CORAL - Fallen (A Romance Trilogy, Book 2) (33 page)

I listen intently as he shows me the view
of my bedroom and the two of us in my tiny living room. A huge grin starts to
spread across my face, if Susannah gets in again, she’ll be caught red-handed,
and the cameras are so tiny, there’s no way she would spot them.

“Happy?” He asks as he
minimises
the screen on my laptop.

“Very,” I say. He hands me a card with his
name on it and tells me to call him if I have any questions. I thank him, pay
him and see him out the door. Then I scuttle upstairs, get changed into my
training gear, and head to the gym. I really feel like I need the workout
session tonight, I need to get rid of some pent up rage…

WHEN I HEAD BACK TO MY STUDIO
it’s with a long face and a trampled heart. Training with Will
totally sucked, I couldn’t concentrate at all. In fact, he put me on my ass so
many times; he almost sent me home again. As I drag my tired butt down the
concourse, I actually debate going over to Tristan’s so I can have a long soak
in the bath, but decide against it.

There’s too many memories there, and I’ll
only get melancholy about him not being here, I’m missing him far too much for
that, and I already feel emotionally raw today, much more than usual. I’m not
sure if it’s the prolonged amount of time that Tristan and I have been apart? The
fact that all my family are going to up sticks and move to another country? (I
don't think it’s quite sunk in yet) Or the fact that Susannah is more than
likely a lunatic, that has broken into my home and stolen possessions of mine
that’s making me feel like this?

Either way, I feel like I could cry at the
drop of a hat, and I hate feeling like that. I wish Rob was here, he would know
what to say to me, he would know how to make me look at it all from a different
angle, make me laugh about it all, or take the piss out of me for crying. I
miss him so much. I wish he would call me. I'm worried about him, even though I
know I shouldn’t be, but I can't help thinking the worst.

Then I think back to last night and Gladys
telling me about them all leaving, and how I blew it all up to be some big
secret, which it kind of was, but it was nowhere near as bad as the thoughts I
had whizzing around my head. So I take a deep breath and push any worrying
thoughts about Rob away…

I AM SITTING CROSSED LEGGED ON
the sofa, feeling much better about being in my studio with my new
security system installed. I look up at the clock on the wall, it’s 10.10pm,
and I'm wide awake. I sigh heavily. I wish I wasn’t feeling so fidgety and
restless.

I spoke to Tristan a couple of hours ago
and it was brief as he was off out for the evening. Apparently one of his team
won a really big case, one that had gone on for a couple of years, he wanted to
take them out for a meal to celebrate and say thank you. We spoke briefly about
the money Gladys gave me, and the fact that they are all moving away, it was
far too short a conversation, so to occupy my time I’ve been trying to read
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.

The day after Tristan quoted a passage from
it, I went on-line and purchased it, but I can’t concentrate. I keep losing
track and I hate it when that happens. I know it’s going to be a good book, so
I put it to the side, hoping it can be my first holiday novel when I go and see
Gladys in Spain, or maybe Hawaii, if that happens with Tristan.

Hearing a strange noise, I glance across
the room at the front door. I have checked it three times tonight, even though
I know it’s locked and the door sensor alarm is set. I pick up my Eskrima
sticks and hold one in each hand, ready to pounce if Susannah turns up at the
door again, but then I hear laughter, and realise it must be next door getting
home late.

Earlier today, after the morning dragging
like crazy, I decided to take an early lunch. I couldn’t stay cooped up in the
office any longer, so I headed into town and strolled the streets in a daze, I
was about to turn back when I came across a martial arts studio that I’d never
seen before, it had a big shop connected to it selling everything from
punch-bags, to Nunchucks.

Looking around the store, I was shocked to
see they were selling real Eskrima sticks. Will’s been introducing this ancient
form of Filipino Martial Arts to me, and in my haste, and need to protect
myself, I purchased a pair today. Will would go crazy if he knew I’d bought a
real set, we’ve only been training with foam ones.

I remember the first time Will introduced
me to it. I was jigging up and down like a kid in a sweet shop. I love using
weapons, but before he would let me practice with him, he told me about how
this art came about…

It was in nearby Mactan Island that the
local chieftain Lapu Lapu and his men repelled the Spanish conquistadors in
1521. Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese navigator who led the expedition on
behalf of the King of Spain, paid with his life at the battle of Mactan.

It is believed that Lapu Lapu’s men fought
with spears, swords and sharpened sticks, and this is the first reference to
the existence of the ancient art of Eskrima. Before the coming of the
Spaniards, Eskrima was an art of war taught to warriors to use in the constant
tribal wars of that period. Being an art of war each tribe would evolve its own
distinctive techniques, based on the type of weapon it preferred and the
environment it lived in. Each tribe would jealously guard it’s techniques,
strategies, and tactics. During this period, Eskrima was classified as a tribal
fighting art…

I run my finger across the smooth bamboo
finish again, they are only small, around twenty-eight inches long, and blunt
at each end. I smack them against each other, they make a strange popping
sound, getting whacked with one of these would really hurt – break an arm if
you hit hard enough. I decide to do some practicing, hoping it will help me
feel less restless. I stand up, and take my stance, then start gliding into a
kata. Whacking the sticks with as much force as possible, imagining each time I
bring one of the sticks down, I'm defending myself from Susannah...

Ten minutes later, I sit back down on the
sofa wishing I hadn’t done that, I feel buzzed up and full of energy. I decide
the best thing to do is to put a film on that I know, that way it won’t matter
if I start daydreaming again, I won't feel so bugged about it.

Plugging my hard-drive in, I decide on a
Martial arts film. I can’t bare romance, not now I’ve met Tristan. It will only
remind me of the fact that he’s not here, and make me feel melancholy about it,
so I pick Way of The Dragon, my favourite Bruce Lee film.

With the film ready, I grab a beer from the
fridge and curl up on the sofa. Pressing play, I tune out all things Tristan
& Susannah and watch in wonder as the magnificent Bruce Lee does his thing.
Yeah baby!

WHEN I WAKE UP
the next
morning in bed, I open my eyes to sunlight streaming in through the window. I
smile and stretch deeply. I feel energised after a good night’s sleep, having a
baseball bat, a pair of Eskrima sticks to protect myself, and CCTV obviously
did the trick.

Then I realise it’s Friday –
Tristan’s
coming come!
How strange that is though, that
even though I have had
a really crappy week, I feel so happy that I literally bounce out of bed. I
guess that’s being in love for you.

Running down the stairs I check the front
door, all is well. I wander into the bathroom to wash my face and clean my
teeth, so I can head out for my morning swim. As I reach the sink, I take a
good look at myself in the mirror –
Uh-Oh!

I look ill, my cheeks have sunk even more,
my eyes have dark rings underneath them, and I can see my collar bone. I didn’t
think I had lost that much weight? But then again, I haven’t really eaten much
while Tristan’s been away. I hope he doesn’t freak out, not that I should be
worrying about what he thinks, it’s not like I can help it!

I decide to ditch swimming. I don't want to
burn off any more calories. I quickly clean my teeth and wash my face. Pouring
myself a glass of veggie juice, I head back upstairs and start packing my
weekend bag, my stomach does several backward flips as I’m doing so. Just
thinking about seeing Tristan in the flesh makes it happen. My heart gallops
against my chest as I picture his face, which makes my breathing accelerate
like I’ve been running up a hill.
Whoa! Calm down Coral!

I actually have to sit on the edge of the
bed for a while, so I can slow down my frantic heart. As I sit there, I turn
and eye my new dress hanging up in my closet, still in the white bag. Standing
up, I walk over to it, take out of the bag and lay it across the bed.
Yes, I
still like it, I think I made the right decision!

Then I think about how I'm going to feel
wearing it, I hope I don't freak out! Carefully placing it back in the bag, I
lay it back on the bed, then picking up the bag with my new lingerie, I place
it next to the dress. I’ll be in a rush when I come back later to pick it all
up, I don't want to forget anything. Heading back down the stairs, I wander
back into the bathroom and take a shower...

HEADING OUT THE PATIO DOOR
,
I lock it up, then put on my sunglasses. It’s sunny and warm again today, which
makes me smile even more. I decide to take a moment and soak in the view, there
are lots of boats moored today, no doubt getting ready for the weekend; it’s
supposed to be a blinder. I close my eyes and take a deep breath in, the smell
of the sea fills my nostrils, I love living so close to the water.

Opening my eyes again I take in the view of
the sea, I love how it sparkles when the sun shines on it. I wonder for a
moment about my studio, and what I'm going to do about it now Gladys has given
me all that money. Then I think about Tristan and his flippant way of asking me
to move in with him, as though it was the most natural, easiest thing in the
world to do. I wonder if he’s ever lived with someone?

I sigh inwardly. I guess if I am going to
marry him, he will want me to live with him, it seems strange to not do that. Then
I think about an article I read a few years ago about couples who marry but
keep their own place, it’s definitely something to think about, it’s not like I
need to sell. Tristan’s got enough money to keep us both, and now I'm two
hundred & fifty grand richer, I have the luxury of doing what I want with
it. The thought is quite sobering.

I think back to Wednesday night and what
Malcolm offered to me, he was going to open a high interest savings account for
me, so I can start earning even more money, I’m sure he would have banked the
draft by now. I shake my head in wonder. I have no idea what I'm actually going
to do with that amount of money –
Buy a car!

I snort sarcastically at myself. Then I
think a nice little F-Type to race around at the weekends could be fun –
Or
maybe a sailing boat?
My mind instantly drifts back to the nightmare of
Susannah –
Ugh!
Maybe not, I think I'm off the idea of boats for now!

Shrugging it all off, I pop my headphones
in and start walking down the concourse. I hit shuffle and One Republic’s
Secrets starts playing. I can't help bobbing my head to the beat as I walk
along.

As I listen to the words, I'm taken back to
what Tristan asked of me, to tell him about myself, to tell him my secrets – My
throat goes dry just thinking about it and my heart starts to palpitate. Part
of me wants to tell him, open my heart and let it all out, the other part wants
nothing more to do with the past. I buried it a long time ago and I don't want
to drag it all back up. I decide it’s far too nice a day, and way too early to
be thinking such heavy thoughts, so I push it away, far away into the back of
my mind.

Just as I'm passing the gym, and waiting
for the traffic to clear so I can cross the road, my stomach suddenly pangs
with hunger, I know I really should eat something, but I really don’t have any
appetite.
Coral! –
Ok, ok, I’ll eat something!

As I cross the road, I decide to get a
chocolate swirl for breakfast and maybe one for lunch too, so I head towards St
James’s Street. Just as I reach Starbucks, Semisonic’s Secret Smile starts
playing, it makes me think of Tristan and his broad, sexy, deep dimpled smile.
My stomach instantly fills with butterflies, and my pelvic muscles clench in
the most delicious way.
Oh boy! I can't wait to see him.

As I walk inside the coffee house, and join
the queue, I can’t help giggling to myself. I really do feel as high as a kite
today. I shake my head in wonder, what a difference to the week I’ve had! And I
drift into another daydream about Tristan…

“Miss. Hello Miss?”
Shit! Not again!

I smile apologetically at the server, place
my order and take a seat to wait for it, trying my best not to start
daydreaming again. I try to concentrate on work and what’s going to happen
today.
Hmm, I wonder if my package will turn up this
morning from the P.I company? I hope so, although they did say it might not be until
Monday.

Biting my lip, I wonder what it will
reveal. I'm determined to find out the truth. I will do anything to keep
Tristan safe and out of harm’s way.
Don’t that about that!
I castigate
and try to concentrate on something else. Blink 182 starts singing Miss You,
reflecting how much I’ve missed Tristan this week.
Yes, I have, badly!

The member of staff waves at me, bringing
my attention to her. I smile at her, pick up my order, and take a seat next to
the window. As I start chewing on my swirl, I wonder for a moment how I'm actually
going to get through today, without regularly jumping up and down with
excitement about Tristan coming back – guess I’ll have to have lots of bathroom
breaks!

When I spoke to Tristan last night, he told
me he wasn’t sure what time he would arrive in Brighton as his last meeting
starts at lunchtime, and he’s not sure how long it will take.

I swallow hard –
Crap!
I hope he
doesn’t come to the office. That would be like torture, I won't be able to kiss
him or hold him, and I already have Blondie watching every move I make.

Pushing that thought away I finish off my
swirl, pick up my Cappuccino and head to into work...

UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN I WALK INTO
reception, Joe tells me that
she’s
back in today. Feeling
myself tense up, I slowly make my way up the stairs and along the corridor. As
I reach my desk, I see Susannah is sat at the spare desk with her laptop open
and she’s franctically typing away, then I reall look at her –
Whoa!

I don’t know why, but Susannah looks totally
disheveled today, her hair is greasy and slapped back into a messy ponytail,
she has no make-up on and she looks like she’s been in the same clothes all
week, and as I walk past her, I get a whiff of alcohol –
Not good!

As I sit down at my desk, I glance across
at her and say good morning, but she completely ignores me. Gritting my teeth, and
trying my best to hold my tongue, I stare back at my screen.

Opening my inbox, I start on the letters
Joyce has sent across to me…

THE NEXT TWO HOURS
pass by
in complete silence. I try not to, but each time I have looked up and glanced
her way, I have felt a shiver of fear run down the back of my spine, then I
have felt overwhelmed with rage.