by A H S Salt
“Wait, Vegas? Why am I only hearing about this now?” I exhaled in a rush. Confused.
He cupped my face and pressed a firm kiss on my lips.
“I have a few business meetings scheduled,” He said, ignoring my question.
I frowned “So, what does that have to do with me?”
His gaze studied my face for a long moment “I thought It would be a good time for you to meet my family and an opportunity for you to come and see the clubs. Maybe give me input into designs for a project I’m working on. If you would like to, that is”
I gaped at him “You want me to help you with the business side of things?” My head was spinning. I had no idea what he wanted me to do but the offer was tempting.
“You can be in charge and oversee the creative process. You have the eye for turning something plain into something spectacular. Just look at how colorful the apartment is”
I crossed my arms and smirked “You don’t like what I’ve added to the apartment you just put up with it”
He nodded, knowingly “True” He shrugged.
“But what about the salon?” I queried gently.
“Jessica” He sighed and shoved a hand through his hair but before he could answer we were interrupted.
“Jessica?” A female voice called out.
“Yeah?” I automatically replied. I turned my head to the sound of my name being repeated. There was a girl in the corner of the foyer, near the tinted windows that looked out onto the street ahead. She looked familiar. I stood staring, confused. Then it finally dawned on me.
I looked back to Cillian who stood with his hands in his usual black suit, his white shirt unbuttoned just how I like it. His expression hardened, wondering who on earth would approach me in his building. I could tell he was about to let her know she was trespassing. Only she wasn’t a Pap or a reporter. She was the girl I had seen leave Elijah’s photography studio. The same day I confronted him.
I rested my hand on his arm.
“It's okay” I whispered “I know her,” lying to him.
His shoulders eased at not having had our privacy invaded by a paparazzi asshole.
“I’ll wait outside for you,” He replied, willing to give us privacy. He looked over at the girl with a wary glance before heading towards the glass doors.
I waited, watching until he was out of the building before turning to the stranger. I bit the inside of my cheek, unsettled as to what she could possibly want from me.
How does she know me?
Her hollowed eyes flickered between me and the floor. Her restless hands tugged at her nude cardigan that drowned her small frame. Her brown hair was pulled into what looked to be a ponytail, only messier. Everything looked messy about her, from her black leggings to the oversized boyfriend t-shirt she wore. I wondered if it was one that belonged to Elijah.
“Can I help you?” I asked calmly. I could only hope she hadn’t seen me that day.
“I’m Emily, Elijah’s-” She couldn’t finish her words. Her eyes closed for a lingering second before trying again. She looked like she wanted to vomit at the mentioning of his name.
“If he knew I was here… he …. You should watch out… he’s angry …. Obsessed with you...” she rubbed her hands over her face, she was confusing herself with her words let alone me. Her eyes had dark bags under them, she looked to have got little to no sleep.
I tried to make sense of what she was babbling.
I walked closer “Slow down. It’s okay.” Trying my best to reassure her. She had no reason to trust me but I could see in her eyes the pain of keeping a secret that pulls you into the darkness. The feeling of wanting to break free. Tell someone. Anyone. In the hope of escaping.
“Emily, right?” I asked to clarify. I took one step at a time slowly towards her hoping not to spook her or have her running from me.
She nodded with a frown “Yes” her voice barely a whisper.
“You’re safe. Elijah can’t hurt you here. I won’t allow him to hurt you, ever again” I promised, trying my best to reassure her, hoping she would open up and trust me.
She was mentally broken and confused just like I was when I was dating Elijah. I knew if given enough time. I could make her see sense.
“No, you don’t understand!” She sighed wearily “He’s out of control…” She looked at me. There was nothing but pain and sadness in her brown eyes. Brown eyes that would have had so much shine before Elijah.
The sound of a smartphone ringing broke her attention. She looked down, reaching into her cardigan and held out her phone. Her eyes locked onto the screen. She bit on her bottom lip.
“I recognize that look” I rushed “Fear. Panic. Unsure if you should answer the phone but at the same time you don’t want to but you know there will be consequences’ if you don’t.” She rejected the call as if proving a point and placed her phone back in her pocket.
“How did you …..” she sighed, fighting back tears.
“Know?” I answered for her “Because I know what he’s like. I know how much he can get into your head. Make you think that everything is your fault” I could only hope those words rang true to her. Maybe plant the seed that what he is doing to her is wrong.
She was feeble and weak. Just how I remembered feeling those two years of being with Elijah. Scared with a desire to tell but unsure if you should. It was clear to see, he was playing the same mind games with her.
She shook her head side to side “I’m sorry. I have to go.” She rushed away, making a dash for the doors.
“Wait… I can help!” I called out.
Why would she show up here and not tell me what she had intended to tell me? She was asking for my help, and she didn’t even know it. I refused to allow her to be another one of Elijah’s victims like I had been. I had to try and make her see she was the victim in all of this chaos.
I ran after her, hoping to calm her down.
“Emily. Wait!” I yelled, pushing the door open, permitting myself to be outside the apartment building. Cillian turned from watching the busy traffic to finding Emily rushing past him. He glanced at her then back at me, unsure of what just happened. He quickly pulled his hands from his pockets grabbing hold of me, forcing me to stop.
“Jessica, what’s wrong?” He asked, demanding a response. I looked at him, his eyes frantically searched me waiting for answers.
“That girl is Elijah’s girlfriend. She needs my help. She was warning me from him, telling me he was angry!” My hands gripped Cillian’s wrists, as I shook my head side to side in confusion. Trying to think why, after all this time Elijah would still harper feelings for me. I figured I had escaped my demon from my past.
“You told me you knew her,” Cillian argued.
I dropped my hands and stepped back “I lied, okay. I knew you would try and stop me from speaking with her.”
“Damn right I would have!” He said tightly.
Cillian glanced over his shoulder. I followed his gaze. No paps were in sight stalking us, witnessing what just unfolded.
My private life, over our private life, was something he would not have out there for the public to scrutinize. Not in this manner. The engagement, yes for whatever reason I still had no clue as to why he had to make it so public. But my past was kept private. I worried there was a slight possibility he was ashamed of my past. The past that Elijah could thrust into the public without as much as a warning.
If Elijah exposed my dirty little secret for all to see, it could affect Cillian in more ways than one. From our relationship to his livelihood. Who would want to do business with a man whose future wife has a sex tape? It was tacky and stupid and not my fault.
Only others wouldn’t see it like that.
“We shouldn’t be out. Let’s go back!” Cillian insisted. Tugging at me to follow him.
“No!” I shrugged from his hold “I’m not going to let him win”
I glanced at the street ahead then back to Cillian.
“I will try and
find the girl to help her. But, right now we are going to celebrate our engagement and no one. Especially not Elijah is going to stop us!” I assured, raising my hand for him to hold. Forcing myself to push past the uneasiness that was rising in the pit of my stomach.
“Are you sure?” Cillian asked. The muscle in his jaw twitched as he took a firm grip of my hand. I knew he cared a great deal about my safety, but I wasn’t going to let anyone tear us apart. No more!
“Yeah” I shrugged “Besides we have company.” I jerked my head, alerting him to us having an audience.
I noticed the swarm of photographers gathering from the street ahead. We both stood side by side, willing to put a front on as we prepared to make our way towards the bistro.
“Ready?” Cillian asked as we braced ourselves for the invasion that was waiting ahead.
“Not really” Telling him the truth “But right now it’s about us. I won’t let Elijah take that from me,” I said reassuringly.
The flashing lights from their cameras were visible even in the daylight. The paparazzi were surrounding the perimeter of the building, screaming Cillian’s name.
“Looks like I have sent them into overdrive,” He said audaciously as he led the way at a steady pace, clearing a pathway for us both.
“Cillian…. Jessica!” Voices repeated our name in all directions as they stalked closer. I couldn’t look straight at them. Bright lights popped and flashed in all directions. I looked up from the ground on occasion and smiled shyly. I was out of my comfort zone, yet Cillian seemed calm.
The paparazzi rushed and pushed closer in an overly intrusive manner.
Cillian held his free arm out, keeping me safe.
“Guys, give us some space, and you will get your photos!” He demanded, his tone stern.
They followed to his demand, pushing back and maintaining a respectful distance.
They all lined up behind one another some kneeling, some crouching as others stood. Cillian pulled me into him. Overwhelmed with all the media attention. I looked up to catch him smiling down at me with a loving, comforting stare. I was like a rabbit caught in the headlights. He was a natural in front of the camera. His confidence soon rubbed off on me. I curled my hand around his waist, having wished I’d worn something sexier than my Jeans and White blouse.
“Jessica, look here! Jessica… Jessica.” With my name being called out in all directions I turned to the voices at different angles, posing for them.
Cillian reached for my hand, then held it up proudly showing off the expensive but beautiful ring.
Suddenly it dawned on me!
He was showing the world I was his.
To have him by my side, engaged to him had me excited. I couldn’t hide my emotions; I was smiling wide for everyone to see. I looked up to Cillian, he stood staring intensely, taking in every inch of me. I turned my body consenting him to hold me, not caring who saw. I could see the pap’s scurrying from my side view as they were rushing towards us.
I didn’t care, I lifted my head giving Cillian my undivided attention, our tongues lashing with one another’s. His hand softly caressed my face as we stood to make out for the entire world to see. I closed my eyes, imagining it was just him and me, with no one else around. The sound of the shuffling, and their shouting and the sound of their cameras clicking away made it hard to forget we were being watched and photographed for everyone to see.
“We should go before my dick makes headlines,” Cillian warned, his lips brushed against my ear as the words hummed. I chuckled, not wanting him to be photographed wearing an erection that he kept just for me. I followed Cillian’s lead down towards the sidewalk.
The paparazzi had stopped traffic as they scattered in all directions. The sound of car horns blaring didn’t even faze them. We were trying our best to get to the bistro, but not getting far with the crowds that gathered. Strangers stood around, curious to see who was of importance.
I walked a few feet behind, gripping onto Cillian’s suit jacket, as he tried to keep a steady pace. The men pushed and shoved their way to us, Cillian glanced over his shoulder every few seconds, too make sure I was still holding onto him. I couldn’t get to his side with them swarming us. They were so intrusive to the point it was starting to annoy Cillian.
He held his arm up blocking a photographer from getting any more shots, almost knocking the camera from the strangers' hands.
Suddenly, I felt someone abruptly bang into me, forcing me to lose my grip on Cillian’s jacket. I kept walking, trying to regain my balance only an intense searing pain in my stomach had me gasping for air as the pain caught me off guard.
I presumed it was one of the men and their equipment. Maybe one had slammed into me. I held my hand over where I felt it burning. The pain intensified which forced me to stop. I tried to catch my breath.
The paparazzi began shouting over one another, stopping in their tracks. Some stared at me in disbelief, while others carried on getting their money shot. My hands had begun to shake uncontrollably with the pain.
Glancing down, I frowned.
My white shirt was soaked through with blood.
“Cillian….” I whimpered, looking at my bloody hands. It was like a scene from a horror movie. I heard the strangers scream for Cillian. I looked up to catch him staring at me. His eyes wide with shock, wondering where the blood was coming from. Everyone backed off, giving him room to rush to me.
“Jessica!” He screamed, grabbing hold of me in time, as he fell to the ground with me, breaking my fall. My body started trembling. I couldn’t figure out what had happened. Cillian gently held my blouse up and gasped loudly. I caught sight of Cillian’s face, only then did I fear the worse.
“Someone call an ambulance!” He yelled.
Dizzy and disorientated I lay shaking in Cillian’s arms.
“Cillian” I croaked helplessly.
My breathing became shaky gasps as I tried to fight against the agonizing pain rippling throughout my body. I wanted desperately to tell him that I loved him. That everything was going to be okay. Only I knew deep down it wasn’t going to be. The sheer panic that seized Cillian was clear for all to witness.
Tears burned my eyes as every flickering fragment of hope was dying within me.
Cillian stroked his hand over my face.
“Shh, baby. It’s okay. You’re going to be okay” He said quietly “I can’t lose you. I won’t lose you”
With every ounce of strength, I could summon.
“I love you” I choked.
I had no idea if I would ever get the chance to say those words ever again. I only knew I wanted him to hear them. I held my breath, hoping to subside the pain only I coughed up blood.
Cillian shut his eyes in anguish.
“I love you so much Jessica” He whispered.
“Cillian, I’m scared” I admitted. The pain was consuming every inch of my body. Cillian whimpered and held me closer to his chest.
“Jess, please baby. Hold on”
I tried to focus on his voice, only the commotion all around us had my eyes blinking in confusion to the men as some of them offered their clothing to try and stop the bleeding. Some knelt next to Cillian assisting him. While others who had a shred of decency sought to block the view of us from peering eyes from some pap’s that were still snapping away. Somehow, becoming protective of our privacy when they hadn’t bothered about that before.
“Jess, you have to stay with me, okay.” Cillian rocked me back and forth, stroking my face. I couldn’t fathom what had happened. We were walking one second, then the next I’m covered in blood. The pain intensified as I winched in pain.
A wave of panic hit me as it was becoming harder and harder to stay awake.
“I’m cold.” I whimpered.
My words had the other men that were by our side rush to take their jackets off to cover me, trying to keep me warm. A few of them even gently rubbed their hands over my legs and arms in an attempt to keep me warm. It didn’t stop my
body from jerking violently.
“It’s okay. You’re going to be fine. Do you hear me? You’re not getting out of marrying me that easily.” Cillian croaked, his eyes shimmered with tears. I tried to take deep breaths in, but it was too painful.
“It hurts to breathe,” I gasped for air, focusing on Cillian. He looked up to the men. The fear in his eyes had me knowing it was serious.
“Everyone move. Get out my way!” He warned.
Cillian carefully scooped me up into his arms, rushing towards the curb to where his Jaguar was parked.
I rested my head against his chest, seeking comfort from his hold. I was becoming too weak and exhausted to comprehend what the hell was going on. But I forced myself to focus on the voices.
“The ambulance will be here soon.” One voice roared.
Someone rushed to open the car door.
“There’s no time. I’m taking her to the hospital now!” Cillian declared, lowering me into the back seat of the car. Someone held me under my arms with a firm grip, pulling me across the leather seat.
I let out a loud gasping sound as the discomfort from having been moved was becoming unbearable.
“Keep the pressure on this,” A concerned male voice said as he placed my hands on my stomach.
I pressed, only I was unable to apply any pressure.
My hand dropped.
The sound of the car doors slamming shut had me feeling secure, and less exposed from lying on the sidewalk.
Cillian was in the driver’s seat, glancing at me before speeding off. The sound of tires screeched loudly as we pulled away. I tried desperately to keep my eyes on the buildings that flashed by, but all I wanted to do was sleep, tiredness was creeping in faster.
My body trembled. My heart hammered against my chest as my eyelids became heavier.
“Jess! Jessica...!” Cillian’s voice got further and further away from me as I succumbed to the darkness.
~
I could hear faint voices all around me.
“Jessica!” I heard my name loud and clear “Jessica, I need you to open your eyes” A woman’s loud tone caught my attention. I slowly opened my eyes, blinking through the confusion. A bright light loomed above me, blinding me. I held my hand up, shielding my eyes against the brightness.
