Take a Breath (Take 1) (9 page)

 
  I open my mouth in shock; I can’t believe he is ordering me
about.  He is right about the killer, but I just can’t believe the
gall of the man.  “Being a protective father again are we
Jake?”  He winces at my words and I’m feeling the tears sting
again.  “I’m going home now.”  I take off and run towards the
house, feeling Jake’s eyes watching me as I go.

I get back in and run upstairs.  I’m sweaty and exhausted.  I
jump in the shower and have a quick wash and get into my comfy
pyjamas.  Right now I need the comfort.  I lie in bed and get
out a book to read but I’m so pumped.  I feel anger and sorrow,
emotions I’m having a hard time coping with.  Why do I feel so
hard for this man?  I need to get away, but it’s like I’m fixed to
this house and I can’t move.  I don’t feel strong, I’m not Ana
anymore, I’m like a stranger and I don’t like it.  When is this
pain ever going to disappear?

Chapter 10

I
don’t know what time I nodded off in the end, but I wake up and the sun
is once again shining through the window, daring me to get up.  I
look at my alarm clock and spot that it’s after 11am.  What’s
wrong with me lately, I keep getting up late?  I jump out of bed
and head straight for the shower.  I dry myself off and get
dressed.  Its then I decide to pick up my phone and text Jessie.

I decided to take your advice.

Hea
ding to my hair appointment

and
to buy my new dress.  Take care and

h
ave a great time at the wedding.xx

It is not long before I hear the dulcet tones of a text message.

Great! Remember to knock his socks off

a
nd flirt with every guy in the room.

Off to get my hair done now and

fit in to this lemon dress my

c
ousin is making me wear!

Take care, have fun.  Love
u.xx

After
five minutes of trying to find my car keys I quickly grab my bag and
head out.  I walk down the stairs and all is quiet again.  I
turn towards the garage door to get my car.

It’s
a normal busy Saturday, lots of cars around with people doing their
shopping.  I manage to find a space after a while of searching and
once out of the car I’m longing for some release from the heat of the
day already.  I get to the door and a lovely gentleman with dark
olive skin, cropped brown hair and light brown eyes opens the door for
me.  He gives me a wide grin and I say thank you, to which he
replies, ‘You’re welcome Senorita.’  

 
  I pass through and feel his gaze on my back, but I carry
on.  I have a mission to accomplish.  I get to the salon by
12.20pm and breathe a sigh of relief that stage one is complete. 

Jamal
my hairdresser comes bounding over.  He’s black, tall and skinny
and as gay as they come.  He is a brilliant guy and always sends
me into hysterics when I am here.  

 
 “Hey girl, where have you been?  I haven’t seen you in
months.  Has some sweet hunk of a man been hiding you away from
me?”  

 
  I laugh and give him a hug.  “I wish Jamal.  Why do
you think I’m here?  I need to show him what I got; do you think
you could help me?”  Jamal frowns then shows me the biggest
grin. 

 
 “Hey girl, whoever he is first of all he needs a good slap. 
Second of all, could he be gay cos you could send his mighty fine ass
over to me whoever he is?”  

    I laugh, “Jamal, how on earth do you know whether he is fine or not?”  

 
  He looks at me and frowns, “Girl, have you seen you?  If it
wasn’t for the fact I’m a total man’s man, I would be in your panties
quicker than a policeman on a Dunkin’ donut.”  

    I gasp in shock, “Jamal, stop it!”  

 
 “I’m sorry girl but it’s true.  He must be damn fine, anyway
who is he so I can go and kick his straight ass some sense?”  

 
  I slump and heave out a big sigh, “It’s complicated, but he will
be at a party later this afternoon and I want to look my
best.”  

 
 “Well, you have come to the right place sweet cheeks. 
Marissa, get my girl here made up and then I’ll do her
hair.”  

   “Jamal, it’s ok, I can do my makeup later.”  

 
  He waves his finger at me, “Ana, do not argue with Jamal. 
By the time we get done with you, he’ll be begging you to take him
back.”  

    I give him a sweet smile.  “Thanks Jamal, I appreciate it.”  

   “No worries Ana and it’s on me.”  
    I gasp, “No, I couldn’t.”  

 
  He looks affronted, “Shh, now hush yourself girl, I
insist.  Now go to Marissa, she’s the best in
Virginia.”  

    I smile at him relenting and turn to see a beaming Marissa staring at me.  

   “Well, aren’t you a pretty girl, looks like you will make my job very easy for me today.”  

 
  Marissa was great, very bubbly blonde haired lady with brown
eyes. Her hair and makeup were as pristine as you would imagine and she
had a beauty spot on her right cheek.  Wasn’t sure if it were
real, but didn’t want to get too close to confirm my suspicions.

I
was impressed with the way Marissa had done my makeup, I was a
transformed woman.  Thank goodness she didn’t plaster too much
on.  I hate it when women wear too much face paint; I never think
it looks right.  My face looked fresh with a touch of red on the
cheeks.  My eyes were very lightly coloured brown and my lips had
a lovely rosy tinted shine.  I must admit, she was good. 
“Marissa, I’m so grateful, thank you.  It looks great.”  

 
  She beams at me, “Just remember me when this guy you’re trying
to impress asks you to marry him and you’re trying to find someone to
do your makeup for your special day.”  

 
  I turn from the mirror about to contradict her when Jamal pipes
up, “Marissa, she looks wonderful, well done girl now Ana, come with
me.”  

 
  I look around to Marissa and thank her before I get plopped down
in my seat to have my hair washed.  A young girl called Betsy
washed my hair; she was only 17 and did this every Saturday to give her
some pocket money.  She didn’t like to rely on her parents to
provide for her and I admired her independence.  After she was
done I tipped her $5 and she was ecstatic.  I walked over to
Jamal’s station and sat down.  

   “Curls, lots of luscious curls, how does that sound?”  

 
  I nod my agreement.  “Sounds fantastic Jamal, bring it
on.  I trust you.”  He went to work on my hair and half an
hour later I was transformed from fairly straight hair into lots of
luscious curls just like he said.  “Wow Jamal, thank you.  I
would never to be able to do this myself.”  He blushes and I get
up to give him a hug.  

   “Now, you go get him tiger.”  

 
  I say my thanks and pay at the till.  I insisted on paying
for the Makeup but Jamal wouldn’t have any of it so I tipped him
generously.  I say my goodbyes and head out the door.  Stage
two complete, now stage three, the dress.  I look around a few
stores and eventually head into Bloomingdales where I try on a few
things.  In the end I settle for a lovely figure hugging Geranium
coloured dress and to my surprise, I also find a nice black and white
striped bikini to replace my old one. I check the time and it’s now
2.30pm so better be getting back.  With stage three complete I now
move on to stage four, to get home with plenty of time. 

Chapter 11

I came back from
the
mall feeling refreshed.  I feel a little nervous about what to
expect but I know I must do this.  It is now or never.  I get
to the door bags in tow hoping and praying that Jake won’t be in the
living room when I walk in.  I put the key in tentatively and hold
my breath.  I push the door gently and peek into a vast
space.  He’s not here.  My shoulders sag as I breathe a sigh
of relief.  He must be outside getting the barbeque ready.  I
quietly shut the door behind me and rush upstairs.  It is now
3:20pm, so guests will be arriving soon.  I get into my room and
shut the door.  Mission five is now complete.  Now for the
hardest part, mission six.  The butterflies are getting stronger
now.  I’m starting to wonder if I can even do this.  Who am I
kidding, he doesn’t want me and the more he’s fighting me off the more
I just seem to be behaving like a spoilt child that’s stamping her foot
because she’s not getting her own way.  Is this really
hopeless?  I’ve spent all this time and energy today on all this
and people will be expecting me to be there so I can’t back down
now. 

It’s
now 4:04pm and I hear the doorbell go.  I hold my breath again as
I wait to hear if Jake answers.  To my relief I hear voices. 
There is a greeting from Jake and the sound of Mike’s voice from work
comes echoing up the stairs.  I like Mike, he is a good guy. 
He is 58 years old and like the daddy to the station.  He used to
Police but now prefers a desk job as he says he’s not the young man he
used to be.  I hear Mike.

   “So where’s the lovely Ana today Jake?”  

     I suck in a breath waiting for his answer.  

   “I’m not sure; she may be in her room getting ready.”  

 
  The voices get muffled after this and I’m now practically
hyperventilating.  My goodness girl, get a grip.  I sit up
from my bed and toss the bag with my dress in upside down.  It is
a beautiful dress and apt for the occasion.  I decide I must jump
in the shower for a quick wash as the heat of the day has taken its
toll on me.

I
slide in and close my eyes as the cool water relief helps ease my
tension.  I see Jake through my closed eyes.  I see him and
that hunger in his eyes.  I feel him caressing my breasts and
kissing me like his life depended on it.  I feel his finger tips
trail down from my breasts to my stomach and cup my sex.  I let
out a heavy sigh and I’m quickly snapped out of my dream remembering
where I am.  It would seem Jake has made me into this living
breathing sex machine.  I can’t stop thinking about it now I’ve
had it.  I just want more, once will never be enough.  I get
out of the shower and towel myself dry. I brush my hair and check my
makeup is still in place.  All seems fine.  I put my dress on
and look at myself in the tall mirror in the corner of my room. 
More people are downstairs now as I can hear them. I check the clock
and it says 4:37, where has the time gone?  I take a few deep
breaths, it’s now or never. 

I
open my door and the voices are getting louder now.  I creep down
the steps to all the commotion.  I get to the bottom of the stairs
and turn round.  It is then I have noticed all is quiet as I have
what feels like a hundred pairs of eyes upon me.  I go a bright
scarlet before plucking up the courage to speak, “Has someone died in
here, I thought this was a party?”  I hear a few chuckles and all
returns to normal.  Tony comes swiftly over to me. 

 
 “Ana, Wow, just wow.  Words fail me.  You look even
more beautiful than normal if that is ever possible.”  

 
  He gives me a hug and kisses me on the cheek.  I look
around for Jake, but can’t find him.  “Thank you Tony, it is nice
of you to say.  I need a drink so I’ll just head to the fridge for
some wine.”  Tony winks at me as I pass and I head out to the
kitchen.  I say a few hellos and there are lots of compliments
flying.  I get to the fridge and grab a glass from the
counter.  I notice that there are some more Pinot Grigio bottles
stacked in there with one open, so I pour myself a glass.  I need
some Dutch courage.  I look out of the window into the pool area
and find Jake at the barbeque cooking up some burgers and
sausages.  I get a waft of the smell come through the open door
and it’s then that it hits me just how hungry I am.  He looks like
a god even standing at a barbeque hot and sweaty and possibly feeling
the heat ten times worse than everyone else.  He’s laughing at
what someone says and turns around to face me.  I catch my
breath.  He’s staring at me now with those piercing green eyes
again.  At that moment we are locked to each other and no one else
exists.  It feels as though his eyes are buried deep into my soul
and I don’t want to ever have him crawl back up.  I am quickly
brought out of my trance when Jake’s stare is broken by Ian’s want of
attention.  I avert my eyes and suddenly realise that I’m holding
my breath again.  I let out a deep sigh and down my glass in one
go.  Boy am I nervous.  

   “Steady there girl, you have all evening to get drunk, why start so early?”  

 
  I jump at the sound of his voice.  “Sorry Tony, it’s just
been a bit manic today and I thought this might calm me down.  I
will slow it down a bit now.”  He goes in the fridge and grabs the
bottle of Pinot.  He pours me another glass and sets the bottle
down.  He looks me in the eye with worry, sweeping a lock of hair
away from my face.