by Sadie Grubor
"I'm astonished he was so open about his therapy, mental breakdown, and his little indiscretion. What astounds me more is you weren't scared off." She sits back in her chair. "I must say, I misjudged you."
"Mother," Damon warns.
My eyes shoot toward Damon and back to Mildred. She daintily picks up her teacup and sips. Once her lips are free of the porcelain rim, she continues.
"How is Vivianne?" She narrows her eyes on Damon. "She still works in your office, correct?"
Damon practically vibrates with anger. His face reddens and his hands clench the arms of the chair.
Vivianne? That sounds familiar. Who is…?
"You know damn well she does, Mother," Damon sneers.
Vivianne Lachlan. Miss Lachlan. The woman he sent to my bakery. Oh, to hell with this!
Having had enough of the games, the drama, the half-truths, I stand from my chair, drawing all attention to me.
"Thank you for lunch. I'll be going now."
The bastard lied to my face. I asked him specifically if there was anything else to tell me and he lied.
"Olivia, please, let me explain."
His pleas fall on deaf ears as I take Alex from him and hurry to leave.
"Olivia, wait!" he yells.
"Damon, don't make a fool of yourself. Let her go!" Mildred shouts after him.
"Shut up, Mildred!" he shouts, gaining on me.
As soon as I'm out the door, I don't know where to go or how to get there. All I know is I need to get away. I foolishly took a leap of faith, feeling awful for how his mother treats him, and chose his side. And it all just blew up in my face, with his mother holding the detonation switch. With Alex tight against my chest, I increase my pace down the sidewalk, hoping a cab would drive by soon.
Damon's car pulls up on the sidewalk about ten feet ahead of us and he jumps out of the car.
"Are you insane? What if you had hit us?" I scream.
"I made sure to be far enough away. Now, get in the car." He stalks toward us.
"Stay away from us!" I scream, causing Alex to jump.
"Olivia, the air is cold. Think of Alex and get in the car." He opens the back door.
Rational thinking finally sets in. Not wanting Alex in the cold air and not wanting to frighten him further, I calm enough to secure him in his car seat. When I stand and close the door, Damon is next to me.
"Let me explain." He cups my face.
Shoving his hand away, I step back.
"You had your chance. Instead, you lied and I end up being the fool."
Seething, I climb into the passenger seat. The drive back to the apartment is silent and once inside, I immediately retrieve the annulment papers.
Alex is on a blanket in the living room playing when I get back downstairs. Damon sits at the breakfast bar with his head in his hands.
Putting the papers on the counter, I slide them toward him.
"Sign them," I demand in a hushed tone.
He doesn't move or say anything.
"Sign them now."
"No," he whispers, shaking his head.
"Sign the damn papers, Damon," I hiss, quietly, slamming a pen down on the papers.
"No," he growls, pushing away from the bar so roughly, the stool falls to the floor.
With my attention on the stool, he's able to grab my arm and pull me against his chest.
"I won't let you go."
I try to pull from his hold.
"No, Olivia. I've made my mistakes, but let me explain."
Struggling against his hold, I growl, "Let go of me."
"I wasn't having an affair."
"I don't care. Let me go, Damon."
I attempt to get away once more. When my efforts prove useless, I look toward Alex. Thankfully, he’s absorbed in his blocks.
"It was that night, Olivia. The same night I lost them," he croaks. "Vivianne was working with me on a large client project."
He sighs and releases me, but stays close.
"We were at dinner with the client that evening and ended up at the bar by the end of the evening, just the two of us. At first, it was innocent and nothing happened with her before this night. She was familiar with the business, so the conversation was easy. In the beginning, her advances were subtle and I brushed them off. But then a part of me, the part that needed to be comforted instead of comforting someone else's emotions, took over.
"So, you cheat on your mentally and emotionally unstable wife? That's awesome. I'm glad you were only selfish that one time," I sneer.
"You don't understand." He inhales sharply before continuing. "Yes, I encouraged Vivianne's attentions and I reveled in them. It had been so long since someone wanted me and my ego flourished under her attention."
I roll my eyes.
"I'm not proud of how far I let the flirtation go. She caressed my arm, wrapped a leg around mine, and the physical contact sent me into a lifetime of regret. It haunts me."
"Good," I spit the words. "It should."
"You don't understand. I didn't sleep with her."
"Yeah, okay."
"Olivia, we got a hotel room and things were out of control, but I stopped." His eyes meet mine, daring me to question his admission. "I couldn't do it. All I could think about was DJ and how disappointed in me he would be. So, I told her I couldn't do it and straightened my clothes. That's when Rebecca called and Vivianne answered my phone."
My stomach twists.
"And yet she works for you? You send her to hire me for a job? It's disgusting."
With quick movements, I get Alex and go upstairs. Damon is close on my heels as I start putting our things in suitcases.
"What are you doing?" he asks, full of panic.
"Packing," I snap.
Pulling the rolling luggage out of his room, he grasps the handle to stop me.
"Your flight isn't until tomorrow." He grits his teeth.
"I know when my flight is."
Tearing the handle from his hand, I roll the bag into Alex's room and set to work on his bags.
"I don't want you to go," Damon pleads from the doorway.
I don't bother responding.
"At least don’t go like this." He arms wrap around my waist, surprising me.
"Don't," I warn.
"Daddy," Alex calls out from where he plays on the floor.
Damon releases me to go to Alex.
"Cars." Alex holds up a large red car before shoving it back and forth on the carpet.
Damon sits.
"You car." He hands the yellow car to his dad.
Damon pulls Alex into his lap, rocking him.
My body aches to console Damon, but I quickly remind myself of his ability to lie so easily to me. What else has he lied about?
Going into the master bathroom, I start collecting my toiletries. With the last item in my bag, I can no longer hold back my tears. Tears of frustration, sorrow, and hurt stain my cheeks. Soon, I turn on the shower to cover the sobs racking my body. After a moment, I climb under the warm spray.
How did he get to me? When did it happen and why can't I get rid of these feelings now?
After showering, the sound of laughter is like a balm to my bruised soul. Following the giggles, I find Alex laughing every time he and Damon crash cars together. Before I can leave them to their fun, Damon turns pleading eyes on me, his lips turning down in the corners. I pull myself away to prepare dinner.
The night passes with me lost in my own mind and Damon clinging to every moment he has with Alex. After Alex's quick bath, Damon tucks him into bed and lingers before descending the stairs. I collect the last of Alex and my things and pack them away for our trip tomorrow.
Knowing it's probably a lost cause, I can't stop myself from trying one more time to get Damon to sign the papers.
I find him slouched into the couch, his head back and eyes closed.
Dropping the papers into his lap, I stand over him.
"Sign them."
He doesn't open his e
yes or move to catch the pen when it rolls off his lap into the crack between cushions.
"Please, sign the papers, Damon."
"No," he replies, his eyes still closed and no emotion in the one word response.
"You made a promise. I stayed the week. Sign the papers." The fight suddenly leaves me and I sound more whiney than intended.
As if in slow motion, his eyes open and he unfolds from the couch. He steps close, too close. My eyes widen from the intense look on his face.
"I will not let you get rid of me that easily." His right hand cups the back of my head, pulling our faces closer. "You are my wife. We have a son." He presses his lips to my forehead before releasing me. "Don't do anything stupid, Olivia." In one fluid motion, he walks around me, leaving me frozen in place. From behind me, he speaks once more.
"You've been warned."
A shiver runs up my spine from the coldness of his voice.
After getting ready for bed, I lock myself in Alex’s room. Sleeping on a makeshift bed on the floor is anything but restful. There is no sound from Damon for the rest of the night. Not that I thought he was capable of hurting us, I just didn't know what lengths he would go to in order to keep us here.
The moment light illuminates the morning sky, I grab all of our bags and wrap Alex with a blanket to protect against the cold morning air. Using my cell, I call for a cab to meet us outside and with Alex on my hip, we slip from the bedroom and apartment without seeing Damon. Once we are shut away in the cab and pulling away from the curb, my stomach finally settles and I’m able to exhale my relief. Though, I won't be able to relax completely until we are back in Pittsburgh and our flight doesn't take off for another four hours.
After we’ve lurked around the airport, like criminals, for three hours, the calls begin. Damon's name flashes on the screen. Text message and voicemail alerts flicker one after the other. I disregard the voicemails, but his text are harder to ignore. I don't respond, but his increasing anger is evident.
My nerves are raw by the time we get to security. Hands shaking, I'm sure security is going to randomly select me for screening. Luckily with no interference from security, we make it to our gate. I choose to sit at the gate on the opposite side — just in case.
His messages are relentless, but I still find a free second to make an important call. Being that it’s Sunday, I don't expect an answer.
"Alfonso Donovan," he answers professionally.
One deep breath, then I begin.
"Alfonso, it's Olivia." I fail to hide the nervousness in my voice.
"Olivia, are you okay? What's happened?"
His concern and familiar voice have me on the verge of tears.
"I'm fine."
I look to Alex, who is napping in his stroller.
"I…there's still time to process the divorce papers, right?"
"Of course." He pauses. "I'll file them first thing in the morning. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Where are you?"
"Still in New York, but on my way home."
"Did he do something to you, Olivia?" Alfonso's anger is evident.
"He didn't do anything to me. I'm fine, I promise. I just need to get him out of my life. You can do that, right?"
"We can try, but be ready, Olivia. He's got some of the largest New York lawyers on his payroll," Alfonso warns.
"I don't care," I counter with a sniff.
"I'll talk with the partners and call you this evening. I'll do everything I possibly can, okay?"
I'm about to respond when a muffled female voice comes through the line.
"No, I can't. I need to take care of something. Noelle, calm down. I have something to do for work," Alfonso pleas with the woman and I feel like an eavesdropper.
"Olivia, I'll call you, okay?"
"Okay."
"We'll figure this out. You just get home and give Felicity a call when you do."
"I'm not going to bother—"
"I am going to call her as soon as we hang up. You'll be lucky if she isn't waiting for you at the airport."
"Thanks."
We disconnect after our goodbyes.
Alex and I are finally called to board the flight. As we taxi out for takeoff, relief begins to wash over me. Enough so, that I'm able to nod off for most of the flight.
Groggy and exhausted from traveling, Alex and I step from the plane. He doesn't want to be in the stroller, so I practically drag him toward baggage claim. I want nothing more than to just be home.
"Olivia!"
Turning at the sound of my name, I see Felicity and Mercedes hurrying toward us. The moment their arms engulf us, tears pool in my eyes.
"Oh, Olivia." Felicity kisses my cheek.
"Cedee," Alex cheers, grabbing at her polka dot skirt.
Mercedes scoops him into her arms, snuggling him.
"I've missed you so much, little guy." She kisses his head.
Pulling from Felicity's lingering embrace, I wipe a stray tear from my face.
"It's so good to see you guys," I sigh.
"Alfonso called and told me a little, but he doesn't know much." Felicity gives sympathetic look. "I'm guessing New York didn't go well."
I shrug, biting my lip.
"Olivia?" Mercedes uses my name to press further.
"He…"
How do I tell them he's worked his way in, that he's gotten to me? How to you admit to your closest friends that things almost could've been good, but you're scared shitless at the thought of having feelings for your stalker?
"He lied to me," I blurt, unable to fully admit everything.
"What about?" Felicity inquires.
I keep my eyes on the turnstile, watching for my luggage.
"It's a long story." I rub the back of my neck.
"Well, you're stuck with us for the day, so we've got time."
Mercedes moves Alex to one hip before leaning to grab one of the bags we took to New York. She struggles until Felicity steps up and pulls the bag off like it's nothing.
"Jeesh, She-Ra, you just showed my weak ass up," Mercedes giggles.
Felicity shrugs. "Advantages of having a personal trainer."
"So, is she hot?" Mercedes wiggles her brow.
"Of course." Felicity shrugs again, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"I'm so jealous," Mercedes pouts.
"When you're ready to switch teams, let me know and I'll hook you up." Felicity wraps an arm around Ced's shoulders.
The familiarity of my friends warms me and brings a smile to my face. They are exactly what I need and it makes it easier to fill them in on the previous week's events.
"So, you slept together again?" Mercedes asks, looking over the back of the front seat.
"And you remember this time?" Felicity tosses out.
Mercedes smacks her.
"Ow, what?"
In the rearview mirror, I see Felicity fighting a smile.
"This isn't the time," Mercedes scolds before turning her attention back to me. "Liv, you've told us a lot and, honestly, I'm still processing it all."
"Me, too," I sigh, tilting my head against the cool glass of the backseat window.
Damon
"You've been warned."
The ferocity of my desperation courses through my veins. The thought of losing her and our son is unacceptable. I will not lose them.
Entering my office, I shut the door with force and throw my shaking body into the leather chair at my desk. I lean my elbows to the desk and place my head in my hands as a mental and emotional war rage deep inside me.
I promised to sign the papers.
If I sign them, she will be gone.
Isn't her loss inevitable anyway?
No. I'll fight. I have the resources.
Slamming my hands onto the mahogany desk, the fear and anger win. I clear the desk in one smooth motion, sending everything crashing to the floor.
Sitting back in the leather chair, I pull out my cell.
<
br /> "Mr. Knyght?" he answers, his voice filled with sleep.
"I need you to be prepared for Olivia to file divorce papers."
I stand and walk over to the small bar built into the wall.
"Of course, sir, but the notice won't come until the end of this week. It will take time for the papers to process—"
"Damn it, Marcus," I growl. "I want to know the moment the papers are filed. Do you hear me? Be prepared to counter everything."
Opening the crystal decanter, I pour brown liquid into the tumbler.
"Yes, sir. I understand." He sounds much more alert now.
"Good," I snap before ending the call.
Tilting the tumbler to my mouth, the liquid fire flows down my throat. The burn is comforting, an old friend from my past life. The numbness will follow soon. Grabbing the half-full decanter, I throw myself onto the small brown couch in the corner and toss back another glass.
The shaking increases, sloshing the whiskey around in the tumbler. A sob tears from my chest. Dropping the glass to the floor, I cradle my head in my hands. Guilt, regret, pain, and fear assault me. Instead of pouring a glass, I drink directly from the crystal decanter until my body feels lazy, heavy, and my eyes close.
The sound of my cell startles me.
Christ, what had I been about to do?
"Hello?" Vivianne speaks.
At first, I don't realize she's answered my phone. When I do, I shove her aside and grab the phone.
"Where are you, Damon?" Rebecca screams.
"I'm on my way home, Becky."
Muffled car noises come from the phone.
"Who is she?" Rebecca sobs.
"Becky, where are you? Where's DJ?"
"Oh, now you care about us?!" She snorts just as a car honks.
She's driving.
"Becky, please pull over," I plead.
"Why? What does it matter to you?"
"Where’s DJ?"
"That's all you care about, isn't it?" she cries. "Your mother is right. You only—"
I feel her presence before she speaks.
"Baby, you aren't going are you?"
Jerking away from Vivianne, I snarl and she steps back.
"Who the hell is she, Damon?" Rebecca yells.
"Becky, calm down, please. It's not what you think. I will explain, but I need you—"
"Fuck you, Damon! I knew it. I fucking knew it! Is your whore worth it, huh?"