A brief reprieve

I'd starved myself of food the entire day. Not even a drop of water had gone down my throat. I locked myself in my room, clinging to the hope that time would run fast, and that Christian would be here to fix everything.

Elizabeth had been so kind to try and reach me. She'd offered to bring food up, a small reprieve I couldn't accept. I really couldn't stomach anything right now. Not when this crushing weight was on my shoulder.

As I laid in bed, my legs curled into my body, my mind continued to do what it had been doing all day. Wandering into dark places. Places I didn't want to be. 

Sleep, when it came, had not been the escape I hoped for. My dreams had been filled with images I wished I could rid my mind of. 

Not one person came to my defense in the comments. Not one. It was times like these I was painfully reminded of the value of true friendship. 

I tried to tell myself it could have been worse. At least Christian hadn't doubted me; at least I wouldn't have to bear the penalty for damaging his name. Yet one comment still echoed relentlessly in my mind.

'Girls like her deserve to be kicked out and stripped of every entitlement.'

Its venomous words were etched into my thoughts, a constant reminder of how cruel people could be.

I'd been through that before. I'd been stripped and kicked out before. Is once not enough for this lifetime?

I shook my head, trying desperately to force the memory away, but it clung stubbornly like a scar that refused to fade.

I kept telling myself that Christian would fix this. He'll make them stop. He had the power.

My eyes drifted to a small white paper at the edge of my bed. I stretched my arm and reached for it. It was the business card of my rescuer.

In my distress, I'd forgotten all about him. He must be having a hard time too. People didn't talk much about him in the comments, but a few looked his way and said things that weren't right. Things he didn't deserve to be told. He'd done a good thing, and because of me, he was getting trashed.

I dialed the number on my phone and after two rings, he answered.

"Hello."

"I never thought you'd call." He didn't sound pissed. I thought he would. Maybe he didn't see the articles.

"Uhm… how… are you good?"

"I think I should be asking you that? How are you holding up?"

"Uh?" I stuttered, caught off guard.

"I saw the articles. People will write anything for entertainment these days." His voice was laced with concern. For me. 

"You saw?" 

"Hmmm. Don't let it bother you too much though. If you'd like, I can talk to a few people I know. Refute what they're saying. Help you clear your name."

"You'd do that?" My voice threatened to break. I was so overwhelmed by his kindness, it was hard to keep my emotions in check.

"Sure. My girlfriend doesn't like seeing me joined with another woman."

"Oh. You have a girlfriend?" The words slipped out. I didn't mean to pry, I was just shocked. "I mean, of course you do. Sorry. I don't mean to pry."

His laughter, light and genuine, filled my ears.

"I was kidding. I don't have a girlfriend. But you're married and people keep saying things that aren't true. I wanna help. You don't deserve to be spoken about like that. Especially when you haven't done anything wrong."

Another person believed me. Even though I knew he had to because he was the person I was accused of cheating with, still, it meant something that there were a few people on my side.

"Thank you." I said and meant it. I hoped he knew how much.

"No problem." He replied, his tone soothing.

I hesitated, then added, "I didn't get your name."

"Henry. My name is Henry, Alora."

I wasn't surprised that he knew my name. The way he said it though… Maybe I was hearing something that wasn't there. 

The conversation with Henry helped to alleviate some of my worries. The next few hours didn't feel so painful. The pressure in my chest had reduced. All I needed was for Christian to come back now.

After the call, I sat in the quiet of my room, my mind slowly gathering itself. The hours dragged on, each one filled with a painful anticipation. Then, I noticed the time, almost eight in the evening. Christian should have been here by now. The thought sent a jolt through my already fragile state.

Then, through the door, I heard Elizabeth's voice calling for me. I leapt out of bed, my hair messy, and I ran past her, down the stairs. I'd instructed Elizabeth to alert me the moment Christian arrived.

With every step closer to the living room, my heart beat with a new rhythm, my emotions a mixture of anticipation, longing, uncertainty. When I finally entered the living room, my eyes immediately sought him out. And then I saw him. Christian. 

In that instant my vision blurred. Tears pooled in my eyes as I stood frozen, and I became emotional. I watched him. It had only been ten days since I last saw him. Why did it feel like forever?

Christian lifted his head and met my gaze. He gave me his boyish grin, then raised a hand, a silent command to stop me from coming forward. So, I lingered by the entrance to the living, watching him as he spoke to his employees that surrounded him. There were five of them, but I could only recognize his assistant Vera, and Joshua. 

A few seconds later, he dismissed them and began walking towards me. With every step he took, it felt like he was dispelling some of the darkness. Christian stopped in front of me, and when my nose caught a whiff of smoky oud and warm amber—his signature fragrance, it took everything in me to hold back my tears and stop myself from jumping into his arms.

Christian brushed strands of hair from my face, tucking them behind my ears. He was smiling even more now. I noticed his stubble was a bit unkempt, his hair perfectly trimmed, and he was a little tanned. He was always muscular, but there was a ruggedness to his appearance. It wasn't his usual style. The white t-shirt he wore was tight, especially around his arm. I had noticed his biceps flexing with every small movement. And those baggy jeans. Christian didn't wear a lot of baggy jeans. 

What exactly had he been doing in Greece?

I lost my train of thought when Christian's hands touched my cheeks, gently rubbing. My eyes closed, and immediately the tears trailed down. As I relaxed in his touch, the heaviness in my heart and eyes lightened. 

"Hey. I'm here now."

For a cruel billionaire, he always knew how to comfort me. And he always said the right things. 

I couldn't hold back anymore. I flung myself on him and he caught me, as if he'd been waiting for me to do exactly that. My hands loosely wrapped around his neck and his own wrapped around my back and waist. My head rested on his chest, and I allowed myself this small vulnerability. His scent clouded my senses, and relief caused my tears to continue following.

"What took you so long?" When my voice hit my ears, it was a surprise to me. It trembled, and I spoke like a child who'd been abandoned.

"You must have missed me so much, Mrs Gulf. If I'd known, I'd have taken you along."

He was teasing me again. A large part of me wished he meant it. I really wished he had taken me with him. 

He released me from his hold, his hand still held my own. His eyes scanned me and my cheeks burned under his gaze. Now that I'd seen him and I wasn't feeling suffocated anymore, the way I looked, embarrassed me. Especially, the short flimsy silk nightgown that barely covered my boobs and legs.

Just then, Clara walked in.

"Christian, you're back." She smiled at him. Her eyes briefly left his, and she gave me a cold knowing stare, her smile still plastered on her face. Her smile fell, only briefly though, when she saw mine and Christian's hands linked together.

Christian smiled back at her, and my mood changed. Clara didn't waste the chance to gloat with her eyes. I could feel her telling me that she was still here. That she was still a threat.

Elizabeth walked in, "Good evening Mr. Gulf. Welcome back."

He nodded in her direction. 

"Now that Mr Gulf is here, can I bring you something to eat?" Elizabeth's concerned focus was on me.

Christian looked at me, only for a second before his attention was on Elizabeth. "She hasn't eaten?"

"All day, sir. She's been locked up in her room all day." Elizabeth explained quietly, her voice laden with worry.

Then, he turned towards Clara, and with a subtle reproach, he said, "You said she was eating fine." His tone was firm, a reminder of the control he wielded in this house.