by M J Hardy
I can’t even look at Jack but notice Kim appears on edge and is just staring gloomily out to sea, while Jack appears to be studying his watch and drinking more than is good for him. Then there’s the solitary man who is staring around him with interest. He catches my eye, and a shiver passes through me. There’s something evil lurking beneath his skin because it’s all there in that one look as our eyes connect and I feel as if he’s stripping me bare.
My mouth dries and I taste bile as I contemplate that I’ve found the man responsible. It’s the way he looks at me, knowing, conniving, and as if he’s doing dirty things to me in his mind. He raises his glass to me in a mock salute and I look away, the blood draining from my face as I grasp the stem of the wine glass and chuck the contents back in one go.
Charles grumbles, “Steady on, I don’t want an alcoholic wife to deal with as well as everything else.”
His words sound bitter and make my blood boil and I say sharply, “What’s going on, what is your problem?”
“Just shut the fuck up and let me think for a moment.”
I stare at him in shock as he taps on his phone and looks more worried than I’ve ever seen him.
He sighs with exasperation. “For god’s sake, will this never end, where is that man?”
“Mr Wheeler?”
“Yes.”
He looks around him and I see a bead of sweat on his upper lip that surprises me. Charles doesn’t sweat – ever. Not in the heat, not after sex, certainly not during it because you’d have to exert yourself for that. His idea is to lie back and let me do all the work, before spinning me around and pounding me mercilessly until he reaches his own happy ending and just hopes I make it there under my own steam.
Maybe that’s why I got carried away. It was the most passionate encounter of my life, so it’s no wonder I’m feeling crushed. Once again, I catch the eye of the man across the restaurant and see the interest in his expression as he looks at me. Maybe he thinks I’m of the same mind, thinks he’s pulled as they say, so I pointedly lower my eyes and look away. It’s got to be him, surely, but if it’s not, who could it be?
In my mind I know it’s not Charles, he’s just not capable of it. Jack has also made it pretty clear it wasn’t him. Could it be Chloe’s partner, or someone who works here? My mind goes around in circles and I’m delirious with regret. I have a very bad feeling that a storm’s approaching and as I look out on the balmy night sky, I know it won’t be due to the weather.
Chapter 37
Kim
I’m grateful when the meal ends and we leave the table to head into the bar for the champagne reception. It’s hard trying to make conversation with a man I am increasingly finding it difficult to understand what I ever saw in him. Maybe he smashed my rose-coloured spectacles when he pulled away from me because now I’m seeing this marriage differently. He’s so cold one minute and intensely hot the next. One minute he wants me and in the next wants his space. Then there’s the fact he can’t have children. Maybe that’s what’s tearing him up inside but not to even talk about it. How can we possible move forward until we address the issue?
I thought I would love this holiday, and I was super excited to be here at all. Now I only want to go home and refocus. I need to reassess my life plan because this isn’t what I had in mind. I want it all, to be one half of a couple who want the same things. To share the same dreams and love one another wholeheartedly, despite what happens to knock them down.
Jack slips his arm around my waist and beams at Chloe and her partner. “John, mate, have you recovered from earlier?”
“Yes, it was quite a morning.”
Chloe drags me to the side and grins. “Men! You know John really enjoyed spending time with Jack. Apparently, Evelyn’s husband was in a right old mood and spent most of his time on the phone.”
I nod. “Yes, Jack told me he was preoccupied.”
“Evelyn looks as if she’s struggling. Should we rescue her?”
I look across and seeing the misery on Evelyn’s face, my heart goes out to her. Chloe’s right, she does seem upset about something. A loud laugh comes from beside us, and Chloe raises her eyes and whispers. “Men are worse than women. John has found a kindred spirit in Jack in more ways than one.”
“What do you mean?”
I smile and look at my husband laughing with John and I must admit he does seem happy and Chloe grins. “They share more than just a love of Arsenal and a vasectomy operation in common. I’ve never seen John so relaxed with someone he’s just met.”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
I think I must have misheard and Chloe shrugs, “I’ve never seen John so...”
“No, before that, their common interests.”
“You mean the love of Arsenal and comparing vasectomies. John told me Jack’s went a lot more smoothly than his, poor man.”
I don’t know how I carry on standing as I look across at Jack sharply. Vasectomy, what the hell?
Chloe drags me across to Evelyn and I fight back the tears. Jack had a vasectomy - since when?
When you think about it, words can break your heart, or they can change your day, and in this moment as Chloe’s words settle around me like the fallout from a devastating missile attack, I know those words have changed everything.
I almost can’t concentrate as Evelyn looks up in relief as we join her. Chloe, luckily, seems quite upbeat and does most of the talking, “This is nice; maybe we will get to meet the famous Ben who owns this place. I’m guessing that’s where Emma is now; I didn’t see her at dinner.”
“No, she was definitely not here.”
Chloe looks at Evelyn sharply as her face falls and whispers, “Is everything ok?”
Despite my own personal shock, I can definitely see something is up and Evelyn’s eyes fill with tears as she whispers, “Do you know who that man is?”
We follow her gaze and I see the single man watching us with an interested expression and to my surprise, Chloe shivers and looks as if she’s got a bitter taste in her mouth. “He scares the life out of me.”
“What, that man, why?”
From the look in their eyes, they have something I need to know and Chloe whispers, “Listen, I haven’t said anything to John but when we were in Kurraga on that trip, he came and spoke to me when John was in the toilet.
“What did he say?”
From the look on her face, it’s not a pleasant memory and she shudders. “He gave me his key card and told me to meet him in his room. He was frightening and told me I was to blame for tempting him with lustful looks and giving him the eye.”
“You are kidding me, that’s disgusting.” I stare at her in shock and then at him, and he laughs before turning away. I think back to when I thought someone was following me and remember him passing us and heading this way and I say in a worried voice, “You know, I did feel something strange on the first night. It felt as if someone was following me. I was quite scared really and come to think of it, I saw him on the beach just a little while before.”
For some reason, Evelyn looks even worse and I feel uncomfortable when I think of the time I spent with her husband that night. I was lucky he was on hand by the sounds of it and Chloe says with concern, “Are you ok, Evelyn?”
She appears to shake herself and smiles briefly. “I think I’ve had too much sun; I feel a little faint.”
Chloe looks at me and I can tell she doesn’t believe a word of it but before we can probe any deeper, Charles heads across and whispers, “Ben’s arrived, I’m going to have a word.”
We watch him leave and Chloe says with interest, “Is that the man Emma told us about?”
Evelyn nods. “The owner of this resort. Apparently, he’s some kind of super investor and whatever he touches turns to gold.”
“You know, I was wondering why there are so few of us this week.” Chloe looks thoughtful.
“Don’t you think it’s odd that he would test out the facilities on just a handful of pe
ople? I’m not going to lie, I’ve enjoyed the space, but it does feel a little eerie, don’t you agree?”
I nod because the thought has crossed my mind a thousand times already.
Evelyn nods. “It’s certainly the first trip I’ve ever been on like this. Charles doesn’t normally mix business with pleasure, and I wonder what’s so urgent that he needs to speak to Ben now. He’s been worrying about something all day.”
Chloe nods. “John told me the same. He didn’t enjoy the boat trip at all and was annoyed there was no signal. Maybe he shouldn’t have gone on the boat.”
“Maybe, then again, Charles does like to experience five star living and the boat certainly offered that.”
I see Jack heading my way and feel physically sick.
He lied to me.
When he said he couldn’t have children, I didn’t know it was because he chose not to. I’m not sure if I will ever forgive him if it was through choice, rather than for medical reasons. I suppose I will have to confront him about it later, but for now I turn and say brightly, “Well, let’s just enjoy ourselves regardless. Who fancies a cocktail?”
Chloe and Evelyn nod and we head towards the bar, leaving Jack trailing behind us, looking a little put out by the cold shoulder.
He’s seen nothing yet.
Chapter 38
Emma
I am living the dream. I can’t even put into words how happy I am right now, and as we pull up at the resort, I am hoping Ben whisks me straight to his room to seal the deal. Dinner was amazing, the company was incredible, and I have fallen deeply in love with everything that goes with Ben Wheeler.
As he parks up and heads around to open my door like the true gentleman he is, I practice my new name. Emma Wheeler, Mrs Benjamin Wheeler, wife of the millionaire that every woman wants in her bed and on her arm. It’s obvious he’s chosen me to be that woman if the loaded looks and whispered promises are anything to go by.
All through dinner, Ben spoke of his dreams for the future. Marriage, babies, several houses all around the world and a life spent in luxury. He painted a very desirable picture, one I am keen to feature in, and all the time he spoke, he gazed deeply into my eyes and reeled me in.
My heart is singing as I take his hand and step from the sports car and he kisses it gallantly and whispers, “We should stop by the champagne reception, I have an important speech to make.”
“Do we have to?”
Shifting closer, I wrap my hand around the back of his head and pull him in for a kiss because I am desperate to stake my claim to this man once and for all.
To my surprise, he pulls back and takes my hand, saying firmly, “We must, as I said, it’s important and business must come before pleasure.”
He winks and drags me behind him and I push down my disappointment. He’s right, this is his business and I must be mindful of that, so I head inside, looking forward to seeing the expressions on everyone’s faces when they see me walking in with him.
As soon as we step into the bar, I see Evelyn’s husband heading our way with a worried look on his face and Ben laughs softly beside me. “Emma, darling, maybe you should go and find your friends and watch from there. Make sure you grab a glass of champagne to toast the success of the resort, it’s going to be quite some party.”
Feeling a little annoyed that I must watch from the side-lines, instead of by his side so I can gloat about my prize catch, I just nod and smile sexily, “Don’t be long, I’m anxious to be alone with you.”
As I head off, I hear Charles say urgently, “Ben, we really need to talk, what the hell is this text all about?”
Tuning out, I head towards my friends who crowd around looking curious.
“Wow, Emma, he’s gorgeous.”
Chloe is the first to speak and I can’t help the smug look that has appeared to settle permanently on my face. “Yes, he is rather.”
Kim smiles sweetly, “I think you make a lovely couple; I hope you’ll be very happy.”
“You know, Kim, I think we will. He’s already talking marriage and babies; I think he wants four, but I’m going to stop at one. I need to free up my time to enjoy my new life after all, wouldn’t you agree, Evelyn?”
“What, oh yes, you make a lovely couple.”
I stare at her in surprise and I notice that Chloe shakes her head and Kim looks worried. Something has definitely happened and I wonder if it’s got something to do with Charles, who is gesticulating frantically to Ben, who just smiles as he looks at the people around him. As I watch, I see him put his hand on Charles’s arm and say something that makes Charles annoyed by the look on his face and then Ben moves away, leaving him glaring after him.
Evelyn sighs. “Maybe their business deal has gone wrong. Charles has a knack for messing things up.”
“Surely not, Ben didn’t look worried.” I feel anxious because I hope he’s not about to lose any money just when I’ve arrived to spend it. That would be just my luck.
Suddenly, I hear Ben’s voice coming across loud and clear as he holds a microphone and there’s a sudden hush in the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce myself. My name is Ben Wheeler and I am the owner of Lotus Lake Resort and Spa. Firstly, I would like to welcome you all and extend my gratitude for your help in testing out the facilities. I hope they are to your liking.”
There’s a gentle murmur around the room and I notice there is quite a crowd gathering. It appears the staff have joined us and I look with interest at the chefs, waiters, receptionists and maids. In fact, it appears there is quite a crowd and I feel so proud of what he has accomplished.
I notice that someone is rolling down a huge projector screen and wonder what we’re about to see because it’s obvious Ben is keen to show us something. Maybe it’s the building process of this lovely resort. I certainly hope so. It will be interesting to see how it evolved.
Ben smiles and laughs softly and appears to be enjoying himself. “Well, Lotus Lake is the end product of a dream I had as a child. You see, I was born into poverty, not the huge wealth that I enjoy now.”
I smile at my friends with that smug look that just won’t go away and listen to him tell everyone how lucky I am.
“Yes, I started out in a hostel with my mother, who struggled terribly. We were soon housed by the council but never had any money, sometimes even for food. Life was hard, and yet she did her best. She struggled to look after herself, let alone me, and I was always the child that never had enough to eat and wore donated clothes.”
I feel a surge of pity as I think of the boy this amazing man once was and think about my own loving childhood. I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like for him, but he obviously had some luck along the way, so I listen as he carries on.
“Things never improved, and when my mother fell ill, I was put into care.”
Kim gasps beside me and I’m surprised to see tears rolling down her face as she looks at him with pity. It annoys me a little because this man should be admired, not pitied, and I frown a little.
“Luckily, I was adopted by an amazing couple when my mother lost her fight with cancer and although it was hard, they made me into the man I am today. Unfortunately, they couldn’t be here this week but they arrive on Monday and I will only be too happy to show them what I have achieved with their love and encouragement.”
He pauses and I see a look of distaste pass across his face as he looks at the man who appears to be on his own. “However, I am lucky to have one member of my family here to see how far I’ve come. A man who abandoned me as a child and denied my mother the money to raise her son and put food on the table. A man who couldn’t have cared less and wanted nothing to do with the child he created.”
I think I stop breathing as the man blinks and looks at Ben in astonishment as Ben waves his hand towards him. “Let me introduce Ray Baker. The scumbag who deserted his own wife and child because he found someone else. The man who resisted all my efforts to contact him and the man I
hate with a passion. Well, daddy dearest, who’s laughing now?”
All eyes turn to the man, who stares at Ben in horror. He shakes his head in disbelief as Ben snarls, “I’ve learned a lot about you over the years and was curious to discover it for myself, which is why I rigged the competition to bring you here. I guessed you wouldn’t have come if you knew I was here, so surprise, daddy, meet your son. However, the more I learned of you, the more I hated you, if that was at all possible.”
There is not a sound in the room as a family drama plays out right before our eyes and Ben says roughly. “I brought you here to thank you. If you hadn’t been such a bad father, I would never have had the ambition or the drive to succeed that I have today. As a kid, it’s difficult to understand why your father doesn’t want you. Turned your back on you and left you with nothing. All the other kids at school had someone to look up to. They had loving homes and enough to eat, the latest toys and decent clothes. I had regrets. Regrets that my father didn’t love me. I blamed myself, I blamed my mother, I blamed God. But I never blamed you. I thought it was my fault you left. You didn’t love me, and I thought that for some time. When I used to lie awake in bed hearing my mother crying herself to sleep, I prayed to God that you would somehow hear her and come and save us. To step up and be the father I wanted you to be. You never came. The older I got, the more I missed you. Someone to look up to; to teach me what being a man involved. You weren’t there.”
He stops and I can almost taste the emotion in the air as his voice shakes a little.
“When mum died, I was left alone and scared. I had already been adopted by the kindest people I had ever met, but I still visited her in the hospice. You broke her, you broke me, but when someone hits rock bottom, the only way is up. I was never ashamed to be broken because I used the pain it left me with to build myself back up stronger and into the man you see before you today.”
