Taken Love (10 page)

“Her name flashed in our system at the airport, which alerted us to her incoming flight to Connecticut. She was first spotted getting out of a taxi at her parent's house, with a few suitcases.” Sherman stated, as he read the report, giving me the shorter version.

“Okay, and where is she now?” I asked, fully awake and alert, nightmare forgotten, and now I was looking forward to the new dreams I would imagine. After I finally laid eyes on her.

“They're on the move now, sir. She is with her mother, father, and sister right now, and they are being followed. Once we land, we will be heading to her exact location. They appear to be in black tie attire, sir.”

“Have our tuxedo’s waiting for us upon our arrival, and find out where they're headed, securing us both access and also security. I won’t lose her again. I can’t.” I deadpanned.

“Yes, sir.”

MOTHER, I AM fine. Could you please stop kissing my face now? You’ll mess up the little makeup I have on, and Margerie would have to redo it.” I whined, while my mother kissed my cheek a few more times, before actually releasing me, smiling at me lovingly.

“I told you on the phone, Kathleen, that when you came back home, I would do this. You were warned, and besides, it’s been a very long two years without seeing you, other than on that awful Skyping. You’ve only been back half a day, so allow me to indulge, and get some of the kisses that I missed out on, would you?” She folded her arms, as my Dad laughed. My brother and sister were trying their hardest to hold in their laughter, but it was pouring out their eyes, in the form of tears. Only my mother could make me feel like an errant child, but I loved it, she always did whatever she did out of love for me. I knew they all missed me, but I knew she missed me most. I missed them too, but I just had to get away when I did, for more reasons than I led them to believe, and hadn't in fact shared.

“Okay, mom kiss away, but can we please narrow it down to two kisses a day?” I asked nicely.

“Deal.” She smiled, and hugged me again for the hundredth time. “I’m just so glad you're home, Kathleen, I’ve missed you so much. We all have, and I hope you don’t plan to accept any more away assignments, in the next year or so at least. I need you here, so we can spend some time together,” she pleaded.

“Oh, mom, I’m here for a few months, indefinitely and I missed you all too.” I turned around, looking at my loving family, who were so happy that I was back home. They were all I had, and to make them so happy with my presence, was very humbling for me. Maybe staying away wasn’t such a bad thing. Maybe it was a very good choice. There were still things I hated about my isolation, regardless of the good it did. What I hated most was that I actually
had
to isolate myself. Not because of my family, I had to get away for me. I was hurting, and I felt as if my life was falling apart, in more ways than one. I needed to readjust myself to my new status of being heartbroken. I had even considered coming back a few times, during my hiatus. But ended up changing my mind, once I saw a newspaper with the name I refused to say, sprawled on the cover. With yet another woman on his arm, prancing her around, just as he used to do with those tramps and Blair at Morris High.
But why did I even care still?
He had forgotten about me years ago, I gave him no choice when I left. I knew that I had no intention of ever seeing him again, as long as I lived, after he’d hurt me… and I meant it.
Ok, new thought, new
thought
.

“Kat, do you know what it feels like to finally have you
home
again?” Max sighed, as he hugged me again.

“I can assume.” I giggled, knowing how hard my parents probably were on both of my younger siblings, who were now adults in college. They were probably smothered to death since I was away, but I had to do what was right for me. It was a hard decision to make, but one that I didn’t regret. I was two months away from my graduation at Columbia, when I had finally heard back from one of the recruiters I had interviewed with, regarding a job in my chosen field of environmental science. They’d interviewed me weeks prior, and later offered me a job off the grid, and I had accepted it without hesitation. It was exactly what I needed at that point, to be away from everyone, including myself. So, I accepted the job to travel to remote parts of the world, and use my knowledge of natural sciences, to help protect the environment and human health. I assisted in cleaning up polluted areas, advised policy makers, and worked with foreign dignitaries to reduce waste. Most times I worked all night, in either my on-site office, or a laboratory, but we spent most of our time in the field, gathering data and monitoring environmental conditions firsthand. My team rotated quite a bit, there was always someone either joining, or leaving us. Because it was a roaming position, which provided no location stability at all. Most environmental scientists worked beyond full time hours, because we loved what we did, and we did it well.

My family loved my career choice, but what they didn’t like, was the constant traveling work schedule. It was my choice, and they knew it was good for me to be happy in my career. They also knew that, with me securing a great contract right out of college, really was an amazing accomplishment. I knew I was ready for that next step, and I took it with no regrets or reservations. Columbia was like a reoccurring circle of misery for me, as I tried to focus just on my schooling, but my mind would always go back to him. My husband, of only three months, who married me for a trust fund of twenty million dollars. The one man who I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. The only man I’d ever loved, and the only one who had ever really hurt me. The CEO, and billionaire playboy, Johnathan
Asshole
Pierce. It’d been years since I’d seen him or heard from him. I would have thought he would have found me by now, but he hadn’t, which told me that he hasn't even been looking. Which was disappointing at first, but now I didn’t even care. I still didn’t know what to think of the fact that he’d never signed the divorce papers, which meant that we were still legally married.
What did that mean? Did he still want me? Did he still love me? Was he thinking about me?
He couldn’t have been, not being a playboy, with countless ladies hanging on his arm in the papers. “Come on, Kat, or we’re going to be late.” My father announced.

“Okay, let’s go.”  I muttered, thankful for the distraction.

“Kat, I’ll met you all there. I have to make a pit stop, and then I’ll be right over.” My brother announced, heading to the front door.

“You better, Max.” I pursed my lips at him.

“I wouldn’t miss your big celebration for the world.” He stated, and kissed my cheek. It was kind of hard getting used to human affection again. I had gone over two years without anything but a friendly hug from various co-workers. There were no suffocating hugs from anyone, no kisses, and
no
sex. I missed sex, I really missed it, but I had limited experiences in that department, and it was
all
with JP. I did have a few men who were interested, but I was never ready to trust anyone with my heart, let alone my body.

“I am so excited. My big sister is a famous author now.” Margerie screamed, coming back down the stairs, holding her heels in her hand. She and my brother had grown so much, but they would always be my siblings. I loved them so much, and I was glad to be back. It was strange seeing my old room, exactly like I’d left it, filled with purple. I still loved purple, but maybe not as much as I used to, though my mom did find new shades of purple during the time I was away. I had a new purple comforter and sheets, but everything else was just as I’d left it, and the view made me laugh. It also made me think of the good times I had with Blair, and in those first few moments of roaming the room, I missed her.

“I’m not that big, Margerie, but I am published, so high five to that sis.” She screamed, slapped my hand, and we all laughed. I missed her so much. It was hard to only have time talk to my family once or twice a month. My job was so strenuous and time consuming, but I excelled, and I was proud of my achievements, in my chosen field. We were now on our way to my release party, though it wasn’t only me celebrating my book reveal and release. There were four of us that were celebrating a book being released, by one of the most popular publishing companies around, KGM Publishing House. It was a surprise to me that I was actually was able to write a book and get it published, but I started writing it when I was still with JP, and it was finally finished last year while on location. I’d only sent it to five publishing houses, and KGM Publishing House loved it, and offered me a contract to publish it. I was truly amazed that they loved it, and I had been high on life ever since. The book reveal was tonight at a swank hotel and conference center in town. It was a formal event, so it was considered to be black tie, and all the authors had to speak briefly on stage tonight. We were to speak, and reveal our book titles and cover art, while giving a brief synopsis of what the book was about. I was nervous about the speaking part, but I was not afraid. This book saved me, and gutted me, while it consumed me at various stages of my life, I was happy to turn it into what it was today. We were now on our way to my book party, and I was excited to see my family here together, happy and supporting me in my ventures in life. I felt as if no time had passed at all, and it was a wonderful feeling. We found ourselves all singing to Queen’s “
Bohemian Rhapsody
,” as we drove to the Meridian Hotel and Conference Center, and it reminded me of old times. When we all were a little younger, and just as happy to be together, goofing around.

      ***

The ballroom was packed, the press and industry people were all over. It was amazing how many actually showed up to this event. I also knew that one of the other authors revealing her book tonight was very well known, and already had sixteen best sellers, rivaling the literary greats with her ability to write pure magic. I knew that quite a lot of people were
really
here to see her, and not the rest of us, but who cared. One day I hoped that I would be as popular, and people would love and respect my writing, as they did hers. The waiters roamed in black tuxedos, with trays of appetizers, and there was an open bar. The stage was set with four display stands, with a velvet curtain over each one. I knew those held the enlarged book covers, to be reveled shortly by each author. Now, after seeing all that were in attendance, I was actually getting kind of nervous about my speech tonight. I hadn't planned on that happening. So, I did what any sane person would do at this point, I went and got some liquid courage, in the form of a drink. I roamed around, talking and networking with a few bloggers and publishing heads, making my presence known, but I still felt so out of place here. I would have preferred to release my book and let them market it, but since there was already an event in place, they wanted to use this platform to introduce me to the world. But that was just it… I didn’t want to be famous, I just wanted to be a writer who wrote. I’d even suggested using a pseudonym instead of my name, but they’d thought it would be best to use my given name, and I obliged. Just then I saw my co-worker, and I flagged him down. His name was Bryce Adams, and he worked with me for over seven months, while we worked in Asia. I’d invited him, but I really didn’t think he’d show, he was a workaholic in our field. But here he is, looking dashing, might I add, in a white tuxedo.

“Bryce, hello.” I smiled, and he hugged me, and kissed my cheek softly.

“Hello, TC, what a turn out… this is amazing.” He stated. He nicknamed me TC, short for Toth-Chamberlin. I thought it was cute, so I didn’t mind. As long as he, nor anyone else, called me KP, I was fine.

“Yeah too bad I have to give a speech.”

“Oh, you’ll do fine. I’ve seen you speak to crowds before about water quality, chemical contamination, and toxic spills. You were great then, and you’ll be great now.” He stated, with such confidence, that I was actually starting to believe him.
Why was I so nervous about my speech?
I did work hard on this book, and I needed to show that confidence on stage, to reveal and promote my book.

“I think your right, Bryce, thank you for being here.”

“I wouldn’t miss it. I won’t be here long, I leave for Australia tomorrow.” He smiled, and shrugged, as I shook my head smiling.

“Always on the job, eh?” I teased.

“You know it. So when do you think you’ll be back on the reservation?”

“I’m not sure. I want to take a few months off to regroup. Why, are you going to miss me?” I flirted, and he leaned in close to my ear.

“I already miss you, TC.” He leaned even closer to my ear, as his lips brushed my ear gently. He was so close that I could smell his scent of choice for tonight, a cool fresh water and musky scent. “And I haven’t even left yet.” He muttered, as he pulled back from me, smirking. Bryce and I always had a flirtatious relationship while on the reservation, but it never went anywhere because I didn’t allow it to. It was obvious that he found me attractive, and that he wanted to explore a more personal relationship with me, but I wasn’t sure I wanted him, or any man, yet.

“Well, maybe I can give you something to remember me by, a little later perhaps?” I winked at him, walking away, heading over to my parents and both my siblings, who were watching me with eyes of interest and awe. I always liked that Bryce and I would sometimes flirt, and wind each other up, but now after having a few drinks, he might be getting a little more than a goodnight hug at the end of this night. Maybe I will indulge myself in him, allowing more than just a professional kind of connection with him. Maybe I was now ready to have a sexual connection, at least in a physical sense. My emotions were still shot and dead. But maybe, just maybe, I could give this tall, blonde, blue-eyed, body of a Greek god, my body tonight? Because at this point in my life, I still had no heart to give to any man. I died an emotional death, a very long time ago, at the hand of JP.

“Hey, sis.” My brother murmured.

“Can I ask, what’s up with the eye stalking, family?” I asked them all, as I arrived where they stood surveying the room, while downing the rest of my white wine.

“Oh nothing, we were looking for you, sis. Just wanted to make you were alright and all that. There are a lot of people here, Kat, aren't you nervous?” As soon as Max asked those words, my nerves were back in an instant, and I needed another glass of wine.