Freed by You (7 page)

She truly was beautiful. I know every mother says that about her own child but she really was. She had inherited my pale complexion but hers was flawless, her skin so smooth and soft. She also had my large, bright blue eyes but hers were even bigger on her smaller face, even deeper somehow. I often had strangers telling me that she was an absolute spitting image of me. This made me happy, ecstatic even. Of course, I would always adore her, no matter what, but I thanked The Lord every day that I didn't look at my beautiful girl and see
him
looking back at me. I was so relieved not to have that constant reminder.

I ran around the park with Maia as if I were a child myself. We raced up the steps and down the slide. We swung side by side, kicking our legs in and out, in and out in unison as I tried to show her how to swing herself. We giggled loudly as we went up and down on the seesaw – although I was so terrified of her falling that I had to sit on the same seat and push the ride up and down myself so, needless to say, that one didn't last long before I challenged her to a game of hide and seek.

Maia really was terrible at hiding. She rarely found a place that actually covered her and on the rare occasion that she did, she giggled so loudly that it gave her position away, but I didn’t let her in on this secret.

“Is Maia under the slide?” I called out as I stomped as loudly as I could manage through the scatterings of fallen leaves. “Is Maia behind the tree?”

“No, Mummy!” she shouted. “Maia in the house!” She came bouncing out of the small wooden house beside me, hugging my legs tightly as she reached me. “Your turn, Mummy!”

I ran backwards, so as not to take my eyes off her, as she covered her eyes with her gloved hands and started to count. I stood slightly behind the closest tree, still facing Maia with my back to the small area of woods that surrounded us. I watched intently as she looked under the slide, in the wooden house, and then under the slide again. Just as I was about to giggle loudly to reveal my whereabouts, I heard the snap of a twig behind me. My stomach dropped and I froze in my place, not daring to turn around in case there really was someone there
. It’s your imagination
, I tried to convince myself. My eyes still fixed on Maia, now in the wooden house again, daring not to blink.
Just a bird
, I told myself.

Then, there came the unmistakable sound of a slow, heavy footstep as it crushed the twigs and leaves beneath it. Without turning or taking my eyes of Maia I darted forward out of the trees and ran, as fast as I was able, straight for her.

“Mummy!” she squealed in delight as she saw me coming, then I saw every ounce of that delight slide off her face as she recognised the fear in my eyes. If I had had a moment to think this would have shattered my heart. I grabbed her into a hug, swiping her straight off her feet without slowing and sprinted in the direction of the busy street without glancing back.

As I reached the bustling street I stopped, panting hard. I spun around, my eyes scanning every face in sight. I recognised no one. Did I imagine that? Was my mind playing tricks on me? I was certain it wasn’t my mind. I was certain that someone had been behind me. It could have been an innocent dog walker for all I knew but I wasn’t taking any chances, not when it came to Maia’s safety.

“Emily!” a masculine voice called, startling me so much that I yelped aloud and tightened my grip around Maia. I spun around quickly, my heart pounding hard against my chest.  “Emily?”

“Adrian. Hi, how are you?” I was so relieved to see Adrian standing before me that I almost wept. I blinked rapidly fighting against the tears that threatened to release themselves.

“I’m okay, thanks, clearly you’re not though. What’s wrong?” he asked as he stroked a hand through my windswept hair, removing the stands from my face.

I was still desperately trying to catch my breath as I placed a hand to my chest, as if this was somehow going to calm my racing heart.

“Here, let me take Maia.”

I handed her straight to him, scanning the faces of every passer-by as I did so. I trusted Adrian, I knew he’d never let anybody hurt Maia, or myself. Maia adored him; she called him Uncle Adian, the missing ‘r’ obviously much too troublesome for her little tongue to master. And Adrian doted on her. He caved in to her every request. Every time he visited he brought her gifts or very large packs of sweets – despite my constant nagging about her teeth falling out!

I glanced at Adrian’s huge chest and noticed he was wearing his sweats. I assumed he must have been on his way home from the gym.
Great,
he could walk home with me as he lived in the same direction. That was a welcoming thought that instantly eased my tension.

“What’s happened? What’s wrong?” Adrian probed, his dark eyes filled with concern, his usually smooth forehead now deeply creased.

“Fancy walking me home and I’ll tell you about it?”

“Ooh, that sounds like fun, doesn’t it, Maia?” He tickled her sides before spinning her around and lifting her onto his muscular shoulders as she giggled hysterically.

I replayed the event at the park to Adrian, unsure of whether I had imagined it or not. I must admit it did sound quite ridiculous when hearing it aloud. Adrian sensed my fear and walked with one arm wrapped across the front of Maia’s legs, securing her to his shoulders, and the other draped across my shoulders. He knew me so well, better than I knew myself sometimes and I had only known him just over a year. I mentioned how Samantha was out on a date tonight and so he insisted on spending the evening at home with me so that I wasn’t on my own.

“Just in case.” He had insisted when I had tried to argue the necessity of his protection. Adrian knew enough about my past to be deeply concerned for mine and Maia’s safety, especially after what may or may not have happened in the park. And, although it was more than likely just a figment of my imagination, he was adamant that he wasn’t going to chance it. He wouldn’t leave us at home alone.

I loved Adrian, deeply. Whilst I tucked Maia into bed, Adrian took a quick look around my apartment and secured the windows and doors. This really wasn’t necessary but he knew that by doing it I would be able to relax instead of insisting that Maia stay by my side for the remainder of the evening.

“All clear, baby,” he mocked as I came down the stairs.

“Thank you, Adrian. I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Where else would I be when I have an angel who needs me?”

I hugged him hard, squeezing my small frame against his muscular chest.

We decided on a romantic comedy to cheer me up,
The Proposal
. I loved this film; it was one film I could watch over and over and never tire of it. Plus, Ryan Reynolds was extremely hot! I often wound Adrian up telling him that he looked like him, which he actually
did
, but he didn’t believe me. His hair was the same mousy brown colour and his eyes exactly the same shade of brown. He even shared his dimples. Adrian had the same ruggedly sexy look about him, his features handsome and masculine. That, paired with his muscular, perfectly toned body, he was gorgeous – inside and out. Maybe if we had met under different circumstances, maybe a few years earlier or later, then our relationship may have turned out to be
very
different. But at this time he knew that what I needed was a friend and so that’s what he was. He had never made a single pass at me, never aimed a crude comment towards me. He was a true gentleman.

 A close-up image of Ryan’s face filling the 42" flat screen was interrupted by my mobile’s ringtone. As I rummaged in my pocket to retrieve it Adrian paused the DVD. The small screen showed a number I didn’t recognise.

“Hello?” I answered cautiously as Adrian studied my face.

“Hello, Miss Braxton. Sorry to be of bother to you on a Sunday evening, are you free to talk or shall I call at a more convenient time?”

The voice on the other end of the line sounded familiar somehow, but I had no clue as to who it was.

“Who’s this?” I replied, glancing back at Adrian and shrugging my shoulders at him.

“Sorry, please excuse my lapse in manners. It’s Julian Scott.”

Shit!
Why was Julian calling me? My mouth dropped open but no words came out.   Recognising the panic that must have been evident on my face, Adrian leaned forward and perched on the edge of the sofa like a lion preparing to pounce on his prey. “What’s up? Who is it?” he asked, his voice urgent and a concerned expression masking his face.

I moved the phone away from my mouth briefly. “Sorry, Adrian, it’s work, I’ve got to take this.” I explained as I exited the room. “Hi, Mr Scott, what can I do for you?”

“I’m sorry, I hear you are otherwise engaged, I’ll call back later,” he snapped.

“No, it’s fine, I can talk. What’s the problem?”

“No problem, Miss Braxton. Um, can you work tomorrow night? Gemma has called in sick which means we’re short staffed.”

“Um. What time?”

“Usual time, Emily.”

Oh, we're back to first names again, are we? This is news.
“I’ll need to make some arrangements but I’m sure it will be fine. Count me in; I’ll call the office in the morning if there are any problems.”

“What sort of problems may there be, Emily?” His tone was almost seductive. How is it possible that even his voice is attractive?

“Personal stuff that doesn’t need to worry you, Julian,” I snapped back, although I wasn’t sure why I was feeling defensive all of a sudden.

“Yes, sorry, that’s none of my business. Um, if you could call on this number if you need to get in contact regarding work. It’s my personal number so you’ll be sure to get the message across on this one.”

“Okay, will do. Thanks.”

“Goodbye, Emily. I’ll see you tomorrow.”  He hung up before I had the chance to reply.

I stared at my phone screen, trying to gather my thoughts. Why was he giving me his personal number? Did he give it out to many women who were little more than strangers? And why was he calling my personal mobile so late on a Sunday night? Why hadn’t Ryan called me as
he
was the one who ran the place? And, most importantly, would he be seeing me tomorrow? Considering he was apparently, and I quote, ‘very rarely there on official matters’, we certainly seemed to be crossing paths regularly.

As I entered the front room Adrian’s eyes shot up in a questioning gaze.

“Sorry about that, where were we?” I asked as I reached for the remote.

“Everything alright? It’s just you looked like you’d seen a ghost for a minute there, baby.”

“Yeah, everything’s fine. I just panicked when I realised work was calling. It was just my boss seeing if I could work tomorrow night.”

“And are you working?”

“I’m not sure, I need to really but I’ll have to ask Samantha if she minds staying with Maia first. Plus, I’m not sure I dare leave Maia after earlier, what if I wasn’t imagining it, Adrian?” His hand reached across and he placed it firmly on my thigh before squeezing it gently.

“Would it help if I came over to keep an eye out? I could kip on the sofa if you like, and then we can go to class together in the morning.”

“You’d really do that?”

“Of course I would. Anything for you, baby, you know that.” He pulled me into a hug and held me tight against his chest as he pressed a chaste kiss against my hair.

As the evening drew closer I began to feel the anticipation building inside my stomach. It was obvious to me that I felt
something
towards Julian, even if I couldn't understand those feelings. The mere thought of him made my pulse quicken and I was sure it was more than just a physical attraction.

At 5.30 prompt, I opened the front door and greeted Adrian in the hallway. As promised, he was spending the evening with Samantha and Maia, taking on the role of Maia’s protector while I went to work. I had cooked homemade lasagne for tea, Maia’s favourite, and Adrian seemed to appreciate it too as he wolfed down his second serving.

“That was amazing, Emily. Thank you.” Adrian beamed at me, wiping the traces of tomato sauce from his chin.

“You’re very welcome. Thanks for doing this tonight; I’ll be much happier knowing that you’re here.”

“I’m sure you’re being over cautious, Emily. He isn’t just going to show up here, he’ll be straight back inside if he breaks his probation terms,” Samantha said as she stood to clear her plate. “Besides, he doesn’t even know where you are.”

“I hope you’re right, Samantha, I really do but I’m not going to risk Maia’s safety.”

“All set?” Adrian asked as I began buttoning my coat.

“Yep, let’s go. Samantha, don’t open the door to anyone unless you’re certain who it is.”

“I’m not stupid, Emily. Now go, before you get fired for poor timekeeping. She’ll be fine, we’ll keep her safe.” Samantha kissed my cheek before beginning to open the front door for me to vacate. Adrian rushed to her side and took her place at the door.

“Here, let me get that.”
Ever the gent
!

Adrian had insisted before dinner that he walk me to work. He couldn’t entertain the idea that there was any threat to myself or Maia – in fact he thought I was losing my mind – but he had said he didn’t want me to be looking over my shoulder all night, that he would make sure I got there safely.

I led Adrian to the back entrance of
The Lounge
as the front was still locked and he had made it crystal clear that he wouldn’t leave my side until he had seen me enter the building and the door close behind me. There was no point in my arguing with him on the matter; it got me absolutely nowhere.

As we turned into the small area where a couple of staff cars could just about fit, I halted as I saw Ryan and Julian, standing at the top of the black iron steps.

“You okay?” Adrian asked, placing a gentle hand on the small of my back.

“Yep, all good. You can go now, I’m fine. That’s the owner of the club and the manager,” I whispered as I pointed towards the two men with my eyes. As I did this, I noticed a shift in Julian’s position. I
think
he had turned in my direction. “Look after my girls,” I said as I gently punched his shoulder.