BLAIR’S POVMy mother sent me into another round of thoughts. I slowly walked out of her room, reminiscing on every single word she spoke. I understood that she directly implied that my family only needed me to show up married to Brian and also make him sign the business deal.Considering my father’s condition and the failing state of the company she spoke of, her words were clear that if he died, she was going to blame me. When I went to her, I knew what to expect, but I hoped there was a slight chance she had figured another way around it all. Seeing that her mind was solely fixed on Brian taking the family’s burden, I picked myself up, took a very hot bath and proceeded to the meal table, from which I boarded the next vehicle to Winchester. Tears flowed down my eyes in never-ending streams as I watched the buildings go behind us and we exited Vegas, heading to Winchester. I felt filthy and like some tramp who was going to sell myself for money. It didn’t matter to me anymore
BRIAN’S POV “How could she do this to me, Steven?”I paced around my office, throwing down every frame, file or accessory on it. Steven was seated across from me, very calm, as always. “Was this why she didn’t want an elaborate ceremony?” A million thoughts ran through my mind and I was doing a terrible job processing this pain I was feeling. I was like a really deep paper cut, only directed at the heart. “She took sides with her father?” “After everything?”“Talk to me, Steven!” I banged the table. Weeks had now gone by and I was weary of trying to call her. Steven’s calmness and silence were evidence that he was tired of my ranting, since I had done the same thing, every day for the last few weeks I’ve lived, after our wedding that failed to hold. “How could she?” I slowly sat in my chair, now very sober, which was the next stage of my grief. Nothing in this world had broken into such tiny bits. Not the death of my family, nor Stacy’s betrayal had me in such a messy state.
BRIAN’S POV “Initially, I wasn’t Master X,” Stacy began, as I held her in my arms and cuddled her. We were both laying butt naked under the duvet and I couldn’t wave off the pang of guilt I felt, ending up in bed with her again. I consoled myself, believing that it was worth it, since she was now willing to tell me the actual story, from her perspective. “I’m sure Steven already told you that I never left Winchester,” “The news of the several attacks on you and the business flew very fast,” “I mean, you are Brian Craig,”She rolled her eyes. I remembered how hard I had to work, accompanied by heavy amount of money for the blogs and television stations to keep details of my life out of their mouths in Winchester. Stacy was only stating the very obvious. “I was so sorry for ever hurting you, Brian,” Tears were welling in her eyes at this point. “I mad a move to start tracing the root of the incessant attacks. I hoped that if I could bring a solution to your problems, you would be
BLAIR’S POV “Looking at your phone again?” Ashley said, walking into the attic, where I was laying in bed with my phone beside me. I took a deep breath and turned around. I hadn’t noticed how desperate I now looked, waiting on Brian. “Blair,” Ashley called, taking a seat beside me. “You pushed him away. You left him.” She said in a calm tone. “If you realize how important he now is, maybe you should go back,” she advised. “I’m sure he misses you too and would gladly have you back.”Tears trickled down my cheeks, the very ones I had been struggling to bottle in for days unending, staring at my phone and waiting for Brian’s call. “No, he won’t,” I replied in sad realization. “I did return, Ashley,” I said, “Yes, and you never spoke a word about it ever since you got back.” “It’s been weeks now,” Ashley added,“That’s because there’s no room in Brian’s life for me anymore,” I responded. “What do you mean?’ Ashley adjusted her seating posture, pulling in towards me a little clo
BLAIR’S POV I had stayed up, most of the night, but was up and excited as the first ray of sunlight hit my face from the small, circular window at the top, opposite the desk. I quickly showered and got ready for the day. It was literally the break of a new day for me, the opening of a new season in my life. “Rise and shine!” I announced, pulling the duvet off Ashley’s body. She slowly opened her eyes and I watched her confusion melt into surprise as she saw me in a mood very contrary to the mourning and despair I had been in for weeks now. “Blair?” she called, stretching out of bed and gaining full consciousness. “What is going on?” she queried, “Do you like my look?” I asked, turning around. I was wearing a white shirt and red blazer on black, open pants with a two-inch slipper heel. “You look stunning,” she replied, “but you have to tell me what is going on.” She persisted. “Destiny,” I replied with a little teasing.“Alright?” she asked, and I chuckled lightly. “I’m res
BLAIR’S POV The entire day at the office, I was greatly distracted and constantly looked out the window to see at what time my mother was going to drive in. It was now less than half an hour to the close of the day and there was still no trace of her. I was now very worried about her and I couldn’t take my mind off the thoughts that something was wrong with her, or perhaps, she was in danger. The rest of the company staff however, did not feel disturbed by her absence and as long as they were concerned, it was a normal day at work. “You should start packing up,” Jennifer said, as she walked into the office. “Huh?” the sound of her voice yanked me back into consciousness, giving me a break from the whirl of thoughts that overwhelmed me. “It’s thirty minutes after closing and everyone has gone, Blair,” she said. I blinked my eyes and lifted them to the clock, taking notice of the time. ‘Right,” I exclaimed in a low tone, pretty much, under my breath. “Why are you still here?”
BLAIR'S POV “Looking for something?” I didn't get a chance to finish processing my thoughts and making a decision, when I heard a hefty voice from behind me. Very startled, I swiftly turned around and found the hefty man standing right behind me. I quickly melted and was shaking from my hair tips to those of my toes. “I…uhm…” Words immediately left me and before him, I looked like a tiny doll. I didn't need to say another word, and the hefty man picked me up, flipped me over his shoulder and took me inside. All of my confidence went down the drain in a split second and I couldn't bring myself to understand how he went from roaming between the kitchen and the living area, to appearing behind me. I didn't dare to fight back and only sat put, while he had me bound by ropes, hands and feet, and then attached to the bed. “What are you going to do with me?” I asked bravely, even though I was more terrified now, than I had ever been. “What?” The hefty man seemed confused. I drew
BLAIR’S POV “So, what else is false?” I asked.We were sitting across from each other and our meal soon became filled with hearty laughter and conversations. I was glad to see that Kieran bought my story, and I immediately developed a change in plan. All I had in mind now was to get as close to him as I possibly could and then draw in information from him about my mother and what their relationship was. Kieran did not readily respond to all of my questions and the moment he went mute on me, I immediately adjusted my boundaries. “Why are you out here? Doesn't it get lonely?” I asked. “Well, I don't like getting involved with a lot of people,” Kieran responded, “so this works for me,” he added, “It's an old house that belonged to my grandmother,” “I pretty much grew up here and I returned to it when I got back into the country.” He said. “So I guess you weren't wrong to expect an old woman or man here,” Kieran said, and we both erupted into laughter. Kieran had a nice sense of