Fatal Attraction

by Mia Ford

  “Oh, God, Cici, you are truly so amazing.” I lean down to kiss her on the forehead. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’m so grateful to you for giving me another chance. I really don’t want to mess it up.”

  I clutch onto her, internally vowing that I’ll do everything that I can. I’m really going to be the person she deserves. I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I’ll do what I can.

  Chapter Nineteen – Cici

  “I’ll see you both later,” Will says with a big smile as he leans down to kiss me and Jordan goodbye. “I’ll try my hardest not to be too late tonight, but if I’m going to be then I will contact you and let you know.”

  Don’t go! I want to scream. Please stay here and be with me all day. But I can’t. I can’t say any of that because this is something he needs to do. I don’t like it much, every time he walks out that door I worry that he won’t come back, but what can I do? He explained to me why he needs to do this and I have to understand.

  “Okay,” I rasp back. “Please be careful, and keep me updated if you can. Have a… good day.”

  Watching that door close behind him makes my insides sink. Things are much better between me and Will. Ever since Jordan’s been here I haven’t felt quite so shut out by him which is great, but the arrangement isn’t perfect. I still want things to change, but until this Kingpin character is out of the way, we’ll remain in this limbo.

  “Right, sweetheart…” The most important thing is that Jordan doesn’t pick up on my sadness when his father goes. My baby might not even quite be a month old yet, but he seems very in tune to my emotions. If I’m sad, he’ll cry all day long, and I really don’t want that today. “Let’s change your diaper. Then We’re going out.”

  I haven’t told Will yet, I don’t intend to let him know until tonight, but I’m meeting with my mom today. She knows I have a baby, and although she’s disappointed that the father is a man that I ‘had a short fling with’ she wants to meet her grandson. I’ve put her off for a while, but now I want to see her. I want her to get to know Jordan. I’ve told her not to ask too many questions because I don’t know how I’ll cope under pressure, so I’m hoping that it all ends up okay. I need some adult conversation anyway. I get some from Will but I need more.

  “We’re going to meet your grandma today,” I tell Will while I whip his dirty diaper off. “That’s a bit mad, isn’t it? One day, you’ll meet the rest of your extended family as well, but not quite yet.”

  Shit, I can feel myself getting emotional again. I suck in a couple of breaths and attempt to calm down. This is crazy. I probably wouldn’t have introduced my baby to everyone else quite yet anyway, it’s just having the added pressure that I can’t weighing down on me. It feels really hard to do. Still, I made my bed. I accepted that this would be the case the moment I accepted to move back in with Will. I just need to see it through.

  “What shall we wear today?” I muse while I look through Jordan’s clothes. “Maybe this little green outfit. You want to look nice when you see Grandma, don’t you? I want her to think that I can cope anyway.”

  I let out a little strangled laugh, but actually that’s my biggest fear. It’s already pretty crazy that I’ve had a baby without letting anyone know, I know my mom is confused by that, I don’t want to add to her worries that I can’t do it either. Parenting is hard, I don’t even think the most prepared mother can know what it’s going to be like, but I think I’m doing alright. Jordan is happy and healthy, at this age what more can you ask for?

  Once he’s dressed, I lie Jordan down in his Moses basket and I try to set up the pushchair. It’s a big massive thing that’s almost too heavy for me to handle, something that Will chose because it can carry lots of stuff and is apparently very practical with all sorts of ‘useful’ features which I can barely remember what they do, but today I need it. Maybe if I was a little more honest, he could have done it for me, but I’ve kept it to myself because I want to see how it goes before I confess all. It might be horrible, and I won’t ever have to talk about it again.

  I huff and puff, sweat pours down my face, and I say enough curse words to be glad that Jordan isn’t talking yet, but eventually I get the pushchair up. Luckily, it just about fits in the elevator or I wouldn’t be able to go out at all! When it’s done, I give a little proud nod, and I grab Jordan to put him in. Finally, we’re ready to go.

  “Right, Jordan,” I lean down and speak to him. “I need you to be on your best behavior today, I need my mom to think that I’m wonderful and in control. But… if she starts doing my head in I’ll give you a sign and you can scream so loudly that we don’t have any choice but to leave. Sound good?” He gives me a little gurgle back. “I’ll take that as a yes then, son. Sounds good, I’m glad that we’re on the same page. Let’s get going, baby.”

  I struggle out the door and into the elevator, feelings redder and more stressed than I want to, but I don’t have much choice about that. It’s a bit of a walk anyway, so hopefully I’ll have cooled down by then.

  I cannot believe with everything going on, this is what I’m most worried about. But Kingpin doesn’t know me, he doesn’t care about me, he doesn’t even know my face. My mom, when she freaks out, can be a nightmare. I’ve had her yelling at me before and it isn’t something that I want to repeat. I need to just get through this.

  ***

  I push the door to the café open, enjoying the warmth of the inside air as it hits me. I’ve done what I can to calm myself down on the walk over, and now I feel ready. Much more prepared to do this. As I see my mom sitting at a table, I wave to her with a genuine smile on my face. I’m going to be fine, I’m sure of it.

  But then my Auntie Mary slides into the chair next to her and my heart jumps into my throat. I’m not supposed to be telling anyone else, Jordan is supposed to be a secret. Just for now. But then I’m sure Mom has already told her anyway, and I can’t exactly run away now without arising suspicion. It wouldn’t change anything anyway. Auntie Mary has seen, so I might as well get the hell on with it. It’s fine, this changes nothing.

  “Hi,” I say raspily as I take my seat. “How are you both?”

  “How are we?” Auntie Mary exclaims loudly. “How are you? I’ve hardly seen you since the wedding which was, what, over a year ago? Yes, it must have been, Landon and Annabelle have just celebrated their anniversary, and when I see you again you turn up with a baby than none of us knew you were having. What’s going on?”

  As Mom not so discretely tells Mary to stop it, my mind reels. So much has happened that I almost forgot about the wedding. It’s amazing that was a year ago, I’m shocked that they’re still together too!

  “It’s fine,” I finally tell Mom. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you, it’s all been very… complicated.”

  “With the father?” Mary leans forward. “What’s the deal with him? Where is he?”

  “Mary!” Mom grabs her arm and shoots me an apologetic look. “I said I wouldn’t ask.”

  “You did but I never made any such promise. Do I need to find this guy and kick his ass?”

  I laugh loudly and awkwardly, not wanting to go into detail at all. “No, it’s fine. I can sort it out on my own.”

  I need a distraction, and Jordan is a perfect one, so I reach across and I pull him out of his pushchair to show them. Just as I suspected they would, Mom and Auntie Mary go mad for him. They grab him from me and shower him with love. Any mention of any man or father is the furthest thing from their minds. I breathe out a sigh of relief and enjoy the moment of respite while they fawn over my son.

  This was the right thing to do, I tell myself decidedly. Jordan deserves to know his family.

  I don’t think he’ll ever get much from Will’s family, it doesn’t seem like they’re very close at all, but that isn’t something I can talk to him about at the moment. I’ll have to wait. Just another thing in limbo…

  “Oh, he’s so beautiful, Cici,” Mom coos. “He reminds me so mu
ch of you when you were a baby. It seems like you’re handling things very well. Are things okay at your apartment? Do you have enough room? You know you can always come and stay with me if you like. Your old room is just as you left it…”

  I can’t tell her that I’m still at my old address in case she comes looking for me, but I really don’t want to end up living back with her either. Even if I didn’t have Will, that wouldn’t be the best option. I love my mom, but I fear she might be overbearing with my son. She might make it really hard for me to be in control.

  “Oh, no. I have a bigger place now. Sorry, with all the baby brain it’s been impossible to remember everything.” I slap my forehead as if I’ve forgotten. “I’ll text you the address at some point.”

  Mom and Mary share a look, it isn’t lost on me, but I think they fear now that they might push me away completely if they aren’t careful with their words. Much as I don’t like them feeling this way, it makes it easier for the time being. I guess I need them to feel like that so they don’t pry too deep.

  “So, Annabelle and Landon had an anniversary,” I comment idly, wondering if me and Will should have celebrated the same day. That’s when we met after all… “That must have been good. Did they do anything?”

  “Annabelle wanted to have a party, but I guess something came up because they didn’t in the end.” Auntie Mary shrugs. “I think they must have just done something the two of them.”

  Hmmm, I can’t imagine Annabelle going for that. It must’ve been Landon’s idea to stop it. I want to know what’s happening with them, I’m interested to see how they’re getting along now, but I suppose I can’t find anything out unless I want Annabelle to know about Jordan which I don’t. She’s got one of the biggest mouths around and she’s already made it obvious that she doesn’t approve of me and Will.

  No, I suppose I’ll just have to wait and see what’s happening with them for another time.

  “Oh, well that’s nice,” I answer blandly. “I’m sure that was lovely.”

  Mom gives me a look, she can tell that I’m unsure and I can see a twinkle behind her gaze. Maybe when me and Mom are finally alone we’ll be able to have a real catch up and a gossip. Then I’ll get the truth.

  “You’re going to come and see us more often now,” Mom says quietly. “Right? I want to see more of this gorgeous little man. He’s so fabulous and I’m sure he wants to know me, his grandma, too.”

  “Oh yes.” I nod, hoping that I can stick to this promise. “For sure. I will make much more effort.”

  Chapter Twenty – Will

  “Will?” I suddenly realize that someone’s trying to get my attention. I’ve been so absorbed in what I’m doing that it’s taken me a while to drag myself out of my own brain. I’m on a trail, one that’s started with the pharmaceutical company and is sending me on a roundabout mission through all sorts of weird and wonderful paths. I’m sticking with it though, I’m sure I’m on the right track. “Sorry to disturb you.”

  I glance at Jones feeling my spirit crush as I watch him hobbling on his crutches. He’s getting there, and he doesn’t complain about his leg at all, but I suppose that’s because of what happened to Andre. He knows that he’s the lucky one here. He faced the Kingpin and came out of it alive. Only because that was chosen for him, but still. It leaves me wanting to be a little nicer to the poor sucker. To everyone, really.

  “What’s going on, Jones?” I smile, pointedly ignoring his flinch. “Everything alright?”

  “Erm, not really.” His trembling hand reaches forward to hand me an envelope. “Here, this came in a while back and it’s been examined by some guys and they’ve told me to pass it on to you. I’m sorry.”

  I take it from him, my heart sinking as I do. I already know who this is from, it’s his same signature bullshit. Kingpin has more communication with me. He’s getting increasingly insistent about it, which suggests to me that I’m getting closer. I’m stepping on his toes with my trail, and he’s getting himself worked up.

  I don’t let any fear show as I take the stuff from Jones, I don’t want anyone to know that I’m freaked out. The last person that I was even slightly honest with wound up dead and I don’t want to be responsible for another body. “Thanks, Jones.” I chuck it on the desk. “I’ll have a look through it in a moment, okay?” I can’t open it in front of him, this is something I need to really isolate myself with. It’s all about me. “Thanks.”

  He doesn’t look like he wants to leave, it’s almost as if he has something else to say, but at the last moment he shakes his head and he turns to walk, or hobble, from the room. My only guess is that he’s seen the contents of this envelope and he doesn’t like the look of it. Maybe it involves him, I don’t see how else it can be worse.

  Tentatively I reach out for it and I grab it. My hand trembles, but I chose to ignore that. I don’t want to think of anything like nerves while I look through this. I just need to get through it. I peel it back, my pulse racing at the speed of light as I do, and as soon as I see what’s inside, I drop it to the floor with a clatter.

  “No.” I shake my head rapidly. “No, no, no. It can’t be, this can’t be happening.”

  Inside are endless reams of photographs about the one person who I never wanted to see on them. Cici, everywhere. She’s been followed for months, I thought that we were being discrete but obviously not. Somehow, I naively convinced myself that we were getting away with it, but Kingpin saw it all. Nights out, her teaching, out on her own, her belly swelling with every passing moment, even with Jordan. My baby boy. Kingpin knows about him. And the pictures end in the most sinister way of all. Dated today, timed this morning, Cici out with her mother and who I think might be Annabelle’s mom. I remember her from the wedding.

  This is a clear cut warning, and Cici is out right now, exposed. Anything could happen. Intense panic coils and curdles through me as I think about her. What if Kingpin already has them both? What if I’m too late?

  I grab my cell phone out of my pocket and I hit dial. It seems to ring forever, I can barely stand the sound of it. I pace the room while frantic thoughts dance around in my brain. Why didn’t she tell me? I could have at least made sure that someone was there with her. I asked Cici what she was up to today and she didn’t give me anything. I suppose it’s possible this was a spontaneous thing but I’m still freaked. I’m supposed to know where she is.

  “Hello?” As she answers, sounding unperturbed I almost don’t know what to do with myself. “Will?”

  “Where are you?” I demand. I know I sound far angrier than I should but I can’t help myself. I’m almost out of my mind with worry. I can feel myself spiraling. “What’s going on? What are you doing right now?”

  “I’m at the apartment. Why? What’s going on? Why do you sound all freaked out?”

  “Are you alone?” I answer her questions with one of my own. “There’s no one with you? Have you checked?”

  “I’m alone. All the doors are locked. I’ve done a check of the place just like I always do…”

  “You’ve been out.” I sound accusatory, maybe I should have calmed down a bit before I made this call. But I need to know, I have to be certain. I tug my fingers angrily through my hair. “You didn’t tell me.”

  “No, I know, I…” I can almost hear the cogs in her brain working. “How do you know that?”

  I sigh loudly and slump into the nearest seat. “I’ve had a warning, Cici. He’s sent in loads of photographs of you to the police station. Some of today, that’s how I know you’ve been out, and some of before. He’s been following you and now you’re in danger. You’re going to end up in trouble if we don’t sort this out.”

  I might’ve said too much, but thankfully it gets through to Cici and she starts to understand just how serious this is. “Okay, so what do I do? Where do I need to go from here? How do I escape?”

  I sink my head into my hands. Do I send her away? Will she be safer away from me or is it too late for that now? She�
�s already on Kingpin’s radar, obviously he knows more about what she’s doing than me.

  “I don’t know,” I finally admit. “But I plan to take some time working it out. Just sit tight for now.”

  I hang up the phone and immediately arrange some protection to surround my apartment block. I should probably have permission before authorizing that, but I don’t have time now. I need someone to watch Cici so I can get this done. Clearly, I can’t always trust her to tell me what’s she doing.

  Almost as if she can read my mind, I get a text message from Cici: ‘I met with my mom today. The only reason I didn’t tell you was because I didn’t want to put too much pressure on it. I thought it was going to go badly. I’m sorry. If I’d known for one second that I could be in trouble, it wouldn’t have happened. C xx’

  I sigh, knowing that she didn’t want to cause me any pain. None of this is Cici’s fault, but it wasn’t Andre’s either and look where it landed him. He’s now unjustly six foot under the ground, gone from this world.

  ‘It’s okay,’ I tap out a reply. ‘I just can’t keep you safe if I don’t know. W xx’

  I hope she learns from this, I want her to realize just how important this is. She wants to speak to her mom? Fine, but I have to be in the know. I have to be in complete control of the situation at all times.

  Ring, ring… ring, ring… ring, ring…