Entangled (Vice Games)

by Cooper, Alice

  ‘That bitch is going to ruin everything,’ Anna cried.

  It’s been a while since I’ve heard Anna speak like that. I sat her down on the sidewalk, partly because I also needed a rest from the running. My legs were weak and jellylike. We plotted ourselves down on the concrete and Anna drew her knees up towards her chest.

  ‘Talk to me,’ I said to her. She rocked back and forth slightly as she spoke.

  ‘She’s horrible and Tristan isn’t Tristan when she’s around.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ I asked.

  ‘He turns icy and treats me as if…’ Anna’s chest began to heave and I sensed the imminent wave of a panic attack. Although being off the pills did help her a great deal, Anna was still prone to having outbursts when it got too stressful for her. I moved and wrapped my arms around her. It always helped her to remain calm.

  ‘Hush,’ I told her. ‘I’m here now. We’re in this together and I need you to stay calm.’

  Anna struggled to keep it under control. She breathed in deeply and held the air in her lungs until her face turned slightly purplish.

  ‘Alright, so Tristan turns into a complete ass when she’s around, have you ever tried talking to him about it?’

  Anna released her breath and shook her head.

  ‘Do you want to talk to him about it?’

  Anna shook her head again.

  ‘That’s not going to solve anything, now is it?’

  ‘He never listens to anyone when that bitch is around.’

  ‘Then you’ll have to talk to him when she’s not there. I mean, come on, you do live with him and he is your brother. When he’s in the right frame of mind, I’m sure he’ll listen to you.’

  Anna shook his head. ‘When it comes to her, Tristan never listens. She has him under her control and he just shuts me out. He even tells me to go and take my pills.’

  I was surprised by the report. I knew that Tristan was against his being unnecessarily medicated and approved of the ruse that Anna and I carried out when it came to taking her pills. But for him to tell her to take it is another matter. I began to wonder what sort of person Tristan became when it concerned his fiancée. It also dawned on me that this woman did not have good intentions towards Anna.

  Jace found us on the sidewalk and was relieved to see my arms wrapped around Anna as if she was my baby sister.

  ‘We got so worried,’ he started.

  ‘Jace,’ I said, ‘can you go back and get the car. I think Anna and I should eat out tonight.’

  Jace gave me an enquiring look but I did not say anything. I simply nodded for him to move and he eventually complied with my request. Going back to the house right now was too emotionally dangerous for Anna and I needed to stabilize her before doing anything else. Tristan’s fiancée’s presence would only make things worse.

  As we waited for Jace to come back, I felt my heart drop and the splintering effect at the thought of Tristan being with another woman. I felt stupid to even having such feelings towards the situation. I’m only here because of Anna. He just happens to be her brother and the man that is also paying me my weekly wage.

  ‘Where to?’ Jace asked. I sat in the backseat with Anna.

  ‘Somewhere,’ I said. ‘Just drive around for a little while.’

  Jace did as instructed. Anna had slipped into a volatile state and he trusted me to make the decisions. I eventually settled for a fast food joint three streets away and the three of us sat together at the small table. Anna picked at her food and I didn’t feel like eating. We went back to the mall and meandered around for a little bit more with Jace behind us like a security guard. After a few hours, I checked my watch and found that it was almost eight.

  ‘I think we should go back,’ I said when I judged Anna to be stable enough but she was reluctant to comply.

  ‘I’m not going home if she’s still there,’ she said with her arms crossed. I saw heat bubble beneath her skin and it felt like I was negotiating with a volcano. But Anna could not control these things. The drugs had messed with her system for so long that it would require time and guidance to help her through it. It was this knowledge that allowed me to be patient with her.

  I took out my phone and allowed her to see the screen as I flicked through the numbers in the list. I stopped and Tristan’s name and pressed the button to call him. Pressing the phone to my ear, I waited and listened to the ringing tone. Eventually someone picked up.

  ‘Yes?’ he said. My heart paused for a moment before I found my voice again.

  ‘Is she still there?’ I asked. I thought it came off a little bit harsh and sounded as if I was angry. I closed my eyes and wished that I had more control.

  ‘Yes.’

  I walked away from Jace and Anna. They did not follow and instead watched me from across the mall. I felt like I needed some privacy.

  ‘She needs to go,’ I told him.

  Tristan paused. It made me uneasy and uncertain about myself. Who am I to order Tristan Vice about?

  ‘Come home,’ he said finally. I could not tell from his tone how he felt or what he thought. It was impossible to know especially when I could not see his face, not that it was going to somehow help me discern what went through his mind. Tristan was always icy towards me but it is another matter for him to enact this cruelty towards his sister.

  ‘Not until I have your word that she’ll be gone by the time we come back,’ I said. Tristan paused again and I felt the need to explain myself. ‘Anna’s in a fragile state and your fiancée is setting her off. I can’t do my job properly if you’re not going to help me.’

  Tristan did not speak and the silence annoyed me. It nibbled at my brain and sent a flurry of thoughts through my head. What was he thinking? Why is he not saying anything? Is she there with him? Is she listening in on this conversation? The very idea of his fiancée listening in made me feel as if I had been intruded somehow.

  I could hear her voice in the background but could not make out the words. My mind went into overdrive as my imagination began to run wild. Images of her over him made my blood boil and I bit my tongue to get myself back into reality. I was being silly again. I’m here for Anna and not anyone else. I mustn’t involve myself in any other way beyond my job.

  ‘Find a hotel room,’ he said finally. I was shocked by his words and was left hanging as he disconnected the call. He had chosen her over his sister. That’s just simply not right. I walked back to Anna and Jace with a dead look upon my face. They instantly knew that I just lost.

  ‘I told you,’ said Anna. ‘She always wins.’

  ‘We’ll see about that,’ I said with a rising anger beneath my skin. ‘Jace, take us home.’

  Anna must have felt the danger in my mood and she instantly fell silent and did not protest against it. Although the thought of going back with her still there, she sensed that this time I was going to make it different.

  Chapter 9 – A clash of hearts and minds

  As expected, she was still there when Anna and I returned. Lorraine was surprised and relieved to see us. Anna’s chest began to heave as she struggled against the incoming panic attack. I didn’t know what thoughts went through her mind to set her off like this, but it was clear that it was not good for her. I immediately took her into the kitchen and pulled out a tub of ice-cream. I had noted that cold things helped cool and calm her down. Peeling off the lid, I handed it to her along with a spoon.

  ‘Stay with Anna,’ I instructed Lorraine.

  ‘Where are you going?’ the housekeeper asked. Anna sat herself down on the kitchen floor and began to dig into the ice-cream.

  ‘Upstairs,’ I informed her. ‘If she finishes the vanilla before I come back, give her the chocolate.’

  I left Lorraine with Anna. I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing but the anger I felt towards Tristan was immeasurable. It propelled me up the stairs. Alright, so he’s doing things with his fiancée, I didn’t have the right to be mad at that. She is his fiancée, the woman he’s chos
en to spend the rest of his life with. It is none of my concern as to what he’s doing with her. But to discard his sister is another matter. Anna needs support and his actions are not very supportive at all. Something devilish came over me and I felt as if I had no control over what I did next.

  I did not give a warning knock as I pushed open the door. Tristan swore as he realized what had just happened. He was naked and straddled on top of the blonde. His smooth marble like skin, the broad shoulders, defined muscles and tight ass made me hold my breath and fluster momentarily. But then I reminded myself why I was there. Anna needs her brother and nothing more. Then I saw her peer over his shoulders with surprise. Tristan flashed his naked flesh at me as he moved to pull the sheets over their exposed bodies.

  ‘What the hell are you doing?’ he yelled at me without bothering to put on his stoic mask. I saw a mixture of shame and embarrassment upon his face, as if he had been caught cheating. He saw that I had purposefully walked in on him.

  ‘We need to talk,’ I said. I was surprised that my voice held up.

  ‘Out,’ he said in a dangerous tone.

  ‘No.’

  He glared at me and I saw anger grow on his face. We stared at each other and it became a battle of will. His fiancée saw something dangerous about this as she looked back and forth between us. She sensed that there was something threatening in my relationship with Tristan. The blonde moved to wrap her arms around Tristan and kissed him on his neck. I retained my glare as she whispered something in his ear.

  ‘Lauren, leave us,’ said Tristan. The command was unanticipated and caught her off guard.

  ‘What?’ she said.

  ‘Go. Now.’ The sternness in his voice broke whatever spell she had over him.

  Lauren paused for a moment and surveyed the situation again. No one moved. It was about to turn into a stalemate until Tristan repeated his order again to her. Lauren’s lips pursed into a thin unhappy line as her eyes darted to me. She did not care about decency and got off the bed. I saw every inch of her body – her large rounded breasts and her white skin with red blotches where Tristan had gripped her tightly. I felt that she took her time in putting on Tristan’s shirt again. I held my breath as she passed me, her shoulders hitting against mine as she walked out. But I could not escape her scent. She smelled like him and something about that infuriated me.

  ‘Speak,’ he said when Lauren was gone.

  Tristan sat on the bed, his well-constructed torso exposed and the only thing that covered the bottom half were the white crumpled sheets. My eyes glanced momentarily over it and heat immediately rose to my cheeks.

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me that you were going to have her over?’ I found myself speaking.

  ‘Why do I need to inform you about my personal life?’ he retorted. I couldn’t tell if he was angry or annoyed at my interruption.

  ‘You don’t. But you know how she sets Anna off and a little warning would have helped.’

  Tristan did not say anything. Instead, he got off the bed and I turned around as he stood up, completely naked and not an inch of the sheets covered him. Or his sword. I had caught a glimpse of it – upright and alert.

  Behind me, I heard the sounds of materials and the metallic clicking of his belt as he put on his pants. There was a small rustle as he pulled on his shirt and gathered up Lauren’s clothes off the ground. I felt him stand behind me, his strong warm body only an inch away from mine. It made my heart race and I struggled to keep myself under control.

  ‘This is my house,’ he whispered. I felt his warm breath against my ear as he spoke.

  ‘And Anna is your sister,’ I said. I closed my eyes as my muscles tensed. I could feel him. I could feel his heat, his strong solid body, his warm moist lips and his smooth ivory skin. It was maddening.

  ‘Who are you to demand that I report my private doings to?’

  I turned to face him. Our eyes met and I found myself looking at the face of a god, a cruel incarnation of beauty and desire. I could not speak. We were less than an inch away from each other. His intense blue eyes sent a wave of electricity through my skin and although we did not touch, I felt a desire beat itself against the walls of my heart. It was then that I breathed in his scent – the musky smell of sweat and sex. It brought me back to reality and a reminder that Lauren is somewhere downstairs.

  ‘Don’t make me leave,’ I warned him and walked away.

  He stood between the threshold to his room and the hallway. I felt his eyes follow me as I made my way towards the stairs. He followed shortly after.

  I found Lauren sitting cross legged on the couch in the living room. I made a note not to put myself in the same place where she had parked her bare ass. She eyed me with suspicion as I walked in. Her fingers twirled playfully around her ends of her golden locks but there was something in her face that looked deadly. Tristan walked passed me and I heard the jingle of keys as he threw Lauren’s clothes to her.

  ‘I’m taking you home,’ he said.

  ‘What?’ she said. Lauren was surprised but quickly recomposed herself. I felt sick as she parted her legs slightly and I saw her parts which glistened with juice. Somehow, that is supposed to be seductive but I only found it vulgar. ‘But we were just starting to have fun.’

  Tristan walked ahead without another word and Lauren was forced to get off her feet. She followed after him and within moments, I heard the sound of an engine and crunching gravel as the car rolled out of the driveway. Then they were gone.

  My legs felt weak and I stumbled into the kitchen. I joined Anna on the floor and Lorraine fetched me a spoon. Anna shared the chocolate ice-cream with me and watched as I allowed the cold globs to melt in my mouth. The coldness of the dessert cooled me down but my body continued to generate heat.

  Jace came into the kitchen to find us seated with our backs against the pantry door.

  ‘Did the master just leave with her?’

  The gardener had made sure to stay clear of the house since our return. I nodded. He blinked.

  ‘Wow,’ he uttered. ‘You, my dear, are a legend.’

  Chapter 10 – Awkward encounters

  I struggled to sleep that night. My body was hot with confusion as the realization of what I had done sunk in. Anna on the other hand, slept soundly in her spot next to me. She was thrilled to have Lauren out of the house. Tristan did not return and at midnight, I crept out of my room and down the stairs. I went into the kitchen, grabbed a glass and turned the tap. The water hydrated my parched throat. I placed the glass down in the sink and turned to return to my room.

  A tall dark shadow stood against the door frame, the moonlight from outside illuminated his silhouette and a little scream of fright escaped from my lips. Tristan stepped forward and I found that I could hear my heart beating loudly in my ears. He wore a silk white shirt with his sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons undone. His face was calm and controlled, stoic with confidence and I found myself mesmerized by him. His hair was tussled and hung over the sides of his temple like licorice. Tristan smiled, his lips curved alluringly and it made me fluster with confusion. He laughed silently to himself and a strange look came over his face. He took another step towards me and I soon found myself pressed against his strong muscular body as his wrapped his arms around my waist. I flustered with heat as he lowered his face closer to mine.

  I jolted awake.

  ‘Shit,’ I said to myself. It was just a dream. Another one of those dreams. My body was still riveting from it.

  Anna was beside me and she seemed to be deep in dreamland. I sat up and rubbed my face. My heart was racing and my pulse moved like a swollen river. The dream had been so vivid that for a moment I was convinced what happened was real. But it wasn’t and it was impossible to get back to sleep again. I picked up the bedside clock and found that it was past midnight and almost two A.M. It was impossible to just lay there and pretend that the dream didn’t happen. The surge of confusion and emotions sent me out of the room and down the st
airs.

  The smell of Lauren lingered in the living room and I felt repulsed at the thought of her naked ass on the couch. And then there was the matter of her bare body against Tristan’s. I stopped myself from thinking about things I shouldn’t be thinking about. But it was impossible. Her smell – a strong sweet perfume that refused to leave – teased my senses and threatened to drive me crazy. I decided to turn on the lights.

  I found air fresheners in the cupboard under the sink. Upon returning to the living room, I sprayed the place with the fruity fragrance. The smell of strawberries filled the air. It also woke me up and I knew that it would be impossible to go back to sleep again. Well, it was already impossible for me to sleep in the first place and the memory of the dream only made it worse.

  Hardly any time had passed and I soon found myself rummaging in the kitchen pantries. Within ten minutes an assortment of ingredients were laid out on the counter. I felt the need to distract myself from the dream and thoughts of Tristan.

  It has been a long time since I made anything. I had been spending my day with Anna and Lorraine did all the cooking. I whipped together a chocolate cupcake batter and spooned the mixture into the baking tray. As I closed the oven and turned around to tidy up, I jumped at the sight of Tristan. He stood leaning against the doorway. I didn’t know how long he had been there and his sudden appearance startled me. I didn’t hear the car pull up the driveway and he made no sound when he entered the house. Tristan was dressed in the same manner as when he had left the house, his hair playfully framing his striking face. For a split moment, I had managed to forget about the dream but the contents immediately returned at the sight Tristan. My face flushed with heat. It turned my face red and the images of his naked body and exposed parts plagued my mind.

  ‘Why aren’t you asleep?’ he asked. I detected a hint of alcohol in his breath. He had definitely been drinking, although I wasn’t sure how much. It definitely made him different and weakened the icy shield he often put up when he’s around me.