Betrayed (3 page)

“I’m sorry ma’am. I’m afraid we
’re snowed in. It’s pretty wild outside,” the doorkeeper said to Regan.

“Oh. Is that why the people are arguing over there?”
she asked.

“Yes, ma’am. Apparently they have an important meeting to attend.”

“What’s the point? The manager can’t do anything about a snowstorm. I’ll go talk to them. Rick, I’ll meet you in the waiting area, alright?”

Rick sat across
from the reception desk and watched Regan politely persuading the hotel guests to keep calm. She told them the staff was trying hard to make some arrangements. Rick shook his head; he couldn’t ask Regan about her father’s affair. There was something about her that made him uneasy. It wasn’t just because she was amazingly beautiful; it was the way she carried herself and talked. Her voice was like a musical instrument that hit the right chords every time she opened her mouth. At that moment, Regan looked over at him and smiled. Her soft, brown eyes made him restless. How could he even think of doing something as awful as blackmailing her when she looked at him with those eyes?

He shook his head and looked at his watch. It was past ten already. He did
n’t have the money, he couldn’t talk about the affair with Regan and worst of all, he was snowed in.
But at least Regan is here with me
, he thought, his heart beating wildly. 
It will give me time to demand money, that’s all
, he assured himself.

CHAPTER 3

“What are you thinking about?”

It was well after
noon, and the weather outside was worse than it had been earlier. The restaurant was buzzing with people bickering about the weather and their busy schedules. Regan and Rick were seated at the corner of the restaurant, having a cup of coffee and a bowl of pretzels. Regan was looking at Rick who was staring at her, lost in thought.

“I was just wondering how you aren’t going crazy like these other people here. Don’t you have an important meeting or a press conference or an interview to attend?” he asked.

“So you
do
know who I am? Are you paparazzi?” she asked in good humor.

“No. I’m just a common man with a normal question
.”

“
Well, my father can get along without me,” she said, popping a pretzel into her mouth. “So, tell me something about you.”

“I’m a
stockbroker. Nothing big. I earn enough.”

“Are you married?” she asked
.

An announcement filled the restaurant cutting short
their conversation. They were told they would have no help from outside possibly for the next three days as the entire town was snowed in. This was greeted by a rush of high pitched voices - none of whom looked too happy except for Regan, Rick noticed, a smile hidden behind her straight face. They also announced that people who were not checked in were to come to the reception desk to get a key for a free room, and the guests who were supposed to have checked out received three days of free stay. The food was included – and free – for as long as they were there. After an apology of inconvenience, the soft music filled in once again.

“Wow, this is like a dream come true. I never thought I’d get a chance to stay in the Grand Turn hotel and not just one but three days. And the free food is like a bonus
,” joked Rick, as his heart started to palpitate. How was he to get hold of the money and rescue Tracy now?

“Look at all the people here. All they worry about
are appointments, meetings and money. For once, can they not relax and enjoy life? I mean, can’t they interpret this as a sign from the universe telling them to take it easy and have a break? Spend time with your loved ones, read a book, make friends or –”

“Relax. I know what you mean. But nothing can be done
,” Rick said.

Regan looked at Rick and then
at the frowns all around the room. A few were shouting over their phones, a few were trying to have a video conference but the network was not on their side. Regan got up and walked towards the small podium. She murmured something into the ears of the head waiter who nodded at her and rushed out. Two minutes later the karaoke track of Madonna filled the room, and Regan was given a microphone. Everyone watched Regan as she started to sing. Rick was stunned and in awe at her spirit. He couldn’t help smiling but when he looked at other people in the room, he stopped. He could see the annoyance on their faces but they kept quiet as she was the congressman’s daughter. In the corner, the couples on their honeymoons were quite happy, they began to cheer and move to the rhythm. Regan motioned for them to get up and join her. Rick found himself enjoying the show, and he stepped up, too.

By the end of the hour, everyone was singing along with Regan for what was the twentieth time. The frowns had washed away, the phones and laptop
s forgotten as the people got lost in the liveliness and rhythm of relaxation. Regan handed the microphone to an enthusiastic newlywed, who took away the audience with her chirpy voice.

“Wow
,” Rick said, admiration in his eyes as Regan walked towards him with a triumphant smile on her face. “Wow,” he repeated.

“That’s all I get?” Regan laughed and winked at him. She looked at the swaying guests and the tripping of the feet
, and a glow enhanced her face. “Come on, I’m starving.” She pulled him to the farthest table and signaled for the waiter. He came running and offered her a big grin, his face turning red. She ordered lobster and a bottle of champagne while Rick ordered roasted chicken.

They talked all through lunch about the most random things
, and Rick found himself falling for her. Everything about her tantalized him. He watched her as she ate her food and talked with her mouth full unlike Tracy who would chew, swallow and then talk. He and Tracy never had a heart to heart over food. And now, here he was having a trivial yet interesting conversation over lobster and chicken. The second he realized he was comparing Regan to Tracy, the Green brothers made an unruly entry into his mind as he imagined the horror they were inflicting on Tracy. He shuddered; he
had
to get money from Regan.

***

Regan really liked Rick. She wondered when the last time was that she had lunch with someone and talked about anything that was not concerning politics. She loved people and wanted them happy; she wanted to end poverty but she also needed some quiet, personal time like what she was having right now. She knew she was talking a lot but Rick encouraged her. She didn’t see him drifting off or seeming uninterested. There was just something about him that drew her to him. He always had an array of emotions displayed over his face. His eyes would sparkle one minute and die down the next; he would stammer one moment and be cool the next. He seemed to be having a raging battle within himself but apart from that, Regan could feel the electricity from him. She wondered if the snowstorm and being stuck with him was a personal sign from the universe.

***

“Have you always wanted to work with your father?” Rick asked her after he had pushed his empty plate aside.

“Well, I grew up in an atmosphere where people always came by with their problems and dad used to make me sit on his lap
so we could discuss it,” she said, going back to her cherished memories of her childhood. “I was little and knew nothing of the world and its people but dad used to ask my opinion. According to him, it’s always healthy to get the perspective of a child who is uncorrupted by selfish, personal thoughts. And as I grew up, he continued to ask for my opinions. And believe me, I was more than happy to give them. I still remember the first time when dad took my advice and it actually worked. I remember the grateful smile and the heartfelt tears of joy in that woman’s eyes. Since then, all I’ve wanted to do is make people happy. But lately, I’ve been distracted.” She came out of her trance and looked at Rick who was watching her intently - almost as if he travelled back in time with her, too.

“You are an amazing
woman. Whatever the distraction may be, I promise you it will be alright.” He placed his hand over hers which lay limply on the table. That touch - that little bit of contact - caused strong currents of electricity to surge through his veins. He was taken aback by the feelings and emotions coursing through his body and quickly released his hand from hers. He cleared his throat and signaled for the waiter.

“What would you like to have for dessert?” he asked her, forcing his nerves to calm down.

“Double scooped chocolate sundae with chocolate fudge, chocolate sauce and chocolate buttons sprinkled over it, please.”

“
Wow! Um, one apple tart for me.” The waiter nodded and left. “You really like chocolate, don’t you?”

“Die-hard lover
,” she said smirking, her eyes sparkling.

The hotel management had organized a party in the ball room to entertain their guests. They made an announcement and invited
everyone to come by at 8 PM. Suits and gowns were sent to all the rooms through room service. When Rick entered his room, he was overwhelmed with velvet sophistication. Every inch of the room screamed in superfluity. He avoided touching the clothes as much as he could. A rack of suits of different shades and sizes were sent to his room. He picked a grey polynosic; Tracy  long forgotten as he imagined what Regan would be wearing when he saw her again.

***

Regan was still thinking about the electricity that overtook her body when Rick touched her hand back at the restaurant. She had never experienced anything like that before, and it was overpowering her senses. She got dressed then looked at herself in the mirror. She wore a strapless, embellished pink gown that trailed to her ankles with a split along each side, exposing her calves. She tied up her brown hair and left one fringe of red streaked hair hug the left side of her face. Diamond studs rested on her earlobes and completed her look. She felt pretty, and it gave her a maddening rush to imagine Rick pressing his lips to her exposed neck and caressing his fingers across her bare shoulders. A knock on the door made her jump. Her heart racing, she glanced once again in the mirror before opening the door. Rick stood in his grey suit looking breathtakingly handsome but she noticed his uneasiness. He looked at her, unfamiliar feelings rushing through his veins.

“You look beautiful
,” he managed to say.

“
Thanks. You look pretty dashing, too,” she winked.  “Shall we?” She linked her arm through his, and that familiar electricity welled up inside her as they rode the elevator down to the first floor and entered the ballroom.

***

The party was a great success, and Rick and Regan had a great time. It was almost midnight and most of the couples had retired for the night to continue the party privately. There were two couples on the dance floor; one of them had no patience in finding a room and were off to a steamy start right on the floor. They kissed and embraced, and Rick saw the man put his hand inside her dress.

“Newlyweds speak for themselves, don’t you think?”
she said when she followed Rick’s eyes to the fused bodies on the floor. Rick looked embarrassed at being caught. He had been restless the entire time. Regan’s presence in her ravishing clothes made it impossible for him to keep his mind on track. He had had one too many shots of vodka, and it was starting to get him tipsy but the uncanny restlessness in him did not flush. They did have a good time talking and dancing, and those brief moments of contact had been excruciatingly charged with heat.

“Would you like to dance again before we retire for the night?” He stood up and held his hand out to her. She placed hers in his without a moment’s hesitation. They moved to the corner of the dance floor
, and Rick held her waist while she swung her arms around him. They moved to the music and were an inch apart from each other. Rick, Regan noticed, had tiny freckles around his eyes and a stub on his chin. She had the sudden urge to touch it. She slowly unwound her left hand from around his neck and brought it to his stub pressing it carefully like it was a button that read “Do Not Press”. She looked into his eyes awaiting his reaction.

Every bit of memory seemed to wipe clean from his brain only leaving behind Regan’s touch. The soft touch of her finger made him tremor in pleasure. He looked into
her light brown eyes and found nothing but softness in them. Every part of his brain was working on etching her face forever in his mind’s eye. The rush of blood in her cheeks, the small mole on the left of her forehead almost hidden beneath the root of her hair, the red fringe tickling the side of her face, her full lips a little apart, teasing him with their lushness, everything was being stamped and locked with lust and love. He could smell her sweet, natural perfume and her breath gently swept across his neck causing a shiver of goose bumps all over his body. He wanted to kiss her then, wanted to lift her and hold her in his arms. He wanted . . .

“A kiss for your thoughts
,” she uttered softly, stroking a finger across his shaved jawline.

“
Good, then I get two kisses.” He pressed his lips to hers and inhaled deeply. Her arms tightened, and she clutched the end of his hair, kissing him back. They broke the kiss and looked at each other, breathless and their hearts beating rapidly in unison. He began to leave a trail of wet kisses starting from her chin, to the hollow of her neck and down to her exposed cleavage, his hands touching the small of her back. He heard her purr in approval and arch herself towards him. He hated the cloth between their bodies but the idea of touching her and exploring her body turned him on, causing adrenaline and desire to shoot through him. Regan closed her eyes and felt her heart hammering away as she got lost in his kisses. Every spot burned and sizzled, her hormones screamed for more, and she could feel the wetness between her legs. She opened her now opaque eyes filled with lust and looked at him.

“That
was one.” Regan dived to his lips again and flooded and merged her tongue with his. They locked lips and closed in on the little space between them. Minutes passed, and their lips did not break apart even for a moment. They kissed with passion and slowly, not wanting it to end. Tasting one another, pulling and playing with their tongues, Rick and Regan devoured each other and drowned in the numbing ache it created inside them.

It had been
three hours since the music was abruptly stopped, and the party goers ousted. Losing the moment, and realizing the number of witnesses around them, they reluctantly took a step away from each other, bid goodbye and settled into their own rooms, on the same floor.  After he had arrived at his room, losing sight of Regan, reality had rushed back. All the memories crashed together in his mind making him go crazy. He was shell shocked by what had happened. Guilt burnt through him and frantic images of Tracy came thundering in front of his eyes.
Shit, what were you thinking! Tracy was kidnapped and you go lusting after another woman!
The voice blasted in his ears almost tearing his eardrums. He tried to shake it away but all he ended up doing was smashing the - god knows how many dollars’ worth - flower vase on the floor. It took a few shots of scotch to calm his nerves down before he could get into bed but images of Tracy sleeping on a rough cement ground crawling with giant spiders flashed in his mind. When he shook his head, trying to rid himself of those horrifying thoughts, another image of the kidnappers having her tied up and blindfolded came crashing into his head. No sooner had he torn that image down when another image of Tracy crying and dying out of betrayal filled in. He couldn’t bear it anymore. He got out of bed and poured another shot of scotch, downing it quickly. He had to go to Regan now and demand the money for his fiancée’s life.