Holt's Holding part two (The Holt's Series) (16 page)

She gazed down at Charlie fully wrapped into me.

Charlie stirred pulling his head off my chest. Pulling the
sheets over us. He didn’t even bother turning to Julie at the door. I suspected
he wasn’t fully awake as he laid his head down on the pillow and pulled me into
him.

“I’m tired go away” in a groggy and sleepy voice he yelled.

I caught sight of Sebastian behind her, as his expression
was fully amused. He nodded at me then walked back to the center of the suite.

“It looks like he’s not joining you for breakfast. I
suggest you leave him be.”

“Fuck you Sebastian!” Turning back to us, “Charlie, get the
fuck up!”

“Go away…” Charlie mumbled.

“We were supposed to have Breakfast?” she pouted like a
little child.

“I’m having mine in bed” he raised up and smiled down to me
“I’m definitely hungry” his lips came down to mine.

“This is bullshit…No. This isn’t going to happen. I’m not
going to lose you to her. Not her.!” She screamed, “I should have killed her
myself. Like you always said if you want something handled do it yourself”.

Time slowed and the pop of the gun was loud. Charlie raised
slowly his eyes wide in horror. The bullet struck him and the second hit me.

My lungs gasped burning from the hit. Charlie fell on top.
His body was now limp and my life seemed to be fading with his. I closed my
eyes in shock, in grief.

The past four months seemed to flash before me. The first
time I suspect Julie’s anger and jealousy. I knew it had everything to do with
Chris. She had been in love with him for years. I had no idea that I had stolen
him from her all those years ago. They were never a couple. She was too shy to
pursue him but my intrusion was enough to set her on her plan for my demise.
Oddly, I understood her. For I set on the demise of the Vaihn brothers almost 8
years ago.

Thinking of it now, she and I were both so set on revenge,
not once taking account of the real price that we would pay in the end.

Trying to open my eyes, I spotted her. She was in shock
dropping the gun and shaking.

“Oh my god what have I done. Oh god!”

Finding my voice. “I’m sorry Julie. I’m so sorry.”

My life was indeed fleeting from me. My heart was slowing,
as I no longer felt his. I closed my eyes and finally let go.

I finally allowed myself to truly live in one night. I
allowed my heart to be free.

Free of my vengeance and loved my enemy.

If I had the chance, would I have charted a new path?
  

Alley……

Whether I was dreaming or not, I wasn’t sure. Like always,
I stood in the ashes of my family home. This time something was different. The
remains all overgrown with the freesia that once adorned the stone patio. The
scent of morning due and the fragrance of the flowers enveloped the space
around me.

“Lilly!” She called out running with her balloon in hand.

Stopping just in front, she raised her arms to me. Eagerly
I bent down and lifted her up.

“I love my Lilly” she rubbed her button nose to mine.

“And I love my Alley”

“It’s time to let go Lilly”

Smiling at her: “You’re right Alley, It’s time to let go”

“I’ love Lilly…It’s time to wake up” She giggled and pulled
from my hold. I eased her to her feet as she ran off thru the house; balloon in
tow.

I felt free, I was ready to fully let go. My soul felt a
strange surge and final release. Closing my eyes taking in the scent, I was
free.

Owe…my head is throbbing. I can’t believe I allowed for so
many shots. What was I thinking?

Going out in the middle of the week is insane. I need to
remind myself I’m not in college anymore. I have a job to get to and this
morning of all mornings, I’ll be sitting thru meetings most of the day.

Eyes still shut I reach over and turned the alarm off. Then
shock hit.

I sat up swiftly appraising my surroundings. This was my
apartment.

Am I dreaming?

I pulled from the bed looking around the room. My clothes,
from the night before on the small chair. The small sound of the beeping from
the coffee maker.

Walking to the door, I urgently opened it and made my way
to the kitchen.

Eyes wide and shock on my face. Charlie stood pouring a cup
of coffee in my to go mug. Dressed in a dark suit purple shirt and tie.

Fuck!! It was all a fucking dream? I shook my head trying
to take it in.

None of it happened!
 

Centering myself, I was overjoyed with that fact. It was
all a fucking dream. The relief flooded me whole.
 
This time I would change, I would change the
outcome.

“Good Morning Charlie,” my voice must have been the same as
my expression.
 
Elated.

I saw him cock his head in surprise that I knew his name.

“Charlie fucking Vaihn is in my apartment!” I laughed.

Completely over the moon, I smiled ear to ear as I walked
past him and straight for Julie’s room.

“How the bloody hell do you know my name?” he yelled from
behind.

“Who in the world doesn’t know who you are?” I offered
still grinning.

Opening the door, I walked in, as she was asleep in her
bed.

I climbed in her bed and for some reason felt the need to
hug her. To show her a side of me that would demonize me less in her eyes.

“Julie?” I whispered

“Oh, dear lord Lil it’s too early…What’s wrong with you and
why are you hugging me?” her voice was groggy.

“I owe you an apology,” I offered sincerely

“It’s too early for this nonsense Lil”

“No. it’s precisely the right time.”
 
I sighed, “I had no idea you were in love
with Chris. I wish I knew before. I want to make this right Julie.”

She turned in shock.

“Does he know?”
 
Her
eyes wide, as she looked up at me. “I never told him.” Looking to me
quizzically, she added, “How do you know?”

“I guessed. I should have seen it before. I’ve been so caught
up in my own issues that I didn’t see it until now.” Pulling myself up on my
knees on her bed, “I think you need to come clean. Tell him how you feel. You
might be surprised.”

“He’s in Love with you Lil.” The disappointment and hurt
was all over her face.

“No he’s in love with love you. He and I are friends
nothing more. Even when we dated, we were friends. You know he’s never kissed
me.” I hoped my confession to the inability to be kissed would help her see my
point.

“Really?” she scrunches her brows tight, looking at me
still shocked

“Really; I have an aversion to kissing. I think I was no
more than someone he wanted to fix Julie. Chris has a good heart. It’s his
nature to nurture, but that said, I think you and he should try. Let him know
how you feel. I’ve seen the way he looks at you and vice versa. Take a chance
with your heart and just let go Julie.”

She sat up shaking her head. I could tell she held her
tears at bay.

“I don’t know what to say. I don’t understand the change in
you this morning?” she just shook her head and her tears now fell.

I reached over and hugged her tight. I sensed this is what
she needed from me.

Clearing his throat Charlie was at the door.

“I don’t mean to intrude; however, I need to be leaving
Julie.” His proper and firm English accent was music to my ears. Oddly, my
heart seemed to skip a beat; even knowing that nothing had ever happened
between him and me. It was all a dream.

Julie pulled from me and looked wide-eyed to Charlie then
to me.

“Lilly this is my brother Charlie. He was going to stay
with us, but I now realize that maybe that won’t be such a good idea. I’m
canceling my plans to go to Haiti.” Her eyes moved to Charlie.

“Are you backing out? Where do you suppose I stay?” He
crossed his arms and looked pissed.

“You’re more than welcome to stay Charlie.” I turned to him
“You can use my room, as I plan on going away this weekend.”
 
I knew why he was pissed and it had nothing
to do with her not going to Haiti.
 
It
had everything to do with this game he was about to play.

“Where are you going Lil?” Julie was quick to jump in

“To the country; my family home. There are things I need to
sort out there. However, I’ll be around town. We should do happy hour today.
Pickles?” I looked to Julie. “I’m sure it will be a great opportunity as Chris
likes that bar.” I raised my eyebrows hinting.

“That sounds great. Ok.” I saw the hope in her eyes.

“Good,” jumping up from the bed, I caught Julie appraise me;
I realized I was in nothing but a pair of boy briefs and camisole.
 
I raised my shoulders and laughed.

“I wasn’t thinking about a man in our apartment when I ran
in here.
 
I’m sure he’s seen plenty of
women half dressed.” I laughed

Turning, I stepped to Charlie, as he looked confused.

“By the way I love your cologne…It reminds me of someone.”
I smiled and ran back to my room.

Closing my door behind me, I went for my cell phone calling
Brady.

“Everything ok Lilly?”

“I’m not sure, but I need you to meet me at the agency.”

“Why?
 
I thought we
discussed this all.”

“Change of plan. I’m folding my hand. I no longer want to
play. The price is one I’m not willing to pay.”

“Wow, what happened to you? I thought this was what you
wanted?”
 
He now sounded awake and alert.

“Let just say I had a wakeup call. Can you pick me up?”

“Sure. I’ll make the calls and see you in forty”

“Good.”

I ended the call and jumped into the shower.

Shit, I forgot how long it took the water to heat up.

Stepping back out, I opened the cabinet. The box of hair
bleach. Looking myself over, I had enough time to bleach my hair back to my
natural.

Thirty minutes into my bleaching and showering, I put my
makeup on and fixed my hair allowing the natural curls to fall as they would.
In my room and into the closet I pulled my navy suit out and a white V-neck
wrap shirt.

Dressed and standing at the mirror; I wrapped the pearls
around my neck hiding the exposed part of my chest that the shirt didn’t cover.

Sucking in a deep breath and releasing it, I finally felt
like me. Turing I grabbed my bags and my phone.

Walking down the hall I was confident Charlie would no
longer be here. I was right and Julie just sat alone, still in shock at the
kitchen counter.

“Holly shit…your blonde?” again she was in shock

“Yes. It’s too damn hard dyeing it brown every two weeks.”
I smiled at her.

“Lilly, I need to tell you something. I’ m not proud of
what I have to say, but please hear me out.”

“Julie…don’t worry about it. Let’s say you and I have a lot
in common and I understand how easy it is to get lost in misguide thoughts of
revenge.”

“You know?”

“I didn’t, but I suspected. And you know what…It doesn’t
matter. No, harm no foul Julie. Moreover, I have my own confession and you will
learn it soon enough. My real name is Elizabeth Lillian Holtinbach.”

I watched as the name registered.

“Oh my lord…I had no idea.” Shaking her head “Shit
Charlie-“

“He’ll know who I am in a few short hours Julie. Don’t
worry yourself about him and Sebastian’s stupid wagers. See my father and
theirs; played the same type of games, however, their games were strictly in business.
They are both about to get a huge shock today. See I’ve been playing the game
of revenge for a while now…but this morning I realized it wasn’t worth it.
Sometimes the price we pay for vengeance isn’t worth it in the end.” I blinked
at her noticing the to go cup waiting for me. I smiled knowing this was
Charlie’s doing.

“You know Lilly, I really like you. I can’t wait to hear
about this at happy hour.” She laughed, “Charlie is going to shit his pants…and
you know this might be what he needs,” she added.

“I’ve got to go but I’ll fill you in…5 at Pickles?”

“Looking forward to it” she smiled and looking closely she
appeared as the weight of all her problems melted away.

Walking to the door, I heard her call out.

“Yes Julie?”

“Thank you.” She offered

“For?”

“For keeping me in check. Thank you for not hating me.”