by Kam Carr
He walked over to the kettle and carried on what I had started. It was no use my legs felt like jelly. I slide down to the floor and rested my head back on the cupboard door.
Maxwell sat down next to me and handed me a cup of coffee. "Are they out searching for you?"
"Not yet," I blew into my coffee and took a sip. "Won't be long, I have to get back. I'll call a taxi after this and leave you in peace."
He grabbed hold of my free hand and squeezed it tight. My eyes moved up to catch a look of his handsome face. His perfect mind blowing mouth was turned down at both sides. His eyes were low and heavy. He was hurting. Just like me.
The pain I was feeling at this precise moment was unbearable. My heart felt like it had been shredded into a million pieces. Every limb felt numb and heavy. My head was spinning with the thoughts that in a few hours I would be married to a man I didn't love.
"I'll take you" he said softly as he caught his breath and looked away. "I know why you're going through with this. I know you don't want to let anyone down." He stood up avoiding me completely. "I'll go and get dressed, and then we will go." His voice was stern cold and I didn't like it.
I jumped up and ran towards him. "Maxwell" I yelled.
He stopped in the doorway and didn't bother to turn round to look at me. "It's better this way, Miss Dawson."
The whole car journey he didn't say one word. Well apart from when he asked where I had to be dropped off. I stared out of the window; I knew why he was acting this way. He had been the same in Cannes when told me didn't love me. This cold front was his way to make things easier. Maybe for him, but it wasn't working for me.
I looked over at him. He was staring straight ahead doing that cold glare. Even with that look on his face he was a handsome man. His red hair all roughed up, a white shirt that clung to his perfect broad shoulders and toned stomach. I rested my head on the seat and I couldn't take my eyes away.
"Enjoying something, Miss Dawson?" He asked not taking his eyes off the road.
"Just looking at what I'm going to miss out on" I said. I could feel myself biting down on my lip. I noticed a little smile appear on his lips. I smiled too, there was my Maxwell.
We pulled up outside the Randolph and my smile went in an instant. This was it...He cut the engine and sat back in his seat. His eyes slowly looked over to me and his smile had gone too.
He let out a low painful groan and his hands moved into his hair. "This is it...." I nodded and looked down at my hands. His hand reached out and grabbed my knee. I froze. Even his touch could make me think indiscreet thoughts. "I will miss you."
I couldn't speak or look at him. I didn't want to cry. I had cried so much over the last week. He leaned over and kissed my cheek. The feel of his soft lips on my cheek made my eyes well up. I opened the door and climbed out. I couldn't look or say anything to him. I just ran into the hotel foyer.
"About fucking time." I looked up and Amy was staring at me from a seat. I ran over, dropped to my knees and hugged my best friend's legs hard. Still there were no more tears and my stomach churned. "Oh... George," Amy sighed, her fingers playing in my hair. "It's for the best. Come, let’s go and make you beautiful."
I stood up, grabbed hold of Amy's hand and allowed her lead me away to make me a bride.
"You know you don't have to go through with it" I looked over at my Dad he was suited and booted. We were sat in the wedding car on the way to the church.
If only he knew the truth.
I looked out the window and didn't reply. I hadn't spoken to anyone since leaving Maxwell in his car outside the hotel. I looked down at my pink rose bouquet and my wedding dress. I felt like an impostor...
Millions of women would have loved to be where I was right now. This was meant to be the happiest day of my life. However, it felt like I was on my way to a funeral. Making promises to man I didn't love and spending every moment of it thinking about Maxwell.
"George!" Dad snapped, I guess he could tell something was wrong. I didn't want to confess all my sins to him. This wedding was my punishment for the lies and hurt I had convicted on Blake. "You know it's not too late" he added, my eyes darted at him and I shrugged. He leaned towards me and lowered his voice. "I could call someone?" I raised an eyebrow. What was he going on about? "You know a hit man...."
"Dad," I screamed with annoyance.
The car pulled up outside the church... It was perfect. It looked like something out of a painting. This was a perfect place to get married. The sun gleaming off the colour stained windows and the beautiful rose bushes scattered around.
My heart dropped... Even the dress, car or church couldn't get me excited. At the end of the day how could you be excited about spending your life with the wrong person?
The driver got out of the car and walked over to my side. I noticed Amy rushing out of the church and running over to me. The door opened and Amy helped me out.
"He's waiting" she beamed, trying to control her excitement.
I huffed and straightened out the dress. I knew I only had to get through this and then I could get as pissed as I liked. Anything to take a way the reality of this situation and my feelings for my Mr Golden rule. Why couldn't I be a selfish person? This was the one time surely I could behave heartless. I closed my eyes and visions of Blake appeared standing lost and deserted at the alter.
No, I couldn't humiliate him in any manner. I had done enough to him already. I reopened my eyes and stood up tall. No this was it. I had got this far and no matter how I felt I couldn't back out.
I walked over to the entrance of the church. Amy was holding up my train. Dad took his place beside and I linked his arm. "Just because you're in that dress doesn't mean you have to go through with it."
My eyes lowered and I tried to blink back tears. Did he secretly know? No, that was the dumbest thought ever. Like any father would think of their Daughter in my situation.
"Daddy," I choked taking in a deep breath. "Please, let's just get on and do it." Before he could reply the wedding March began to fill the church loudly. My Dad looked at me; I looked at him and gave the approval nod.
This was it. My feet began to move even though I felt like lead. Walking down the aisle; Everyone's eyes on me ahhing and ohhing at my dress. Even the Witch looked exceptionally happy and Vile Veronica eyes blazing into me.
I looked on to my side, Mum was wiping her eyes. Why did mother's cry at weddings? Caitlyn gave a little wave and wrapped her arm round my mum. Wow, things had changed.
Finally my eyes turned to the front and at Blake. He looked picture perfect, every inch the Prince Charming. Another immaculate white suit with a pink bow ties no doubt to coordinate with my flowers. He was smiling and his dazzling emerald eyes sparkled.
The guilty feeling began to make my stomach churn again and I could feel the acid rising up. I had to look at the ground, everything was real. I was actually going along with it. I couldn't back out now and have everyone gossip about me.
The music stopped and I found myself standing next to Blake. My whole body shook in terror. I watched my Dad walk away. I wanted to grab his arm and beg him to take me with him.
Blake grabbed my hand and my immediate reaction was to move out of his grasp. I couldn't, in slow motion we both turned to the Vicar and he began to speak.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage and join this man Blake Edward Waterman and this woman Georgina Elizabeth Dawson in holy matrimony. Before we start may I ask if there are any reasons why these two people may not be together?"
The church went quiet. Out of the corner of my eye I could see a door. It would take two seconds to run out.
"Georgina," Blake nudged me, I looked up puzzled. "It's your turn" he whispered.
My turn? I hadn't been paying attention. The vicar moved towards us. “If you could repeat the line for her" Blake snapped.
"GEORGINA!!!" yelled a voice. I knew that voice. "Don't marry him!"
I turned round and th
ere stood Maxwell. Everyone looked shocked and there was silence. My heart was racing. I looked at Blake and then Maxwell.
"Thank Fuck for that!" Yelled another voice, this time it was Veronica walking towards us. She looked happy and slightly gloating. I narrowed my eyes. "I wasn't going to do this here... as Maxwell had the balls... here goes."
Blake's eyes widen and he grabbed my wrists. "What ever she says didn't happen" his eyes urging into me. "I love you and I need you."
What was he talking about?
Veronica gave an evil laugh and stood between me and Blake. "I'm sorry to tell you, Georgina" she stopped and her eyes lit up. She was enjoying herself. Of course she was. This was Vile Veronica and she loved being the centre of attention.
"I'm pregnant and Blake is the father."
What? Did I just hear her straight – She was pregnant with Blake's baby? I placed my hands over my eyes and took a deep breath. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hug her or slap her face in. I looked through the gaps of fingers at Blake and I saw red.
The big deal he made of me and Maxwell when he his self had cheated on me. I had gone through with this wedding because I couldn't bear to hurt him. He would have stood here and made me his wife knowing full well she was carrying his child.
I flew at him and began to hit him with the bouquet over the head.” I hate you!" I screamed, still slamming the bouquet on his head. Pink petals were raining down all over him. "You pushed me into this wedding and the whole she was pregnant with your baby."
I stopped and burst into tears. Everyone was looking at me and I felt the heat in my face. This was shameful. I turned on my heel and ran towards the exit. I never wanted to see any of them in my whole life again......
CHAPTER 21
Maxwell
I watched as she ran passed and outside. I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes. I could hear all the buzzing around me. Blake was yelling at someone. Then I heard a scream. I reopened my eyes and Blake was bleeding, an old man was being pulled off him.
"You did well, Mr Thomas" Mrs Waterman was standing beside me taking in the scene. I looked up and she was smiling. The biggest proudest smile I'd ever seen. She had got her way after all her plotting and scheming. Her arms were folded and she was watching the commotion taking place. I guess she was admiring her handy work.
I rubbed my brow, I had to go and find Georgina. I turned to her. "I didn't do it for you" I hissed. "You’re an evil witch and I hope you're happy with your new grandchild. Shame she or he will end up with you!"
Her mouth opened wide and nothing came out. That was it. I never had to see her again in my life. I ran out of the church and scanned the area for Georgina. I heard some muffled cries coming from around the corner.
I walked round and there she was sunk to the floor. She had ripped off her veil and stamped on her tiara. It now looked like a scrap piece of metal on the floor. I knelt down next to her and hugged her tight.
"Can you believe what just happened?" she sniffed. "The whole time Maxwell... The whole time. If it wasn't for you, I would have gone ahead and married him." She knelt up and wrapped her arms around my neck. "God, I love you." She moved away and cupped my face in her hands. "Take me away from here please" she pleaded.
I stood up and held out my hand. I was now feeling bad. She thought I was some white knight that had come to save her. When really I had done it to stop that witch telling Georgina what I really was. She placed her hand in mine and stood up. Even with make-up smudged all over her face she looked fantastic.
"Come," I said. "We will go to a nice hotel and I will treat you like a princess." A little smile appeared on her face and we headed over to the car. What ever she wanted I was going to give her. After everything she had been through the last few months she deserved special treatment.
"Georgina," A voice screamed. Georgina stopped in her tracks and turned round. "Wait! We need to talk."
"I have nothing to say to you" she screamed back.
"Do you want me to wait in the car" I asked. Georgina shook her head and tightened her grip on my hand. I took that as my cue to back the woman I loved. "Blake, maybe it would be best to just leave it."
"Keep your nose out Thomas!!" He spat with rage. His perfect white suit now looked drenched in blood. "Everything fucked up when you came on the scene. This is your entire fault."
Georgina laughed sarcastically. "How's this fault? You're the one who slept with someone and got the slag pregnant."
Blake placed his hands on his head. "You had an affair and I forgave you." He grabbed Georgina's free hand, but she moved to avoid contact with him. "I only slept with her once in Ibiza. I can't even remember a single thing about it."
"Guess what..." Georgina's voice was cold and stern. "I don't love you any more and I was only marrying you out of guilt. I want nothing to do with you. Go off and play mummies and Daddy's, Blake." She turned round and walked off taking me with her.
I looked over my shoulder and Blake was kneeling on the floor. His hands over his face and shaking his head. A tiny glint of guilt hit me, but now I had exactly what I had fought for. Maxwell Thomas always got what he wanted in the end.
I wanted to take Georgina away from Oxford, but she insisted on coming back to mine. She was asleep on the sofa wearing nothing but underwear and one of my shirts.
The wedding dress had been thrown in the bin. She said she never wanted to see it again. My phone had been going mad Amy, her Dad and Blake ringing. I took another sip of my whiskey and leaned back in my chair.
Why was I feeling bad? I tried to think. Surely I should have been dancing on cloud nine. I had everything I wanted. Then it hit me... I still had that woman's money.
I looked over at Georgina. She would be asleep for hours. I stood up, grabbing my keys and wallet. I had to give it back. I no longer wanted or needed that woman's dirty money.
I had driven too fast, but I wanted to get back to Georgina before she realized I had gone. I pull up outside their over the top house. These people did think they were something special. A little smirk appeared on my face. Shame they didn't know what I had done in their games room.
I got out the car and closed the door. I took in a deep breath before heading up the stairs to their front door. Surely I wouldn't be that long. All I had to do was hand over the check and leave. I rang the door bell and within seconds she opened. It took me by surprise. I would have thought she had hired help to do that. Maybe she wasn't as high and mighty like she made out.
"Mr Thomas, what a delight to see you after our polite conversation. What can I do for you?" She had a slight smile on her face. Had she been expecting me?
"I came to give you this" I dug the check out of my pocket. "I don't need your money any more. I did what you asked, but you really need to take it back."
"Oh" she turned on her heel and walked off. I rolled my eyes, I really didn't want to go inside but she hadn't taken the check. I followed her in and she led me into what looked like an office. She sat behind her desk, was she mocking me?
"Take a seat."
"NO!" I yelled. I walked over to the desk and slammed the cheque down. "There are no more games, Mrs Waterman. Here – you will take it. I did what you asked. I stopped the wedding! I hired Blake and sent him to Ibiza with Veronica. Now you have exactly what you want. There's no more Georgina and Veronica is carrying your grandchild."
Mrs Waterman laughed and sat back in her chair. "Veronica is not pregnant. She and Blake never slept together."
My mouth opened but I couldn't find any words to say anything.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Veronica drugged him. Nothing happened that night." She looked up at me and smiled. "I thought you would stop it the way you did. So, I and Veronica came up with a back up plan."
I shook my head. Had this woman played me? "If you had already come up with this plan, why did you pay me and threaten me?"
Her eyes widen and her lips tight. She was pure evil. "We had to give Georgina a reason never to come
back" she said coldly as if Georgina was nothing.
I hated her. She was sick and twisted. I was glad I'd gotten Georgina away from these sick freaks.
"I think you all need help" I laughed. "I would say it was a pleasure doing business with you, but you are a sick twisted woman. Good night, Mrs Waterman."
With that I left and headed towards my car. My head was spinning from her revelations. She needed some sort of help, it wasn't normal to be that obsessed with your own son. I felt sickened at the thought of Blake being drugged. I was a parent myself and I couldn't believe ever destroying her happiness. That woman had basically pulled his life apart and once again I felt bad for him.
I started the car and headed home. I wondered what Georgina was doing and what a lucky escape I had given her today. What sick plan would that woman come up with next?
I didn't want to think about it any more. I knew Georgina was safe and out of harm. She was with me now. I hoped she was with me now. We hadn't actually discussed anything. We couldn't. I think she was still shocked after all today’s dramatic events.
There was no way I was going to tell her about Mrs Waterman’s darkness depths of desperation. Georgina didn't need to know and I loved her too much to let her know someone hated her that much they wanted to destroy her life.
I turned a corner and entered into my close. I pulled up outside my house. I loved it here. My little cottage which was Far away from my business and the city. This was my haven and now I had Georgina to share everything with. A smile fell onto my face and for the first moment in my whole life I was happy.
I got out of the car and went inside the house. I looked into the living room and Georgina was awake watching TV. She looked up at me and smiled. I smiled back. This was a sight I could get use to. Coming home and being greeted by her beauty.
I sat down next to her and wrapped my arms around her. She didn't pull away. She was desperate for my hug. I breathed in her sweet scent. Was she going to be with me forever now?