Nine

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

A/N: Dedicated to sophiabanks69. Thank you for all the support!

____________________________________________________

IX: Drunk Apologies Don't Count

UNSHED TEARS of fear clouded my eyesight as I stepped out of the cab that had thankfully picked me up at the curb of the night club. My rapid breathing didn't even begin to stabilize until I was swinging past the doors of the Richmond Inn Hotel. I really had scared that taxi driver, hyperventilating the whole way, so I gave him a large tip to make up for it.

"Well if it isn't the other Mercer," said the deep voice of none other than Cole Richmond when he saw me walk in from his spot leaning against the front desk. Great, this was just what I needed, I thought sarcastically.

"It's Chevalier," I responded tensely as I briskly walked past him.

"Whoa," he said hooking his arm around mine and spinning me around to face him. "What the hell happened to you?"

If his tone hadn't have been so indifferent, maybe I would have broken down in sobs and told him my tragic tale right there in the packed lobby. But thank God for his mocking smile, because I saved myself from the embarrassment of having had told him the glory details of the evil that is Dexter Arbogast.

"Look," I began before yanking my arm from his grasp. "I'm not not in the mood to have this discussion right now. So how about you shut up and let me go up to my room? You can be a jackass to me in the morning."

His jaw fell at my little outburst and I took it as my chance to escape. Stepping into the elevator, I tightened my grip on the metal railing and closed my eyes as it acceded.

I was safe, I know that. I managed to get out of that club unscathed. I'm fine, I repeated to myself at least a million times on the seemingly endless ride up to my floor. He can't hurt me here.

Now if only my body would get the memo and calm the fuck down, I thought as I walked down the hall towards my room.

It wasn't until the door was shut behind me and the locks were firmly in place that the shaking of my hands cease to an end. Worn, my frail body collapsed on the couch.

Remember what the therapist said, I reminded myself. Focus on something in the room, don't let memories of that night consume you.

My eyes swept around the elegant lounge room, seeking for something to keep me rooted in the present.

My sketchbook. Standing, I quickly walked towards the glass desk where it lay open to the sketch of Max's eyes.

Max. Think of Max, I instructed to myself.

So I did just that. I took the sketchbook with me to the couch and sat there with my eyelids shut, thinking of his chocolate eyes. Of the way he'd smile when I did something he found amusing, and the feel of his silky hair.

I let the memory of when he first kissed me fill my head. He'd been so nervous that when he leaned in he accidentally bumped his forehead with mine.

A smile spread on my face then, remembering how he'd blushed scarlet red and a giddy chuckle escaped his lips.

I fell asleep thinking of him and his adorable clumsiness, and letting my heart remind me of how much I loved him. Of how much I think I still do.

***

"Eleanor, please come in here," My spine automatically straightened at the curt voice coming out of the slightly ajar study door. Mother looked up from her book and delicately removed her white reading glasses to give me a raised eyebrow look as if to say, 'Why are you still sitting there starring at me?'

Standing, I hesitantly walked forward until I was just outside of the study. "Yes, Daddy?" I asked, stepping inside once I'd taken a deep breath and smoothed down my pleated skirt and sweater. I absolutely hated this clothing, but while I was in the house, I was forced to dress like this. 

"Come in," he said waving me in impatiently. Quickly moving inside the massive study and trying to gracefully lower myself onto one of the brown leather armchairs, I warily eyed Daddy, trying to gauge his mood. 

"I wanted to apologize to you, Eleanor," he began in a tense voice. His words left me glued to my seat, starring at him completely gobsmacked. "I've been less than approachable lately. You know why that is, don't you?"

"B-Because of my disobedience?" I asked quietly. He shook his head and leaned forward to rest his folded hands on the mahogany desk top. 

"No, it is because of the deal I've been trying to seal with Nathaniel Arbogast. Do you remember now?" I nodded and fidgeted with my hands on my lap. 

Daddy sighed and stood. I watched him walk around his desk and come close to lean against the desk in front of me. He causally put his hands in his trouser pockets but his tense shoulders gave him away. "You know how important this Arbogast deal is for the company, and that is why I dare to ask for your help."

My head snapped up in his direction. How could I possibly help?

Daddy seemed to understand my confusion because he elaborated. "Nathaniel is hesitant to invest in Mercer Financial. But with his sort of connections and wealth, we can't afford to let him slip through our fingers."

"But I know very little about hedge funds, or how to negotiate--" I began but was soon cut off.

"I don't need you to persuade Nathaniel." He gave me a small smile, something I very rarely see, even though it was done patronizingly. 

"I...don't understand." I furrowed my brows and lightly frowned. 

"The man I need you to get on our side is his son, Dexter Arbogast." I opened my mouth to protest, but he easily sensed it. "He is a handsome young man. From a good family, and has many connections."

Not everything in life is networking, I thought bitterly in my head. Before I could speak again, he straightened and looked down at me with a look that said I had no say in this. 

"You'll help me, won't you Eleanor?" I said nothing for the choice had already been made for me. Once again, Daddy smiled, this time a bit more warmly, and gently stroked my hair. "Of course you will, my darling, because that is what family does."

Daddy stepped back just as there was a knock behind us. A moment later, after Daddy had extended an invitation, the door swung open. I turned around in my chair when I saw a huge smile light up my father's face. 

"Ah Dexter, there you are." My eyes took in the dashing man in a dark grey suit that stood before me. His button-down was a deep teal and his bow-tie a striking white, just the same shade as his teeth as his lips parted in a smirk when he spotted me.

"You must be, Eleanor," he said walking forward, his raven-black eyes never wavering from mine. A shiver ran down my spine at the intense cloud of power that surrounded him, and I couldn't decide if it was a good thing or not. 

My gaze flashed to Daddy when this stranger took hold of my right hand. He was relaxed and possibly even, dare I say it, proud. It was a strange feeling, having Daddy be proud of me, and I much rather liked it.

I turned back to the man who was currently holding my hand, and my gaze caught in his predatory one. He slowly leaned forward and placed a kiss on the back of my palm, allowing his lips to linger. "I am Dexter Arbogast, but you may call me Dex."

I gently pulled my hand back as I felt another shiver run through me. Only it wasn't a pleasant feeling. Not like when Max kissed the skin where my neck met my collarbone, or when his loving gaze met mine as he walked forward to gently take my mouth with his.

Every nerve in my body was telling me to run as far away from this Dex person, but the look on Daddy's face kept me rooted in place. Shooting a glare my way, Daddy forced a smile and shook Dex's hand. 

"Eleanor, why don't you go and change? Dex has offered to take you out tonight." I wanted to shake my head and refuse. I wanted to say that I couldn't, not tonight, since it was Max and I's three month anniversary. I knew Max was mad at me because I hadn't told my family about us yet, but I assumed that we would still celebrate tonight and therefor couldn't possibly go out with Dex.

But I couldn't. 

Because the look on Daddy's face wouldn't let me. So instead of standing up to him, I went up to change and call Max to cancel. 

We fought that night. And it was the last time I spoke to him before it happened. Because after that night, I was a different person. A person not worthy of him.

***

THE POUNDING knock at the door made me sit up. Groggily, I stood and walked to open the door. "Simone?" I asked confused, still trying to shake off the heavy-as-lead aftertaste my nightmare left behind. 

"Are you drunk?" I asked rubbing my eyes. Simone pushed past me into the room while I watched after her. A few moments later, I heard gagging coming from the bathroom. 

Sighing, I filled a glass of water up and took it with me to the bathroom when I heard a flush. "Do you feel better?"

Simone sat sprawled on the floor, her blonde hair damp and sticking to her forehead and neck. She didn't respond and instead began to sob. 

Warily, I kneeled down at her level and tried to hand her the glass of water along with a small towel. She took the towel and cried into it, shaking her shoulders and hiccuping. 

"Um Sim?" I asked awkwardly. She looked up at me and if I wasn't worried, I would have laughed at the way her mascara ran down her face. "Are you okay?"

Simone shook her head and then lunged forward to wrap me in a hug. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry."

I knew she wasn't talking about this, getting drunk and vomiting in my hotel room. I knew exactly what she was apologizing for, only she was a little late. Five years late.

I said nothing as I gently pushed her away and stood. Her sobs started up again but abruptly cut off when she leaned forward to be sick in the toilet again. 

Sighing, I turned away from her and stared at the beige walls. 

Too bad for Simone, drunk apologies don't count. Not when she's apologizing for something unforgivable.

____________________________________________________

A/N: Just to clarify, this nightmare takes place right before Elle's flashback of Dex on the last update, Girl's Night Out. If you all are still confused, more of that night will be revealed later.
Vote/Comment! I'd like to see what you think of this so far!

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net

#chicklit