A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
Chapter 16
I figured he wouldn’t wanna talk about it. I heard talking to someone about it helps. I had a friend in high school whose father had PTSD and he took his life because the burden was too much
“Ok, my dumba$s has agreed to help.”
I said and stood up to leave. He stood up too and took a step closer.
He opened his arms and I just stared at him confused, he gestured for me to come into his opened arms. I chuckled when I realized he wanted to give me a hug, I’d be stupid to turn it down.
I moved closer and he wrapped his arms around me in a warm hug, his skin felt so good against my cheek.
“Thank you, Cassandra.”
He whispered with his chin on my head.
I wanted to argue, how did he know the name I hated so much.
“Or do you prefer Cassie?”
He asked when I didn’t say anything.
“Just call me Chloe, I prefer Chloe.”
I whispered closing my eyes.
“I prefer Cassie.”
I ignored him and listened to his heartbeat, I remembered that night I thought he was dead.
There was a knock on the door, I groaned mentally and pulled away.
“Open.”
He said letting go, Morris, opened the door with a firm smile.
“Good morning Mr. Sanchester, good morning Miss Simpson, I hope you slept well?”
“Yeah, what about you?”
“Good as always, I came to inform you that breakfast is ready”
“Good, I’m starving.”
I said rubbing my stomach.
“Go on, I will be down in a minute.”
I left with Morris to the dining.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
So far things had been going well, though I had a dream where Mrs. Sanchester was chasing me around the house for lying to her, I was glad I never had it again.
Thursday, Morris was away to see his family so Tristan took over the kitchen.
He didn’t allow me to help with anything because of what happened last time with the knife.
I sat at the Island watching him spice some chicken tenderloin, he looked like a chef, the way his hands moved and how focused he was.
“I’m tired of sitting here and watching you, please let me help. Last time was an accident, please allow me I’m dying here.”
I begged.
“You can wash the dishes.”
That was my least favourite task in the kitchen.
I stood up and walked to the sink, only three dishes were in the sink. It was better than nothing, I went to work.
Tristan came to rinse his hands, he stood behind me and caged me in his arms as his washed his hands, he placed his chin on my head, I didn’t know why he enjoyed doing that.
I stared at his hands and that was when I saw the fresh bruises, anger bubbled inside of me.
I turned around immediately making his chin leave my head, he grabbed a paper towel and dried his hand, my eyes didn’t miss the bloodstain.
“You promised.”
He looked down at his knuckles and ignored me.
Ohh there was no way I was letting this go.
“You told me you….”
“I told you I can’t control it!”
He snapped looking at me.
“Of course you can, you just have to try.”
“Don’t act like you know what I’m going through!”
“Well, maybe if you tell me I could help!”
“I don’t need your help!”
“Are you going to live your whole life like this? Torturing yourself for whatever happened. I get it, I don’t know what you’re going through but self-harm is not the way to cope.”
I sounded like a shrink right now, I should change my major.
“It’s none of your damn business how I live my life!”
His jaw clenched.
“Why should I even help you with your lie when you won’t stop? We had a deal, and if you do not keep to your end of the deal then I won’t help you with your dumb plan!”
I yelled.
“Like you have a choice,” he mumbled.
I clenched my hands tightly cause I badly wanted to slap him for what he just said.
“Then I will leave.”
He laughed briefly at what I said.
“The last time I checked, you’re broke and no one will give you a place to stay, it’s just me. Why don’t you do what you’re here for and stay out of my business cause I never asked you about the hideous mark on your back.”
I went pale and mute.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
Tristan’s eyes were impassive as I stared into them, I couldn’t believe what he just said. He saw it and he called it hideous. Did it look that horrifying?
I gave him the meanest look I could muster up and turned away. I ran out of the kitchen with tears blinding my vision as I ran up the stairs to get to my room.
I shut the door and leaned on it then slid slowly to the ground, I tried to stop the sound escaping my lips but I couldn’t.
Hideous mark?
I pulled my knees to my chest and hugged them tightly as the tears kept falling, I sat there crying for a long time.
I stood up and walked to my closet, I brought my clothes out and pushed them inside my suitcase.
Why did I even agree to help him? Ohh yes because I was dumb and believed I had a good heart. All I could think about right now was proving him wrong. First by getting a pregnancy test and getting a lawyer but I had a problem, I was broke.
I stopped and slumped on the bed with frustrated tears, I had nowhere to go and I had no money. I brushed my hair back with my hands and laid on the bed. I had no idea if anyone would hire me after the news.
I felt more insecure about the mark on my back now, he called it hideous.
I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
My clothes were all over the floor when I woke up. I groaned and stayed back in bed arguing with myself if I should leave the room, my stomach grumbled.
I skipped dinner last night, maybe he ate it all alone while I cried my eyes out. I stared at the ceiling like it could tell me what to do, my door opened and Tristan walked in with a tray packed with breakfast.
As much as I wanted to jump and dance in joy for the treat, I stopped myself and glared at him as he approached my bed.
“Morning.”
He said with a smile that looked fake to me.
I eyed him and got down from the bed, I left the room not saying a word to him.
I was sad Morris was not back, I wanted him to fix me something to eat. I wasn’t that good at cooking, I rubbed my stomach as I opened the fridge.
I grabbed the strawberry jam and four slices of bread, I made myself some coffee which tasted very bitter.
I sat at the Island and put some jam on the bread.
Tristan walked into the Kitchen and dropped the tray in front of me. I shall not fall into temptation.
“I made you a proper breakfast.”
I pretended not to hear him.
“Cassie?”
I held the table knife tightly when he called me that.
I wasn’t planning on talking to him, he should try harder. I ate the bread and jam pretending to enjoy it as I hummed and moved my head side-to-side.
“Seriously?” He asked.
I moaned as I took a sip from my bitter coffee I badly wanted to spit out.
“Fine, do whatever you want. I have tried to be nice anyway.”
He said and left the kitchen.
Nice? He really needed medical help.
I ran to the sink and poured everything. I rinsed my mouth and leaned on the counter. My stomach grumbled, I glared at my stomach and sighed.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
Three days now and Tristan and I weren’t talking, he really didn’t care. We ate together but never spoke to each other, Morris felt uncomfortable every time he served us.
I wanted him to apologize, but he was too stubborn to even say it.
I stayed in the garden after he left for work, I forced myself to read a book recommended by my professor.
I was surprised to see Adrian walking to the Garden, he smiled at me as he got closer.
“Hey.”
“Hi.”
I closed the book and sat like a lady.
“Shouldn’t you be at work?”
He was dressed in a casual outfit.
“Naa, I’m taking a month off.”
“That’s long.”
He chuckled briefly and sat in front of me.
“How have you been?”
Miserable, I wanted to say but said,
“Good.”
Things had changed between us, we didn’t talk and laugh together anymore since that night.
“How is Karen?”
“She is good, she actually says hi.”
He looked around the garden before resting his eyes on me, he took my hands that were resting on the table and smiled.
“I have missed you.”
He said softly drawing small circles on the back of my palms with his thumbs.
I waited for the butterflies in my stomach and the sparks but didn’t feel anything, I guess my feelings for him died that night he proposed to Karen in front of me.
I have had my fair share in love, I wasn’t lucky at that department. All my relationships right from my second boyfriend were disastrous. I always fell for the wrong guys, guys I thought I could be happy with.
No matter how awful they were, I kept going back cause I thought I was going to meet the perfect guy and I guess I did, Grey made a big impact in my life.
He was the type of guy you wanna date and get married to and hopefully start a family with, but our relationship ended because of Tristan’s lies and somehow what I did in the past.
Adrian was never meant for me, I was the type of person that fell easily, sometimes I wanted to rip my heart out for doing that. I wanted to grow up too fast and it got me in a big mess, a mess that my family now know and a mess that made Grey believe Tristan’s lies.
I wasn’t so sure about what was going on between Tristan and me, maybe it was lust or maybe we were just two confused people.
“Yeah, I missed you too. I missed your jokes and us sitting around talking.”
I said, pulling my hands away. I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea.
“I’m sorry about that night, I thought you were already over your feelings for me.”
“I am now, so you have nothing to worry about.”
He nodded slowly as he understood why.
“How are things with Tristan?”
“We are not cool at the moment.”
“What did he do?”
He looked angry all of a sudden.
“Nothing you need to worry about, it’s stupid.”
I said forcing a laugh.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, so when is the wedding?”
He laughed softly before answering.
“Next year, are you coming?”
“Weddings are now my nightmare but I will think about it.”
He threw his head back laughing.
We talked more before he left, I watched the new episode of my favourite show, The Good Girls.
It was almost 9 pm and Tristan was not back.
I told Morris I wasn’t hungry before I went up to my room. I had my bath and wore my pyjama shorts and a sweater.
I tried to go to sleep but stayed awake for an hour tossing from one edge of the bed to the other. I got down from the bed with a frustrated sigh, I walked around my room stretching.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
I was feeling hot when I finished my little exercise, I decided to go for a swim. I wore my black bikini and grabbed a towel.
I stopped and looked at the mark on my back in the mirror.
Hideous mark
I looked for a light top, I wore it over the bikini and left the room. The lights in the kitchen were off. I went to the kitchen and took one bottle of white wine and a wine glass.
I removed the top and entered the pool, the water was warm and felt so good. I swam for some minutes before pouring myself some wine, I sat at the edge of the pool using my legs to play with the water.
I reached for my top when I saw Tristan walking toward the pool, he was wearing red swim shorts.
I didn’t even know he was back from work, it was past eleven right now.
He came to sit next to me, my eyes drifted to his legs that were now inside the pool. We sat in silence, I sipped my drink staring at the sky.
“Are we really doing this?”
He asked turning to look at me, I didn’t say anything.
“Okay, we are really doing this.”
There was another silence, only the sound of my legs dancing in the water.
“I’m sorry.”
My legs stopped moving in the water immediately he said that.
“I shouldn’t have said that. You were asking for too much and I snapped.”
I opened my mouth to say something but closed it, I wasn’t ready to talk to him yet.
I wasn’t mad at him because he called the scar on my back hideous, I was furious because he thought he could control me and threaten me because of the situation he put me in.
I stood up with the wine left in my glass and took my towel and left.
“Cassie?”
I turned around and glared at him, he smiled in return.
I went to my room mumbling curses at him, I walked to the tall glass panel facing the pool and the garden, he was staring at me from where he sat.
He waved, I gave him a dirty look and pulled the drapes together.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
Morris made my favourite for breakfast, Tristan was already off to work. I studied for the rest of the day and took a nap.
Tristan was back early from work but he stayed in his room, he didn’t come down for dinner.
“Miss Simpson?”
Morris called after dishing out my food.
“Yeah?”
“Mr. Sanchester needs your help, he said it’s urgent.”
“When did he tell you that?”
“He just called.”
I stood up and left for his room, what was so urgent? Should I call Adrian?
I ran up the steps trying not to miss any step.
I pushed his door open without knocking. I searched for him with my eyes but didn’t find him.
“Tristan?”
I stepped in and shut the door behind me.
I heard the shower running, I crinkled my face in confusion as I walked to the big bathroom. He was under the shower, the steam from the water made the glass blurry so I didn’t see him completely nvde.
“What was so urgent?”
I asked crossing my arms.
“Ohh you’re here.”
He turned off the shower.
“Could you pass me a towel?”
“Is that why I’m here?”
He didn’t answer.
“Tristan, is this the urgent thing you called me for?”
“Just pass the towel, I will tell you when I come out,” he grunted.
I walked to the wardrobe by the side stacked with black, white and grey towels. I grabbed the grey towel and walked to the shower.
“Here.”
I knocked on the glass.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
He opened it and dragged me inside, I gasped from the pull. I turned around immediately I saw him nked and tried to stop the hotness growing on my cheeks.
“Thanks.”
I heard him say from behind.
“You didn’t have to drag me in here, the towel was not glued to my hand.”
I tried to step out but he turned on the shower which I was, unfortunately, standing under.
My shoulders tensed immediately the water touched me, my hair was drenched and my clothes followed.
“Why the he.ll did you do that?!”
He didn’t say anything, he reached behind me and turned it off.
“Argh! My hair!”
I said twisting the water out, he took the towel around his waist and came to stand behind me, I stiffened when he started drying my hair with it.
“Relax, I have not used the towel.”
He whispered.
“When last did you wash your hair?”
He asked moving my damped hair to the right side.
“None of your business.”
“You’re still mad at me, how many times am I suppose to apologize?”
“You only did it once don’t make it sound like you apologized countless times.”
“Okay.”
He mumbled.
“I will get another towel and do it myself.”
I said and tried to pull away but he held me back.
“Don’t worry I will do it.”
He dried the hair softly and I stood there trying not to let my mind wander from the fact he was completely naked behind me.
“Tristan, you’re naked.”
It sounded more like a whisper.
“So?”
I was surprised he heard me.
“So, it’s making me uncomfortable.”
I went still when he moved closer, now I could feel every part of his body.
“Are you still feeling uncomfortable?”
He whispered close to my ear, did he even hear what I said?
I kept quiet and pinched my arm to distract myself but it wasn’t working cause Tristan wasn’t helping.
I stepped away quickly creating some space between us.
“Thank you.”
He smirked and cover himself with the damped towel. It was gross but I assure you my hair was clean, I washed it twice a week.
There was something written on his triceps, I was lucky to see the word.
I didn’t even know he had a tattoo, it was small and hidden so it wasn’t anyone’s fault.
“Who is Nadia?”
Something flashed in his eyes but he covered it up quickly.
“My wife.”
My breath ceased.
“You have a wife? Where is she?”
He walked passed me and left the shower and here I thought we were making up.
I followed him behind not ready to drop the topic, was he lying? I never heard about his marriage
“Where is she?” I asked again.
He pushed me against the wall in a flash.
“Don’t you get that every time you ask me personal questions I get very angry?”
I winced from the impact.
“You don’t have to know everything, Cassie?”
“It’s Chloe.”
I said pushing his hands off my shoulders.
He walked to the wardrobe and changed the towel around his waist, I didn’t hold back from seeing his butt cheeks.
He grabbed a smaller towel and dried his hair not saying a word, I turned to walk away but he held me back.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered and pulled me closer.
He began to dry my hair again with a different towel, he wiped my face softly and moved my hair back with his hands, he dried my neck and my shoulders.
“So what was so urgent?”
I asked breaking the silence.
“Nothing, I just wanted attention.”
“I thought you didn’t like attention?”
I asked tilting my head to the side to look at him. He was quiet and I saw a small smile.
I pulled away quickly when he reached for the zipper on my dress, I turned to look at him with a h©rrified expression.
“If you don’t trust me why should I trust you?”
He said and left the bathroom.
I heard the front door close after awhile.
“Trust?” I laughed at the foreign word.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
I was up early the next day though I slept late cause of what happened in the bathroom. After I left his room last night I went to the dining but he wasn’t there.
I wondered if he was angry because I didn’t let him unzip my dress or maybe look at the mark.
Trust? That word tasted bitter on my tongue, all the people I trusted, people I never thought would hurt me especially my sister who I trusted more than anything.
It would probably take an eternity to trust him after what he did.
I forced myself out of bed and walked to the wall; I pulled the drapes apart to allow some light into the room, I turned away with a groan when the sun rays from outside burned my eyes.
I allowed my eyes to adjust to the light before pulling the drapes properly, I went to my bathroom and brushed my teeth before going down for breakfast.
I smiled at Morris as he served me my breakfast, my phone rang when I was about to take a bite from my french toast.
I looked at my screen, Adrian was calling on FaceTime. I dropped the bread and picked the call. He greeted me with his trademark smile, the smile that used to make my heart melt but not anymore.
“Hey.”
I waved.
“Hey Chloe, how was your night?”
“Good, yours?”
“Splendid.”
He brushed his front hair back, I noticed his sleep bags.
“Are you okay? You look exhausted.”
“We were up all night packing for our vacation.”
“You’re going on vacation?”
“Yeah, in Italy.”
“Nice.”
“Who is it?”
I heard Karen’s voice from the other end, she sounded like she was just waking up.
“It’s Chloe.”
He told her with a smile and turned to look at me.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
Karen made an appearance, she was just waking up. She was wearing his t-shirt, he pecked her on the lips and she sat on his laps. I must admit they looked cute together.
“Hey, Chloe.”
“Hi Karen, how long are you guys staying?”
“A month, right?”
She looked at him not sure with her answer.
“Yeah.”
He nodded.
“Well, have fun and don’t forget to bring me something from Italy.”
“Sure.”
Karen said sounding more excited about the vacation.
“I will fix us something to eat. Bye, Chloe.”
“Ok, bye!”
She pecked him on the cheek and left. I decided to ask him about Nadia, I wanted to know if Tristan was telling the truth cause I was so sure he wasn’t married.
“Can I ask you something?”
I asked when I heard the bedroom door closed.
“Why not? I’m listening.”
Would he be mad If he found out about this? Who cares.
“Uhmm do you know….”
“Hey, man.”
Adrian cut me off staring at something behind me. I looked back and saw Tristan standing behind me.
“Hey.”
He replied with a short smile, he looked down at me with that look I couldn’t read, he was so good at that.
“Morning.”
He smiled at me and walked to the seat in front of me.
“Sorry about that, you wanted to ask me something.”
Adrian said.
“Ohh yeah.”
I took a glance at Tristan, he was staring at me like he wanted to hear the question too.
“Can you take pictures of the places you will visit in Italy?.”
“You’re sure that was the question?”
“Yeah.”
“Sure, I will do that but I’m not a good photographer.”
“It’s fine, bye.”
I ended the call not waiting for him to say anything. I gave Tristan a firm smile and began eating.
His two-piece black suit brought out his beauty, he looked smart and powerful. His silver Cartier wristwatch matched the cufflinks on his suit.
“Do you have any plans today?”
He asked as Morris served him his coffee and french toast with roasted asparagus.
“Yeah, I’m hanging out with my best friend.”
“Do you need anything?”
“A car to drive around and maybe a credit card.”
He brought out his wallet and dropped two credit cards in front of me.
“Morris will take you to the garage, pick any car you like.”
“Ugh…okay?”
He smiled at me again, a smile that held a secret.
He only drank his coffee and left for work while I sat there thinking about what just happened.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
I picked a white Lamborghini convertible, it looked brand new and had the new car smell.
It had been long since I drove a car, I played my favourite song as I drove to my old school to pick Vina. I thought of running away, far from California. I had a car and two credits, so I had everything. I pushed the thought away, I couldn’t leave Vina behind and it won’t feel right taking off like that.
I turned down the volume when I got to the school, I texted Vina telling her I was outside.
I was wearing shades cause I didn’t want people looking at me like a piece of art.
“Chloe!!!”
Vina screamed from afar which got a lot of people’s attention, I watched her petite figure walk toward me with speed.
She hugged me before I could get down from the car.
“Gosh, I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
We hugged a little more before pulling away.
She got into the car giggling, I caught a glimpse of a few people staring at us.
“Wow, is this your car?”
She asked looking around and touching the leather seats.
“Wait, did he get this for you?”
She asked with wide eyes.
“No, I borrowed it only for today.”
She smiled mischievously at me.
“What?”
“Nothing, where are we going first?”
“Let’s get some smoothie first and I have a lot to tell you.”
“I’m up for that.”
She said leaning back.
“Then we go shopping!!!”
“I thought you were broke, wait, did you steal his money?”
She looked impressed.
“No?”
I waved the credit cards in her face.
“Let make a list, wait, which store should we go first? I’m thinking Luis Vuitton then Gucci….there is this new makeup palette that arrived in Yves Saint Laurent store and it’s expensive and I need a new Satchel from…”
I stared at her as she kept listing stores we should visit.
She brought out a piece of paper and a pen.
“Tristan just made my day.”
“What about me?”
I frowned.
She flashed me a grin and continued with her list.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
I went for a quick swim when I got home.
I wore the top I bought today over the black bikini I got from the Chanel store and left the room. The water was soothing, I laid back staring at the stars as I moved my legs in the water.
The silence filled my head with questions about my life, I thought about my parents and my sister, did they miss me? Was I dead to them?
I went back under the water and swam for a while before coming up for some air. I was surprised to see Tristan sitting at the edge of the pool with his legs in the water. When did he come?
He was wearing the same swim short from that night, he gestured for me to come closer to where he was. I brushed my wet hair back with my hands and swam to where he was.
I remained inside the pool but next to his legs, there was a wine beside him with two wine glass.
“I don’t plan on drinking tonight.”
I told him as he opened it.
“Actually, this is a new wine that is going to be released next week, I told the person I had someone who was very in love with wine and I told him I’d bring him feedback after you taste it.”
“New wine?”
He smiled at my question.
“Only a sip and tell me what you think.”
“Okay.”
I collected the wine using my other hand to support myself, I took a gulp instead and another and another.
Tristan laughed and poured himself some.
“Wow, this is good.”
“You like it?”
“I love it!”
I finished the one in my glass and collected more.
“You should come out of the pool.”
I reached for my shirt and wore it before coming out of the pool, I sat next to him and sipped my wine.
“What age did you start drinking?”
“15.”
“Did someone teach you?”
“Yeah, one of the guys I dated.”
He laughed before taking a sip from his drink.
“The first alcohol I tasted was Tequila.”
“Nice for a start I guess.”
There was a soothing silence around us and I liked it.
“I promised to do something tonight.”
He whispered.
“What?”
I asked taking a glance at him, he smiled at the stars before looking at me.
He slowly leaned closer to my face, his lips were on mine before I could ask him what he was up to.
It was slow and soft, I closed my eyes and responded to it.
So what if all this was a lie? So what if I was doing the wrong thing? I didn’t know where my life was headed and nothing felt right anymore.
Maybe we didn’t know what we were doing but we enjoyed doing it.
The feeling was exceptional and I loved it.
“I really wish things were different, Cassie,”
he said softly, he leaned down and captured my lower lip before I could digest what he said.
This was the longest we had kssed, I only prayed what happened last time doesn’t happen again.
We broke the kss with a smile and sat in silence with our legs in the water.
“Who did that to your back?”
He suddenly asked.
“I’m not ready to talk about it.”
I took a long sip from my drink, trying to calm my nerves.
I dropped my wine glass and entered the pool.
“That’s not safe.”
He said before I went under, I sprung out with a smile.
I was sure about what I was about to do even if the word hideous kept playing in my head.
I removed my top and threw it outside the pool, I untied the top of my bikini and threw it outside.
I took a deep breath before turning around, showing him my exposed back.
I could feel his eyes, they were drilling my skin. I wanted him to stare at it for as long as he wanted.
I felt him enter the water and soon he was behind me, he touched my shoulders which made me flinch.
“You didn’t have to.”
He whispered turning me around, I allowed my hands to fall off from around my chest.
I looked into his eyes searching for something, maybe the truth.
“It doesn’t change anything about you, you’re still you and I admire the person you are.”
Tears brimmed at the corner of my eyes.
“I might not know your story but just know you’re extraordinary, Cassie.”
“That was cheesy. Didn’t know you had it in you.”
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me and that was me being sweet,” he whispered while I laughed.
He smiled softly at me and kissed me.
“What the he.ll is that on your back?”
We pulled away to look at who just spoke.
What was she doing here? At this time of the night?
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 11 – 20
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