“Yes! If I could leave here for more than twelve hours at a time, I’d be home as often as possible.”
“Right…to see your flat.”
“Wrong, sweetheart, to see you.”
Chapter Seventeen
How could one heart be split between so much happiness and so much worry? Hearing Eadan calling her sweet names, having him stare at her with such obvious longing, proved a huge solace. By the time she ended most of their calls, her body had experienced numerous symptoms of frustration, but all were acceptable because she knew that, one day, he’d feed her hunger.
His smiling eyes were a perpetual reminder that made her heartbeat ramp up so it was hard to converse intelligently. The constant smiles and even winks from him guaranteed her being aroused and her nightly fantasies increasing. When his long fingers played with his pen, a habit he had, she imagined them on her body and her breasts swelled, desiring the same stroking attention.
Facing facts, Remi admitted to herself that she couldn’t wait for his return. She’d reached her goal, had lost those extra pounds, and her healthy routine had her feeling and looking better than ever before. She hoped he’d appreciate her new look and her slenderness.
During this time, everything would have been perfect, if not for her anxiety over Greta. Two days had passed and the girl still hadn’t come around.
Remi didn’t know whether to approach Greta’s parents. After all, they had been willing to let her influence their daughter and their confidence had been appreciated. Did she now owe them an insight into Greta’s bad choices so they could take steps to stop her from harming herself? From taking things past a point where they might lose some aspect of control?
But it was ridiculously difficult to give up on her pal. Greta had become very important to Remi and she hated to let their friendship end this way. Hoping today would be the day the girl returned with promises and a new outlook, she baked Greta’s favorite light snack of rhubarb muffins and was enjoying the wonderful smell as the oven bell rang, signalling they were ready. She set them to cool on a rack.
Checking the clock, she saw the time had come for her to leave in order to be at the school when it let out the students. Hesitating, not wanting to be obvious, she decided instead to walk in that direction. Maybe they’d meet. Blimey, she hated this uncertainty.
Chapter Eighteen
Remi had decided to go by a different route so Greta wouldn’t see her on the street and think she was spying on her. She came around the corner in time to see Cassie Edwards push someone up against a brick wall of an alleyway that led to the school. First, she made sure the poor girl wasn’t Greta, and then she took out her cell phone and started filming. Quickly, she stepped closer, hiding behind the bins of stinking garbage, cluttering the dim area.
Cassie looked furious. “I told you to bring the cow home by this route, didn’t I? What, you don’t wanna listen to me anymore, Pam? Think you’re clever, eh? Do ya then?”
“I couldn’t, Cassie. Greta doesn’t want any trouble. Just leave her alone, why don’t you?” The captive pulled at the blonde’s hands, while two others stood and watched, giggling, one with an extremely loud voice. Leslie! Greta was right. She did have a terrible bellow. And the reed-thin chick next to her looked as if she were an escaped bulimia patient from the nearby hospital. Enjoyment of the victim’s misfortune could be seen in her scrawny face and gleeful expression. It made Remi cringe. What kind of a soul did the sicko have that she enjoyed watching someone else’s pain?
Cassie slammed Pam back once again, and this time her arm shoved against Pam’s throat while her knee rammed into Pam’s crotch.
If Cassie had been ugly or disadvantaged, Remi might have understood why she harbored such rage. But the girl was beautiful, sexy-looking, smarter than most according to Greta, and had the hottest guy in school as a boyfriend. What drove her to such brutality, Remi couldn’t imagine, but she’d gone too far. This violence couldn’t be allowed.
Just as Remi went to step out from the garbage cans, Greta showed herself at the other end of the alley. She approached at a slow but steady pace. “Let her go, Cassie. You witch! I warned her you’d go crazy if I didn’t show, but she said as how you two were friends and you’d never pick on her. I knew different, didn’t I? Just have to get your jollies with one of us poor cows, don’t ya?”
Cassie didn’t loosen her hold, just the opposite. Poor Pam was struggling weakly, trying to kick out, but nothing stopped the painful pressure.
Greta began to run forward. “I said, let her go. I’m here now. You can take out your spiteful crap on me.”
Cassie didn’t respond by loosening her hold. Quite the opposite. She looked superior and she was getting off on her power. It showed in her glowing eyes and cruel smile. “Hey, girls. Miss Piggy has come to save her friend. Right pair of idiots, these two.”
Remi couldn’t wait any longer. She knew she had to make a move to help Greta’s friend. Pam was wheezing, trying to say something, her face turning very red and her eyes growing large with terror.
Before anyone could react, Greta leapt forward and grabbed at Cassie’s arm. Strong in her fear, she wrenched it away from Pam, who fell forward to her knees clutching her throat and coughing.
“You stupid cow!” Cassie now switched her attention to Greta. Swelling with fury, her arm swung and backhanded Greta.
However, Greta didn’t go down and she didn’t cower. “You flamin’ ugly witch!” Incensed now, she barrelled into Cassie’s stomach, using her shoulder, and the blonde went flying toward the wall and bounced off, landing near Pam.
By now, having regained some of her strength, Pam manoeuvered herself behind the downed girl and pinned her arms in a hold Cassie couldn’t break. “Get her, Greta. You deserve it after what she’s put you through. I’ll be glad to hold her for you.”
Cassie screeched her dislike of the situation, her continuous cuss words disgusting enough to turn Remi’s stomach. That a girl her age could even know most of those terms told her clearly that Cassie must have gone through hell in her fifteen or so years of living. Almost made her feel pity for the girl.
Almost… pride for Greta quickly wiped out that sensation.
Greta sneered but didn’t move any closer. “No. I’m not a sick wretch like she is. I don’t want to hurt anyone, Pam. I just want to be left alone. But she attacked you, so if you want revenge, these two won’t interfere. I’ll make sure of that.”
Katrina and Leslie still hadn’t moved, though they weren’t laughing anymore. They looked at Greta, who was approaching them with a distinct swagger in her walk, and they quickly held up their hands. “Not our battle.” Katrina spoke first.
“We don’t want trouble.” Leslie added, too loud and too whiny.
Cassie snorted her disgust and wriggled furiously to break away from Pam, who still held her arms. Screaming vitriol at her friends, in desperation, she tried loosening Pam’s hold.
Pam shook her and answered Greta. “All I want is to get as far away from the stench of her as I can. Unfortunately, when I release her, you know what will happen.”
Remi stepped out from her hiding place, her cell phone out front. “Not to worry, Pam. I think you can safely let her go since I have the whole episode on tape. Also, I’m a witness to her attacking you. You have a good case of assault against her and I’d be more than happy to go with you to the police station to press charges.”
“Remi!” Greta’s face lit up.
Another unexpected voice broke into the silence created by Remi’s appearance and declaration.
“You can let her up now, Miss Brooks. I’ll be filing charges at the school about her behavior and I have a feeling you won’t be seeing Miss Cassie Edwards around anymore.” The school’s security officer approached as Pam rolled away from Cassie who lay in a heap, her head in her hands and wailing loudly.
Remi was thrilled when Greta rushed over and confidently wrapped her arms around her. As she patted Greta’s back, she spo
ke to the watching guard. “You know how to get in touch with me, should you need the video.” Remi spoke to the man softly and he nodded his acknowledgment. Then she motioned to Pam to come to her. It was time to leave the scene.
Obviously, Katrina and Leslie had felt the same way. Crikey, as soon as they’d spotted the uniformed authority, they’d disappeared.
Nice friends!
Chapter Nineteen
Not willing to delay until Eadan contacted her later; Remi placed a call to his line and waited impatiently. She was bursting and had to share. Not only had Greta apologized, but she’d admitted to her choices being irresponsible and influenced by Cassie’s harsh words.
*
When they’d got back to Remi’s place after walking Pam home, Remi had stood her young friend in front of the full-length mirror and pointed. “Look! No, don’t turn away so fast. Really… look. Do you recognize that princess?”
Greta’s smile blossomed from her words, but then it began to fade. She grumbled. “I don’t like looking at myself. It’s depressing.”
“Not anymore. Truly, love, look at yourself. After that, if you don’t believe you’ve changed, come and see some earlier photos and videos I shot when you didn’t know I had my phone turned on camera. Pictures don’t lie.”
Greta hesitated and then she moved forward, gazed into the mirror and took notice of her new body. Slowly, her smile returned until she positively beamed. Pride challenged shock and won the battle.
Preening this way and that, she voiced her thoughts. “I’m really quite slim. I mean, there’s still more to come off my midriff and hips, but what I’ve lost is finally noticeable. God, Remi. At the beginning, I stood for hours in front of the mirror and the disappointment forced me to stop. Nothing seemed to be happening. Until, one morning, my jeans threatened to fall off my hips. When I changed over to the new pair we bought, I thought they’d fit nicely but they were disgustingly tight. Look, now they’re hanging loose also. I think our plan is working.”
Remi had to laugh at the thrilling shock in Greta’s tone. “Of course it’s working, pet.”
Greta turned away from her vision and moved to stand in front of Remi. “I’m most terribly ashamed and sorry for acting so badly. I was hurt and stupid, and you got punished. I regretted what I said as soon as the words came out of my lying mouth, but I couldn’t apologize until I’d changed things. It wasn’t easy, but I flipped that mind-switch you told me I had. And I want you to know I’m eating regularly again. I haven’t skipped meals and I’m not flying off the handle anymore, either.”
Remi’s relief overshadowed her hurt feelings. “I think you let Cassie and her friends influence your thinking, Greta. Never, ever, give your control away like that again. Promise me.”
“That’s easy… I promise. Not eating was gross and painful. I was stupid.”
“No! You’ve never been stupid. And don’t let anyone tell you so—even yourself. Sometimes your actions aren’t very smart, but actions can be changed. Remember always: you’re the boss.”
*
Eadan’s beloved face appearing on the screen in front of her gathered her attention and brought it back to the matter at hand. The earlier advice she’d given Greta had resonated with her. Greta wasn’t the only one who had some adjustments to make.
“Hello, love. I’m glad I was in the office just now, otherwise I would have missed your surprise call. From the smile on your lovely face, I think it’s good news, right?”
“Hi, Eadan. I don’t wish to intrude, but I just had a brilliant thought.” Remi hid her hands in her lap so they could grip each other in anxiety, without him seeing the telltale signs of her nervousness.
“Goodness, what could be so exciting? I’m all ears.”
“You mentioned how much you’d like to see me in person, and since I’ve never been to Edinburgh before, I thought I might come to you and we could possibly have a short while between your shifts to be together. I could bring videos of the flat to show you the progress and—”
The devil’s laughter broke off her harangue. His palpable delight calmed her instantly and she realized his mirth was a direct result of happiness.
“What a brilliant idea! I’m thrilled with your plan. I do have most evenings free. In fact, Saturday night there’s a fancy dinner being held at one the best hotels here in the city, and Father is determined that one of his family appear to represent the clinic. I was the scapegoat and not happy about being in that position. Until now! Can you be my date?”
With her heart beating faster than her breath could handle, she had to take a second to be able to talk. But her enthusiastic nodding had already supplied her reaction of delighted agreement. “Yes, I’d love to be your date.”
“Well, that’s just fine then!” His smile lit up the screen and her hand reached toward him without her even being aware. He saw her reaction though and groaned. “Darling girl, if I were there with you right this minute, you’d be in a compromising position and I’d be taking full advantage. Just so you know, every time you bite your lip like that, it’s like an invitation for me to taste them. God help me, I hate being stuck here with you so blasted far away.”
Remi followed through and laid her hand on the screen. Without any hesitation, his met hers and they both moaned. She leaned forward and whispered. “Any time you want to take advantage, I’m your girl. I’ll book a room at the hotel and be there for the party. I can’t wait until we’re together. I’m sorry if I’m being brazen, but it’s the truth.”
“I’ll be counting the minutes, darling—”
“Dr. Fleming, I’m sorry to intrude. They’re calling for you to return to hospital.”
“You have to go, Eadan. I understand. I’ll talk to you soon, and see you on Saturday.”
“Truly, I can’t wait.” His last words were rushed as he shut down the computer.
Chapter Twenty
Remi’s excitement kept her awake nearly all night and she passed out from pure exhaustion in the early hours of the morning. Once she woke up, she realized that she’d missed her final meeting with the contractors from Eadan’s job. They had been going to do the last walk through together and, though they rescheduled, she didn’t like the position of acting unprofessional.
Furious with herself, she headed to the flat and surveyed the end results alone. Thankfully, every detail she’d asked them to finish had been taken care of and the place was perfect. Now, all that was left were her finishing touches.
In the large walk-in closet, she’d stockpiled the many fixtures, pictures and ornaments she’d chosen as decoration. Soon, totally involved, she began to make her own form of magic happen. Each room came to life under her skilful manipulations and, hours later and exhausted, Remi surveyed her efforts. Working the kinks from her aching shoulders, she dropped to the floor in a yoga pose and let the silence happen.
Feng Shui, a fascinating three thousand-year-old Chinese custom had controlled her mind images as she’d imagined and created the designs, and by quieting her senses and actually feeling her results, Remi knew she’d pulled it off.
The white doorways and window frames blended into the various grey tones used to paint the walls. Black touches in the furnishings and various fixtures caught one’s eyes and the assorted blue contrasts in lamps, pillows and carpets brought the whole together in a surprisingly peaceful effect. The room was welcoming, inviting one to come in and rest. The stunning results left Remi breathless. She’d performed a miracle for the man she loved, made a home anyone would be proud to have, and it felt good.
In the quiet, the ticking of a clock broke into her trance-like state and made her aware that she needed to go shopping for her dress for the next night.
After their conversation earlier, Remi wanted to look smashing for Eadan. No way was she going to let him down, appear underdressed or not as stunning as the other women at the dinner. She knew the perfect hairdresser to see about highlighting her hair and making her curls come alive, to be dazzlin
g, outstanding. She’d seen this woman work her magic on other clients, and as soon as she’d got off the phone with Eadan, Remi had phoned her and begged for a place in her early morning schedule. She’d even booked a manicure which was a huge spoil factor for her. But she wanted to be as perfect as possible for Eadan. He deserved having a woman on his arm who he could be proud of, and she had every intention of being that beauty. After all, she now had the body, didn’t she?
She’d made her reservations for the plane to Edinburgh, giving herself plenty of time once she arrived to have a long bath and apply all the creams and skin care she’d need to be beautiful.
At this moment, all she waited for was Greta and to fetch her credit card. Dickie and Frank were expecting them and promised she’d be the best-dressed lass at the dinner.
Chapter Twenty-One
Remi was ready. In the beautiful suite that Eadan had booked for her, she’d arrived to find roses, chocolates and a note in his handwriting.
Darling,
Unfortunately, I’ll be working right up until the dinner, but I’ve made arrangements so I should be there to pick you up at seven. If something should happen to detain me, Graeme’s recently arrived home and will be there to escort you to our table. I can’t wait…”
Your Eadan.
Holding the letter against her heart, Remi skipped around the room. With her arms flung out, she twirled until she was dizzy then fell onto the bed. She bolted upright again, remembering her hairdo, knowing it wouldn’t take kindly to that sort of treatment.
Eadan had called to tell her how sorry he was not to be able to meet her at the airport, but there had been a taxi driver waiting with her name on a card. The trip to the hotel had been exciting and she couldn’t wait to play tourist the next day, especially at the castle she could see clearly in the distance from her room.