by T L Osborn
“Hey,” Steph says as I walk into the lounge from upstairs. She’s standing in the dining room emptying two very large bags onto the table.
“Oh yum, you brought dessert,” Jake says coming over and peeking over her shoulder.
“Not for you I didn’t,” she says turning around and jabbing him in the chest with her index finger. “So if you want dessert you had better be nice tonight.”
“I’m always nice, Stephanie.”
“Ha! I’ll believe that when I see it Jacob,” she retorts. I roll my eyes and walk away into the kitchen to pour two glasses of wine. I kinda just wish those two would just start fucking; they’d be perfectly matched if they just let it happen.
“I’ll pour you ladies a wine,” Jake volunteers coming into the kitchen and snatching the wine bottle from me. “You two go and sit down.”
“I’ve got to cook dinner,” I retort.
He shakes his head. “Not tonight, Toby and I are cooking.”
“I’ll call the fire department, now shall I?” I laugh as I exit the kitchen swiftly.
“Hey! I can cook, it’s Toby that can’t,” Jake exclaims.
“Can too,” Toby says grabbing Jake and engaging him in play fighting in the kitchen. “You just want to look good in front of Stephanie,” Toby croons. I swear, I watch as a soft blush crosses my brother’s face. I turn back to Steph and find her trying to hide behind her wine glass.
“Don’t be a dick, Toby,” Jake mumbles.
“You know I’m just teasing little brother,” he chuckles punching Jake lightly in the arm before he grabs a beer from the fridge. There’s a loud knocking on the front door.
“I’ll get it,” Toby says as he heads for the door. “Simon!” he exclaims as he opens the door.
“I’m here to see Aria, though I completely understand if she doesn’t wish to see me,” I hear Simon’s voice from the other side of the door.
Toby pokes his head around the door. “You have a visitor.” It’s a command not a suggestion. I place my wine glass down on the coffee table and walk around to the front door. Simon stands before me wearing jeans and a tight cotton t-shirt. Even after all this time apart, I still want to jump his bones and never let him go. I take in his face; he’s scruffy, hasn’t shaved in I can’t tell how long. His eyes are bloodshot, like he’s been crying or possibly drank too much. He looks about as good as I feel.
“Do you want to talk privately or here?” I ask curtly.
“I’m happy with whatever you are,” he replies as he steps inside. I close the door behind him. “What I have to say concerns your family too.” Toby and Jake stop cutting the vegetables to glance across the room at Simon. “I’m here to say that the investigation into the fraud has finished and I have everything I need to make a formal statement and complaint to the police. I’m here because I’d like to ask all of you to come to my home tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm. Jake and Toby, I’d like you to be there to support Aria and to aid me in arresting the culprit.”
“Sure, I’ll come in uniform,” Toby says.
“Wait…a minute,” I pipe up and they all turn to look at me. “I’ve had no word from you for three weeks and now you’re expecting me to come to your house to be humiliated further by being arrested in front of your family? Why don’t you just save everyone the trouble and do it now?” I ask.
Simon’s face shatters and I know I’ve wounded him with my words. Jacob growls a warning to me, but I don’t care. I’m mad as hell at him right now. “You’re right, I should’ve contacted you sooner to at least give you an update on how it was going but I didn’t and I’m sorry for that. Also, your brother can’t arrest you but that will all be explained when you come over tomorrow evening. All I’m asking is for you to give me some time to explain everything, Aria. Then afterwards if you have any more questions or want absolutely nothing to do with me I’ll understand.” His shoulders slump as he waits for my response.
I inhale, “Okay, I’ll come but I do want honest answers about everything.”
He smiles, “You’ll get them. I will see you all tomorrow night. Enjoy the remainder of your evening.” I see him out the front door and see he’s driven himself here. He glances over the roof of his car and I swear I see him whisper ‘forgive me’.
Closing the door, I lean against it, breathing heavily. I want to run after him, demanding he tell me everything right now but he asked everyone to go over to his house tomorrow evening.
“Are you going to believe that bullshit?” Jake asks as he roughly chops up the mushrooms.
“I don’t know J,” I reply.
I honestly don’t know what to believe anymore. All I can do is wait and see what happens at his house tomorrow evening.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Aria
“Ready to go?” Jake asks as he picks up his keys off the kitchen counter.
“Not really,” I reply getting off the couch to grab my sweatshirt and handbag. “Let’s just get this over with shall we.” We head out to his Toyota Hilux and Jake reverses out of the driveway to head to Simon’s. Toby is meeting us there since he has to come in uniform and make it all official. “Thanks for bringing me out here,” I say to Jake.
“How else were you going to get out here? Broomstick?” he chuckles. I scowl through my side window not really in the mood to laugh. “Oh come on, sis. I’m just trying to lighten the mood.”
“I know, I’m just too worried and nervous to laugh that’s all,” I reply not turning to face him.
“Aria, Toby gave me a brief run-down last night of what’s been going on. If you ask me, he wouldn’t have asked you to turn up tonight if he was going to arrest you. I think there is someone else behind it and he wants you to see that for yourself so you’ll understand why he’s done everything he has,” Jake says.
“Who else could be behind it?” I ask him.
“His mother?” Jake quips.
“After Christmas I don’t believe she’d do that, not to her own son,” I reply.
“You’re too nice sometimes, Aria. You want to believe the best in everybody and it’s one of the many reasons why everyone loves you. Reality is Aria, his mother, I think, would do anything to see you gone from his life,” Jake says.
I sigh. Is he right? Am I too nice for my own good?
I don’t get time to answer my own questions; before I know it we are pulling into Simon’s driveway. My stomach churns with anxiety, my palms get sweaty and breathing tense.
“Chill out, sis, everything will be fine,” Jake says trying to reassure me as we pull up the driveway. There is a police car already parked up the driveway and I know Toby is here. Probably already preparing the arrest warrant. Jake and I get out of the car and head for the front door. It’s opened by Simon.
“Thank you both for coming,” he says greeting Jake with a hand shake and letting Jake step inside. I’m unsure how to greet him, do I hug him? Kiss him? Or do I simply shake his hand? To my surprise he steps forward and kisses me lightly on the cheek. “Promise me you’ll listen to everything tonight,” he whispers in my ear.
“I will,” I reply. He pulls back from me and I feel a little alone which I’m not used to around him, especially at his house. He gestures for me to enter his home ahead of him and as I enter I see Jake, James, Mel, Toby and his colleague, and Suzanne all sitting in the lounge. I take a deep breath as I feel Simon place his hand on my back in a reassuring motion. Suzanne turns to face me and her face contorts to one of rebuke. She certainly wasn’t expecting to see me tonight.
“What is she doing here?” she asks.
Simon
I feel Aria tense beside me as she gently steps towards me almost silently asking me for protection. It’s a nice feeling to know she still wants me to hold and protect her, even after all I put her through.
“If you’re talking about Aria, Mother, I’ve invited her to be in my home this evening as my welcome guest,” I reply. “Aria, can I get you a glass of wine?”
She
looks at me and slowly nods her head. “Whatever you have open will be lovely.”
“Sure, take a seat and I’ll bring it over to you,” I reply as I leave her to step into the lounge. I don’t need to wait or push Aria to enter as my sister gets out of her seat and practically drags Aria over to the couch. My mother squirms in her seat as Aria sits and is enveloped as part of the family. I pour Aria a drink and carry it over to her. “Enjoy.”
“Simon, I don’t understand why Aria is here? You told me you two were having a break and I know that she hasn’t been at Billington Industries for the last month because of a fraud investigation,” my mother says.
“How do you know Aria hasn’t been at Billington? I told you we were having a break I didn’t tell you she wasn’t working at Billington nor did I tell you there was a fraud investigation happening,” I reply. My mother opens her mouth and looks at James.
“Don’t look at me, Mum, I never said a word to you,” James says holding up his hands.
“Uncle Royce told me there was a fraud investigation happening and that a member of staff was suspected,” my mother says unable to look me in the eye.
“That’s funny, Mum, because Uncle Royce is away in Canada for the next month and has been away since before the fraud investigation was even started. He has absolutely no idea what’s going on at Billington and I wanted to keep it that way so he could enjoy his trip,” I reply sipping my own whiskey. I glance at Aria and see her eyes widen as she realises where I’m going with this conversation.
“Well… I… I must’ve heard it from someone else,” she says trying to cover her ass.
I toss a file across the coffee table at her and get out of my seat. “You didn’t hear it from anyone. You’re the one behind it. You’ve been stealing the money under Aria’s name for the last two months all the while playing friendly with us both. You actually had me fooled that you were accepting Aria as part of our lives.”
“Simon, I’ve never wanted her part of your life, she’s not good enough for you at all.”
“How dare you!” I roar. “You don’t get to tell me who is right and wrong for me. Aria loves me for just being me. She doesn’t give a toss about my money, she never bloody has. Every damn gift I’ve tried to give her she’s given back. I’ve found a woman who loves me. Hell, Mum, even Clarissa never loved me.”
“Yes she did, Simon.”
“No she fucking didn’t. Would someone who loves you blackmail you into having sex, hit you, neglect your own child just to satisfy her own needs? Remember the time my nose was broken, I lied to you all saying it happened in the gym. Nope, Clarissa did it. She threw something at me before hitting me. Honestly, Mum it’s any wonder that I have managed to find love again,” I say.
My mother opens her mouth to speak, “I’m sorry, Simon, I never knew any of that was happening. She always seemed nice and sweet.”
“Whatever, you and she were friends. You saw what you wanted to. I’ve had enough of this. Officers, you can do your job now,” I say. To my surprise Toby isn’t the only one who moves but Aria does too. She walks over to me, wraps her arms around me, holding me. Her presence is calming, soothing and I return her gesture. As I do I feel her body shaking within my grasp.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry,” I say.
“You didn’t. She was so cruel to you and you didn’t deserve any of that,” she says, looking up at her eyes full of tears. She rests her head against my shoulder and sobs gently as I watch my mother get arrested for fraud.
“I wasn’t going to use the money, Simon, you were going to get it all back,” my mother says.
“I don’t care. I never want to see you again,” I say.
“I’m your mother,” she gasps.
I shake my head. “No, you’re not. No mother would do this. Any parent wants to see their kids happy not miserable.” She’s taken away by Toby and his colleague. James comes over to me as does Mel.
“We’re always here for you, bro,” James says.
“Yeah anything you need, we are here,” Mel says. “That goes for both of you.”
“I hope the two of you are getting back together after this,” James says. I look down at Aria who is still cuddled in my arms. She looks up at me. “I’m here too. God, I had no idea she did any of this to you. Did she cause this too?” she asks tracing my scar down my face.
“No, actually that was James,” I admit.
“I’m still really sorry about that,” he says.
“I know. You were grieving and hurt. I’m not mad at you.”
“I think we should all have a few more drinks to celebrate,” James announces.
“Agreed,” Jake chimes in.
Aria looks at her brother. “You’re meant to be driving home.”
“Umm, I can’t, I’ve had two whiskeys already and this is my third.” She rolls her eyes and groans.
“You’re welcome to stay here the night,” I say to her.
“Are you sure, I don’t want to impose?” she says.
“You won’t be,” I reply. She most definitely won’t be imposing. James brings a whiskey over to me and Mel hands Aria a topped up glass of wine. “Looks like you’re staying now.”
I take a sip of my whiskey and we spend the remainder of the night relaxing. I head off to spend some time playing poker with Jake, James and Toby who joined us after his duty was done. The girls sat chatting out in the lounge. By the time we are all heading to bed, I carry Aria upstairs and gently lay her in our bed. I gently remove her shoes, jeans and bra so she’s comfortable to sleep before tucking the blankets around her and kissing her forehead before leaving the room. As much as I’d like to join her I don’t know how she’d feel about it so I grab my usual blankets and curl up on the couch in my office.
Aria
I awake warm, and stretched out across a bed. Rolling over I discover that I’m in fact in Simon’s bed. I hear the light steps of someone climbing the stairs. I see Simon’s head pop up above the railing. He’s dressed in the same clothes he wore last night.
“Hey,” he says, “I thought I’d bring you up a coffee. Your brother and mine are rather loudly snoring on the couch in the lounge.”
“How much did you drink last night?” I ask taking a sip of the hot drink he’s given me.
“I stopped at three; they of course kept going,” he chuckles.
“I’ll buy you a new bottle,” I mutter.
“You don’t need to do that,” he says. “I’ll leave you to drink your coffee in peace.”
“You don’t have to. I’d like it if you stayed,” I reply. He smiles and takes a seat next to me on the bed. “Why didn’t you just tell me what was going on?” I ask him.
He shakes his head. “I know I hurt you and I should’ve just told you from the start what was happening but I didn’t and for that I will forever be sorry. I just had to make it look like I thought it was you. I would’ve done it if it were myself and James who’s names had appeared. At first it looked like it was you, but I didn’t believe it.”
“You know I’d never do that,” I say.
“I know. When you left all of that stuff behind including your beloved Kindle I knew then you weren’t behind this,” he says. “I know no amount of me apologizing is ever going to make up for the fact I hurt you.”
“What I don’t understand is why? Why didn’t your mother just accept that Clarissa is dead and you were ready to move on? I wasn’t expecting us to be friends and I know there will always be a place in your heart for Clarissa because right or wrong, you did love her.”
“That right there is why I love you. You’re sweet, kind, caring, sassy, sexy and not snobby or bitchy like any of my mother’s so called friends daughters. Sure they’d be interested in me until they get their hands on my money but you aren’t like that. I did what I did to protect you and us. I didn’t want to lose you. You’re far too good for the likes of me and I sure as hell don’t deserve the love and support from you. I might be the Billionaire baby
, but you’re worth so much more to me than that.” He kneels before me on the floor of his room. “I need you back, I can’t be here without you anymore. I understand if you don’t want to be part of my life anymore. I hurt you and treated you in a way no woman deserves. The choice is yours, if you choose to walk out of this house and never see me again I totally understand.”
“Simon, I never stopped loving you, not once. I tried but it hurt worse than I could ever imagine. I missed you and Charlotte so damn much. I’ve been waiting for the day you’d see sense and see it wasn’t me. It’s going to take some time but I think we can heal the wound between us. The trust and love is still there so I’m willing to try if you are?” I say sitting up and sliding off the bed and onto his lap. He wraps his arms around me.
“You mean it?” he asks.
I laugh. “I sure do.” He lifts me off the floor spinning me around. “Just one more thing.”
“Anything for you.”
“Next time come and talk to me. No more secrets,” I say.
He nods in agreement. “No more secrets, only surprises like flowers and chocolate and gifts right?”
“Exactly.” He places light soft kisses on my lips, then trails his way down over my neck and chest. He removes my shirt, as he glides his hand up to my breast.
“We’re going to have the best fucking make up sex right now and I don’t give a fuck if everyone in this house hears it. I want the world to know you’re mine.”
“Ha! You didn’t say ‘Simon says’.” I giggle.
“Simon says, you’re mine.” He pulls me in for a deep kiss as he turns on the shower and I know this make up session is going to last for a few hours yet.
“Aria says, you’re mine,” I whisper in his ear.
“All yours, baby,” he replies as his mouth collides with mine. I can’t imagine my life without this man ever again. My Prince Charming and his princess have crashed into my life and I’m never ever letting them go.
