After lunch, the feeling of abandonment still hadn’t left her. Nonetheless, she tried to concentrate on her work more seriously. Fortunately, she would be reunited with Victor again this evening. He was the most beautiful thing that had happened to her in recent times. He filled her heart with joy and made every day worthwhile. He had become the reason she smiled when she woke up in the morning, and the reason she would leave the office on a little cloud every evening, knowing that she was going home to him.
That day, she left the office shortly before six o'clock. It was already dark outside. After putting on her coat, she left the building which was still full of people and ventured out into the winter cold.
She had barely taken three steps when a remarkable man caught her attention, making her stop in her tracks: holding a magnificent bouquet of lilies and dressed in an elegant black coat, he was waiting for her outside, under the night sky.
“Victor?” she exclaimed, as she ran to him.
“My princess,” he said, handing her the flowers.
The bouquet was so big that Tara could hardly hold it.
“It's beautiful! Thank you...”
She kissed him.
“How long have you been waiting for me in the cold?” she asked.
“I just arrived.”
“But... how did you know I would finish work now?”
Victor was an amazing man. In many ways, Tara wondered if he wasn't a magician. He seemed to read her like a book and seemed to always know where and how to find her. Just like when they had lunch together for the first time. He had felt her sadness and came to her, even though they didn't really know each other at the time.
“How was your day?” he asked, as he walked her home.
“Fine,” she lied, feeling a twinge in her heart as she thought back to her encounter with Nina.
“Is something bothering you?”
With these words, Tara suddenly came to her senses. She couldn’t tell Victor about the coach: the feelings she had for her were very unclear... Although she was sure of her love for Victor, Nina didn’t leave her indifferent, judging by the sadness she had felt all day long.
Thus, she knew she had to keep the incident to herself. The coach had disappeared from her life and would soon be just a memory. Victor didn't need to worry about a memory.
“Tara?”
“Yes,” she said, letting him know she was still with him.
Suddenly, she remembered Max. Recalling that she hadn’t told Victor about him yet, she attempted to dissuade him from walking her to her apartment, trying not to give in to panic:
“You don't have to come with me you know... I just need to pick up a few things... I'll be at your place in a little while.”
“Miss Châvigner,” replied Victor humorously, “is there something you’re trying to hide from me? We've been together for three weeks now and you've spent most of your nights in my bed... While I on the other hand, have never been invited to your place...”
Tara turned livid:
“No, I assure you, there's nothing... It's just that my apartment is really small compared to yours...”
That was also true.
Upon these words, Victor smiled and tenderly grabbed her neck before planting a kiss on her cheek:
“Big or small, I know I'll like your apartment.”
Tara smiled. Feeling Victor's wide hand wrapping around her neck and his warm breath against her ear, she felt her womanly instincts suddenly awaken. Looking at the bouquet of flowers he was carrying for her, she knew how lucky she was to be with such a generous and loving man. No, he wouldn't blame her for Max. Everything would be fine. She needed to relax. Feeling so much gratitude towards him and without warning, she felt an overwhelming urge to make love to him.
Luckily, they had almost arrived at her building. When they were in the elevator leading to her apartment, she suddenly turned to him and pulled him close. He understood. Pleased to see the woman he loved desire him in this way, he proudly approached her, devouring her with his eyes, while placing a languorous kiss on her lips.
Then, as she gave free rein to her yearning, her body burning with desire, she grabbed Victor by the neck with her left hand and moved her right hand across his crotch. She was overjoyed to discover he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
The elevator stopped on the fifth floor. Tara threw herself onto the landing and pushed her keys into the lock as quickly as she could. Victor stood behind her and thrust his hands into her cleavage, caressing her generous breasts. When the door opened, they rushed into the apartment like animals in heat. He slammed the door behind them and lifted her up against the wall of the foyer, kissing her with passion. Not knowing the apartment, he carried her to the sofa and laid her down before undressing completely. She did the same, without ever taking her eyes off him.
Naked, Victor moved towards her like a lion preparing to attack, devouring her with his eyes. She looked at him too, begging him silently to come faster. She was terribly eager to please him, but she knew she couldn’t resist the urge to be penetrated for too long.
With gentleness and authority, Victor spread her legs and secured her hands against the sofa. Then, lying above her, he penetrated her with a sharp jolt, without waiting for her signal. Tara felt so liberated that she couldn’t hold back a cry of pleasure. Dominated by his ardent desire for her, Victor came and went so quickly that she had trouble catching her breath. She was dizzy with pleasure.
Unexpectedly, while Victor kissed her fiercely, Nina's face appeared in Tara’s mind in such a realistic way that she couldn't hold back a scream of horror. She jumped away from Victor.
“What's wrong?” he asked, confused.
“I'm sorry,” she apologized, bewildered. “I thought of something... I don't understand what happened.”
“Was it about me?”
“No, no!” she exclaimed as she approached him and gave him a hug. “I'm sorry for reacting that way, the image took me by surprise.”
Tara sighed. It couldn't have gotten any worse.
As she buried her face in his chest, hoping to forget the incident, they suddenly heard a loud and accusing meow being addressed directly to them. Stunned, they both turned towards the coffee table next to the sofa and discovered Max, standing firmly on his hind legs, staring inquisitively at them, slowly moving his tail from side to side.
“Is he yours?” asked Victor, both surprised and embarrassed.
Tara exhaled heavily as she slumped down on the sofa. She never imagined introducing them to each other under such circumstances.
“Why didn't you tell me about him?” asked Victor, as he prepared a mushroom omelet in Tara's kitchen.
“I was afraid you wouldn't want him in your home.”
“Why would I refuse to let you bring your cat?”
“For fear that he destroys your sofas...”
On these words, Victor smiled and turned tenderly to her, plunging his kind eyes into hers:
“I would never put my sofa before a living being.”
Tara smiled, bewitched by the beauty that emanated from him:
“We'll spend the night here then,” she promised, “and tomorrow after work, I'll pick him up with all his things and bring him to your place.”
“Is this why you didn't want to move your clothes over to my apartment?” Victor giggled.
“Yes.”
He burst out laughing and turned to Max who had been standing next to him the whole time he was cooking, hoping that some food come his way:
“Dinner is ready,” he said, as he filled both their plates. “Tonight Max, you won't be dining alone!”
The cat meowed eagerly, looking at Victor as though he were his savior; unlike his owner towards whom he had been sulking all evening.
The next morning, the rain fell abundantly. Nonetheless, Tara paid no attention to it as she left her building on her way to work. The image of Victor still lying in her bed caressing Max, filled her with joy.
Taking the usual route, she entered the Notre-Dame-des-Champs metro station, where she crossed the paths of hordes of people rushing to escape the rain and the cold. A few minutes later, when the subway arrived at Solferino station, a loud voice announced that all the passengers were invited to get off the train because of a technical difficulty. Deciding to take a taxi the rest of the way, Tara followed the crowd, taking the exit on her left and climbing the stairs that led to a small street.
As she lifted her head, she saw a large fuchsia umbrella coming her way. The umbrella hid the face of a woman dressed in an outfit of the same color. Judging by the cut of the suit and by her build, the woman was in her fifties. She was ten yards away and heading straight for her. Tara didn’t pay attention at first, but when she realized the woman wasn’t moving out of the way, she moved aside herself to make passage for her.
Then, as she shifted to the right, the woman did the same while maintaining her pace. The collision was inevitable. Surprised, Tara stopped dead in her tracks and so did the woman.
While the rain continued to fall, the pink umbrella gently rose, and Tara discovered the gentle face of a woman with short and curly auburn hair. She smiled warmly at her:
“Hello, Tara,” she said softly. “I'm Emily Van der Worthen.”
Tara didn't know what to say, surprised that the woman knew her identity. After a few seconds, she came to her senses and answered:
“Hello Emily. Have we met before?”
“Oh, you don't know me,” she answered with a smile. “I've come to apologize for the unfortunate incident between you and Nina yesterday.”
Tara felt her heart leap in her chest. Her energy had increased tenfold in a fraction of a second. She didn't understand what was happening, but she felt an irrational hope rising within her.
“She knows better,” Emily continued in a reprimanding tone. “But, well, she’s still young, and as wise as she may be, she’s totally out of control!”
Emily radiated a deep joy for life and a comforting maternal instinct. She was apologizing for Nina’s behavior even though Tara hadn’t asked for an explanation.
“Are you her mother?”
Emily stared at her, offended that she had mistaken her for an old woman:
“Young lady, do you really think I'm old enough to be her mother?”
Tara preferred to remain silent because if she was going to be honest, she would have said yes. Then, Emily took on a playful air and continued:
“She only came here for you. And, when she finally found you, she turned her back on you. I hope you're not too angry with her?”
“Uh... No, not at all.”
“Good. It wouldn't do the poor girl any good... She’s suffered a lot you know. And I’m sure you have too. She was simply afraid of making a mistake. Sometimes, when the moment you feel like you’ve been waiting for forever finally arrives, you panic and refuse to take action. I really hope you understand.”
Tara became increasingly confused, concluding that the woman was insane. Then, without warning, Emily reached her arm out to her:
“If you'd come with me, we have a lot to talk about.”
“Forgive me,” Tara said, refusing, “but I really don't think you're talking to the right person.”
“Tara Châvignier? That’s you, isn’t it? Of course it's you! Forgive me young lady, but there are some things you can't hide from those who have the eyes to see.”
Tara was speechless. She was both intimidated and suspicious, not knowing how to interpret the words of this strange fuchsia clad woman.
“Now, if you'll follow me,” she continued softly. “They're waiting for you impatiently.”
Emily continued to walk, assuming Tara would follow her.
However, convinced she was dealing with a mad woman freshly escaped from an asylum, Tara watched her walk away with a certain curiosity. When Van der Worthen realized that she wasn’t following, she turned to her again, persuading her to come:
“Let’s go, Nina will be there too.”
On these words, Tara's heart raced. Although she was aware that she was embarking on a potentially dangerous plan, and despite all the work ahead of her, her desire to see Nina took precedence over everything else. With her heart pounding, she joined Emily, who shared her large fuchsia umbrella with her.
The strange woman made her cross several small streets before stopping in front of a large Haussmann-style building. They entered the building, setting foot into a vast and perfectly maintained lobby where the modern glass elevator blended elegantly with the historic white stone.
However, when the door to the building closed behind her, Tara feared that she would find herself at the mercy of the people she was about to meet. A strange and agonizing feeling came over her. She somehow knew she wouldn’t leave the building the same person as when she arrived. Nonetheless, she continued to follow the red-headed woman to the elevator, determined to see the events through to the end. When Emily Van der Worthen pressed the button to the fifth floor, Tara suspiciously analyzed her every move as she stood beside her.
As they silently glided between floors, she wondered with more and more concern if she hadn’t just made the biggest mistake of her entire life. She almost gave way to panic when she saw Emily’s ghastly expression, similar to that of a predator returning home with its prey after a hunt. Then, the elevator stopped and opened its glass door. Soon she would be in their apartment:
“Be strong,” she told herself. “You’re going to see Nina again. Don’t fall apart now. If this woman knows Nina, she can’t possibly want to harm you…”
The fifth floor was the top floor of the building. On the landing, stood a gigantic, royal blue door; it was the only door on the floor.
As Emily approached, Tara followed her, examining her surroundings with trepidation. She watched as she pushed her key into the lock, but before Emily had time to turn it, the door flung open. Tara held back a cry of terror: hidden in the shadows, the dark and threatening figure of a man stood staring at them.
As she was about to take a step back, Van der Worthen grabbed her arm:
“Please,” she said, showing her into the apartment.
Terrified, Tara allowed herself to be dragged into the apartment. She hadn’t taken her eyes off the big dark figure. As she entered, she discovered the man who had been waiting for them in the shadows. He was gigantic. When she got a closer look, she saw a tall blond man with piercing blue eyes that seemed to penetrate deep into her soul.
As Van der Worthen drew her into the hall, the man closed the door behind them. She felt herself staggering.
“Don't be afraid,” reassured Emily in a soft voice. “We only want what's best for you.”
But her statement had the opposite effect on Tara. Emily spoke to her very informally now: was the respect she had shown her earlier just a masquerade? At any rate, it was too late now. Still holding onto Emily’s arm, she was taken down the dark hallway that led to an obscure corridor. On the right, she noticed a large and bright opening that seemed to lure them in inexorably.
“Is she here?” cried a young man who came out of the bright room to join them in the hall.
Tall and thin, his light brown hair was cut very short and his face was covered with freckles. With the delicacy of his features and the softness of his big blue eyes, Tara wouldn’t have thought him to be older than eighteen. When he saw her, he fell silent and took on a desolate face, before slipping back into the living room.
“Follow me,” ordered Emily calmly, as she entered the room.
Coming out of the shadows felt almost like a liberation to Tara. The room in question was a gigantic living area decorated in wood and cream-colored suede. An abundance of wild plants hung from the walls and the central wooden beam and were placed here and there among the furniture. The floor, like the rest of the apartment, was covered with light-colored natural wood flooring. In the distance, five tall windows were lined up, bathing the room in daylight. The area was spacious,
uncluttered and bright.
Suddenly, her heart leapt: the young man that she had seen at Hotel Costes with Nina was staring at her gravely. He had short brown hair and olive skin and was sitting on a long cream-colored sofa, not saying a word. With his dark eyes and surprisingly muscular build, he bore resemblance to a gladiator preparing to enter an arena. He couldn't have been more than twenty-five years old. To his left sat an old man who, leaning over his cane, turned his face towards her. Startled, Tara realized there was something odd about his intensely dark gaze. As she and Van der Worthen approached, she was horrified to find that the old man had no eyes, only two deep, empty eye sockets. Tara’s heart skipped a beat.
While Emily continued leading her into the living room, Tara turned her head and finally saw her, leaning against an off-white piano. Her disheveled hair and angry pout made her look like a rebellious child. Tara's heart stopped.
“Aren’t you even going to say hello Nina?” Emily asked, finally letting go of Tara's arm. “She came here especially for you.”
The coach reluctantly stood up straight, still not moving towards Tara. With a defiant look, she nodded her chin in a sign of greeting. Tara's discomfort grew stronger. She felt the presence of the tall blond man just behind her and saw the blue-eyed teenager approaching timidly, even though he still kept his distance from her. Nobody was talking. She could feel they all wanted something from her and was suddenly convinced they would sacrifice her within the hour to some pagan deity.
After several seconds of silence that seemed like an eternity, the old man spoke:
“The poor thing is terrified Emily. Nothing good can be made of her if she remains in this state.”
Tara choked. She thought about animals that were calmed just before being slaughtered so that their flesh would be more tender. She no longer had any doubts, they had every intention of killing her. They all gathered around her and stared at her with such interest that she was certain they were hungry for her blood.
Horrified, she took a step backwards but was immediately blocked by the tall blond man who stood in her way. Desperate, she remained motionless. She was far too afraid to scream; no sound would come out of her mouth. The thought that there was no way out terrified her even more: even if she threw herself out of the fifth-floor window she would die.
HAGEN: 1. Revelations Page 7