by Mara Lynne
“I think I know, Victoria.”
Victoria’s eyes widen in surprise.
“His scars on his body show me well of who he is. I love him no matter what,” she replies.
Tears of indisputable happiness form at the corner of the woman’s eyes. Angel must have said something for her to react this way.
“His dark past will never change my feelings for him, Victoria, if that’s what worries you.”
She reaches for Angel’s hands and squeezes them with affection and utmost gratitude.
“Finally, I could relax knowing that Hunter is not heading for another disaster. That son of mine never fails to attract trouble. I could only thank you, Angel.”
“Hunter is a good man, Victoria. He’s done great things for me.” She does not need to enumerate them all. She knows the danger that awaits her, but she does not care anymore because Hunter will not let anything happen to her. She trusts him with her heart and her life.
“Victoria, I just wonder how Hunter got involved in these activities. How he met these friends…”
“Ah! That I didn’t know. He’s very secretive and protective. They are his friends, and they have his word. That’s why the only thing I could do for him is mend the wounds he took from associating with them,” Victoria answers. “I just received calls in the middle of the night asking me to go directly to the hospital because Hunter was going to be operated. I almost died when I learned that someone tried to kill my son and shot him in the heart.”
Until now, the bullet remains in there—so near his heart.
“They could not take the bullet out because it was so dangerous, the surgery might kill him.”
He carries it every day of his life.
“Was the crook who did this to Hunter ever known?”
Victoria shakes his head. “All I knew was they were in Delaware when it happened. The boys were having fun in a casino, and they wronged a group of, I don’t know what they really are… But I presume they were armed that night, so they just can’t be random teenagers. Damien was with him, still a minor. And I could only think of the pressure Hunter must have felt to protect his brother. I knew he was very scared for Damien’s life. The boy is the only thing left for him that reminds him that he is an Etheridge by blood, but it was him who nearly died. Just a few centimeters closer to his heart and I could have lost him. The shooter could just be one of his friends because if not, Hunter would have told us who. Whenever I asked him about it, he never says a thing. So my guess is he’s protecting the person who shot him—might be one of his friends.”
Could it be? Angel mentally shakes her head. The strangest and boldest idea just crossed her mind. It is just impossible.
Damien could have not shot his brother! He was a minor then. Perhaps only sixteen or seventeen at that time. A child of that age could not have the courage to fire a gun or hold one for that matter—and most especially aim it to someone he dearly loves.
No. He could not have done it!
Chapter 13 – His Duty
Damien leans against the front part of his car, letting his eyes float across the dark skies. The city looks like dancing Christmas lights atop a snow-laden field. And yet there is no snow. Christmas season is far from possible.
He is half way finished with his bottle of beer when he throws it away—the farthest his eyes could reach.
Hunter has been watching his brother for minutes now, observing his every action.
He was not the Damien he used to know. Damien could drink till the last drop of alcohol. Damn, he could even finish an entire case of it. But now, he seems to be not himself. What could be troubling his little brother?
When he called him this afternoon, he just knew something was wrong.
If only this man isn’t his brother, it could have been a lot easier to steal the business from him. He wouldn’t be in doubt like what he’s in now.
“There you are,” he starts.
“I’m glad you could come.” Damien moves to the side so he could give Hunter space to sit on the car. “You willingly did your brotherly duties. Thumbs up for you, brother!”
Damien is clearly a bit tipsy now.
“One bottle and you’re like this already.”
“You don’t want to know what’s burdening me, Hunter,” he says. “You’re the best brother in the world, you know that?”
“I am your only brother.”
“You don’t really have a sense of humor, do you?”
Hunter shakes his head in disbelief. They are about to have another one of those teenage conversations they used to like before. They are no longer teenagers, and Hunter finds Damien’s remarks a bit tasteless and immature now. They’re adults, and Damien should stop acting like the five-year-old kid he used to know—the five-year-old Damien he really doted on.
“Now tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Come with me to England.”
Hunter raises his brow.
“England? What am I going to do there?”
“Apparently, there’s a European group interested in investing in our company, and Dad told me I should go over there and find out who these potential investors are,” Damien says.
“That’s great! That’s just like field work for you.”
Damien grunts.
“I don’t know anything, Hunter. What if I mess up? Obviously, Harrison wants me embarrassed. He was the one who suggested this. I have yet to begin my formal training with you, and now everyone in the board expects me to do great.”
“That’s not you, Damien. You are confident, and you don’t take ‘no’ for anything. Why doubt yourself now?”
You have the company… You can do anything you want with it. You have thousands of men under your employment, and they will treat every word you breathe as gold.
He wants to say that right to his face, and Damien really does not have the right to complain. He’s been favored ever since day one.
“Well, perhaps something happened that changed me,” Damien replies. “Everyone changes, Hunter. You did. When Angel came into your life, you were not like the old Hunter I knew. You changed for the… better, I guess.”
“I took the positive route, while you…”
“I know I’m a mess.”
Hunter couldn’t agree more.
“What would you do when you are forsaken, Hunter?”
“Forsaken, really? That’s too strong a word to describe what you are into.” If he could laugh at Damien’s choice of word, he would have. But his brother looks so serious that Hunter starts to think that maybe, he indeed feels that way.
“You know what? Now I understand why some men choose not to marry,” Damien mumbles. “Women.”
“Is this because of a woman? Candice?” Seriously, how did Candice twist the head of this once playful man? Hunter just could not believe her effect on him. Damien was hooked easily.
Damien smirks.
“Of course not! Granted, I impregnated her, but that does not mean I love her. You of all people must know that, Hunter.”
“Then who’s the unlucky girl?”
“You don’t want to know…” He said in a low voice that easily got drowned in the noise of the city.
“Pardon?”
“I said you wouldn’t understand,” Damien tells him. “No girl has forsaken you, only our old man.”
It stings when Damien shoves that to his throat so recklessly.
“If there’s a person who has a multitude of experience on abandonment, then it would be me, Damien. Again and again and again. So, I don’t see why I could not understand you. Now, tell me. If it’s not Candice, then who? And what did she do to you?”
“If I tell you, how’s that going to change anything?” He directed his impenetrable glare at Hunter.
“I don’t know. How could I help you?”
Damien removes his gaze from Hunter and looks to the horizon.
“I love her, Hunter,” he begins. He could only wish he could send this message t
o Hunter the way he wants him to grasp it. Perhaps his smart brother could bring the pieces all together and find out what he’s trying to say. “She’s the reason I’m a mess right now. I am who I am now because she left me for some other man. And what hurts more is I know who this man is, and she hid it from me. She loved me; she said so herself. But I was so stupid, Hunter. I know I should have opened my eyes and took her to my arms that night in the hospital after the accident. She came to see me, and she cried in front of me. I was awake the entire time she was there, pleading for my forgiveness., but I did not even budge. My decisions are the root of all this—of my misery. I left because I deemed myself unworthy of her. I have already forgiven her long before that night, but I was an alcoholic—an addict, and I wanted to be better, to be the best man she’ll have when I finally come back to her. I could not let her see what I was then. You know how I was, you were not so happy about me, and she would have felt the same. Leaving was the worst decision I have made. I shouldn’t have gone away. I shouldn’t have left her.”
“Why don’t you tell her everything?”
A faint smile appears on Damien’s face.
“How could I when she sings to the world her love for this man?”
“I’m not very good at giving love advices, Damien,” Hunter speaks. It’s all new to him. He always thought they’re the same—men who take romance and love for granted, and who only find fun in women. But the world has its own way in teaching them a lesson. “If you ask me about fucking advices, I could give you tons of it. I could even publish a book just for you, but it wouldn’t really have much backing to it. But seriously, you should fight for her. You should not let this stupid man take her away from you. You came first! You should have her and not him.”
Damien chuckles, and Hunter finds that really odd.
“I’m serious here, and you’re laughing. Is that how preposterous my advice is?”
“This is why you’re the best brother in the world!”
“I know. Hey, why don’t you teach this man a lesson?” Hunter’s hands form into balls of fist. “Show him who you really are, to whom this girl belongs to.”
“You mean hit him on the face?”
“No! That’s too elementary. Shoot him right here,” he says with his finger pointing at his chest—to the area where his scar rests. “Without missing the heart. Then he’ll be dead, and you’ll have the girl back.”
“And I’ll be a real murderer then.” Damien replies, shaking his head in anger though it is more for himself and no one else. “Seven years ago… I almost killed you.”
Hunter instantly notices his brother’s discomfort. He only meant that as a joke. “It was not your intention. You should stop blaming yourself.”
Right away, Damien falls into sudden despair. It all seems like yesterday. He was but a young kid then, inexperienced and who was very much dependent on Hunter. He does not even know how to hold a gun. But situation called, and he just had to do it.
Hunter continues. “I know you never wanted it to happen. Something just went wrong. I’m sorry I reminded you of that.”
“It’s okay, Hunter. Maybe I should learn how to shoot without missing anything.”
“Yeah, and you could use that in the future.” He taps his brother’s back, his way of comforting him.
“Who’s this girl again? Do I know her?”
Silence is not the answer Hunter is waiting for. He does not understand why Damien has to think first before he responds.
“Anything wrong?”
Damien shakes his head.
“You don’t know her,” he quickly says. “She’s not worth your time. And about the man, let me handle him. I just think I know how to.”
“Good. Because I don’t want you surrendering without a fight.”
The light in Damien’s face resurfaces like the sun has finally risen on it.
“Believe me, Hunter, he’ll be surprised of what I can do.”
***
Hunter returns home at nine that evening, and Angel is already lying on the bed.
He sits on the empty space and lands a peck on her cheek. She stirs, and as she opens her eyes, Hunter is already beside her, cornering her with his arms as his set of teeth gloriously smiles at her.
“I’m sorry I woke you up. Can’t help myself,” he says.
She lifts her hand and caresses his face with her fingers.
Hunter closes his eyes and feels the warm sensation her touch brings, letting it take away his exhaustion.
“I miss you already, Angel.”
Her forehead creases.
He continues. “I will be going to England next week.”
“England?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry I wouldn’t be able to help you with the wedding. But I will only be gone for a week, so by the time I come back, I’m sure I’ll have all my time devoted just for you.”
Angel pushes herself up, laying her legs just beside Hunter.
“Why are you going to England?”
“Duties.”
Angel leans forward and kisses him on the mouth. Hunter responds with his tongue, and his groin stiffens after he hears Angel chuckle with surprise. He lays his hand on her waist and slowly pushes her into the bed. His mouth goes deeper and deeper until Angel starts to catch her breath. She feels so soft under him. Her breasts swell, popping out the neckline of her night dress. Her moans are inviting, teasing him to do more than just kiss her.
When his fingers start to find the spot between her thighs, Angel pulls back. Her thighs automatically close.
“What’s wrong?” His excitement is cut short by Angel’s doubtful look on her face.
“We can’t,” she says, still breathless.
“We can’t what?”
“I can’t, Hunter.”
“But we just did this a few nights ago,” he reasons out. As far as he could remember, Angel was not against it. It was a night of pleasure and dreams, and she was very much satisfied with it.
Shaking her head, Angel pulls the cover up.
“You don’t want to make love with me anymore?” His tone was tainted with frustration, but he is still as gentle as a mother.
“No. no…”
“Then what’s the problem, Angel?”
She bites her lips, thinking if it will be a good thing to tell him.
“Did I hurt you?”
“Oh God, no, Hunter…”
“Then what is it?”
She looks at him and says, “It’s my time of the month.”
A boyish grin breaks out on his face. He licks his lower lip and thinks of how cute Angel looks.
“What’s so funny?” She pushes him away, embarrassed.
“You know what? Just let me kiss you, okay?”
Chapter 14 - Magdalene
Four days have passed since Hunter left for England.
A business trip—it’s what he told Angel.
“That lady over there is Mrs. Giselle Harrison, wife of Mr. Harrison, OIC of the Etheridge Corporation,” Paul says as she leads Angel across the function hall. An auction of antique jewels is being held at the Sheriton Hall, and Hunter listed Angel as his proxy for the night. Obviously, he could not come.
Paul is having a good time fulfilling the duty Hunter appointed him to do, introducing Angel to high society.
Mrs. Giselle Harrison looks so posh in her purple velvet dress. Her hair is gray and is tied up in a high bun with ringlets all over her face. She appears like a seventeenth or eighteenth-century woman who time-travelled to the future.
“Now that Damien Etheridge is taking over the company, I believe Mrs. Harrison has to give up her throne,” Paul adds.
“What do you mean by that, Paul?”
Paul sniffs on the glass of champagne he has on his hand after reaching it from the waitress who just passed by, swirling it a bit.
“She has a very eccentric way of dealing with power, you know. Some thinks she has delusions of grandeur,” Paul answers. “On her grandchild
’s christening, she was heard talking to her friends about her husband’s plan of seizing the CEO position from the mayor, which I highly doubt is even true. Mr. Harrison and Mr. Etheridge takes a long way back. I don’t think Mr. Harrison wishes to stain that friendship. Besides, the family fortune is always preserved. It’s been with them for centuries. It will only take a miracle to have them removed from the seat of power. And now that her husband will have to give up office, she will have to stop acting so high. She’s even worse than Mary Etheridge, you know.”
But Mary Etheridge currently sits beside Giselle Harrison. They seem to be good friends, laughing and giggling with their circle of friends as they gently sipped from their glasses of white wine. Perhaps they are betting on the items for auction, thinking of spending their millions in one night.
“Mr. Stone said you can bid on any item that will tickle your fancy, Ms. Grant,” Paul says.
“I think I will be happier if I leave now, Paul.” She does not really like to be there. If not for Hunter, she would not have been there, anyway.
“But you have to bid for at least one, Ms. Grant. Mr. Stone never leaves an auction event without buying anything.
But the last time she was with him, that first night she met him, she does not remember Hunter Stone buying anything.
“Not every time, Paul.” Spending for a thing that she cannot even use in a lifetime is entirely useless.
“You don’t know Mr. Stone that well, Ms. Grant,” Paul answers. “This event is for a charity. All the proceeds will go straight to the foundation he’s been helping for so many years now. That’s the reason he doesn’t hesitate purchasing anything. It’s for the children.”
“Children?”
“Yes. He’s been helping an international NGO, the SOS Children’s Village.”
She has heard of this organization from the television. Children who have no family find a shelter and a family there. It’s not an orphanage but a real home.
“It’s very close to his heart,” Paul adds.
And she thinks she knows why.
There are just so many things she does not know about him. If she is to be his wife, she must unfold all of it. She just cannot be surprised all the time. Now that she has known this side of Hunter, she could stop suspecting the man’s heart of gold. Indeed, he is more than the facade he puts up.
