Circle of Deception

by Skye, M.

  “I’m crying because I’m happy,” she said and smiled at him with watery eyes.

  “Well, I’ve had many effects on women, but tears have never been one of them,” he said playfully.

  “Oh, hush up,” she said and pulled his lips close to hers.

  “You do know I’m lying in a bed with you half-naked right?” he whispered against her lips.

  “Well, you're just going to have to control yourself,” she replied and took his lips in a possessive kiss.

  “Dammit Em, you're making things so hard for me.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry. I’ve just always wanted to kiss you, and now I can’t stop,” she said and flashed him a sexy smile.

  “You're dangerous, woman. I don’t think I will be able to ever keep my hands off you,” he said and put his forehead to hers.

  “Good, because I don’t want you to. Do you know how long I’ve waited to be with you? I’ve liked you since we were kids,” she said and caressed his hand.

  “Good because I feel the same way.”

  After a few silent moments against his chest, she looked up at him and started a new conversation. “Did Gio and Marco stay over last night?”

  “Yeah, I gave them the guestroom. They were as out of it as you were,” he said with a goofy grin on his face.

  “How about I get up and make us breakfast,” she stood off the bed.

  “You can’t cook.”

  “I picked up some skills over the years. You should wake the guys and call over the lovebirds.”

  “Hey, Em how about we just invite the whole gang over,” he suggested.

  “I thought you said I couldn’t cook,” she said teasingly.

  “I’m going to help you,” he said and smiled at her.

  “Well sure. Call everyone and let them know,” she said and started to walk out of the room. “Hey, one second,” he called out behind her.

  “What’s up?”

  “You don’t have any pants on,” he pointed out and chuckled.

  “Oh yeah,” she said and blushed. Once she came back in and threw on some of his shorts, he picked up the phone and called Matthew and Melia. Melia quickly told him that she would call Maddie and Sean to invite them over, and he disconnected the call.

  ***

  “Madeline pick up the phone,” Melia screamed over the speaker of the answering machine.

  “What do you want? It’s only nine o’clock in the morning,” she replied, after snatching the phone from the base.

  “Have you heard about what happened last night?” she asked excitedly.

  “No, you're the first maniac to call me this early,” she replied hastily.

  “Oh, grow up. You're used to waking up early when your shift is over,” Melia replied and laughed.

  “Are you calling me a hooker?”

  “If the shoe fits,” she replied and began to laugh hysterically.

  “Quit your laughing. It's too damn early for this crap. Tell me what the big news is.”

  “Meg and Alex are back together and Emily and Aiden hooked up last night,” Melia exclaimed.

  “Wow! That was worth waking me up. Tell me everything!”

  “Apparently Alex showed up unannounced and put everyone out,” she said and laughed.

  “And Emily and Aiden?” She asked impatiently.

  “After Alex put them out, he and Gio set up an ambush for Emily and Aiden to admit they like each other.”

  “This is great news!”

  “That’s not the half of it. Did you know they had sex in the restroom at the restaurant last night?” Melia asked in an amused tone.

  “I knew it! How did you find all this out,” Maddie screamed.

  “How do you think?” she asked sarcastically. “Gio,” they both exclaimed knowingly.

  “Well, I for one am glad our sister embraced her wild side and let loose,” Melia said proudly.

  “What would you know about a wild side?” Maddie said teasingly. “Since you had Cici you have been like a church monk.”

  “I know how to have fun. My priorities are just different now. Wait a minute, I don’t see you doing anything wild yourself.”

  “Okay, we calmed down a lot over the years,” Maddie admitted.

  “That’s what you're supposed to do when you grow up,” Melia said and chuckled.

  “Anyway, is there any other reason for this call?” Maddie asked gleefully.

  “Yes. Did they invite you over for breakfast at Alex and Aiden’s?”

  “No, I told you that you were the first to interrupt my sleep, but I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you there and bring Sean,” Melia said and disconnected the call.

  “This is going to be some breakfast,” Maddie squealed as she rummaged through her closet.

  “What are you doing up so early? I thought you would be out for at least two more hours,” Sean asked as he emerged from the shower.

  “We have plans,” she responded happily.

  “What plans?” he asked and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “Plans with everyone for breakfast. We are going over to Alex and Aiden’s.”

  “Everyone? Did Meg and Alex get back together?” he asked.

  “It seems to be that way.”

  “Well, this is good news. They deserve to take another shot.”

  “Yes they do. Now I’m going to go jump in the shower. Do you think you could be ready when I get out? I want to try to get there soon.”

  While Maddie showered, Sean scrambled to get his wardrobe together. He knew that she meant business when she said she wanted him to be ready when she got out. For a woman, Maddie didn’t take long to get herself together. She didn’t need much. She was a natural beauty with long dark wavy hair. Her almond colored skin and deep green eyes gave her and exotic look, like her Brazilian roots.

  Their mother passed many her own traits to her three girls. They all had beautiful dark hair, petite frames, and long legs. They never wore much makeup but always looked awesome. Both Melia and Maddie had green eyes like their mother, but Meg had hazel eyes that made her stand out from her sisters.

  Once Sean heard the shower shut off, he splashed on some cologne and darted out to the front room. “Sean, are you ready?” she called out as she emerged from the bathroom.

  “I’m here,” he called out from the couch. When she walked into the living room fully dressed, he laughed thinking about how right he was.

  “What's so funny?” she asked when she saw his amused expression.

  “Oh nothing. I just know you too well,” he replied and shook his head.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes I’m ready, and you look wonderful,” he said and kissed her softly on the lips.

  “We let’s go before we miss something interesting,” she said and grabbed her car keys.

  On the way over to Alex’s, Maddie picked up the phone to call Meg and let them know that she and Sean would be joining the group for breakfast. When Meg answered, it took everything she had to keep from laughing when she heard her out of breath, flustered state.

  “Meg it's Maddie, I was trying to let you know that we were on the way to Alex and Aiden’s, but it sounds like you haven’t even left the bed.”

  “Very funny,” Meg replied, and looked back at Alex, who was lying in her bed butt naked.

  “What’s this about breakfast?” Meg asked in a tone lined with confusion.

  “Emily is preparing breakfast at Alex’s with Aiden. How does he not know what’s going on in his own house?”

  “Is that why the phone has been ringing off the hook today? Wait a minute… what was Emily doing with Aiden all night?” Meg asked knowingly.

  “Maybe the same thing you have been doing with Alex all night,” Maddie replied sharply.

  “On that note I’m hanging up. See you in a few,” Meg said and chuckled into the phone.

  “Who was that?” Alex asked while wiping the sleep fr
om his eyes.

  “Maddie. Apparently my best friend and your brother have been calling us all morning to invite us to breakfast,” Meg replied and leaned in to brush her lips across his.

  “I had my breakfast already,” he said and smiled.

  “You are so damn hot when you're being nasty,” she said and laid on top of him.

  “You better get up if you plan on making it out of bed today. If you let me get any more aroused, you're going to have to do something about it.”

  “I’m going to, but not right now. We have to go, so get up.”

  “That’s just wrong to leave me like this.”

  “The sooner we go, the sooner we can come back,” she said and winked at him.

  “Well, what the hell are we waiting for?”

  “Baby, you don’t have any clothes here,” Meg yelled out to him.

  “I have a change of clothes downstairs.”

  “Just get your shower started and I’ll run down there and grab them for you,” she said and headed down the stairs.

  “Thank you, Angel Face,” he said and turned on the water in the shower. While washing away the perspiration from the intense night of lovemaking, Alex received a startling realization and quickly shot out of the shower. “Meg, baby, let me get the bag,” he yelled as he ran down the stairs with nothing but a towel covering him.

  He was desperate to catch her before she discovered the contents of the bag. When he finally reached her, he realized he was too late. The confused expression on her face sent his head into an elliptical orbit, and he sauntered over to her at a loss for words.

  “What is this?” she asked and slid the bag over to him.

  “I didn’t want you to find out this way. I wanted it to be different,” he uttered solemnly.

  “Alex, what is this?” she asked again with tears streaming down her face.

  “Let me explain,” he said and walked up with his hand outstretched for her to accept. When she just stood there with her hand over her mouth, he slid the bag in front of the couch and pulled her down with him. “Meg I know you’re shocked, but I can explain everything,” he said and took her hand in his.

  “What’s going on Alex?” she finally choked out.

  “I wanted everything to be special for you. I didn’t want you to see it like this. I wanted flowers, music, and candlelight. You deserve that much.” Meg, who was still in shock, just sat there and blinked without saying a word. “Will you look at me, please?” Alex asked quietly. When she looked into his petrified eyes, she smiled at him lightly and caressed his cheek.

  “Say something,” Alex said timidly.

  With little hesitation, she reached inside the bag and pulled out the small velvet box and opened it. While staring back and forth from his tearful eyes and the huge ring in her hand, she said, “yes,” so quietly that he thought he heard her wrong.

  “What did you say?” he asked, trying to be sure his ears weren’t deceiving him.

  “I said yes, but that’s only if you still want to. I know you didn’t intend for me to see this. Maybe I’m jumping the gun, but I would like…”

  “Shh. You talk too much,” he said and chuckled while placing his finger on her trembling lips.

  “Of course I want to marry you, but you have to let me do this right. I want this to be everything you ever dreamed of,” he said and smiled at her.

  “Alex, if you don’t get over here and slip this ring on my finger I’m going to burst,” she responded. “It is special. We just woke up from the best night ever in each other’s arms after six years apart. What could be more special?”

  “Woman, you're impatient,” he said and got down in front of her.

  “What a beautiful proposal,” she said and laughed.

  “Seriously though, baby, you are my past, my present, and my future. I have loved you since the first day I laid eyes on you, and I will love you until the day I die. You have always been the only woman for me, and I can’t wait to make you my wife. Will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?” he asked with a genuine smile.

  “I love you and of course I will marry you,” she said and held her finger out for him to slide the ring on.

  “It's finally where it belongs,” he smiled down at her hand. “Well sweetheart, as much as I enjoy this, we need to get moving. They are going to be waiting for us, and plus I’m hungry,” he said and rubbed his stomach.

  “That's so beautiful. You give me this beautiful proposal and now you’re rushing me. You should write for Hallmark,” she said jokingly.

  “I have my moments. You know I love you, but if I don’t eat soon I’m not going to have any energy for tonight,” he said and stood pulling her with him.

  “Well let’s get you fed then,” she said and raced upstairs.

  After a quick shower, they jumped in the car and headed over to attend the breakfast that they knew would be eventful. On the way over, Meg found herself daydreaming about the life she was in store for being married to Alex. As much fun as they were sure to have, she knew there would also be a few hurdles.

  She had known for years that Alex’s father, Ben, was not fond of her. She didn’t have the faintest idea why. His mother Melissa was always pleasant, provided she was constantly drunk. Secretly, she hoped their marriage would never end up like his parents.

  Something was seriously off about Alex’s parents' relationship. They were never affectionate. It was like they didn’t even like each other. Ben was constantly away on “business trips,” and when he was home, he was locked up in his office except when he turned out to berate his family.

  Alex was the only one in the family who stood up to Ben. When Ben suggested Alex dump Meg years earlier, she had never seen a man get so angry. Alex never let Ben control his life like the other brothers did. She wasn’t sure why he hated her. He loved Melia and Maddie, but when it came to Meg, he never approved of anything she did.

  As they pulled in the driveway, Alex looked over to Meg, who was in deep thought and developed a goofy grin. Once she felt the car shut off, she snapped out of her thoughts. “What was going on in that head of yours?” he asked with the goofy grin still present.

  “I was just thinking about what's in store for us,” she said and unbuckled her seat belt.

  “It better be good thoughts,” he said and opened her door.

  “Let's just get inside,” she said as she got out of the car and smiled in an attempt to avoid his questions.

  When they got in the door, they walked right into questioning gazes from Gio and Marco. “And why are you two late?” Gio asked knowingly.

  “We Umm… hit traffic,” Meg lied and was unsuccessful in convincing the pair.

  When she picked up their expressions of amusement, she presented her hand to her face to hide her embarrassment. Marco quickly took notice of the huge ring on her finger and let out a loud gasp followed by a gut wrenching scream. The other guests shuffled to the living room to see what was going on.

  “What is going on in here? Is someone having a diva moment?” Melia asked as she and Matthew entered the room.

  “Someone has an expensive, princess cut, two karat, platinum diamond ring on her finger,” Marco blurted out in one breath.

  “Damn you got all that from one look,” Alex said and looked at her hand in bewilderment.

  “Let me see this ring,” Gio exclaimed as he marched up and grabbed her hand. He took one look let out a squeal, and pulled Meg into a rough hug. “It’s beautiful,” he declared without letting her go.

  “I’m glad you think so, but you're suffocating me,” she hissed jovially.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just glad I finally get to see it,” he replied and released her.

  “Did everyone know about this?”

  “Yes.” They all replied yes in unison and the room erupted in laughter.

  “We knew about the ring, but we didn’t know it would happen so fast,” Emily interjected.

  “It looks like we aren’t the
only ones who move fast,” Meg said when she noticed Aiden’s arms wrapped around Emily’s waist.

  “Well, I don’t know about you guys but I sure am hungry,” Emily announced and walked away briskly.

  “I think that’s our cue,” Alex said, grabbing Meg’s hand to lead her to the table. Before they could walk into the kitchen, Melia and Maddie both wrapped their arms around their sister and shared an embrace before joining the others.

  “I’m so glad for you,” Maddie whispered into her ear and moved back to the dining room.

  “You are going to be so happy. You guys belong together,” Melia said and walked away.

  When they all made their way to the table and took their seats, Emily and Aiden assisted the housekeeper, Maggie, by placing all the dishes on the table. “This looks great Emily,” Gio exclaimed and rubbed his stomach.

  “Thank you, but I didn’t do this alone. Aiden helped too,” she replied and smiled back at him.

  “Well, thank you too Aiden. Now, let's eat,” Gio exclaimed and began to shovel eggs onto his plate.

  “Wow. To be such a skinny guy, you sure eat a lot,” Sean said to Gio as he watched him prepare his plate in amazement.

  “Skinny my ass. This is what I like to call tastefully fit,” he replied and turned his nose up in the air, causing an outbreak of laughter to spread around the table. “You bitches are not funny,” Gio declared and stared them down with a playful scowl.

  “Don’t get salty. We were just kidding with you,” Marco said and grabbed his hand.

  “I’m going to let this slide because I’m a gentleman, but next time I won’t be so merciful.”

  While everyone was enjoying their breakfast, Alex decided to take the time to inquire about what had Meg in such a displaced mood earlier. “Hey, Angel Face, what had you so weird in the car?”

  “I was just thinking about your parents and how they are going to react to our engagement.”

  “You mean you were thinking about my dad,” he said, practically seething with anger with each breath.

  “I can’t lie. I was more worried about him than Melissa. She has always been so sweet, while he doesn’t seem to be able to bear the sight of me,” she responded quietly.