Two of Hearts

by Alexa Jackson

  Baguette.

  She knows very well be the queen of the ice when you want, and I prefer a thousand times to attack me with harsh words than this cold receptivity.

  - Paige? - Stare at the pretty brunette who, in another time, would make me throw all my charm against it, but now does not awaken me no sexual reaction.

  - Yes.

  - If I imagined that it was so beautiful, I would have flown here.

  I talk to her, but my gaze is focused on someone else. One that is currently very angry. Shit. At the same time I gave what I saw I had done shit.

  What I can say in my defense? I wanted Penelope react to me. Great, Adam, asshole. Now she is very angry.

  - Excuse!

  Watch it go through me like a hurricane. I wanted a reaction and could only further complicate this relationship. I feel an urge to go after her, but I better let it calm down, and I have not thought of a plausible explanation for my stupid attitude.

  - What do you need me? - Asks Paige.

  - I just need your personal data and some information.

  She relates what happened at the restaurant between Sophia and Jennifer, and I try to be as professional as possible.

  - Paige Fisher.

  I repeat absently patting my notebook.

  Paige Fisher.

  Paige will be the same Richard? What was leaving my friend always centered and controlled completely crazy?

  - You'll be saying my name like an idiot or will do something?

  I have to admit: the woman is bold.

  - Spirited, beautiful and hard mouth - I can not help but smile - must be the same.

  - Do you need any more information? - She snorts impatiently.

  - I already have everything I need. Would witness, if necessary? He not witnessed the scene, but found the injured victim.

  - Yes for sure.

  I shake my head. I just need one last confirmation.

  - You have boyfriend?

  - Go to hell! - She barks, jumping from his chair.

  - Do not wait!

  I try to explain under his withering look:

  - I just wanted to know if ...

  Stunned, I see it show the finger at me and walk as angry as Penelope had left.

  - If it was Paige Richard.

  I conclude to the empty room.

  I could use this information as a weapon to justify myself with Charmosa which, incidentally, seems far from charming seem to face me with a glare, so I leave the room.

  - About what happened there ...

  First, but am interrupted by a hasty and touch of bitterness voice.

  - You know, you could have eliminated some steps - your look is so cold and hurt I feel twinges in my stomach.

  Great, I deserve the asshole of the Year trophy.

  - Instead of flowers, statements in the moonlight, dances, tours to bounce the heart, you could have gone straight to the part of the scoundrel - his chin is shaking, and I feel an urge to hold her in my arms. - The boor cretin in bed search.

  - I know I deserve ...

  I begin to explain, but she ignores my words, picking up the phone with trembling hands.

  - Hi, Max.

  Enraged, I watch as she talks on the phone with a sweet and melting voice.

  - About dinner tonight? Yeah, I changed my mind. No, in my apartment.

  She stares at me with a determined and proud look, the smile widening with every sentence you say.

  - You know I love to cook ...

  She continues in a soft voice.

  - I'll make that pie, family recipe, you love.

  The pie? The same pie that she had taken the day before Thanksgiving, and Delia had left and my mother even more impressed with her?

  - We watch a movie after ...

  Laughter would have left me foolishly, if not directed to another.

  - You do not go ... - start to see it end the call. I'm right next to decontrol.

  - Working late tonight? - Asks her, interrupting him as he took the bag - I will not even. I have a very special dinner to make. Goodbye, Mr. Crighton.

  As she walks smiling devilishly, I feel that in me dwells a volcano. And he is about to erupt.

  Peter I are do everything to keep her away and secure against threats from Wade, and the unfortunate goes straight into the lair of the wolf.

  But in this story, I am the Alpha Wolf. Not at this dinner will happen.

  Not if I can help it.

  I turn to Seth as promised, step the information he needs, and start to prepare my plan. This will be a fun night. At least for me.

  ****

  Ok. I'm acting like an irrational 15 year old, who asks for help to friends to fuck the captain of the football team and prevent it take for the ball the most beautiful girl in school. Or literally lost all judgment left in me.

  So having paid some Wade condominium boys to esvaziassem car tires him, just in time for dinner, it would have been fun if they had not attacked the wrong car. After all, what was the importance of the stupid boys verify the card before performing the blessed plan?

  Obviously I was forced to resort to Peter, but the bastard is traveling. According to him, it is about to get their hands on some evidence that would put an end to this my torment. So his advice was: Stop acting like a jerk.

  Only he had not seen the determined look she gave me. And there is nothing, just nothing more dangerous than a woman wanting revenge.

  I would go crazy for being an asshole, and Penelope sorry for acting without thinking. In addition, there is a great likelihood that I commit murder. And I know perfectly how old chain that gives me.

  For a few minutes, I chose to keep quiet and watch this stupid dinner. In perfect calm, as if I saw a romantic comedy on TV.

  I saw Wade get a ridiculous printed shirt and trousers even more bizarre, that made him look like one of those boy band members who make little girls scream and swoon. What kind of delayed going to a meeting dressed like that?

  Of course, he also took the wine. Two bottles!

  Cum. Just two bottles of wine. And he should know the low tolerance that she has to drink. And focusing the camera on the label, I deduce that Wade knows nothing about drinks or really want to leave it very at ease.

  I rub my brow and try again to stay calm. After all, Penelope is an adult and can take care of. And I count on what you feel for me. It may even be using Maxwell to provoke me, but I who she loves.

  Well, I thought so to watch them finish dinner and go to the room to sit on the couch where we made love so many times. Wade is polluting everything.

  I notice the expression of Penelope she also remembers the two of us there, sweaty bodies, moaning in pleasure and passion.

  Noto to put a safe distance between them. Besides his body tense speak more than thousand words.

  However, my confidence was down the drain when Wade poured in purposely wine shirt. Obviously he was forced to take to the gentle Penelope take this affront to humanity for the washing machine.

  No! That was the last straw for me. There is a limit to everything, and mine had already passed when I left her to take on this dinner from hell.

  I should have knocked on the door Wade, punched that academy chickenhead of guy he is, and have required him to stay far away from my wife. A continent away, for example.

  And fucking hell!

  That's exactly what I'll do. Dragging that motherfucker out through the nose.

  I grab the car keys and get out as fast as I can the building.

  To her apartment, I should not have taken more than ten minutes. And I think good that Maxwell is still keeping his pants.

  Once you climb the flights of stairs, I try to control myself just a little. First because I do not want to be arrested for murdering a worm like Wade, as much as he deserves this purpose. In addition, any thoughtless action completely ruin my happiness chance to Charmosa.

  Then, even if I do not kill him without shadows of doubt I leave you even more angry with me tha
n it is now, for disturbing his pathetically romantic evening.

  By a silly joke she put us in this situation, imagine what I would do when I make a riot in his apartment. And there is also the fact that it may be even behind all threats. So he did not hesitate to fight back the vilest form.

  Damn, think!

  I'm burning inside to imagine what might be happening inside.

  Wade kissed her. Wade touching her, as so often I did, and saying how beautiful she is.

  Wade and Penelope. Together.

  I was the first man in your life. And I will continue to be the only one.

  sparks of fire leap from my eyes as I try to maintain control.

  Fire!

  This is the solution, perhaps not brilliant, but give me a few hours of advantage, until at least devise another plan.

  ****

  Fifteen minutes later, I hear the warning signal. People begin to leave their apartments. Some pajamas and confused look. I regret when I see a mother down the stairs with their children.

  Have triggered the fire alarm and have called the fire department does not seem right action now. But when I see Penelope and Wade left, my cretin side changes his mind.

  Soon the fire department come and go check the floors of the building. I hide among the afflicted people, but I'm close enough to hear what Penelope and Maxwell talk.

  - What will happen? - Maxwell asks, pulling her to his chest. - I see no sign of smoke.

  Why the stupid has not yet fucking shirt?

  Noto her shiver. I do not know whether it is or repulsion due to the cold, but I get the first option. He rubs her arms. I'm blind for a few seconds.

  I who should be there comforting her.

  - Do not like it - she murmurs - I bring bad memories.

  I know she speaks of the New Year's night and everything that happened. Again, repentance hits me.

  Everything I do, one way or another, because your pain. I'm thinking about it when one of the fire returns.

  - Do not worry. It was only a false alarm. Return to their homes and have an end quiet night.

  That's exactly what I do. I return to what I have called home. There is the possibility that the couple go back inside and give continuity to what I had interrupted. It no longer matters. I had played my opportunity the window when, earlier this year, had said no to his marriage proposal and allowed to leave without explanation.

  Now I'm having to deal with the pain.

  And fucking shit, it hurts as hell!

  Chapter 9

  Penelope

  January 1, 2013

  I got out as soon as Liam parked at the curb. That feeling that something bad had happened came over me like a speeding train.

  As soon as the car came down, I saw Peter talking to a cop and felt my legs oscillate. Immediately, I thought something had happened to my parents. Well, I had already lost the man I loved. Apparently, this is even my fate: losing everyone I love.

  -Peter?

  -Hello dear.

  The consoling look he gave me proved that I had been right, something serious had actually happened.

  -The Lady is the owner of 38?

  I said I nodded, waiting for the moment he would give me the tragic news.

  -Stay Calm, okay? It is not as serious as it sounds.

  Peter wrapped my shoulders with his arm, as he felt my heart jump into my chest, and I wondered if something had happened to Lola.

  When I crossed the door, the scene that I witnessed left me stunned.

  Destroyed!

  The apartment was completely destroyed. The computer lying on the ground. The fully broken table. All plants around the room. Earth on all sides. In the kitchen, dented pots on the floor and the window glass was broken. Broken dishes and glasses covered the floor.

  -Oh no!

  Desolate, I ran to the china set that Lola loved and that had gained son, acquired in one of his trips. All ruined.

  -What happened here?

  My eyes were teary when I asked Peter

  -Who made this? - Liam asked angrily.

  -We Hope that you may have some answers. - Said one of the policemen to take note.

  While the officer was talking to me, I tried to understand something of what happened.

  -A robbery?

  My question sounded unreal to me. This is a relatively quiet neighborhood. I never heard of anything like that since I had established myself.

  -No Burglaries signal. Whoever did this had free access to the apartment. You know someone who has anger you enough to want to frighten her that way? You see, nothing was stolen. That sounds more like a threat.

  I felt my legs trembling and blood run fast in my veins. There was only one person wanting my hurt.

  -Heavenly!

  I told the police, but was directed to Peter.

  I do not believe that either. Still in Europe, making treatment.

  You must have paid someone!

  Celeste wants me away from Adam. And not even know you did not get that far. As she once told me, he had tired of me, as if tired of all the others.

  -for I'm sure!

  I told the police. He told me he could press charges, but it was not over yet. I followed them to my room.

  -That is...

  I could not finish. I was terrified.

  -Blood.

  Peter finished for me and stood beside me.

  Jezebel!

  Go away!

  The words sprayed on a wall with blood, made me that flow to all stress I felt that night.

  -Cum!

  It was the last word I heard from Liam before crying in his arms.

  ****

  By the time I left Adam alone in the office, I knew that was not a good idea to use new Maxwell. This was becoming a habit dishonest of me, especially when I know that you have nothing between us.

  One day I may learn to love another man, I give me a new chance to be happy, but Max is not that person, it is not right to use it as I am doing.

  I tried to find a way to talk to him during dinner and apologize. Each time I tried to broach the subject, he was gentle, which discouraged me to continue.

  Finally, he said he would leave the following night as friends. If I avoid the wine and it did not move forward the signal, it would be fine.

  When we went to the room, I tried to keep as much distance as possible. I thought of several excuses to make it go away, but nothing came to mind.

  Bellyache, headache, tiredness. Whenever he opened his mouth, he enveredava in a conversation. And when spotted his wine clothes, I knew I had to put an end to the night, which promised already be disastrous.

  It was embarrassing return to the room and find him half naked. More embarrassing still was the cobiçador look he threw me.

  With an excuse about the broken machine, I went back to the laundry room, where I was to be washed and dried clothes.

  To my luck or bad luck, the fire alarm sounded, and had at my disposal the perfect excuse.

  - Well, good that it was nothing.

  Max accompanies me to the apartment after we permit the firefighters to return.

  - You can see that movie?

  - It is better to leave for another hour, Max I'm tired, and this somehow affected me a little..

  I told him what happened when I returned from vacation. Mr. Durant kindly gave me some vacation days to take care of the apartment and me recover from the shock.

  I took the opportunity to visit my cousins and Lola. I confess that I stay a few days in Texas with my family and away from Adam, was all that I needed at the time. I came back stronger, that's what I thought.

  My aunt left the house to Peter's care. He put a camera in the front door, just so she allowed me to return. What I understand.

  - It's all right.

  He sighs. I see you seem frustrated with my decision to end the night.

  I say farewell to him, and as soon as I enter, go to the kitchen to take care of the little mess I left there. I do the same w
ith the room. I need to keep my mind and body busy.

  When I finish, I shower hoping to relax. It did not help. I remember the bottle of wine. Maybe a glass is all that I need to help me sleep and forget.

  Again it was a bad choice. In recent days, I have done this a lot, bad choices. How not to buy a new phone, after I lost the old at that party. I told myself I wanted to stay a secluded time. People could find me at work or call home if it was something important.

  I wonder if it's too late to call Julienne. I already feel drunk, and do not want to worry her for nothing. When Julienne was here, it was all easier to bear. But for more than that time I just wanted a friend, I do not seem a good idea to bother you.

  I come very thought of going to live with my aunt and my cousins. I love my job. I love New York, but I love Adam more. Having to see him constantly and witness it with other women hurts too much. I hated her friend Jennifer. Paige. I hated it and hated Adam actually hit on her in front of me. And I hate me even more because he could not tear this bastard of my heart. I have a propensity to masochism and like to suffer.

  - I'll forget you, it's the last thing I do.

  I finish the second bottle that Max had brought, set it in a corner on the floor, sit on the sofa, hugging my knees and do what I have long come not allowing me, I cry. For a too long time, but at the same time it seems never to be enough. I'm so lost in myself, I go out of trance when I feel his hands on my chin, forcing me to lift my head.

  - Do not Cry. I support anything but see you cry.

  A few minutes ago, I said earnestly that there was no person in the world I despise more.

  - Adam?

  - I am here. I've always been with you.

  The moment their lips touch mine, I know that there is no person in the world I love more.

  Chapter 10

  Adam

  On the way back, I was determined to destroy all recordings and put an end to this irrational behavior. But as soon as I saw her alone, suffering, I could not stop myself and think of nothing but comfort her.

  - I'am dreaming?