There was only one way to find out. I had never been one to shy away from whatever life had thrown at me, but even I was weary of facing this firestorm. Resigned to the fact that I had no choice, I crawled out of bed and got ready for the meeting.
The swelling had gone down on my face, but there was not much I could do about the bright purple bruise that covered the left side of my face. I had a nice shiner forming. I did what I could with cover-up and then just blow dried my hair straight so that it fell over that side of my face in soft waves. It didn’t mask it completely, but it helped.
Curious about what Rafe had been up to, I arrived in the lobby a little earlier than 8:30. I spotted him off to the side, and he waved me over.
“Good morning, Angel.”
I was beginning to love the little pet name he had for me now. Eyeing him speculatively, I asked, “So, are you going to tell me what was so urgent that you had to leave me in the middle of the night.”
His blue-eyes twinkled. “Trust me, leaving you last night was the last thing I wanted to do. But, I just had to tie up a few lose ends before this morning.” With a guiding hand on the small of my back, he ushered me towards the boardroom, “Come on, I want to get to the room early.”
Uncertain, I asked, “Are you sure you want to do this? Walk in together, I mean.”
He squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Yes, I’m sure. Whatever happens, we will face it together.”
Walking together to the boardroom I hoped that since we were twenty minutes early, we would at least be the first ones to arrive.
Unfortunately, luck was not on our side. My face fell as we opened the door. We were not the first ones in the room. My father and Alistair stood at the back wall in deep discussion. At our arrival, all conversation ceased, and their gazes turned to us.
Judging from the expressions on their faces, my worst nightmare had come true. Alistair’s swarthy ass stared back, his eyes moving between Rafe and me not even trying to hide the smug grin on his face. My father, on the other hand, gave nothing away. His face a mask of stone. But the muscles in his jaw clenched, and he couldn’t quite look me in the eye. And that told me everything I needed to know.
“Daddy, I can explain,” I rushed.
“STOP.” I halted in my tracks at his harsh tone. “Just stop right there, Angelique.” I’d never heard him speak to me like that.
“Sir, if you could just let us explain,” Rafe tried, but my father was having none of it. His brown eyes were as dark as midnight, as he settled his gaze on Rafe. Standing tall, Rafe met his stare unwilling to wilt under his scrutiny.
“I’m surprised you had the audacity to even show up Mr. St. James.” His gaze flicked to mine before settling back on Rafe, “Let alone show up with my daughter.” I winced at his words. ‘My daughter’ had been said with such disappointment.
It didn’t help that I could see Alistair’s shoulders shaking with laughter behind him. Flushing from both embarrassment and fury, I shook my fist at Alistair. “What did you say to him!” I demanded. But he just ignored me.
“Enough Angelique. He told me enough,” my father responded sharply.
Tears threatening to fall yet again, I walked toward my father, eyes pleading. “Did he now?” Surprise marred his features at my tone. Never in a million years would I ever defy my father or speak to him in such a way, but I was furious.
With the tears falling freely now, I continued, “You think you know everything. I won’t deny that Rafe and I have been together.” My father’s jaw dropped slightly at this admission but said nothing. So I continued, “I’m sure Alistair was quite forthcoming with only part of the story. Did he also mention that he tried to rape me in the elevator?”
“Unbelievable!” Alistair exclaimed, outraged. “The lengths that you will go to hide your transgressions. It’s simply appalling Angelique.”
My father swiveled to look from myself to Alistair and back again, unsure of what to make of latest revelation.
“Made it up did I? If that’s true than how did I get this?” Pulling back my hair I pointed to the large bruise that circled my left eye. “How do you explain this?”
A shocked gasp escaped my father at the sight of the ugly bruise. His hands went up to touch it, but I backed away from him, still hurt by his actions.
“Well…er…Rafe could have just easily done that to you,” Alistair sputtered. “I’m sure the two of you dreamed up some ‘cockamamie’ story once you knew that you were found out.”
My mouth dropped. I was completely speechless at the ridiculousness of his suggestion.
Unsure of what to make of all this my father just stared open mouthed at the two of us.
“Excuse me, sir,” Rafe interjected. “I know that I am the last person you probably want to hear from but…”
“Of course, he doesn’t want to hear from you!” Alistair interrupted.
Shutting him up with one piercing gaze, Rafe turned back to my father. “I have proof of Alistair’s assault.”
“That’s impossible,” Alistair blustered. “Because it never happened.” But he didn’t look so confident. He was paler than usual, and a sheen of sweat had broken out on his forehead. My father regarding him closely, eyes narrowing. “Show me this proof,” my father ordered.
“When Angelique told me about the assault, I was ready to go after Alistair myself,” he said sending him a murderous gaze. “But she begged me not to. So I did the only other thing I knew to do. I have connections with the hotel and was able to secure the video surveillance tape of that assault.” He pulled his Tablet with a video already queued up and handed it to my father.
“I’m sorry,” he turned to me and said, his eyes apologetic. “This may be difficult for you to watch.”
Pressing play, the three of us stared at the video of the elevator assault. Despite there being no audio, it was quite clear that I was telling the truth. Unable to relive the ugly experience again, I hid my face in Rafe’s shoulders.
“Angelique,” my father called softly, but I didn’t turn around. “Angelique, please.”
Slowly I turned to face my father.
I have never seen my father cry before, but he stood before me now with tears in his eyes. “I never should have doubted you. You tried to warn me about him, and I refused to believe it. You will never know how truly sorry I am.”
Unable to find my voice, I simply nodded.
My father turned his gaze to Rafe. “I owe you an apology, but I need to take care of something first,” he said as he sent a menacing look to Alistair, who seemed to shrink under his gaze. “I can trust that you will take care of her while I handle this?”
“Yes sir, no more harm will come to her.” Pausing, he looked my father straight in the eyes before adding, “Ever.”
I looked up at him quizzically, but he just hugged me close and guided me to the door. I turned back to look at my father, but he had already turned his attention to Alistair.
“Maybe we should stay to make sure he is okay,” I said concerned.
“I think your father can handle himself,” Rafe reassured. “But, I took care of it just in case.” As we exited the hallway into the main lobby, Rafe acknowledged several police officers that were standing nearby. Once he gave them the nod, they proceeded down the hallway towards my father.
Relief flooded through me.
Turning toward him, I scrutinized the meaning of his last words. “A little dramatic don’t you think,” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I appreciate the knight and shining armor bit, but the ‘Ever’ comment was a little over the top,” I said smilingly.
Rafe put his hands on my shoulders, his eyes very serious. “I know this was sudden, but I meant what I said.”
I furrowed my brows in confusion, “What?” What did he mean? He couldn’t possibly mean what I think he meant.
“You are beautiful, and smart, and sexy. Everything I could want in a woman,” he declared. “And, I mea
nt what I said to your father. I won’t let anyone ever hurt you again, ever.”
I still wasn’t sure I had heard him right.
“I mean that is if you will let me.” My heart thundered in my chest as I listened to his impassioned speech.
“Angelique, I love you. I have the moment I first saw you. It doesn’t matter to me how we met, or how long we have known each other. I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
Could this be real? Truth was, I loved him too. I knew it when he held me in his arms that night we made sweet love to each other. I knew this must sound crazy, but as I stared down at him in awe, those blue eyes shining with sincerity, I knew it was right.
“Yes. Yes, Rafe, I would love to give us a try.
Beaming with pride, he picked me and twirled me around in a heated kiss, sealing the deal.
THE END
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baby Score: A Secret Baby Romance
Raedene
All it took was one eventful and memorable night and here I was, a mother with a four-year-old toddler who refused to speak like other children his age and who believed that he had another family. He compared everything I did to his imaginary mother; from the food I gave him to the clothes I dressed him in. He couldn’t get himself to even call me mom. But here, where Braden lay sleeping, he looked like a real angel. I just wish I knew why he was so different from other children. Everything went for a loop after his second birthday. Initially I assumed it was the terrible-two phase all experts refer to when it came to toddler behaviour, but two years later I wasn’t all that sure. He became progressively worse as he got older and I had no idea how to help him. Every day he would talk about his other mother, the one who died a horrible death after being attacked by white tigers, and his little sister who fell into the ice. And if I dared tell him that it’s his imagination he would throw the worst temper tantrums ever. He believed everything his mind conjured up, it was so real for him that he would spend hours crying about his dead mother and how he couldn’t help his little sister.
“Is he sleeping?” Damien whispered from the doorway.
If it wasn’t for my brother I would be so lost, but I had to start accepting the fact that Damien would soon move away to start his own family.
“Yeah finally, I just wish I knew what triggered him to behave this way,” I said softly while I brushed the brown curls away from Braden’s forehead.
“Maybe you should consider taking him to a paediatrician or a child psychologist,” Damien suggested.
“And tell them that my child believes I’m not his mother?” I piped up and laughed softly, “I mean really, white tigers? Just today he told me how he used to walk in knee deep snow to go collect fire wood for his family, I honestly have no idea where all this comes from.”
Damien came to stand next to me and placed his hand on my shoulder, “You’re going to have to get some expert advice Rae, otherwise you’ll never figure it out. This behaviour is not normal.”
No shit Sherlock, of course it’s not normal, “I’ll make an appointment to get him assessed, but I’m just so scared they find something horribly wrong with him.”
I swallowed at the lump in my throat, choking back the tears of defeat. What if my son was odd, what if he was diagnosed with some mental disorder that required permanent care that would eventually result in him never having a normal childhood? The questions were endless. I spent many nights researching all possibilities, from past life experiences to Autism and Schizophrenia, but all that resulted in, was me going more insane every day.
“It will only help you Rae and once you know what’s going on, you will be better equipped to deal with these challenges. You should also consider getting in touch with Caleb; he has the right to know.”
“Caleb? Why would I do that?” I asked shocked, I never told anyone that Caleb was Braden’s father.
“I wasn’t born yesterday. You two were close, hell, you were almost inseparable. And when you came with the news about your pregnancy, I knew straight away.”
Wow, and he kept quiet all this time? “Why did you never say anything?”
“I figured you’ll talk when the time was right, which never happened. But still, you need to get in touch with him.”
Maybe my brother was right, Caleb had the right to know, but how on earth was I going to find him? The last I heard he was in the military, who knows where he was now. And if I did find him what do I tell him? Oh by the way, you left and I was pregnant. Congratulations you’re a dad.
“I wouldn’t even know where to find him Damien, it’s been five years. The day he left, he left for good,” I said and pushed myself up off the floor and walked out of Braden’s room pulling the door closed behind me.
“I have his number; maybe you should just give him a call, test the waters and see how he is. In a week I’m leaving and if you ask me you are going to need all support you can get. Doing this on your own will be no easy task,” he said and hugged me tight.
I was going to miss Damien once he was gone. Over the past few years, he had been my pillar of strength. He was the only one who understood me and even more so, he was the closest thing to a father Braden ever had. The idea of him leaving was almost too much to bear. I couldn’t even bring myself to tell Braden.
After Damien left, I flopped down on the sofa and finally broke down. This was the only time I could allow my own weaknesses to surface knowing that no-one was around to witness them. I had to stay strong, for Braden. Sometimes when I was caught up in my own thoughts, I felt like the protagonist in my own stage play with the world as the audience. But rather than cheering me on, they flung rotten tomatoes and lettuce at me.
I reached for my phone and scrolled down the list of contacts, compared to how many friends I had back in college to the handful I had now, I was nothing short of being a recluse who avoided social media like the black plague and hid behind books and manuscripts to avoid meeting new people. I paused at Caleb’s name, Damien must have added him to my address book when I wasn’t looking, I realized and my thumb hovered over the message icon.
“Mommy!” it was Braden’s hysterical cry that sounded from the bedroom and I immediately dropped my phone to run to his side.
“Mommy’s here sweetheart,” I said trying to pull him into my arms.
“No! Mommy, I want my mommy!”
He was looking for his imaginary mom again and this was the third time in one day this episode repeated itself.
“She’s not real Braden,” I said trying my best not to over react and show him that I’m upset.
“Mommy!” he kept on as if he didn’t hear a word I just said.
Okay, calm down Rae, just go with it, I told myself and closed my eyes then let Braden go. He flopped down on the bed and in one motion rolled onto the floor kicking and screaming. Tears stung my eyes as I tried to keep my wits about myself, but it wasn’t easy.
All I was left to do was lie down on the bed and watch him eventually cry himself to sleep. As soon as he was asleep I got up and pulled a blanket over his small frame. Exhausted I decided to stay in his room and finally fell asleep on his bed.
Caleb
I was ready as ever, adrenalin pumping through my veins as sweat dripped down my face. All we needed was one drop kick over the posts and we would win this game and walk away as the undefeated champions to win the Inaugural Season. I glanced at the clock –seventy eight minutes and counting. The ball came flying my way and I caught it mid-air, and without a second thought I drop kicked the ball and sent it sailing right between the goal posts. The sound of the crowds as they cheered was one of the best feelings any rugby player could ever experience. It was a sense of achievement.
The final whistle blew and the game was set with the Denver Stampede winning
by 39 to 33 against the Ohio Aviators, it was a close one to say the least, but we did it.
After the game, instead of joining the guys for a night out to celebrate our victory, I headed home. Despite the excitement that still flowed through my veins I felt irritable and the text from Damien did not help at all. That was a part of my life I laid to rest a long time ago. Why on earth did he think I wanted to touch base with Rae? The last time I saw her was the day I left to do my civil duty for my country and I never looked back again. Surely she finally settled down with someone who was able to give her what her heart desired.
I gritted my teeth, fighting off the sudden ache that emitted from my chest, we had a good thing going, but we were still so young. And after my father decided that my mother wasn’t good enough for him and he hooked up with miss-priss, I realized then and there that love was nothing but a pain in the arse. It was an overrated emotion that just brought pain and disappointment. It was the one thing I would never forget. The look on my mother’s face when my dad arrived home with Leandra on his arm as if she was stuck to him like an appendage. If he could have his way he would have opted for a polygamous lifestyle, one where he could have multiple wives and father a multitude of children, but then again he didn’t care much for children. I knew that.
I dropped my duffle bag on the ground and went straight for the bourbon; I needed something strong to calm the anger that raged deep in my soul. I’ll sleep off this sudden annoying feeling and wake up in top form, ready for the ride up-country. My ass and fingers itched to get on my bike and just be one with it and be free.
I was about to settle down when my phone rang, it was Joanne a most welcome distraction at the best of times.
“Hey babe,” I said answering the phone and just as I thought she wanted to hook up again. The convenience of being in the national rugby squad was that women, more specifically cheer leaders would throw themselves at you shamelessly without expecting the strings that usually come as part and parcel of any relationship.
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