Doubt #2 (The Deception Series #1)

by Hopkins, J. D.

  "Hey." I answer as normally as I can.

  I'm greeted by the labored breathing of Dean. "Hey, my lady. What's up?"

  With a stiff stance and flaring nostrils, I bottle in my rage, for the sake of the plan.

  "Nothing. Just thought to see how you were doing, that's all. Why are you so out of breath?" I demand.

  He pauses for a moment, clearly trying to compose himself. "Oh cool. It was only this morning that we last saw each other. Do you miss me that much?"

  "Don't flatter yourself, Dean. You didn't answer my question about why you're so out of breath?" I reiterate with a heightened sense of suspicion.

  "I had to run out of the conference room as the signal is pretty bad here. I was worried, because when someone calls me numerous times, I assume it's either a really good thing, or a really bad thing." He replies with a somewhat believable excuse.

  "Oh, that's strange. I've never had a problem with signal since I've been here." I respond with a constricted throat.

  "Are you alright, Dana? It's just, ever since this morning you've been acting kinda weird with." My resentment towards him suddenly disappears. I cannot spoil this plan, and right now he seems suspicious.

  "Honestly, I'm fine. I think it was last night, I woke up so drained." I joke with him.

  He laughs under his own breath. "Yeah. That was a pretty eventful night." He flirts.

  I feel my skin crawl. "Ah ha, I guess it was. Anyway, what you doing tomorrow? Wanna go do something?" I change the subject strategically.

  "Ahhhhh." He groans before continuing. "One of the guys in the conference call earlier had to shoot off, and asked if we could continue tomorrow afternoon, so we agreed. Now I'm just finishing off the call with the remaining fellas. Sorry. I'll make it up to you though!" He finishes, with a jolly tone to his voice.

  The feeling of being played is becoming all too real now. It's so night and day obvious! The sadness inside me still lingers, but my rage for justice grows stronger, and so does my boldness towards Dean.

  "Fair enough, whatever business boy. Well, I'll let you get in touch with me to organize something." I reply with a sprinkle of attitude.

  Clearly taken back by my response, Dean replies with a competitive tone of voice. "Business boy? I like it. I'd be more than happy to 'inject some money' into your business anytime." He laughs.

  "You're so gross! And by the way, that quote was such a turn off."

  "Ouch Little Miss. Minx, you certainly know how to bring a man back to earth. Now I know how astronauts land back on the planet, because you're here!"

  I giggle lightly at his comment.

  "Anyways, I've got things to do, so I'll speak to you when you're next free yeah?" I initiate.

  "I hate having to cut a convo short, but you seem pretty busy. I can feel myself missing you already." He plays with his deep, husky voice.

  I'm not falling for it. "Don't worry, we will see each other sooner than you think!" I patronize him.

  "Okay, my lady. Well have a good evening, and I'll be in touch real soon." He speaks tamely.

  "Cool. Speak soon, bye." I hang up promptly.

  I just want to rip his head off! Bullshit did he rush out of the "conference call", he had his dick in someone else more like. I take in some deep, yoga breaths to try and cool my rising body temperature. I throw the phone onto the couch and stand up to shake off today's events. I need another shower. I'm boiling! I rub the sweat off my forehead and stare at it on my hand. I definitely need a shower!

  As I am about to ready myself to head upstairs, my phone rings again. What does he want now!? I turn back to pick up the phone and see that it is Amy. This is strange...

  "Hey!" I answer the phone.

  "Hey. Where are you?" She asks with a great deal of concern, forcing my senses to heighten.

  "At home... why?" I mumble.

  "I've just had Ryan on the phone." She pauses to gasp for air.

  "He said he has a few ideas where you could be. He didn't tell me where he was, but he warned me that it's only going to be a matter of time before he finds you. I straight out accused him of trying to scare us, but he insists it's not a joke." Amy finishes.

  An empty feeling in the pit of my stomach emerges.

  "I -- is he... when was this?" I stutter.

  "I literally just got off the phone with him. I think he's just trying to get into your head babe. It's been over two months. I don't think he thought you would last this long away from him." She reassures me.

  A huge part of me believes Amy. Ryan always used to play mind games when we were together. He's just a sick control freak. But a control freak that is involved with a lot of bad people. What ever happened to him? He was the kindest, most charming guy at the beginning... ha, this sounds familiar.

  "Dana, you there?" Amy yells nervously.

  "Yeah, I'm here. I was just -- thinking. Amy, I don't know whether this is because I'm so zapped right now, but I really don't care anymore about what happens. If he comes, he comes. I'll deal with it. He is probably just playing mind games. A leopard doesn't change it's spots." I try to calm her down.

  A brief pause of silence occurs. "All I'm going to say is, keep an eye out and lock your doors. I think perhaps you should tell Jess everything."

  "No!" I blurt out.

  "No... I can't. She will always see me as a liar if I tell her the truth now. Plus, I don't want to see him again, and if anything happens to him with the police... well you know how angry he gets about cops." I remind her.

  "Okay, okay." She says while taking in a huge breath.

  "Anyways, shouldn't this be you calming me down!?" I crack a joke to lighten the somewhat tense atmosphere.

  "Yes, it is! You're right, babe. It's just your stress --" I interrupt to finish our rhyming phrase.

  "Yes I know! 'Your stress is my stress' I was only playing with you."

  Our light laughter soon dies back down.

  "Have you spoke to Dean at all yet, or...?" Amy asks.

  "Yep. I just got off the phone to him five minutes ago, and... as you predicted, he's very 'busy' tomorrow. I reckon that's the green light to go get my answers." I slump back onto the couch.

  "Knew it! Damn jerk. I cannot wait for you to slap his face, and the bitch he's been wooing. The fact that he is going to be with her for two days in a row, is plain sick! He has no heart, especially after you told him about Ryan." She hisses, sharing the rage I felt after speaking to Dean on the phone.

  "I know. He's a joke. I'm better off being single for the rest of my life." I joke.

  "You and me both. I broke up with Brad last night."

  "What the hell!? But you both have been together for like two years. What happened?" I beg for answers.

  I hear her take multiple breaths. "It's a long story. Basically, Europe pretty much sealed it for us. For a while now, I've sensed us grow further and further apart. We agreed to still be friends though, but I think most people say that to soften the blow. It would be too awkward being friends. Especially since we've been together for over two years."

  My heart sinks for her. I know how that feels, growing apart. It's an isolating experience, but Amy is a smart chick. She wouldn't have done this unless it felt right.

  "I'm so sorry to hear that, Amy. You both seemed so sweet together, but sometimes these things happen. Why can't things be like how they were back in high school? Everything was so much simpler back then, even the boys were!" I sympathize with her using a quiet voice, whilst reflecting on past times.

  "I know. But hey, we're not at school no more. Time comes and goes so quickly now that we're older, so I think it's ridiculously important that we are at least happy with our lives, otherwise we are wasting it, period." She replies with humility.

  Her words have really sunk in. There is way more to life than being unhappy. The problem is, we all get into a comfort zone, a zone funnily enough that we do not like, but are too afraid to step out of.

  "So true! So true. Well, I'm refusing to
get down and depressed over Dean or Ryan. I can't keep on playing the "what if" games anymore." I put in my two cents worth.

  "That's it, babe! Forget everyone that causes you grief. Screw them all." She curses.

  "Well, look. I'm gonna go out for a drink or something to cool down from everything. We have to arrange a meet up, especially now that you've got a car!" Amy adds, following her ranting and raving.

  "Absolutely. Let's see what tomorrow brings, and we'll sort something out real soon. I miss you so much, and thank you for everything, Amy. You've been my rock." I say sweetly.

  "Don't mention it, babe. Go get justice tomorrow, and remember what I said about keeping vigilant, just in case Ryan is not playing, okay? Call me tomorrow! Love you, bye!"

  As I peel the phone off my ear to hang up, I can't help but enjoy the refreshing sensation of the gentle draft swooping in on me. A swift exhale forces my entire chest cavity to deflate, I feel at ease. While leaning backwards into the couch, I find myself once again embracing the same tranquility that I did when I first got back home.

  I close my eyes momentarily to rest. I better have that shower and go bed. I'm going to need all the energy I can get, something in my gut tells me tomorrow is going to be roller coaster ride of emotions.

  Chapter 5

  "C'mon, c'mon... where are you, you son of a bitch?!" I hiss, banging the steering wheel with my hand.

  I swear, he had better turn up. I haven't sat here for the last two and half hours for nothing! Good job I deposited that $25,000 check in this morning, opposed to later. Heat and adrenaline flush throughout me as I dwell on what might transpire today, if Dean actually shows up.

  I just want this over with!

  With my right hand, I reach down to pull my phone out of the bag. Great, it's almost 3pm. What if he doesn't show up? All this time would have been wasted. But then again, I needed to be here early, in case he showed up and I miss him... again.

  As I play with my fingers out of anxiousness, I debate whether to leave and go home, or stay for another hour. There is no guarantee that Dean will be here. But something tells me he will show up. I'll give it one more hour, and if he doesn't show up, then I'll just have to confront him because I cannot live like this anymore, I need to move on from this. If I can do it with Ryan, I can definitely do it with Dean.

  ****

  4:09pm.

  Forget this. He isn't going to show up. Exhausted by the adrenaline over the last four hours, I force myself up off the seat and put the key in the ignition. I'm going home. With one last yawn and stretch, I turn on the engine.

  Huh?

  This doesn't sound good. Why does my car sound like it's in a drag race? The noise coming from this engine is so fierce! Can anything else go possibly wrong for me, I mean seriously!?

  I lean in towards the steering wheel, letting out an angry growl in the process as I turn off the engine. My eyebrows raise instantly. The noise is still there, but from afar. I straighten my posture, pulling away from the steering wheel, and spot a guy on a black motorbike. It's Dean! Shit, it's Dean! Yes!

  Flooded with an ocean of joy and apprehension, I sense my body becoming more alert. I guess perseverance does pay off! I cannot believe I have waited here for over four hours, but at the same time, I am relieved that now I can get my answers. I just need to make sure I don't let him slip through my fingers again.

  With one, deep inhale, I close my eyes. Let's do this!

  A fast swing of my arm swings the car door open. I proceed to grab my handbag before exiting the vehicle. After yesterday, I cannot afford to not keep an eye on Dean. He parks up at the same spot as he did yesterday. Shutting and locking the door of my car, I gingerly start pacing towards the street that separates Dean and I.

  My heightened senses pick up the amplifying noise of cars and people alike. Dean takes off his helmet and begins walking to the hotel's entrance. Right, I have to get across this street before he heads in. Revved up by the fear of losing him two days in a row, I glance to my left waiting for the last car to pass me before I can cross the road. My body is riddled with contrasting emotions and anxieties right now. The car finally passes me.

  Before crossing, I take a glance at Dean, who is literally five feet away from the hotel's entrance. Now's my chance! I shimmy across the road and make it onto the other side of the street, watching the glass door close behind him. I take in one last breath before following him into wherever he has been secretly visiting behind my back.

  ****

  Walking in as calmly as I can, I search high and low for Dean. Luck must be on my side as I manage to spot the back of him disappearing round a corner. I usher over to the corner quietly, attempting to avoid my footsteps being heard. Pressed up against the marble wall, I peak round and see Dean standing, facing an elevator. He unexpectedly glances round to my direction which instinctively prompts me to swing my body back round. Pinned up against the wall, I let out a nervous gasp. That was close!

  I need to work out how I'm going to find out which floor he is heading up to, and also when he gets up there, how will I even know which room he will be in? Ahh! I clearly haven't thought this through!

  The distinct sound of the elevator door opening snaps me out of my train of thought, and urges me to peer back round with caution. Dean walks into the empty lift before an automated voice rings out.

  "What floor would you like to go to?" The robotic voice asks.

  "Floor nine." Dean responds as the doors start closing.

  Wow! I didn't know they had voice-operated lifts! Before the doors fully close, I scoot round from the corner to the elevator next to the one Dean got into. Floor nine, floor nine, floor nine! I repeat to myself.

  As soon as he goes up, I hit the button for the elevator and begin waiting frantically for it to come to the ground floor. Floor Two. Floor One.... Ground Floor. Ding. The doors open. I throw myself into the small, basic lift and wait impatiently for the voice-operated system to kick in. Come on, come on!

  "What floor would you like to go to?" The same robotic voice asks.

  "Floor nine!" I respond.

  "Sorry, I did not hear your request. What floor would you like to go to?" It repeats.

  You've got to be kidding me!

  "Floor nine." I say firmly, struggling to hold in my frustration.

  The door shuts and a sudden pull upwards signals I'm heading in the right direction. This hotel definitely has nothing on the Bellagio. It's nice, but not as classy. While waiting for floor nine, I start to feel nauseous over the thought of what I might be about to confront. Luckily I am only seconds behind him, with a bit of luck I will catch a glimpse of him just before he goes into the room, which will save any embarrassment of knocking on the wrong door!

  To be honest, I don't even know what I will do. I say I will slap and scratch both their faces, but at the same time, that isn't who I am. Maybe this is just the fight or flight instinct talking.

  With only two floors left till I'm on number nine, my mouth becomes drier, and twitches in my muscles become more apparent.

  I breathe slowly in an effort to calm and compose myself, but it doesn't work. I start to pace up and down in the small space I've got, wondering how I should approach this. Do I try to bang the door down? Call him when he's in the room and tell him I'm outside? Shout like a madman?

  Ding. The doors start opening. With an already cagey mindset, I forget my suggestions and head straight out of the elevator cautiously, yet at the same time hopeful that Dean could be just around the corner. I look around and fail to see any sign of him. I have two hallways, one to my left and one to my right. What one would he have taken? Something pulls me to choose the hallway on my right. As I pace towards it, there is a turn which gives me the opportunity to see round the corner.

  As I peer round the corner, I spot Dean in his black vest top and shorts further down the hallway. I guess he won't be getting away with this one now! He knocks at the door and glances down at the floor. Strong, painful
knots start gripping every part of me. It's real. It's actually happening.

  I take in a deep breath to clear the knots that are gripping me so badly, but before I am able to fully inhale, my phone goes off. No, no, no! My heart sinks in shock with what to do. Dean glances my way just after I swing my body back around the corner. Holy shit! What if he recognizes my ring tone? With shaking hands, I pull the handbag from my shoulder and start ransacking it to decline the call.

  "Missed Call from: Amy" It reads as I turn the phone on silent.

  Not wanting to look back around, just in case Dean spots me, I psyche myself up to do it anyway. As I turn round to glimpse down the hallway, I am immediately reassured to see him still glancing down at the floor. That was too close!

  My heart starts to leap as the door in front of him opens. The only sound I hear now, is that of my heart pounding away at my chest.

  He tilts his head back and starts to stroll into the room with a big smile on his face. The euphoric high of not being caught is suddenly replaced with extreme nervousness as the door shuts behind him. My entire body temperature starts to plummet, rendering me stiff and cold.

  The thought of him playing me and potentially catching him in the act is an experience I cannot explain. I feel sick, angry, upset, lost, isolated... the list can go on.

  Even my shallow breaths have a slight tremor to them. As a whirlwind of potential scenarios play out in my head, I feel my hands start clamming up. I snap out of it, and rush around the corner at a fast speed. While storming down the hallway, my nerves start to dissipate, leaving me only with raw anger.