Obsession: Warm Bodies, Cold Hearts

by Rice, Rachel E.

  Sydney now twenty eight glowed with confidence and ripe beauty. Her beauty resembled a full-grown rose, which at its peak displayed sheer vitality. Sydney was at the beginning of her life. She learned how to love and be loved, how to live and appreciate living. Phillip hoped he would be the beneficiary of all her maturity.

  The next day Phillip sent Sydney a basket of flowers, and informed her that he had to fly to the U. S. because of urgent business. The card on the basket read:

  Dearest Sydney,

  I apologize for breaking our date, but it is urgent that I return to the U.S. I will make it up to you the next time I see you. I’ve lost my head over you.

  Your obedient admirer,

  – Phillip Cross

  Phillip received a phone call earlier from his private investigator informing him of Robert Farrell’s plans for Sydney. Robert distraught and angry with Sydney leaving him blamed Danny. His beliefs led Robert to fly to L.A. to confront Danny, who had just returned home from rehab.

  A fistfight ensued with Danny, and Robert lay on Danny’s lawn with a concussion. Someone called the police, where Danny sat jailed for a couple of nights. Robert sued Danny, and Danny is suing Robert. Danny returned for a few more months of rehab.

  Phillip’s flight left Milan early Monday morning arriving twelve hours later into Newark and then to Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, where a car was waiting.

  Phillip planned a Texas size showdown. He wanted Robert out of the way. Danny was out of the picture, and he wouldn’t be satisfied until he said, “good ridden” to Robert.

  Chapter 19

  Face to Face-Robert and Phillip

  Phillip arrived at the office building of Galaxy Oil, where security guards checked him. Phillip didn’t carry weapons—his weapons were his wit, money, brains, and good looks.

  The last person Robert would expect to see is Phillip. He didn’t know him personally, but he did know him from seeing him in movies.

  Phillip knew from reliable sources that Robert’s time consisted of cleaning up the mess he and his cohorts caused. Chaos permeated the building. A confident Phillip strode into the elevator and looked up at each numbered floor.

  He stepped off at the tenth floor, Robert’s office, which was close to the elevator. That was an unexpected convenience for Phillip. Phillip stuck his head into the office, and Robert inadvertently invited him in.

  Robert turned to see a tanned handsome man with short curly black and gray hair, who appeared to be someone he knew. It suddenly came to him that he was a movie star, however, Robert didn’t let on that he knew who was standing in front of him.

  “Excuse me but I’m not aware that I had an appointment with you.”

  “I’m sorry but my name is Phillip Cross.”

  “Where have I heard that name?” He said not making a connection with the name but with the face.

  “I’m a friend of Sydney Benning.”

  Robert took a long look at Phillip as if Phillip was not there. The stare was a lifetime. He stood still, and then he walked around to his desk and sat. “What do you want? I have no time for you and I have nothing to discuss with you concerning Sydney. She’s my business and that doesn’t concern you,” he said nervously.

  “She’s my business now, because I intend to marry her.”

  “What? Who the fuck do you think you are?”

  “Why, Phillip Cross. Did you hear me the first time?” Phillip said as a wicked smiled broke across his face.

  Robert’s anger added to the disturbed look that plastered his tired face. The crow’s feet living in the corner of his eyes, showed the strain of his problems. An attractive man, yet the strain of losing Sydney, and the possibility of jail, rendered him powerless, and the lines settled over his face and found a home in every weak spot.

  Phillip knew the strain Robert felt, and he planned to exploit every moment. He planned to add more weight on Robert’s unbalanced scale.

  “I understand that she can’t marry until she gets a divorce in the state of Texas. She has been living with me and I have introduced her as my wife and I adopted her son, therefore, she will have to divorce me if you intend to marry her,” he said as he smiled smugly to counteract the blitz.

  “Not if you’re in prison,” Phillip said as he walked to the right of Robert’s mahogany desk, and sat in the large black leather chair.

  “I want you out of here now!” Robert shouted feeling the pressure.

  Phillip hit Robert’s Achilles heel. Phillip knew in his circle he was the Alpha male and Robert the top dog in his arena, but now Phillip would be the top dog in this dogfight. Phillip didn’t intend to lose, and if he did, watch out.

  “This is what I want,” Phillip stated. “I want you to drop charges against Sydney. You know you were being a bastard when you file charges on her for taking her son out of the country.”

  “Suppose I don’t?”

  “Well, if you don’t, then, I’m sure besides having those indictments for fraud you will be looking at much more.” Phillip got up from the leather chair with a smirk on his face, and walked casually out the door, got a cab to Bush Intercontinental airport, and flew to L.A. jet lag and all.

  Phillip thought his day had been constructive, yet he wondered whether it would make a difference. Laying a foundation for his marriage to Sydney is worth it, he thought. He fashioned himself to be her knight. His feelings overtook him and gave him an excitement he didn’t have the tools to describe.

  Returning home, Phillip walked into his elaborate mansion feeling tired, but confident about his threats to Robert. He knew Robert wouldn’t be in any position to counter any attack he might levy on him. That thought brought a smile on his face, a smile of satisfaction at all he had accomplished. He never felt that fulfilled before.

  Looking around before setting his bags down, he realized how cold and uninviting the marble floors and his home had become. The paintings that hung throughout the halls of his enormous house he called a home, waited for a passerby to make a comment, but all Phillip could do was shake his head. That was a sign of “What was I thinking?”

  There were no revealing stories that told of how the house was no longer a home, except that it was empty of children, and a wife. He began to wonder why he no longer felt about his home the way he once did—a place to satisfy his craving for sex and only that. He had no desires for female companionship on a daily basis. Now he always had each woman leave after one night. He never allowed them to get too comfortable. More than one night would send the wrong message.

  All of the thinking and feeling of dissatisfaction originated with Sydney. His feelings concerning Sydney had taken a life of its own, and propelled him into a world that was foreign to him. That world yearns for children, a wife, and someone to love—these were distant and alien feelings that had never had cause to enter Phillips occupied space of selfishness.

  Phillip overcome by a need felt the need grow worse. It had been only a few days since he last saw Sydney. Phillip never wanted to be in need of anything or anyone. He had been empty of caring and giving to anyone since he was a child. He began work as a child and hated every moment of it. He was the breadwinner in his family, and the pressure from working so young, almost made him suicidal.

  The care of a psychologist helped Phillip cope with his stardom, and the loss of his parents when he was a teenager. Phillip thought if he didn’t feel emotions, pain would pass him by. Now all that was a joke, because the feelings he thought were cold and dormant came back with vigor.

  Surprisingly he wanted the warmth of Sydney, because he wanted to set his life on a different path. The only thing he knew to do was to construct it. He sat on his oversized king bed and stared at the phone. He reached for the phone to call Sydney and remembered he lost her number. He yearned to hear her voice, he yearned to hear her laugh, and he yearned to see her.

  “Hello Jonnie,” Phillip said, feverishly tapping the eraser of a pencil on his office desk, then walking and pacing wit
h his phone on conference.

  “Yes Phillip.”

  “Get me a flight to Milan.”

  “I thought you were calling from Milan.”

  “No I’m in L.A.”

  “I want to be on a flight to Milan by noon.”

  “O.K. Mr. Cross,” Jonnie, Phillip’s manager knew when Phillip wanted something, he didn’t take no. Getting him to Milan was her focus or she would lose her job. She worked for him since they first met ten years ago, became lovers, friends, and then his manager after she married a friend of his.

  Phillip found himself on another flight. Jet lag had finally taken hold. He slept through the entire flight, not waking for food. He arrived in Milan, a driver ferried him home. He was still dazed.

  When Phillip arrived at his home in Lake Maggiore, surprisingly he could not sleep. He longed to see Sydney and he couldn’t wait to give her the news about Robert.

  He found her phone number where he dropped it near his bed when he last dressed. He dialed the number.

  * * * *

  Sydney slept easy and deep since she no longer feared Robert’s reaches. When the phone rang, she carelessly answered.

  “Sydney…”

  “Yes Danny, what do you want?”

  Phillip didn’t let that affect him. A man oblivious to rejections, refused to allow anything trivial to get in the way of what he wanted to achieve. He was an actor. He knew how to respond to rejection. He wanted that women. He wanted her for the right reasons. He wanted her because he needed her. He became positive that he knew how to make her forget Danny, and he was going to try.

  “This is Phillip Cross. I have some very important news for you.”

  “I’m sorry Phillip, but I’m waking out of a deep sleep.

  “I have news that will change your life,” Phillip continued.

  Sydney waited to hear words about Danny. “I saw the man you know as Robert Farrell. I discovered that he had extradition papers to have you and Sean returned to Texas.”

  “Oh no Phillip!”

  “Wait Sydney, before you get upset, I found out that Robert has several indictments waiting. I confronted him and he agreed to leave you alone, and give you full custody of Sean.”

  “How did you do that Phillip, and why would you do that for me?”

  “Don’t ask any questions, just call me your knight in shining armor, and have dinner with me tomorrow.”

  Sydney couldn’t refuse Phillip, because he had managed to perform a feat that she nor Danny could manage. Her gratitude was boundless. Phillip hung the phone up, and happiness overcame him. Phillip’s heart beat loudly. Sydney now haunted his every thought. He finally found the ease and calm to sleep.

  Phillip woke early the next morning and made reservations for a dinner. He couldn’t wait. It had been years since he felt alive. His thoughts of the night guided his day, and that is how he was able to make it through one more hour.

  He thought about Sydney’s child. He considered being a father to her children. Maybe it was the mother and the beautiful little son that he would never have that softened his heart.

  After much soul searching, he knew what he wanted and had to do. He would ask Sydney to marry him. He wouldn’t stand in the way of Danny knowing his children. His mind was at peace, he never made decisions that quickly in his life about any woman.

  Phillip would test women he dated. Then after he was sure she would put up with his bullshit, and pass his test, her placed became the top of his dating ladder. The test wasn’t rigorous, all a woman had to do was understand that she was not the only woman in his life, and that was that.

  Sydney agreed to meet Phillip at seven that evening. Twilight set in and the day was a cool pleasing explosion of color. The sky was clear and the water was blue and refreshing, as Phillip sat in the open air, waiting for Sydney. The minute Sydney walked in Phillip’s direction, he rose like a gentleman.

  He never experienced that part of his life before, but it seemed appropriate for a woman he wanted more than life itself. She wore a yellow silk linen dress that showed her small waist and wonderful slim legs. Phillip knew she was stunning, however, he didn’t realize just how beautiful she is, until the sun hit her hair and brown eyes and caused a disturbance in his body. He walked and pulled the chair out. She slid effortless into it. He was in awe at her beauty and poise.

  “Can I order you a glass of wine?”

  “Yes, that would be great.”

  Phillip ordered a bottle of their finest wine, and then proceeded to order the dinner. He looked at Sydney, and she became very unsteady because of his long gaze.

  “Is something wrong Phillip? I didn’t get a chance to express exactly how much it meant to me to have that matter taken care of. I tried for years, and you did it in one day. I’m not going to ask how you did it, I’m just so grateful.”

  “I thought he was such a bastard. How could he do something like that to you and Sean? You two don’t deserve a life like that. I knew he caused you misery.”

  “Robert called my lawyer and said that he was relinquishing any hold over Sean and I, and I can have the adoption cancelled. I informed my lawyer to do just that.”

  Phillip found the nerves to ask Sydney to marry him after two months of dating. She felt safe with him and he didn’t take back his proposal once he found out she was having another child for Danny.

  Sydney didn’t make the mistake she made with Robert. No, there were always different mistakes to be made in a lifetime. If she made a mistake, it would be a different sort. Therefore, she agreed to marry Phillip.

  * * * *

  Sydney and Phillip’s Honeymoon

  Phillip and I married in Milan and we drove to our honeymoon destination in San Marino, Italy, located on Mount Titano, overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The exhilarating drive, the fresh air, and what could be better than that in the middle of June, I thought.

  The car climbed straight up the winding and narrow road to a scenic hotel in the center of the city. We parked and walked into the quaint hotel with its eclectic furniture.

  The room decorated in white, calmed me. I opened the window, then the shutters, and there in an outside room a band played. Cars parked, people walked and stood to listen to the band. It played, “Torna A Surriento.” I never got that tune out of my head. Phillip smiled at me, then took my hand held it to his lips and kissed my hand softly. I then kissed him, wondering how such an alliance could exist between two unlikely people.

  We showered, dressed, and ate, then took a walk. Phillip patiently waited without discussion of sex. We discovered a one-way street that led to a view of the Adriatic Sea.

  I walked to the end of a large wall, where beautiful sculptures stood hidden. I longingly peered out across the Sea, and for a brief moment thought of Danny. I didn’t like that I still thought of Danny, because I wanted to be free to enjoy the day, and my husband. That day belonged to Phillip. I grabbed Phillip’s hand and brought him to me. His look reached into my eyes, and touched me. He smiled with sincerity and tenderness. I never experienced love and peace, until now.

  At that moment, I thought about how lucky I have been to find such wonderful men.

  Phillip put his arms around me and led me back to the hotel. He looked at me, took off his jacket, and then put it on my shoulders to shield me from the cool night air.

  He stopped, turned, and said, “I want to shield you from everything that could make you sad. I knew that he meant what he said. We reached the hotel, walked up the steps, and found our room. He closed the door and stood still as if he could see through to my heart.

  Phillip unbuttoned my blouse as I froze. He kissed my shoulder. He embraced my breast that showed signs of a new pregnancy. My breast stood full, tender, and ripe. His eyes danced as he leaned forward and gently kissed my nipples.

  “My beautiful wife,” he exclaimed.

  Strange words shook me and even stranger still, is the man I married—no one could believe it—Heather, Steven, Tracy, and not even
Danny.

  “I love you, I think I’ve loved you from the day I met you,” Phillip stated as he caressed my body.

  “I have so much love for you Phillip.”

  Phillip stopped, “I wanted to hear that from you, and I know you would never say it unless you felt it.”

  I did love Phillip, but not the same love I reserved for Danny.

  Phillip and I playfully continued undressing each other. The feel of disrobing my husband excited me again. Phillip, a great lover, knew how to love a woman. He had years of learning what women really wanted. I knew he liked making love to women. He liked women, and with sex, he didn’t need any lessons.

  He learned at an early age to please himself, but now he was eager to please me.

  He began to love me. He kissed my stomach and then my thighs. His kiss was soft and his moan of pleasure excited me, and he took control of my body.

  He finally broke through the wall that Danny erected. A wall guarded by me, where I stood as the gatekeeper and keeper of the key— key to my heart and sexual life. Phillip finally crossed the threshold to my life as if he were crossing a moat before storming the castle.

  I let go of all thoughts clouding my mind and became responsive to Phillip. I gave Phillip the love I held in my body for Danny. My love was warm and seductive as I climbed on top of Phillip. I looked him in the eyes as I took his penis and encircled it with my tongue, then slowly using my hand and mouth to arouse him. As he became hard as a rock, I eased my body up and guided his penis into me as I French kissed him. Nothing could rival the magnetism that attracted my body to his, as I completed my deliberate rousing sexual intercourse.

  It had been years since I allowed myself the freedom of loving another man. My heart sat full, I couldn’t find room in my heart for anyone except Danny. Now, Phillip set my heart free. Free to be loved, free to love again!

  * * * *

  Danny Leaves Rehab

  Danny spent almost a year in rehab. He couldn’t wait to get out even though Max was convinced he should remain longer. Danny was pissed at Sydney for lying to him, but after he looked back at the destruction to his life, his happiness and peace returned.