Amanda and I have finally finished packing our respective bags and are now waiting in the living room.
I decide not to go to Anthony and to just give him a call instead.
"Hello" he calls tiredly.
"Uh...where are you?" I say because I don't want to go right to 'get your a*s here and take Amanda and I to Aspen'
"Right behind you" he emerges from the kitchen."You done packing?"
I nod.
"Good, let's go" he has his expression blank "Our guests are waiting?"
Did he say guests? What guests? I ask him exactly that and he just brushes off the question.
"Go to the car and tell Luke to help you with your bags" he says taking steps away.
Did he mean I'm going to Aspen all by myself?
Somehow that seems less exciting. Why isn't he coming?
'Because he has to work, you bozo' my subconscious rolls
We land smoothly at Sardy Field at 14:29 p.m.The plane comes to a halt a little from the main terminal and through the window, I spot a Mercedes minivan parked."Enjoy your weekend, Mr Trevelyan, Mrs Trevelyan" says Scott as he shows up and shakes Anthony.He takes my hand and leads me down the aircraft stairs where Luke is waiting by the van.Amanda comes down the stairs and I ditch my husband to be with her.We climb in, stagger to the double seat at the back and sit down."Oh, so you don't want to sit next to your husband anymore" she looks out the window."Oh, please. You know why I did that"She doesn't look at me."Amanda, you know you like him, just give it a shot" I tell her."It's not that" she squeezes her eyes shut and when she reopens them, I see her pain "I'm not worthy of any man, Liv, can't you see, they've broken me""Yes, that is correct, they broke you but that doesn't mean you have
We are all sitting round the hardwood dining table after finishing our Italian feast prepared for us by Sarah's mom."Oh no" Crystal says suddenly.We all turn to stare at her and she points to the picture window. Outside, rain has started pouring down."Well, there goes our hike" Amanda says, sadly.Is it weird that seeing Amanda sad sours my mood?I think back to all the times I've seen Amanda smile genuinely and I got my answer."We could go into town" I suggest at the same time Anthony says "Perfect weather for fishing""I'll go fish" says Liam."Let's split up. Boys go do their boring outdoor activity. Girls go shopping" Stella says, excitedly. She's always down for shopping.Chris doesn't fish, never liked it. I know this and apparently so does Crystal."Chris, you're going fishing?" Crystal asks.
We're almost out of wood. Even though it's summer, the fire is very welcome on this how day."Sarah, do you know where the wood for the fire is kept?" I ask Sarah, who is sipping a glass of daiquiri.It's amazing how easy it is to bond over shopping. Amanda's gotten more comfortable with the girls and Sarah's become a friend."In the garage, I think" she answers "You should ask my mom""I'll just check the garage" It'll give me an opportunity to explore.The rain has eased off when I venture outside and head to the three-car garage adjoining the house. The side door is unlocked, I enter and switch on the lights.There's one Audi, two snowmobiles and two trail bikes, both 125c. I remember learning to ride this. Unconsciously, my hands starts to rub the part where I badly bruised my arm in a fall."You ride?" Chris asked from behind me.I tu
"Two bottles if the Cristal, please" Anthony orders after waving a waiter over."The 2002, if you have it" I modify the order."Because the 2002 and is so much better than the 2003" he rolls his eyes."To the discerning palate, Mr Trev" I grin, using the words Chris himself had said to me once."You have a very discerning palate, Mrs Trev" he laughs."That I do"Emily is the first to get up to hug Crystal and Chris. We take turns hugging the couple."Congratulations, Crystal" I clutch her in a fierce hug."Way to go, champ" I give Chris a brief hug and a pat in the back."About earlier..." He starts but I cut him off "I know... The ring"He nods and grins widely.Anthony congratulates the couple after me.The waiter has returned with the champagne which he goes ahead to open with a flourish.Anthony holds his champagne flute aloft "To Chris and Crystal-Congratulations"We all raise our
Anthony joins me on the dance floor and it's liberating-fun. He whirls me around with consummate skill, making me graceful, sexy even as he goes.He makes me feel loved but how can that be? He doesn't even like my type if women, he prefers the blondes.These thoughts make me a little exhausted and I'm grateful when the song morphs into another one."Can we sit?" I gasp."Sure" He leads me off the dance floor."Ugh, I'm all hot and sweaty now" I whisper as we return to the table.A lascivious smile tugs at his lips. The hungry look in his eyes unfurls something deep down in my groin.I look away hastily and try to steady my breathing.At the dance floor, Chris and Crystal are being rather indecent. I wonder why they've not been thrown out yet.Suddenly, I'm tired and I want nothing more than to go home and curl up in bed."Can we go?" I ask Anthony."Yes, let's go" he answers. Chris and Crystal join us
When I wake up, I'm warm...too warm. Anthony has his head on my shoulder, the demarcation I made out of couch pillows has been destroyed and the pillows now lay all around on the bed, some on the floor.Anthony has his legs threaded through mine and his arm wrapped around my waist, his soft breathing fans my neck as he sleeps.I've seen this in a movie once or twice. I should scream and push him off me but I can't. This isn't too uncomfortable, actually it's pretty comfortable.I try real hard not to move, aware that if I do he'll wake up and I don't think he gets enough sleep.Hazily, my mind wanders through the events of yesterday. It was really nice of Anthony to get my friends over just to make me happy.Did Stella and Emily come all the way from Portland just for this? My brother was in town but I'm not sure about Chris and Crystal. Did everyone come rushing over just for me?
"Hey, sleepyhead" Anthony wakes me by shaking me gently "We're about to land. Buckle up"I fumble sleepily for my seat belt but Anthony fastens it for me."Thanks" I mutter sleepily.A long hike and a picnic lunch on a beautiful mountain have left me an exhausted mess.I glance at Amanda. I wonder how her campaign with Luke is going. My eyes find hers and she gives me a small, sad smile before going back to looking through a magazine she picked up earlier.I shift my gaze to Anthony. He looks serious as ever, reading through a contract and annotating the margins. He works way too much.I shift my gaze to Liam. I think he feels my eyes in him because he looks to me. I give him a small are-you-okay smile and he shrugs lightly in response.Chris is snoring softly next to Crystal.The female pilot flying with Scott announces our approach to the airport and Anthony grasps my hand...a kind gesture I'm indeed grateful for.~∆~
I march right into Anthony's office without even knocking."Ms. Hart. How rude" he shakes his head."It's Mrs Trevelyan" I take off my employee ID.He stares blankly at me."You can't fire Brianna and Ethan" I say. It comes out more authoritatively than I meant but I couldn't care less." 'course I can" he shrugs "it's my company""Brianna. She needs this job. She has an older sister who's really sick. She pays her hospital bills and a lot of other bills. She can't afford to lose this job""She should have thought about that before messing around with another employee" he's cold- nothing like the Anthony I spent the weekend with."We're married, yes?" I attack his direct contradiction of his policy "I have a job here. Does that count as messing around with an employee?""That's different""Oh, really? Diff
"Rise and shine, you big baby"I'm awoken by Anthony trailing soft kisses all over my face."What a pleasant way to be woken up" I grin "You have my approval to wake me up like this every morning, dear husband"Or is it husband to be now?"I'll be sure to remember that, beautiful wife but right now, you need to take a shower" He pulls me to a sitting position."Need to?" I say, putting a hand to chest in mock horror "so you're saying I stink""I'm just saying" he shrugs, smirking "I know someone who would gladly give you good bath""Oh, really? Just make sure it's a hot guy then we're good" I smile and give him a quick peck on the lips."I think you'll like him very much" he says, pulling me back and deepening the kiss."Will I?" I murmur against his lips."I think you will"Without taking his lips off mine, he lifts me and with me in his arms, he climbs off the bed.Putting me down, he pulls away.
After two more days at the hospital, I'm allowed to go home.Anthony and I stopped by at Liam's apartment first to grab a few things I need.As we approach the mansion gate, it's getting dark outside, memories start to flood my mind and tears spring to my eyes."What's wrong, baby?" He asks, quietly, noticing my change in mood."Nothing" I shake my head, trying and failing to stop my tears from rushing down."Tell me" he orders."It's... Just that the...um, the last time I was here...oh, Anthony, I'm so sorry" I unfasten my seatbelt and turn to face him "...It was so stupid of me to leave you for so long just because... I'm sorry for my childish attitude""Hey, hey" he pauses to give a nod of acknowledgement to the staffs that bow their head in gesture of a greeting "your childish attitude is exactly what got me so into you"A huge grin takes over my tear-stained face "Mr. Trev, are you saying you're into me?" I muse.
There's pain everywhere. Everywhere and everything hurts.I try to move my hands, then my legs but nothing moves. I can't open my eyes either. I hear hushed whispers. I try to make out what they're saying."Her ribs are bruised and she has a hairline fracture to her skull but her vital signs are stable""Why is she unconscious?" Anthony says, his voice filled with agony that makes me want to jump up and give him a hug."Mrs Trevalyan has suffered a major contusion to her head but her brain activity is normal. Just give it some time. She'll wake up soon"Where's Emerald? What happened to my baby?I helplessly try to say something, open my eyes but it's hopeless.A few seconds filled with pain later, unconsciousness starts to claim me again, stealing me away from the pain.I wake again. I'm blind, mute and aching absolutely everywhere. My ey
Violet ventures into the room with a wicked smile on her face."Where's my daughter?" I spit "It's been hours""Relax" she smirks "you'll get to hold your daughter for the last few minutes of your miserable life"I want nothing more than to slap the stupid smirk off her face as she moves closer to me."Violet" I groan."Shut up, b***h" her hand makes contact with my cheek, hard.I wince a little but cover it up and say, dryly "Wow, Violet, you been practicing that, haven't you? I must admit, you've gotten a bit better""I've gotten a lot better, you a*****e" she raises her hand again and this time strikes hard on my other cheek."Just a reminder, I can beat you to a pulp easily" I smirk back."Do that" she pauses, narrowing her eyes at me "and you'll never see your beloved Emerald again"Touché. She has me cornered.Soon, she starts throwing punches and flinging slaps so hard, I actually start to bel
As we exit the bank, we spot the van almost immediately with a lady whose hair is pulled up in a tight ponytail just like mine standing next to it typing away on her phone.As we approach, she raises her head and smiles smugly at the sight of us."I'll take those" she says to the clerks as she opens up the trunk.She stretches out her hand and the clerks look to me for permission.I nod and they hand her the bags one after the other."Great, let's go" she says, icily and I take a deep breath."Thanks a lot" I say to the clerks "I appreciate your help and promise to make it up to you soon"They both nod and scurry off into the bank."Get in" The lady spits, harshly.I rush quickly into the vehicle and slide the door shut."Phone" she groans like I'm stupid.I hand her a phone and she tosses
It's almost eleven a.m as I drive over to Anthony's house to get the chequebook.A few of the staffs who look very surprised to see receive me rather warmly and offer to call Anthony to let him know I'm here.I dismiss them as quick as I could without being rude then quickly make my way to Anthony's home office.It's only when I'm trying to open the drawers, do I realize that I'm shaking with panic.Okay, deep breaths. Relax. You're going to save Emerald.I wrench open one drawer after the other in search of the chequebook.I soon find the right drawer. There are about five chequebooks. Looking through each one, I find the one which has Mr A. Trevalyan and Mrs J. Trevalyan.Now, to go save my baby.Wait, how the hell am I going to carry the money. It must a lot of cash. I'm gonna need a bag or two? How big is five million dollars anyway?I take a deep breath and in a more composed manner, I stride to the bedroom I shared
"You're not going, of course you're not so...we...we should call the boss...tell..." Amanda starts as soon as I end the call with Violet."I'm going" I say simply and she turns red."What...what did you just say? 'Cause I heard something like...""That's what I said, Amanda. I'm going to meet up with Violet" I say again, with confidence.I'm getting my baby back."You can't do that. She won't give her back to you. We have to call the boss, he'll know what to do" she frowns."Anthony?" I spit the name, bitterly "Didn't you hear him? He hates me. He won't care""He doesn't hate you" she argues "...and obviously, he'll care very much"I don't see just how that is obvious but I say nothing.The notification sound goes off on my phone. With my heart racing, I unlock it to read the message.It's the address and
It's only 6 in the morning and I've given Emerald a bath, clothed her and I've had my bath and packed my bags, ready to be picked up by Anthony.I decided to feed Emerald the formula I used to feed her through the feeding tube back at the hospital instead of breast milk so I'm in the kitchen preparing that.I'm done. I rinse my hand and after putting the lid on tight, I rinse the feeding bottle too then using a napkin, I wipe it dry.Then I skip happily to my room where Emerald lies awaiting her food.I walk through the door and take a sit on the bed next to her cradle.Putting the feeder on the bed, I reach out to grab Emerald but she's not there.My baby's not in her cradle, I can't find her. Panicked tears start to rush down my cheeks.Where's my baby?I look up and there's a broken window. How did I not hear that break? Someone kidnapped my child.Oh, no. Emerald. I don't know what to do. Phone. Yes, phon
It's been almost 5 months since I gave birth and we're taking my baby out the incubator today.I'm so excited...to hold her, touch her, breastfeed her directly."Liammmm" I scream."Could you chill out?" He yells back "I'll be out in five.When we're finally in the car, Liam speaks "it's been five months since you left Anthony""Way to ruin my mood, dumbass" I roll my eyes."You left your husband for five months because he was worried about his ex who clearly had injuries and you didn't" he exclaims "do you know how foolish that sounds?""Liam, stop this" I frown."No, because you need to understand just how dumb that is""It wasn't just the fact that he chose to care for her... It was... He never even asked what happened... He concluded that I had caused it... And" my voice drops "...and that hurt my feelings""I know. You were hurt which is why you have to talk to him. Let him know you were hurt and stop this fo