Right Now (The Seduced Series) (14 page)

“I’m sorry,” I said.

That was all I could spit out through
the agony that paralyzed me at this very spot. I felt her hand slap me across the face. Normally, I had good reflexes and I could see when a person was going to hit me but this I didn’t see coming. Her slap didn’t hurt, what stung was the meaning behind it. I clearly hurt her emotionally. I saw her cover her mouth with both hands as tears started to escape from her eyes. She was shocked by what she just did. I closed my eyes and bowed my head, I deserved that… and more.

“But you love me,” she persisted. I wanted to say, yes I do more than you can ever imagine. But in all actuality I couldn’t keep toying with her emotions. Haven’t I done enough of that already? I still didn’t say anything. She looked at me like she was trying to remember something. Then a strange emotion flickered in her eyes and she looked down at the floor while shaking her head. “You don’t love me, do you?” She stated sadly still looking down. I wanted to scream NO!  But my lips refused to move. How could she believe that I didn’t love her, I was letting her go because I loved her too much. She nodded to herself. “Now that I think about it, you never did say you loved me. It was always me who said it.” She laughed darkly. “That explains a lot. I understand now. You’re right, this could never work if the other person does not feel the same way about the other. Well, I guess I’m stupid for believing in someone who didn’t care about my feelings. It’s not like it’s the first time that this has happened,” she said sadly looking at me.

I was shocked at the conclusion she drew
on herself, how wrong she was. I thought about her words and should have kill me right then but if going with what she thinks helps her let go; then so be it. When I didn’t say anything she walked right passed me and turning towards the staircase.

“Angelina… I’m….”

She slowly turned
back to look at me, her eyes showing acceptance and unfathomable pain. As I stared into her eyes I couldn’t find my voice; once again I was rendered speechless. She smiled a sad smile at me.

“Don’t worry Dennis, I won’t hit you or scream at you like a crazy woman anymore. And no I don’t hate you. I get it, it’s like we never happened,” she said softly.

For the first t
ime since we talked, I shuttered at the last words she said to me, ‘I get it, it’s like we never happened.’ I would rather have her hit me or even scream at me than hear her say that and use that tone. She turned and walked up the staircase without even looking back. I tried to open my mouth but my voice was stuck in my throat. I tried to pull out my hair but it wouldn’t come out. So I darted towards the garage and jumped on my Ducati motorcycle and sped out of the garage and down the driveway escaping the estate grounds not really sure where I was going. I just had to get away from everything and everyone before I did something really stupid.

Chapter Fifteen

I looked at the woman standing in the mirror of the bathroom. Her face was tearstained and pale. Her eyes seemed like an endless pool of pain and sorrow. Her expression was blank and filled with emptiness. I remembered the same woman two years ago, the only difference is that this one had no hope and nothing to fight for. That was it, my heart was finished; there was nothing left of it. All that there is left is a hollow and numb hole in my chest where my heart is used to be. Somehow I knew deep in the back of my mind that this was going to happen. At some point I was going to have to wake up from this fantasy dream I have been living in. I just only wished that when that time came, I wouldn’t evaporate along with the dream.

For some reason the phrase God giveth and God taketh away came to me. I was
given Dennis, someone who I thought I didn’t deserve. So why did it kill me to let go of him when he never belonged to me in the first place. I knew I would always end up being this woman in the mirror and this time there was no starting over, no running away to a faraway place. Because that was it for me, my life began and ended with the man I left downstairs. I covered my mouth feeling nauseous. I ran to the toilet and opened my mouth but nothing came out, I just dry heaved. I wiped a tear that escaped the corner of my eye, surprised that I still had any tears left at all.

I got out
of the bathroom to get dressed, not having a care in the world of what I wore. There was no one here to impress so why even bother looking nice. I went downstairs to find Carmella and Dennis having coffee in silence. Dennis was dressed for work and I was glad that he would be leaving soon. I didn’t want to stay cooped up in my room all day long just to avoid him. When I looked at him, of course he looked as handsome as ever, the sight of him pierced me down to my soul, though today he looked tired and pale like I did. He looked up at me and there was a deep emotion in his blue eyes, I recognized it from the woman in the mirror, pain? I must be wrong.

I don’t know what my own face or eyes revealed because I thought I saw him
cringe as he looked away from me.

“Good morning,” I said in a blank and lifeless tone.

“Good morning Angelina, breakfast is ready. Where would you like to have it?” Carmella asked.

“In my room, please.”

“Alright, I’ll bring it to you,” she said as I turned to face Dennis; who was watching me attentively.

“I saw my iPod and a couple of my things on my nightstand this morning, thank you,” I said.

He slowly nodded as
I walked back upstairs. It sounded like Carmella and Dennis argued after I left but I really didn’t care either way. I sat on one of the balcony’s chairs while staring up at the sky. I don’t know how long I sat there staring, trying to see things that weren’t there. Carmella approached me and laid a tray on the table beside me, I didn’t look at it. I wasn’t even hungry. She sat down next to me, scrutinizing me but I just continued to look at the clear blue sky and the passing clouds.

“You really should eat something sweetie.”

“Where is he?” I suddenly asked, not sure why.

“He’s gone to work,” she replied. Looking down I suddenly went to pieces, crying and gasping for air, I couldn’t control it. I realized why I wanted to know of Dennis’s whereabouts. I didn’t want him to see me like this and feel pity for me. I could handle anything but pity from him. Carmella wrapped me in her arms while rubbing my back comfortingly as I cried on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry sweetie,” she said with a pained voice. I was going to miss her when I leave. I lifted my head and she wiped my face with her hand. “I’m going to kill him for this, and I told him…” she said but I shook my head to stop her. That’s what they were arguing about? Me?

“No. Leave him alone Carmella. He doesn’t love me, you can’t blame him for how he feels,” I said sadly.

“Is that what you really think Angelina?”

“What more is there? I’ll leave soon but I don’t want this to drive a wedge between you
r relationship with him,” I persisted as she shook her head sadly.

“Things are not always as they seem.”

“You’re right, I thought he felt the same way about me but I was wrong. That’s always been my biggest problem with men, I love completely and blindly.”

“No, that’s not a problem. That’s one of your charms
,” she replied and I smiled at her attempt to make me feel better about myself.

“I know I won’t stop loving him and that’s okay. I just wish it didn’t hurt so much,” I said looking at her. “I feel so lost and I don’t know how to function without him,” I whispered.

“Never lose faith sweetie. Things will work out,” she reassured me while rubbing my shoulders.

How was I supposed to believe her when even she sounded unsure
herself? I appreciated her comforting words, though I had to be realistic, things were not going to work out. At least not the way I wanted them to. She sat with me, probably scared to leave me alone. I insisted that she was being silly and that I didn’t need babysitting. She gave me a worried smile and then left. I’m not sure how long I’ve been in this state of pure misery, an hour? A week? A month? I seemed to lose track of time easily.

I sat by the pool
a lot with my iPod. It was the most peaceful place to be and listen to music, a place where I could try to think. I hoped that the pain would get easier once I didn’t have to see Dennis every day. But when I really thought about it, it would only get worse because then he would seem like a dream that never happened. I stole excessive glances at him when he wasn’t looking whenever I could, but who could blame me? I longed for this man, the man I loved. He also watched me more often, I couldn’t understand why? This is what he wanted, isn’t it? The sound of my phone ringing brought me out of my daydream. When I glance at the caller I.D., I felt butterflies in my stomach because it was my mom calling. Great, now I have to put on a show for her.

“Hey mom.”

“Hello honey, how are you?” She asked excitedly.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You don’t sound well,” great, she had to point out the obvious. I cleared my throat and try to sound a little sick. 

“I’m okay mom, it’s just a sore throat.”

“Well get well soon honey. I have good news, Jenifer got a promotion, isn’t that just great?” She beamed over the phone. I smiled a little, glad that someone was happy.

“That’s fantastic mom,” I said with forced enthusiasm. “Why are you telling me though, why didn’t she call me herself?” I asked.

“Oh she was going to but I just couldn’t wait to tell you myself.”

“Aw mom, you shouldn’t have stolen her thunder like that,” I said sounding disapproving.

“I know, I know.” She laughed. “So where’s my future son in law? How is he?” She asked and I froze on the spot. “Angie? Are you there?” She asked when the line went quiet.

“I’m here and he’s fine,” I told her praying that my voice wouldn’t betray me and express the sharp pain her words caused me.

“That’s great, say hi to him
for me, okay?”

“I will, I have to go mom. We’ll talk later?” I sai
d quickly, ending the conversation.

“Of course honey, bye
.”

Once she hung up,
I threw the phone in the grass. I tried to hold back the tears but I couldn’t. I don’t think I can take anymore of this crying shit. Did it matter that my mom sounded convinced that Dennis was her future son in law? No, because it would never happen, not in a million years and I knew that. So why am I falling apart over it? Feeling a little better I got up, grabbed my phone and headed back inside the estate. I sat in the living room for a while, till I heard one of Dennis’s sports cars pull up in the garage. I knew that was my cue to retreat back to my room and hide from him. In most cases I found myself running away, I wonder if he noticed. I was sitting on balcony when a soft knock came on my door that startled me.

“C
ome in,” I called out from over my shoulder. I was shocked to see Dennis walk in. He never came in my room ever since that night. He came to the balcony and sat in a chair across from me.

“Hey,” he said in a slightly uneasy tone.

“Hi
,” I replied quietly. For a moment we just stared at each other and I could feel his blue gaze burning a hole in me, I dropped my eyes trying not to hyperventilate. Will I ever stop loving you? I thought sadly myself.

“Can we t
alk?” He asked.

I slowly nodded. I couldn’t imagine what he wanted to talk about now… and then it hit me, it was time for me to leave. He only came in here to tell me his final goodbye.

Chapter Sixteen

I was driving home from work when
I heard a beeping sound, then Colin came up on the in car monitor, he must have news on Benny.

“Dennis my boy, we’ve got a big problem.”

“What’s the problem?” I asked.

“It seems we’ve made a slight mistake. The Benny we thought we saw here was actually one of his stunt doubles.”

“So he’s not exactly here?” I asked confused now.

“We’re not sure, it could be another set up but we’ll keep our eyes peeled.”

“Alright, anything else?”

“Yes, it seems Benny is ready to take action so we cannot keep the girl in the dark anymore,” he stated and I froze.

“So I have to tell her the truth?” I asked.

“Well yes, it’s not safe for her not to be aware of the situation anymore. You remember our original plan right?”

“Yes of course,” I let out s heavy sigh. “I’ll tell her today,” I said.

“I need to speak with her myself, but I’ll let you explain things first.”

“Sure,” I replied and then monitor went blank.

I immediat
ely stopped the car and got out. I needed some air. I knew eventually the day would come when I would have to tell her the truth. But now, I was freaking out. It’s not like we could be together, it’s not like I could cause her more pain than I already did. No, me telling her the truth signaled the end. My mind, body and soul ached to be with her every day. Watching her without being able to touch her or kiss her has been torture for me. I think the only thing that got me by each day was getting to see her face. When all of this is over, she will be gone and I could never see her again. I leaned up against the Audi for support, shaking my hands to stop them from trembling.

For a gu
y like me, that was always in control and that has everything figured out, I was a mess. I quickly got back in the car. I thought to myself, I had to be in control for everyone’s sake. I arrived at the estate with the mission of telling Angelina the truth…all of it. I took a few deep breaths before knocking on her door. I haven’t been in here since I broke up with her. I wanted to give her space, besides it’s not like she would want me near her after I’ve caused her so much heartache.

“Come in,” she called as I slowly opened the door. She was surprised to see me come in and take a seat next to her on the balcony.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hi,” came her quiet reply. I was just glad she didn’t immediately kick me out. I took that moment to really look at her; staring into those amazing brown eyes, that always was my own personal heaven. She then uncomfortably dropped her gaze.

“Can we talk?” She slowly nodded.

“I’m leaving, aren’t I?” She asked strangely sounding relieved. I tried to hide the pain I felt from her words. She said she didn’t want to leave but from her tone she sounded like she was more than ready to get out of here and away from me.

“No, not yet but I’ve come to tell you the truth. Why you are here, why I kidnapped you in the first place. It’s all because of that,” I motioned towards her ring. She touched it unconsciously.

“My ring? What about it?”

“Your grandfather gave it to you when you were little, correct?” She nodded shocked as to how I could know that. “And he told you never to take it off?”

“Yes, but how…” she started
to say but I lifted my hand to stop her.

“That’s because you can never take it off, it is said to have some sort of unfathomable power, which is tied into your DNA structure.”

“What? It’s just a ring…” then her eyes widened. “Wait, did you just say its tied into my DNA?” She asked in a high-pitched voice and I nodded solemnly.

“It is directly linked to your life Angelina and if it comes off your finger you’ll die,” I stated.

“That’s crazy, you can’t be serious!” She said.

“Tell me Angelina, have you ever taken it off before?” I asked and she shook her head no. “Is there something you could do that’s out of the ordinary?” I asked letting her figure it out for herself.

“Well I think I can feel when something bad is going to happen, like Spiderman’s spider sense or something to that affect…I know it sounds little crazy,” she said as I shook my head.

“That’s from your ring. It keeps you safe,” I quoted her grandfather and she gasped suddenly realizing what I was trying to tell her.

“Oh my God,” she said standing up. “But of course,” she said to herself. “That’s why I couldn’t feel you sneaking up behind me.”

“Because I wasn’t really a danger to you,” I added and she looked at me.

“But what’s with it? And why did you kidnap me for it?” She asked.

“There’s a criminal that’s on the loose, by the name of Benny Nolans. He knows about the ring and the power contained in your ring,” I started.

“He’s after me isn’t he? And he wants my ring?” I nodded. “But where do you fit in all of this? And how do you know about all of this?” She asked. Then my watch beeped. It was Colin and he wanted to take over, I couldn’t keep him waiting any longer.

“Come with me, there’s someone who wants to talk to you,” I said stiffly as she quietly followed me downstairs and into the dining area of the kitchen. I motioned for her to sit down and she did, looking confused. I took off my watch and laid it on the table in front of her and pushed the accept button that was flashing. Then a holographic screen popped up with Colin on it. She jumped, looking at me frantically then back at the screen.

“Hello Miss Moore, my name is Colin Winters,” he said pleasantly to her.

“Hello,” Angelina replied still shock.

“I’m the CIA director and in charge of this investigation. I trust that Dennis here has told you about your ring and why we abducted you?” He asked as Angelina blinked twice and nodded stiffly, I was disappointed that she wasn’t going to find this out from me. I wanted to tell her everything myself. “Well I just wanted to let you know that we are doing everything in our power to catch Benny and put him behind bars,” he said his eyes narrowing. “You don’t need to worry, you’re safe in Dennis hands here, he is one of the agency’s top agents and he’ll keep you safe,” he added smiling proudly but I could do was stand there watch Angelina’s reactions. She looked at me disbelieving and turned her gaze back to Colin.

“Secret agent?” She choked out. Oh no, that’s not a good sign.

“Why yes, he was assigned to protect you until we can catch Benny. Once that is taken care of; you’ll be able to go home.” There was another beeping sound that came. “Excuse me but I need to take this call. Miss Moore, it’s been a pleasure to meet with you. Dennis, I’ll keep in touch,” he nodded towards me and the screen went blank. I put my watch back on while looking at Angelina who hasn’t moved an inch from speaking with Colin.

“Angelina?” I asked as I put my hand on her shoulder. That snapped her out of it. She stood up and took a few steps back away from me, putting some distance between us.

“Don’t touch me!” She said yelled.

“Angelina please, I can explain.”

“Explain? Explain what? That you’re a CIA agent? That you’ve been an agent all this time? Lying to me? Doing nothing but following orders,” she hissed.

“It’s not like that,” I said, trying to make her understand. She had it all wrong; sure it was just a mission in the beginning but I never thought I would fall for her like the way I did. Me loving her was not a lie.

“Then what was it then, huh? Please enlighten me because now I’m a little fucking curious!” She shouted.

“I couldn’t tell you the truth, it wasn’t my secret to share. But us…what we had…it wasn’t a lie Angie, it wasn’t planned.”

“That doesn’t matter now, does it? Just tell me this though, was it fate that we met? Was it fate Dennis?” she asked.

“No. But us being together, that was fate,” I said staring into her eyes.

“Stop
, stop lying to me!” She shouted. “For once tell me the damn truth Dennis.”

“This is the truth!” I said as I raised my voice back. “Our love was not a lie!” Tears started to stream down her face.

“Not our love, my love was never a lie,” she whispered. “While I was nothing more but another mission to you,” I took steps towards her and she shook her head. “Please, don’t come any closer.” I stopped my eyes pleading with her but she dropped her eyes and laughed. “So that’s you’re reason for everything? For you not wanting to be with me?” She asked, looking up at me again. “Did you ever care about me at all?” She whispered while wrapping her arms around herself.

“Of course I do, how could you even think…” I said but she stopped me with her hand, her head snapping to the side, her eyes searching the room frantically. “What’s wrong?” I asked suddenly alarmed.

“I think someone’s here,” she said in a panicked voice. If she could sense danger here then it meant that Benny is here. Shit! How could Colin have missed this? How could I have missed this? All along he was planning an ambush and here none the less. He just wanted us to think he was doing something else. I grabbed both sides of Angelina’s face forcing her eyes to mine.

“Run and hide,” I instructed. “And be quiet. Under no circumstances should you come out, do you understand me?” I told her. She nodded while grabbing my hand.

“Come with me please,” she pleaded as I shook my head no.

“I’ll be fine, I promise. This ends today, now go.”

I didn’t have time to see where she ran
off to; I was busy gathering the ammunition I hid around the house, just in case of an emergency like this ever came up. Just then a large group of about ten men charge into my house, some came crashing through the windows while the others busted down the front door. I ran back into the kitchen and ducked behind the breakfast bar and loaded my Glock 26. As the men started to barge into the front of the estate, I quickly leaned out from the breakfast bar and shot at the men barging in to the kitchen, empting a ten round magazine into the first three men and watched their blooded spatter on the walls as they took their last breaths. I ducked back down and quickly reloaded but they just kept coming. Benny surely brought some serious back up, especially the two that were covered in full body armor that stood next to him. I was outnumbered for sure. If they were able to break in, then they must’ve taken down my guards. Which meant none of my personal staff heard or seen anything, or else I would have been notified of his attempted attack. Then Benny came into the kitchen area laughing menacingly.

“Dennis my old friend, it’s been too long,” he said as I stayed out of his view.

“Benny, I can’t say that I’ve missed you,” I said playing dumb. “What are you doing here? You could have just called.”

“Oh don’t play dumb with me Dennis,” he said smiling. “Now put your goddamn gun down and let’s talk. Or would you rather I have my men shoot you down?”

I
peek around and quickly scanned the room. There were seven men in front of me, including Benny. All had their guns pointing in my direction. I had to be smart and figure out a strategy on how to take them down. If I made any sudden attacks, they would open fire. So instead of being Mr. Hero I did what Benny said and throw my gun down on the floor and slid it away from me then stood up from behind the breakfast bar with my hands held up as Benny smiled triumphantly.

“You’re one smart guy Dennis, you know exactly why I’m here,” he said while walking towards me. “Where’s the girl?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said smiling.

I
just hope that Angelina would stay wherever she was because Benny would probably try to lure her out with his threats. He walks forward and stops in front of me. Now we’re looking eye to eye, he glances back at his men and laughs. Out of nowhere he quickly turns back to me and punches me hard inside the stomach. I should have expected that was coming. I leaned over and gasp for air from the sudden blow.

“I don’t have time for your bullshit games Dennis. Look around, I have the upper hand!” He shouted at me. “I know she’s with you, now where is she?”

“And I see you’re still the same stupid asshole,” I said hoping to distract him while I quickly planned my next attack. He turned and walked across the hall to the living room, looking for her.

“I know you’re somewhere sweetie, come out now. I don’t have all day,” he called out to Angelina but she didn’t come out. After a minute or two Benny started to get a little impatient.

“Leave Benny, whatever it is you’re looking for, is clearly not here.” He frowned and then looked at me smiling walking back towards me.

“You may have no regard for your own life but I’m pretty sure she does,” he said while pulling out a silver revolver and pointed it to my head. “Listen up sugar, we’re going to play a little game and this is how it’s going to work. If you don’t come out on the count of five, I’m going to blow Dennis’s head clear off his shoulders. Now you don’t want this man’s death on your conscience, do you?” He said laughing menacingly.

I froze. Benny was preying on Angelina
’s biggest fear, he knows she wouldn’t just gamble with another person’s life, and he didn’t even know about her feelings for me. I prayed to God that Angelina would stay where she was. I told her no matter what.