Secrets, Lies and Deception

by Shaw, Vicki

  I make my way back up to where Aiden is waiting for me. I am glad he did not follow me down. I was so focused on what I was doing I even forgot he was there. If only Martin were the same. I do not want someone on my heels all the time. What I am after is space and if Martin could just understand that, then I would not have ran from him. After having time to think things through I have come to the conclusion that it is not so much a relationship I am running from but the control the other person wants to have over me. And of course, the heartbreak that they could inflict on me. I had no control over Mum dying and I felt like I had no control over my life while I was taking care of Dad. Don’t get me wrong I would not change me looking after Dad if I could do it all again. That time with Dad was a chance for us to bond and repair our relationship. After Mum died we were both lost in our own grief and drifted apart. I will always cherish the time I got with Dad before he passed away.

  All of a sudden I feel exhausted.

  “Can you please take me back now?”

  “Are you ok? You are looking a bit pale.” Aiden asked with a look of concern on his face.

  “I’m fine, just a bit tired. Probably from the flight, stress and the salt air. I'm sure after something to eat and a good nights sleep I will wake-up feeling great.” I say more confident than I feel. I don’t want him ringing Jake telling him I’m not one hundred percent because I know him and Martin will be on the first flight here.

  The drive back was slow because we hit peak hour traffic that has built up from an accident. I must have fallen asleep because I jolted awake when a door slams. My door opens with Aiden standing here holding out his hand for me to take so he can help me out of the car. He follows me to my room and waits while I open the door making sure I am inside. As I am about to shut the door, he says.

  “If you need anything please give me a call. I will meet you downstairs at 7:30 in the morning. Good, night.”

  “Thank you for taking me to the beach and I’m so sorry for being a bitch to you.” I give him a small smile and shut the door.

  I did not have a very restful sleep last night. I tossed and turned and when I did finally fall asleep, I was woken wth the same nightmare I have about Mum being shot. I drag myself out of bed hoping a hot shower will wake me up and make me feel better. After I finish, I still do not feel great but make my way to the restaurant to get a coffee and some breakfast anyway. When I returned to my room, last night I didn’t end up having any dinner. I just fell into my bed because I was just too tired to worry about it. But then did not sleep anyway. Maybe if I did get up and eat, I would have had a better sleep.

  As soon as I enter the restaurant the smell of bacon, eggs and coffee hits me. My stomach lets out a loud growl. Must be hungrier than I thought. Aiden is sitting at a table by the windows. When he looks my way, I give him a small wave and go over to where the buffet is set up. There are so many different foods I do not know what I want. I get a plate and start to put some pancakes and eggs on. When I get to the bacon, the smell hits me. Instantly my stomach turns. I drop the plate and search for the closest bathroom. As soon as I spot one I take off running. I only just reach the bathroom sink before I empty the little contents I have in my stomach. I am dry heaving over the sink now that what little I did have in my stomach is gone. The door opens behind me, I look up into the mirror to see Aiden standing there. He has a look of worry on his face. God, I hope he does not tell Jake or Martin I am sick. That’s all I need for them to fly here and hover over me.

  “Are you ok Roxie? Do you want me to call anyone, a doctor, Martin, Jake? Maybe I should ring Mr. Richards and tell him you're sick and cannot come in today” The poor guy looks like he is about to be sick. He is looking everywhere but at me.

  “I’m fine Aiden. Please don’t tell Jake or Martin. I didn’t sleep very well and didn’t have any dinner last night. If you could just go and make me some toast with vegemite and a cup of tea, that would be great. I will be out in just a minute.” He lets out a breath, nods then walks out.

  I rinse my mouth out and splash water over my face and neck. I look into the mirror and see that I have dark black circles under my eyes and my cheekbones are sticking out. It looks like I must have lost a little weight due to all the stresses, not sleeping and not eating. I really need to go and see a doctor when I get back to Brisbane. Maybe they can give me something to help me sleep and then I should be able to eat. This stress is really doing a number on me both physically and mentally.

  I leave the bathroom and go to the table Aiden is sitting. There is a plate with 2 pieces of vegemite toast and a cup of tea waiting for me. Aiden is looking at me like he is trying to work something out as I sit down.

  “Are you sure you're ok? You look worse than you did last night. Are you sure you don’t want to see a doctor?”

  “I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep and because I haven’t been sleeping very well, I haven’t been able to eat much. As soon as I get back to Brisbane I will go and see a doctor. I will feel better once I eat this. Thanks by the way. You didn’t look that good back there.” I said tilting my head to the bathroom. I’m trying to show him that I am fine and do not need him to ring anyone.

  “Yeah I don’t do to well with sick sorry. As long as your sure you're ok.”

  I finish my toast and tea then go to my room to quickly put some makeup on to try and hide the dark circles under my eyes and give my cheeks some colour. When I walk out of my room, Aiden is there waiting for me. We get to the resort without any more drama thank goodness. The resort is amazing. It has the same feel of a tropical paradise like the one I am staying in. I will not have any problem getting great photos of this place. The models they have hired are so easy to photograph and are all so fun to be around. It is the first time I have had to work with children but have found that the old saying of ‘never work with kids or animals’ is wrong. I loved every minute of working with them.

  Before I know it, it is the final day. I have a meeting with Mr. Richards before I have to go to the airport. I told him about all my ideas about adding the extra photos of not only the resort but also other attractions that will draw the visitors in. He loved every one of my ideas and asked if I could do a mock up of what I see the ads and brochures should look like. Of course, I agreed. I have a month to edit the photos and sent Mr. Richards my mock-ups. If he likes them, he said he will use them and make me the head of the new resorts advertising campaign. He also would put two other staff members under my guidance to help with everything from TV ads to magazines and travel brochures. I can not believe this is happening. The best part is Mr. Richards does not expect me to move to Perth. He said I can work from anywhere I like and can take on other jobs as long as it does not affect the work I am doing for him. I am so tempted to ring Martin but decided against it. However, I did ring Carly and told her a little but that I would fill her in on our girls weekend.

  Aiden drives me to the airport and makes sure I have my bags checked in and get through the security gates. Once I am through the gate, Aiden turns and walks towards the exit. I guess his work is finished now I am safe behind the security gates. I find the gate that my flight is departing from and take a seat. Checking my watch I see there is still about 2 hours until my flight takes off. Aiden wanted to take me somewhere to get something to eat, but I told him I would get something here. Instead of getting food I sit down, find my iPod and book and settle in to wait for my flight to be called. I am looking forward to haveing just a little while to myself to read. I still have not been feeling the best and I am still exhausted.

  Lost in my book I do not see someone approach me. They tap me on the shoulder making me jump in my chair, dropping my book.

  “I’m sorry I frightened you but are you, Ms. Roxie Wilson?” She asks in a soft professional voice.

  “Yes. Can I help you?” I am not sure who she is or what she wants from me. I run my eyes over her face all the way to her toes. She is a little taller than I am with brown hair pulled into a tight bun. I relea
se the breath I did not realise I was holding when I see she is wearing the airport uniform.

  “I have been sent to escort you to the private departure lounge area.” What the hell is going on?

  “I don’t understand, I am booked on the flight that is leaving this gate in just under two hours.”

  “Ms. Wilson, I don’t know what to tell you. Mr. Bolt rang and asked for you to be taken down to the privet lounge to wait for a private plane to fly you back to Brisbane.” She has an apologetic look on her face. I try not to get angry and short with her because it is not her fault I have a man that just can not stop interfering. Bloody Martin, I should have known he would do something like this. I pick up my bag and push my iPod and book into the front pocket then pull my phone out of the side pocket. I intend to give Martin an ear full. He can not keep doing this. If he really did want a relationship with me, this is not the way to go about it. All he is doing is proving to me why it is better to be by myself. I could understand why it was better for me to have Aiden around as a ‘just in case’ but this is taking it to far.

  “Shit” I moan under my breath. I forgot that my phone went dead after I called Carly, that’s why I did not tell her everything about the job. When I looked for my charger, it was not in my bag, I must have left it in my room or is has fallen out somewhere. I will just have to deal with Martin when I get back.

  I am lead onto a small jet by a young man I have never meet before. It is nothing fancy, and nothing like what I have read in books. It is a basic plane with 10 seats. Whoever it was who brought me to the plane left and shut the door while I was looking around the crappy plane. I catch movement out the corner of my eye towards the cockpit and turn to see what it was.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” He is just standing there looking at me. His eyes roam from my face, down to my boobs and stay there for a few seconds before moving down the rest of my body. What the fuck is going on. There is no way Martin would have sent him. I get a sinking feeling in my stomach. I slowly sit in the closest chair hoping I wound not be sick or pass out.

  “How do you know Martin and why did he send you and not come himself?” I can not help the rambling that is coming out of my mouth. I need answers and I need them now. I am starting to hyperventilate. How much more am I meant to deal with everything that is going on? I just want to go and hide in a dark cave by myself. Someone else can deal with all this.

  “Roxie, for someone who is meant to be so smart you are asking some really dumb questions. However, I will answer them just so you are aware of the predicament you are in,” he is speaking to me like I am a child and need everything spelt out for me. Well, I guess I do because right now I have a million things running through my head. All the scenarios that have brought him onto this plane at this minute with me are running trough my mind.

  “Why am I here? That’s easy. I am here to take you back to Rockhampton so you can find the file for my boss. How do I know Martin? Well, I don’t know Martin and Martin does not know me. If fact he doesn’t even know you are not on your flight, however, we are about to fix that right now. Give me your phone.” He rattles all this off without even taking a breath.

  “What the hell? Why are you doing this.” I can’t believe he is kidnapping me.

  “Just give me your fucking phone. NOW.” He yells in my face. This isn’t the person I knew years ago. I take my phone out of my bag and hand it to him. He is in for a rude shock because my phone is dead flat. He takes the phone out of my hand and tries to turn it on.

  “It’s flat,” I say with as much venom I can. He just shrugs and pulls a portable charger out of his pocket. He turns it on and at that minute I am cursing myself for never putting a password on it. I guess it wouldn't have made much difference because he would have got it out of me anyway. He looks like he is typing something out. I can only guess that he is sending a text message to someone. Yep, I’m right. He had to of sent a text because the phone just sounded that there was a new message.

  “You will ring Martin and tell him you are staying for longer. You will not tell him anything else. Make it believable or you will be hurt.” As he is speaking, he pulls a gun out from the back of his pants. He hands me the phone. I’m about to ring Martin when my phone starts to ring, flashing Martins face on the screen.

  “Martin, why are you ringing me? Didn’t I make myself clear?” I have to work really hard to keep the quiver out of my voice and not to cry. I want to try and make him know that there is something wrong without letting on that’s what I’m doing, but I do not know how.

  “Roxie, why are you staying? I know you are stressed and not well. Aiden has been keeping Jake and I up to date with what you have been doing. Please just come home I want to help you. It’s not safe there by yourself.” I could not help the little snickering laugh escaping. HA. Not safe. Well, it’s a bit late for that isn't it? But right at this minute I would give anything to be there with Martin.

  “Look, Martin, I told you before I left that we were over. I am that stressed that I am not sleeping or eating which is making me sick. I am going to stay here for another week. I will let Jake know my plans when I know what they are.” My heart is breaking a little bit with every word. I glance at the gun and look up to his face. He has the biggest grin on his face looking very proud of himself. What a fucking asshole. He is enjoying every little bit of this.

  “Fine Roxie, if that is what you want, have it your way. Jake is going to be pissed. Do not be surprised if he sends someone out to get you or get Aiden to pick you up and stay with you again.” He sounds so angry and hurt. I do not blame him. I end the call and the phone gets snatched out of my hand. He drops it to the floor and stamps on it, smashing the screen into tiny pieces. He picks the phone up and pulls the battery and sim card out.

  “Now that is sorted, I will let you know what will happen from now on. When we land in Rocky, there will be a car waiting for us. You will get in without causing any trouble and do as you are told. If you bring any attention to us in any way, you will be punished. The people who are waiting for you will not have any problems killing you if you step out of line.”

  I just sit in my seat to confused to do or say anything. What the hell is going on?

  ‘It is summer holidays and it has been two years since mum was killed. Carly had to go away with her family for the month of the holidays. She asked if I wanted to go with them. I did not want to leave Dad alone for that amount of time. He had just started to get back to himself in little ways.

  ‘I am sitting in the park watching all he families having picnics and playing. This was one of Mums favourite places to come as a family. A shadow moves over me blocking my sun. I look up to see who would be so rude to stand so close to someone. Standing next to me is a guy I have never seen before. That is not surprising this time of year because we get a lot of tourists who like to come for the summer. I do not know why because it is so humid and hot let alone the fact that I would not be swimming, you never know where the crocs are. However, I guess it is a nice place to come and spend time with a family with more than just swimming to do.

  “Do you mind? You're blocking my sun.” I say to get his attention.

  “Sorry, I didn’t realise,” He said looking down at me for the first time. When our eyes meet, I was instantly in love. He had the bluest of blue eyes that had this sparkle, life in them that I had never seen before. His hair was a honey brown colour that shone in the sun. I could not take my eyes off him. The way the sun was framing him, he looked like a god. I have lost my voice and can not think of a single thing to say. I was squirming in my seat. Thank God at that moment he spoke.

  “Hi, I’m Jayce.” He gives me this smirk that warms my whole body. I have never felt anything like it.

  “Hi, I… I’m Roxie.” Great the first time a male shows any interest in me I stutter like an idiot. I can feel the heat spread up my neck and face.

  I am snapped out of my memories when we hit a little turbulence. I look over to wh
ere Jayce is sitting. He looks exactly the same just a little older and definitely more solid in the body department. The only thing that has changed is his eyes. They are still the bluest blue eyes I have ever seen, but they have lost all the sparkle and life that was in them. They look dead.

  “What happened to you? I was waiting at the park that day and you never showed up. I waited two hours before I gave up and went home. I tried to call you, but you never answered or returned my calls. You ripped out my heart when you just disappeared.” All the hurt and all the anger from that day came rushing back to me. He was my first love, in fact, he was my first everything. I thought he was the ‘one’. Well, the ‘one’ in the eyes of a seventeen-year-old. When he vanished, it felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest. I did not think I truly ever got over it. No one knew about Jayce. Not even Carly. When she got home from her holiday, she knew something was wrong but I used Mums death as the reason I was depressed again. In all honesty, it hurt as much as when Mum died but in a different way. Mum had no choice in leaving me, where he did.

  He looked at me with that smirk on his face again.

  “You really do not know who I am, do you? I cannot believe you still do not recognise me from before we meet at the park that day. You’re the reason my mother is dead and my father went to jail.” I cannot wrap my head around what he is saying. How am I the one responsible for that? Then out of nowhere a memory fills my head. The guy that shot my Mum had a wife and a son. I did not get a good look at either of them because whenever I went to court I was put in a separate room from everyone else. I was not allowed to watch television at the time either because Dad did not want me to see the stories all over the news. When I had to give evidence, it was a closed court so no one but Dad, the Department of Prosecution, the Judge and his legal team were allowed in the room. The other times it was via video link so all I could see was the person asking me questions. There was one time when I was being lead to the room, I walked past a crying woman and a boy sitting next to her rubbing her back trying to comfort her. I did not pay much action at the time, but now I can see the resemblance.