Belonging Part III

by J. S. Wilder

  “Here, you go.” A man stoops down in quick time to retrieve it from the floor and then passes it to me. I look into his eyes as he hands me my ticket unable to speak. Oh my, this man is fine. Don’t get me wrong, I’m crazy about Roy. This guy would be a strong contender if there were no Roy. Not only are his eyes mesmerizing, but he has on a brown suit and pinstripe white tie. He has an air of sophistication and class written all over him and his accent? He’s obviously not British, he must be American. Gosh, he smells so good too. Wow! Oh, Roy why aren’t you here to resist this temptation.

  “Thank you, you’re not from here are you?” I blurt out, curiosity getting the better of me.

  “Gatwick airport, no,” he laughs as he replies. Gosh, now he’s going to think I’m chatting him up. When, I’m clearly just being polite.

  “That’s my flight. I need to go and by the way I’m half British and half American. Nice to meet you,” he says as he strokes my arm and makes his way out of the lounge. He’s hypnotising me with his good looks and charm, because it was only after they call out a second time that I realise they’re actually calling my flight. I quickly finish the coffee and dash out of the lounge while they announce the last call for my flight.

  As I arrive at the gate, no one is there and I start to panic. The stewardess pops her head up and says, “You’re lucky, we were just about the close the gate.” I hand her my boarding pass and quickly make my way on to the plane. While I find my seat I find out I’m sitting next to the same suave guy I met in the lounge. I smirk at the coincidence.

  “Hello again,” he smiles as I sit down.

  “Miss Withers, let me take your bag and put it in the overhead compartment.” The pretty tall blonde air stewardess takes my bag and puts it in the overhead compartment. I look at the man sitting in the seat next to me. Oh my, if I wasn’t so into Roy then I’d be all over him. I’m getting goose bumps just looking at him. He doesn’t have the same emerald eyes as Roy, but with his dark features he is sexalicious.

  The air stewardess asks him, “Mr Pierce, would you like a newspaper?”

  Did she say Mr Pierce?

  Now, I’m just being paranoid. I’m sure there are loads of men with the same surname. The only thing that would make it less of a coincidence is if his name is Hudson.

  “No, thank you,” he shakes his head whilst smiling.

  Then a ton of bricks drop out of his mouth as he says, “Sorry, how rude, my name is Hudson Pierce and yours?”

  I can’t speak.

  I want to get off the plane.

  Now!

  He repeats his question, but it sounds like a buzzing noise. The warning, the sirens going off inside my head.

  “So, do you have a name?”

  I’m so not in the mood for this. Luckily the air stewardess reminds us to buckle up because the plane is about to take off. I just want to get off. I can’t believe he tricked me like this and I fell for it again. A tear escapes trickling down my cheeks like a stream as I turn my head and face the window.

  I don’t want to face Hudson.

  I don’t want to go to Paris.

  I want to go home, where I belong. Nowhere else.

  They announce the safety rules and all the other information which is important, while the plane was taking off. My ears are blocked from the lies that Roy had told me. My eyes clouded from the tears that keep escaping from my eyes.

  I want to rip my dress of my skin and go home. I wore this for him. I wanted to please him. Make him happy and he lied. I wasn’t sure how long I was arguing or trying to contain how I really feel inside, because the next thing I know Hudson hands me a handkerchief and smiles. His hand nudges my shoulder lightly while he brushes his hand against it.

  I turn and take the handkerchief. I never thank him for it. Anything I say would be muffled, the only thing that I would welcome is a flight back home. At least I’d saved a bit of money before I left uni. I had enough to buy a ticket at least, surely? Okay, so it wouldn’t be first class, but at this rate I don’t care. The most important thing was to get as far away from Betty and Roy as possible.

  Chapter Eleven

  I fall asleep, exhausted from the turmoil that my mind and body has just been put through. Roy and I will never be. Gee, I thought one day I’d be the next Mrs Sparks. The idea felt crazy at first, but the time I’ve been spending with Roy, it felt like a possibility. Until now! He had used me for the very last time. When I was eighteen he had seduced me as a virgin to upset his wife Stephie, that was three years ago, you would’ve thought by now I would’ve learnt by my mistakes.

  After Stephie and her son, Simon were killed, Roy appeared to mourn her death. Yet at the same time declared that he had never gotten me out of his mind. He claimed to have loved Stephie, but he could never deny what she was – a manipulative bitch that was incapable of love. He struggled to whole heartedly love her like he did me because he felt she was never true about her feelings.

  Lies!

  Never again! If I was that sort of girl I would make a play with Hudson to piss Roy off. The problem is it wouldn’t piss him off, he would probably be happy and then hound me for information about Hudson.

  Yes! Yes! Yes!

  That’s what I’ll do. Why did I not think about it before? I’ll fuck him up! That’s what I’ll do. I’ll play Roy at his own game. It must be all that fucking, all his conniving, lying and scheming genes seem to be rubbing off on me.

  I open my eyes and we are still in the air. I turn and see Hudson is typing on his laptop. His lips part slightly when he catches me staring at him.

  “So, do you not introduce yourself and then spy on me instead?” he questions with his eyebrow half-raised. This man is out of this world. Don’t get me wrong, Hudson’s totally different to Roy with his strong American accent, yet it’s completely softened by his tone. If I didn’t know better I’d think he was flirting with me.

  “What you doing?”

  He sighs as he gazes at me, consuming every part of me. The seats are quite small, so he’s close a bit too close for my liking.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Deborah Withers,” I blurt out with no hesitation. Keeping my composure and not falling for anything this man was about to throw my way. Once bitten, ten times shy.

  “So, what makes you want to go to the city of love.”

  I laugh cynically at his comment. If only he knew. I was going there to be with the man I love, now I feel like I’m going to be with the man I hate. No, I won’t allow Roy to talk his way out of this one. What could he say? By Chance? Never! I don’t believe in such things. Fate, sure!

  “Oh, it’s like that. Sorry... I didn’t mean to pry.” He hands me another handkerchief as tears start pouring from my eyes. If only I can turn them off. Roy has hurt me so badly, but the thing that gets me the most is I allowed him to hurt me.

  I shake my head and muffle, “I came here to meet the one I love. He lied, but it’s not the first time. I should’ve known better.”

  He takes my hand. His fingers are like velvet as he slowly reaches for my fingers one by one.

  “If I had someone as lovely as you, I’d never let you go. Let alone hurt you.”

  I’ve heard that before. It falls on deaf ears. I screw my face into a strong frown and then I try to smile. I take my hand and turn my head. I’m not falling for that shit ever again, especially not from a billionaire.

  Chapter Twelve

  As we land and I leave the plane. Hudson keeps his distance. I say goodbye and hurriedly leave my seat. I don’t want his sexy charm or his dark eyes mesmerizing me. I spent eighteen years wanting one man to notice me. Now, I have three of them and two are not to be trusted and the other one, well the other one, I had to let Kevin go. It wasn’t fair on him. I was so caught up in my love for Roy that I never truly gave Kevin my heart.

  Damn!

  I keep replaying the old Cher song, ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ as I make my way through the airport. I’m so confused a
bout what I’ve done and worst of all everything being in French leads to further confusion and misunderstanding.

  Shit! Why didn’t I pay better attention when I was studying it at school?

  “The exit’s that way,” Hudson whispers in my ear as it’s clear I’m completely lost going up and the down the terminal in my ridiculous heels. My mind keeps changing regarding my next move, should I leave the airport or walk up to Roy and slap him across the face or should I just go to the cashier and book the next ticket out of here?

  If I make my way out to the exit now I know Roy will be waiting for me. No matter what I do, he’ll manage to change my mind. So, I better try and change my money into Euros or sit down at a café or the bar and make sure I don’t turn my phone on.

  He isn’t going to get to me. Not this time!

  “I’m not looking for the exit,” I reply titling my head and smiling. Gosh, why am I flirting with this man? I know what he stands for, the same as Roy. He’s rich and thinks he can get whatever he wants. Well, not this girl.

  “I get it,” he sighs as he draws closer toward me and bends down slightly. “Drink?” He raises an eyebrow.

  I inhale as I try to take in his musk. It lingers in the air while he leaves me hanging like a piece of thread then he pulls out his elbow ready for me to take. It’s not a question, he never asked if I was going to have a drink with him.

  He’s telling me.

  As he leads me to the bar which is tucked at the side of the Charles De Gaulle International airport, I try to walk like a lady, the same way Betty had taught me how to compose myself. He releases my arm and holds out a chair for me. He nods toward it.

  The waiter approaches and he orders for both of us. He treats me as if I’m his date and he knows exactly what I want and what I need. I feel that he’s just like Roy. He’s manipulating me by speaking French so fluently, knowing I’m oblivious to everything he’s saying, whether he’s ordering or simply paying a compliment about the airport because I don’t know.

  Why do powerful men seem to want to influence me?

  At first, it was flattering, now it’s just starting to piss me off.

  Chapter Thirteen

  After a few glasses and being educated about French wine, Hudson’s company doesn’t feel so intimidating. In fact, I could get used to this type of flirting as long as it goes no further. I need to feel attractive, the sense that all men want to do is use me is sitting heavy on my heart right now.

  “Do you know what power you have over men?” Hudson blurts out while he starts to pour me another glass of wine. Shit, we’ve been talking for over an hour. What am I doing? I should be booking my flight back home.

  “No. Why do you say that?” I slur, knowing where the conversation is going, but enjoying the flattery.

  “Because—” He holds out his hand motioning for me to take it. “Your skin is olive, your eyes are the colour of the earth and with that dress you appear as calm as the sea.”

  Wow, he’s really taking my breath away!

  “Flattery will get you nowhere,” I utter as I take back my hand and glance at my phone one more time.

  He continues to stare at me, waiting for a response. I ignore him. I’ve had enough of these games. I knew that he was playing me. What Hudson just said, confessed even, winds me up even more. He doesn’t know me, he has no right. I try and stand up but end up staggering, and like a gust of wind he’s by my side helping me to gain my stability. I brush him off because the last thing I want to do is be rescued by him or anyone else for that matter.

  He kisses me as I stand up. The curiosity of what his lips feel like next to mine becomes too big, especially in my tipsy state, but I’m beyond that. I wrestle with him as a realisation of what I’m doing with this man, blows my mind.

  I’m so annoyed, angry that I end up slapping him across the face, without hesitation and then he holds my hand and tries to kiss me once more. I resist, grab my bag and leave. I rush to the exit and I turn to see if he’s following me. I catch a glimpse of him and for some reason I notice that he has the biggest smirk on his face. He knows that he could have me if he really wanted. He’s hardly tried and was able to kiss me without any resistance. Sure, I slapped him, but it was pathetic.

  As I pass the exit doors. Roy rushes toward me as if he’s going to put out a fire.

  “I’ve been calling you like crazy. You okay? You hurt? I was about to—”

  I cut him short. Looking him deep in the eyes and treating him like a man that should be on death row but somehow manages to deceive everyone including the jury that he’s innocent, I shout, “Hudson.” I set myself free and watch the confusion on his face as I leave him stranded.

  I’m not falling for that innocent look.

  I’m not giving you a chance to talk your way out of this.

  I have only one place to go, to the information desk to try and book a flight out of this hell.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Roy catches up to me and he’s full of excuses as Hudson leaves the exit and greets him. I ignore them both. I’m not part of this game, play it yourselves and leave me out of it. I can hardly hear him. I’m pathetic and wish that I hadn’t been taken in by his charms, the charms of a man named Hudson. Roy in his desperation is trying to prevent me from booking a ticket. It’s clear that I’m leaving as I pay the cashier and she gives me my ticket.

  He follows me all the way to the check-in desk. At times, trying to stop me and other times blocking me from moving forward by standing right in front of me. I manage to resist and feel proud of my achievement. As I check-in and give my details, I have one word to say to him, one thing that’s been flowing in my mind and that’s, “Bye.”

  He looks so deflated as he realises that he’s lost the battle. I make my way through security. I catch sight of Hudson waving his hand in the air victoriously. Roy runs over and punches him. There’s commotion in the airport. For a moment I hesitate, wanting to rescue Roy. Then, memories flood back of how he’s treated me and I start making my way out of the airport. The sooner I’m out of Roy Sparks’ life, the better for me.

  ***

  I stop at security then passport control. A café catches my eye and I stop for a shot of expresso. As the strong coffee runs down my throat and the aroma floods my nose, it awakens me. In my right mind now I think, you can do this, you really can, as I arrive at the gate. I’m relieved to not see either Roy or Hudson while I take my seat on the plane.

  Then, the unthinkable happens, he walks in all ruffled up and in a mess. His eyes are bloodshot as he sits next to me in economy class. Seriously, he could have sat somewhere else or even better not got on the plane at all.

  I can’t take my eyes from him as he pants and shakes his head. Everyone stares as if he’s a deranged beast. What is it with me and airplane seats? Do they have to save the space next to me, for the last person I don’t want to be sitting next to?

  I mumble under my breath and stare at the person next to me. I’m in the middle, I feel like a piece of ham in the middle of a sandwich. When it’s obvious the man next to me, finds my breasts too irresistible to keep his eyes off of. And to my left is Roy who obviously isn’t going to let me go without a fight.

  “I attended two meetings, we’ve lost so much money recently that I needed to make sure all allies were firmly tight. The company can’t afford to lose any more money. I’ve been in a fight. Managed to stop myself getting arrested and I’m sitting next to you. I’m not letting you go Deborah Withers... ever again. Don’t you forget it!”

  I sit speechless.

  The man to my right pretends not to hear. With Roy’s speech, he moves his eyes from my chest and out of the window. At least he has sense.

  The way Roy’s acting, if he doesn’t shift his eyes, he’ll probably punch him too!

  Roy takes my hand and holds it so tight. I rest my head on the back of the chair refusing to look at him and denying showing any affection to his black eye and bloody lip. It didn’t last long
as I feel the softness of his fingers caress my hand and I turn toward him and use a tissue to stop his lip dropping any more blood. He looks like a stray animal as his eyes have tears in them.

  Deborah, why oh why? Not again.

  I repeat to myself so many times as I start to kiss his lips and then his eye. Maybe, I was too hasty. Maybe, I should give him another chance.

  Chapter Fifteen

  As the plane takes off, between the fight and the whole commotion I fall asleep. I don’t like Hudson I think to myself. He’s not a man to mess around with. He sought after me. He knew who I was and played me. The only question to run through my head is, ‘Why?’

  I wake up to find Roy is still sitting in economy next to me. Obviously he’s not used to it and is unable to stretch his long legs. I’ve put him down a peg or two. He isn’t in his usual suits but in jeans and a cream shirt, but he still looks hot. He rarely dresses down.

  I can’t help but ask, “How come no suit?”

  He looks at me, possibly surprised that I am awake or that I am speaking to him.

  “I changed my meetings, when you were coming.”

  “But, you said you had two meetings?”

  Did he not say he had two meetings? What is he on about?

  “Yes, I had. Not anymore.”

  That’s a clear sign for ‘we’ll talk about it later’.

  He moves his focus from me to the roof of the plane as he closes his eyes. I stare at his ripped shirt. The great Roy Sparks normally in a suit, so fresh and composed. I don’t know this roughed up man sitting next to me holding my hand. I don’t know him, at all.

  ***

  He leads me off the plane like a little girl. No questions asked and if they were, he’s in no mood to answer them. I can sense that I’ve blown his tolerance level. I’d acted immaturely. Maybe Hudson being on the flight was more of a coincidence or has Hudson set it up? I only told Roy that I wanted to come, he never invited me. So, why would he make sure that I bumped into Hudson?