Two of Hearts

by Alexa Jackson

  Chapter 4

  Adam

  January 1, 2013

  Awake, feeling disoriented. My head throbs, and try to understand where I am. It takes me a few seconds to find it's a hospital bed.

  Remember what happened, the photos I received when I was going for the party, and after he lost control of the car.

  Penelope!

  I try to get up, but the pain in my leg is excruciating.

  - It's broken - Liam enters this moment, his gaze to me is angry.

  - Penelope? - Want information about it. Whether is good.

  - She's out there, anxious for their news - he mutters before dragging a chair and sit in front of my bed - It was hard to get her out.

  Thank God she's well and safe.

  Support the head on the pillow, I close my eyes and make a brief prayer of thanks.

  - Tell me you did not? - Asks Liam, forcing me to open my eyes.

  - What did I do? - Stare at it, trying to figure out what he says.

  - What did not play the car against the post - hisses him, now standing - In the name of God, tell me you did not, Adam.

  - Of course not! - Stare at him in surprise - Where did you get that? Why would I do that?

  - That's what we are all trying to understand.

  Deep breath. Great, my family now believes me to be a suicide. Perhaps they had not overcome so well what happened at the club months earlier, as believed.

  - It was an accident, Liam - mumble.

  - How will a future marriage proposal to a hospital bed? - He asks, confused.

  - Remember the threats that I had been suffering?

  He looks at me seriously and back to sit.

  - Celeste - he mutters - But we have solved it.

  - Unfortunately not - tell him, settling me better in bed - They took my cell phone in the car?

  - What does it matter now? - Liam looks confused.

  - I need to show you something. Is important.

  - Okay, I'll get.

  - Before you go, can I borrow your phone - ask him, before it reaches the door.

  I pick up the phone and look for the name on the list.

  - Liam?

  He stops, keeping the door ajar.

  - Do not let Penelope between yet.

  He just shakes his head, visibly upset.

  I know my little should be distressed by my news, but I need to solve an important issue before. Know how those pictures are real. If my suspicions are true, it runs more risk than imagined.

  Cum! I do not want to go back that way.

  - Hello? Peter?

  Current days

  The feeling I have is that it's not just a door between us. There is a clear message: I'm losing it. Unless I do something to change it.

  I would like to go to her and reveal once what is happening. I know that the truth is the only way that will allow us to continue together. But I can not. Not here, where I know we're being watched.

  I wanted to do it in the hospital. But Penelope was adamant in not listening to me, was more than hurt. I understand the disappointment in his eyes.

  Now I understand the reason for his fury. Liam and his big mouth. She expected a marriage proposal, and again I quoted the end of our relationship, when it was clear that would not go through that pain again.

  In the following days, she also refused to hear me. I enjoyed the fact is immobilized due to broken leg, to give time to calm down. To believe that the trip he made to Texas to visit family to help him think better. As usual, I was wrong.

  Dissatisfied by having ties around me, I do the only thing that allowed me, I see it through the cameras.

  What is more torture for me. See her huddled in her bed, suffering, more than that, know that every tear rolling down his face is meant for me.

  I wanted to do the most honorable and let her get on with her life, as she so often begged me. Even tonight when one of the security guards showed pictures of Penelope and the damned ex-boyfriend, made me have a noble reaction and not interfere, but when I received the following picture of him entering her building, was enough to disrupt me . Jealousy spoke louder.

  I was willing to break into the apartment and pull that bastard there.

  Initially, my thought was that she could be with anyone else but him. Not the bastard who made her suffer, leaving her in the church.

  But who am I kidding? Any man, even Evan, which I consider a nice guy, or any other unknown, would I have the same reaction.

  My love is not a beautiful love. He who gives himself. Seeking her happiness above all. He is selfish, because I do not accept anyone else in his life than me.

  So I'm a big scoundrel.

  I need air. I need someone to get me out of this insane whirlwind.

  ****

  - You always have to open the door naked? - Mumble upset to see him smile shamelessly - Need donations of clothes?

  - For what I was doing, I do not need them - Peter mutters, making room for me to enter.

  Only when I invade the room, I notice the two girls, also naked, making caressing each other. My presence, rather than intimidate them, seems to make it even more cheer.

  - I thought I was the new girl's pizza?

  Indicate their lack of costume to answer the door, remembering the last time I met him in one of his restless nights. Although, this time, he overcame. Two women.

  Who want to cheat, Peter is ...

  Peter is Peter.

  - I thought it was Ashley - he says, turning away, heading toward the girls.

  - Another? - The reason for my surprise, I do not know. In another time, I would be happy to join them. Today it seems to me something cold.

  - I can not say no to such a sweet request - mutters him with a cynical smile - joins us, or I can finish what I started?

  - I'm going to your game room - declino the invitation.

  - Okay - he mutters - I forgot that now is one of respect.

  Women laugh and release squeals when he kiss them.

  - My dear, do not grieve, you man enough for you.

  It's the last thing I hear before slamming the door. Or is he too good, or too arrogant. I daresay that it is both.

  I say and I repeat: I can see the time that he fall in love with someone and all that pose fucker down downhill.

  As soon as I enter, I ignore the pool table and Accommodotrainer on the couch in front of the TV. Why had I stayed, instead of going away? That's what I wonder to look around the room.

  Peter is a boy, really. The kind of guy strong one that is all muscle. I give a checked in their CD's games. All war, police, or extreme violence.

  I turn on the TV to distract me with something and drown out some sounds coming from the room.

  Do people can not have sex without noise?

  I may have made me a new man, but I'm still a man. A man tied to a sexual abstinence fuck about to get crazy. The only time I stayed so long without a fuck was when I met Penelope, and at that time I did not know how we made love was good, as your body vitiate me.

  Even though I was into the room indulge my body with some of the women would not be equal. It's like an addict on a potent drug, nothing less would satisfy me. It would be like offering a liqueur bonbon an alcoholic.

  As the baseball game is not coming the effect I want, I change the channel. After all, baseball is one of her favorite sports. It just makes me painful memories, like the days we were stuck on the couch watching some game.

  The design channel passes the damn design of Quadrille Maluca.

  - Damn it!

  Tune in a Japanese news. At least it does not remind me of anything, except how Penelope loves Japanese food, and often we went to a restaurant near his home.

  Hell!

  Should I be paying for all my sins. Because, although I have never cheated any of the women I dated, I was always very boastful about them. One had even accused me of cold and arrogant. When she told me that one day I fall in love, I did not do anything but laugh. That damned
can only have begged a curse or witchcraft done.

  Willing to unleash my anger on someone, send a message to Liam.

  "You're an asshole, broken call." Sending the message to him.

  I know you're on duty, and do not want to stop if you are in any major surgery, it will respond as soon as possible.

  "What did I do?"

  I get the question back a few minutes later.

  "Penelope, New Year, wedding. It reminds you something?"

  I've been wanting to punch Liam, how do I not long ago.

  "I'll explain later, there is an emergency surgery."

  I'm about to send him to hell when I get another message.

  "You can not withdraw the invitation. I've done my speech."

  I hate Liam, because I can not hate him.

  Bastard.

  ****

  - Then? - Peter comes to me, thank God, now robe - is quieter?

  My gaze answers everything.

  - As you may have not found anything yet, after all these months?

  - I investigated all the people who may be suspicious. No one did. It seems that what they want is to keep them separate.

  - Tell me something I do not know yet - I mutter sarcastically.

  - What I say is to stay away causes the person to remain silent ...

  - And stay with Penelope puts her life at risk - rub my face - you know what happened last time.

  I went to the hospital. And I can not think about the possibility of seeing her hurt or killed. I prefer a world that she's not with me, than a world where it does not exist in it.

  - Security cameras, though I think a big shit she did not know, gives us a certain advantage - he says - but we need that person to act to take a false step. You have only done what she wants.

  - I love that woman, Peter.

  - I never doubted it - he stares at me - but if you really want to stick with it, must act immediately.

  This finding hits the right point at me. I assume all risks and can lose it or keep silent and lose the same way.

  What has me insane it is to witness his suffering day by day.

  - It's time to open the game - I whisper, hoping that I have made the right decision - I just need to find a way. A neutral place where not generate suspicion until we decide what to do. The hospital would have been appropriate if I had time to explain.

  There was a momentary anger that Penelope made her mad, was the expression on my face by saying that we had to move away.

  Although I was willing to explain why, it would just be for a while, the pain in my eyes for doing this say something else.

  - You can talk here - suggests Peter.

  - Of course, this does not raise any suspicion - I am ironic.

  - Not only are at a party. Both are my friends.

  Maybe it's a good idea. If I get Penelope hear me without arousing suspicion, it will end all this torture and suffering in which we live. It could, in the latter case, simulate a separation. Although being so close and so far is a pain in the same way, but I'm willing to take the risks.

  - Do you really think it can work? - Inquire, incredulous.

  - What we lose in trying? - He asks with an enigmatic smile.

  He I do not know, but I, my life. Because that's what Penelope means to me.

  My everything.

  Chapter 5

  Penelope

  January 1, 2013

  All the people I know or that are important in the list that I had received from the Public Relations sector are here except him.

  Liam had already arrived and is with the parents. They talk animatedly on the table I had reserved for them.

  Katty and children will turn the year with the parents of Frank, then the only person missing in this blessed party is Adam.

  It has almost two hours I turn on your phone and do not get answer.

  I feel like I went back in time. A year ago, he had left me planted waiting for his return, when he went out in search of drinks.

  Sure, the circumstances now are different. My boss is on the other side of the room entertained with one of his "friends". So it's not behind his relief that Adam is. So where the hell this man been?

  - Liam, can I talk to you a minute? - I ask, putting a big smile on his face before facing his parents. I do not want to worry them unnecessarily, but the absence of Adam's making me anxious.

  - Of course.

  - Adam has not come yet? - Lindsay scours my back. - It's after eleven.

  - Must be the traffic - I suggest, hoping that I have sounded much more convincing than really am - The last time I talked to him was on the way.

  - I just hope he does not miss the turn of the year - she smiles and stares at her husband with conspiratorial look - I feel that will happen something very special tonight.

  If I were not so tense, deepen it, after all, is not the first time that night she says it is as if everyone knew something unknown to me.

  - How about we dance a little? - Liam stands beside me and guide me to the track - You seem a little tense. Relax, Charming, the party is amazing.

  Luckily, the slow music allows us to be very close, so we can talk more calmly.

  -I Did not want to worry their parents - my voice is a little shaky - So if nothing happened, where Adam is?

  I see his eyes go toward the entrance, and my eyes follow the same path. None of the people standing in the doorway is who I would like to see. Liam still does not see me, which leads me to believe that he knows what is happening.

  - I hope he's planning something big - he whispers softly - I swear I'll kill him.

  My suspicions that everyone knows something I do not know if confirmed. What all hide from me?

  Initially, I thought he was just angry with me for having spent most of the working day. When I arrived at his home to get ready for the party, he was very annoyed by the change of plans, but we had torrid and passionate moments, which assured me, in the hours that had been all right.

  - Where is he, Liam? - I ask, alarmed - What's going on?

  Noto him sigh before my gaze. It seems doubtful. Entreat with a look at to tell me the truth. Whatever.

  - It was right here, in the same New Year's party, you met, right?

  I affirm my head, my throat is parched, I do not know if the lack of liquid or my emotional state causes it.

  - Well, he'll kill me -he sighs - Damn. You give me a minute?

  When he let me go, I want to strangle him.

  - What? As well? Liam ...

  I'm standing in the middle of the dance floor, clearly furious, seeing him walking hurriedly toward the balcony, exactly at the place where Adam saw for the first time.

  Banes brothers Crighton and his ability to throw my mind away. I need answers, and I know Liam knows what I need.

  I find him talking to himself or with the phone, I can not say for sure, but it looks as angry as I was.

  - Liam?

  Won, or you have no other option, he stares at me.

  - Hell! - He roars, keeping your phone in your pocket - The blame is all his.

  - The fault is yours if I kill you - anger moan - the last time! What is going on? Where is Adam?

  - I do not know - he seems sincere, which only increases my concern - I can not talk to him.

  The discomfort in my chest starts to gain a new proportion.

  - If Adam has not changed plans, something happened - he mutters.

  - Plans?

  Again, I see a dilemma shine in his eyes. Liam takes something out of his jacket pocket and hands me a black box. My hands are trembling to receive it. I do not need much wisdom to know what it means.

  - Adam asked me to keep it - he continues with the lugubrious voice - It would make the order today. I promised to secrecy.

  I open the box. Inside it is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. Completely different from the ostentatious ring that Max had given me when we got engaged - that ring was to show the importance of his family to society. The ring in my
hands is simple and delicate, just two blue stones on the left.

  "Me and you." That's what is written inside the jewelry.

  - He give up? - Inquire with hesitant voice - is it? He ... he gave up at the last minute?

  Closing the box, returning to it, as I try to fight this pain starts to get overwhelming in my chest.

  - I do not know -sussurra Liam, looking as confused as I - I can not believe that's it.

  - Tell him that I do not care - I assure, resisting tears threatening to fall from my eyes at any time - I do not care a marriage proposal. I do not even want a ...

  - Maybe that's what worries - mumbles Liam before hugging me. - Look, I should not have talked about it. There has to be another answer ...

  The music inside is suspended and, as every year, there is a noisy and animated countdown.

  "Three two one..."

  The fireworks start exploding in the air. multicolored lights ripping the star-covered sky. As in the previous year, I'm around a hug loving protector. But this is not in these arms I want to be.

  Not tonight.

  Current days

  Again, I find myself brooding over the past and trying to find some logical thing that led Adam and I to what we have today.

  I begin to wonder if I had not reacted to the end of our already delicate relationship, a too untimely manner. The only thing in my defense is that the fear of pain, the despair that took me and the anguish that overcame me, were too intense. I wanted to find strength within me that kept me standing, not all the energy I needed to come from anger. It was with her help that I could turn my back, without hearing any more than he wanted to tell me.

  After all, I had already alerted to Adam would not allow it again to play with my heart.

  Now, is that maybe I should give him a chance to explain?

  No! I can not falter. Damn man, whenever he appears, lose all determination in me.

  In the first months, despite being destroyed from within, not see both helped create a shield around me. He almost did not come to the company, and when he appeared, I always found a way to escape, or you needed to use as a resource any disease.