Bella's Choice (27 page)

“I am leaving this house and I will never return. Don’t call me,” he clipped, and marched out of the dining room.

“Me, too,” Derek said, his face swollen where he’d received the brunt of André’s anger. “I’ve had enough. I thank you for the things you taught me not to be.” With a sneer on his youthful face, he left.

They could hear their sons run up the stairs, slamming doors and drawers in their haste to pack and then again, minutes later, as they came down in a flurry and walked out of the door. Slamming it behind them with finality.

An ominous cloud of silence loomed over them, willing the life out of everything. Sandra and Jason looked at each other, stunned at the turn of events. In one night, they’d managed to lose not only their friends but their children as well. In one night, their life had come to a halt.

He captured her hand in his and walked to the stairs.

“What now?” she asked softly.

“Now I am going to make love to my wife.” He kissed her cheek, allowing his lips to trail down her neck and end with a kiss on the swell of her breast.

She giggled with excitement. “I will love that,” she purred and followed him to their room.

The disastrous night was history. This was what they lived for, the present, the next climax in bliss, forgetting everything else in the ecstasy of arousal. It was a drug to them, so deeply embedded that they couldn’t function without it, and at that moment they needed it urgently.

“Where do you want to go?”
Roy asked as they stood outside the house. A dead silence encompassed them as they stared emotionlessly at the vacant driveway covered in darkness. The garden and fountain offered nothing but emptiness as they searched for something, both knowing they wouldn’t find it―not there in any case. There was nothing to say, really. Both had seen the end coming fast, like a derailed freight train, it was inevitable.

“You can drop me at Frank’s townhouse.”

“Okay, but first we must take Anabella’s car to Monica’s place.”

“Why?”

“I think she will be there, they are like a family to her.” His own confession left a bitter taste in his mouth. If he’d done a better job being the older brother, this would never have happened. Right there and then, he vowed to be a better man, friend, brother, and lover.

“Yes, you’re right. I will follow in her car.” Derek nodded approvingly.

“Okay.”

They drove away from the house. Each busy with their own thoughts of the disastrous night. Both trying to stop the guilt that wanted to devour them, and both knowing that they hadn’t done enough for Anabella. It was something they’d have to deal with for a long time, and only then would they find peace.

When they stopped at the Richter house, all the lights were on, cars parked haphazardly in the driveway. Aldrich’s black BMW was an indication that he was inside. Walking up to the door, they didn’t have long to wait. Tim opened up for them, strict and rigid he stood sentinel as he looked at them both with loathing. They couldn’t blame him.

Mr. Richter invited them in, rebuking his son softly.

Tim left them standing at the door without any hospitality, or apology.

They inquired if she was there. Mr. Richter assured them that she was, but she was sleeping. He informed them that the doctor had examined her and had given her a sedative for the shock. A stranger stepped closer, inviting them to sit, which they accepted gladly. The group gathered around them listening as
Roy told them what had happened earlier, leaving nothing out.

Roy
could see why Anabella felt welcome at the house, she’d mentioned the Richter’s a few times during their odd conversations. Her well-founded trust was evident as he relayed the story, without the Richters once showing any judgment toward them. They knew who the real culprits were.

Satisfied she was in good hands, they left for Frank’s house where
Roy dropped Derek off with a goodbye, turning the car toward Camps Bay. He watched his brother walk into Frank’s house and the door closed behind him. A final gesture that his brother, too, was ready to move on with his own life.

Wanda, already expecting him, grinned with excitement when he arrived. Having a family with her was the right choice for him. He tried not to think about his sister’s frail body when he’d gone to check up on her. Aldrich was by her side, sleeping, not stirring at all.
Roy had then left. He was happy about the relationship. Aldrich was a good man, one who loved his sister dearly. Anyone with half a brain could see it except, of course, their parents. He couldn’t believe that he’d endured it for so long, bearing witness to the damage they’d caused to both his siblings. His own guilt laid heavy on his conscience. He was the oldest, was supposed to have protected them, and it had almost destroyed Anabella. He hated his parents for what they’d done.

They were sick in the true sense of the word. To sell her for a night, promising her to a brute who cared only about one thing. He just couldn’t continue like this. Eventually, the day that the dam would break its banks had to come,
and tonight had definitely been it. If his parents ever saw it that way was another matter altogether.

However, he highly doubted it.

Aldrich slept through the night, albeit in an uncomfortable position―he slept soundly. Knowing that Bella was with him made a world of difference. When he woke, he felt the heaviness of a blanket draped around his shoulders and let it fell onto the bed. The sun was streaming into the room, highlighting the furniture. Not that he noticed it as he stood and stretched his numb limbs, all the while never breaking eye contact with Anabella’s sleeping face. She looked peaceful, taking in deep breaths, her arms spread above her head, her hair covering the pillow. She was a picture of relaxation. Smiling, he bent down and kissed her.

She whimpered and gave him a glorious smile without opening her eyes, then rolled onto her side.

He smiled and placed another kiss on her forehead, inhaling her sweet essence and then straightened himself to his full height. He needed to walk the numbness off, so he left the room and made his way downstairs. Everyone was seated at the dining table, each with a cup of coffee. The soft, animated buzz ensured him that all was well.

“How is she?” they asked in choir form, the moment they noticed him.

“She is still sleeping.”

“Doc said we must leave her. She will only start to wake around noon, and then he will be here to check up on her,” Tim explained.

Aldrich nodded as he pulled out a chair and sat down next to his father.

“Coffee, Aldrich?” Mrs. Richter placed a cup in his hand without waiting for a response. He thanked her, noticing the older couple’s tiredness with a grateful smile.
This could not have been easy for them
.

“We need to talk to you,” his father said carefully, his heart aching for his only son.

“All right,” he answered. His father’s attentiveness alerted him to the fact that this wouldn’t be good news.

Once they were all comfortable, Mr. Richter began to speak. “Her brother, Roy, came just after you went upstairs with her. He was extremely worried about her, and it took some time for him to calm down and tell us what happened. They had a party at their house for Anabella.”

“I know,” said Aldrich, “she talked about it two days ago. She was upset because she couldn’t invite me.” Awareness filled him. “Now we know why.” He breathed out and continued as realization dawned on him. “Her parents… they did this to her.” Abruptly, he scraped back the chair to stand, but a hand appeared and held him back, calming him enough to stay in his seat.

“Well, her mother arranged a party all right, with Anabella as the cake.” The sarcasm was not lost on anyone when Mr. Richter spoke.

“What do you mean she was the cake?” He was dumbfounded at the harsh reality, his brain having trouble with the news. First, he looked at his father who smiled at him before he returned his gaze to Mr. Richter, listening to every word intensely.

“A man, a friend of her parents, paid them R10 000.00 to have a night with her.”

Aldrich gasped; nothing could have prepared him for this information. His face paled and his hands trembled as he balled them into fists.

“He was the one who attacked her while her mother looked on. It was her initiation night into her parents’ lifestyle.”

Aldrich smirked in disgust. He hated this woman. He’d never met her and hoped he never would, afraid of what he might do.

“Roy and Derek also left the house. They said they were finished with that lifestyle, and with them. Trapped while this happened, they felt guilty because they couldn’t help her. They’d tried to convince their mother not to continue with her plans, but she didn’t listen. It seems their father showed no interest in any of it either, just said they must support their mother. When she broke free, they screamed at her to run, and she ran all the way from their house to ours.” Silence met them.

“That’s fifteen blocks,” Aldrich muttered, and no one said anything. “In. The. Dark!” he added for emphasis.

Guilt etched on his face as comprehension of her night struck him anew. Aldrich put his head in his hands. “I simply cannot believe this. What kind of people are they!” he spat angrily as a fist connected with the tabletop.

Everyone present jumped at the sudden sound, then slumped back in their chairs.

Throughout the night they’d discussed what had taken place, became angry and vented at the people who did this. Therefore, they understood Aldrich’s turmoil.

His father placed one arm around him reassuringly. “She is safe, Son, that is what counts.”

“Yes.”

“God helped her; He gave her strength to fight them.”

Aldrich nodded, but rebellion grew in his heart. “It was still unnecessary for her to have experienced this.”

“Yes, it was, but now she can move forward.”

“Let’s hope.” Aldrich was devastated. “How is it possible for parents to do this? She is sweet, innocent, and full of life. I don’t understand.” His words rang true as everyone had asked the same question.

“A lot of questions have definitely been answered, though,” said Tim after a long break in the conversation.

“Yes, now I understand why she was with us so much,” said Mrs. Richter. Her grief was tangible as she stared at them with red-rimmed eyes.

Once again, silence fell over them, all busy with their own thoughts.