Hidden Truths (Violet Chain Book 2)

by Kahele, J

  I drove to the office. Larry, the security guard, smiled as I walked up to the building.

  “Hello, Mr. Alexander, awfully late to be at the office.”

  I tipped my head to him. “I know, Larry, I just have to put this in my office,” I told him as I adjusted the box in my hands. He nodded, opening the door for me and I made my way to my office.

  I glanced around my office and decided the best place to put the box was in my closet. It was where all the important contracts were and it was under lock and key, so only David and I had access to it.

  I closed the door and exhaled as I locked it. My secret was safely locked away from Violet, forever. For a second, I thought about my father and guilt surrounded me. For nearly three years I tried to justify my actions, blaming him for marrying another woman, for loving someone else besides my mother, as an excuse for why I did what I did to him. But that was no longer an excuse I could use. What I did to him was wrong and him marrying someone else did not excuse me for the bad I had done to him. What I did was just fucking wrong and I was a piece of shit for even thinking there was any reason to validate it, to justify it in any way. I often wondered if he ever found it in his heart to forgive me, but the ceasing of his letters showed me he didn’t and to be quite honest, it was selfish of me even to expect it because I definitely didn’t deserve his compassion or understanding.

  ***

  With the girls out, David and I decided to get a bite to eat at Curtsey’s. To say that David was addicted to Callie was an understatement. Every time she went out, he would bitch and complain about everyone then mope, acting as if he had just lost his best friend.

  “Can you at least try to act like you’re fucking happy to be out to dinner with me?” I queried as we sat down at a small table near the bar.

  “I told you before, I hate when Callie goes out without me.”

  I suppose I could relate to David’s jealousy towards Callie and Violet’s relationship. I wasn’t too happy when I invited Violet out to breakfast and she was hesitant until she found out Callie was going. It hurt me when she would rather spend time with Callie when we were all together, but going out with her to have some much-needed girl time didn’t bother me so much and it really shouldn’t bother David either.

  I sat back on my chair. “You will be okay, David, like I told you before, Callie has the right to have fun with her friends.”

  He smirked. “And like I told you before, I know but it doesn’t mean I have to fucking like it.”

  He stirred his drink with his straw. “So did you give Violet the ring yet?”

  “Nah.

  “Why the hell not?”

  “I don’t know, I guess I’m afraid she will say no again.”

  He leaned across the table. “You’re afraid? Chain, you love Violet, right?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then what the hell are you afraid of?”

  “That I’ll do it wrong.”

  “Look, you have the ring, all you have to do is take her to a special place, get down on one knee and ask her, how hard is that?”

  “I don’t know a place that is special to her, do you?”

  David rolled his eyes. “Yeah. You know, if Callie found out that I told you this, she would have my head. You know she doesn’t like me interfering.”

  “You know a place that Violet finds special?” David nodded. “Fuck, tell me.”

  “Callie told me that when they were teenagers, they watched this movie called ‘Her Love.’”

  “Shit, I remember that movie, every teenage girl was ranting about it!”

  “Yeah. There’s a scene in the movie where the couple is walking down the beach, holding hands. The man stops near a large tree and pulls the woman into his arms before pointing to a large heart he has carved into it, with their names. Then he drops down on one knee and proposes. It was very emotional,” David explained, choked up.

  “You watched this movie, didn’t you?”

  He wiped his eyes with a napkin. “Of course, it was a really good movie,” he sniffled.

  Talk about getting in touch with your feminine side!

  “Did Harrison propose to her that way?”

  “No, I think it was the Hamptons or some shit like that.”

  Good. I definitely didn’t want to imitate Harrison’s proposal. The last thing I wanted was for her to think of Harrison when I was proposing to her. Speaking of Harrison, what ever happened to that guy?

  David and I talked about everything from the business, to him and Callie thinking about starting a family. He seemed to relax as the night dragged on and I was happy to have this time alone with him. With him and Callie always off doing something and me having Violet, it seemed the only time we had together was at work, so this time together was special to me, I missed it a lot. He was talking when my cell rang and I took it from my pocket.

  It was a text from Violet. I’m home.

  The text could be taken two different ways: her saying she was home could simply mean just that, or it could be a cryptic message, saying, ‘I’m home, naked, waiting for you to come pleasure me.’ That would be more Violet and who was I to deny her? I stood up, throwing a few hundred dollar bills on the table.

  “What’s going on?” David asked me with confusion in his face.

  “It’s late, we should really be getting home.”

  “Chain, no, I’m not ready yet. I thought we were having a good time.”

  “We were, but it’s late, time to go home,” I repeated.

  He shook his head. “I’m not ready to leave.”

  “Callie’s home.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Violet texted me.”

  He banged his fist on the table. “I don’t care, I’m out with you, my best friend, having a hell of a time.” He took a sip of his beer before continuing. “Weren’t you the one who said that I needed to give Callie her space and relax? Well that’s what I’m doing, so sit back down, I’m not ready to leave yet.”

  I grinned at him. “She’s drunk.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Have you ever known our girls to go out and come home sober?”

  A wolfish smiled spread across his face. “Callie is pretty adventurous in bed when she’s drunk.”

  “Well what are you waiting for, come on,” I told him as I walked away from the table.

  “Hey, wait for me,” he yelled as he followed behind.

  I was anxious as I dropped David off at his house. As soon as he stepped out of the car, I zoomed away, wanting to get home to Violet ASAP!

  I bypassed the elevator and took the curved stairs up to the balcony and quietly slipped in through the sliding glass door. I expected Violet to be waiting for me in the living room, hoping she was naked. But to my disappointment she wasn’t there. I walked down the hall to the bedroom. Her head was tucked into her pillow and she was fast asleep. I took a moment to admire her. She was so beautiful when she slept. I slid off my clothes and quietly slid in beside her. A small sound slipped from her lips as I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close.

  “I love you,” I whispered in her ear as my head settled close to hers.

  She turned to face me. “Did you have a good time with David?” I could smell the hint of vodka that streamed from her breath.

  I tucked a stray hair behind her ear before answering. “Yes. It was okay.” She cuddled close to my chest and I wrapped my arms around her. “That’s good.” She exhaled and I heard her breath whistle slightly through her teeth as she fell into slumber. I closed my eyes and soon joined her.

  ***

  There was nothing better than watching Violet rush around the bedroom, dressed in only her bra and panties, getting ready. She was definitely the sexiest woman I had ever laid eyes on and it probably didn’t hurt that I was deeply and completely in love with her.

  I leaned my head against my elbow and stretched out on the bed, staring at her. She turned, catching my gaze, smirking. “Are you
just going to lie there? You’re going to be late for work if you don’t get in the shower soon. You need to get up, Chain!”

  I shrugged. “And miss the floor show, not on your life.” She lunged across the bed and on top of me. I looped my arms around her back as I placed my lips on hers, but before I could deepen the kiss she pulled away and stood up, leaving me hanging.

  I frowned. “What are you doing, get back here,” I said, waving my hand at her.

  She smirked, shaking her head. “Nope.”

  I raised a brow. “Woman, you had better get back here and give me some loving right now.”

  She placed her hands on her hips. “Or what?”

  I stretched my arms out, grabbing her by the hips and pulling her back on top of me. She slapped her hands against my shoulders as I tightened my hold. “Let go of me, you big beast, I have to get ready. I cannot be late today, my father will kill me!”

  “Calm down, sweetheart, I am asking for only a few minutes of your time, can you just give me that?”

  “If it’s only a few minutes, it sounds to me like it would be more of a waste of my time!”

  I grunted as I cupped the back of her head, bringing her lips to mine. She stiffened her lips, not allowing me in. I slid my hand down her backside, rubbing gently and her mouth relaxed and I slipped my tongue inside. She moaned as my hand slid up her side. I flipped her over, sliding on top of her, kissing her neck. “Ten minutes, baby, you get ten minutes.” She smiled as she pulled me down to her.

  ***

  Violet was leaning against the mirror applying mascara as I stepped out of the shower. Her dark hair lay softly against her back and the dress she was wearing clung to her body in just the right way. She was beautiful. I felt my heart flutter as I continued to stare at her. God I loved this woman so much it hurt. I needed her forever, I needed her as my wife. I wrapped a towel around me and walked up to her. I stopped inches away from her as David’s words streamed through my head. ‘Take her to a special place, get down on one knee and ask her.’ I knew he was right, that I needed to do it the right way, but when I wrapped my arms around her, the words slipped out.

  “Marry me,” I said as I leaned my chin on her shoulder.

  She smiled before saying, “Someday.”

  I laughed as I stood straight up. “Well, it’s not a yes, but we are getting closer.”

  She turned, leaning against the counter. “Why are you on this marrying kick?”

  “I don’t know, it just feels right. So why not?”

  She shook her head. “That’s not a good answer.”

  I stood on the other side of the counter, dipping my fingers into my jar of gel. “I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you, is that better?”

  “A little.”

  I stared into the mirror as I slid the gel into my hair. “Then marry me.”

  “Chain, you don’t just get married without talking about it first.”

  “What do we have to talk about?”

  “Lots. I mean, where will we live? How many children do you want? How big of a wedding will we have?”

  Why did women make everything so hard? These were definitely simple questions to answer. “We will buy a house that we both like, I will have as many children as you are willing to give me and the wedding is up to you. I am easy, Violet, I would be happy with just you and me and a justice of the peace,” I responded as I wiped my hands on my towel.

  “There is no way I’m getting married through a justice of the peace.”

  I walked over to her and placed my hands on her hips. “Okay, then we will have a traditional wedding, whatever you want, just say yes, say you will marry me.”

  “Not yet.”

  I threw my hands up in the air. “Christ, woman, you drive me crazy.” Women were very good at fucking with your mind, especially Violet. She led me on more than any other woman I knew. Every time I thought she was right on the verge of saying yes to my marriage proposal, she would do a turnaround and leave me right back where I started.

  Didn’t she get it? I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, forever. I didn’t care if we lived in a box, if we had ten kids, or if we were married by a bum on the street; as long as she was my wife, I would be happy.

  I felt her arms around my waist. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

  “You’re not going to have breakfast with me?”

  She gave me a quick peck before releasing her arms. “No, I’m sorry, I can’t. My father has a new client coming in today and he requested I be there early.”

  She lifted her purse from the nightstand and strapped it over her shoulder.

  I turned her to face me. “Are you free for lunch?”

  “No. I will be too busy in meetings all day with our new client. In fact, I probably will not make dinner, to be honest.” I remembered her on the last project—I didn’t see her for nearly a week.

  “I’ve got to go, Chain,” she muttered as she placed a chaste kiss on my lips. She turned and walked towards the bedroom door.

  “Have a good day!” I shouted to her back.

  “You too,” she responded with a wave. I grabbed my suit coat and wallet and made my way out of the apartment.

  ***

  I was in deep thought when David leaned towards me. “What are you thinking about?” He sat back in his chair. “Let me guess…Violet.” Was I becoming that obvious? I supposed I was.

  “Yeah, I asked her to marry me this morning and she didn’t say no this time, but she asked me why I was on a marrying kick.”

  “What did you tell her?”

  “That I love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her,” I murmured. Frustration began to burn in my veins and I rubbed my forehead. “I don’t know what it will take for her to see that.”

  David grinned. “She knows you love her, Chain, and she loves you, I just think she needs a little more convincing, that’s all.” He slapped the desk and sat forward. “I think you need a change of scenery. I tell you what, why don’t you plan a weekend getaway just the two of you, on the ocean. A perfect place where you can properly propose.”

  “I wish it was that easy, but her father has her on this big project and getting away is impossible right now.”

  “Oh. Yeah, Callie told me about how much Violet works when there is a new client.”

  “Yeah. She’s definitely a hard worker.”

  “Indeed. Maybe after you two get married, she could stay home like Callie, give you more of her time.”

  I shook my head. “Violet isn’t like that. She enjoys her independence.”

  “Does that bother you?”

  “No, not at all. I love that about her.” I did love that about Violet, her independent nature. She was very confident, secure and beautiful, what more could a man want in a woman?

  ***

  It was after 3:00 when I called Violet to see how her day was going. She didn’t answer her cell, so I called the office line and surprisingly received the receptionist. Apparently Violet wasn’t taking calls due to her meetings with the new client.

  When it was close to six, my cell rang and it was Violet.

  “Hello, sweetheart.”

  “Hi. I wanted to call and let you know that I’m working late,” she said quietly.

  I leaned the phone on my ear as I grabbed the jug of milk from the fridge. “You sound tired.”

  “I am, it’s been a really exhausting day.”

  “Can’t you save what you’re doing tonight for tomorrow, come home and rest?”

  “I wish…hold on.” I heard her muffle the phone. “Hey, honey, I have to go, I’ll see you when I get home.”

  “Alright, baby.” Bored, I decided to call Martin up and meet him for a drink. I hadn’t seen him in a while and with Violet working, I thought we could do a little catching up. We met at a bistro downtown.

  Martin was sitting at the bar when I strolled in. I sat down beside him.

  He patted my arm. “So glad you called, Chain
, it’s been a while.”

  “Yes, it has. How are things going?”

  “Well me and the wife just bought a new house. We are thinking about trying to get pregnant soon.” I was happy for Martin; he had been wanting a child for some time now, but his wife was hesitant because of her career.

  “Good for you, Martin.”

  He stirred his drink. “Chain, we have been friends for a long time and I really need to tell you something and I am not sure if I should.”

  I could tell by Martin’s expression whatever he wanted to say was really bothering him. “Martin, I’m a big boy, you can tell me anything.”

  “Phillip’s sister called me and told me that they arrested him for the attempted rape of a seventeen-year-old girl in Alaska.” I was shocked by Martin’s words, but not surprised.

  “Sorry to hear that happened to that poor girl, Martin, and Phillip.” I smirked. I really wasn’t. I was happy that Phillip had got caught, that finally he would pay the price he should have when he attacked Violet.

  Martin’s eyes widened. “Are you, Chain?”

  I laughed. “About the girl, yeah, Phillip, not really. I know that Phillip is your friend, but what he did to Violet was unforgivable. If you want my honest opinion, I hope the bastard rots in prison the rest of his life.”

  Martin let out a loud laugh. “I was thinking the same thing. Chain, what Phillip did to Violet was wrong and I stopped being friends with him a long time ago. I agree with you, prison would be the perfect place for Phillip. He’s a sick man who needs to be locked away so he can’t hurt any innocent people again.” I smiled at Martin’s words. I was happy he shared the same feelings as me. “So tell me, Chain, when are you going to make an honest woman out of Violet?”