CORAL - Forever (A Romance Trilogy, Book 3) (38 page)

As the car pulls out into traffic, I watch Tristan blow out
a deep breath; his gazing following the car the whole time, until, eventually,
I can no longer see him and the enormity of the situation finally hits me.

I start shaking from head to toe, I feel the tears bubble up
to the surface and an angry scream building within me. I grip my hair with both
hands, trying to hold onto my sanity. Suddenly Stu pipes up, bringing me out of
my stupor.

“Coral?” He questions, his voice laced with worry. “Shall I
turn around?” He asks.

“No!” I squeak. “Please Stu, just get me to the hotel as
quickly as you can,” I manage to choke out.

“Right.” Stu slams his foot down and starts to race through
traffic. What seems like moments later we pull up outside the hotel.

“Stu, will you walk me up to the room?” I ask, he turns in
his seat and frowns back at me. I can see what he’s thinking – Going into the
boss’ girlfriends hotel room, just the two of us, but there’s no way in hell
anything like that would ever happen.

“Tristan did say to come up if you asked, it’s just’ –
“Please Stu, I don't think I’ll make it up there, and I don't want to be on my
own. I just want you to stay in the suite until Tristan get’s back. I’ll be in
the bedroom anyway, please...” I plead.

“If it makes you feel...more secure,” he says, frowning
deeply.

“It will,” I tremble.

“Alright.” Stu drives forward and finds a parking bay. He
exits the car and opens my door for me, offering his hand out I gladly take it
and stumble as I get to my feet. Stuart quickly catches me, I can tell he feels
uncomfortable touching me, like he’s feeling up his boss’s wife.

“Stu, nothing untoward is happening here, I give you my word
and I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, but I’m feeling quite faint. Can
I take your arm?” I ask.

Stu looks a little taken aback at first, then he smiles a
little awkwardly at me.
“
By
all means,
”
he says,
offering me his arm.

“
Thanks.
”
I grip his arm tightly
and we walk in into the hotel. In no time at all, we have taken the lift to the
top floor and Stuart is gently guiding me inside the sumptuous suite. Reaching
the main room, I slowly sink into sofa next to the fire and stare blankly at
it.

“
Can
I get you anything?
”
Stuart asks.

“
A
Brandy?
”
I whisper.

“
Coming
right up.
”
I hear
Stuart clonking around at the bar. Then moments later he is handing me a glass.

“
Thanks
Stuart,
”
I say and
neck the whole thing back, I know I shouldn
’
t,
but I need the instant hit.

“
Did
you want another?
”
He
asks, frowning down at me.

“
No,
no thanks,
”
I say. “I’m
going to bed now, but you’ll stay in here?” I ask.

Stuart shuffles from one foot to the other. “If it makes you
feel more comfortable.”

“It will, thank you Stuart.” I get to my feet and slowly
make my way into the bedroom. Shutting the door behind me, I stare blankly
round the room. I feel the tears building, but I can't cry. Tristan will know
something is wrong and I don't want to tell him until we’re out of London, away
from that fucker!

I feel cold, so cold. I throw my clutch onto the bed and
wrap my arms around myself, trying to generate some heat. I need a shower – I
feel so dirty and disgusting. Stripping my dress off me as carefully as I can
so I don't rip my stitches open, I rid myself off the rest of my clothing and
head into the en-suite....

THE
FOLLOWING MORNING WE ARRIVE BACK AT THE VILLA IN CORNWALL.
Tristan
picks up our bags from the boot and I slowly follow him up the stairs. He
un-locks the front door and gestures for me to go first. I have been trying since
Tristan came back last night to act normal, but I’m not sure if I’m being very
convincing. I walk into the villa and just stand there, gazing out at the view.
The sky is a perfect blue, the sun is shining, making everything seem brighter,
more beautiful. How anyone can have a problem on a day like this is beyond me –
Except I do, and I know that today, I’m going to have to face it.

“Alright,” Tristan says, sighing heavily. I turn to see he
has shut the door, placed our bags down and is stood a few feet away from me
with his arms crossed. “I know something’s bothering you. Ever since I got back
last night, you’ve hardly spoken a word. Have I done something wrong?” I shake
my head at him. “Then what is it Coral?”

It’s taken such a humungous effort on my part to keep this
to myself. Having to wait until we are far enough away from the fucker so
Tristan can't do anything stupid – like kill him! It’s really taken it’s toll
on me! My legs start shaking, actually physically shaking, my knees knocking
together, I look down at them. I can’t stop it. The rest of my body soon joins
in, and I’m literally shaking from head to toe.

“Tristan,” I whimper and burst into uncontrollable, hoarse
sounding sobs.

He’s straight over to me, wrapping his arms around me,
squeezing me tight, making me feel safe. “Christ Coral, what’s wrong?” He asks,
holding me tight, trying to stop me from shaking out of his hold. He holds me
for the longest time, letting my cry it out. When I stop shaking so much and I
feel calm enough to tell him, I get a flash image of what he used to do to me
back then.
No!
Then I feel it, the swish of saliva before your sick.

“Gonna be sick!” I shout. Tristan releases me, I run down the
hallway, into the bedroom, fling the en-suite door open and manage to reach the
toilet in time – and it hurts, hurts so much. The heaving making my right lung
really burn, my shoulder throb painfully at me.

I feel Tristan kneel down next to me, take as much of my
hair out of the way, his other hand softly stroking my back.

When the dry heaving stops, I flush the toilet, and Tristan
helps me to my feet.

“Need to clean my teeth,” I croak.

“Coral, do we need to go back to A&E? – Tell me?” I look
up at our reflections, Tristan looks worried, out of his depth.

“This isn’t about that Tristan. Something happened last
night, but I couldn’t tell you until we were back here,” I croak.

“Why?” He asks, looking quite perplexed now.

“Trust me,” I say, staring at his reflection. “Please
Tristan, trust me on this. I’m going to clean my teeth, then I’m going to come
and find you in the living room. But I’m going to need a Brandy for this, and
so will you.” I say.

“Coral’ – “Tristan, I’m begging you. Trust me.” I stare back
at him, my eyes pleading with his.

He nods once, leans forward, kisses the back of my hair,
then walks out of the bathroom.

Taking a deep rasping breathe, I start cleaning my teeth. When
I’m done, I find my Gaviscon and take two big mouthfuls of it, then I take another
deep breath, square my shoulders and head out the bathroom...

TRISTAN
IS SAT ON THE SOFA WITH A GLASS OF BRANDY IN EACH HAND
. I silently
take a seat next to him. He glances across at me and hands me a glass. I take a
tentative sip, then I glug the whole thing back.
Ouch!
It burns as it
goes down, then seconds later I feel it flood through my body, warming up a
cold I can't seem to shake off. I see my hand is shaking as I place the glass down
on the coffee table. I clench my hands into fists trying to hide it.

“Coral, what’s wrong baby?” Tristan asks, his voice soft.

“Please promise me something,” I plead, my voice trembling.

“Anything,” he breathes. I reach out with my free hand and
entwine our fingers together.

“I promised you the other day that I would talk to you, tell
you if something was wrong, or bothering me, and you said that we would work
things out together?” Tristan nods once. “Ok, I’m about to tell you something
that you’re not going to like. So please, promise me that you won't go off at
the deep end. That you’ll keep your head and think logically about this?”

“I’ll try,” he softly says, lifting my chin so I have to
look at him. “Tell me,” he adds in his authoritative voice.

I swallow hard and begin. “Last night...that guy...Simon’ –
“I knew he’d upset you!” He barks.

“Tristan!” I scold, then the tears start again, making my
vision blurry, spilling down my cheeks. “I really need you to be calm...Tristan...please...”
I sniff, trying to fight the tears, but I choke out another hoarse sounding sob.

“Christ...” He puts his Brandy down and pulls me into his
arms. I curl up on his lap. I feel safer like that. “I’m sorry Coral...I’m
sorry,” he says, gently rubbing his hand up and down my back, soothing me. I
listen to the sound of his heart gently beating. We stay like that for a while,
Tristan gently rocking me...

“Coral, I promise you. I won't say another word,” he suddenly
pipes up. Somehow, I doubt that. But I need to tell him – I have to get it out!

I take a deep steadying breath. “He’s the one Tristan.”

“The one who what baby?” He asks, his voice deep. low, icy.

“Who abused me when I was...” I stop, I can't say anymore.

Tristan’s body has frozen beneath me, his hand has stopped
in the middle of my back. His heart has gone into over-drive and his breathing
has stopped. The silent tears continue to fall, one after the other down my
cheeks. I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my head under his chin, I feel
like a child again, a frightened child. I grip him even tighter as the tears
continue to flow.

A part of me doesn’t want to see his reaction, I’m afraid of
what he might do. Not to me, to him – Then I think maybe I should have had
Stuart come with us, so he could stop Tristan if he decided to drive up to
London and confront him. Then I think no, I don't want him involved, not in
this. I decide my best plan of action is to do nothing, and just wait until
he’s ready to ask any questions. I still can't believe I’ve met him again,
another shudder runs through my body.

What are the chances of him turning up like that? It’s
almost as though Tristan is the key, that he has been all along.

Finally, he speaks. “Are you sure?” His voice is lower,
colder than I have ever heard before.

“Yes.” I answer firmly. “I’ll never forget those eyes...
even though I’ve tried..so hard to.” I squeeze my eyes shut.

His arms squeeze tighter around me, almost too tight. “One
hundred percent positive?” He asks, kissing the top of my head.

“Yes. And he knew too. The fucker teased me about it
Tristan, that’s what he was doing last night ...” I break off, I can't
continue.

Tristan gasps, then growls. “He teased you? How did he tease
you Coral? What did he say?” He sneers, he’s fuming and trying to hold it in.

I take a deep breath. “That he remembered me, then he
touched me’ – Tristan stiffens again – ‘twice, and...he said...my skin was,” I
stop again, I feel sick. Another deep breath. “That my skin was still soft, he
knew my name Tristan!” I sit up and look at him. “Didn’t think he was such a
big man when he saw you walking towards me though. When he asked if I knew you,
I told him you were my fiancé, he seemed worried’ – “He should be,” Tristan
growls interrupting me. It sends a shiver down my spine.

“I threatened him,” I sniff.

“You did?” Tristan says, surprised.

“Yeah...I...I told him he’s a dead man.” I shake my head. “That
was a stupid thing to have done. I shouldn’t have, I know that now. But I was
so’ – Tristan’s lips find mine, gently silencing me with a sweet, soft chaste
kiss.

“Whatever you do,” he chokes out. “Do not apologise for what
you said to him Coral.”

I swallow hard. “I’m scared Tristan.”

“Hey.” He reaches up and places his hands against my cheeks.
“I will never let anything happen to you,” he says, his voice firm, his eyes
searching mine.

“It’s not me I’m worried about,” I squeak.

“Then what are you worried about?” He asks, searching my
face.

“You. I’m worried you’ll do something to him...that’s why I
didn’t tell you yesterday. I don't fancy visiting you in prison,” I choke out.

His eyes close and he takes a very deep breath, then releasing
his hands from my cheeks, Tristan picks up his glass and knocks back his
Brandy. He stares ahead, clenches his jaw several times, then slowly shakes his
head.

“No wonder the fucker disappeared when I walked back in. I
thought it was odd,” he says.

“Do you know who he works for? Maybe we can tell his
employer?” I say.

“He owns his own company Coral.” He says, his eyes narrowed
as he stares straight ahead, his mind elsewhere.

“Do you know the name of the company?” I ask.

“What are you thinking Coral?”

I shrug. “I don't know, I just...” I drift off.

“I thought you didn’t want retribution,” he states.

“I wasn’t thinking that,” I say.

“Then what were you thinking?” Tristan asks, still staring
ahead, contemplating.

I shrug again. I’m not sure what I’m thinking, or saying. I
have no idea what to do now. I never thought I would ever see him again, and
now I have...I shake my head and grit my teeth.

“You understand why I had to leave last night, don't you?” I
ask.

“Of course I do,” he scoffs. “But I’m mad at myself, my
instinct was telling me there was something wrong, but...” Tristan drifts off
for a moment. “You were right baby,” he finally turns and looks at me. “If
you’d have told me last night, I’d have killed the fucker.” With that he gets
to his feet, picks up his mobile and heads for the door. “You haven’t eaten
today so I’m going to get us some breakfast.” He yanks the door open and
without looking back at me he storms through the door, slamming it shut behind
him.