Authors: N.L. Echeverria
Chapter Twenty Five
“Zoey!” I almost scream in excitement as the bright red head that is my only girlfriend stands at the door smiling. “It feels like it’s been so long!”
“That’s because it has been.”
I throw my arms around her, pulling her into the house.” Eric, only left moments earlier and it took all I had in me to let him go.
“What have you been up to, Zoey?” I ask as we make our way into the living room, sitting on the sofa.
“Well, I’ve started selling my paintings I’ve been working so hard on.”
“Wow! That’s awesome! I told you they were worth some money,” I reply. She’s been sharing her paintings with me since I first met her. We have several hanging in the home that I purchased. Her work is amazing and I knew since the beginning that people would love her art.
“Yeah, I know. I guess I just had to get over the fear of rejection. I’m still doing interior decorating for homeowners which you know I love,” she says, tucking her bouncy red curls behind her ears.
“And how is that going?”
“It’s good money, especially in this neighborhood. No one likes to do their own decorating and they like the expensive stuff so they pay big bucks to have me come in. Plus it’s another way to show my talent.”
“I always told Travis to have you come in here and fix this place up. It’s so simple and bland and depressing.”
“Yeah, well, I think you and I both know he isn’t going to allow me to do that. I was actually surprised when you invited me over here. I know he doesn’t like you having guests.”
“He doesn’t actually know you’re here,” I state, not sure how to tell her that I’m about to run off with some man I haven’t seen since I was seventeen, or if I even should.
“He doesn’t know? What’s going on, Steph? It isn’t usually like you to be deceiving.”
“That’s why I invited you over. I need to tell you something, Zoey. You’re my best friend. My only friend here. I needed to say goodbye,” I exclaim and my hands begin to shake as my nerves set in. This is really happening. I’m really leaving my husband for another man.
“Goodbye? I don’t understand. You guys moving?” she asks.
“I’m moving, Zoey. About three weeks ago I ran into a man that I knew when I was seventeen. I told you about the old boyfriend I ran into, Eric. We dated and I was head over heels for him. I still love him, Zoey, never stopped loving him. Lately things with Travis have been getting worse. You only know a little bit of what he is capable of. He’s been getting worse. I know it sounds crazy, but since I ran into Eric I’ve realized that there is so much more out there for me. I don’t deserve to be abused and I just want to be happy. Eric makes me happy.”
“What do you mean? What are you talking about, Stephanie?” she asks, and a part of me feels like I’m betraying Travis by revealing him, but I know I can’t keep this in. I need to tell her why I’m leaving.
“You only know a small amount of who Travis is. He’s been verbally abusive since we married. A few nights ago he came home drunk and angry for no reason at all. He bit my lip, hard, to the point that it was bleeding. I had gone to get an ice pack, but he told me I couldn’t put anything on it. That I needed to be reminded that he was in control, then he beat me. I was on the floor while he kicked me, who knows how many times. This wasn’t the first time something like this happened either.”
“God, Stephanie, you need to call the police on that asshole. Get him locked up! That is not okay, you can’t just take that shit from him.”
“I know, Zoey, but I’ve spent my whole life being beaten down by my father verbally, it’s been hard for me to stand up to it, to walk away from it. Travis came to me in a time that I was in a deep depression; he pulled me out of it, saved me. It was only when we got married did he start acting this way. It doesn’t matter anymore though, because I’m leaving him. I’m leaving with Eric next weekend.”
“Shit, Steph, how do you even know this Eric guy isn’t some crazy asshole too? You haven’t seen him in ten years and he just shows up to take you away? Come stay with me. You can get a job. We’ll be roommates. You won’t ever have to come back to Travis,” she says, placing my hand in hers.
“Eric would never hurt me. He was and still is the only man that has never hurt me. I’ll be okay. I just wanted you to know. We’ll be moving out of state so I probably won’t see you again anytime soon. I’ll stay in touch though.”
She pulls me in for a hug, embracing me tightly and whispers in my ear, “you are a strong, beautiful woman and can do anything you want. Don’t let these men hold you back. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“I hope that what you are doing is for you and not to please this Eric guy. You need to start making yourself happy before anyone else can.”
“I know. It may seem like I’m doing it for Eric, but it’s not like that. Seeing him again has just brought back that feeling that only he gave me. The feeling of actually being a deserving human being. He treats me like I’m his world. He makes me happy, Zoey.”
“Well, then I truly wish you the best. You have to call me once you get settled in. Okay?”
“I will.”
Chapter Twenty Six
Three Days
Before The Fight
Travis
“Vanessa! Has Mr. Steels called today?”
“No, Sir,” she replies, looking up through those long fake eye lashes.
“If he does, please notify me immediately. I would like to speak with him.”
“Okay, I will, Sir,” she replies with that sexy tone in her voice and I laugh to myself. She wants me bad; I can almost smell the wetness of her pussy when she gets near me. I would fuck her senseless, but my reputation is more important than some pussy. I can tell she’s weak just like Stephanie. Would let me do whatever I wanted to her. I can only imagine what her tight ass would look like bent over my desk while I’m fucking the shit out of her.
I open the door to my office, placing my brief case on the black leather sofa that’s off to the side. The tension from the week has built up, and recalling what I did to Stephanie is killing me inside. I wish she could see that I have no other choice. That she pushes me to the point of no return. She knows I have a temper and yet she does and says just the right thing to piss me off. It’s only going to get worse if she doesn’t learn how to behave. I fucking take care of her, work my ass off every day in order to give her everything she wants. The least she could do is
show me a little respect!
I grab the bottle of whiskey from my cupboard, not caring that it’s morning. As I’m pouring a double shot I hear Vanessa answering the phone and mention Mr. Steels’ name. I grab my whiskey glass and take it with me to my desk, taking a large swig of it before picking up the line as Vanessa calls over.
“Mr. Barnes, I have Mr. Steels on the line for you,” she says through the phone. My stomach turns, and I’m not sure why, but I have this feeling deep down that I cannot hide from. I take another sip of my whiskey before I reply, “thank you. You can bring him on.”
“Mr. Steels! Glad to hear from you. How are you doing this fine morning?”
“I’m doing well, Travis. Thank you! I have some information for you, but I was hoping we could meet in person. Are you free anytime today?”
“Yes, my schedule is clear today. I can meet you anytime,” I respond, my hands shaking, knowing this is serious if he can’t just tell me that he didn’t find anything over the phone.
“Great. Does noon work for you? We can meet for lunch at the Black Rock Café down the street from your building.”
“Yes, that works just fine. I’ll see you then,” I agree as I hang up the phone, taking another swig of my whiskey.
Grabbing my now empty glass I walk back to my whiskey cupboard and refill it, this time to the top; drinking the whole glass down. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to handle whatever information he has for me.
“FUCK!” the word escapes my mouth with such power and anger, I toss the glass in my hand across the room, watching it slam against the wall, shattering into pieces on the floor. Hands trembling, I hear a small knock on my office door and then the creaking of it slowly opening. I turn around as a shocked Vanessa peeks through the open doorway.
“Everything okay, Sir?” she asks, but keeps her distance, her eyes moving from the shattered glass on the floor back to me.
“I’m fine, have someone come clean this up,” I order as I point towards the glass scattered on the floor. “I’m leaving for the day. Please, do not forward any calls to my cell phone. I do not want to be bothered,” I grit as I grab my brief case and storm past her. I don’t even give her time to respond.
I look at my watch as I wait for the elevator to open. Ten o’clock. Still two hours before I need to meet Mr. Steels. I think I might go insane within the next two hours. I have to keep reminding myself there is no way she would be seeing another man. There is no way she has it in her to have an affair. She’s too damn weak and I’ve shown her what could happen if she betrays me in anyway. It’s got to be nothing. It’s probably that she’s talking bad about me, or telling people about what I did.
The ride in the elevator down the
twenty floors takes longer than normal as I play out all the possible circumstances in my mind. The ding of the elevator doors opening and several people pilling in pulls me out of my thoughts. Ignoring everyone on my way out the door, all I can think about is her. I knew she’s been up to something. I can’t afford to have my reputation fucked up because this bitch decides she wants something else!
I head straight for my car, climbing in and peeling out in a hurry to get to the Black Rock Café. Even if I’m not meeting him for two more hours, I don’t know where else to go. If I go home, I may lose all my senses and hurt her more than I want.
It doesn’t take long before I’m pulling into a parking space. This place is usually steady with customers and today is no different. I place my car in park, taking a moment to gather myself. I watch as everyone around is going about their normal lives and here I am a wealthy man, and I’m falling apart. I’m losing it! All because of this woman that I’ve worked so hard at molding into this perfect wife over the last two years. I don’t know exactly what information Mr. Steels has for me today, but I fear it’s going to be something that will send me over the edge.
***
Waiting patiently at the small round table off in the corner of the café, I sip on my wine. Thank God they sell wine; otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to take the wait. I watch as the doors open and Matthew Steels walks through. He’s much older than me. Probably his early fifties if I had to guess, his grey hair ages him, but just like any other wealthy man, he’s dressed in an expensive black suit and tie. Hands shaking, I stand up for him to see me. Only takes a moment for him to spot me and he walks my way.
“Mr. Steels,” I say nodding, holding out my hand and he places his in mine. “Thank you for doing this for me.”
“Of course, Mr. Barnes.”
“Would you like to order before we get started?” I ask hands still shaking and sweaty. If it were up to me I would ask him to spill all his information now, fuck the food.
“Yes. That sounds good,” he replies, placing his brief case to his right on the floor next to him. I watch it intently pondering what could be inside, when one of the waitresses walks over to our table.
“Good afternoon. My name is Lori. What can I get you both today?” she asks, her tight pony tail tossing behind her as she speaks and looks between both us.
“I’ll have your turkey sub and a glass of whatever it is that he is drinking,” Mr. Steels requests as he points to my glass of red wine.
“I’ll have the same,” I respond quickly, not wanting to take the time to look over the menu.
“Perfect! I’ll be back with your food shortly,” the waitress responds, turning on her heal back to the kitchen.
“Can I ask you a question, Mr. Barnes?” he asks, catching me off guard.
“Yes, of course.”
“You have everything. You’re young, wealthy and married to a gorgeous woman. What did you do to create a ripple in your perfect life?”
Confused by his question, “I’m not sure I know what you mean?” I ask.
“You’ve only been married for just over two years. Why would you be concerned about what your wife is up to? I’m just curious as to what exactly brought this on.”
I ponder for a moment, how to answer him. “I love her. More than anything, but I need her to know her place, if you know what I mean. I may not get publicity like famous people, but I’m a wealthy man and the CEO of my own banking branch, which means I have to be a certain way. My reputation needs to be secure within the communities. I need to be seen as a trustworthy man. I have rules, I guess. Certain things that she can and cannot do. I’ve noticed lately she’s been taking more trips to the market than normal and coming back with nothing. I’m a jealous man and I feel that I’m losing control of her and I needed to know for certain that going to the market is all she is doing.”
“I see,” is all he says as the waitress comes back with a bottle of wine and another wine glass. She refills my glass and pours his as well, leaving the bottle in the middle of the table.
“Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No. We’re fine,” I reply.
“Okay. Your food should be out soon.”
“Thank you.”
I watch as she walks away from our table, then I turn to Mr. Steels, “look! I don’t have time to fuck around. I just need to know what she’s up to. I have the right as he husband to know where she is during the day.”
“Yes, you do Mr. Barnes, and I do have some crucial information for you, but what I would like to know, is how she got her swollen lip and black eye?”
“That is none of your fucking business!” I grit between my teeth, fed up with a man that is supposed to be a loyal business man, accusing me of something he knows nothing about.
“Okay, okay,” he replies, holding his hands up in surrender. “No reason to get all worked up. She’s a woman, and I’m against hitting women, so thought I would ask. I’ll forget about it though. It’s your problem, not mine.” A joking tone to his voice and it has me fueled, but I see the waitress, Lori, returning with a tray in her hand and our food, so I keep my mouth shut for the moment.
I take a drink of my wine, finishing off the glass as, Lori, places our food out in front of us. I advise we need nothing else and wait till she is out of ear shot. I refill my glass watching Mr. Steels take a bite out of his sandwich. I’ve got to keep calm. The last thing I need is my personal life getting out. I know I can at least trust him to keep this all quiet.
We eat in silence; taking the next ten minutes or so to just enjoy the wine and food. The alcohol is really starting to feel good and my stress level has decreased slightly, at least for the moment.
Once the waitress clears off our table Mr. Steels grabs his brief case from the floor placing it in front of us. He opens it, removing a large yellow envelope and then placing it back on the floor.
“As a friend, Travis, I want to make sure that once you see what I’m about to show you that before you confront Stephanie you will take some time to get your thoughts together. I don’t want you to react and do something you’re going to regret.”
Burying my head in my hands, doing my best to keep my breath steady, his words are like daggers straight through my chest and I can barely hold on. “Okay. After I leave here I’ll spend a night away from my house. Now, please, tell me what you found out.”
He opens the tops of the large envelope, pulling out a stack of what appears to be papers. I hold my breath in anticipation as he hands the stack over to me. I grab it, looking at nothing but white, knowing that what he wants to show me is on the other side.
“This is what I found Stephanie doing over the last week. I made sure to track her whereabouts most of the time. Please know that sometimes, things are not as they seem, so it’s always good to talk about these types of situations,” he suggest, but I don’t respond. I can’t stop looking at the papers in my hands.
Slowly I turn the stack over, placing them on the table before me. At first when I see the image in front of me, my heart sinks, but anger quickly rises to the surface. An image of Stephanie, my Stephanie, holding hands with another man. My whole body shudders, and the thought that this is actually really happening has me in a panic. I move to the next photo and it’s her with the same man, this time he’s helping her into a truck, placing his hands all over her as if she belongs to him. The fire inside me fuels and I quickly turn the papers over, refusing to look at anymore.
“I’m sorry, Travis. I know how these things can be devastating, but give yourself time to process it before you confront her.”
“I can’t be here right now. Thanks Matthew. Thank you for doing this for me. Keep in touch,” I say, standing from the table I grab the photos, and leave the café.
Tossing the photos of Stephanie with another man into the passenger seat as I place my car in drive and take off, I can feel the build of anger rising. I know he said I should cool off, I know I should calm down, but what I want right now is to show up at home and break her fucking neck!
I squeeze the steering wheel, not knowing where I’m going, but knowing I can’t go home. After everything I’ve done for her, after giving her everything she could possibly want, this is how she repays me? This is how she shows she’s my wife? By fucking another man?