Surrendered: A Collection of Five Works Read online

  If the concierge felt any irritation at the request, he didn’t show it despite the growing number of people who still required his attention. It was not that Vitoria doubted his ability, but she wished with all her heart that a simple mistake had been made. Graham had assured her that all the arrangements for their honeymoon had been made and confirmed. For the second time, in the space of a few days he had let her down. Pull it together she scolded herself. An adventure of sorts, is how she told herself she would look at it.

  ”I am really sorry ma’am, there is no reservation under the name of Randal or Bloomwood, and the hotel is fully booked. We don’t have any rooms avai …” he began, but after seeing the despondent look on her face, he quickly amended what he was about to say to, “But I’ll see what I can do for you. If we are lucky there will be a cancelation …” he said injecting a note of cheerfulness in his voice.

  Vitoria thought that very unlikely especially with the state of her luck at present, but she acknowledged his kindness gratefully. She still wore the effects of her abandoned wedding like an ill-fitting shoe. Hers had to be the worst wedding day ever in history. Her husband-to-be was already married, a fact she and all her family and friends had only found out in the nick of time. And, married to her stalker.

  This was supposed to have been the first day of her honeymoon and a new life full of happy possibilities. Now, here she was, on her honeymoon husbandless, away from home and without a bed to sleep. A convention was in town and the hotel - being the only reputable hotel in town – was filled to capacity. Once again she was left standing and all alone, and now in a town she did not know and where nobody knew her. What she needed, Vitoria decided, was a strong drink. She looked around the reception area to find the way that pointed in the direction of the bar.

  Luke drummed his fingers on the table and impatiently waived the waiter away for the fifth time in the space of two hours. She was late and this was not a reassuring sign. This was not the way he would have gone about things. His sister Emma (God bless her) despite her quirky ways had his best interests at heart. If it was not for the affection he had for her or the desperate situation in which he found himself, he certainly would never have agreed to this unorthodox kind of meeting. Think of it more as having a casual conversation than a job interview, Emma had unhelpfully advised. After a string of unsuitable candidates pushed forward by the recruitment agency, he had no choice but to give this meeting a chance. The fact that this had all the markings of a blind date instead of a job interview did not fail to escape his notice.

  If he didn’t stop looking at the door every twenty seconds, he was in danger of looking as though he had developed a crick in his neck. It was the second last thing he needed. The first last thing he felt like doing was to interview a manager for his book business – Books Right Here - in one of the most popular bars in town where every hour seemed like happy hour. Despite it being in the middle of the day, the place was buzzing with activity. Desperation called for desperate measures. Luke gave out an audible sigh and looked over his shoulder towards his right for the umpteenth time. He’d give it another few minutes and then call it a day.

  Luke looked up a little startled at the woman making his way towards him. She looked more like she was on holiday than attending a job interview, even if it was to be a casual one. This did not bode well he thought alarmed. He would have easily placed her as a tourist, were it not for the giveaway detail – the rich auburn mane of curls cascading down her shoulders. It was her, it had to be. He had been told to look out for a ‘stunning beauty with a mop of glossy reddish brown curls’, those were the exact words he was to go on. But why was she carrying an incongruous purple suitcase that was very hard to ignore?

  Puzzled but smiling nonetheless he stood up as she made her way over towards him, looking decidedly out of sorts and with her thoughts miles away. Knowing that this was his last chance at snapping up an experienced employee he planned on making the most charming first impression he was capable of.

  Tugging her suitcase behind her, Vitoria made her way determinedly to the bar when a bronze muscular arm shot out and stopped her.

  “I’m over here,” said a male voice in a dulcet tone. Opting to give the man a mouthful, Vitoria turned her eyes away from the golden hand that was placed on her upper arm and looked up into intelligent warm hazel colored eyes. She looked up in surprise at the face that stared down at her. Hair that was the color of honey framed a face that could have been sculpted by a master craftsman of ancient Greece. It was that devastatingly charming smile that lit up the stranger’s eyes that stilled her resolve and she found herself taking the seat opposite him.

  “You must be Julie,” the tone was deep and rich. ”At long last! I was beginning to despair that we were never to meet. But seeing as you are finally here, you won’t mind us getting down to business right away?”

  Vitoria was just about to set him straight when his last words “I’ve already ordered us drinks,” had her glued to the chair opposite him. Why not, she thought, she could use that drink and he had an unnerving effect on her, an effect that was pleasant if she was honest with herself.

  “I know that this is a little unusual, but I prefer the laid back approach,” Luke continued without giving Vitoria any opportunity to get a word in. “To tell you the truth, I find people reveal more about who they really are when they are at ease.”

  I have to be careful not to get drunk thought Vitoria.

  For the next ten minutes he rambled on, but Vitoria barely heard him. Her mind was completely absorbed in trying to make sense of the surprising situation she had landed herself in. Snippets of ‘cash flow analysis’ and ‘tax records’ broke fleetingly into her consciousness. Her normally intelligent brain refused to engage in what he was saying; neurons misfiring.

  Who was this ‘Julie’ he kept mentioning? And why did he make eye contact with her every time he said this name?

  “Is this all acceptable Julie?” he asked looking emphatically at her, “do you have any questions for me, any additional information?”

  Silence.

  Vitoria noticed his mouth had stopped moving and he was looking intensely at her. Was she required to say something?

  She found that she could not take her eyes off his lips and wondered what it would be like to kiss them. What would it be like to have those strong arms wrapped around her? Whoa. What was happening to her?

  “Julie?” he prompted once again, a little louder this time.

  Oh good, he hadn’t noticed her psychotic behavior. She breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Yes. Uh … no. I mean yes to acceptable and no to any questions,” was all she heard herself say.

  She had no idea to what she had just agreed to but it was time she practiced more spontaneity and embraced life instead of mapping out her life with the precision of a commander planning a war strategy. Wasn’t that what she was always being told? Her best friend Jane kept harping on about how she needed to bring about change if she didn’t want old ways repeated. Wasn’t this just the perfect opportunity to just say yes? After all, what did she have to lose? A lot if the real Julie ever showed up came a warning from deep within. Yet something told her that this man would be very hard to say no to. He was already having a decidedly strange impact on her. And it was not just his undeniably Prince Charming good looks. There was a magnetic warmth and energy about him that made her feel protected and safe. It felt like being home.

  “Good. Excellent. I’m glad to hear it. And you start immediately of course.”

  Start? What have I got myself into she thought in silent alarm.

  “Oh and I know you’re new to the area,’ he said eyeing the bright purple suitcase so I thought I’d just mention that accommodation can be arranged if you want. I have an apartment available immediately for use if you have made no other arrangements yet, that is.”

  Lady Luck is back on my side thought Vitoria, giving herself a metaphorical high five.

  “Sounds simpl
y perfect,” she smiled her gratitude; the crystal unicorn pendant around her neck caught the light and winked in agreement.

  Luke hesitated for a second before saying soberly, “Norma told me about what happened. I am very sorry.” The gentleness of his voice sent shivers through her. “You don’t mind starting work so soon?”

  Vitoria was grateful for the sentiment but knew there was no possible way he could know, unless this Norma was … But no, she could not possibly be Graham’s …

  “Actually this is a welcome the opportunity. This is what I need right now.” At long last a moment of truth. The determination in her voice must have convinced him because he just nodded his head in understanding.

  Luke had just given Vitoria last minute instructions and was about to say goodbye Vitoria caught a woman smiling in their direction, waved and headed towards them.

  “Luke!” she greeted happily giving him a hug and a peck on the cheek, “I was just passing when I saw you through the window and thought I’d stop and say hello.”

  “How fortuitous,” Luke grinned at the newcomer, “let me introduce you as I’m sure I am not the one you wanted to say hello to.”

  “Julie, meet Emma, my incorrigible sister.”

  Vitoria was about to extend a hand and a hello when she was pulled into a warm bear hug.

  “It’s lovely to meet you. I am so glad you could make it. It looks like all went well?” she gushed turning to look at Luke for confirmation. Her voice had a genuineness to it that melted any reservations Vitoria had had. She thought that Emma had all the markings of a fairy godmother, looks included. Whereas Luke had slightly wavy hair, Emma’s head was full of curls. She was a head shorter than Luke and had the same vibrant energy about her as her brother.

  Proving herself to be something like a fairy godmother, Emma took Vitoria in for the night.

  “You don’t want to be alone on your first night here, my dear, all alone in a strange town. You can get settled in tomorrow. Besides, I have roast chicken with baby potatoes and fresh peas planned for tonight’s dinner. And you look like you could do with a home cooked meal. And I could do with some company,” she looked meaningfully at her brother.

  “You’re in for trouble there,” said Luke giving Vitoria a conspiratorial wink.

  “You’re welcome to join us for dinner, too, Luke,” invited Emma.

  Vitoria felt herself eagerly awaiting his response, silently willing him to say yes. She held her breath avoiding looking directly at Luke.

  “As much as I would love to have the company of two such charming ladies, prior engagement dictates. Rain check, sis?” said Luke giving his sister a goodbye kiss on the cheek. “Till tomorrow Julie” he said waving goodbye.

  Vitoria decided she was going to accept and enjoy Emma’s motherly nature for the moment. She could do with a bit of being fussed over. It was in times like these when she missed her mom the most. But she didn’t plan on being mollycoddled forever. She still planned on carving out a new path for herself. To do this she needed time away from home and the humiliating memories that were very much a commanding presence there. Besides being here, where nobody knew who she was or her sham of a wedding day, would give her the space and time to plan the next man-free phase of her life. Here there was no judgment and pitying looks.

  But when she thought about the deception she was carrying out with her pretense of being someone else, she almost had a change of mind and heart. These were good people. They did not deserve being lied to – it was a heinous repayment for the kindness shown to her. And what would Luke think of her if he found out she lied to him and the sister it was evident he was so close to and thought the world of? It was too distressing to think about. She just had to make sure that he did not find out and that she did not jeopardize this temporary reprieve from her past.

  Luke was right about one thing though, Vitoria thought as she made her way to Emma’s kitchen for dinner. She was in trouble if the delicious aroma that wafted from the kitchen was anything to go by. Gone would be the carefully-thought out diet she had planned on. Over diner Emma regaled her with stories of hers and Luke’s childhood. They had lost their mother at a very young age to cancer. Emma was 12 at the time and Luke, eight. Their father was lost in grief, so it fell to Emma to take care of Luke. It was in the tone of her voice whenever she spoke of Luke, and the soft expression that overcame her face that told of her devotion to him.

  “He was a handful, make no mistake,” she said an indulgent smile lighting up her face. “But he always had the most disarming smile, even the hardest of hearts couldn’t resist.”

  After a moment’s silence, a little sadness clouded her face and she closed her eyes as if silencing some inner pain.

  “It was very hard to witness the end of his marriage. It almost destroyed him. Luke is a one-woman man. He blamed himself for his ex-wife’s infidelities. But when it became clear that there was no changing her ways, he had to admit defeat and let her go. The end of his marriage took its toll, no doubt about that.”

  The pain in Emma’s voice was evident and Vitoria’s heart went out to both Emma and Luke for the pain they experienced. “How long ago was this?” Vitoria’s voice was so soft that even she questioned whether she had voiced the thought out loud.

  “Almost eight years ago. If he has ever thought about another woman, I don’t know anything about it. He keeps those matters quite close to his heart now. I pray that one day he finds that happiness he deserves.”

  “And what of your happiness? You never married?” Vitoria asked ignoring her cup of coffee that felt ice cold. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what made me ask that. It’s none of my business.”

  “No, no, it’s alright. My life is an open book. Ask anyone,” she gave Vitoria a reassuring smile laying a hand over the younger woman’s. “I was engaged once, a long time ago.” Emma took a moment, lost in a past memory before she spoke again. “But he died in a car accident a month before we could marry. Michael was my one true love. I was glad, even though it was a short while, that we found each other in this life time. He gave me memories I will cherish until my dying breath. I have no regrets.” She got up to fetch a picture frame from a shelf behind her, handing it to Vitoria.

  It was a picture of a younger Emma looking adoringly at a handsome man in a mechanic’s uniform.

  “Then I am happy, too, that you have known such love. Yours is a story that many will not know.” Vitoria couldn’t help but think of her own life and her ruined chances of a married life.

  This had been one of the most pleasant of evenings she had had in a very long time thought Vitoria when ensconced snugly in Emma’s guest bedroom. She was grateful that Emma had not asked her about her own story. She had managed to forget all about Graham for an entire evening. She was once again overcome by guilt over the deception she had created. There were a few times during the course of dinner, she almost blurted out the truth to Emma. But she knew there was no good enough reason to explain why she hadn’t set matters straight immediately. No, even if she came clean now, she had still deceived them, a fact that could not be easily explained away. She would just have to continue with the charade until she was ready to leave. That would have to be soon if her new found friends were not to be deceived or hurt any longer than was necessary. It was with such a troubled mind that Vitoria fell asleep.

  If Vitoria was honest with herself, she had not been so sure Graham was the one. It was only after the fourth time that he had asked her did she decide to accept his proposal. He had been very persistent and perhaps deep down she was flattered by being pursued which made her accept him.

  As the days to her wedding grew nearer, Vitoria began to have deep forebodings about marrying Graham. But she put it down to the natural feelings of doubt every bride felt before her wedding day. More strangely she began to suspect she was being followed. It began very slowly at first but then the occurrences got too frequent to be unrelated. She kept seeing the same woman at even the most unlikely places. D
ark hair cropped short, eyes too close together, and small mouth. The prominent nose and sharp features made her ironically noticeable. It was the look in the woman’s eyes that had always bothered her, haunting her thoughts.

  On the one hand she credited herself for her sixth sense. She had known she was being stalked. It had not been a figment of her imagination but after the truth had come out, she had wished it was. The face had haunted Vitoria for weeks. In her sleep, in the traffic, down the street, the severely cut dark hair, sky blue colored eyes that sat too close to each other and a haunted determined look in the eyes.

  On the other hand why hadn’t she trusted her instincts and not agreed to marry Graham?

  It turned out that her stalker was Graham’s wife, Janet, still legally married to him and whom he conveniently forgot to mention.

  At the altar, just before they say their vows, Graham had twitched about a little uncomfortably but she had put that down to nerves at time. Didn’t she herself feel a little overwhelmed and in disbelief at where she found herself? So fully was she consumed with her thoughts and feelings that she was unaware as to the exact moment when the priest had started speaking. When Father Peter asked the question, ‘If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together’ not for one moment did Vitoria expect an ‘I object to this wedding’.

  All eyes then turned to settle on … her stalker,

  “Graham is already married … to me,” said a shrill voice.

  No denial from Graham, just guilt and embarrassment etched all over his handsome face. Vitoria needed no further proof that what the woman had said was true. The hurt and betrayal she felt was accompanied by a relieving sense of freedom. She felt as though she had stepped away from the edge of a cliff just in time.