Seduced 4

by Jones, P. A.

  “I’m taking the car out on the street. Be quick—it’s our function and we shouldn’t be late.” Gerome walked down the stairs.

  Gerome had changed in the last few days; he was more caring than ever. He was looking after my needs and helping me in every way possible. But it was like he was acting out of guilt instead of caring for me genuinely. Sometimes he just amazed me with his actions, but that never satisfied my need to know if he was after my money or if he truly felt sorry. Money or me? I considered both the options, but I was completely trapped; he was the only person I could trust at that time, to take me out of the whole mess. I have no Tristan to love back.

  Five minutes later, we were driving to the venue. I offered to drive, but he insisted. He’d just got his license renewed and he had a thing for the cars. For his good, my dad not only left an expensive, good collection of whiskey for him, but also lots of cars. Around twelve current-age cars for us, or him.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “When did you ever ask permission before?” I giggled. He was never an obedient boy in my books. Actually, it was his wildness and craziness that I’d fallen for back in my college days.

  “We’re going to see Tristan around more than ever and he is going to be with his girlfriend, Trisha. I hope you are okay with it,” he asked sincerely.

  “Why would it bother me, Gerome? I’m not clinging to his memory. He was a past for me and I want to keep it as it is.” I sighed. It was a complete lie; I was holding back with his memories. I cherished his memories even now. But I was hoping that these memories would fade one day and I could get back to Gerome. Theoretically, he was my future; he was my husband.

  “He may do things that might make you feel awkward, like kissing her or something more. I just want you to keep calm, because this event is very important for us.” He eyes were fixed on the road.

  “I know. Don’t worry.” I looked outside. Lots of cars were racing ahead of us. People were returning to their homes after long working hours. I wondered when my life would get to a station or a stop, which I could call home.

  ***

  “Welcome, Nikki.” Noticing us, Trisha came forward. “Welcome, Gerome. The power couple of the event.” She shook hands with us, a smile on her face.

  I looked around—my eyes were searching for him. I saw him that evening in that expensive suit, but it was just a glimpse of him. And God, that disturbed me to the core. I wanted to see him, store him inside my mind. And there he was, talking with a woman.

  Tristan was standing with a woman, holding a glass of juice. Really, juice? It was Orange. No alcohol could look like that.

  “Let me take you to the fighter of the evening, Maxim.” Trisha smiled and led us to Tristan.

  He was talking with a lady I’d seen many times on television, I guess she was the mayor of some town or something, I couldn’t remember, exactly.

  “Tristan, look who’s here.” Trisha called him.

  He turned around to face us. Our eyes met and a spark passed through them. The world was frozen for me; he was there in front of me, in real life. His eyes were fixed on me, those dark, endless eyes I could die for. His deep eyes were piercing me naked. He was still the same, minus the long hair and with an extra cut around the neck. He smiled and my world flipped to the other side. His smile was the same, mesmerizing and damn, dark sexy. I could feel the sudden wetness between my thighs. My core was shaking to touch him and assure myself that it was him.

  “Nice to see you, Gerome.” He shook hands with Gerome.

  I extended my hand. But he looked at me once and turned back to face that woman again. My face turned dark. That was just rude.

  I at least anticipated a handshake from him. But he’d insulted me. Why would he do that?

  Trisha gazed at Tristan for a moment. “Tristan, look who’s here. Nikki Jordan.” She touched his hand. I felt a twitch that maybe he hadn’t seen me. He turned half to Trisha and then walked away without looking at me.

  Trisha watched him in surprise. And then she looked at us.“Let me take you to the drinks.”

  “Thanks, I need them.” I followed her, hiding my face. Water had already accumulated near my eyelids. I’d expected better from him, not a hug, at least a handshake. Why did he act like a jerk? I had no answer, but it was burning my heart. Why are you doing this to me, Tristan?

  “Please enjoy the party. Cheers,” Trisha said.

  Our glasses clinked.

  “To the future.” Gerome raised his glass.

  “To greatness.” Trisha raised her glass, too.

  I was too busy to drink to my ego from that glass.

  ***

  My eyes were searching for him. I didn’t know how much I’d had to drink, but I wanted to ask him why he’d done that. But I couldn’t find him anywhere, like he had vanished in thin air.

  “Nikki, are you all right? What are you doing here?” Trisha came, grabbing my arm. “You are drunk, Nikki. You should go back to the party.”

  “Where is he, where is that jerk. I want to mee…t him, no…w.”

  “He is out with one of his friends. Where’s Gerome? I’ll tell him to take you back home.”

  “No, he isn’t my husband to take me back. I…can go by myself…But where is that bastard? Where is he?” I saw a couple walking towards us. The man was Tristan. Yes, he was Tristan.

  “Hey, Tristan.” I called out to him. But he didn’t reply or turned around to see me.

  I ran towards him and grabbed his arm. “You…jerk.”

  “Who are you?” His face came closer, but he wasn’t Tristan. He was someone else.

  “Sorry, I thought…” I busted out. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to …”

  “Sorry, sir, she’s not feeling well.” Trisha came to my aid, apologizing. “Nikki, come on, you shouldn’t be here. Let me take you home. Where do you live?”

  “I’ll tell you the road,” I said. I could see my home in front of my eyes, with a small garden behind it, a way in from the exercise room and a small pool in the backyard and a path going into the woods.

  “Okay.” She dragged me to the car. I sat near her and she cruised through the traffic. I liked her; she wasn’t half bad.

  ***

  I woke up with an incredible headache. But I wasn’t in my own room. I was somewhere else. Did that jerk Gerome took advantage of me? I cursed Gerome. But the place was familiar. The bed, the bed sheet, and the small closet in front of the bed. I was in Tristan’s house. But how did I get here? I stood up in horror; that was the last thing I could imagine doing myself.

  A note was lying near the table. I picked it up.

  Dear Nikki,

  You were too drunk and I didn't know where your house was. I brought you here. Sorry, I couldn't stay for the night as I had some work to do. The house has everything you will need to make a cup of coffee for yourself. See you soon.

  - Trisha

  “Hell, yes. I need a strong coffee.” I made a cup of coffee for myself and sat on the couch we used to make love on. His scent was still there, arousing me everywhere. Oh, Tristan, why did you do this? It could have been so much better than this.

  Another note was stuck on the TV.

  I arranged for your car to be delivered there. The key would be under the seat. Take care, see you soon.

  - Trisha

  “She isn’t half bad, after all,” I muttered.

  Chapter 7

  Nikki

  The coffee in his house tasted like the memories, sweeter than they really were. I could feel him while taking every sip of that damned coffee. In that moment, I wanted him more than anything. I could feel the need echoing in every cell in my body. Maybe I was chasing something forbidden, but I had a hope that one day it would all make sense.

  The coffee really carried his aroma. I could love you if only you didn’t act like such a jerk. I roamed his home one last time. Touched everything I had memories of, especially memories of him. I looked at the road his garden opened i
nto. I may not ever get to see where it ends. Exactly like my life, I may not get to see where it ends, in whose arms it ends.

  “This is the goodbye, then.” I locked the door, opening in the back yard. Then I went to the exercise room, that room that had the most of our memories. I could feel the sweat I’d dripped on the ground while training with him.

  When I was turning around, I found a bag filled of broken furniture placed behind the treadmill. It was broken, like someone had broken it with their hands. I knew that table; it was a special, two-person only table. But I don't remember seeing it in his home earlier. And why it was wrecked, in pieces? A red tablecloth and two candles were also present in the same bag. Like something big was planned and had never happened. What it could be? A candle-light dinner preparation?

  “Oh, my God, it can’t be that. No, it can’t be.” I grabbed the treadmill to balance myself. I covered my face with my palm. Tears dropped down unknowingly. I remembered the day I last saw him clearly—the courtroom, the card from him. It was his birthday, when he’d planned for something bigger I could never have imagined. My heart weighed tons; I fell down on my knees. I never thought that that night could have turned into the best night of our lives. But the night was gone from my hands, and so was Tristan.

  With a deep breath, running eyes and heavy heart I left that home. But before that, I looked back at the fish tank covering one of his walls. Everything was the same as I remembered. Somebody must be taking care of his home. Somebody other than me takes care of him now. I should have been there when he needed something to eat. I should have been there when he was hurt in the match. “I’m sorry, Tristan. I failed you.” And I failed myself. I cried again until my throat dried and my spine ached.

  I grabbed my car keys and closed the door behind me. I was never going to come there again. That was the final goodbye.

  ***

  “Where were you, sweetie. Sucker?” Gerome asked the moment I entered the house. “And where is Stephen?” He tried to show compassion. But I knew he had none.

  “Why do you want to know?” I replied in a dry voice. He was the last person I wanted to talk to at that moment. Thanks to Carrie, Stephen was safe and sound. She’d taken care of him last night, and he was still with her.

  “I was worried, babe.”

  “Then you should have stayed at the party. Shouldn’t have left me alone,” I hissed, looking at his deceiving green eyes.

  “I’m sorry. I met an old friend and took off with him.” He came closer to hug me.

  I pushed him away. “Not now, Gerome. I’m not in mood for listening to your crap or getting your consolation.”

  He looked hurt, but I didn’t really care at that moment.“Sorry, can I do something to change your mood?” he asked.

  “Nothing. No one can do anything.” Not even Tristan could change my mood at that moment. I was untouchable by anything.

  “I knew it. He’s a bad influence on you, babe.”

  “Who, Gerome? Do you have a name?” I replied. I actually didn’t want to hear any of the shit he talked. But I had to, or else he would have bugged me after getting drunk.

  “Tristan, who else. I saw the way he treated you. I swear, I would have punched him right then and there if our company wasn’t on the line. I’ll kick his ass once this is over.”

  “He would have punched you if he was in your shoe, last night.”I giggled. I knew Tristan could get crazy for me. Heck, he was the craziest guy in my life.

  “Who? What are you saying? Why aren’t you listening to me, Nikki? I’m drawing my blood to help you and you’re cracking jokes? What the hell happened to you in these two years. Sucker.”

  Tristan happened to me, you fool. He was the man you can’t be even in your dreams.

  “Leave it alone. I’m so pissed off right now. We’ll talk tomorrow about all this.” I smiled and walked back to my room.

  ***

  Tristan

  At the signing ceremony.

  She walked in front of me with a light blue evening gown draped around her. She hadn’t changed at all; actually, she’d become even more attractive than before, with her lush lips and her blue eyes. Damn it to hell, I would die for these eyes and a single smile on her face. A bunch of hair was scattered across her face as usual, and her eyes were piercing to my core. I felt a deeper peace inside my heart. Those were the eyes I’d missed the last six months. I felt an urge to kiss her right there.

  But then I saw the snake standing with her. I hated that man for what he’d said to me a couple of days ago. I wouldn’t stand any threat to Nikki or her son. He was alive only because she still loved him. I remembered how he’d begged me and said those words to me. I had to push her away; I couldn’t talk with her.

  But the moment I looked at her, she took my heart away once again. She was the one for whom my heart beat faster each and every time I saw her. Just looking at her was something I missed more than anything. But then she wasn’t mine anymore. She belonged to someone else and I would die a thousand deaths if I’d be the one to break her heart. I had to push her away. I didn’t talk with her and walked away. Every step I took away from her killed my heart a thousand times. Being with you or being away from you, both are the same for me, Nikki. A happy death, actually.

  “Please take care of her. I can’t stay here watching her like that,” I whispered in Trisha’s ear and walked away from the party. I needed peace and alcohol wasn’t an option I had left to me. I didn’t even feel like fighting that night. I needed peace for the blackness in my heart.

  Chapter 8

  Nikki

  “You’re hurting me, Gerome,” I yelled at him as he squeezed my arm harder. He was being mean and ridiculous.

  “Bite me, sucker. You can’t run away from the ceremony. It’s important that you attend it.” He was frustrated and angry at me. But I just couldn’t go there.

  Tristan would be there and I would cry after knowing what really happened that night. The pressure on my heart was increasing with the realization of knowing that he had planned a big night on his birthday and I’d ruined it. I knew Tristan had moved on, but knowing how it could be really broke my heart apart. I couldn’t live in my past like that. God, why is this happening to me? How would I pay for my sins? I wish I could run someplace where neither Tristan nor Gerome could reach me.

  “Let me go, you jerk.” I shouted at him. “Or else I’ll call security.” I meant it; I would have called security if he didn’t leave me alone.

  He thought for a second and released me. “Nikki, please try to understand. This is so important for us. It’s even more important for Stephen.”

  Though I hated what he’d said so much, but he was telling the truth. The ceremony was very important for the company and my being there was even more important. How would a signing look without the owner of the company organizing it? For the first time in six months we had a chance to win a league, with Tristan as our main fighter. Because of Tristan, our company’s fighters would be fighting in a presentation match today and that meant I would see Tristan fighting for the first time in my life.

  “Okay, I’ll get ready.” I walked away from him. I’d to go to the ceremony, though it means my heart will shatter in pieces again. You were mine, Tristan, only mine. Then why did you have to fall for that dirty bitch. But, thinking about a couple of days ago when she took care of me, I must say that bitch could be half good as well.

  I quickly changed into a nice red dress and matching earrings.

  ***

  “Good afternoon, guys.” Trisha came forward grinning. Her eyes were racing over my features. “You’re looking gorgeous in that red dress. How are you doing?” Her words were light. She asked with a bigger smile on her face. She looked nice in a black skirt with a white blouse over it. It suited her round face.

  “Fine. How are you? And thanks for the other night. You saved the day…or, shall I say night.” I giggled. My face softened; it was good to smile after a tense evening.

&nb
sp; She laughed back. “It was my pleasure, Nikki. After all, you are special to my boss.” She looked behind her, her eyes searching for someone.

  I tried to scan for Tristan through the crowd, but it was impossible. Tristan was nowhere to be seen.

  “He is right in the middle. They are honoring him for the last tournament win,” Trisha said.

  “A silly question, but how many tournaments has he won,” I asked, anyway.

  “Six in a row, in the last five months. You should watch him when he is fighting. He is a crazy animal back there, sometimes scary, too. But it’s the only way he gets his thrill as he can’t drink alcohol anymore.”

  That was new to me. Why can’t he drink alcohol?

  My words remained unspoken. “Thanks, Trisha. Could you please tell us where we are supposed to sit?” Gerome poked his nose in before I could ask her more.

  “Oh, sorry. Sometimes I talk stupid. It’s there near the middle, first row VIP seats.” She smiled like a silly college girl.

  “Thanks a lot.” I smiled back.

  “Maybe we can have a girls’ night out sometime. I want to know more about you,” she said with blue shades sparkling out of her eyes.

  “Sure.” I wondered why she wanted to do that. We couldn’t be best pals, knowing that she was the one sleeping with my Tristan.

  “What night?” Gerome whispered as we walked past Trisha.

  “What the hell, Gerome?” I frowned at him. “Why do you want to know girl things?”

  “Don’t bite me. I know how you look at her. She is a bitch, after all.” He cast the dirt out again.

  “That’s the same night when you left me drunk at the party. You were supposed to be my husband, right? Then learn how to act like one.” I wanted to punch him straight on his nose. Sometimes he acted like a classic jerk.