips against Will fiercely as a low sob came from my chest. Will responded, overwhelmed by my reaction. His hands gripped my body slowly snaking down my side. I shivered as I felt his hands caress the sides of my chest. I pulled away panting.

  “That was quite a show Shannon,” Will teased kissing my lips softly one last time. “I cannot wait until you are my wife. That was quite some taster you gave me.”

  I scanned the crowd. Charlie already hated me, but kissing Will like that in front of him caused my heart to shatter.

  “If Charlie comes over while we are with Megan you are to act normal with him but madly in love with me of course,” Will whispered in my ear just before we reached our table. I nodded.

  “Will,” Megan beamed. “Father just called. He asked if you could ring him. He said it was urgent.” Will nodded looking at me. I knew he was worried because Charlie was here.

  “I’ll be fine,” I smiled touching his hand. “I’m not going to do anything stupid while you talk to your father,” I added.

  “I won’t be long.” With that Will disappeared into the crowd.

  “Charlie is here Megan,” I whispered.

  “He is?” Megan stood up looking around, “Do you mind if I go and have a look for him?”

  “Sure,” I smiled glad my plan had worked. I knew Charlie would be watching me and with Megan rushing off into the crowd it was only a matter of minutes before Charlie was sat at my side.

  “I didn’t mean those words I said last week,” Charlie whispered behind me.

  “Megan is looking for you,” I glared.

  “Shannon, I don’t care about Megan. I love you.”

  “If Will sees you here talking to me he...”

  “I don’t give a crap about Will either. Shan, please just look at me,” Charlie interrupted touching my arm.

  I turned my heart melted, as I took in the sorrow in his eyes. “Charlie, you need to move on from this.”

  “I know you still love me Shan. Please whatever hold Will has over you let me protect you. I’m not afraid of him.”

  “There is no hold. I love him.”

  “You don’t. I can tell,” Charlie smirked moving a stray hair from my face. “You are forcing yourself to love him.” Why did he have to read me so well? Charlie had no idea of the danger he was putting himself into. “Lorna has had a little breakthrough with the information about your parents. She has located the doctor who delivered you.”

  “Why are you even bothering?”

  “Shan, the…” Charlie and I both froze as we noticed Megan and Will making their way back to the table.

  “Charlie, you need to go, now,” I w
hispered panicked. Charlie studied my face.

  “I think I will stay right here actually,” Charlie smirked.

  “Charlie,” Megan beamed. “So wonderful to see you again so soon.”

  “And you Megan. You look stunning tonight.” Megan blushed as he kissed her hand. Was he trying to make me jealous? It was working. “William, really it has been too long,” Charlie held his hand out and Will took it firmly.

  “What brings you here Charlie?” Will asked sitting next to me wrapping his arms around my waist.

  “Sir Straton loves the charity work. We were in Paris as Megan knows. I decided to visit a few old haunts before I go back to New York on Friday.”

  “You are in London for another five days?” Megan beamed. I knew what she was thinking and it was crushing me. Would Charlie do that? Why not, he thought I was sleeping with Will. I was marrying him after all.

  “Yes I am,” Charlie smiled warmly at her.

  “Can I speak with you alone for a moment Charlie?” Will glared standing up. I was freaking out. Will wouldn’t hurt him I was sure of it. Charlie had stumbled on us by accident, but what if Charlie told Will about last week? I tried to hold it together as I watched Will and Charlie walk outside.

  “What do you think Will is saying to Charlie?” Megan whispered as we both glared outside. I could still see them. Both were shouting throwing their arms around pointing back into the room.

  “I have no idea,” I muttered watching Charlie.

  “Will is so over protective,” Megan chuckled. “He is such a big brother sometimes. I would only sleep with Charlie anyway. He is too messed up for a relationship. I can tell.”

  “Megan don’t degrade yourself,” I spat out as fury filled my body.

  “Easy,” Megan chuckled. “I am lucky you and Will look out for me.”

  “You wait here. I am going to make sure Will is okay,” I replied rushing outside as Charlie pushed Will hard against the wall. Crap, was he trying to get himself killed.

  “You son of a bitch. If I find out you have done anything to her…” Charlie was yelling. Will just laughed at him.

  “Charlie, Shannon loves me. Just get over it. I am her match in every way and in two weeks she will be my wife.”

  “CHARLIE,” I screamed just as he was about to hit Will. “Stop this.”

  “Why him Shan?” Charlie asked. “Is it really about the money?”

  “No,” I sobbed. Charlie would never know the tears were for him. “I love Will. I want to be with him forever.” Charlie dropped Will in defeat looking between the two of us.

  “Now do you understand Charlie?” Will gloated walking over to me pulling me into his arms. “Shannon is mine. She has always been mine. Your delusional affair meant nothing to her. Being with you only made her realise I was the one she wanted. ”

  “Shannon, is that right?” Charlie pleaded. All I could do was nod, crushing Charlie’s heart right in front of me. “You were one hell of an actress Shan,” Charlie whispered. “Just be happy. It’s all I want for you.” I could see the moisture in his eyes, but he walked away before I saw any tears.

  I wanted to crumple to the ground, but Will held me in place against his chest.

  “That was remarkable,” Will smiled. I wanted to slap him. When we were alone I would.

  “I hate you William Field,” I muttered.

  “There is a fine line between love and hate, Shannon,” Will laughed pulling me near. “Do I get another kiss?” I winced pulling away. “I’ll take that as a no.”

  “When did you become so evil?” I asked as a tear fell down my face.

  “When I fell madly in love with you.” I sobbed even more. This really was my own entire fault. I had no one to blame but myself.

  Chapter 28

  “Where did Charlie go?” Megan asked when Will and I came back.

  “He has gone Megan,” Will replied sipping his whiskey.

  “What did you say to him?” Megan sobbed.

  “Megan, I am not having Charlie Collins break your heart again.”

  “But I still love him,” Megan muttered. Will saw red smashing his whiskey glass on the floor. Megan and I both jumped.

  “This infatuation with Charlie ends now. Do I make myself clear?” I wasn’t sure who Will was talking to anymore. “We are leaving. I have had enough of this party.” Will got up taking my hand in his firmly. “Megan, come on you are leaving too.”

  “You can’t order me around. Who do you think you are – Father?”

  “Fine,” Will snapped almost dragging me away from the party.

  My heart sped up as I noticed Charlie waiting for a taxi outside. I wanted to run to him. Tell him I would always love him as I had in my letter. Why did I turn the letter to ash? I should have sent it to him so he would always know I loved him. No, it was better this way. Charlie would move on and find love again. No matter how much that thought destroyed me. I wanted him to be happy.

  “I know what you are thinking, Shannon,” Will muttered against my neck. “Do you see those two men behind him.” I did notice two men close behind him in black suits. “They work for me. I called them when I knew Charlie was here. Just one word and it’s all over for Mr Collins.”

  “Will, you wouldn’t. I mean… nothing…” I was rambling petrified for Charlie’s safety.

  “I just wanted to prove a point. You will love me Shannon. When you are my wife you will adore me.” Will nodded at the men. I watched in horror as they approached Charlie from behind.

  “Will, please stop them,” I begged.

  “Tell me you love me.” I just looked at him. “Tell me you love me and push me against this wall with your desire for me, Shannon.” I didn’t even have to think about it. Charlie was all I saw.

  “I love you Will,” I replied pushing him hard against the wall in fury. Will moaned as my lips found his. His hands were everywhere as I pinned him against the wall. I knew this display was for Charlie. It was killing me knowing there was every chance he was watching me.

  “Wow,” Will smiled as I pulled away. I turned to see Charlie alone just watching me. “My guys only asked him for the time,” Will chuckled against my neck. My body tensed. “Careful Shan, you are meant to adore me remember.” Will kissed down my neck. “I can’t wait until our wedding night, Shannon. You have teased me too long. I think it’s safe to say I no longer have to worry about Charlie Collins.”

  I shuddered to his touch watching as Charlie got into a taxi without so much as a glance in my direction. So this was it. Charlie had finally given up on me. He was safe and I was ready to take the next step to make sure he would always stay that way.

  ****

  The countdown to the wedding was now just days away.

  I had nowhere left to turn. Slowly I was becoming accustomed to the life I would have to lead. I was trying with Will. What other choice did I have? Once he was my husband I would be bonded to him forever.

  I would switch off all my desires locking Charlie in the back of my heart. I had to think of it as a small victory. I had kept him safe. That was all that mattered.

  Will and I had arrived at our New Zealand hideaway retreat to relax ready for our magical wedding day.

  “So are you feeling nervous?” Will asked as I looked out towards the crystal shimmering water. It was a paradise island just as Megan had described. My large white beach hut was spacious and comfortable. With a long porch weaving its way around the hut.

  “A little,” I smiled walking out onto the soft white sand.

  The setting for Will and I to say our vows was perfect. Mrs Gray had done herself proud. A long trail of flawlessly arranged white colour rocks led the way down towards the pure white sand. On the beach a huge red canopy covered a silver stage where Will would be waiting for me as I walked down the aisle to become his forever. The sun would be setting towards the east as our wedding ceremony finished, everything was faultless.

  Only a few of the press had been invited, it would still be enough
for our pictures to be all over the news for a few days. As far as the guests went there would only be the Field family and a few of their close friends. Tears swelled in my eyes. Who would I have? I could only think of Mrs Gray.

  “So Shannon dear. What do you think?” Mrs Gray asked pleased with herself as she began unfolding a large roll of ribbon.

  “It’s perfect. I can see why you are the best,” I replied helping her to fasten red bows to the silver chairs laid across the beach.