Tainted

by Kallie Mathers

  Wow. When I saw Mia, she sure as hell didn’t act like she wanted to be with me, not one iota. “When we were at the emergency room yesterday, I told her I wanted her to come back to me. If she misses me, why the hell did she up and walk away from me, again?” none of this situation makes any sense.

  “I can’t tell you that, I swore to her that anything she told me, I would keep it confidential and I need to respect that, or she won’t let me into her life.” Stef looks as if she’s desperate to spill her guts, but the other side of her is telling her to shut the hell up, and as much as I want to go over and shake her, I know I need to respect their relationship.

  “Fine,” I sigh.

  “I’m really sorry, Carter,” she apologises and all I can do is nod.

  Chapter Four

  Mia

  When I wake from my slumber, it takes me a few moments to remember where I am and when it does finally all come flooding back my stomach churns. Within seconds, I know I’ve run out of time to find a bathroom as the bile keeps rising.

  Doubling over, I can’t stop it, and I bring the entire contents of my stomach up and it lands on the floor of the cubical. But I keep retching until my stomach muscles ache.

  While sweating profusely, I stand up straight and climb up onto the bed, my head feeling light.

  While I sit and do my best to keep the nausea at bay, the blond nurse from before approaches me.

  “I’m so sorry, it just came up. I had no time to find a bathroom,” I apologise, embarrassed.

  The woman gives me a warm smile. “It happens a lot here. Your body is expelling the drugs and the alcohol. Here, let me help you get cleaned up,” she offers, and I realise I’m far too tired and weak to argue.

  Once I’ve changed into a grey pair of sweatpants and a white T-shirt, I grow even more tired, however I’m far too tired to think about downing a handful of pills and chasing it with a glass of bourbon. Something I won’t be able to get my hands on while I’m stuck in this wretched place.

  Nope, I will have to get out of here when humanly

  possible.

  Carter

  “How did you go?” I ask Chase. He’s been in the phone for hours trying to get his lawyers to arrange an emergency hearing with a judge on Mia’s behalf.

  “Good, the judge granted me power of attorney. She must stay here regardless of what she wants. It’s a relief, to say the least,” and I see his shoulders relax.

  “Thank god, for that. So, what happens now? Will we be allowed to see Mia soon?” I just want to see her once before I must return to LA. Of course, I’ll be back, but I need to put things in place, business wise, and arrange permanent care for my mom, so I can return to New York to be here for Mia if or when she chooses to see me.

  “I couldn’t say. Let me go and ask the receptionist.”

  “No problem.” While Chase goes off to ask whether we can have contact with Mia, I call my assistant Brianna.

  “Hey, you,” she answers.

  “Hey, how are things down there?” Brianna has been with me from since the very beginning of my business venture. I would get nothing done if it weren’t for her.

  “Running smooth on this end. That new guy you hired, Jace, has been working his ass off. The orders will be going out on time. How’s everything where you are?”

  “We’re at a standstill. As soon as we manage to see Mia, I’ll be heading back to make sure my mom is cared for since Nancy won’t be able to stay around the clock. I’m hoping she’ll surprise me and say she’ll move in while I’m gone, but if I need to, I’ll bring someone else on. I’ll need to be back in New York until Mia’s released. Can you arrange for a two-bedroom suite at a nice hotel here?”

  “Sure. Will you need me to come out there?”

  “No, I’m going to need you to stay behind and keep an eye on things.”

  “Oh, okay. No problem. I’ll get onto booking you a hotel close to the rehab facility now.”

  “Appreciate it. See you soon.”

  “See you soon.” And I hang up the phone.

  Looking up, I see Chase walking back over to me. “What’s the verdict?”

  He shakes his head. “We won’t be able to see her until the doctors give the okay. Apparently, when patients see those that had them admitted, it can make the whole process more difficult.”

  Fuck, I was hoping to catch one last glimpse of Mia’s beautiful face. I wanted to tell her I’d be there for her, that no matter what happens, she can always count on me. I know I said it to her back at the hospital, but I wanted her to know I wasn’t just talking shit. “Okay then, that sucks balls, but there isn’t much we can do about it. I’m going to head back to LA to make sure the business can run smooth without me and I’ll be right back. But I’ve had my assistant book us a hotel suite to stay in while Mia’s in here. That is of course, if you want to stay?” I know he won’t leave his sister; Chase is as loyal as they come.

  “Appreciate it. I’m not going anywhere until that girl is sober. I’ll buy what I need online. I want to be close, in case she calls me wanting me to come in for a visit. Sure, she’ll chew me out, but tonight, I get to have a decent sleep, one that isn’t interrupted by thoughts of Mia being dead on a sidewalk somewhere.”

  “I know exactly what you’re getting at. Hell, I don’t think I’ve slept through the night since your father’s death.” Mia went downhill the moment she walked in and saw her father’s dead body lying on the ground in his bedroom.

  “Ditto. So, you going to head straight back home, or will you leave in the morning?”

  “Straight away so I can get back as soon as possible. I’ll make sure you get into the hotel room.”

  “Thanks.”

  Mia

  The instant I tried to walk out of the rehab facility, a guard was assigned to me, all thanks to my asshole of a brother who managed to con a judge into granting him power of attorney over me.

  Never had I been so furious with him, and to top the shit off, I wasn’t allowed to see him let alone call him so I could tell him just how much I hate him.

  How could he do this to me?

  As I sit on the bed with my legs crossed under me in the white cubical that faces the nurses station, I plot my escape from this hell hole, but it becomes clear I won’t be able to escape the ‘emergency room’ of the facility because the room is surrounded by both nurses and doctors.

  While I twiddled my thumbs, a woman wearing black pants, a white button-down shirt and a pair of black heels

  approaches.

  “Hi, Mia. My name is Eloise, I’ll be showing you to your room and give you a tour of the facility, to get you familiar with the layout.”

  She doesn’t know the fact that I won’t be here long enough to need to know the layout of this place, but for now, I’ll play along. “Okay.”

  The woman showed me through all the levels of the rehab centre. There was a shop where we could purchase cigarettes, candy and all the sugary drinks you can imagine.

  Next up was the ‘healing centre’ where the patience are expected to gather for meetings every day. Hell, I couldn’t think of anything more mind numbing than having to share secrets with a bunch of strangers. Yeah, that’s definitely not for me.

  Next up was the communal area where a flat screen television, three large sofas and a grand dining table in the corner of the open room. But then there was the kicker, Eloise, lead me up the stairs to what looked like the hallway of a dorm wing.

  The hall was long, and the ceiling is high, very high. The walls are deep green in colour with wooden panels, nothing all that special to look at.

  Moving up the hall, we come to a halt approximately halfway down. “This is your room,” she tells me while pointing at the door with the number eight on it.

  Choosing not to respond I look in as she opens the door, and she then steps aside giving me room to enter.

  With hesitation, I eventually demand my feet move and I enter the bright room.

  Looking ar
ound, I see the windows are floor to ceiling in height, looking out over a stunning field covered in colourful flowers. Then I spot two queen-size beds. “Why are there two beds? I’m not bunking with anyone, not a chance in hell.”

  My anger bubbles up within me. I don’t know how long I’ll be trapped here before making my getaway, but you can bet your ass I will not sit back and share my space with a complete stranger.

  “Oh, get a grip, woman. Everyone here has to share a bedroom. Even a stuck-up princess’ like you,” the voice snickers and when I turn around, I do my best to hold back the shock I’m now experiencing.

  Fuck me, it’s Raine Mathers. Raine is the ‘it’ girl Of Hollywood right now. She’s every casting agent’s first choice, and she’s been on the silver screen more times than I can count.

  Despite all of that, I will not share a room with her. I’ll bet she’s a stuck-up mole. Most actresses are. Well, the ones I’ve met are. Hell, anytime I’ve come across a celebrity, they talk to me like I’m a piece of shit, that is until they discover I have more money than they could ever dream of. Then usually, the attitudes towards me change in a dramatic fashion.

  “I’m no princess and I’m not going to share a room. End of story. I can buy and sell this place ten times over and then some. I’m sure they could find a way for me to have done peace and quiet in return of a donation so large they’ll do anything I want.” At lease I hope they will.

  Raine takes a seat on the bed closest to the windows and she crosses her legs under her. “Yeah, I don’t think so. I tried that, but it fell on deaf ears. Although, I have been fortunate enough to have the room to myself. I guess ‘my’ peace and quiet is now a thing of the past,” she shrugs.

  “I’m sure you’ll both get along just fine,” Eloise says from behind me.

  “Yeah, great,” I mutter.

  “Mia, I’ve spoken to your brother, and he said he will be bringing in some of your belongings for you later today.”

  “Yay,” I say flatly. I don’t know what he thinks he’ll find back at the motel. The only belongings I had with me were two changes of clothes that are filthy, and my phone and drugs. If he’s a good brother, he’ll bring in the drugs, but that isn’t the reality I live in.

  “I’ll leave you to get aquatinted,” Eloise smiles, and the only response I wish to give her is a punch to the face, however, I do rein my anger in.

  When she’s left the room, I walk over towards the windows and I gaze out at the beautiful scene before me.

  “So, what did they get you for?” Raine asks.

  “Pills and booze. You?”

  “Oh, I’m not going to tell you that. You could go off and blurt it to a tabloid for a quick pay day.”

  Turning to face her, I give her a look of disgust. “Yeah, I don’t think so. My brother and I are worth six hundred and fifty million according to Forbes. I have absolutely no reason to call a pack of tabloids and tell them what you’ve been up to. And then there’s the fact that I don’t give a fuck who you are or what you do for a living. To me, you’re just another asshole who thinks the world should revolve around them. I’m here to tell you that won’t happen, not with me. Never have I been in awe of another person. So, if you think I’m going to suck up your ass like everyone else does, then you’ll be waiting a hell of a long time,” I smirk. God himself, could show his face and I still wouldn’t flinch. I’ve never understood why people swoon over the rich and famous. They’re only human, they fuck up just like the rest of us.

  Raine seems taken back by my attitude. “Damn, no one’s ever spoken to me like that. You may be a bitch,” she raises her hand and shakes her head. “Scratch that, I already know you ‘are’ a bitch, but I think I could grow to like you.”

  “I don’t care if you do like me. I don’t plan on being here for long,” I shrug.

  Rain let's go of a chuckle. “Girl, you aren’t going anywhere. Everyone that stays on this level of the building is here because of a court order. You’re shit out of luck, girl.”

  “I know I’m here by court order, but it won’t take me long to find a way out of this hell hole.”

  Again, the bitch laughs. “No matter how you try, you won’t get out of here, however,” she looks around and my brows bunch in confusion.

  “What are you looking for, weirdo?” The lack of drugs must have made her paranoid.

  As she places her bare feet on the ground, she closes the distance between us. “You can’t be too careful around here. Who knows who could be listening in. The nurses and careers in this joint are slick, but I’ve managed to get some pills in here,” she whispers.

  My brow cocks up with intrigue. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously,” she nods while as the corners of her mouth etch upwards.

  “How much? I’ll get the cash to you ASAP because I know that it’s not going to be long before I begin feeling sick. I’ve never gone this long without pills and alcohol.”

  “Nothing. The only thing I ask is that you aren’t an asshole roommate. That’s it. Just like you, I don’t want to have to share living quarters, but there’s shit all we can do about it. You leave me to read through scrips in peace and I’ll leave you to do whatever it is you do. Deal?”

  I’d agree to sucking off Hitler if it meant I could get my hands on some pills. Reaching out, I shake her hand. “Deal.”

  Carter

  Leaving New York was difficult to do. Knowing I was willingly putting distance between Mia and me was disconcerting, but I knew it would be better for us eventually.

  When I arrived at my house back in LA, I was met by my assistant Brianna. Chase gave me a sideways glance the first time he met her. Brianna is hot, but that wasn’t the reason I hired her. Nope, she came with an extensive background in the software industry. She’d helped small companies build reputations, I needed her for her skills and only her skills.

  However, Chase had other ideas, but Brianna was quick to shoot him down, and it gave me immense pleasure to watch because Chase has never had a woman deny him anything.

  The guy has all the attributes most women desire. Bulging muscles, covered in tattoos, pearly white teeth and a deep tan. Most ladies would come to the conclusion that we were brothers because I too have all the muscles, Tatts and white teeth, but I always let the girls know there was only one woman for me.

  “Carter, how was the trip?” Bri asks. I know she isn’t the biggest fan of Mia’s but I cannot let my private life get meddled up with my professional life.

  “It’ll be okay. But for now, I need to make sure the business will run without me having to be here. I don’t know how long I’ll be stuck in New York and the last thing I need to be worrying about is work.”

  “Don’t stress yourself. I will make sure everyone is doing what’s expected of them. I know I can handle the comings and goings, it’s what I was trained to do. Just focus on you and what you need to do.”

  “Thanks. I’ll just go pack a couple of bags.” And it’s exactly what I do. I want to be back in New York as soon as possible. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to be there for Mia.

  ***

  When my bags were packed, and I’d made a couple of important calls regarding work, I searched the house for my mom, and soon enough, I found her lounging on a towel beside the pool.

  “Mom,” I call as I approach.

  Her head raises, and she looks up at me through her sunglasses. “My boy,” she coos as she stands. As she hugs the life out of me, she pulls back just enough to look into my eyes. “How are you? How’s Mia?”

  “She’s in a rehab facility. Chase managed to get power of attorney, meaning, she’s stuck there until she’s gone through all the steps she will need to do so she can learn to live without the drugs and alcohol.” I wish I could fast forward time, I want her to get better sooner rather than later, but that’s just me being selfish.

  I see my mom’s shoulders relax. “That poor girl. She’s been through so much. I don’t blame her for taking the pills
and booze route. Life can be cruel, and we all try to find ways to cope, sometimes, we don’t take the best route. Be patient with her, my boy. I promise you she ‘will’ come back to you. Have faith.” And there is why my mom is the best mom out there, despite her crazy ways.

  “Thanks mom. Hey, is Nancy around? I need to talk to her.” I need to make sure we’ve secured my mother’s safety while I’m gone.

  “She’s up in my room. She wanted to make sure I had enough medication to get through the week before my appointment with the doctor.”

  “Cool. Thanks mom. I’ll come down and say goodbye before I head back to New York,” I lean in and kiss her cheek.

  “No problem, my boy.”

  Once I’ve reached my mom’s room, I knock on the door before entering.

  “Carter!” Nancy exclaims before she races over to hug me hello.

  “Hey, you.”

  “How’s Mia? Did you manage to get her some help?” she asks as she steps back.

  Nodding, I tell her, “We did, and she’s stuck there until she’s dried up and been through counselling. She has one hell of a tough road ahead of her, but I want to be there for her when she’s ready to see me.” God, I hope it’s soon. “Which brings me to the reason I came up here. I know you’re here during the day, but I wanted to know, and I would compensate you very genour…”

  Nancy cuts me off, “I’m happy to stay around the clock until you come back. I love working with your mom. She’s such a laugh. And you don’t have to compensate me, I’m happy to do it.”

  “No, you deserve to have a bonus. And let Callum know he can stay here too. The spare room is all yours.” Callum is a good guy. He treats Nancy like a princess, it’s something I admire.

  “He’ll appreciate the offer. Thank you, Carter.” Her smile lights up any room.

  “No problem. That ‘you’ for taking such amazing care of my mom.”

  Before heading back to the airport, I said goodbye to my mom and my assistant.

  The wait at in the airport lounge and the flight felt as if they’d never end. I was desperate to land in New York in hopes Mia has changed her mind and she wants to see me. Yes, I know it’s farfetched, but I can’t give up hope.