CORAL - Fallen (A Romance Trilogy, Book 2) (23 page)

“Ok,” she squeaks. “I will.”

I take a deep breath –
I really hope you
don't make me regret this Joe!

“Joyce is leaving, she’s selling the
company. The news will be announced in two weeks time.” Joe’s eyes widen with
shock.

“Oh no! I'm going to lose my job,” she
squeaks.

“No you’re not,” I tell her firmly, she
looks up at me in wide eyed wonder. “You remember Mr Freeman?” Joe nods and
smiles, her cheeks blushing red –
Yeah he can do that to a girl.

“Well he’s the one that’s taking over, he
knows about your situation Joe. Your job is safe, I give you my word.” Joe
swallows hard and breathes a sigh of relief.
“Susannah is his P.A in
London, she’s only going to be here this week then she’s gone, for good.” Joe
sags with relief again and we smile at each other.

“Look I don’t like her either, she’s really
odd. But that doesn’t mean you need to take her shit lying down Joe, you really
need to tell Joyce.” I reiterate.

“But’ –“Want me to come in with you?” I
ask. I know Joyce makes her nervous.

“Yes please,” she whimpers. I pick up my
bags and we silently walk back in the building and up to Joyce’s office,
knocking on the door I wait for Joyce to answer. “Remember,” I whisper to Joe.
“You don’t know anything about the take-over ok?” Joe nods earnestly. “I’ll go
in first, tell Joyce you want to talk to her, you tell her the rest.” Joe nods
again and starts twiddling her fingers looking a little nervous.

“Come.” I hear Joyce shout. Opening her
door, I see her look of surprise as Joe and I enter her office.

“Joe has something she’d like to tell you
Joyce, do you have five minutes?” Joyce frowns as she looks from me to Joe.

“Goodness Joe, why are you crying?” Joe
looks at me for some help I think.

“It’s ok Joe, just tell Joyce what you told
me. Everything will be fine.” I squeeze her shoulder and lead her to sit in the
chair opposite Joyce. “I have to get going, I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
Turning to leave Joe calls out to me.

“Cori,” I roll my eyes,
Coral, it’s
really not that hard
.

“Joe,” I sigh. “My name is Coral, as in the
coral blue sea.” She blushes and smiles sweetly at me.

“Sorry Coral, just want to say thanks.
You’re a really good friend.”
Ah sweet
. My heart melts for her.

“You’re welcome, just be honest ok?” She
nods at me and turns in her seat to Joyce.

I nod to Joyce as I close the door behind
me. I look up at the clock, it’s 5.30pm –
Shit!
I'm going to be late for
Will! I better get a taxi home, then I remember the £150 pounds in cash that
Tristan stuffed into my hands this morning to cover taxi’s to and from work. I
argued with him of course, and I certainly don’t intend using it all, but to be
fair my legs are really aching from all the sex we’ve been having, so right now
I am truly grateful for it.

Dashing through the building and out into
the bright summer evening, I locate the nearest taxi and head back to the
Marina.

BOY THAT WAS A WORK-OUT!
As
I walk out the gym and head down the concourse towards my studio, I can’t help
wondering what game Susannah is playing. I mean she’s not just being weird with
me, she’s obviously got Joyce’s suspicions going and she’s really upset Joe?
Gritting my teeth I wonder aimlessly where she’s staying and debate for a split
second of whether I should go pay her a visit, have a little chat, threaten her
even to stay away from Joe.

Then I hear Joyce’s voice –
‘keep your
head down, do your work and don’t tell Tristan’
– shaking my head I decide
to take Joyce’s advice and try to forget about her.

As I reach my studio, I stare blankly at
the patio door. It seems like a lifetime ago I was back here, yet it was only
last Friday gone, just a few short days. Taking a deep breath, I say a silent
prayer that the melancholy doesn’t return. Putting my key in the door, I unlock
it and walk inside...

AN HOUR LATER
I have
showered – A long, hot relaxing shower, to try and ease my aching muscles,
although I bashed my elbows several times, I think I’ve got used to Tristan’s
huge shower, must remember to be more careful! The air-con is on, the room a
perfect temperature. I have made a large salad – Cajun Chicken for me and plain
Chicken for Bob. I’ve already learned that for Bob, anything spicy is foreign
crap, he likes everything plain.

As I'm sitting at my tiny table attempting
to woo my appetite back and staring blankly at the T.V screen which is playing
a recording of The Hairy Bikers cookery programme, my mind wonders to Tristan.
I wonder where he is, what he’s doing, if he’s ok?

Quite honestly, it’s driving me mad. From
the moment I left work, I have not stopped thinking about him, missing him,
aching for him, wanting his sexy body in my bed. I don’t feel as though I can
think clearly anymore, I feel like I'm drugged up on him, it’s unnerving. I
feel like I'm losing control of my own emotions.

Pushing my salad to the side, unable to eat
anymore, I'm momentarily racked with guilt. I hate wasting food, so I decide to
keep it for tea tomorrow. Maybe I’ll be so hungry that I’ll gobble it all up?
Once I’ve stored it in a container and placed it in the fridge, I shuffle over
to the sofa and attempt to clear my mind of all things Tristan and watch the
show...

“WHO?” I MUMBLE
, then dart
upwards, blinking my eyes open. I am on the sofa. It’s gone dark outside, the
show has ended, the T.V has gone onto stand-by and the studio is pitch- black –
I must have fallen asleep?

Then it happens again, a strange noise,
whatever it was must have woken me up. I frown deeply and strain my hearing as
I try to locate the odd sound. Then I see it, a shadow, a human shadow
illuminated across the flooring from the lights outside. I snap my head round.
It’s coming from the front door, which I never use and whoever it is – is just
stood there, not moving at all and not knocking the door either.

I swallow hard –
Who the fuck is that? –
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, just as a cold shiver runs
down the length of my spine. My head snaps up to the clock on the wall, it’s
2.45am –
Fuck who is outside my door at this time in the morning?

I feel the panic try to take over, my hands
are trembling, my breathing erratic. I stay firmly seated on the sofa staring
at the figure by the door. I can’t work out if it’s male or female. Fuck, where
is my mobile?
In your bag where you last left it – Shit!
I don't want to
make any noise, and these floors creak when you walk across them. The door
handle starts to move – it instantly stops my train of thought –
Holy Fuck!
– Whoever it is, is trying to get in –
Shit!

I swallow hard. I try to keep my heart
steady and my breathing calm, just like Will has taught me.
God I wish he
was here now!
Then just like that, the shadow disappears?
Thank God I
always keep that door locked!

I sag with relief. Part of me wants to leap
up, un-lock the door and see who it was. I’ll get a good view of them walking
away, surely? But I can't move, I am frozen to the sofa, with my eyes firmly
fixed on the door. I think I’m in shock?

Then I start to think a little more
clearly.
I wonder if I should I call the police?
And what do I tell
them? It could have been anyone? It could have been someone who lives in one of
the studios and was a little drunk, got the wrong place? I shake my head at
myself knowing full well I'm making excuses up, trying to convince myself that
it was nothing so I don’t have a full scale meltdown.

Maybe I should go and stay at Tristan’s tonight?
At least his place has an alarm system. As the fear start to subside, anger
takes over.
Fuck that, I'm not being forced out of my own place!

Marching over to my handbag and finding my
mobile, I call the police. I figure whoever it was might have left some
fingerprints? Something the police can use…

Half an hour after
calling them, I'm told there’s no immediate danger, so they won’t send anyone
to me until tomorrow morning. I tell them to forget it and just log the call.
Slamming my mobile down I pace the room wondering if I should stay. Picking my
mobile back up I decide to call Gladys, maybe I can go stay there for tonight?
As I go to call her, I notice I have five missed calls and three text messages.
Shit, Tristan!

I hadn’t taken my mobile off silent when I
left work. I open the call logs, the first one starts at 8.50pm the rest are in
ten minute increments. I open up the first message.

*Coral can’
t get hold of you. Are you alright? Please let me know
baby. I love you. I miss you. Tristan Xxx
*

Then I open the
second.

*Coral. Seriously starting to get worried
now, I’
ve called Joyce
she said you left work on time. As soon as you get this call me, it doesn
’
t matter what time. Tristan.
*

Then the third.

*Fuck’
s sake Coral. Are you mad with me
about something? Because not answering
calls or replying to messages is very childish of you, I await your reply.
Tristan.*

Oh dear!
Tristan is not a happy bunny, and in fairness neither would I be. I
decide to text him, if I call I might wake him.

*Hey, really, really sorry. I forgot to
take my mobile off silent after work, fell asleep on sofa, just looked at my
mobile. Tristan, I'm so sorry I didn’
t mean to worry you. Call me if you want to, if not
sweet dreams. I love you. Cx
*

Literally two seconds after
sending it, Tristan is calling me.

“Hey,” I walk over to the kitchenette and
pour a big glass of water, eyeing the front door as I do.

“Coral,” Tristan sounds relieved.

“I'm ok,” I whisper.

“Thank god, you have no idea the things I
was imagining.” I roll my eyes then frown at myself. I may feel like he’s
over-reacting, but maybe he has a point. Somebody just tried to get into my
place. A shiver runs down my spine again, just thinking of what might have
happened...

“I'm really sorry. I wish you were here,” I
tell him, and boy do I mean it.

“Next time!” He admonishes in his deep,
husky voice.

“I know, mobile off silent. I get it,” I
sigh and take a long drink of water.

“What’s wrong, you sound worried?” He
quickly surmises.

“Do I?” I squeak.

“Yes,” he states firmly. I contemplate
telling him what just happened, but he’ll tell me to go stay at his and I don’t
want to do that.Or worse still, he’ll drop everything and drive down here.
Oh
what to do?

“I….” Inspiration hits. “I just had a bad
dream, that’s all.”
Jeez I'm doing a lot of lying lately.

“Oh baby! Want to talk about it?” he asks
softly.

“No, I'm good. Just the usual,” I say
hoping to placate him.

“Want to share with me what the usual is?” he
softly says. I try to think of one of the many dreams I can tell him about, to
try and ease his worry. I definitely don't want to tell him about the really
bad ones.

“Just....I’m always running, running away
from the really tall men in black cloaks. I can’t see their faces, but I know
they are bad, like aliens or something and I'm running and jumping, sometimes I
jump over roof tops like in the matrix, sometimes I jump over mountains. I fly
through the air. I have to keep moving so they can’t catch me, it’s the fear
that’s the frightening part…” Tristan is silent. After all, he can’t save me
from the bogeyman.

“Have they ever caught you?” he asks
hesitantly.

I giggle at that one. “No, I'm too fast!”
Tristan is silent again. I instantly picture his face staring broodingly at me.
“Tristan I'm ok. You don’t have to worry about me. I had a kick-ass session
with Will tonight. I can take care of myself. So please, don't worry ok?” I
wonder who I'm trying to convince - Me or Tristan - I eye the front door again.

Tristan sighs heavily then yawns. “I know
you can baby, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to protect you, take care
of you and keep you safe.” I smile deeply at his beautiful words.

Tristan yawns again. “Go back to sleep baby.
Shall I call you in the morning as I
walk
to work?” I say dryly.

Tristan chuckles at me. “You’re not getting
a taxi?”

“Nope.” I answer cheekily.

“Ok,” he chuckles. “What time?”

“I leave the house at 8am.” I tell him.

“Yes, call me and I’ll call you back, save
your bill.” I roll my eyes at that one.

“Tristan I get a ridiculous amount of minutes
for free, don't be daft!”

“Alright, have it your way. In five hours
time I better get that call,” he admonishes.

“You will,” I giggle.

“Ok, sweet dreams my gorgeous girl.” My
heart thumps slowly and deeply three times, stops then starts beating rapidly
against my chest.

“You too, speak tomorrow,” I say
breathlessly. Trying to get the words out with no oxygen in my lungs is a
trying feat.

“Dream of me,” he whispers.

“I will, you too,” I say closing my eyes,
really wishing he were here.

“No doubt about that,” he whispers back.
Oh
Tristan!

Tristan sighs then starts humming Some
Enchanting Evening to me.

“Hey,” I scold softly. “Go to sleep!”

“Yes Ma’am,” Tristan titters.

“Love you,” I whisper.

“Love you too baby, Goodnight.”

“Night.” I can still hear him he hasn’t
hung up.

“Hang up Tristan!” I whisper.

“Can’t don’t want to say goodbye.” I slump
onto the sofa. “Me neither. But we both need some sleep and I need a clear head
tomorrow, I’ve got such a manic day ahead,” I say.

“So have I,” he adds sarcastically. Yes I’m
sure his day is going to be more hectic than mine.

“That’s it then. We hang up together ok?” I
say smiling widely.

“Ok,” he chuckles.

“One, two, three…” My thumb hovers over the
end call button. I can hear Tristan humming again. “Tristan!” I half scold,
giggling as I do.

“What?” he chuckles feigning innocence.

“It’s late baby. I don’t want to be tired
and cranky at work tomorrow.” And right now I’m freaking out, I can't
concentrate – I dash a look at the door again.

“No, I don’t want you to be either. How’s
it going with Susannah?”
Shit!

“Fine,” I mumble.

“That bad huh?” he says.

“No…I just…” I stop unable to articulate
anything positive about her. So I pretend to yawn instead.

“Ok, sleepy I'm going. Miss you like crazy,”
he says, sighing heavily.

“Miss you too baby,” I whimper.

“Love you. Bye.” Tristan whispers.

“Bye…” I whisper back, I hear Tristan
chuckle then the line goes dead. My heart stops beating again. I take a ragged
breathe in and slowly exhale.

Picking up my water, I take one last look at
the door, then walk over to it and check it’s definitely locked. Then turning around
I do the same with the patio door.
This place is secure
. I tell myself
over, and over as I make my way up the stairs and into bed...

I AM DREAMING I’M ON THE BOAT AGAIN
. Tristan is calling me, but I don’t feel the same warm, blissful
feeling as I did before. I feel on edge, like all my senses are on hyper alert.
I can sense there’s danger.