Chapter 4 The Cliff

My thoughts drifted off to my ex-husband, Kevin. I remembered our last encounter at the edge of the cliff:

****Flashback****

I was at the edge of the cliff and like those suspensefully inane scenes you watch in the movies, it'd only take a shudder or maybe a shriek to topple me over to my ridiculous end. The one I have known to be my best friend, the one I bragged about to be the one that stick closer than a sister, watched me in triumph and appeared impatient to finish me off.

She slowly took menacing steps towards me and I had to stay frozen on my spot as my eyes settled on the man I'd said my vows to, watching nonchalantly like I wasn't at the verge of death. I didn't know it'd come to this, I was naive. What could I have done differently? How did I let it happen?

I had told myself time and time again that it wasn't my fault and I could swear I was indeed a good and a devoted wife but what I got in the end was beyond me.

Tara grabbed me on both arms, gave me a light kiss on my forehead and pushed me from off the cliff and there I was sinking into the valley with sealed lips and bundled body. It would have been better if I could let out all the screams I couldn't let out through my sealed lips, the regret, pain, and everything you could think of only had one outlet, it all found freedom with the tears that gushed and blurred my vision and I could only see the triumphant smirk from my husband and my best friend.

****End of Flashback****

I snapped out of my thoughts at his intense gaze on me and I looked away from him as he immediately brought my eyes back to his gaze.

"You don't wanna know how hideous I can get with you, trust me." He eyed my face as his eyes settled on my lips. He caressed it with his fingertips and then he moved away from me, stopped behind his huge desk and pushed a couple files in front of me to sign.

I walked to the desk and scanned the documents and quickly signed them. I didn't really want to know what it held in them because I wasn't as interested except for the fact that I've made that deal in my head to do this and I had signed away my strategy to carry on my life's purpose.

Aside from that, I didn't care or didn't want to care about anything else.

"Done." I mumbled as I looked up only to find his gaze on me.

He immediately circled away from his desk and suddenly claimed my lips in an intimidating kiss.

I wanted to push him off because of the way he came unto me but I reminded myself I signed up for this and subsequently, much more.

My frame was abruptly pushed up against the wall as he grabbed my hair to deepen the kiss, challenging me to respond and I did.

I let him pull me up against him circling my thighs around his torso, as he grabbed my butt which made me circle my arms around him to pry for extra support and when he plastered imprints of kisses on my neck, I was brought into a memory of being pushed down the cliff by my husband and my best friend, Tara.

I whimpered as if all my resolve had decided to cripple on me and I was left bare with no boundaries or shield to protect me and just then, it was almost as if he jerked away from me like I would hurt him.

He left me trying to control my breath as he cleaned his mouth like the exchange of saliva could kill him instantly. He shot a glare at me and I didn't fail to reciprocate and in came one of his bodyguards, except he looked more like his friend than a bodyguard.

"We need you downstairs Ethan." His friend said a little shocked at the sight.

Ethan quickly grabbed his jacket and walked past his friend. "Take her to her quarters."

Ethan stated and disappeared into the hallway.

I was practically left exasperated with his friend who looked like he was going to pass out at the sight of me. I quickly recollected myself and followed him to my quarters.

My space was exceptional and I loved it and much more because it reminded me of my old room.

"It's obvious you like it," Ethan's friend said from the door.

"I do." I stated.

"By the way, my name is Luke." He spoke nonchalantly.

I stared at him, "you look like a 'Luke' ". He chuckled and narrowed his eyes, "and you're Ana."

"Yes Luke, I'm Ana." He seemed to enjoy my responses because he decided to walk into the room fully and settle himself on the bed.

"How did you do that back there?" He asked.

"Do what?"

"Ya know, like being so fearless like you own the damn dog," he bit his lip and I just stood where I was contemplating an answer..

"Do I have to answer that?" I blurted.

"Oh no you don't but it'd be fair to clear my curiosity," he chuckled again, making me roll my eyes.

"Even Ethan almost froze with shock."

"He saw me?"

"Damn, the whole house did!" He stood and moved away from the bed, "and trust me, I was shocked to my bones too."

I didn't say anything as I watched him scurry to the door.

He looked back at me. "Whoever you are, you must be special to make Tommy wag his tail at you and special enough to make Ethan kiss you..," he smiled a bit.

"He never kisses his 'plaything' and believe me when I say your brave ass has also tickled my fancy and trust me, that's a plus but be careful." He shot the door behind him and I turned only to come face to face with my reflection in the mirror at the corner of the room.

It captured my whole frame and presented it to me like I was supposed to take in my frail appearance. I was obviously tired and worn out and it looked like no amount of abrupt rest would work, of course I'd be careful.

As I placed my head against the rim of the bathtub, the scented water made me relax my nerves and I was instantly brought back in time, and back to my husband Kevin. He'd prepared baths for me, we'd clicked glasses together in a bathtub and we'd made love whilst we swore to always be inseparable and to forever love each other.

I guess there are certain destinies that're fated for destruction. He went back on his words, he tried to kill me, no, he killed me alongside my best friend Tara.

Loud footsteps brought me back from my thoughts and I became alert but relaxed. I had left the door to the bathroom open, so it wouldn't take long for anyone who's in to catch the sight of my body buried in water. I didn't care if they looked or gawked, I was receptive enough to entertain their audience.

I met Ethan's eyes from where he stood, he looked tired if not exhausted. But I don't care about his expression or anything he felt.

"You must be having the time of your life seeing you gawk like that," I blurted and looked away. Before I could even register his actions, he rushed and grabbed my neck, obviously furious.

"You should've shut the fucking door!" He seethed.

His grip on my neck wasn't so tight, at least I could still breathe.