What a New Year's Eve

by R. E. Laurel

  “Maren,” he began when she walked away to look out the wall of windows to the view below of the city and of the lake. “I should have told you this from day one. Our relationship has a huge lie dividing us.”

  She spun around to face him. “I was right. You’re married with the two and a half children and a dog?” She watched as he approached her in faded jeans and his button-down shirt hanging open. His hair was ruffled where a hand appeared to be running through quite often. His intense expression took her breath away. “What, what is it?”

  “I’m not who I profess to be.” He stated, grasping her hands in his and feeling the stiffness in her body. “Gorgeous, oh Christ if only I could go back to day one. I’m not Victor Montgomery, well I am but add a few more names.” She took a step back, her brows lowered.

  “Well, who are you?”

  “Victor Montgomery Neal the Sixth.” He waited for the rampant expressions ranging from disbelief to shock and then anger. Her face lowered and eyes bore into his. Her one brow delicately arched.

  “You’re teasing me. You know how I feel about him.”

  “You hate my guts. Hell, I heard it every time you spoke my name.”

  Maren straightened, trying to remove her hands from his tighter grip. Lies? Her lower lip slightly stuck out and begin to quiver.

  “What’s with that look? Come on, gorgeous. Don’t start crying.” He begged but watched her eyes fill with the tears that he knew one blink would send them rolling down her cheeks. “Damn,” he cursed when the flow began. “I am so in love with you.”

  “But to lie? What else could be a lie? Everything? Or perhaps you still love taking advantage of women and leave them. Huh? Is that it? Knowing I had never been with a man you stayed around to get what you always get. Deep down you are still that player that you claim you aren’t any longer and, and you’re now trying to find that way to get the hell away from me!”

  “Don’t.”

  “You acquired what you set out to get. Victor Montgomery Neal the Sixth always gets the lady he wants. Well, you deserve the slutty trash that you and Stan hang out with.”

  “Maren, please don’t. I’m not the same.”

  “Bullshit, Victor. Once a user, always a user. Well, I’ll make it easy for you.” Lips pressed tightly together, she tugged her hands-free and in one smooth motion gave his face a resounding slap before hurrying past him and out the door.

  Her cries echoed in his home as he ran after her to find her standing at the elevator door punching the daylights out of the button.

  “Maren. Please don’t do this.”

  She leaned close to the door not wanting to look at him as she struggled to ignore the pleading tone of his voice. “Come on you god damn door,” she swore through clenched teeth. She jumped when his hand slapped onto the door in front of her and remained. Her shoulders rose and fell from a deep breath.

  “I don’t want you to leave.”

  Glaring at his hand she answered, “Perhaps you should have thought about that from damn day one.”

  “I deserve that.”

  “You’re damn right you do.” She breathed a sigh of relief when the door finally opened. Stepping in she turned to push the garage button before lifting her gaze to shoot him an angered glare as the door slid closed. “How could you?” She asked before the gasping cries began.

  Victor remained motionless, hands braced on his hips as he helplessly watched the door close but the glistening hatred image burnt into his brain. He heard her last words and then the cries that seemed to echo as the elevator lowered. His jaw clenched and unclenched. Her words were spot on as to the man he once was before she entered his life.

  “I’ll be damn if you’re going to leave my life. You are the one for me and one day you’ll realize it. I’m not letting you go.” He vowed before stalking back to his apartment, his closed fist hitting the wall as he walked.

  CHAPTER 23

  A week went past and Maren put herself into the family business by doing longer hours. If she wasn’t there she could be found at the Youth Center. The smiles from the children warmed her heart. She finally managed to get Christmas shopping done for her family and the children. It made her happy when they would open gifts and scream out their excitement.

  But today her smile was forced as she greeted and helped customers. Her cell phone that had many texts and voicemails remained in her purse. She refused to answer or even check the texts with Victor’s name.

  “Maren, what is wrong?” Teresa asked when she heard a light sniffle. She noticed an absence of Victor and the sparkle in her eyes left.

  “Cold coming,” she muttered, keeping her eyes cast down as she folded more clothes to tidy the showroom.

  The tinkling of the bell caused them to look up to find Belinda returning with their lunch.

  “Hey, someone bought the building next door.” She announced, walking past them to the back room.

  “No!” Maren cried out. “Well, that adds insult to injury.”

  “Why?” Belinda wondered, removing her coat to hang on a hook before delving into the bags to remove the sandwiches.

  “I was thinking about opening my own business in that building. I didn’t get around to it, though. Guess he was right. That building is a prime location and wouldn’t sit empty for long.”

  “The way you've been moping around is it any wonder. And besides, there are others empty.”

  “I wanted that one.”

  “Are you ready to talk yet?” Belinda asked, handing her meal to her hearing her long sigh.

  “He lied to me, Belinda.” She blurted out.

  “I find that hard to believe. The guy adores you.”

  “Are you ready for this? His name is Victor Montgomery Neal the Sixth. He told me on Saturday. Yea I went to his place since he was busy working. He lives in a freaking penthouse apartment.”

  “Can’t that be overlooked?” Belinda began.

  “Maren, come out here please” Teresa called out.

  They went to the front of the store. Maren gasped as Belinda went into total silence.

  “What the,” she ended, walking to the large bouquet of flowers. “I’ve never seen poinsettias that huge.”

  “Gorgeous, these are for you,” Zeke, the delivery man stated, knowing by now who she is.

  “Do you realize how many of these I have at home?” Maren asked with a tiny shake of her head.

  “I do. Two deliveries a day,” Zeke answered. “Guessing thirteen by now since today isn’t over yet. Could you two please make up already?”

  “I’m sorry, Zeke.” Maren meekly said.

  After he left, Teresa turned to Maren. “So that’s it. You two are at odds. Zeke knows this but I don’t.”

  “Haven’t spoken to him for over a week and besides, Zeke and I have coffee and cake when he comes over in the afternoon. He’s a great listener.”

  “What? What happened?”

  “Vic is the man who fired me. He lied to me, all right?” Maren snapped, not wanting to discuss it any longer.

  Teresa opened her mouth to comment but Belinda shook her head at her.

  “I’m going for a break.” She stomped away to retrieve her winter outerwear before marching past them to go outside.

  Stepping outside she paused to take in a breath of cleansing air when the large moving truck parked outside of what should have been her shop caught her attention. Curiously, she went towards the front door to peer in. She found a team of ten men working on the walls repairing cracks in the plaster while on another wall the painting was in progress. The original copper tin ceilings had already been polished and were beautiful. Replacement light fixtures were stacked in boxes in a corner. Lowering her head, she looked at the pictures on the boxes.

  A total of twelve Moorish style hanging lanterns were inside. They were designed with tapered cylinders with fiery amber, gold, and opaque glass in a geometric fish scale pattern and twelve feathered crown dome tops would hang from them. They would be suspen
ded on chains.

  “Those will look perfect in here. Tiffany. They must have funds.” she muttered, gaining the attention of one of the men.

  “Can I help you, miss?”

  “Can you tell

  me what kind of store is going to come in?”

  “Some kind of boutique I heard.”

  “Thank you,” she barely grinned as she turned to leave giving a last wistful glance inside.

  Victor saw her entering and remained hidden in the next room. Remaining silent he watched her reaction to the remodeling so far and was pleased. He didn’t miss how she swooned over the lamps nor her words she muttered. The view of her SUV driving away caused him to move on another idea. Removing his phone, he called Belinda.

  “Hello?”

  “Belinda, it’s Victor. Now before you go off on me, can you come to the building next to the wine shop?”

  “What?”

  “Just come over but you have to swear to keep this a huge secret.”

  Belinda was already walking over as he spoke and stopped behind him. She looked in awe at the inside and the beautiful features the room would surely have.

  “I can keep a secret.”

  Victor jumped when he heard the dual voice. He turned to look at her. “Thanks for coming,” he spoke into his phone before pushing end.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  “I bought this for Maren for a birthday gift.” He grimaced at her shocked expression. “What?”

  “Are you buying this to appease her?”

  “No, I’m buying this because I am in love with her and she spoke of wanting to do this but didn’t think she had the funds and I knew this place would go off of the market quick.” He vehemently explained to an unimpressed looking Belinda. Calming down he added, “Don’t tell her, please.”

  “I won’t. What did you want to see me about?”

  “I need to get clothing purchased. Vintage style, steampunk. I have a few antique steam trunks being shipped here for the steampunk section along with other items.”

  “Wow. You two have talked and you listened.”

  “Of course I listened. I’m hoping that you would know what kind of the clothing Maren would want in here.”

  “Many people are into the steampunk and vintage clothes. That even surprises me. I’m one of them too, though. How do you think she’ll accept this?”

  “I have been pondering that. I will make her talk to me before then. I haven’t felt this way for anyone else. She makes me happy. I love her so much that it hurts.”

  Belinda saw the sincerity in his face and his voice. Finally smiling she wrapped her arms around him so happy for her stubborn friend. Victor returned her hug. Stepping back Belinda confessed.

  “You realize the main issue is that you lied to her even though you think what you lied about wasn’t such a big deal, it is. Trust is the most important item in any relationship. Get that back and I’m sure you’ll get her back. Zeke is a good listener, she just mentioned.”

  “Who the fuck is Zeke?”

  “It’s your fault.” His eyes widened. “Yea, he delivers the flowers to her. They have become friends.”

  “You’re shitting me.”

  “No, I am not. Why don’t you deliver the next batch to her?” She suggested.

  A thoughtful smile crossed his lips. “Good idea, Belinda.”

  “It is, isn’t it,” Belinda replied with a smug grin.

  He reached an antique display case to a stack of catalogs that laid on top to hand to her. “Here. I have markers between a lot of the pages but I wanted your input. Thanks. I have to phone Zeke.”

  ***

  Maren stood at the island in the kitchen making another batch of orange cookies. Her grin was mild as she remembered how much Victor loved these. Her shoulders rose and fell with the long sigh.

  “I miss you, you ass,” she muttered, fighting the tears from forming. The knock on her door interrupted her. Looking at the clock she saw the time after four. Zeke is right on time. Wiping her hands on the dishtowel, she went to answer the door. Her brows shot up. She could only see his hands grasping the base of a large crystal vase.

  “Good lord, Zeke. This one is twice the size of any of them.”

  “Yep. This guy must really love you.” He mumbled.

  “I guess he does. Put them with the rest and come on back to the kitchen for coffee and cake.” Maren said after closing the door. She went down the corridor waiting for Zeke to appear. Wondering what to do about Victor, she slid onto a bar stool to sit at the island. Looking up as he entered, her eyes widened to see Victor standing there.

  With each step nearer, he spoke. “Since you haven’t returned my calls or answered my texts, I have come to you.”

  “Victor!”

  “Nice you haven’t forgotten my name. We need to talk this out.” He grimaced as that face returned of her lower lip protruding and beginning to quiver. He reached out, bracing her face in his hands. “I am so damn sorry. Ask me anything and I’ll answer and it will be the truth because I want us to begin this all over. You are in my head and my heart, constantly. What’re the words to that song? You have made me walk the line. Your love has kept me truthful to who I really am. I existed. I was never happy. Not until I looked at you.”

  Maren placed her hands on his chest to stop him from coming any closer. She wanted space from his touch, from his embrace, from him. “Please step away from me,” she whispered.

  Victor released her and took a step away, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans. “How much more can I say to you. Gorgeous, I love you so much and I would never do anything to hurt you.”

  Keeping her eyes cast down she released a quivering sigh before returning to her seat. “Vic, for years I kept my heart deep inside until the man whom I believed in came into my life and I thought that man was you but, with lying well, what else could you lie about to me?”

  “I wouldn’t.”

  “How would I know that you’re not lying now? I have friends who have divorced because of lies told.”

  “Everyone takes that chance in relationships. It’s something that you want and the options of do you want it as much as I do or give up before anything happens?”

  “Besides,” she finally looked at him, “you fired me.”

  “I didn’t, the father did and I called him to keep you and the others on but he refused to listen to any reason. He said that is my first lesson in being the President of the company. Ask Stan, he was there with me as we argued about this.”

  “You are the President? How many do you own?”

  “Yes, I am the President of Neal’s Emporium. I don’t know of the top of my head how many. I also run a lot of businesses besides Neal’s.”

  “Oh, how about a rough estimate.”

  “Fifty-ish give or take a few ishes?” At least she’s talking, he thought with a bit of relief

  “What kind of a man were you?”

  “Okay, according to Stan, the love them and leave them. I never brought any to my apartment, house or on vacation back to my room. The less they knew about me the better for all persons involved. The ones who did know me just loved the fact that they spent time with me and tried at anything afterward to gain my attention. It gets old. I went about my days only concerned with me, what I wanted to do, where to eat, who I had sex with,” he paused at the brief pained look in her eyes. “Sex with. We made love. Not that face again,” he stated.

  Maren’s lower lip protruded and began to quiver as he rushed on.

  “It’s true that I used to do a lot of roaming. I was pretty wild staying in bars until we would be kicked out. Sometimes taking someone I didn’t even know to a motel. Yea, Stan kept saying no one will tie you down. It will be one hell of a lady to manage that one.”

  Sighing, Maren rubbed her hands over her face. “Weary, I’m just weary. Every night I sit and cry and then have to focus on my job and I struggle to put you in the back of my mind until I’m alone a
nd I begin the cycle.” She revealed her pain as she looked back at him. “And then my building is sold. I should have inquired about it as you told me but instead, I’m busy being upset. So I’m blaming you on the fact that I failed to check into the building for my shop.”

  “All right. That is my fault. I’ll take that.”

  “Good. I hope you’re feeling bad about it.”

  “I do I really do feel bad. But Gorgeous. You have opened my eyes. Like I told you before and whether you believe this or not, you are that lucky, hell of a lady. I won’t let you go. I’m begging you to give me another chance.”

  Closing her eyes. her hands covered her mouth to try to stifle the cry. She felt his arms wrap around her, heard his deep voice croon softly in her ear as he gently rocked her. Lord how bad she wanted to give in to the gnawing fear. She needed to think more about what he revealed to her this evening.

  After Victor left, she ran the sweeper and dusted the furniture before finally collapsing on the couch with a glass of red wine while silently watching the lights on the Christmas tree. The ringing of her phone broke the silence. Sighing, she answered it surprised to hear Stan’s voice.

  “Hello, Maren.”

  “Stan, how are you?”

  “I’m doing fine but my best friend is slowly turning into a basket case.”

  “Stan,” she began.

  “Hear me out, please.”

  “All right.”

  “I have known him for a long, long time and this is the first time he ever acted like this. I’m telling you, he is in love with you. You’re all he talks about next to his job. But, he talks about you more.” He grinned at her little giggle.

  “Oh, Stan. I’m so confused.”

  “About what? About his past? Believe me, he has given that up. We’ve been on a lot of interesting encounters together, just me and him and many he instigated but now he’s just head over heels in love with you. I know he is. He didn’t go on vacation with us all and believe me, the babes were there and hot for him. Um, excuse me for being blunt.”