High Stakes (A Deal With The Devil)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Bella

I open the front door to my home, the one I grew up in. The last time I was here, I met JP looking all big and scary. If I’d have known then, what I know now, I would have walked straight back out, refusing to even listen to any of it. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

“Dad,” I call out, and he pops his head around the kitchen door looking surprised.

“Bella.” he says with a huge smile. He rushes over, wrapping me into a tight hug and it’s enough to send me over the edge. He pulls back, holding me at arm’s length. “What’s wrong?”

“It was all a lie, Dad. Aiden used me,” I whisper.

His hands fall from my shoulders, “He went through with it?”

I gasp. I didn’t think it would be possible to feel any more pain, but I was wrong. “No,” I murmur, shaking my head. “Please, Dad, tell me you weren’t in on this.”

“I thought he’d make you happy,” he rushes to tell me. “He said he wouldn’t let you get hurt.”

I crouch down, holding my hands to my aching chest whilst I sob uncontrollably. “How much?” I whisper.

“Bella, please believe me. I thought it would be a good idea because he’d get you away from me.”

I stand, “I thought, I thought,” I scream. “Well, you thought fucking wrong.” He takes a few steps back, tears filling his own eyes. “I have spent years caring for you when it should have been the other way around. You let me down,” I yell. It’s words I’ve been holding back for too long, and now I’ve started, they’re just pouring out. “So next time you think you’re doing me a favour, don’t.”

“I haven’t drunk since you left,” he whispers, like I should be proud.

“I don’t care,” I hiss. “I am done with you.” I pull my purse out of my bag. “In fact,” I say, “Have a drink on me.” And I throw a twenty at his feet. “Mum would have hated what you’ve become,” I whisper.

He reels back, my words cutting him like a knife. I don’t feel bad, he’s hurt me too much. The one person that is supposed to be there for me, and I can’t think of one time when he was. I leave him standing in the kitchen, clutching his chest, his silent tears spilling down his cheeks.

I walk around aimlessly for a long time. I’m aware that my mobile is ringing over and over, but I leave it in my bag, ignoring it. I can’t face talking to anyone that knows about any of this situation. I’m too humiliated and I feel so ashamed because I went through with it. How would I explain that?

I stop at Cal’s door. I don’t know how I’ve ended up here, it wasn’t a conscious decision. But I ring the doorbell anyway. He opens the door and his smile falters. I must look a state with swollen eyes and puffy cheeks, but he recovers quickly, forcing the smile again. “Hey, come in,” he urges, taking my bag from me.

I sit on the couch while he makes a coffee. When he returns, he sits opposite me and smiles kindly. “Okay, start at the beginning,” he says, relaxing back. And I do. It tumbles out from start to finish, and all the while, he stares wide eyed. When I finally finish, he takes a deep breath, releasing it slowly. “Wow.” He moves to the couch beside me and wraps me in his arms. “I don’t know what to say apart from he’s a scum bag.”

“I’m so sorry for just turning up like this. I couldn’t face anyone, but I also needed a friendly face.”

He gently rubs my back. “Anytime, Bella. You know that.”

“Personal trainer and therapist,” I joke, wiping my eyes.

He gives a sympathetic smile. “Look, relax, get some rest. I’ll make us some food. Get your head straight.”

I smile gratefully. “Thanks.”

He places a blanket over me before heading in the kitchen. I close my eyes. They feel so heavy, and it’s not long before I feel myself drifting off.

“Stay the hell away from her or I’ll kill you myself.” I wake with a start right as Cal is placing my mobile back on the table. He winces, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you, but your phone just kept ringing,” he explains.

I sit up, wrapping the blanket around me. “It’s the reason I didn’t go to Ari’s, he would have turned up there. ”

“Look, I’ve been thinking. How about you stay here?” I’m already shaking my head. “I have a spare room, Bella. It’s not a problem.”

“I can’t impose on you, Cal. It’s bad enough I turned up here after everything I did to you.”

He smirks, “I believe it was me doing it to you,” he teases, and I blush. “Jokes aside, I’ve always wanted a roommate. What have you got to lose.” The last time I agreed to this, I lost a lot, but I remain silent. “At least come and check the room out,” he adds.

We head down the hall and he pushes the door open, revealing a bright, freshly decorated room. “No one’s ever stayed in here,” he says. “It’s a blank canvas and you can put your own stamp on it.”

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

“Stay tonight and think about it. We can discuss rent tomorrow if you decide to take me up on the offer. No strings attached, Bella.” He gently rubs my arm. “I’ve put some leftovers in the fridge if you want them, help yourself. And try to get some more rest.”

I spend the next few days in hiding. I agreed to a trial run at Cal’s and after we settled on rent, I went back to my room, and I’ve hardly left since. I can’t eat, and every time I try, I just feel sick. I haven’t been to work and apart from the odd text to confirm I’m still alive, I haven’t spoken to Aria. I can’t face the questions I know she’ll fire at me the second she sees me.

There’s a light knock on the bedroom door and Cal pops his head in, just like every morning, he holds up a brown paper bag containing a pastry. “Breakfast?” he asks hopefully. I stop drawing and give a nod. “Thank god,” he says dramatically, “I’ve had to eat both pastries these last few days. It’s not good for my waistline.”

I follow him into the kitchen. “Are you supposed to eat this stuff in your line of work?” I ask.

He narrows his eyes playfully, “Are you judging me?”

I smile, “It makes me feel better when I see healthy people eat crap.”

“Hey, a little treat doesn’t hurt.” He slides one pastry to me and sits opposite me to tuck into his own. His eyes glance at the drawing pad beside me. “Can I see?” he asks. I nod, pushing it towards him and he flicks through. “These are amazing, Bella.”

“I love drawing,” I say, shrugging.

“But these designs are perfect, can you make them too?”

I nod. “Yeah, but Aria isn’t keen on taking her business in that direction. Orders can flood in, and she doesn’t like to over commit.”

“Have you thought about selling the designs?” I shake my head. “You could put these online. Have you got a website?” I shake my head again, smiling at how excited looks. “I can sort that. I’m serious, Bella. You have an amazing eye for this stuff, and I reckon brides would buy these to hand to their cake designers.”

I take the pad back and stare at my latest creation, “They are beautiful,” I mutter thoughtfully.

“And it would be good to have a focus,” he says, “Build a future. I got you something whilst I was out,” he adds, reaching for a bag. “It’s totally up to you, if you don’t want to use it, I won’t be offended, but I thought you could use a fresh start.”

I take the bag and warily look inside. “A mobile?” I ask, taking the new phone out.

“It’s a good way to start again. If he doesn’t have your number, and doesn’t know where you’re living, he can’t keep hassling you.”

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a great friend?” I almost whisper, feeling emotional.

Aide n

I stare at the empty bottle wondering how I drank it so fast. I wave to the bartender but JP steps in, shaking his head. “No more,” he says firmly.

I scoff, “You know what you are, JP?” I slur. “A fun sponge. Always there with your words of advice, telling me to sort my shit out.” I laugh at nothing in particular and point a finger in his direction. “Fun sponge.”

“I’ll take him upstairs,” says Laurie, wrapping a gentle hand around my arm. “Come on, baby,” she coos, and I shudder in repulsion. It’s not the first time she’s been waiting in the wings to drag me off upstairs, and I don’t exactly fight her off. Why would I? She’s all I deserve.

We stumble into the apartment, and I fall back on the couch, attempting to kick my shoes off. Laurie is there in a flash, grabbing my foot and easing it free. I take in the tight dress she’s wearing. Why is she always in red? “I’m starting to think you’re drinking so much to avoid me,” she says, removing my other shoe.

“It’s not working,” I muse, “Cos here you are again.”

“I’m worried about you. This is so unlike you.”

“You don’t know me,” I mutter, looking away. I stare at the blanket hanging over the back of the couch. The same blanket Bella used to wrap around herself whenever she fell asleep in this exact same spot, waiting for me to come home. I pull it closer and press it to my nose, inhaling deeply. Her scent is fading, and I hate that.

“I should wash that,” says Laurie making a grab for it. I hold it tighter, and she glares angrily. “This is not healthy, Aiden. Fuck, when are you going to pull yourself together?”

“Just go,” I mutter.

She sighs. “You’ll never move on if you keep drinking and laying with her damn blanket,” she snaps. “Let’s just get back to normal.” She runs her hand up my thigh, giving me a sexy smile. A few months ago, that would have worked. But now, all I can see is Bella and all I feel is guilt. It’s consuming, and the only time it eases a fraction, is when I’m wasted.

I tune back in to Laurie, realising that somehow, she’s pulled my trousers down to my thighs. “That’s it, baby. Focus on me,” she whispers seductively, gripping my cock.

I close my eyes and picture Bella. My beautiful Bella.

Bella

“It’s been a month,” Cal reminds me as I sit in the passenger seat of his car, across from the bakery. “Of course you feel anxious. But it’s normal.”

I give a stiff nod, gripping the door handle so tightly, my fingers hurt. “But what if he turns up?” I ask. I didn’t get a wink of sleep, which is making my anxiety about returning to work, ten times worse.

“He found out you were living at mine over a week ago according to Aria, and he hasn’t shown up yet.”

He’s right, I know he is, but I can’t help worrying. I’m not ready to face him, I don’t even know if I’m quite ready to see Aria face to face, which is shit, because she’s my best friend. “Aria isn’t going to grill you,” Cal adds, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze. “She’s fully up to date on everything and she’s just excited to have you back at work,” he says. I know he’s been updating Aria on my behalf, mainly to stop her worrying. But still, I know her too well and she’s going to ask questions.

“Okay,” I say, taking a deep breath, “I’ve got this.”

“You have,” he agrees.

I get out of the car, leaning back in, “Thanks, Cal, I appreciate you.”

He grins. “Go be a bad ass boss bitch. I’ll pick you up later.”

When I enter the shop, Aria squeals in excitement, and runs over, wrapping me in a hug. “I have missed you so much.”

I smile, “I’ve missed you too, Ari.”

She holds me at arm’s length and assesses me. “You’ve lost weight,” she notes .

“The joys of living with a PT,” I say, shrugging out of my coat. “Cal is a great cook, and he force feeds me vegetables.”

She takes my things from me and heads into the back room to hang them up. “Well, you look great, not that you needed to lose weight.”

I move behind the counter, running my hands over the cool glass. “It feels weird being back after so long off,” I say.

She returns, “It’s been so quiet without you. I saw the website, it looks great.”

I smile, “Yeah, it’s really happening isn’t it. I thought Cal was talking crap, but I’ve made some sales and even had a commission.”

She grins, “Oh my god, that’s amazing. Which brings me to a business proposition,” she says, and I eye her suspiciously, “Of sorts,” she adds, heading for the door and turning the sign to closed. “Let’s get a coffee and talk about it.” Aria never closes the shop, which just makes me more suspicious.

We sit out the back with a coffee and she takes a deep breath. “What if we made the wedding cakes?”

I frown, “The shop isn’t big enough, and the kitchen certainly isn’t. It wouldn’t work.”

“Next door is for sale,” she says, her eyes search my face for a reaction .

I laugh, “Have you won the lottery, and this is your way of telling me?”

“No.”

“Next door is a florist, Aria. It would cost a fortune to kit it out.”

“We could knock through,” she continues, ignoring me, “Extend the kitchen. Then have one side for the bakery and the other for wedding cakes.”

“Have you hit your head?” I ask, shaking my head with a smirk.

She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a crumpled piece of paper. “A few weeks ago, your dad came to see me.”

I inhale sharply, she’s caught me off guard and feel my anxiety dial up a notch. “He gave me this,” she adds, holding out the paper.

I shake my head. “Whatever it is, I don’t want it,” I snap, making no move to take it. She opens it out and I stare at the cheque, it’s signed Aiden Tremos, which instantly makes me feel sick. “What the fuck is this, Aria?” I snap.

“Your dad insisted that Aiden make the cheque to you,” she says.

I scoff, “That was good of him,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I’m on your side, Bella. Trust me, I told your dad exactly what I thought of him. But when I saw the amount of this, I took it, because you deserve it after what those fuckers did.”

“No amount of money will make it right,” I snap. “I don’t want anything from any of them. Accepting that cheque will make them feel better. But it won’t erase what they did.”

“You’re right,” she agrees. “It won’t. And maybe you taking it will ease their guilt, and we don’t want that because they deserve to feel bad. But this money could make such a difference in your life. You could buy the florist and make it yours. It will be your future.”

“Paid for by the man who has destroyed me,” I cry, feeling tears building.

“Exactly. Nothing will take away what he did. If you cash this, it doesn’t change anything except your opportunities. When will you ever get this chance again?”

I sigh heavily, “I feel so ashamed,” I whisper. “And it doesn’t matter what I do, I can’t shake it.”

“You did nothing wrong, Bella,” she says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

I side eye her, “Didn’t I? I slept with him. I knew his plan and I still went ahead. I could have stopped him at any time, but I chose to stay quiet.” My words come out on a choked sob .

“Sometimes we do things we wouldn’t usually do when we’re under extreme distress or pressure. You just found out his plan and it shook your world, you weren’t thinking.”

I shake my head angrily. “I’m as bad as him.”

“No you’re not,” she cries, “Don’t you dare blame yourself.”

“I wanted rid of my virginity.”

“Because it was causing you so much trouble. No wonder.”

“But I gave it to him,” I yell, “Why did I do that?”

She shrugs sadly, “I don’t know, Bella.”

“Because . . .” I sniffle, hating my next words, “Even after everything, I wanted him to get his stupid fucking club. He went to so much trouble, I thought how important it must be for him. So, I went through with it for him.”

“Oh Bells,” she whispers, hugging me harder. “You fell in love, no one can blame you for that.”

“I hate myself for giving a shit,” I sob.

“You can’t just turn your feelings off, even when they don’t deserve them.”

“JP?” I guess.

She shrugs, “I want to hate him,” she admits.

“Aria, please don’t avoid him because of me and Aiden. ”

“I can’t be with a man that supports that sort of behaviour,” she says firmly.

“Have you heard from him?” I ask, wiping my own eyes.

“Yeah. He’s got a lot on, and he seems to want to vent to me. Even when I make it clear I don’t care, or I don’t want to know. He said I’m the only one he can talk to about how he feels.”

“Pity he didn’t feel that way before,” I say, and she nods in agreement.

“If it helps, Aiden is totally off the rails. Drinking, not running the business.”

“Good,” I mutter. “I’m glad he’s suffering.” And I ignore the twist in my heart.

Cal picks me up and I fill him in about my first day back. And later, as we cook dinner together, I tell him about the cheque.

He glances up, his chopping knife held mid-air, “Shit, what did you say?”

“I didn’t take it,” I mutter, stirring the sauce. “I don’t want anything from him.”

“It’s your choice,” he says, frowning, “But I’m kind of on Aria’s side with this.” I stare open mouthed, and he shrugs, “You deserve that money.” I thought out of everyone, he’d be on my side.

“It’ll be like I’ve prostituted myself,” I tell him.

“He took it anyway, Bella. The least he owes you is the money he was paying your dad. And let’s face it, what will your dad spend it on? Booze most likely. You said you paid the mortgage and bills whilst you lived there, yet it’s all in his name. You won’t get any of that back, so see this as your return on the property.”

I smirk, “It doesn’t matter how I dress it up, it’s still money that Aiden paid dad for his part in the entire thing. And Aria wants me to buy the florist beside the bakery and open it as a wedding cake shop.”

“The what the hell are you waiting for? It’s a sign. Your future depends on it.”