121.
David’s POV.
“Oh, wow, Mr. Oliver, so you can play golf?” I ask in wonder, stepping up to the older man as he holds his golf club tightly with his two hands.
He’s wearing a cap over his face- a faded white cap that matches his faded white pants. His sneakers are black, contrasting the whiteness of his pants and cap. Covering his chest is a light blue short sleeve Tshirt, revealing his wrinkled arms.
Sensing my presence, he turns a bit and beams at me.
“That’s my favorite, David Truman. I played golf a lot in my youth.” He says.
Before I can respond, another voice comes up behind us.
“My dad is a perfect golf player, don’t even dare him when it comes to that.”
Claire comes into view, wearing a short black skirt that stops mid-thigh and a black camisole.
The way her boobs jiggles with every step she takes tells me she isn’t wearing any bra on the inside.
Just like her father, she has a black cap on over her ponytailed hair.
Her lips gleam red under the setting sun.
“Hi, David.” She grins at me but I only wave at her.
Mr. Oliver sure informed me about our trip to Miami but he left out the fact that Claire will be coming along.
Hell, I’ve tried all I could to dampen my annoyance whenever she’s close to me, but I must admit it’s difficult.
Since we arrived here it’s been one activity or the next. Damn, this is what I must pass through until I get what I want from Claire’s father. Truthfully, it sucks like a bitch.
What’s worse, I’ve not been able to connect Vera since I arrived here. Even Andrei.
I nearly went berserk but remembering I told Andrei to take care of her makes my mind relax a bit.
Sometimes I worry if she has eaten. If she’s still having that indigestion shit. So much to worry about for real.
I thought maybe giving it a little time before I try calling again will solve the problem but no. Since we returned from a Beach party Mr. Oliver’s partner held, I’ve not set my eyes on my cell phone.
Fuck, it irks me to the bone.
I’m certain I was with the phone but how it disappeared from my pocket is what I’m yet to understand. Not like I was in the pool swimming or something.
“Claire’s right, David. I’m a badass when it comes to it.” The older man boasts, a hint of pride dripping from his word.
He positions himself and kicks the ball, it swings into the air, flying until it reaches the post.
Claire and I clap briefly for the older man.
“That’s impressive.” I hoot, beaming at him.
“Always told you, I’m a badass in what I do, David.” He says proudly. “Have you found your cell phone at all?” He asks.
I huff, shaking my head. “Nothing yet, Mr. Oliver.”
“What’s there to worry about? David can always get a new one, right?” Claire says, shuffling her gaze between her dad and me.
“He sure can. But you know he can’t now we’re on this trip.” Her dad says before I can chime in.
“Oops, that’s sad.”
Even though Claire’s trying to be compassionate I can’t help but feel she’s forcing it.
“It’s okay,” I say impassively, turning my attention to her father.
We dive into business discussion, rambling on some things that have to do with the shell company.
We walk down the path that leads back to the hotel’s terrace with Claire in tow.
Halfway through the golf pitch, Mr. Oliver stops.
“David, I’ve thought about something. You know, I can’t give you this company on a platter. I need you to show me what you can do if the company gets transferred to you. What help can you offer the society as you’ve claimed?”
“I have a lot, Mr. Oliver. A lot of plans in mind.” I gush, looking pointedly at him.
He breathes through his teeth then. “Can you host a charity gala? I want to know your true capacity.”
I mentally squeeze my brows. Charity gala? He has mentioned this before I didn’t really think too much about it.
My mind’s already envisioning how it’ll be hosting a gala night.
“If that’ll be difficult then…”
“I can do it, Mr. Oliver. Just leave it to me to handle, okay?”
“Great. I’m looking forward to it.”
He walks away after saying that, muttering something about needing to relieve his full bladder.
I whoop out a long breath at his disappearance, hands in my pockets.
“My dad can be demanding. You tired already?” Claire asks, coming up in front of me.
“That’s usually expected from old men,” I comment, shrugging.
“Yeah, but his can be a bit extreme. I can already see your lines of exhaustion.”
She’s right there but I don’t want to show my vulnerability, so I mask it with indifference.
“It’ll only get better.” I spit, aiming to walk away when Claire bounces into my space, blocking me.
In a twinkle of an eye, her hands go over my waist, her mouth aiming to close over mine.
Almost.
She almost kissed my lips but I shifted my mouth and her lips landed just at the corner of my mouth.
There’s a short moment of pause before I pull away from her.
“Claire, c’mon. I already have a lot in my mind. I do not have time for this now. Please.” I state, firmly.
“I know. But David…”
I extricate myself from her and start moving away.
I take the elevator up to my room.
I shut the door on getting in, my mind whirling with thoughts about Vera.
The gala I’ll organize.
Then Claire.
It’s been one torment or another since she came here. Is that why she insisted on coming here?
Thoughts spike my mind but amidst it all, I miss my baby.
It doesn’t help that the hotel has no landline.
Fuck!
*
*
*
>>>Vera’s POV>>>
The hushed whispers spiking my ears startled me awake.
“Hmm…” I groan, getting off of the soft material pressing into my back.
It takes me a while to realize it’s a bed.
I struggle to keep my eyes open but it feels a little gritty.
“Gosh, Vera. You scared me off my pants!” The familiar voice snaps before firm hands grip my arms.
With effort, I push my eyelids open. At first, everything is blurry but a few blinks bring everything into focus.
“Sage?” I croak, rubbing my eyes.
“Fuck, Sage she needs water.” Nick’s voice belts out.
“Right. I’ll get one.”
I watch in confusion as Sage leaves the room. In three minutes, she returns and shoves the water in my face.
I circle my fingers atop hers and sip, wetting my parched throat.
“Thank you,” I mutter.
“No need. I should thank you for not dying on us.”
Her words remind me exactly what happened.
The picture of David and Claire.
The headline of the news.
Their shared kiss.
Just thoughts of it rouses that pang in my chest again.
“Don’t even try it, Vera. You’ve scared us enough.” Sage warns, hey tone silky. She scooch closer and holds my hands. “I know it hurts but you shouldn’t cry yourself to death. David is a big man. I’m sure he might still find another woman attractive, regardless of how much he fucks you. Or says he loves you.”
I feel a sting in my heart as if it’s being pricked with a needle.
“But he promised, Sage. He told me…”
“Vera, a man can promises and still back away from it. You shouldn’t trust him with your heart ’cause he’s bound to stomp on it any time.”
I can’t hold it in anymore and I bawl, my cheeks bearing the brunt of my warm tears.
I feel Nick wiping my cheeks.
“Vera there are other men out there. Men that will love you for who you are, even.”
“But I only love him. Why? Why can’t I get him to be mine alone?” I ask no one in particular but shuffling my eyes between them. “I love David so much I can’t think. I can’t breathe! I want him. I need him.”
Through my glassy eyes, I see Sage’s eyes rim with tears too, sharing in my pains.
Why wouldn’t she?
Hell, she knows just how much I love that man. How much he means to me.
She knows i can’t love another man no matter what.
I break into sobs, pouring my heart out as if it make David stop cheating on me.
Oh, now I truly understand the rumors about him and why his ex-wives left him.
David’s a womanizer and a cheat.
“It’s okay, Vee. We’re here for you.” Nick says but it does nothing to douse my pains.
Hours later***
I’m alone in my apartment, wallowing in thoughts. Pains. Hurt. I still can’t believe David hurt me this much.
I know I said I won’t call him before, but I guess desperation is way more powerful than determination and pride, because I seclude myself in the north window of my room, clutching my phone, I dial David’s number.
Not even a minute passed and the line connected.
Omigod, his phone is ringing?
I wait for him to pick up his call but to my horror shock, David cuts the call.
“Omigod! This is really happening.” I bite out, watching as he ends the call.
This quickly reminds me of Sage’s words.
A man can make promises and still go back on it.
I bash my eyes closed to staunch the hurt I feel but nothing works.
At that, I brush my feet quickly, head over to my closet, and pick out a risque cloth.
A short pink dress with lace at the hem, a plunging neckline and simple straps.
I’d rather waste the night away in the arms of another man than David’s. I arrive at the garage and take my car from the valet, I bring my engine alive and drive to the raunchy club uptown.
*
*
*
Third Person POV.
Anton had been watching and monitoring the trunk of events since he arrived in the United States.
David Truman thought he was wise.
Peter thought he could escape his clutches.
They thought wrong.
Anton managed to get the valet in Vera’s apartment complex to his side and tonight the man had informed him the precious mafia princess was left all alone.
Anton readied himself, beaming, and headed over to the club the Valet had given to him.
The instant he stepped in, he saw the unmistakable figure of Vera drinking mojitos at the bar.
In ten predatory strides, he reached the mafia princess.
“Hello, angel.” His deep voice echoed and Vera, who had been drinking, swiveled her head and their eyes clashed.
His beady, predatory green eyes boring into hers…
To be continued…