by M. Sembera
Scooting as far away as the car would allow, I decided I would play along and possibly get some information of my own.
When we arrived at the old Office building, Ramsden unlocked the front and led me into a corner office. To my surprise, Henry stood by the desk with a smile across his face. Meeting Henry half way through, Ramsden shook his hand.
Speaking directly to Henry, he advised, “Remember, take your time. She is all that stands between you and a great opportunity.”
As Henry nodded, I started to get a bad feeling.
Ramsden turned and said, “Mrs. Herterand,” as he walked to the door.
“You’re not staying?” I asked.
Slowly smiling, he replied, “Today is my anniversary, I am taking Angelina on a trip.”
Keeping my voice even, I questioned, “How do I contact you?”
“Henry will inform me of the outcome,” he stated before walking out of the door and closing it behind himself.
Unsure of what was fixing to take place, I collected my thoughts.
Standing tall, I took a step towards the side of the desk. I had handled far scarier than this little accountant. Deciding on a direct approach, I crossed my arms and smiled.
“So you already knew who I was,” I stated.
Henry took a step closer, saying, “No, you can thank Mr. Thomas for that. Or maybe I should.”
Narrowing my eyes, I asked, “Why is that?”
“I would have said yes either way but it sweetens the pot, so to speak,” he shared.
My mouth started to feel a little watery as I questioned, “So you’re not really an accountant?”
“Oh I am, and I’m going to lead the accounting department when Mr. Ramsden has control,” he informed.
Angry I snapped, “My husband will never allow that to happen.”
Sinister in expression, Henry revealed, “Once you’re gone, he won’t have a choice. The Office will be in transition of leadership and Mr. Ramsden will protect its interests during that time.”
“And where am I going?” I asked, hoping for a different answer than the one I was sure to receive.
Quickly in front of me, he assured, “Nowhere any time soon. I was told to take my time.”
Pretending I wasn’t terrified, I forced ideas of what he was going to take his time doing out of my mind.
Reason started to overrule fear as I thought ‘I have just as much if not more to offer then some lawyer’. Smiling softly at Henry, I placed my hand on his arm.
“It would benefit you more to walk away,” I assured.
Drawing in a slow deep breath through his nose, Henry said, “You smell so good.”
My stomach turned as I offered, “You could take me out and we can discuss your future.”
“No need, I’m going on a nice paid vacation for a few months and when I come back, there will be position open at M.R. Industries waiting for me,” he said.
Trying again, I suggested, “Why wait months when I could give you your position now?”
Moving his mouth to my ear, he asked, “What else will you give me?”
Swallowing hard, I questioned, “What else do you want?”
A smile formed as he replied, “Submission.”
Shaking my head at him, it took me a moment before I understood.
As I turned to leave, Henry grabbed me, pulling my arms behind my back. Similar to the hold Fiore had Jackson in, I felt his arm against my back holding my arms so close together my elbows were touching.
“I’m not ready to hurt you,” he whispered as his other arm wrapped around to my front. Slowly unbuttoning the top of my dress, he added, “It doesn’t have to hurt at all.”
“What about after?” I asked, trying to think of a way out.
Suddenly there was a sharp pain in my shoulder before he shared, “It won’t be much worse than that.”
Thoroughly disgusted, that he bit me, I came up with an idea before conceding, “Okay, but if this is going to be my last time, let me move.”
Slowly letting go of my arms, he pulled my sweater off of me. As he stepped around to face me, I took my chance and swung my arm hitting him in the nose with my elbow as hard as I could. I felt drops of warmth splatter against my skin accompanied by a cracking sound. Ready to run, as fast as I could, I fell to my knees. Stunned, by the blow from his fist against the side of my face, my vision blurred. No matter how hard I tried to focus, the room seemed to expand and contract as my eye throbbed.
Pulling my head back by my hair, Henry growled, “You’re going to pay for that.”
With a hard shove I fell forward.
I couldn’t bring myself to get up or even move. Closing my eyes, in an effort to stop the dizziness that was incapacitating me, I felt my dress being pulled off. My arm was pulled down to my leg that was being bent back as my wrist was secured to my ankle. I could feel the blood from Henry’s nose dripping on my back as he repeated the action with my other arm and leg. Pulled to my knees by my hair, I was able to glance back for a second and see zip-ties holding me before I fell on my side. Watching his feet make their way out of the room, I waited for a moment before struggling to break free. The more I moved, the tighter the zip-ties seemed to feel until my hands and ankles felt wet.
Unable to see a way out, I decided, if this was how it was going to end, I would make sure he didn’t break me. Memories and thoughts swirled in my mind, to keep my emotions under control, until I heard his footsteps next to me.
Yanking me to my knees, Henry shared, “I like it better this way,” as he stood in front of me.
I gave a dead stare, as he flipped me onto my back. Kneeling in front of me, it was hard for me to read his expression with how swollen his face was.
Running his hands down the inside of my thighs, he said, “And then there’s this way.”
Keeping my glare on him, I braced myself.
“No,” he said before standing and lifting me back onto my knees. Walking around behind me, he flipped me onto my front, saying, “This is my favorite,” dragging his hand against my behind.
No matter how controlled I tried to be, I started to hyperventilate. I wasn’t strong, mentally or physically. He was going to break me and in the worst possible way.
On the brink of passing out, I drew in large gasps of air. I could hear him laughing as I was lifted back onto my knees. Crouching down in front of me, Henry put his hands on the sides of my face.
“Sh sh sh, relax,” he whispered before sharing, “I was told to take my time.”
Closing my eyes as tight as I could, I breathed in and out through my nose. All my ideals of going down strong or with fight were gone. My hands and feet were going numb, my shoulders ached and my head was throbbing. He released my face and stood. I could actually feel my will, like a sharp pain in my stomach, breaking as I hung my head, submitting to whatever he had in store for me. On my knees, restrained wrist to ankle, I waited. My heart beating in my ears was the only sound until I heard a rustling noise. Pushing out of my mind what it could be, I waited.
Suddenly, I was lifted off of the ground by the backs of my arms. The smell of cigarette wafted in the air. My eyes flew open. Henry was on his knees with his hands behind his back and Fiore was standing next to him. Realizing Ignacio had me, I lost it.
Jerking and shouting, “Get me loose,” I heard Ignacio warn, “Mrs. Herterand be still.”
It took everything I had to hold my breath and not move. The moment, I felt the zip-ties pop, freeing my arms and legs, I jumped up. Running back into the little corner office where Henry was, I slipped a few times before scrambling back to my feet. Driven like never before I focused on Henry.
Flying at him, I swung hard and punched him in the face, saying, “I like it better this way,” as he fell onto his back.
Stomping my bare foot into his chest, I shouted, “This is my favorite!”
Moaning loudly, Henry coughed and gurgled as I uttered a string of random curse words.
I bent down and started to gra
b his collar, when I heard Ignacio’s voice behind me as he hollered, “Mrs. Herterand!”
Glancing at Fiore, whose mouth and eyes were wide open in astonishment, I stopped.
Taking one last look at Henry, I stated, “Baldracca,” and spit in his face.
Standing up, I could hear Fiore snicker while clearing his throat at what I called him.
Turning, I glanced at Ignacio’s serious expression and walked right past him. Almost at the front of the old building, Ignacio stopped me.
“Mrs. Herterand,” he said, making his way in front of me. “Dr. Chepelli is with us,” he shared as I looked up at him. Taking his suit jacket off, Ignacio said, “Here,” handing it to me as he glanced away.
Confused, I started to shake my head then noticed the uncomfortable expression on his face. Everything happened so fast, once The Brothers showed up it didn’t occur to me, all I had on was my bra and panties. I could feel my teeth start to chatter and my bottom lip quiver as I reached for his jacket. Pulling it on, I stumbled.
Placing his arm around me, Ignacio said, “I’ll help you,” before reaching down behind my legs with his other arm and lifting me off of my feet.
As Ignacio carried me to Dr. Chepelli’s car, everything that had just happened tricked into my mind.
“Almost there,” he assured as I started to shake.
Looking over, we were about ten steps from the car when he stopped.
In a quiet soothing tone, Ignacio said, “We will take care of everything here.”
Nodding, I closed my eyes before we continued to the car. I could hear Dr. Chepelli get out of his car and open the passenger door. Ignacio set me in the passenger seat. Reaching over, he seat belted me in and closed the door. I knew they were talking about me but I curled up in the seat, refusing to listen. At the moment, the smell of smoke on his jacket was the most comforting smell in the world. I didn’t care about anything else but going home and taking a shower.
Dr. Chepelli resumed his position in the driver’s seat, offering, “After your examination, I will…” before I stopped him, saying, “I’m fine, take me home.”
“Mrs. Herterand, you need to be checked out,” he stated.
Staring out of the window as we drove away from the old Office, I said, “You can do it at the house.”
There was a long pause before he informed, “Mrs. Herterand, I know about the man that had you. He has specialized in women.”
Closing my eyes, I replied, “He didn’t…”
“I am a doctor, it is alright too…” he started before I assured, “No, he didn’t get that far.”
Dr. Chepelli sighed and continued driving.
At the house, Dr. Chepelli examined me twice, once before I took my shower and again after. I thought he was going to have to give Emerson a sedative to calm him down. He was up and down and pacing the whole time the doctor looked me over. Aside from determining I was going to have one hell of a black eye, he wrapped my wrists and ankles in gauze. Promising no one needed to know what took place at the old Office, except for those that participated in the events of the day, Dr. Chepelli left. Emerson and I were alone and although I knew he wanted to be there for me, I couldn’t deal with him. My shower didn’t help as far as washing away the feeling I had. It was coming from inside me. Deciding maybe curling up in bed would help, I told Emerson I was alright, for the millionth time, and headed upstairs to my room.
Before I could lie down, the phone rang, reminding me I should call Jackson and check on Sophia. Walking to my dresser, I picked up the phone and answered it.
Hert’s voice was difficult to read as he asked, “Are you okay?”
Instantly suspicious, I snapped, “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You seemed mad at me this morning, I just thought I’d check,” he answered.
Arguing with him seemed like a distant memory after everything that happened today.
Changing my tone, I said, “It’s been a…I don’t know. Just a bad day I guess.”
“Did you go somewhere?” he asked.
Curious, I questioned, “Why would you ask that?”
With a little sigh, Hert confessed, “Mr. Ramsden said he stopped by this morning to let me know he was leaving and no one was home.”
“Is that so?” I spouted.
“I didn’t send him to check up on you or anything, he stopped on his way to the airport,” he defended.
Feeling my jaw clenching, I asked, “And when is Ramsden returning?”
“In about three weeks. Renni, I thought maybe you were upset after you signed the papers on my desk and left for a while,” he explained.
“I didn’t,” I replied, remembering his little ‘boss lady’ comment, I had forgotten all about them.
Hert’s voice was almost cheery as he assured, “You didn’t. That’s okay. We can talk about it when I get back.”
Feeling bad that I had forgotten, I stressed, “No, no, I will go sign them right now…I just forgot.”
“Fine, they need to go out first thing in the morning then,” he snapped right before hanging up on me.
Taken aback by his sudden mood swing, I set the phone down and walked to his office.
Opening his door, I walked straight to his desk. With a heavy sigh, I understood why he was acting so strange on the phone. Sitting down in his chair, I picked up the divorce papers that were there waiting to be signed. After reading all ten pages, I signed every spot that was tabbed for my signature. I couldn’t pretend that seeing his signature written on the line didn’t hurt. No matter how much I knew this had to happen or how much I appreciated Hert making it easy on me, having our divorce papers in my hands hurt. Sliding them into the envelope, I sealed it and set it back on his desk. In ninety days our marriage would be over.
Melancholy was probably the most accurate word for the way I was feeling at the moment. In my room, I grabbed the phone off my dresser and sat down on my bed. Jackson answered after I dialed his phone number.
“Hey, how is Sophia?” I asked.
As if he had been anxiously waiting for my call, he answered, “Good, she’s taking a nap. Are you okay?”
Growing to hate that question, I avoided it, replying, “I was wondering if you could keep her until tomorrow.”
“Are you okay?” he pressed.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “I’m safe and sound here at the house. If you can’t watch her, do you think your mom would?”
“My parents are at Gus’, William came home from the hospital today but I can keep her,” he shared before saying, “I need to talk to you. I’m miserable over here. Ren we can…” stopping him, I stated, “Just bring her in the morning, thanks,” and I hung up the phone.
Laying the phone next to me, I curled up into my comforter. I wanted to call him back and have him talk to me. Resisting the urge, I pushed the phone off my bed. So many bad things had happened to him because of me. It was only going to get worse. I knew the moment he saw me he would go back on his decision. Selfishness was a luxury I couldn’t afford, especially if there was a chance he would be the one paying the price.
I laid in bed for several hours, thinking, planning and being sad. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t cry. Afraid of what would happen to me if I held everything inside, I had to do something. Getting up out of bed, I walked to the room at the end of the hallway.
Tapping on the door, I asked, “Can I come in?”
Emerson answered, “Sure,” before I opened his door and walked in.
Stepping to his bed, I sat on the corner. Scooting closer, I watched his eyes fill with compassion.
Taking a breath, I said, “I need you to do something for me.”
Pulling the covers back, he asked, “Did you want to get in?”
“No,” I replied before saying, “I want you to hurt my feelings.”
Shaking his head at me, Emerson said, “Ren, your face is bruised and you already look so sad.”
“I feel like I’m gonna crawl out of my skin,
I can’t stand it. I need to cry and I just can’t,” I explained.
Unsure of himself, he whispered, “What do you want me to say?”
Shrugging, I replied, “Something that will hurt.”
Looking down at my wrist, Emerson offered, “I have a better idea.”
Open to suggestions, I moved right in front of him as he motioned for me to sit close.
“I don’t think that will help and then I am going to feel bad for being mean to you,” he started before saying, “Bare with me, alright.”
Nodding, I stared at him.
Emerson started by lifting my hands and placing them on the back of his neck. When I rolled my eyes and sighed, he gave me a stern look and continued. Placing his hands on the sides of my face, he leaned in closer. Nose to nose with me he just sat there. The longer I waited for him to say something the closer I felt to him.
Leaning my head down, he kissed my forehead and whispered, “You are the only real friend I have ever had.”
My entire chest felt like it had caved in and my eyes started to burn. Taking a slow breath, I wrapped my arms around his neck and started to cry.
Chapter 9
Curled up next to Emerson, I didn’t want to move. I knew it was morning but I wasn’t quite ready to leave the sanctuary of his arms. From all the times I woke up in this position, I could tell he was already awake.
Pulling back slightly, I asked, “Do you need to get up?”
At a whisper he replied, “I haven’t felt this way in a while.”
“What way?” I questioned.
Pulling me back to his chest, Em declared, “Needed.”
Snuggling close, I knew what he meant. I needed the feeling of care and compassion, unconditional love. I needed arms that hold you and give you the idea that you’re safe, even if it isn’t real. Emerson was like a parent should be.
When we did finally get up, I was far more sore than when I fell asleep. Emerson was seated on the side of the bed as I got out. Glancing at him, I noticed him frown as he looked at me. Stepping into the bathroom, I looked into the mirror. Black eye didn’t exactly cover it. Purple was a more accurate description of the color surrounding my eye. Then at the outside corner from my temple down to my cheek was almost black. Honestly, I expected it to be swollen, but it wasn’t.
