CORAL - Forever (A Romance Trilogy, Book 3) (19 page)

Tristan stares at me for the longest time –
Shit! Something really is wrong.
But I don’t think I’m going to get it
out of him, so I decide on a different tactic.

“I found my wedding dress,” I say.

It’s a perfect simple design, medieval,
a-lined, short sleeved and it covers my battle scar – I fell in love with it
the moment I saw it! Plus, it will be here on Friday, unlike so many others
where there was at least a four week wait.

Rob wanted me to really glam it up, he
wasn’t too impressed with my choice, but as I reminded him, I want this to be
an intimate, simple, relaxed day –
No big deal!

Tristan smiles at me, but it’s off.
Ok,
now I’m getting pissed off!

“I know you’re holding something
back,” I grate. “It’s written all over your face.” I add, trying to hold my
temper in.

“No,” he says shaking his head.
“There’s nothing.”

“Tristan,” I beg. “Please…just
tell me.”

“No! You’ve been through
enough,” he snaps.

“And what you have to tell me is really bad? What are you
afraid off? You think I’ll finally crack’ – “Coral, for once in your life, just
do as I ask!” He shouts –
He really doesn’t want me to know.

”Fine!” I snap back.

“Fine!” He grumbles.

“Well…for now anyway,” I huff.

“I have some work to do.” Without looking at me, Tristan
stands and stalks towards his office, mumbling to himself as he does –
Well
that’s just marvellous!

“Coral,” Edith says as she reaches me. “Can I get you
anything?” I shake my head, fighting back tears again. “Can I say something?”
she whispers. I nod, so she sits down next to me. “He’s just worried,” she softly
tells me.

“I know, but that’s no reason to keep snapping at me.” I
squeak.

“He’s only doing that because he cares.” I shake my head and
stare out the window. “He was never like this with
her
,” she says. I
turn and look at her. Her chest is pushed out, her nose in the air. If she were
a dragon, I swear she’d be breathing fire through her nostrils right now.

“Who?” I ask, bewildered.

“Olivia.” I blink back at Edith while my brain catches up.
Oh
shit!
Of course, Edith was living with Tristan when Olivia came on the
scene.

“Why do you say that?” I whisper.

Edith shakes her head. “I always thought he could do better.
She always seemed...well, indifferent to him – cold. I never liked her, I know
I shouldn’t be saying this to you, it’s not my place. I’m just trying to make
you understand, to let you know that he never acted like this with her. I’ve
known Tristan longer than you, and well, I’ve never seen him so in love, so
protective. You are his true match, his mirror image.” I frown back at Edith. I
don't think that’s true.

“You are the same,” she says. “That’s why you fight so much,
both stubborn and both capable of a very deep love, whereas Olivia....” Edith
shakes her head and purses her lips. “Take, take, take that’s all she ever did,
she never deserved him; not a good man like Tristan. I just want you to know
this, so you don't worry. He’s being hard on you because he cares so much,
because he loves you so very much.”

“I guess,” I grumble.

“Oh, no guessing needed lass, you are perfectly matched. I’m
so glad she’s out of his life, I dread to think what would have become of him
if he’d married her.” Edith whispers.

“Edith,” I giggle. “You’re making her sound like the wicked
witch of the west.”

“That’s a perfect example of how I used to think of her.”
Edith says with pursed lips.

I gasp. “She...she was that bad? I don't understand? Why
would Tristan be with somebody like that?”

“Oh she was all sweetness and light to his face, but people
always slip up, and eventually their true character is revealed.”

“How do you mean?”

“Well, for example. Years ago, Tristan had this really big
case on, it was the last day in court, and he was always exhausted when it was
all over. Happy of course, because he would always win, but it was long hours,
not much sleep and well....by the time he got home, all he wanted to do was
relax with a glass of wine.

“But she, she always got her way, she always got what she
wanted; she never took his feelings into account. I don't know how she did it,
but she would always convince him, somehow, that she was right – manipulative
little b-“ Edith abruptly stops and looks across at me. “Sorry lass, I
shouldn’t be telling you any of this.”

“Yes, you should,” I firmly tell her. “Edith I don't think
of you as Tristan’s housekeeper. You are so much more than that, and I’d like
to think that as we get to know one another, we’ll become great friends. So
whatever you do, don't worry about speaking your mind, ok?”

Edith nods and continues. “Well, she organised a party for
him. It wasn’t for him of course, it was to advance his career. Everything she
did was to get him more money, more status. So instead of coming home to a
quiet house, he came home to a house full of guests, a big party going on. Oh,
I remember, he was so mad with her, but somehow she managed to turn the tables
on him and make him feel guilty.

“They went to the bedroom for a while, arguing I suppose. I
remember feeling so mad at her, they’d had a conversation not two weeks before
in which she’d mentioned the party. Tristan made it very clear to her that he
didn’t want that, but she went on ahead and did it anyway. Horrible woman!” She
adds.
Whoa!

My head is spinning. I still don't get why he would be with
someone like that, but then again, Justin was a bastard compared to Tristan’s
sweet nature.

“Coral, you must not let Tristan know I divulged this
information to you.” Edith says, her face a worried picture.

“Of course not Edith, it’ll be our little secret,” I smile.

“Alright then,” she says, patting my hand. “Well I better
get on. You look tired lass, why don't you go take a nap?” She suggests.

“Yeah...I think I will,” I say. Nurse Terry has already been
this afternoon, so at least I won’t be disturbed.

“Is there anything in particular you would like for tea?”
she asks as I get to my feet.

My appetite has disappeared again. I’m tired, drained,
pissed off and fed up – Tristan is holding something back from me and it’s
killing me that he won't tell me. But worst of all, I hate that we are fighting
like this.

“No, I don't mind...whatever,” I say frowning at the floor.
“Ask Tristan.” I add despondently as I walk towards the stairs.

“Coral,” Edith calls. I turn and look back at her. “He will
come around sweetheart.”

I try to smile at her, but it’s a weak ass attempt. I turn
away before I start crying again and head up the stairs. When I reach our
bedroom, I spy the envelope Detective Marsh gave me sitting on the bed.

I walk over, pick it up, carefully lie down and rip open the
envelope. The key falls out first, I pick it up and twist it round in my
fingers.
I’ll never live in my studio again!
I shake my head at that
thought, then place it on the bedside cabinet.

Then I take out the A4 photo of Tristan and I, hold it up in
front of me, and stare at the two of us. “Why won't you tell me?” I say to
Tristan’s image, of course I get no answer.
I’m talking to a piece of paper!
Shaking my head at myself, I place it next to me on the bed. Then with
trembling fingers, I pull out the picture of my family.

“Mom,” I whisper, tracing her smiling face with my
fingertips. Tears pool in my eyes again.
Please, no more crying!
I hug
the photo to me, keeping it close to my heart, and close my eyes; hoping sleep
will come quickly...

I
AM DREAMING I AM IN
the forest again, the darkness of the deep green
trees surrounding me. I feel lost, like something is missing? I start searching
on foot, weaving in and out of the trees. Then suddenly, out of the corner of
my eye, I see my Mother next to one of the smallest trees, it looks like the
tree is glowing bright white, not my Mom? I stagger towards it, only when I get
there, she’s gone and then the tree disappears.

“Mom?” I call out for her, but I get no reply. I look around
me, searching for her, trying to understand why the tree has gone.

“Look.” Her voice whispers from behind me. I spin around and
see looks like she did before. I know it’s her, but she’s just a strange white
light, floating in front of me.

“See...” She says pointing down at the ground.

I turn and look down at the damp, muddy ground, there’s a
big hole from where the tree and it’s roots were. I hesitantly take a step
closer to the hole and peek inside.
No!

Their, lying inside the hole is a baby, a naked newborn baby...

MY
FACE IS BEING STROKED,
someone is trying to wake me. I try to push
the hand away...
No, I want to stay in the dream...

“Coral...” Tristan’s voice softly calls. I make no move even
though I'm half awake. “Come on darling, wake up. It’s time for tea.”
No, no
more food!

I groan and go to turn over, but a dull ache in my bladder
is waking me –
Damn it!

“Ugh...” I open my eyes and see Tristan sitting on the edge
of the bed, staring down at me. His broody look is still there. “I’m not hungry
Tristan,” I tell him as I get to my feet.

“Coral, you need to’ – “Are you going to tell me what you’re
keeping from me?” I say staring back at him.

“Coral I think it’s best that’ – I shut the bathroom door on
him, effectively blocking him out. If he does not tell me what is going on,
like
tonight
, I am going to stay with Rob and Carlos.

He won’t tell me what Detective Marsh meant either, even
though I hounded him in the car. Maybe I need to give him an ultimatum?
Yeah,
an ultimatum, that’s what I’ll do he’s sure to tell me then –
I look up at
my reflection as I wash my hands and nod in agreement with myself.

Then the dream comes back to me, I stop washing and turn the
water off. What the hell was that all about? I try to figure it out...but
nothing comes to mind that makes any sense, so I shrug it off and get back to
Tristan.

Right, so I'm going to Rob’s if he doesn’t tell me what’s
going on! Then I remember I can't do that, I can't walk out on him, we promised
each other we would never do that.
Damn it!

I dry my hands, lean forward and stare at my reflection.
I
look different...I feel different?
Shaking my head at myself, I try to
think of what other weapons I have in my arsenal, there must be something I can
do or say that will get him to tell me?

Sex?
– Yes!
He’s always talkative after sex, maybe
this is the way?
Right then!

I take my time removing my jumper and jeans, being careful
with my shoulder. Then I stare at myself in the mirror; all I’m wearing is a
set of my new bra and knickers. Dark blue lacy thong and the bra is the same
colour, only it has pretty, light blue stitching across each cup. I wonder for
a moment if I should try this completely naked?

No, this is more enticing...
I think?

Taking a deep breath and summoning up some courage from
somewhere, I head back into the bedroom, only when I do, I find Tristan sat on
the edge of the bed with my old family photo in his hand, completely
mesmerised.

“You look like your mother,” he says, still transfixed. “But
then again, I can see your dad too,” he adds, frowning thoughtfully.

I completely ignore him, walk over and stand in front of him
with my hands on my hips, but he doesn’t look up at me?
Look at me Tristan!
I’m half naked in front of you for Christ’s sake, look up!

“Edith has made us a bread and butter pudding,” he absently
says, still staring at the photo. My stomach grumbles in appreciation –
No! Be
quiet!

“Are you purposely ignoring me?” he asks, keeping his eyes
fixed on the photo. I stay silent.
Tell me what you know!
I say over,
and over in my head willing him to tell me.

“I take it you are,” he says. “That’s very immature of you,”
he adds, his brows creasing together.
Hmm, this isn’t working?

“Actually, I’m trying to coax you into having sex with me,”
I huff.

My foot starts tapping. “I’m well aware of that,” he says,
finally looking up at me with those big, round chocolate eyes of his –
Damn
it, this isn’t working!

Plan B.

“Do you have any idea how much I missed having
you to myself today?” I question, running my hands through his hair –
Because
I have missed him, big time, even though I’m mad with him!
He slowly shakes
his head. His eyes are dark and dilated; his look heated.

I lean down and gently kiss him. “I missed
you so badly it hurt,” I whisper against his lips.

“That badly?” He teases.
I nod once.
Then being brave, I straddle him and grind myself against his growing erection.
I want him badly. I have missed the feel of him buried deep inside me.

“Coral, No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“We could argue about this all day, but it’s not happening,”
he tells me firmly.

“Why not?” I frown.

He stays silent, so I reach down and cup his erection in my
hand –
Oh it’s been so long...
Tristan steadies my hand, looks up at me
and stares back for the longest time. I am mesmerised, frozen in place –
What
is that look in his eyes?

Taking me by complete surprise, his hand splays out across
my belly, and he just leaves it there, staring down at it. I frown and stare
down too, then rest my hand over the top of his.