Gaia
Inever bothered with love because I knew that I would eventually get hurt. Growing up in a loveless home sealed the deal for me. I’d learned that love of any kind hurt like hell. It had been raining the last few weeks, as if the weather shared my solemnness. I appreciated that at least something was on my side.
Nobody seemed surprised when Gabe and I were driven to our house the morning Arthur told me I was no longer of any use to him. Olga opened the doors for us, letting us in with hugs, but there was sadness in her eyes. She later told us that Eduardo had been in an accident, burned beyond recognition. I mourned for the man who’d been so kind to us for so long. Gabe didn’t seem to care. He gave her his condolences then went on his way.
My mother had rushed toward us in tears, thanking God that we were in her arms again. We both shrugged her off and retreated to our rooms. It’d been two months since we’d been in this house and I doubted anyone had felt our absence. In all the years that I’d lived here, I never felt like I belonged. I would have to talk to Gabriel sooner rather than later because I was leaving this house. I could not stay here any longer.
My father was hosting a charity gala, and the who’s who of the country were going to be there. Within a couple of days of returning home, the house was overrun with caterers and decorators. It was as if a wedding was taking place. On the day of the event bunches of stephanotis, roses, gardenias and Casablanca lilies filled our home. A pianist sat at the grand piano practicing his pieces for the evening. I walked over to him and sat nearby listening, remembering the last time I’d played.
The massive balcony was decorated with angel lights and round tables which seated at least twenty-four people each. Apparently, dinner would be served out there. Waiters and waitresses were hired, and the head cook barked out orders to everyone.
Charles had returned home a few days ago and had been locked in his study. I was glad I didn’t have to see his face. My mother said he was too distraught over what had happened to us and had been flying around the country looking for us. Right. Like he didn’t know exactly where we were. And he’d been so concerned about us that he didn’t even come say hello to us now that we were back home. My mother was living in denial.
Gabe stayed in his room or made himself scarce. We were leaving, and I’d decided to speak to my mother about it before this party.
“You look beautiful, Mom.” I complimented her as she met my gaze in the mirror.
“As do you, sweetheart.” She turned and walked to where I sat on the bed. “I am so glad you’re safe. I was losing my mind over here. Your father too. Arthur Calthorpe isn’t someone to deal with hastily. He’d assured us your safe return for information. Unfortunately, we didn’t have what he wanted.”
The mention of his name was like a knife to my heart. I wish I’d never met the man. If it wasn’t for the woman in front of me, I wouldn't have. That reminder made my blood boil. But then again, I’d given myself over to a manwhore without a thought, so what did that make me?
“Was he cruel - with you?” She looked down at her hands. I bet she wanted to know if he’d fucked me. Was that concern or jealousy? The nerve.
I frowned. “He didn’t rape me if that what you’re asking. He mostly just left me alone. I guess I wasn’t his type.” I could not keep the venom out of my words. “Your emerald necklace would look great with that.” I told her, trying to change the topic.
She turned to her reflection in the full-length mirror. “You’re absolutely right.”
She keyed in the code to her safe, pulling out a velvet box.
“I’m leaving.” I blurted.
“Leaving?” She turned to face me.
“I think it’s time I left the nest, started a life of my own.”
“You are more than welcome to stay here, sweetheart, you know that.” She looked at me, surprised. The thing about wealthy families is that the children tended to stick around, even in adulthood. They married and brought their families to live on the grounds, or in the house. I was not interested in that kind of life. It was time to cut the cord.
“I do, I just think it’s time. I should leave you to finish getting ready. I need to touch up my make-up anyway.”
Arthur Calthorpe was all I thought about during every waking moment and when I closed my eyes. He filled my head, and as much as I tried to deny it, my heart too. I could not comprehend how it was possible to fall for someone like him, but I had. Maybe because I had daddy issues? Fuck, who would blame me? No, it was more than that. It was the way Arthur looked at me, the way he was so confident and sure of himself. The way he filled a room, how people worshipped him. I’d made the mistake of letting a man like him into my heart, and he’d ultimately destroyed me.
I’d come to the conclusion that I was merely a plaything for that man, a toy he’d had a bit of fun with until he no longer needed it anymore, chucking it out with such impact, parts of it broke. I saw what was waiting for him in that basement. He probably went down there the moment I left. Men like him wanted dominance, yet women like me never gave in. We’d had to fight for a place in a male-dominated world, and I, for one, was not about to let go of my freedom to become someone’s plaything.
Why then had that excited me? Why did being on my knees for Arthur seem like something I could do? It didn’t matter, that was in the past.
I’d googled him. I couldn’t help myself. What else does a person do when you’re obsessing over a criminal? There were theories about him, hundreds of articles. He owned places I’d heard of before and was considered one of the richest men in the world according to Forbes. His wife had died when his daughter was just a baby. A daughter I hadn’t even seen in that house. He had a sister, too, and from what the reports said they were estranged.
All of that said nothing about the real Arthur. The way he traced his fingers on my belly when we lay together after making love. The way his eyes searched mine for permission before he entered me. The way he made me feel- Ugh! I had to stop this. I’d been ruined long before him, and I’d survived that. I’d survive this too.
I walked down the spiral staircase and into the foyer, taking a deep breath before entering the main ballroom. This house suddenly felt small with the number of people chattering inside. I smoothed down my strapless, gold mermaid-style dress which hugged my bust, waist, and hips, then flared out to a full skirt. My hair was swept up into a plaited updo. I wore simple diamond studs and a hanging diamond pendant Gabe bought me when I turned twenty-one.
I felt like I was suffocating, just thinking about all the disgusting men in the room. Their eyes on me, undressing me. Thinking about me most atrociously. Over the years, many had made passes at me or tried to grope me while we danced. I hated this life. I hated this home, but this would be the last time I’d have to endure any of this.
I stepped forward and was about to enter the archway when an arm wrapped around my middle, pulling me back toward a muscular chest. I knew it was him when I felt his body behind me, his touch igniting a fire in my belly. His woody scent was heady, and even though I hadn’t had a sip of alcohol, I felt intoxicated.
I sucked in a breath, closing my eyes. He placed a kiss between my shoulder blades, and I felt the ache between my thighs growing.
“Sembri squisita. Voglio assaggiarti quando tutto è finito.” He hissed. My Italian may have been rusty, but I got that he found me exquisite and wanted to taste me. I leaned back into him, my eyes shut, afraid that if I opened them, he’d be gone.
