Chapter 9

• Vivienne halted in the shadows of an alleyway, leaning against the slimy brick wall as she tried to catch her breath. The crisp autumn air made her breath come out in white puffs of mist. Her lips quivered as she surveyed the desolate street, with its darkened, derelict buildings. She had no regrets about abandoning her car back at the restaurant. She craved the solitude and quiet that this moment afforded her. It was a brief respite from the turbulence that had become her life.
• Not far from where she stood weeping, he watched her through the barred window of the dusty, dark, empty building he was crouched in. A face cap was pulled low over his face, making his features indistinct, with some of his wavy long hair sticking out from the cap’s band.
• He watched her crouch to the ground crying in pain, his guilt mounting at the thought that he was assisting the person who was ruining her happiness. He wanted to go to her, but he couldn't, knowing it would only end in more trouble.
• Vivienne cried for a long time until she couldn't anymore. Sighing deeply, she brought out her phone, which was vibrating incessantly, out of her purse. The phone's loud beeps echoed in the dark as more messages came in.
• She stared at them with a blank look on her face, they were mostly from her mother, sister, and her manager. The only people who cared for her in the world.
• Vivienne clicked on her sister's message, the pain in her heart making her numb to the biting, chilly night air as it swooshed around her, making the broken window panes in the abandoned buildings clatter loudly against their frames.
• “Where are you? Don't tell me you went to get ‘some’ from the stranger. Why isn't your phone going through? I am starting to get worried. If you don't text me back right now, I will call the cops!”
• Vivienne smiled, shaking her head at the ridiculous string of texts from her sister. She could almost hear Antoinette's voice, all dramatic and over-the-top. Her fingers moved over the screen as she typed out a reply:
• “Antoinette, relax. I'm okay. I'm at a bar. My phone died, sorry for the worry. I'll see you soon, okay?”
• A few seconds later, a new text popped up on the screen:
• “Thank God! I was so worried! Don't scare me like that again!”
• She clicked her tongue.
• “I am coming home. And get ready to hear the surprising news I am coming with.”
• Vivienne rose to her feet, her legs stiff and aching from sitting on the hard, cold floor. She felt the chill of the night seeping into her bones, goosebumps prickling across her skin. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the cold. The silence of the night hung heavy around her, and she longed for the comfort of her home.
• The man moved slowly and silently, trailing behind Vivienne as she left the building. He stayed just out of her line of sight, careful not to make a sound. He wanted to make sure she got home safely.
• He felt a pang of guilt as he followed Vivienne. He could see that she was hurting, and he wished he could help her.
• ***
• Edgar sat in the hospital waiting room, his mind racing. He couldn't stop thinking about Rosalind. She had seemed fine when he left her alone in the office. And then, suddenly, she had collapsed. What had happened? Were her symptoms a sign of something more serious? He wondered worriedly.
• The hours passed slowly, and Edgar felt himself growing more and more anxious. Finally, a doctor came to speak with him.
• “Mr. Montgomery,” the doctor began, “your friend will be okay. She's awake now, and she's in stable condition. She just went through a bit of stress and exhaustion, which caused her to faint. We'll keep her here for observation for a few hours, and then she can go home.”
• Edgar felt a wave of relief wash over him. Rosalind was going to be okay. He leaned back in the waiting room chair and closed his eyes, exhaustion setting in.
• As he sat there, he thought back to the morning when he had left her healthy and well. But he had been shocked to see her collapse to the floor when he returned from his meeting. Edgar had been so scared, not knowing what was happening.
• “Is it possible for someone to just faint like that?” he asked the doctor.
• “It's not common,” the doctor replied, “but it can happen.”
• The doctor continued, “Sometimes when someone experiences too much stress or exhaustion, their body can react by fainting. It's the body's way of trying to protect itself. In your girlfriend's case, I think it was just a case of too much emotional and mental stress.”
• Edgar nodded, taking in the doctor's words. He knew Rosalind had been under a lot of emotional stress lately, And he knew she hadn't been getting enough sleep as the nightmares of her abduction repeated, haunting her in her sleep. He felt guilty as he hadn't really paid attention to her, only calming her down enough to sleep.
• He decided then and there that he would be there for her more, no matter how little the stress would be.
• When the doctor told him he could go see Rosalind, he practically ran to her room. When he saw her lying there, looking pale but awake, he felt a rush of relief. She smiled when she saw him, and he sat down next to her, taking her hand in his.
• “I'm so glad you're okay,” he said, his voice breaking.
• Rosalind squeezed his hand, her eyes full of gratitude. “I'm so sorry I scared you,” she said. “I just couldn't help it when I thought back to the time I was abducted.”
• “I thought we promised to put that behind us, Rosy?” he asked, smoothening her straight hair. “You scared me. Please do not do that anymore. Let's put all that behind us for the good of your health, we belong to each other now, and it will be until eternity.”
• Rosalind smiled, nodding as a tear slipped down her cheek. “Thank you,” she said, her voice full of emotion. “I don't know what I would do without you.”
• Edgar felt his heart melt as her wide, green eyes locked onto his. They sat there in silence for a moment, just holding each other's hands. He smiled, feeling grateful for their relationship and for the undivided love she had for him.
• And at that moment, Edgar felt that their love was stronger than ever.
• After a while, Rosalind spoke again. “I think I'm ready to go home,” she said. “I just want to be in our bed and relax. Can you help me get discharged?”
• Edgar nodded, and he went to find a nurse. When they had all the paperwork sorted out, he helped Rosalind to her feet, and they walked slowly to the exit. He drove her home, and as they pulled up in front of his mansion, he turned to her.
• “Promise me you won't think about it again,” he said.
• Rosalind smiled, her eyes tired but grateful. “I promise,” she said.
• “Good,” he said, unbuckling her seat belt. “Let's get you to bed.”
• ….
• The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on the bed. Rosalind could feel the softness of the sheets against her skin, and she sighed contentedly.
• Then, she heard footsteps, and a shadow fell across the bed. She opened her eyes to see Edgar standing there, a cup of coffee in his hand. “Good morning, beautiful,” he said, his voice low and tender.
• Edgar felt a rush of emotion, like a warm wave washing over him. She sat up, reaching out to take the cup from his hand. Their fingers brushed against each other, and she felt a jolt of electricity. He was looking at her with such intensity, such passion, that she could hardly breathe. “I'm glad you're feeling better,” he said, his voice husky. “I was so worried.”
• She smiled, taking a sip of the coffee. It was strong and perfect, just the way she liked it.
• “Why don't you come to have breakfast with me?” he asked, holding out his hand. She hesitated for a moment, but then she took his hand and let him lead her to the kitchen. The table was set with her favorite breakfast foods, and the sunlight streamed in through the window. It was a moment of pure bliss, of complete contentment. She felt as if she could stay in that moment forever.
• He pulled out a chair for her, and she sat down, still a bit dazed. “Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes searching her face.
• Edgar met her gaze, and he could feel himself falling into her eyes, losing himself in her presence. He reached out and took her hand, his touch gentle and yet electric.
• Rosalind could feel her heart fluttering in her chest, and a blush rose on her cheeks. “I…” she began, but the words were lost on her tongue.
• Edgar leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear. “It's okay,” he whispered. “There's no need for words.” He leaned in, and their lips met in a kiss that was soft and sweet, yet passionate and all-consuming.
• As they pulled apart, Rosalind could feel her heart pounding in her chest. They were both breathing heavily, and there was electricity between them that was palpable.
• They sat there in silence, their hands still entwined, savoring the moment. Finally, Rosalind spoke, her voice soft and trembling. “I’ve never felt this way for anybody like I do for you.”
• “I love you.” Edgar smiled, his eyes meeting hers once again. He reached for her face, pulling her up close until his lips claimed hers in a passionate kiss.
• Their breaths quickened as his hand roamed her body, his hot breath fanning her cheek as she moaned softly.
• “Rosa…” he groaned as she teased his body, one hand cupping his biceps and the other the outline of his abs through his clothes. He pulled away, trying to control his erratic breathing. “Rosa, we can't do this, you were just discharged and…” he said in a gruff, low voice, rubbing his nose against hers gently.
• “So what? You're just gonna stop here?” she asked peevishly, her hand still tracing the band of his shorts sensually, attempting to drive him lustfully over the edge of his sinful desire.
• He clenched his teeth while groaning softly, trying to fight the urge to take her right there and then as he stared into her wide, hazy eyes. “Are you sure about this? I mean…”
• Rosalind pushed her body against his hard, toned body softly, as she sensually pushed her fingers against his lips.
• “Shhh… I want you inside me, fuck me. Edgar, I am yours.” she breathed lustfully, pulling his face down, and giving him a deep, kiss. He didn’t need any more approval as he reciprocated, loving her boldness, he had never seen her like this, even at other times when they had made love. Her fierce spirit, led him on as he slowly unbuttoned her nighties leaving her naked for him to savor, he traced kisses from her neck to her navel, sucking her sensitive skin gently as she moaned loudly, spurring him on.
• She wrapped her legs around his waist as he lifted her onto the table, deepening the passionate kiss. Its ferocity ignited the sinful desire to feel him in her as his fingers found their way to her nipples, which he pinched hard, making her moan, arching her body against his as he lowered his head to suck them.
• He twirled his tongue over one and pinched the other, making her moan in pleasure as her pussy became wet and slippery with her overflowing juice. Edgar groaned and easily slipped his finger into her wet pussy, making her shiver uncontrollably as his fingers worked feverishly until she came hard.
• Pressing his boner against her wet, expectant pussy, he lifted her, heading into the bedroom with his lips still locked onto hers.
• ….
• “Are you sleeping with him?” the person on the other side of the phone asked.
• Rosalind's face turned harsh as her nose flared. “That doesn't matter. How is the situation with Reyes Enterprises?” she said into the phone, her calm voice holding a dangerous edge to it.
• “You should know better than to let him bang you. Control yourself.” the person snapped back at her. “I would forward the update to your email. I need you back to run this thing, I can hardly understand the stupid figures, when should I expect you?”
• Rosalind sat up in bed, pulling the surrounding sheets around her naked body, spotted with hickeys. “Just take care of the data, and don't make any decisions for the company. I will be back soon, just sorting out some issues with Edgar.” she raked a hand through her straight hair, already getting irritated with the incessant questions.
• “I’d advise you to stop fucking that despicable man if you ask me. You know what you did and still went ahead to widen your punani for him, you're such a whore.”
• “No one asked you. Get Cheng to organize the keys and pins I would be needing them, and fuck off my phone.” She said angrily, her flashing eyes making her feel different from the normally gentle and meek Rosalind.
• Staring disdainfully at the numerous hickeys Edgar had left on her, she got off the bed and headed into the en-suite bathroom. Limping from the painful ache between her legs.
• She grumbled while banging her head against the bathroom mirror. “Stupid, Rosa!”
• Her cold eyes flashed painfully as the hatred she had for Edgar, for what he did, and for almost ruining her life, consumed her until there was no pure spot left.