“He ripped Emily’s dress.” The words come out stilted and angry. “I wanted to kill him.” I rake my hand through my hair followed by a loud groaning sound.
“Louis, calm down. I don’t know what you’re trying to say.”
My chest is heaving, and I’m sure there’s steam coming out of my ears. “Yves. He fucking touched Emily.”
“What the fuck?” Daniel fumes on the other end of the phone. “What happened?”
“I’d gone to the bathroom, but on the way out, someone pulled me into a conversation, and Emily had come looking for me. She was in the garden searching. But… fuck… I left her alone, Daniel. I thought she’d be safe. I didn’t think…” My words become louder as I pace the room.
“What the hell is he playing at?”
“He’s fucking with me.” Now I sound paranoid. Why would he screw me over like he did?
“You might be right,” Daniel comments sadly. “Remember a while ago before everything happened when I told you that Yves seemed jealous of you, of your success, of your life.” It was an interview Yves gave just before I found him with Elisabeth where he told the magazine that his dream was to be me. I shrugged Daniel’s comments about the article away at the time because I was flattered he thought so highly of me. But now? Now I see he was telling the world that he wanted to be me and not a copy of me but actually me.
“But he has it all now.”
“Maybe having it all hasn’t fulfilled him the way he thought it would,” Daniel adds. “Maybe he wants more.”
“How much more does he want? He has my wife, my career, my home.”
“Maybe it’s not about having the physical things, maybe he enjoys the chase even more.”
“And now he wants Emily?” I sink onto my bed and look at the floor.
“Judging by what you’re saying happened in the garden, he must.”
“Fuck,” I yell.
“She was so scared, Daniel. It took me ages to get Emily to stop shaking. I can’t put her through this. She’s innocent.”
“You want me to fire her over this?” he asks angrily.
“What? No!”
“Good. Because one, it would be an HR nightmare, and two, a PR nightmare and three, she’s great at her job. Plus, I’ve heard that you experimented with color recently.”
Of course, he did. Damn Gabriel.
“What has that got to do with anything?” Daniel chuckles at my defensiveness.
“Just saying it’s interesting.”
I frown at him even though he can’t see me, and I don’t comment.
“Anyway, look… I think Emily is perfect for the job. I’ll make sure we beef up security, that you don’t attend any events where Yves will be, and if we have to, I will give Emily a bodyguard. The best way to mess with this little prick is to show him you’re the real man and to bury him in your art. Your exhibition needs to be your best work yet.” A small groan falls from my lips at the stress he’s putting on me. “I’m not trying to put any more pressure on you, Louis, but…” He lets the words hang.
“But you want me to fuck his shit up as much as I want to fuck his shit up!”
This makes Daniel chuckle. “Yeah, pretty much.”
A smile forms on my face for the first time all evening.
“Nothing like revenge to fuel creativity,” I joke.
25
Emily
The music is pumping, the lights in the club are strobing, and I have started to sway. Is there a smoke machine? Why can’t I feel my lips? I don’t think I’ve drunk that much, have I? I stumble amongst the crowd. Where did my friends go?
“Stupid drunk bitch,” someone hurls in my direction.
“I’m not drunk,” I slur back. Oh shit, maybe I am.
“Are you okay?” a male voice asks.
“Um, no. I… I don’t feel so well.”
“Let’s get you some fresh air.” I feel arms wrap around me, the kind voice is helping me, and it makes me feel safe. My body sags against his hard body. My legs begin to wobble, but I’m able to make it with his help.
I hear a door creak open, and then the cool night air is against my face, which feels divine. My blood feels like it’s on fire, bubbling underneath my numb skin. We keep moving even though we are outside.
“Where are we going?”
“I’m just taking you somewhere more comfortable.” I nod my head, which is pounding. I could use a nap.
Everything’s dark. I’m being tugged. I feel a hard body against mine. My hands try and push them away, but they just laugh.
“I’ve wanted you for so long, Emily. I knew one day you would notice me.” The voice filters through the darkness, a breeze blows across my skin, my vision starts to return, but my head hurts while I begin to struggle as I start to come to.
“Get off me,” I scream, but it sounds like I’m in a tunnel. “Get off me! What are you doing?” I feel more tugging at my clothing.
“You’re mine, Emily. Mine.”
I wake up with a start, my body is laced in sweat, and my heart is pounding. I haven’t had a nightmare about my attack in years. Obviously, tonight has brought it all back up. I jump out of bed and make my way into the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. I look like shit. My eyes are red raw from crying, and my face is splotchy.
I need a drink or two to get back to sleep.
Making my way downstairs in the darkness, the house is quiet, there’s no staff around because Louis gave them all the weekend off. My feet pad on the cool tiles, the only light coming in is via the moon. I make it into the kitchen and scream.
“Emily!” The male voice echoes through the darkness.
I scream loudly and fall to the floor, pulling my knees up to my chest.
“Shit, Emily.” Louis is in front of me, but
