Entangled (Vice Games)

by Cooper, Alice

  ‘I’m sorry I frightened you.’

  ‘You should trust me to have a level head,’ I said to him. ‘What happened to her? Why did it take you an extra two hours to get home?’

  ‘I had to take her to the hospital. One of her implants burst.’

  ‘What?’ I frowned. ‘That escalated quickly. How did hitting her head on the table lead to a busted breast?’

  ‘I don’t know. Maybe it was the way she fell. Karen wasn’t too thrilled when I informed her.’

  ‘And that’s why you’re home late?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You could have called.’

  ‘Do you know how strange this situation would sound on the phone?’

  I laughed and reached up to touch his face. As unlikely as the tale seemed, Tristan was not lying. I could see it on his face and it explained his strange behavior. He had anticipated that I would react differently and would not listen to his entire story. But I had surprised him with my usual calmness. It told him that he could always talk to me.

  ‘Well,’ I started, ‘the main point of today’s event is that you didn’t kill her and she didn’t succeed in seducing you.’

  Tristan lowered his face towards mine and kissed me. ‘No one but you can seduce me.’

  Chapter 18 – A call from the Main House

  Tristan’s story held up when Karen demanded his presence at the Main House. She also demanded that I come along as well. Anna was not needed. We all raised our eyebrows when Tristan informed us of the call.

  ‘Why do you have to go?’ Anna asked. ‘I mean, it’s not like they have control over me anymore. I’m almost eighteen and I passed last week’s psychiatrics with flying colors.’

  ‘You still have a year and a half more to go,’ I reminded her.

  ‘Maybe they want compensation for the busted melon,’ said Lorraine.

  ‘How much do they cost?’ Jace asked.

  ‘That’s enough,’ I said. ‘I know everyone doesn’t like her but let us have little compassion. I’m sure it was extremely traumatic for her. I mean, come on, these things are not supposed to burst.’

  Anna snorted. ‘Serves her right for what she did.’

  I shortly left the house with Tristan. Jace and Lorraine was instructed not to sleep until we returned. I suspected Tristan did not trust Anna to be on her own when neither of he or I are there. As he drove the car, I began to suspect that it was not just about what happened to Lauren. When we arrived, it was already dark and a butler waited for us. As usual, Tristan refused to give up his car keys and left it parked in front of the house. Karen Vice sat with her husband at the dining table. Tristan pulled out the chair for me.

  Karen wore a bandage black dress that tightly pushed her voluminous breasts up towards her pointed chin. She must have had a recent botox top up as her lips were poutier than usual. There was a long of displeasure on her face but I couldn’t tell properly as the skin was pulled back to her temples. It made her eyes slant with an upwards slope and I could not understand how Elliot Vice could be attracted to this woman. Tristan’s father sat like a puppet at the head of the table. His wife was his voice box and did all the talking.

  ‘It is strange,’ started Karen, ‘that it’s been more than a month since your announcement and there’s not even a hint of a bump on you, my dear Phoebe,’ She spoke with a contrived tone and there was something strange in the way she called me dear Phoebe. It was clear to Tristan and I where this conversation was about to go.

  ‘It’s only been a month,’ I said.

  ‘Yes,’ replied Karen as she turned her head to face me directly, ‘a month plus three more, which makes you four months pregnant.’

  I frowned and had almost forgotten about how pregnant I should be. Tristan had been preoccupied with work to keep up with these details. Besides, the Main House had been so silent for so long that we had almost forgotten about them. Karen took up something from her lap. It was a small oblong box wrapped in black paper. She slid it across the table towards me.

  ‘Open it dear,’ she said.

  I turned to Tristan who looked as curious as I was. Although it looked harmless, I knew that it was meant to be a game changer. Karen continued to smile and reluctantly I placed my fingers on the paper and slowly tore it away. It was a pregnancy test.

  ‘What is the meaning of this?’ I asked.

  ‘The bathroom is across the hallway, I’m sure you won’t miss it.’

  ‘There is no need,’ said Tristan instantly, ‘the doctor’s result stated clearly that Phoebe is pregnant.’

  ‘Doctor’s results can be faked,’ said Karen sternly. She was on to us. It must have been Lauren who reported it to her. I should have known when she pointed it out in the shop. ‘Or perhaps you would like the men to go and pick your sister up?’

  Tristan muscles tensed.

  ‘Your move,’ said Karen.

  I picked up the pregnancy test box in my hands and turned it over. I had my phone in my dress pocket. I could warn Jace and Lorraine. But Tristan would not let them manipulate him anymore.

  ‘You are aware that by removing her from my house, you risk upsetting her again. She’s been stable since her time there and if she has a mental breakdown, it would have been caused by your decision. I’m sure the courts would take that into consideration.’

  ‘Well, I’m certain they will also take into consideration your unprofessional relationship with her handler,’ said Karen as she looked towards me, ‘along with the fact that she only has a high school diploma and is not fit to take care of a person who is clinically diagnosed as mentally unstable and prone to suicidal attempts.’

  ‘It should be noted that this mentally unstable person you speak of has not once attempted to take her life since her removal from your care. You don’t have a case against me.’

  ‘But I do,’ said Karen, ‘there is the matter of Lauren’s injury and the false document you presented concerning a pregnancy.’

  ‘Her injury was caused by her own actions to pursue me,’ said Tristan coldly, ‘as for Phoebe’s pregnancy, it’s not false.’

  ‘Prove it,’ said Karen.

  ‘Phoebe is not required to prove anything,’ said Tristan. Karen’s move had trapped him. She had him cornered and one more move could be the end of Anna’s sanity streak. Karen placed her phone on the table and swiped her red painted fingers across the screen.

  ‘Fine,’ I said, ‘I’ll do it.’

  Tristan touched my hand and looked at me. I was not to move but I returned his gaze with the same sort of intensity. I ran his hand over the side of my thigh so that he may feel the solid object in my pocket.

  ‘Very well,’ said Karen. ‘Go on. It shouldn’t take you long.’

  I released Tristan’s hand and stood up. I could feel her eyes watching me as I walked away. The bathroom was exactly where she said it would be. I closed the door behind me and quickly pulled out my phone. I dialed the home number and Jace answered it.

  ‘Hello?’ he spoke through the receiver.

  ‘Get Anna out of there,’ I whispered, ‘take her somewhere safe.’

  ‘What? What’s going on? Is everything alright?’

  ‘Just do it. I’ll call you again when it’s safe.’

  ‘Alright,’ said Jace. He understood that something must have been found out. ‘Stay close to the master.’

  And that was the end of our conversation. I stood in front of the sink and stared at the pregnancy test box. It must have been a good five minutes before a knock came at the door.

  ‘Phoebe?’

  It was Karen. I saw two other shadows behind the door. It must belong to Tristan and his father. I felt trapped and knew that there was no escape out of this now.

  ‘I’m reading the instructions,’ I said.

  ‘You should be familiar with these sorts of things by now,’ said Karen. I swore quietly to myself.

  ‘It looks different from the one I used,’ I lied. ‘Just give me a moment.’

&nbs
p; ‘Well, don’t take too long,’ said Karen.

  I took a deep breath and pulled the test strip out of the box. I knew I wasn’t pregnant; besides, Tristan hadn’t entered me once since our first night together. There was no way I could be carrying a baby inside me.

  I forced myself to take the test anyway. As expected, it was negative. Only one red line appeared across the strip. Maybe I could stall it a little further and give Anna time to escape. We should have known that Karen would pull such a move. I stared at the test strip and frowned. My heart began to sink as a faint second red line began to appear. I blinked several times, surprised and filled with mixed emotions. I wasn’t sure how to feel. The second line grew in intensity and soon it was as bright as the first.

  ‘Shit,’ I found myself saying. My head suddenly felt light and I was unable to breath. It was impossible but Tristan did shoot an entire load inside me. Maybe the test is wrong, which would work to our advantage, but what if it’s not? Shit. When was the last time I had my period? In all this craziness, I haven’t been keeping track. I can’t be pregnant. Or am I?

  ‘What’s going on in there?’ Karen called through the door. ‘Should I call for Annabelle’s removal?’

  ‘No,’ I said and forced myself to breath.

  ‘Then open up and show me the test.’

  I turned the doorknob and unclicked the press lock. Tristan stood in the middle of the hallway with his father next to him. I had the test result in my hand. He saw my pale face and was confused by it.

  ‘Two lines,’ I uttered, ‘I’m pregnant.’

  The world must have frozen for Tristan. I saw it in his stunned reaction. I’m pregnant, which meant Anna is safe. But it also meant that I’m pregnant and he’s going to be a father. Karen snatched the test strip from my hand and I walked passed her towards Tristan. She was stunned into the same silence.

  Tristan took up my hand and held it in his.

  ‘Come on, I’m taking you home,’ he said.

  I nodded and walked out in a sort of daze. It left Karen speechless and Elliot Vice did not say a word. Tristan opened to passenger door for me and I slipped in. He drove out of the Main House grounds and we sat in silence as he moved through the traffic.

  ‘Stop at a drugstore,’ I found myself saying when we were halfway towards home. Tristan did not ask why. He understood. He wanted to make sure as much as I did.

  ‘I’ll get it,’ he said as he pulled up to park the car. I was still in shock and could not move. Tristan disappeared momentarily and returned with a package. I held it on my lap and stared through the windscreen with glassy confused eyes. I can’t be pregnant. I’m not ready to be a mother. Shit.

  The house was empty. Lorraine had gone with Jace and Anna. I disappeared into the bathroom and Tristan waited outside. He was as nervous as I am. I felt him pace and forth as I took the test a second time.

  Shit.

  It’s positive again.

  I sat on the bathroom floor and remained there for quite some time. It made Tristan concern and when I did not reply when he knocked, he turned the doorknob and came in.

  I was crying as a strange fear filled me. I didn’t know why. The realization that I’m going to be a mother overwhelmed every part of me. Tristan sat down next to me and around his strong reassuring arms around my shoulders. He was not prepared for it either but he remained calm and composed. It was what I needed as he pulled my head against his strong chest. He kissed the top of my head.

  ‘Everything’s going to be alright,’ he whispered.

  For a moment I believed him. Tristan slipped his arm beneath my legs and lifted me off the ground. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he carried me to the bed. He kissed me on the lips and the touch of his hand against my face made me trust his words. I peered into his blue eyes and he reassured me with a nod as he cupped his hands on my face. His lips then curved into a delighted smile.

  ‘We’re going to have a baby.’

  At first I was reluctant but delighted realization on Tristan’s face made me change my mind. It drove all doubt away from me and my hand reached down and rested itself against my womb. I’m going to be a mother.

  Chapter 19 – A flirt with death

  ‘You better call Jace,’ I said to Tristan. We had lay in the bed, side by side, for almost an hour as we came to terms with my pregnancy. Tristan sat up and kissed my forehead. It was reassuring and I felt calm by the soft touch of his lips. He reached into his pocket and produced his phone. Lorraine answered the call.

  ‘Where are you now?’ Tristan asked and I could hear Lorraine voice reply indistinctively. ‘Everything’s alright. Yes, it’s safe to come back. The Main House won’t bother us.’

  We went downstairs shortly after and headed for the oven where I could smell ratatouille. But Tristan steered me towards the table and sat me down. He disappeared and returned with a plate and a glass of water.

  ‘Would you like anything else, madam?’ he said playfully. I laughed. He reached out with his hand and wiped the tear streaks from my cheeks. I closed my eyes at his warm touch which sent reassuring warmth to my heart. He disappeared and returned with his own plate. Tristan sat himself down next to me and we ate our dinner together.

  Jace pulled up the driveway after an hour and a half. Anna ran into the house and wrapped her arms around me. She was frightened and her mascara stained her cheeks with black streaks. She was in too much distress to notice that I had been crying as well.

  ‘Hey, what’s all this about?’ I said as wiped her face with my fingers. She breathed erratically and I immediately led her into the kitchen. Pulling the freezer open, I found that we were out of ice cream. Ice cubes however, were in abundance. I took one and gave it to her. She slipped it in her mouth and the coldness instantly calmed her down.

  I kept the details of today’s event from Anna as I put her to bed in my old room. Tristan understood and knew that it was not safe to leave her alone tonight. I lay next to Anna as the disturbed teen curled up next to me. Although she was stable now, her mind was still in a fragile state. Tristan turned off the lights for us and I attempted to sleep. What went on in the last few hours was exhausting and I knew that something had to be done about the Main House. With these thoughts, I eventually drifted off to sleep.

  It was half past seven when I woke up and Anna had just come out of the bathroom dressed in jeans and a shirt. Tristan had left early and I didn’t get a chance to see him. I attempted to distract Anna with wedding plans but neither of us could bring ourselves into it. The Main House and their threats to take her back messed with her mental state. Tristan returned home in the afternoon with a wad of documents in his hands.

  ‘It’s an injunction against the Main House,’ said Tristan. ‘Anna, we need to go to the hospital to get you assessed. I’ve made an appointment with a doctor and a psychiatrist. You are to tell them everything – from the pills, the different ways Karen manipulated you, Lauren’s placement, Phoebe, how you stopped taking the pills and how that’s helped you. If we get this done, they can’t have a conservatorship over your share of the inheritance.’

  Anna nodded and complied. I sat with her as Tristan drove the car. The hospital was different from the one Anna usually goes to. A woman dressed professionally and with short cropped white hair greeted us in the car park.

  ‘This is Ruth Webs,’ Tristan introduced us; ‘she’s my lawyer and knows about our situation.’

  ‘You have a very strong case against your parents,’ Ruth said with confidence.

  ‘They’re not my parents,’ Anna corrected her. ‘She’s just a money hungry bitch who happens to be married to the man that gave me life. That’s all. Tristan and Phoebe is the only family I have.’

  We walked together into the hospital and Anna was quickly taken away to be assessed. I sat down with Tristan and Ruth at the round cafeteria table.

  ‘Now, to the matter of your name change,’ Ruth started as she pulled out some documents for Tristan to sign.

&nb
sp; ‘Name change?’ I asked.

  ‘I’m changing it to Baxter, my mother’s name, as it should be. I don’t want our child to have his name, after all that he’s done to Anna to gain his hands on her money. I’m going to get this sorted now and if anything happens to me…’

  I shook my head. ‘Don’t talk like that,’ I said to him. He held his tongue as he saw the distress grow on my face. I took up Tristan’s hand and held them gently in mine. ‘We’re all stressed but we’re going to get through this.’

  Tristan managed a laugh. ‘Shouldn’t I be telling you that?’

  The name change documents were quick and there was nothing complicated about them.

  ‘I’ll file these now and notify your associated accounts of the change. As for your sister, I’ll have the injunction in place once the reports have been written.’

  Ruth left shortly and I made my way towards the bathroom to answer to nature’s call. I did not expect to see Lauren at all. She came out of the doctor’s office wearing a demure dress that covered up her top half particularly well. I supposed it had something to do with her new set of implants. She recognized me instantly and her eyes lit with fire. Lauren walked up to me and her hand immediately wrapped itself around my arm. Her nails dug itself into my flesh as she dragged me into the empty toilet.

  ‘You little slut,’ she hissed as her other hand slapped me across the face. I was stunned by the stinging sensation caused by the impact. She lifted her hand to slap me again but I was quick to respond. I caught her wrist as it was coming down and she screamed with fury towards me. I wasn’t sure what got into her but one thing for certain was that Lauren had turned crazy.

  I attempted to run out but she grabbed my shoulders and I almost lost my balance.

  ‘Help!’ I screamed.

  Lauren reached into her handbag and produced a black metallic object.

  ‘Shit,’ I found myself saying as she held the gun point blank at my face. Someone pushed me to the side as the gun cracked and pushed the bullet out towards my rescuer. I closed my eyes as I fell to the ground. When I opened them again, I found a bloodied body lying on crumpled on the ground.