tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80623749076674146872024-02-21T03:21:39.029-08:00Morning Story GloryWhen all you really want is a fairy taleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger108125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-73702982783884348382015-06-05T13:49:00.000-07:002015-06-05T14:18:50.249-07:00Hope & Glory <div style="text-align: center;">
Chapter Two<br />
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<i>Brunette</i></div>
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The brunette was a pain in his backside for sure. He saved her arse and she barely acknowledged his good deed, not that he was expecting a medal or anything, but come on. He could have been hit by that frickin' truck but did she seem to give a shit? Not really. Why it bothered him so much, he didn't know. He should have seen the tell tale signs that she was going to faint, thankfully he had good reflexes to catch her before she did further damage and cracked her skull on the pavement. He hoisted her in his arms and flagged a taxi. Laying her gently on the back seat and retrieving her bag from the pavement, they made their way to the hospital. He pulled out his phone from his back pocket and texted to cancel his appointment with the suppliers. Fuck! It had taken him months to get an appointment with them and it was all shit, he hoped to reschedule but right this very moment he had to get this matter sorted. He looked at the brunette sprawled in front of him. Her brown hair was matted against her face, it was a bloody hot day. He leaned forward and moved the hair away from her face and was struck by how angelic she looked. He hadn't expected it. When he'd seen her cross the road into oncoming traffic, he was coming out of his apartment and it was like everything had gone in slow mo. </div>
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He'd raced across the goddamn road like he was the fuckin' Flash and was hoping he'd get to her in time. Thinking about it now, he'd watched her close her eyes and the alarm bells were going off. What the fuck? Who wanted to end up like moosh on the road? She did, obviously. He looked at her, her complexion pale and noticed the dark circles smudged under her eyes. Reminding him of when he used to sport a few of those back at school. Something just didn't sit right. He delved into her handbag and retrieved her phone, thankful there wasn't a pass code to access it and stowed that away for later. </div>
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The taxi driver heralded their arrival at the hospital and he paid the fair and hoisted her in his arms once again and strode in and immediately he put her on the gurney that miraculously appeared out of no where and she was being moved from out of his sight. The nurse was barrelling a bunch of questions his way, most of it he shrugged. </div>
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"She almost got hit by a truck," he offered, "And then she collapsed right after. I don't know her name."</div>
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"Are you her boyfriend?" the nurse asked, as if the fact he was a man and had brought her in clarified that. </div>
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"Like I said, I was just there. I have her phone, I can give her family, friends or whatever a call." </div>
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The nurse nodded and disappeared. He hung back for a while and then went out to make a call. </div>
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Irish scrolled through the brunette's log to find 'Prick of a Boyfriend' all down her list. She had a sense of humour at least. He dialled and waited. The phone rang and rang and he was ready to hang up when a man's voice appeared on the other end. </div>
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"Hope, let me tell you straight from my heart, I never wanted you to find out this way, it was never my intention... Hope, you there?" </div>
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"This isn't Hope," Irish said into the phone. </div>
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"Who is this?" Tony asked. </div>
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"That's none of your business... you don't get to ask the questions here. Who is this?" Irish asked. </div>
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"Her boyfriend, what's happened? Where's Hope?" </div>
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"She's in the hospital, she almost got hit by a lorry and then she collapsed," Irish stated.</div>
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"Which hospital are you in? Shit. God, I've got to call work and tell them I won't be able to make it in," Tony rambled down the phone. </div>
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"UCL," Irish replied and the line went dead. </div>
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Irish went to wait in doors. He replied to emails and told his business partner he would be late in and would explain later. Half an hour or so later, a man rushed in and headed straight to reception. </div>
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"My girlfriend was brought in, her name is Hope Chambers. Where is she?" the man gasped. </div>
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Irish held back, taking into account the way he dressed. Tweed or Cord trousers in an insane maroon colour and a blazer. His hair was cut like he studied English Literature in some badly lit library in God knew where. Not what he was expecting at all, it was worse. He stood up to make his way over to Tony and then he legged it to the examination room without care or feeling. Irish followed slowly behind. He gave Tony credit for being fast but 'stupid', he'd have to see. </div>
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"Get away from me! I don't want anything from you... don't even touch me!" she screamed and Irish rushed to where he heard her yell. As he approached, so did the doctor and before he could ask, the doctor beat him to it. </div>
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"What's going on?" </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-3278645475702810232015-06-04T17:11:00.000-07:002015-06-05T14:19:09.318-07:00Hope & Glory<div style="text-align: center;">
Chapter One</div>
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<i>Shock</i></div>
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Hope willed herself to hold back the tears. She was tired of crying, her eyes feeling sore and dry and her head ached from little to no sleep. She walked slowly out of the tube station, her heart racing a million miles per hour. How was she going to cope today? She wanted to curl up and die, that's how bad it was. She looked straight ahead of her, the busy junction she had to bypass to get to the other side where her job as an administrator was located. All she saw was that incident. It played over and over in her mind, scarring her. She wanted to cry, she wanted to scream and above all she wanted to beg him to choose her. How could he? Saturday had been the shock of a lifetime and Sunday was made worse knowing her relationship and her life with the man she thought she would marry and spend the rest of her life with, was well and truly ca put. She rubbed her forehead and winced. She just noticed the sun was out and it was warm, even though she felt cold and empty. Hope had slept passed the alarm this morning, she'd forgotten her oyster card and had to buy a paper ticket and that was the first of many problems. And she didn't want to even contemplate the rest. At this point, it was all still a shock. She wanted to at least make it through the day and go home and try to make some semblance of her shattered existence. </div>
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Hope's first mistake was stepping onto the road. She felt like a zombie or was it a puppet. She was being strung along and had been for however long it had been for an affair to take place. Oblivious to the oncoming traffic and the sounds of horns honking. Her feet carried herself across the junction and as she reached the middle of the street to look up, she froze - on the spot. The horror of the driver's face was clear to see because the lorry he was driving was coming towards her, she prepared for impact. Hoping it would end her misery. She closed her eyes, expecting this. Gearing for pain, she felt the air leave her lungs as she hit the curb of the pavement with a thud instead.</div>
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"Have you got a fucking death wish or something?" an Irish accent filled her senses. </div>
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She opened her eyes to see a pair of brown eyes staring right back at her.</div>
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"You could have fucking died? What's the matter with you? Didn't you hear them horns?" He stared at her, the glare of hatred emanating from his eyes. </div>
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Hope tried to sit up but she winced, her side was throbbing from the impact of hitting the pavement or the guy lying on top of her. She pushed him off her and that mere movement made her side burn.</div>
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"What's the matter, ain't you got a tongue?" he said, now on his knees.</div>
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Hope retrieved her things, scattered on the pavement around her. Her manager was going to kill her for being late, she didn't even want to know what the time was. At this rate, if she made it into work at all, she was going to suffer the wrath of her manager, that was for sure. She wanted a new job, she just didn't fit in at work. At this rate, she was ready to move country if she could. Knowing that Tony had slept with her best friend in their bed, had tainted everything she held sacred. She no longer wanted to stay there...</div>
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"I'm talking to you," Irish said, "Are you paying attention? Are you on drugs or something?" </div>
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Hope got up slowly, not considering answering his questions and limped towards work. </div>
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"Are you a bleedin' idiot or something?" Irish exclaimed, as he grabbed a hold of Hope's arm and spun her around to face him, "I don't like to talk to someones back, especially as I saved your arse from a collision!"</div>
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Hope looked at his bare arm, it was muscular with a dusting of hair and his rolled up sleeves and the expression of annoyance written all over his face. Was it annoyance or just plain anger, she couldn't decipher but she didn't have the energy. <br />
He shrugged her, shaking her like a rag doll. The motion rattling her insides and causing commotion in her head. She tried to open her eyes but everything suddenly became hazy and did she see stars? The numbness in her fingers felt like she'd been sitting on them, a pins 'n' needles sensation spreading from her fingers shooting down her arms and then she saw black. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-50235825438721800812012-11-25T04:21:00.000-08:002012-11-25T04:21:01.935-08:00Amber's Advocate<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Epilogue</u></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
A Perfect Fit</div>
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Amber stared at the stick in her trembling hands, her heart in her mouth, her mouth as dry as sawdust. She blinked and stared back at the two prominent stripes on the pregnancy test... she was pregnant. Pregnant. How could this be? Of course, she knew about the birds and the bees... she knew how women got pregnant, a giggle suddenly erupting from her lips and shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't believe it, her legs wobbled and she sat down on the toilet seat, stick in one hand whilst the other clasped her head. </div>
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"What's that?" Cade said leaning against the door frame. Her kind wonderful Cade- the man who had rescued her seven months ago and who had persuaded her to move into his apartment as soon as they got back to London. Worry now etched his face. He strode over to her and took her face in his hands, "What's the matter Amber? Is something wrong?" He whispered, his hands caressing her face as if that would somehow magically produce an answer. </div>
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"I'm pregnant Cade, I'm pregnant," Amber whispered. </div>
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Cade closed his eyes and Amber's heart sank, he didn't want it... he didn't want the baby. The tears, she was trying to fight back, now prickling her eyes. She squeezed her eyes shut, before they could escape. </div>
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"That's the best news I've heard since you said you would move in with me Amber, the best news. I'm going to be a dad... hey hey..." he lifted her chin to look at her shut eyes, misinterpreting her feelings, "I won't do anything to hurt you... I would never do anything to you or our baby, I love you... you have to believe me Amber." </div>
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Amber laughed and shook her head, "No, I wasn't thinking that at all... I just didn't know whether you wanted a baby at all." </div>
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"Oh honey, I want as many babies with you as possible... I love you so much, you are the best thing in my life..." he got up, kissed her and said, "Stay here one moment, okay? I'll be two secs." </div>
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Amber looked up in confusion, but the feeling didn't last as Cade was back and this time on bended knees, a velvet box in his hands, "What are you doing?" </div>
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Cade laughed, "Not the kind of thing a guy wants to hear when he's about to propose to his beautiful girlfriend but hey, there's a first for everything." </div>
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"You're going to propose?" Amber said in shock. </div>
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"I had this monologue planned but I can't remember it, sometimes I forget things when you're staring at me like that but you have to know Amber, that I will do everything in my power to make you the happiest woman that ever lived. To me, you're my everything and please be my wife. I want to take care of you and our child you're carrying. Say yes." </div>
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"No," Amber said. </div>
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Cade shook his head, "I understand, it's too early to ask." </div>
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Amber giggled and leaned forward and kissed him, "No silly... what I meant to say was yes... yes I'll marry you... of course..." </div>
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Cade exhaled and kissed her. </div>
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"Can I see the ring?" Amber asked. </div>
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Cade smiled and opened the velvet box to reveal the most exquisite ring Amber had ever seen, a cluster of diamonds and rubies with a nestled diamond in the middle. Cade smiled to himself, as he heard Amber exhaled. He slipped the ring onto her finger, a perfect fit. She was his perfect fit. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-43202515750449719062012-10-03T08:47:00.001-07:002012-10-03T08:47:55.349-07:00Amber's Advocate<div align="center">
<u>Chapter Nineteen</u></div>
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Awake</div>
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</div>
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"You really ought to have waited for back up," Detective Chase stood out of the way, as Cade was being examined by nurse in one of the stalls. In his struggle to get to Amber, he had incurred lacerations, scrapes and cuts- but neither bothered him, his main goal he accomplished - he'd gotten to her. </div>
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"Y'know how I feel about waiting," Cade responded, "Not when her life was hanging in the balance."</div>
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"I could have had you arrested Cade for trespassing, for breaking and entering, for interfering... " Detective Chase counted on his fingers. </div>
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"Have me arrested then, I don't really care. As long as she's safe and in protective custody... I don't give two fucks about me," Cade winced, as the nurse appalled cream to his cuts.</div>
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"In other circumstances I probably would, but you saved my life... I'll see to it that no charges are put against you. You know, we could really use someone like you on the force," Detective Chase replied, "You've got instinct, which is important and hard to find..." </div>
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"If I need a new perspective, I'll let you know," Cade replied, "What say you of Rick?"</div>
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"The bullet you put in him, pierced a lung... his condition is critical but he's stable but who knows, I'm not God, but one less evil person on this earth the better. I have two of my best men on either side of his door, in case some ass hole decides they want to come and rescue the bastard, you never know the crazies here. I'm not taking my chances with having him let out," Detective Chase said, the bite in his words obvious. </div>
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Cade winced as the nurse bandaged his forearm; when the blade of Stan's knife cut through him whilst he tried to get to an unconscious Amber. He couldn't forget the blood pooling around her like she was adrift in a bloody red sea. Her blood, not theirs. That made him angry. Her face had been ashen and lifeless. And he remembered the gut wrenching feeling, the knots in his stomach when he saw her. He didn't want to feel that again. The paramedics who had gotten there had said, if she had waited a few minutes longer, she would surely not have made it. The nurse dismissed him and he limped to the floor and made his way to the hall. Detective Chase followed as they walked into the corridor of the hospital. </div>
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"She's in Intensive Care, room eight if that's where you're heading? I have three officers standing outside your room. They won't give you grief, rest assured - they know who you are but they'll shoot to kill if anyone so much as tries to get to her," Detective Chase said, as if reading his mind, "I'll be in to check on her later to get her statement." </div>
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"So what happens to Rick?" Cade paused mid-step. </div>
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"It looks like he'll be thrown in jail indefinitely without parole. I'm working with a couple of my officers to understand how he managed to get out and it's much bigger then we imagined. I definitely have a hunch on some big wigs being involved. Just so you know Cade, Rick's going to prison and he'll rot there, you have my word and his accomplice too. Take care of yourself and I'll be in to see her later," Detective Chase said walking the opposite direction. </div>
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Cade entered the Intensive Care Wing of the hospital and noticed immediately the three security officers to room eight. She was protected. One person on either side of the door and one facing him head on. He limped towards her door and wasn't stopped by the security guards, they obviously knew him and even stepped out of the way as he turned the handle of the door and limped like Chase had said. There were bouquets of flowers everywhere, an up lighter was in the corner of the room, spreading a warm glow. Amber was lying in the bed, her eyes closed. She had been stripped to hospital scrubs, a blue dress shirt, her hair like flames around her face. Her arm was linked to an IV and she was motionless. The colour of her skin, not as ashen the last time he saw it. There was evidence of colour there, that he was glad. He took a seat next to her bed and clasped her hand in his, it was lukewarm to the touch. He'd almost lost her. He wouldn't know what he would have done if he had lost her, that, he didn't want to think about. </div>
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Holding her hand and knowing she was going to make it, was reassuring. There was hope at the end of the long black tunnel. They'd gone through hell in the time they'd known each other, the bad times outnumbered the good but he was staying, there was no way anyone or anything was going to get rid of him. No way. He could focus on the good times they shared already and work on having more- that's what you did when you loved someone, you were willing to take the risk, throwing caution to the wind. He'd waited so long for a person like her, when some men may be put off by her baggage and her state of mind, it had motivated him to help her, push her in the right direction, the direction to heal, how could he just abandon her when she needed him the most. Love could do that to you and boy, did he love her. He loved her more then he loved himself. Today, he was prepared to be arrested, for her safety and knowing she would never have to look over her shoulder because the son of a bitch was going to rot in prison. His phone vibrated in his pocket and he reluctantly let go of Amber's hand and edged towards the window sill. </div>
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"Cade, it's Millie... I'll be there in a couple of hours... have you got any news? What's the update?" A frantic Millie said down the phone. </div>
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"She's fine Millie, she's good," Cade replied, he didn't want to worry her best friend and he didn't want to hear a hysterical female on the other end, especially one who would no doubt start crying. </div>
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"Any news on Rick?" Millie asked viciously. </div>
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"I put a bullet in him, he's under police surveillance in the hospital... frankly I don't know of his situation but I should have put another bullet in him when I got a chance," Cade said angrily. </div>
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"The main thing is that Amber is okay, just focus on that Cade, she needs you and I'll be there as soon as I can," Millie said. </div>
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The whisper from behind him, broke his thoughts... Amber was waking up. </div>
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"Mills, I've got to go she's waking up," Cade said, "I'll see you later." </div>
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Cade put the phone back into his pocket and strode over to Amber and as their gazes met she looked at him in horror. </div>
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"What happened to you?" she said in disgust. </div>
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"I'll explain later, how are you feeling?" Cade sat by her bed. </div>
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"Like an elephant's sitting on my head... is... has... Rick... is he dead?" she asked. </div>
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"No, but he could have been... he's not going to hurt you... not anymore. I won't let him. When I saw you Amber, it's like I died... I won't let any fucker get near you, I won't," Cade said as an oath. </div>
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Amber touched the top of his head, "I know you won't... I believe you... I don't want to even give him a moments thought, not even a second... I've lived far too much of my life in the past and I want so much to live in the here and now, you know? Life's too short... I love you Cade. It's taken me a while to realise it but it's true, I love you... not because you've been so patient and kind and accommodating towards me but because you have been the first person who hasn't walked around me on egg shells, who hasn't treated me like I was broken and needed fixing and because you're just you. You know what you have to do now right?" </div>
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"Get you out of here?" Cade replied jokily. </div>
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"Soon, once this elephant's vacated my head," Amber grinned. </div>
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"So, what do I have to do?" Cade asked. </div>
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"You gonna tell me how much you love me yet?" Amber teased. </div>
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Cade couldn't help himself, he leaned forward and kissed her. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-45569843039557395372012-09-06T07:39:00.000-07:002012-09-06T09:22:53.318-07:00Amber's Advocate <div align="center">
<u>Chapter Eighteen</u></div>
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Safe</div>
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Amber did not feel safe. </div>
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Safe was a word she didn't use lightly, she felt safe when she was in London. (Even though London was as unfamiliar to her as the British sense of humour). She felt safe when she was behind Fort-Knox; the town house she shared with Millie and Liam. She was safe when she was with Cade, he had somehow implemented himself into her life without her even realising. She did not feel safe- <em>not right now</em>. She should have stayed at the hotel, why didn't she? It had been a stupid argument, pointless. Her anxiety and nerves had been riding on her, hence her snapping at him. He was only trying to help her cope... she knew now, she had to have a little bit of faith. Now she was roaming around the block of a concrete jungle she used to know, her feet having taken her away from 'safe'... <br />
<br />
<em>Stupid feet. </em> <br />
<br />
What the hell was wrong with her? She made the decision to head back, it was dark and it was late and she was tired. She could feel the jet lag creeping up on her. She had been walking for an hour, an hour of feeling destitute... even though that hour had felt like the longest hour of her life. She hailed a yellow taxi and got in. Sinking back into the leather, she closed her eyes and exhaled. When she opened her eyes to look outside, she noticed The Waldorf blur passed and immediately she felt the unease... <em>where the hell were they going? </em></div>
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"You just passed the hotel... excuse me?" Amber said, leaning forward, her arm resting on the driver's seat, "Did you hear me? Hello?"<br />
<br />
She tapped him on the shoulder but he didn't even acknowledge her. She looked at the profile of the man sitting in the driver's seat, he was bald, had a pasty complexion and looked like he'd had scoffed too many burgers and fries that no matter how much exercise he did, it wouldn't be shift the extra tyres he was carrying He also didn't look like the ID displayed on the dashboard. <em>Shit! </em>Amber reached for the door to open it but they were locked, she tried the window but the glass wouldn't go down. She yelled and screamed, she might as well not have a voice. He ignored her. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Amber felt a pin prick in her arm and she looked down to see she'd been stabbed with something- her vision became cloudy immediately, "Wh...wha...what di...did... y..y...you give me?" She slumped forward, hitting her head on the seat in front of her. She heard the sound of laughing as she blacked out. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center">
***</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
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Amber screamed awake, hoping to God that she wasn't living and breathing through what she considered to be one of the worst nightmares ever. She'd been stabbed repeatedly and whenever she came back to life, the faceless attacker would continue to hack at her before she died. Amber closed her eyes, forcing at will the bile rising in her throat, back down. She felt disorientated, dizzy and hungover. Her mind was scattered like jigsaw puzzles, she was trying to piece things together. She tried to move, but she found out all too soon that she couldn't. And that was when a light switched on- flooding the space she was in with light. She blinked, adjusting her sight to the overpowering brightness. Her feet were braced together with cable ties, as were her arms to the arm rests of her chair, she couldn't move, even if she tried... God, she was scared... she wasn't prepared for this... but she wasn't prepared for that voice either... </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"Amber... Amber... Amber... " </div>
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<br /></div>
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"R... Ri...Rick," she stammered, "Is that you?"</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
He came towards her from out of the darkness and planted a kiss square on her lips. She tried to squirm, tried to move her face away from his. He was having none of it, his dry callused fingers dug into her face and yanked it towards him. He pried her lips open with his tongue- but she bit into his. He yelled, letting go of her as he tasted his blood in his mouth and the throbbing pain with it. He back handed her and her face flipped to the side like a switch. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"You deserved that, you fucking cunt!" she said through clenched teeth, her face unmoved. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Still got your bite, I see," Rick spat the blood, "Watch your mouth." </div>
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<br /></div>
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"You lost all power over me a long time ago... so piss off!" Amber shouted. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Don't test me..." Rick began. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Or what? You'll slap me, kick me, punch me... go on then... take your best shot, you pathetic little man!" Amber laughed sarcastically. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
Rick didn't notice the change in Amber until she used her mouth... there was so much venom and hate in her tone, it was almost as if witnessing her for the second time, the first time being when he first met her in the bar and she was a feisty little thing. She was even feistier now. When they'd started going out, she'd become less feisty and more subdued, more soft and she'd somehow changed. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"This is how it is, right Rick? You love exercising your power over women... you enjoy being the bigger person, the one that rules the roost... you like speaking with your fists rather then your mouth and you like leaving carnage in your wake... I should know." </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Shut you're fucking hole!" Rick yelled. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Can't take the truth can you... hurts doesn't it? Your father was just the same..." </div>
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<br /></div>
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Rick lashed out, punching her in her gut, "You don't know anything about my father!" Rick shouted. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"You're right, I know nothing about him... but I knew he hit you... and you passed that onto your unborn child... I lost my child because you killed it... you're a murderer... a killer!" Amber spat. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Rick was about to throw another punch but he stopped midway, "What?!" </div>
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<br /></div>
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Amber broke down in hysterical sobs, she had never told him he could have been a father... nor that she was pregnant... but she had lost her unborn child to his savage intent. The tears wouldn't stop pouring down her face. He yanked her face towards his and the look in his eyes weren't savage, violence or anything, they were blank. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"What did you just say?" his voice was quiet, she had barely heard him. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"I was pregnant with your kid but you killed it... and I wished you had killed me too..." Amber said, the bile rising in her throat. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Rick staggered back, as if she had landed a punch to his gut, "You're making that shit up?" </div>
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<br /></div>
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"I wish I was... I wish I was," Amber said, her head hanging down. </div>
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<br /></div>
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A door opened somewhere and foot steps echoed, "What the fuck did you do? I thought we'd agreed you wouldn't touch her! Fuck!"</div>
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<br /></div>
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There was no reply. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"Rick, what the fuck is wrong with you?! Have you even called her boyfriend yet? Rick, what the fuck?!" The man became impatient, "Do I have to do everything myself?" </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: center;">
**</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"I don't believe in coincidences," the New York police detective said to Cade, "I wondered why it never appeared on our radar that he'd been discharged from prison... usually we're the first to know these things... especially as this story was strewn across the media like it was gossip. Our officers are looking into that." </div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"I want to know..." Cade didn't get to finish his sentence as his mobile rang, "It's Amber's phone," he said to the detective. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"Let's put a tracer on it," the detective whispered. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"Amber baby, is that you?" </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"Bring me two million in paper in two large sacks, the destination will be sent by text. Don't involve the police and you'll get your darling girl back," the voice was a demand. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"How do I know this isn't some kind of joke?" Cade said. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
There was a long pause and then Amber came on the phone, "Cade... Cade... don't give Stan the money, don't give him..." And then he heard her scream and a crash and the phone went dead. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"If they fucking hurt her, I'm going to kill them!" </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
His phone beeped and he looked at the text message, "Where the hell are The Docks?" </div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
The detective was already throwing commands at his team and there was a sudden urgency and buzz in the room, "Let's go... Cade you'll have to stay here." </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Hell no, I'm not staying here... I'm coming with you," Cade responded. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
"It's advisable you stay here for your safety," the detective said. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"If it was your woman?" Cade responded. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Let's get you a bullet proof vest," the detective said and ushered them all out of the room. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-86403594119095375072012-08-28T04:25:00.002-07:002012-08-28T04:25:51.107-07:00Amber's Advocate <div align="center">
<u>Chapter Seventeen</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
When the shit hits the fan, it hits</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Cade strolled to the front desk where they were greeted by the check in clerk. He peered over his shoulder to see Amber taking in the grandeur of the lobby, of the Waldorf Astoria. For a native New Yorker, she sure looked at the place as if seeing it for the very first time. The lobby was opulent, boasting of Italian marble, the overhead expanse of a chandelier and subtle lighting gave the area an intimate feel. </div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
"It's so dark in here... I wonder what it looks like during the day," Amber whispered, as she nervously played with her charm bracelet. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"We'll find out in a couple of hours," Cade looked at his watch, "Would you like to go to your room?" </div>
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<br /></div>
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She nodded and they made their way to the lift, "So what kind of room do we have?" </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"A luxury suite, you have your own bedroom, as do I, and we have joint facilities I think. We're on the forty second floor," Cade said stealing a glance at Amber. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"What? But that's the penthouse area," Amber said, her mouth wide open. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"One of them..." Cade replied. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"I don't understand, how does your magazine afford luxury like this? Don't get me wrong, it's great that you write and all... but it's not like a big publication, it's tiny in comparison to Vogue or GQ or... I mean, I hardly knew of it's existence until I met you," Amber said confused. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"That's why I'm here in New York to expand the magazines horizon. Besides, we don't exactly want to be Vogue a fashion magazine... or GQ... of course, I'd be lying, we want the sales side of things just not be known for being a fashion mag or lifestyle... the magazine's demographic is aimed towards the more accomplished, informative man. The man who wants to know what the hell is going on around the world, not just what's outside his front door or on the street," Cade replied. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"That's all good and dandy and I appreciate the education Cade, but your magazine isn't with the big wigs yet... so how the hell did it afford this? The Waldorf Astoria?" Amber said stepping onto the corridor of the forty second floor. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"It can't..." Cade said, putting his key into the door and the door opened. Amber stepped in and her mouth dropped open. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
She turned around and looked at him, "So... what? You used your own money to stay here?" </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Cade stood by the landing, he watched Amber as she stood in the middle of their suite's foyer, her hands on her hips, waiting for a reply.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"You used your own money to stay here... whatever for?" she asked in disbelief. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"For you, for us," Cade simply said. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"For me? I don't understand," Amber said, "For us?" </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"I can tell, you miss New York, I can tell by the way you talk about it... I can tell by the spark in your eyes, then by the way they water because it's too painful. Because the way things ended here... it's not a place you want to go to revisit... but I want to change all that. I want to show you that it doesn't have to be this way... that sometimes good can come out of the really bad stuff," Cade pleaded. He remained standing, he wasn't going to pity her. She wouldn't want that. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"So, you're my advocate?" Amber looked straight at him. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"If you want to label it, yes... but foremost..." </div>
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<br /></div>
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"You lied to me..." she rushed past him. He grasped the sides of her arms. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"I swear to you, I didn't... not intentionally... I just want things to be..." </div>
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<br /></div>
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Amber shoved him away, "I trusted you... I trusted you and you deceived me! Why couldn't you just tell me you wanted me to come..." </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Because I knew you wouldn't... it's too hard for you... God Amber, if you only knew what it's like to see someone you deeply care about, upset, hurting... a hurt you can't get to because you don't understand or you don't know where to start."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"You won't know then, will you," Amber yelled and flew out the door. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Cade cursed and ran after her. She was standing at the lift, fuming, "Where are you going?" </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Anywhere but here," she snapped back. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Can we go in and talk about this?" Cade asked softly. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"What's the point, you assumed what you think I needed when you lied your way to get me here... do you have any idea what it feels like to know in this very city, that the person I used to love, tried to kill me... that he's lying in a cell in this city just waiting, biding his time... to seek his revenge. I didn't want to come here, ever again! I didn't want to come here... knowing I'm closer now to him then ever... but I came back here because you wanted me to and because I thought... maybe, however minuscule the possibility was... that there would be one guy out there... one guy, who would be different... but you're all the same... all of you." </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Amber please, let's talk about this inside," Cade asked. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"No, I'm going home... back to London... where it's safe," Amber said. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"You can't run for ever Amber... you can't, it's not the way to live your life," Cade whispered. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"It's my life Cade, IT'S MY LIFE!" she yelled back. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"I'm not telling you to live your life the way I want it... I just wanted to help you..." Cade offered. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"I'm tired of people trying to dictate to me how I should live my life... I'm not a child..." Amber said, pressing the button for the lift. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Please come inside and we can talk about this. I'm not telling you, I'm giving you a choice Amber." </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Then if this is the choice you're giving me... you'll understand... leave me alone," Amber stepped into the lift and the doors closed in his face. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Cade stood by the lift, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He slapped his hand against the wall and stormed back into the suite. The sound of his phone, brought him back to reality with a thud. He searched through his hand carry and retrieved the phone, before it stopped ringing. He looked at his call log, it was a UK number. He called it back. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
The voice of a distressed woman came on the line and he recognised the voice immediately "Is she there?" </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Millie, what's wrong?" Cade said urgently. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Where is she Cade? Where's Amber?" </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"She's just popped out," he lied, "Now, tell me what's wrong?" </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Rick's out of prison... he got out... not even on parole... he got out," Cade didn't have to ask twice. He ran out of the suite and ran into the lift, seeing the lift there waiting... without Amber. He suddenly felt cold. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-4987610869558009102012-08-17T03:29:00.000-07:002012-08-17T03:29:00.938-07:00Amber's Advocate<div align="center">
<u>Chapter Sixteen</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<br />
Progress... Plans... <br />
<br /> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>A Week Later...</em></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
The man opposite him pushed the manila envelope towards him. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"What's this?" Rick responded, picking it up and staring into it. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"You wanted to know, so I got you something... open it up and you'll find out," the stocky man said, leaning back in his chair. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Rick opened the envelope and caught sight of the <em>bitch </em>laughing hand in hand with a man he didn't know. The photos were black and white, reminding him of stake outs he'd seen in an episode of CSI:New York the other night in the communal hall of this dank miserable shit hole of a prison. Ironic. He looked at the next photo and they she was kissing him, leaning into him and his hands were in her hair. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Your point? Or did you just give this to me to fucking piss me off?" Rick slated. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Attitude... don't forget your place now Rick. You forget who's on the inside and who's not," the stocky man pointed out. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"What do you want Stan?" Rick said through clenched teeth, if he wasn't incarcerated in this place, his face would meet his fist. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Your little girlfriend's snapped up a right gold mine. He's an heir to an obscene amount of money... obscene... more then you and I will ever see in a life time," Stan grinned with malice, "So, I'm cutting you a deal... but that depends on what you're willing to pay me." </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"I want her to pay but I can't do that because I'm stuck in this fucking hell hole... I want to watch her die by my hand and my hand only..." Rick tried to contain his fury. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"That can be arranged... these cells, this establishment is as corrupt as the lawyers of this city, the government and every police officer. When you wave a little green in their faces, they're like putty in your hands. You can do what the hell you like with them, because they've sold their soul to the fucking devil himself. Even the Senator of this state is as corrupt as they come and I know. <em>I know. </em> I can promise you, I can get you out of this place in a couple of days before she gets to live the American Dream again," Stan said smugly. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Hold on a second, is she coming here?" Rick stammered, in shock. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Your little witch is travelling to the US... the land of the fucking free with her boyfriend... and then we can truly play our cards right. Forget about the state lottery... we'll be rich!" Stan said rubbing his fingers together. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"So, what do you propose?" Rick said, leaning forward. Licking his lips in anticipation. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center">
***</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Are you sure about this? I mean really sure? Sure as sure can be?" Millie said leaning against the door jamb of Amber's room. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"At the beginning I was a little apprehensive, y'know with the state of affairs... the issues... but I'm tired of being scared... I just want to face it. What's the least that could happen? He's in prison, there's no way he's coming out. I'll be safe, I can protect myself," Amber resigned herself to say, "I'll be fine." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Only if you're sure?" Millie smiled. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I'm sure, besides I really miss New York... it's home, even if there are things I don't want to think about there... I just want to get on with it," Amber replied. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Wow! I never thought I'd actually see the day... but this is pretty awesome," Millie said striding up to Amber and hugging her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What are you talking about?" Amber said, drawing away from her friend. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You're in love with him?" Millie stated the obvious. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I'm not in lo-"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Love does a many great things... I should know... wow..." Millie said jumping up down, "I tried to deny it, but you do... you've got courage, determination... and the fact you're going back to New York, says it all. You're willing to be with him, despite that. It's gotta be love." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"No, it's courage... now get off... I've gotta go give Shadow a bath," Amber walked away. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I know you're trying to evade my question, but I know you..." Millie said pointedly. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Like I said, I gotta go give Shadow a batch," Amber said, making a quick exit. If she couldn't figure it out, could other people? </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-88826119710916902962012-08-16T09:40:00.002-07:002012-08-16T09:40:41.731-07:00Amber's Advocate<div align="center">
<u>Chapter Fifteen</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<br />
Untouchable</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Amber woke up abruptly to a ceiling that was unfamiliar to her. When she turned her head, her eyes clasped on Cade who was reading in an arm chair opposite the couch she was luxiously sprawled out on. Covering her eyes she groaned and spoke up, <br />
"Shit! So much for dinner." <br />
"You're in luck," Cade smiled, putting the book to the side and grinning, "I burnt it. I didn't have the heart to start over, so we'll order in, instead. Are you hungry?"<br />
"Starving. How long was I out?" <br />
Cade looked at his wrist watch, "Oh a couple of hours." <br />
"And what's a couple of hours?" Amber asked, as she stretched.<br />
"I'd say, about six hours..." Cade smiled. <br />
"This is just too weird, I haven't slept like that in such a long time, it's so strange. Even with medication, I never drift off like that," Amber said, shaking her head. <br />
"Well, what can I say? It must be the cosiness of my place. What do you fancy to eat? Pizza or Chinese?" Cade said to a stand. <br />
"You pick... can I use your bathroom please?" Amber asked. <br />
Cade pointed her in the right direction and she shut the door firmly behind her. <br />
<br />
<br />
An hour later, they were sitting on the floor, having spooned various culinary Chinese offerings from the local Chinese takeaway. <br />
"So... I've got to go to New York for a couple of days in two weeks," Cade began, "And as you're a native, I was hoping you would join me. What do you say?" <br />
Amber almost choked on the prawn she was half way through munching, "You can't be serious." <br />
"I'm deadly serious... you said you were missing the buzz, I'm going over there to meet some clients for work, why don't you come and join me? It'll be fun. Besides, I'll be staying at The Waldorf and god that sounds amazing." <br />
"I promised myself I'd never go back there," Amber said, more to herself then to Cade. <br />
Cade put down his plate and then took the bowl from Amber's hands, "If it's too soon, I'm sorry... I'm crazy about you and the thought of not seeing you for five days is unbearable. Shit! I'm not coming across right, a complete and utter needy git. I just thought, as you're from there you'd be my tour guide and you'd show me around your old haunts y'know and we can make new memories. Crap! That didn't come out right either." <br />
Amber was shocked to speechless. <br />
"Say something, anything..." Cade prompted. <br />
"Can I think about it?" Amber managed to say. <br />
"Of course," Cade replied and kissed her softly on the lips. <br />
<br />
Cade drove Amber home an hour later, she had left her bowl to the side after he had robbed her of it, after he asked her to go to New York with him. Silence had enveloped the conversation and even when he tried to make conversation with her afterwards, it was like she wasn't even there. Well, her mind definitely wasn't. Even if she was sitting right beside him. When she asked him to take her home, his heart squeezed. What a dumb ass he was and now standing on the pavement as the door shut, he felt like a sore loser. He knew there were still things that traumatised her and one of those things was in New York. He'd been so excited by the trip, knowing she was a native there, he couldn't resist. And that temptation and the 'ask' had been a major ASK. He felt like an arse. The look on her face had said everything, she was scared shit less and he wanted to console her but she had closed off. Untouchable. <br />
He eventually got into his car and drove away from the pavement. He couldn't help himself, he was like a teenager and a crazy hormonal one at that. He just couldn't seem to shake how hard he was falling for her and how ridiculously fast. With his past girlfriends, it had taken him a long time to fall in love with them, it had taken him a year but with Amber, with it being only a matter of months... holy crap, he was crazy about her. They hadn't even made love yet and he felt this about her. Not that making love, having sex was a major thing for him because being with her and having her beside him was all that mattered. He pulled up off the road to calm his beating heart, he never got this emotional. He was a man for god sake- this was stupid. <br />
He sat motionless in his car and decided to park up, he took out his mobile phone and dialled his friend Vince. He needed to talk to someone and Vince had life experience. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-65090562539703271302012-07-19T07:14:00.002-07:002012-07-19T07:14:56.104-07:00Amber's Advocate<div align="center">
<u>Chapter Fourteen</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<br />
Introductions</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"I can't believe you persuaded me to put this drivel on," Cade grinned as he stole a glance at his girlfriend who was currently singing to N'Sync in the car. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Y'know you secretly love them... everyone does, they're my guilty pleasure," Amber smiled. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Next thing you'll be telling me is you're Miley Cyrus' number one fan!" Cade quipped, then saw the seriousness written all over Amber's face, "You gotta be kidding me? Miley?!" </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Amber held the serious face for as long as she could and then laughed, "You're so gullible Cade... eeurgh, I have standards you know!" </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"I would never have guessed," Cade said, edging the car forward slowly. He was rewarded with a smack on his arm. And as if reading her mind, he leaned forward and kissed her. She kissed him back and then there was a barrage of honking behind them, </div>
<div align="justify">
"Give a guy a break-" he whispered and sped down the motor way. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
They got to London a few hours later, Cade pulled up near the pavement and helped her with her hand carry as they both got out of the car. The weather was warm and sunny. Cade set her bag by the stairs of the town house and peered down at her. <em>God, she was beautiful </em>he thought. </div>
<div align="justify">
"Thank you for such an amazing time Braiden," Amber smiled cheekily</div>
<div align="justify">
He touched her nose with the tip of his finger, "You really ought to stop calling me that, but I'll let you off on this occasion if you do me one thing?" </div>
<div align="justify">
"And what's the thing?" Amber asked amused. </div>
<div align="justify">
"That you give me a kiss and have dinner with me tonight," Cade said as he leaned forward. </div>
<div align="justify">
"That's two things Cade, my, you're getting very greedy now," Amber giggled. </div>
<div align="justify">
"I only feel greedy, when it comes to you," Cade replied, giving her a quick peck on the lips, "Let me know how you feel about dinner tonight, I know it's been a pretty crazy couple of days. I've gotta get to work right now to do something but I'll call you later." </div>
<div align="justify">
And with that, he disappeared into his car. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Amber walked through the door and immediately froze, she squinted at the sound of barking and as if someone flicked a switch, the dog stopped barking. </div>
<div align="justify">
"So you found Shadow then?" Millie smiled from the lounge.</div>
<div align="justify">
"Shadow?" Amber asked as she sat beside Millie, the dog now sitting at their feet, "He's a bit too white to be called Shadow, no?" </div>
<div align="justify">
"Yeah, that's what I liked about him. He looks all soft and cuddly, but he's apparently got a fierce bite," Millie put her laptop to the side, "Listen Amber, don't be alarmed okay, the last thing I want to do is worry you..." </div>
<div align="justify">
"Millie, I'm a big girl... I can handle it, just tell me what's going on." </div>
<div align="justify">
"There have been a few attempted break-in's, nothing too serious but y'know with Liam being away, he didn't want to take any precautions with us, so that's why Shadow will be a permanent fixture here. He's a trained specialist."</div>
<div align="justify">
"Oh, so this dog knows how to wield a gun and protect us then?" Amber said, feeling vulnerable. </div>
<div align="justify">
"No, he can't do that but he has been trained to the highest level. He knows who our friends are, from our foes. He's a trained security guard dog. I'll have to teach you the commands, they're very straight forward... I think there is a sheet lying around somewhere. So enough about me, dish..." </div>
<div align="justify">
Amber smiled to herself. </div>
<div align="justify">
"Stop being so coy, tell me!" Millie said, pinching her. <br />
"Oww!" Amber yelped as she caressed her pinched arm, "Okay, okay, I'll tell you!" <br />
"Don't leave anything out... I want the details!" Millie said clapping her hands in excitement. <br />
<br />
<br />
Cade was hunched over his computer in the office, he was still technically on holiday but what was meant to be a twenty minute job had turned out to be a four hour stint. Maybe the job actually was a twenty minute thing but his mind kept wondering elsewhere. Elsewhere, was images of Amber in a wet suit, of her curled up on his couch in Cornwall, a blanket they shared on the beach under the stellar sky by camp fire. She was taking up residence in his head. No wonder, he felt distracted, not that he was wishing it any other way. Hell no! He really liked her, which reminded him to give her a call. He picked up his mobile and called, she picked up on the second ring and he heard the excitement in her voice, which only added to how he was already feeling about her. <br />
"You calling about dinner, I presume," she asked. <br />
"Yes and to say hello," he smiled into the receiver, "Have you thought much about joining me for dinner?" <br />
"As a matter of fact, I have," Amber replied. <br />
"So, what's the verdict?" Cade asked, "Hey, what's that noise in the background, you got a dog or something?" <br />
"Yes, that's Shadow... he's been brought in because there have been some attempted break ins here." <br />
"Break ins... do the police know?" Cade asked, gathering his stuff together. <br />
"Yes, they do but it's being taken care of... Liam's beefed up security and Shadow has been brought in," Amber's tone had turned down a notch. <br />
"Are you worried, about the break ins?" Cade tentatively asked. <br />
"To some degree yes," Amber replied, "So, what time are you picking me up for dinner?" <br />
"How about seven thirty, that okay with you?" <br />
"Sounds perfect, see you then Cade," Amber said and hung up. <br />
<br />
<br />
Cade walked into the town house, he was greeted by Millie and a very large white dog.<br />
"You've got a great house here," he said.<br />
"Thanks, I think so too. Millie's going to be a few minutes," Millie said walking ahead, "Would you like anything to drink? You can come into the kitchen if you want?"<br />
"Thanks," muttered Cade following her past the lounge and into the kitchen.<br />
"I'm sure Amber's told you about what happened to her and you know as a friend that I worry about her and the company she keeps..."<br />
"I won't hurt her if that's what you mean," Cade said.<br />
"That's what they all say, they won't hurt her... but they do in the end..." Millie said.<br />
Cade was about to respond when Amber strode in, "This is really uncalled for Millie, I told you already, I'm a big girl I can handle myself."<br />
"I don't want you to be hurt, banged up and bruised," Millie stated, "I can't help but worry about you." <br />
"I would never hurt her, never hurt her physically or in any other form... I care too much for her to ever risk something as stupid as losing my temper or using my fists, men who use their fists on women are bastards. And if I ever get a hold of that bastard who hurt you, not only am I going to give him a taste of his medicine, I'm going to kill him!" Cade said, "You have my word." <br />
Cade watched as Amber stepped back a look of horror on her face, "No Cade, please don't." <br />
Millie looked at Amber, "Amber calm down, it's going to be okay." <br />
"I don't want violence anymore... I won't have it... if this is ever going to work out, I don't want to talk about violence or that it has to be the focus of everything... I just want to move on from that point in my life okay? I don't want it to overrule who I am, so the both of you just please stop talking as if I'm some fragile little thing," Amber spoke abruptly. <br />
Cade and Millie simultaneously murmured, "I'm sorry." <br />
"Apology accepted," she smiled, "I'd really like it if you two could get along." She hugged Millie and tugged Cade towards the door. <br />
<br />
<br />
Cade opened the door to his flat and ushered Amber in, she paused in the hallway to look at the vinyl records on his wall. <br />
"Why do you have framed vinyl records on your wall?" Amber said peering at them closely. <br />
"Because I love good music," he offered as he looked at them. <br />
"I love good music too," Amber replied. <br />
"N'Sync and Backstreet Boys? I don't think I have any of those up here," he mimicked, "I put them up here because these are first editions, much like you get first edition books... I like first edition vinyl." <br />
"Hey! Don't knock BSB and N'Sync okay?" Amber giggled, "Besides is this for show off purposes or what?"<br />
Cade paused recalling a memory, "When I was growing up in Cornwall, my grand mother introduced me to the fifties, sixties and seventies music... you could say that was a big introduction into the music hall of fame. I loved just sitting in the living room with her, listening to the golden oldies and her talking to me about her life. This is mostly reminds me of her, when she died she left me her entire collection. Some of it is worth thousands of pounds but I don't have the heart to sell it off, they're too precious." <br />
"Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to come across as assuming..." Amber felt an apology bubble to the surface. <br />
"Don't worry about it, come on, come and see the rest of the flat," Cade ushered her in. <br />
Cade's flat was nothing like the town house, it was messy, male and somehow strangely comfortable, all under one roof. He had a flat screen above the mantel piece with a stack of DVDs just below. A simple iPod speaker stand. A black couch with several throws in a multitude of colours flung over it, an antique armchair that looked misplaced but fit perfectly with all the modern amenities. <br />
"Would you like anything to drink?" Cade asked and noticed Amber shiver, "Why don't you take a seat and I'll make you a hot chocolate." He put a cashmere blanket around her and disappeared into the kitchen to make her a hot chocolate. <br />
Amber could hear the kettle and the sounds of the spoons against the mug. She closed her eyes for a moment and leaned back. <em>God, she was dog tired. He wouldn't mind it if she slept a little. </em>Closing her eyes and leaned sideways and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the cushion. <br />
<br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-72241784356332292922012-06-13T07:12:00.000-07:002012-07-10T04:18:20.087-07:00 Amber's Advocate <div align="center">
<u>Chapter Thirteen</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
<div align="center">
Surfing</div>
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Amber plodded into the vast living room to see Cade behind the stove in the kitchen. In the light she could take in the vastness of his place. Something she didn't give a moment's thought when she arrived here last night. The kitchen was small but not tiny, there was enough room for two people to maneuver without touching elbows, with all the basic amenities; an oven, a stove, a sink and a small fridge. Through the sliding windows, she could see a portion of decking and beyond that a footpath straight to the beach. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"You can take a look around if you like?" he offered as he skillfully fried the eggs and the bacon. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Amber nodded and walked towards the fire place, there were at least twenty or so picture frames. She picked one up to see a young Cade struggling with a surf board on the sand. Smiling she put it back down. There were a collection of photos ranging from family snaps, surfing pics, Sandy as a puppy, candid photographs and stolen moments. It was a collection that brought out a longing in Amber, a longing she blinked away because wanting that and getting it were two different things. She passed a small glass cabinet and saw a couple of awards, peering down she looked at each of them. Awards for surfing, writing and journalism. She turned back to look at him and caught him staring at her. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"You caught me," he quipped, his hands in surrender before he turned his attention back to the cooking. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Amber smiled, opened up the sliding door and stepped out. Taking a deep breathe she looked around, a stretch of beach before her. It was a beautiful morning and the sun was out. She could really get used to this, this easy way of life. What on earth was she thinking? Could she really be thinking this? She couldn't afford to put all her eggs in one basket but in truth, she liked spending time with him. It was easy, unforced and there was a gentle way about him, she hadn't had before in any relationship. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Cade zipped past her, heading towards the garden table and setting down two plates of cooked food and quickly disappeared inside and reappeared with hot chocolate, juice and some bread, butter and jam, "Come on, let's eat, I'm sure you're starving. I am." He pulled the chair out for her and then sat down and they tucked in. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
They ate in silence for a while, it wasn't an uncomfortable silence, it was Cade who spoke up first, "Don't do it Amber." </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Do what?" she looked up from her eggs and bacon into his eyes. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Think too much," Cade smiled, picking up his coffee and drinking it. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"How did... you know?" she asked bewildered. Was she that transparent. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"I just have to look at you to know, that's all," Cade grinned. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Yes, you've been looking a lot haven't you?" Amber smiled secretly. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"I can't help it, I'm drawn to you. You're a beautiful woman Amber," Cade replied. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Amber rolled her eyes. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"It's true, I wouldn't say otherwise. Don't you think you're beautiful?" Cade leaned forward on his elbows. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Not especially... I feel more broken then beautiful. What you see is on the surface, beneath it, I'm nothing," Amber said sadly. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"What a bastard!" Cade said through clenched teeth. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Amber raised her eyebrows up to him, "Why'd you say that?"</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"That prick who's done this to you, he's broken your soul... if I ever meet the bastard, I'm going to give him a taste of his own medicine," Cade bit back, "You deserve the world Amber." </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Amber closed her eyes and then opened them, "So, what's the agenda for today?" </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Cade looked at Amber and then shook his head, he would let it slide for now, "As it's a beautifully warm day, I was thinking of showing you how to surf." </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Surf? You're kidding right?" Amber said. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Trust me, you'll have fun!" Cade smiled thoughtfully, he couldn't wait to teach her how to surf. The day, could only get better. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade was a perv! He had been stealing glances at the woman who was wearing a wet suit, he didn't care for colour but the stream line effect she was having on his groin only certified to say that she was hot, rocking it. They'd been in the water for four hours now, though it felt more like fifteen minutes. He'd taught her how to spot a good wave and how to steer towards it and high tail out of there before jumping onto the board and riding the wave. She was a natural and picked it up, like she was an old adage at it. Her infectious laugh made him join in, especially when she fell into the water countless times. He appreciated a woman who laughed at herself. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They were both floating in the water, a few metres away from the shore, just hanging out. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What do you think about when it's just you, here?" Amber asked curiously, "I can't really think here, the view is too beautiful to think about anything but." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"A lot of things," Cade was vague, but he didn't want to say too much. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Like what things?" Amber asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Y'know things... life," Cade replied, seeing a wave and decided to conquer it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber followed suit. Amber pretty much washed out before she could actually mount the surf board. She dragged the surf board behind her, dumping it on the sand, she grabbed her towel and watched Cade who was still out in the water. She was about to sit down when she saw two men in wet suits approach. Both quite tall but not as tall as Cade, one had a reckless untidy beard that needed shaving and the other was a typical looking surfer - they both wolf whistled when they approached her.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You're pretty good on the board, haven't seen you around here before," the bearded surfer commented. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Because I'm not from around here," Amber replied blandly. Picking up the surf board and stabbing it into the sand like Cade had shown her earlier.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Ah, an American. How long have you surfed?" the blue eyed blonde surfer asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"About four hours," Amber said, clutching her towel. She saw their eyes dipping low. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Shit, no way! You're awesome and that wet suit..." the blonde whistled as he cupped imaginary bosoms in his hands, "Shame you have to take it off, I'd like to know what you look like underneath." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Trust me, there won't be an opportunity in this lifetime for that!" Amber bit back. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The other surfer punched his mate and howled, "You got told!" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I like a feisty woman," ignoring his mate and centring his gaze on her, "Hard to find a woman who can use her mouth for other then giving a man..." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber wanted to slam her fist against his jaw but she heard Cade approaching from behind her, "A Toad and the Ass hole." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber looked up at him confused. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Why don't you piss off Braiden... we saw her first!" the blond surfer exclaimed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I'm not some piece of property," Amber wanted to yell, but she settled for civilised. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Your maturity levels still haven't fluctuated from the last time, eh Cormack?" Cade said not bothering with the two, he turned towards Amber, "You ready to go sweetheart?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber nodded, picking up her surf board and towel she followed Cade. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"So, who is she to you?" Cormack yelled to them. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before Cade could respond, Amber yelled back, "His girlfriend... you ass hole." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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They reached the truck in silence, Cade put Amber's loaned surf board in the truck, followed by his. He lent her his prized board, one he used to win a multitude of competitions back in his hey-day of surfing competitions. And he turned to her, "So you're my girlfriend are you?" He said, leaning against the truck, unzipping his wet suit to reveal a hairless chest and an emerging six pack. Amber had to steer her gaze from him. </div>
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"I said it, didn't I?" Amber smiled. </div>
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"You did, yes... may I have your permission then?" Cade held her gaze with his. </div>
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"Permission for what?" Amber looked at him, </div>
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He stepped forward and tucked a loose strand of damp hair behind her ear, "To kiss you." </div>
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"I'm not stopping you," Amber stood motionless. </div>
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Cade touched his lips to hers and coaxing them apart slowly, he kissed her. </div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-59113251718887763252012-06-07T09:43:00.000-07:002012-06-07T09:59:01.116-07:00 Amber's Advocate <div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Chapter Twelve</u></div>
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Withheld </div>
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"I'm sorry about Gideon, he's always been a bit impulsive with the ladies," Cade excused, "I don't think his brain cells relay with his mouth most of the time," he turned towards Amber who seemed fascinated with the sand then what was beside her, him. He stopped abruptly and watched as Amber carried on walking. "Amber." He said a lot louder. </div>
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She stopped and turned towards him, "Sorry, what?" </div>
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Cade marched towards her, he could feel her flinch beneath his touch, "Amber, is everything okay?" </div>
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She looked up at him, "I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" He wasn't convinced. She was avoiding eye contact with him. </div>
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"You shocked us all, especially Gideon. I just wanted to make sure you were okay... y'know, no one is going to hurt you, not on my watch. I just want you to know that, that you're in safe hands with me." </div>
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"Thanks Cade," Amber managed to smile. She was about to utter something when she was pushed back towards the sand. She swiped her feet like a fan across the sand, forcing the attacker to fall on their bum in the sand. Amber hoisted herself to her feet and glared down at Lucy, "What is your problem?!"</div>
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"You fucking bitch! Who the hell do you think you are?! Keep your fucking paws to yourself!" Lucy yelled as she scrubbed the sand from her clothes. </div>
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"My hands have been to myself but why I need to justify myself to you is anyone's guess," Amber replied steely. </div>
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"Lucy that's enough!" Cade's voice was rising. </div>
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Lucy looked from Amber to Cade, her eyes widening. </div>
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"Why don't you save everyone the trouble and leave us be. Your presence is obviously making people uncomfortable. Again, there is no future for us... I don't know how many times, ways, I have to say it but I've moved on Lucy and you have to, too," Cade said gently. </div>
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Lucy scowled, "Fine, if that's how you feel. I hope she's worth it." She stomped off in a huff, leaving Cade and Amber standing in front of each other, bewildered by what just happened.</div>
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Cade turned towards Amber to see her staring at him peculiarly, "What?" he asked curiously. </div>
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"Nothing," Amber said shaking her head, "I'm sorry things turned out sour between the two of you." </div>
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"Don't be sorry, I'm not," Cade smiled, "However mean that sounds, it's not meant to be. We were on two different pages before she decided to cheat on me with one of my friends. It was the kick up the backside I needed to end it with her, it was a couple of months ago. I've moved on since then. It's all water under the bridge." </div>
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"And what have you moved on to?" Amber asked curiously. Why did she suddenly want... need... him to... and then he surprised her. </div>
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"You," he said simply. </div>
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"Me?" Amber halted and turned towards him, "Me?" </div>
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"Yes, you," Cade smiled back, he felt her flinch underneath his touch when he touched her arms, "I don't want you to feel scared or pressured... I just want you to be honest with me. I know you're only looking to get past one day at a time, I understand that..."</div>
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"What is it you're asking of me Cade?" Amber looked tentatively at him. </div>
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"I'm more then happy to live each day as it comes, as long as you're the one I get to share each day with Amber," Cade whispered. </div>
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"Cade there's so much you still don't know about me, about my past. I have so much baggage, I'd feel like that would be a constant block between us," Amber reasoned as they continued to walk, "I'm not easy, that didn't come out right. I'm just not your normal relationship person. I've been hurt before, both physically as well as mentally. I'm a broken person Cade. I don't trust easily... even coming down here was a big decision." </div>
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"And do you regret that decision?" Cade asked. </div>
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"No, I've had a whale of time," Amber said. </div>
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"Isn't that a good enough reason to maybe try this out... whatever this is...? I really like you Amber, more then you will know, that might sound juvenile to you, but that's how I feel. I don't think it would be appropriate to tell you how much this very minute but I do. Look, I don't want to force this upon you... like I said, I think you could do without the stress, pressure of it all. Think about it, let me know," Cade half smiled. </div>
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***</div>
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Cade was an idiot. </div>
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Shortly after his confession, things got awkward and Amber asked to leave. He dropped her off at Camelot Castle and watched her disappear up in the lift. When he returned home, he was greeted by <em>Sandy </em>his golden retriever who was as hyper as a pogo stick. He didn't fancy staying at home, grabbing her leash, he decided to take her out for a walk. Maybe the walk would allow him to mull things over before he faced another day in paradise. </div>
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**</div>
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Amber was a coward. </div>
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A coward with a capital 'C'. She ran when things got tough and she ran because this was new to her- the confession had definitely put a spanner into the works. The works being her complicated, sad life. Her battered and abused life. Her therapist had told her to take each day as it came, but if anything was worth the risk, to face it head on. Life was about making mistakes and learning from them. Was Cade a risk worth taking? </div>
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She'd been pacing up and down her bedroom, going through the motions. She had to admit, he was a breathe of fresh air- she hadn't thought about Dan at all in the last two days that she was here, another five and she was willing to be optimistic. She didn't want to consult Millie on this, Millie wasn't exactly forthcoming when it came to her romantic prospects but her friend was just looking out for her- like any best friend would. No, this decision had to be made herself. Amber changed into jeans and a jumper, put on sensible shoes and strolled out the hotel room. She didn't know what she was going to do, but she had an inkling. For the first time in a long time, she was going to throw caution to the winds. </div>
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The reception desk wasn't willing to divulge confidential information on the Brown-Evans, so she decided on a walk along the beach instead. It was dark outside and quite windy, all she could hear was the waves rolling in and joining the shore. The sound comforting, reassuring. She should have tied her hair up, if she'd known the wind was going to be this bad. She wondered what it would be like to live here. She'd always lived in cities, populated cities. Cornwall was scenic, beautiful and it's town's people friendly. There was a real sense of community here, give or take a few individuals. </div>
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Amber watched the moon's reflection on the water, shimmering like a thousand crystals and in the distance she could hear the sounds of a dog barking, she put it down to her rampant imagination. At times she would lose herself in it, because it was where she felt least threatened. The mind was an interesting thing and she knew above everyone else, it was a definitely complex organ. Her phone started ringing and she took it from the pocket of her jeans, </div>
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"Hello?" she said into the mouth piece. She could hear heavy breathing down the phone, "Hello? Is there anyone there?" The caller on the other end hung up. </div>
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Amber froze, clutching the phone in her hand. Her heartbeat accelerating. She knew she shouldn't jump to conclusions but she could only think the worst. It had to be him. Who else was it? She scrolled to the phone log, wanting to locate a number but it was withheld. All of a sudden she was at a sprint, running back to the hotel, she could feel the tears streaming down her face. Every scenario running through her head, what if he got an early release for good behaviour? What if he got parole? Her lawyer said he wouldn't be out in this lifetime... what if? She suddenly felt cold, numb and she was shivering in her shoes. Clearing her eyes of tears, she collided with someone and almost stifled a scream when she saw Cade standing in front of her. She had to get away, she bypassed him but his hold on her was unflinching. </div>
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*</div>
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Cade looked down into her eyes and saw her falling apart in front of him. </div>
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Her face was stricken with tears, her eyes puffy and red and she was literally shivering in his hands. He doubted it was from the cold but he felt like she was about to have an epileptic fit by the way she was convulsing in front of him. She tried to move away from him but his steely grip on her prevented her from moving from him. </div>
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"Amber?" he whispered softly, "What's wrong?" </div>
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She was stunned into silence and all he could do was take her in his arms and hold her, he could feel the tears cascading down her face as she sobbed her eyes out. Eventually, he ushered her back towards Camelot Castle but she was reluctant to be there on her own. </div>
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"Please Cade, please don't leave me alone... please," she pleaded with him. </div>
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Something tugged at his heart strings, could he deny this woman this one thing, of safety and security. He'd sworn already he would do everything in his care to make sure she felt that way and there was no way in hell, he was going back on his word. </div>
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"You better come with me then," he said and whistled to Sandy to follow. </div>
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Cade put the key in the lock and opened the door, the censor lights came on immediately cloaking them in light and he could clearly see how distraught she was. He walked from the door into the spacious living room and ushered her to the couch where she sat stiffly and wrapped a cashmere blanket around her. Sandy bounded in and lept onto the couch beside her, waggling her tail, her tongue lolling out as it inspected the new tenant. In silence he rushed over and made her a hot chocolate, she didn't drink brandy so prising her with some to keep her warm was out of the question. He handed her the mug and she took it slowly and took a sip. The sound of a phone ringing brought her back and she put the mug down on the coffee table and took the phone out and looked stunned at the screen. </div>
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Cade took the phone from her and answered the withheld number, there was silence on the other end. He hung up and set it on the coffee table. Immediately it started ringing again and he picked it up again. Again he hung up and diverted it to voice mail. He sat on the coffee table facing her, cupping her face in his hand, "You're safe here Amber, with me. I won't let nothing or no one hurt you, I promise," Cade said. It was a big gesture but he was prepared to go that far with her. Why couldn't she see it? </div>
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"You shouldn't make promises like that Braiden," she tried to smile despite how exhausted she looked. </div>
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"It's a promise I'm willing to make Amber," Cade said solemnly, "I wish you could understand that." </div>
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"This is why I don't want to be with you because you're going to get involved," Amber replied, the threat of tears ready to fall, "I can't have that." </div>
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"How do you feel about me, honestly?" Cade asked. He had to know, the question was killing him. </div>
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"I haven't been this happy in a long time... but it's not enough," Amber apologised. </div>
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"It's enough for now," Cade said as he leaned forward and kissed her forehead, "It's enough for now." </div>
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<u></u></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-52776694597905081642012-06-01T05:55:00.000-07:002012-06-05T13:41:43.128-07:00 Amber's Advocate <div align="center">
<u>Chapter Eleven</u></div>
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The Beach Party of All Parties</div>
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"Oh it's so nice that Cade has finally brought a girl home to meet us," Clara Brown-Evans flicked her blonde thick hair back, "At one point, I thought he was gay but it's good to see that he has exceptional taste." </div>
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"Cade and I... we're not a couple... we're just friends," Amber replied, drinking her hot chocolate. </div>
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"Why ever would you say that? You obviously came down here for a reason no? I never really thought red heads were his thing but up until a few minutes ago, I thought two eggs and a sausage was his thing. I'm so glad you're here. What have you got planned for the next few days?" </div>
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"I haven't really thought about it, I mean, I don't really know what's here," Amber said, looking around the high ceiling hall where a modern bar was positioned. </div>
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"Maybe we could have a party whilst you're here in honour of you and Cade" Clara thought, "That would be fun."</div>
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Amber hated parties, especially if she was the focal point, to divert her away from that idea she asked what came into her head, "Smith from the train station mentioned that Cade's name is Braiden." </div>
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Clara giggled, "Oh yes, my son's name is Braiden Cade Brown-Evans, he was named after his grand father Braiden Matthew Evans, he was of noble blood but that doesn't count for much here anymore, he had an illustrious affair with the daughter of a wealthy property tycoon. That tycoon wasn't best pleased as Braiden had a bit of a reputation already, being a bit of a flamboyant playboy but Braiden wasn't that fussed about him and got his daughter pregnant... it made quite headline news here... that's how we ended up inheriting Camelot Castle. So Amber, tell me more about you? I'd like to know about the girl that has captured my son's heart," Clara smiled. </div>
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"I don't think there's much to tell really," Amber didn't want to talk about herself. </div>
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"Come dear, you're with family..." Clara insisted. </div>
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"I lived in New York and moved to London a few months ago," Amber ventured. </div>
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"And what did you do in New York?" Clara asked taking another sip of her cocktail. </div>
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"I worked in fashion... it's something I fell into but it's not really my thing," Amber took a hearty sip of her hot chocolate. </div>
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"And why did you move to London?" Clara asked. </div>
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Amber paused, her heart beat accelerated. She couldn't exactly say she moved to put distance between her and her convict ex-boyfriend after he battered and left her for dead, that kind of home truth just didn't sit well with any one, "A change of pace, I've always wanted to come to London, it's a great place." </div>
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"So, you're on a mini vacation then?" Clara asked. </div>
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"Not exactly, but we'll see how it goes," Amber replied, "Could you tell me where the toilets are?" </div>
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"Of course, just straight down the hall and first door to your right," Clara smiled and Amber left the room. </div>
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"Oh good you're here," Cade ran into the hall. </div>
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"Darling, she's divine... a real gem. I completely approve," Clara stood up and kissed her son on the cheek. </div>
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"Surely, it's too early to be drinking mum?" Cade said, looking around the hall, "Where is she?" </div>
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"What concern is it of yours?" Clara asked. </div>
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On cue, Amber walked into the great hall and as she approached Cade, Clara jumped up and kissed her on the cheek, "Amber, look who's here? My little snuggles..." </div>
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"Mum... really, must you do this?" Cade said rolling his eyes. </div>
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Clara smiled cheekily and diverted her attention back to Amber, completely ignoring her son, "You can see he is embarrassed by his mother but you needn't worry, we will be the best of friends. I shall let you two lovebirds be... I'm going to go see your father." And with that, she left the great hall. </div>
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Cade turned towards Amber and smiled apologetically, "I'm so sorry about that." </div>
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"She seems nice...don't worry about it Braiden," Amber teased. </div>
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Cade rolled his eyes skyward, "Let me guess, she told you about my first name, how much I detest it and the whole scandal with my grand father?" Amber nodded, "It never ceases to amaze me that all this stuff happened a century ago and it still manages to do the rounds..." </div>
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"It's not so bad Cade..." Amber smiled. </div>
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"Yeah, except you're name isn't Braiden Cade Brown-Evans, is it?" he quipped, "Are you hungry?" </div>
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"I am... but I really need to find a hotel..." Amber said. </div>
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"Look no further, you can stay here," Cade smiled. </div>
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"Here? I can't stay here, it's much too opulent and I-" Amber said looking around the room. </div>
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"I don't want to hear about it, come on, let's sort out your room, get you settled and I can go about showing you Cornwall," Cade smiled. </div>
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**</div>
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"Oh wow, this is amazing..." Amber said in complete awe. She walked over to the windows and peered out, "That view is amazing... how beautiful is that ocean... what ocean is that?" She spun around and watched as Cade set her luggage by the wardrobe. </div>
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"That would be the Atlantic ocean... it's much more amazing up close. Are you hungry? Do you want to eat?" </div>
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"I'm starving. How much is the room Cade, I'd like to pay for it," Amber asked, walking towards Cade. </div>
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"I invited you here and you came, so I will take care of it. I just want you to enjoy yourself... be yourself, okay?" Cade smiled, "So, what is it you fancy to eat today?" </div>
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"You're the tour guide, surprise me," Amber smiled. </div>
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"Okay, come with me!" Cade smiled, "I have the perfect place." </div>
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*</div>
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Amber exhaled a long sigh and patted her belly, "Oh my God. I don't think I've eaten this much since I was...thanks." She said, swallowing a bitter pill and taking a sip of her orange juice. Wanting to put the thought of pregnancy out of her mind. She was in a Waterfront Cafe by the beach, having eaten a beast of a feast with Cade Brown-Evans... or Braiden as everyone seemed to know him by here. Since setting foot on the shores of Cornwall, everyone had been absolutely friendly, really accommodating- and she was finding herself being sucked into the whole village camaraderie. </div>
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"What are you thinking?" Cade asked, dumping the last of the crab shells into the bowl. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Honestly?" </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Of course," Cade wiped his hands on the provided napkin. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"How easy this place is," Amber observed, "How friendly, accommodating and charming everyone is... how easy it is to just fall in love with this place... I can see why it's a great place to come back home to." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"It's always going to be here if ever you want to come back," Cade smiled, "Would you like dessert?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Please," Amber replied, "So what have you got planned for the rest of the days you're here?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Originally I'd planned to stay here for four days but I've extended to the end of the week. I'd only planned on surfing... but as you're here... what would you like to do?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Oh no... please don't change your plans because of me..." Amber began but Cade put his hand up to silence her.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I can teach you to surf if you like Amber... or we can go down to Newquay, there's the <em>Blue Reef Aquarium</em> or the <em>Seal Sanctuary</em>, I know you love animals, if that's your thing. Otherwise, there's always <em>The Eden Project...</em>" Cade paused, "What?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What's The Eden Project?" Amber asks, taking a look at the dessert menu handed to her by the waitress. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"From the out set, it looks like a massive golf ball but it's a massive green house with living creatures, their habitats. It varies from season to season, right now the climate is like that of a rain forest. It has it's educational purposes but it's fun, if you're interested in architecture or you're a horticulturalist. We should do that tomorrow, it's a short drive from here, maybe afterwards grab a bite to eat and discover what else tickles your fancy, it's up to you. I really don't mind at all. Let me know what you want to do tomorrow," Cade smiled, "What do you have planned tonight?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"If we were in London, y'know I would be at the coffee shop. What are you thinking?" Amber asked, her curiosity roused. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"There's a beach barbecue tonight, you're more then welcome to come?" Cade offered. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
"That sounds great." Amber asked. </div>
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"I'll pick you up at around seven thirty, that okay with you?" Cade asked. </div>
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"Perfect." </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade pulled up outside Camelot Castle, thankfully the sun was still shining. He'd decided on wearing his ripped jeans and a blue and white stripped polo t-shirt for tonight. He was looking forward to catching up with the guys as it had been too long since he'd seen them all. As he strolled into the castle, at that moment he saw her stroll out of the lift. Her red hair was loose and raking down her back as she sported every man's fantasy 'Daisy Duke' denim shorts... and Jessica Simpson sprung to mind, wiggling her bottom and wearing cowboy boots. Amber teamed up her shorts with a long sleeveless cardigan and a brown top. On her feet she wore sandals and she'd accessorised with gold bangles. She spotted him straight away and greeted him with a shy kiss on the cheek. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Hi Cade," she smiled tentatively, "How are you?"</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I'm good, you look beautiful," he complimented, "Did you manage to get some rest?" </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"As a matter of fact I did, I feel very rested but I'm starving," she replied. </div>
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"Come on, let's get going," ushering her towards the exit. </div>
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"Fuck Cade, you fuck off to London and you come back with a bird like that... how'd you manage that?" Gideon said over a beer. He was tall but not as tall as Cade. A group of them were sprawled on the beach beside a bonfire. Amber was seated on a deck chair talking to one of the other guys girlfriends. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"She's a right beauty mate," Owen chipped in, "Really nice too." </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"No, seriously Cade how'd you manage to snap her?" Josh said, another of Cade's good friends. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade took a sip of beer and looked up to see Lucy. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Hi Cade," she was standing in front of him wearing a short skirt and a t-shirt. She'd cut her hair short like a pixie and she was smiling down at him, "Could I have a word?" </div>
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<br /></div>
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He nodded and followed her further down the beach. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Who's that woman with Cade?" Amber whispered to Cela. Cela's boyfriend was Josh and they made a good looking couple. Cela had dark brown thick hair, a button nose and full lips but she had a smashing personality from what Amber could see. They had only been introduced to each other under an hour ago and already had a lot in common. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Oh that's Lucy... Cade's on and off girlfriend..." Cela whispered, "She's a bit of a cow though, from what the other guys have said." </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"They're off, right?" Amber said, hoping that they were indeed <em>off.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Yeah, last time I heard they were off... but hey, he's here with you isn't he? So that's some indication. I don't know why Cade constantly takes her back knowing she's cheated on him and been a bitch about it too." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I guess we do stupid things when we're in love," Amber said, more to herself then anyone else, "What's she doing here, if everyone seems to take a dislike to her?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"She has some hold on him... well I think anyway... I heard some of the guys talking... she uses sexual blackmail as a ploy but you'd call that a slapper right?" Cela said, no holds barred. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"A slapper?" Amber asks, "That's the same thing as a slut, right?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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Cela laughs, "Oh yeah, sorry... I keep forgetting you're not from around here... yup, pretty much. Y'know, if you want to reinstate your territory, you should go up there and introduce yourself to her, what harm could you do?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Me and Cade, we're not really... a couple... per say, it's complicated," Amber looked out over the sea. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Complicated? Life's complicated. Oh look, she's looking over... it's obvious they're talking about us, otherwise why would she be looking daggers at us," Cela smiled, "And I have to say, the way Cade has been watching you tonight, I can't say things are complicated. They look pretty straight forward to me... he looks pretty awestruck, if you ask me." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I haven't really thought about another relationship in a long time..." Amber hesitated. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Cade's a nice guy... you shouldn't really worry about it. He's way too good for Lucy, that's for sure," Cela encouraged, "Oh goodie, she's coming over." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lucy stomped over to where Cela and Amber were sitting, "Oh, so you're the girl who everyone's been harping on about." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber looked up from where she was sitting with Cela. She looked up at Lucy and carried her conversation with Cela. <br />
<br />
"Did you not hear me?" Lucy said slightly louder, putting her hands on her hips. <br />
<br />
Amber looked back at Lucy, gave her a point blank stare and carried on talking to Cela. <br />
<br />
"I don't like being ignored," Lucy admonished. <br />
<br />
Amber stood up and fixed her a cold stare, "And I don't like being spoken to like that. If you had a fragment of intelligence you would have politely introduced yourself instead of wading in as if you owned the place."<br />
<br />
"You don't know me, so don't dare speak to me like that," Lucy almost screamed. <br />
<br />
"I'll speak to you however way I endear to. The fact that you've sauntered your way here, impolitely announcing yourself and being a bit of bitch garners you no respect whatsoever, from me or anyone who's in ear shot distance. I suggest you turn around and leave me alone," Amber spat at her. <br />
<br />
"I have every right to be here as you," Lucy yelled back. <br />
<br />
"Be my guest," Amber said, pausing and turning to Cela, "Shall we get out of here?" <br />
<br />
Cela jumped up and laughed, "Yeah, let's get out of here." <br />
<br />
As Amber and Cela walked away, they were slowly joined by the rest of the crowd, leaving Lucy standing there. <br />
<br />
"You're hilarious!" Cela laughed. <br />
<br />
"I don't know her, yet I don't like her. She seems like such a brat," Amber said. <br />
<br />
"What did you say to Lucy?" Gideon said, putting his arm around Amber's neck and tugging. Amber instinctively grabbed his arm around her neck, twisted it behind his back and pushed him to the floor. Gideon looked up from the sand, eyes wide and full of shock as well as surprise, "What the fuck?!" <br />
<br />
Cade was by her side and turned her towards him, "Are you okay baby?" Searching her face. <br />
<br />
"The defence lessons are definitely working," she half heartedly said, looking straight into his eyes. <br />
<br />
"Your bird a kung fu expert or what?" Gideon said, bouncing back onto his feet and dusting himself off, "Shit, one minute I was standing and the next I was on the floor... that was crazy." <br />
<br />
"Sorry about that... I'm... uhh... you..." Amber stammered. <br />
<br />
"Amber's a fitness addict, if there's anything in the gym to get the heart racing she does it... I just have to look at her and my heart races... so it evens out the stakes," Cade humours, wrapping an arm around Amber to reassure her, "Amber, would you like to go for a walk?" <br />
<br />
Amber nods and they stroll away from the crowd. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-70160330847332947052012-05-29T04:40:00.001-07:002012-05-29T04:40:53.167-07:00 Amber's Advocate <div align="center">
<u>Chapter Ten</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<br />
Cornwall</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"So how far into the biography are you in?" Amber asked as she nursed a cup of hot chocolate in her cold hands. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"A few chapters in... it's a very interesting read, not really light reading but I like things that stimulate the mind. What were you doing when you got my text?" Cade asked, taking a sip of his ice tea. </div>
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"Honestly?" Amber said, thinking again, "I'd just woken up from another bad dream and was getting ready to go out somewhere... anywhere." </div>
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"Well, I'm glad I texted then," Cade smiled, "The last times I've met you, it's been late at night... I guess you don't sleep well then?" </div>
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<br /></div>
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"I don't usually sleep at all... I've been on sleep medication, y'know to help me get back into a pattern but my eyelids drop but my brain stays awake, it's the awake part that really gets to me. The part where I can't seem to shut off." </div>
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<br /></div>
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"I can't say I can relate I'm afraid and I'm sure you're pretty pissed at people telling you, "it'll be okay with time"- because who knows whether it will be. People usually say that when they have nothing better to say... which reminds me, I apologise about what I said to you yesterday at the restaurant, y'know when I was feeding you all that shit." </div>
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Amber shrugged, "It's fine. Sometimes I forget what people say or that I'm in conversation with them. Don't get me wrong... there's a part of me that's lost a part of me on the way and... I guess I'm always trying to find her. I've never been like this, I've always been the life and the soul of the party... I've never been this quiet..."</div>
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Cade reached out and touched her arm, he felt her flinch underneath his touch, "You don't have to justify yourself to me or anyone Amber." </div>
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"That's the point... no one understands what I've had to deal with... no one can understand how it feels. It's just in my nature now to justify everything."</div>
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"Okay, I understand," Cade said, removing his hand from her arm, "Would you like anything to eat?" </div>
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"I'm good, thank you," Amber smiled, "So, what have you got planned for the next couple of days?" </div>
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"It depends really," Cade replied. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"On what?" Amber looked thoughtfully at Cade. </div>
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"You," Cade's response hit home. </div>
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"Me? What have I got to do with anything?" Amber looked shell shocked. </div>
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"I'm taking a couple of days to see my parents, to surf..." </div>
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"You surf?" Amber spluttered. </div>
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Cade grinned, "Yeah, I don't surf as much as I'd like to, for the fact I live in London and the only surf around here is found in a bottle of laundry liquid, but I do. Why don't you come with?" </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Come with you? To meet your parents?" Amber said, shock registering all over her face. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Cade put his hands up, "Oh God no, you think me inviting you down to Cornwall is to introduce you to my parents, oh no... we're friends here Amber, entirely friends. Shoot! I should have made myself clear from the beginning... I always seem to presume people know what I'm talking about but... no, well... if you would like to come down, meet my folks... or y'know, get away... maybe even surf, you're more then welcome. It's completely up to you, no pressure, no nothing." </div>
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<br /></div>
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Amber looked him in the eyes, she must have startled him but she hadn't meant to. Even with Dan, he hadn't made any inclination to introduce her to his family, so this 'friendly proposal' had taken her by surprise. She was in two minds. Hadn't they established their friendship? Of course, he had been patient, a real gentleman, a complete contrast to how he had been when they had first met, but going down to Cornwall just didn't sit well with her right now. Maybe it was the spontaneity of the proposal, who knows, "I'll let you know." </div>
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Cade smiled, "No problem, no pressure like I said, okay? If you change your mind or just want to come down for the day, you only need to call Amber." </div>
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"Thanks Cade," she smiled, "When are you planning to set off?" </div>
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"Funnily enough, later on this morning," he smiled. </div>
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"Shit, shouldn't you be asleep now... or at home packing?" Amber said horrified looking at the coffee shop wall. </div>
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"Don't worry about it, I'll grab some winks when I get there," Cade smiled, "But thank you for worrying." </div>
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<br /></div>
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Amber blushed and looked away, was she worried? I guess you could say she was, "Were you born there?" </div>
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<br /></div>
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"No, I moved there with my parents when I was young... it's been home pretty much ever since," Cade offered. </div>
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"So, what is it that makes it home?" Amber sipped her hot chocolate. </div>
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"I can time travel back to being me... being a kid... there's no pretences y'know. I can be me and the people there know me, so I don't feel as if I have to put on an act," Cade said. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"And are you putting on an act?" Amber asked. </div>
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"I'd like to think not but I am with you," Cade looked her straight in the eye. </div>
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"With me? I don't understand," Amber frowned, "Have I done something wrong? I don't need your sympathies Cade..." </div>
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<div align="justify">
"I wasn't offering you my sympathies... I can tell you're afraid Amber but I can also see you fighting back each passing day, well if you can call the days that I've seen you anyway." </div>
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<br /></div>
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"So what do you mean... you're not putting on an act but you are with me, that doesn't make any sense?" Amber said leaning forward and clasping her hands together. </div>
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"Don't worry about it Amber... I'm not... I really ought to get back, can I walk you back home?" </div>
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"I think I'll stay here for a while, thank you for coming down," Amber stands up and gives Cade an awkward hug and he smiles. </div>
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"Let me know if you change your mind... if not, I'll see you when I get back, I hope," Cade smiles and walks out. </div>
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***</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shortly after Cade left Amber in the coffee shop, she'd stayed for an extra half hour before she decided to head home. Bizarrely enough, she couldn't quite get their conversation out of her head. Why didn't Cade want to answer her question? What act was he playing? And what did he mean? She smiled to herself, it was refreshing to know she was stressing over this little thing then be thinking about the overall picture. She shook herself out of her reverie and focused on the traffic below. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Didn't you hear me Amber?" Millie said skipping in and noticing the hand carrier on the floor beside her bed, "What's this?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber stood staring at the traffic below, "He's invited me down to Cornwall for a couple of days. Part of me wants to go because I've never been and the other half of me is holding back because, surely there's a protocol for this kind of thing. I'm indecisive as usual." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Millie sits on the edge of the bed, "How do you feel about him?"</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber spun around, "What's that to do with anything?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Simple really. Do you like him or not?" Millie asked. <br />
<br />
"The jury's still out on that one. I enjoy his company and he's a really easy person to talk to... " </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"You're a big girl, you should go for it!" encourages Millie. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What if he turns out to be a complete and utter jerk?" Amber asks, "Like the rest of them." </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"Hey! Liam's not a jerk!" Millie says in haste, "Besides, you haven't met all of man kind, so you can't comment on each and every one of them. It's just the ones you dated... and I hope Dan burns in hell for what he did to you. So, what's the verdict, you gonna go or what? I think it's a nice offer." </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"Yeah, I thought so too. I'm just scared though Millie, what if he talks with his fists... or worse... he's an axe wielding murderer?" Amber says. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Millie shrugs Amber, "You just said he's an easy person to talk to Amber... why would he need to use his fists at all... maybe, y'know to kiss you or something along the lines of some hanky-panky but he doesn't look the violent type, but anyway... as you're obviously going, I ask you only to do one thing for me..."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"Anything," Amber waits.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"Just text or call every night to let me know everything is okay... that you're okay," Millie stands up. </div>
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</div>
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"I'll do that," Amber replies, "Thanks Millie."</div>
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"Hey, do you want me to drive you to the train station?" Millie offered. </div>
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"That would be great, thanks Millie," Amber grabbed her bag and followed Millie out. </div>
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Amber and Millie hugged, "Thanks for dropping me off Millie, I'll call you when I get there and thanks... thanks for being such an awesome friend." </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You know I'm always here for you Amber, call me when you get there.. so I know you made it in one piece," Millie smiled and watched Amber board the train. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber looked at her watch, it read twenty to three, she had roughly four hours to kill before she would arrive there. Four hours! She was probably better off taking a plane but she wanted to savour the time before she saw Cade again. Cade... a man who had been occupying her thoughts of late. A man, she wanted to put all her baskets in but was afraid that he would turn out to be like the man she previously knew. She exhaled, taking a deep breathe and closed her eyes. She prayed she didn't wake to a nightmare... she prayed she didn't talk in her sleep and she prayed above all, that her heart wouldn't get broken this time and she wasn't opening herself up for more disappointment. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber woke with a start, the chairs beside her were vacated and as she turned around to see an elderly gentleman approach her, "Will you be staying or leaving miss?" </div>
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<br /></div>
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"I'm sorry, I must have dozed off... are we here?" Amber asked. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Yes mam, we are in Cornwall... do you know where you'll be heading off to?" the gentleman asked. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"I'm going to give my friend a call, his family are here and well..." she fumbled into her bag for her phone. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"And who might your friend be miss?" Amber may have thought he was prying but he seemed like such a sweet man, she didn't have the heart to tell him to mind his own business. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"His name is Cade Brown-Evans..." Amber was babbling. </div>
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"Oh you must be talking about young Braiden..." the gentleman said. </div>
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"No his name is definitely Cade..." Amber repeated. </div>
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"Cade is his middle name, never really liked being called Braiden after his great grandfather and the scandal. Most likely why he left to go to London, probably didn't want that hanging over his head. He comes from a good honest family though, wealthy too... you can find him at Camelot," the man ventured. </div>
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"Camelot?" Amber asked confused. </div>
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"Camelot Castle, one of many properties his family own," the man chimed, "I'm passing by there, if you would like a lift?" </div>
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"That would be great, thank you." Amber asked intrigued. </div>
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***</div>
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Cade grabbed his board and dumped it in the back of his dad's truck. He had hung back from the rest of the guys to appreciate what he had been missing for quite some time now... the water. He missed the sounds of the water, the splashing of the water... he just missed seeing the amount of water, however daft that sounded. It was good to be back. He started up the engine and dumped his iPhone on the passenger seat beside him and made an exit on to the road. </div>
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</div>
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<br />
He was barely on the road when his phone rang, it was Arthur, he put him on loud speaker; </div>
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</div>
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<br />
"Hi Arthur, what's up?" </div>
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</div>
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<br />
"Braiden," Arthur began, making Cade wince, he wanted to correct the man who had been working in the castle for more then twenty years, that he didn't like being called by his first name, "There is a young lady here to see you, her name is Amber..." <br />
</div>
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</div>
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"Amber?!" Cade pushed on the pedal, "What's she doing there?" </div>
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</div>
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"She was dropped off by Smith from the train station a little over an hour ago," Arthur replied. </div>
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</div>
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<br />
"Is she okay?" concern could clearly be heard in Cade's voice. </div>
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</div>
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<br />
"Perfect sir, she is with your mother in the coffee room," Arthur replied. </div>
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</div>
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<br />
"My mother, oh hell!" Cade hit fifth gear. <em>Not my mother. </em></div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-15859867291455535532012-05-20T15:25:00.001-07:002012-05-20T15:28:07.505-07:00 Amber's Advocate <div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Chapter Nine</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Small Truths & Hidden Truths</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make Truths Nonetheless</div>
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Next time Cade planned to dish out advice, he was going to choose his words wisely. He'd thrown out all the cliches imaginable, they usually worked with the ocassional broken heart, the cheating ex, you've-got-to-live-your-life spiel but never this. </div>
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"What?" he almost spluttered. Surely he had heard wrong. </div>
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"He left me for dead," Amber said blankly, "He ravaged me with his fists and kicked me when I was down and left me for dead. I understand if you don't want to continue seeing me... no one wants to go out with someone with this much baggage." </div>
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"I wasn't even thinking about leaving," Cade leaned forward, "I just didn't know... I'm sorry. I completely mis-judged the situation." </div>
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"Thank you for a great day... for a few hours I almost forgot about all this... I'm sorry I brought this up... I'm sorry." Amber grabbed her jacket and headed out of the restaurant and into the street. </div>
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Cade grabbed his jacket and followed Amber, she was half way down the street. He grabbed a hold of her and turned her towards him, "Hey, hey..."</div>
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"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry Cade...." she started sobbing and he drew her to him. He could feel her shaking as the tears fell down from her lovely face, the unresolved trauma that he could only imagine. He was suddenly angry, angry wasn't the word at all, he was furious, if he ever got hold of the man... no... what man would do this to a woman? Why would a man be compelled to hit a woman, why would he hit a woman? </div>
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"Let's take you home," Cade said hugging her towards him.<br />
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***</div>
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Millie opened the door to Amber's tear stricken face, her puffy red eyes, "What the hell did you do to her?" She said through clenched teeth. </div>
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"He didn't do anything Millie... he was an absolute gentleman," Amber said exhaling, "Leave it." </div>
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"Leave it? You've been crying," Millie pointed out the obvious. </div>
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"Of course, it's the story of my life isn't it?" Amber said, shaking her head, willing the memories to subside. She turned towards Cade, kissing him softly on the cheek, "Thank you for everything tonight." She smiled and walked into the house, leaving Millie and Cade standing awkwardly outside. </div>
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"So you were the perfect gentleman?" Millie eyed the man standing in front of her, despite him standing a few steps down, he still managed to be taller then her.</div>
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"Of course," Cade replied. </div>
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"Then why is she crying?" Millie said. </div>
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"I wouldn't be a gentleman if I kissed and told you, would I? It was nice to meet you Millie, good night," Cade said turning and went down the stairs. </div>
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"Seems like an honorable man by the sounds of it," Liam said as he watched his wife close the front door. </div>
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"Well, I'm not willing to put all my eggs in one basket," Millie replied, "Did she go upstairs?" </div>
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"Wouldn't it be best to leave her to her own devices tonight? Besides, you have to help me run through lines tonight Mrs Blake," Liam said clutching her hand. </div>
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"I'm becoming a bit of a mother hen, aren't I?" Millie said. </div>
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"Too much, you've gotta give the girl room to breathe, be herself... I know you mean well Mills but in order for her to move forward, you gotta give her some leeway, this is not leeway, if you're constantly in her face. We know you mean well and we have her back but she's a woman and a strong one, once she figures it out... it'll be fine," Liam said as he tugged his wife towards the couch. </div>
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***</div>
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<i>Amber made sure to have all the kitchen utensils out of the way... she was afraid. She was afraid for herself and her unborn baby. She had steadily started to tape the knives down in the drawers, giving herself precious seconds to move out of the way in case things got out of hand. She never knew things could, until one night a few weeks ago when Dan had got home after hitting the bars with his mates and moaned about something trivial at work and then taking the whisk of all things and hitting her profusely with it. It had been her arms that she had used to protect her, after the bruises had turned to mere smudges, she could see the damage which was left... the very thought of it made the coldness creep up her spine and the chill never leaving her bones. She'd never been so afraid in her life. If Amber had to explain why everything was taped down, she would explain it... she had to be strong... she had to protect what was hers now. It wasn't just her life, it was her baby's too. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>"Didn't you hear me?!" his hoarse voice penetrated her thoughts like a knife. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>"Dan," Amber looked up from the kitchen drawer as she closed it. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>"Who else you expecting?" he said. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>"No... no one at all, I was just caught by surprise that was all," Amber told herself to keep calm, "I was... um... how was your day today?" </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>He slithered towards her, his eyes never leaving her face. Amber couldn't help but step back with every approach, "You're not scared of me are you?" He lifted his finger and watched as she jumped at his approach, "Oh you are- you shouldn't fear me Amber." He turned around, "You've got nothing to fear." His voice taking on a softer serene tone, a tone she had once heard before... but before she could think about his knuckles made contact with her face and the sheer blunt force had her head snapping back and her feet disappearing out of her. It came to quick, she hadn't had time to prepare to land and landed on her back, missing the dining room table. He came above her and she tried to use her hands as a shield to protect her baby, he batter her, batter her but not her baby. The constant kicking and punching, had the life force taken away from her. It was strange, it was like her soul was ebbing it's way out of her body and was watching from outside of the situation, a silent spectator to the scene. It was pain emanating from her stomach that brought her back to the moment and screamed like she'd never screamed before... and then she saw the blood, the blood coming from her vagina... the metallic taste of blood in her mouth... she screamed one final scream, saw his eyes widen and then her head hit the floor once again and all she saw was the ceiling and administered herself to the angels, so be it. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Amber woke up from her bad dream, clutching her stomach. The silent tears streaming down her face, she didn't want to alarm Millie again. She was bathed in her own sweat and she walked to the bathroom, her legs like jelly and showered, the water scolding... yet her bones were brittle-cold. She quickly dried herself with the fluffy towel and put on jeans and a jumper, she was heading down to the kitchen for a glass of water when the cell phone on her bedside table came to life. She walked over and it was a text message, she clicked the envelope icon and the message appeared; </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Can't sleep to be honest- was up reading and was</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">thinking of you. Had a great time with you </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">yesterday. Sleep tight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">C :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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Amber smiled more to herself then for the text message, she texted back;</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Me too. What are you reading? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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The text message came back almost immediately;</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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Amber's eyes widened... could his brain cells function at this time of night... it wasn't exactly light reading- she texted back;</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fancy a coffee, at the usual? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">You could tell me about it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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The text message was instantaneous;</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sure :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Give me fifteen minutes and I'll be there. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cade :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber pocketed her phone into her pocket and crept downstairs. Thirsty, she poured herself a glass of water from the water dispenser and took a gulp. Her mouth was dry. She put the glass in the sink and then walked over to the couch and put on her converses. She was excited, excitement didn't come natural to her but she was excited. Excited to see him, which took her by surprise, but it was a surprise she was willing to partake in. And excited because she hadn't felt excited in a very long time. Her phone buzzed and he was parked outside. She quietly opened the front door, making sure she had her keys and closed the door quietly. He was standing on the pavement in chinos, a cable knit blue jumper and his hair was unkempt. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Are you okay to walk?" Cade asked. </div>
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"I thought you'd never ask," Amber smiled. As they walked side by side to the coffee shop a few blocks down. </div>
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</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-49049534617035341612012-05-02T05:43:00.000-07:002012-05-02T05:43:49.725-07:00 Amber's Advocate <div align="center">
<u>Chapter Eight</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<br />
<em>Issues Again</em></div>
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</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Cade saw the top of her head, her red halo of thick hair before he saw her sitting down on the bench. Her face was turned away from him, she was staring at something beyond the activity in the park and he wondered what she was thinking. He'd been wondering a lot about her, the last couple of days. Too much, which he didn't want to admit, even to himself. She was dressed casually as promised in regular black jeans and white Converses and was wearing a blouse with a beige cardi and was clutching a jacket. She looked ethereal. She must have sensed him staring at her and turned round that minute, her face was void of make-up, which shocked him. Not in a bad way of course, in a good way. It made him think of what she would look like when she woke in the morning. He approached her and she stood up. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Sorry I'm late," they both say simultaneously and they both laughed. </div>
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"Are you ready to go?" Cade smiles. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Sure, what have you got planned?" Amber asks, as she follows Cade out of the park. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"I hope you like to get your hands dirty," Cade quipped. </div>
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"Dirty? I'm not sure if I like the sound of that," Amber says hesitantly. </div>
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"Trust me, you'll enjoy it," Cade smiles, "I've just parked my car outside, they're expecting us in half an hour." </div>
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"Who's expecting us in half an hour?" Amber says as she gets into the Audi. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"When you said I was going to get my hands dirty, I didn't realise you meant this..." Amber smiled in glee, as she looked up at the giraffe who was currently eating acacia leaves from her hands. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Well, I wasn't about to tell you we were going to the zoo, was I? It would spoil the surprise," Cade smiled. He too was participating in the activities. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"So how do you get an 'in' in here?" Amber asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I used to work here," Cade replied, "This was my first job, the pay wasn't great but I didn't mind. I love working with animals." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Who doesn't. So what do you do for a living as you don't obviously work here anymore?" Amber asked. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I work as a senior writer at a magazine," Cade replied. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Oh yeah and how did you know passion was the thing for you, when you thought animals were?" Amber asked. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I kind of fell into it... I mostly get shoved into most things without a bare thought and it worked for me, been with it ever since," Cade replied. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"So, you mostly fall into things... are most of the things you've fallen into, been worth it?" Amber asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Yes, I'd say so. What's the point of sitting back and not taking the risks? There's just no point in living. We'd all be going snail trail otherwise." Cade replied, he watched as his words sunk in and her face went slack and then her complexion turned another shade of pale, "Are you okay?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Fine, why wouldn't I be?" she replied, a bit too quickly. She was on her guard, he could tell... which only made him that more curious, "What's next?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"That's up to you, the birds, the penguins..." Cade smiled. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Great, can't wait!" Amber said genuinely. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few hours later, Amber watched as Cade said goodbye to his friends at London Zoo. It had been a momentous day for sure, the weather was beautiful and warm and she had been welcomed into the zoo, like she'd worked there prior to her visit. They were so welcoming and accommodating and she found herself warming towards all of them. She'd especially watched Cade's interaction with the older members of the team and knew instantly that he was a gentle person. She'd especially observed the way he was with the animals, he was gentle as gentle gets and it did something funny inside her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She had been won over by his finesse as well, when it came to lunch, he'd asked her to meet him outside the butterfly house. Standing like an awkward teenager, she'd waited ten minutes and he'd arrived with a brown paper bag. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I brought a tuna melt and a chicken pesto panini with two cokes and a water, you can choose whatever you want and I'll have what's left over," Cade had said, "I hope you don't mind having lunch in the butterfly house. Something exciting to watch whilst we mull over lunch." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of course, Amber was starving. She had forgotten about her food as she had been mesmerised by how beautiful the butterflies were. The butterfly house was more like a green house stationed away from the main zoo, there were tropical butterflies and British varieties but Amber was in awe at how beautiful it all was. She couldn't help but look at the man sitting beside her, getting stuck into the tuna melt. The day was going from strength to strength and in a very long time, she was optimistic. She was curious about the man, who wouldn't be. This was a first of many firsts and she couldn't quite contain herself. She couldn't lie to herself, she was drawing comparisons... comparisons to Rick. Yet Cade blew Rick right out of the water on 'first dates'. A bar and restaurant just didn't compete with feeding the animals at London Zoo and then having lunch in the butterfly house. She was seeing a whole different side to this man, someone she was willing to invest more time in. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Ready to go?" Cade said, breaking into Amber's thoughts. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She nodded back and he guided her outside, towards the car. It was five in the afternoon, a bit too early for dinner and her stomach growled. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You hungry? You didn't eat much at lunch," Cade commented. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I couldn't," Amber replied, "I was distracted by the butterflies. I loved the butterflies." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You can always come back if you want," Cade offered. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I'd like that," Amber smiled back. She was silent for a while, before she spoke up again, "Thank you."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Thank you for what?" Cade asked, as he opened the passenger door of his car. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"For the experience, for the butterflies... you don't know... how..." the words were lost on her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade smiled, "Don't thank me just yet, the day isn't over. I noticed you didn't really eat much food- my fault really, the butterflies and all, do you fancy a Shawarma?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Those greasy things on a stick?" Amber asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Trust me, you don't know what you're missing," Cade smiled, as he shut the door after her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber watched as Cade was greeted by the restaurant owner and his staff with open arms, or more or less a big bear hug. They directed him to a quiet table in the corner by a fire place where Turkish trinkets hung from the ceiling and comfy cushions were adorned all over the seats. Amber felt like she'd stepped into a whole different country. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"They seem to know you in here," she commented. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I wrote an article about this place and they've had full on business since then," Cade smiled, "I can guarantee that whatever you order on the menu, will be the best Turkish food you have ever eaten. You must be starving." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I am actually, what's good here?" Amber asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Everything..." Cade replied. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"That really narrows it down Cade," Amber laughed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Would you like me to order several platters and you can eat off all of them?" Cade offered. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Please," Amber smiled, "What are you drinking?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I usually have a beer or some red wine for the meat, but I'm driving, so it'll be some water... but on my account, please order something," Cade smiled. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I'll have water too," and she put down the menu. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"So Amber, tell me something that most people don't know about you?" Cade asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What is it you want to know?" Amber said hesistantly. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Well, that's why I asked the question... to get to know you," Cade replied gently, "Okay, I'll let you in on a secret... I don't dislike you." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber laughed, "That's a relief." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I hope you didn't go into this date thinking I disliked you surely?" Cade leaned forward, clasping his hands together and watching her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"We didn't exactly start on the same page, did we? How is Bryan by the way?" Amber asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Bryan's fine..." Cade didn't really want to talk about his mate who was currently dating one of his co-workers. One of the waiters approached them and he gave them their order and they were left alone. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I wanted to apologise to Bryan that night, y'know when he tried to talk to me... to apologise for my behaviour, you were right, sometimes I just don't know, I just can't see... I'm not a very good judge of character... I know that all too well..." Amber looked down at her hands, <em>why was she even going down that road? </em>She tried to will away the tears and looked up to see Cade's hand by her face, she flinched back as if his touch scolded her. The look of terror in her eyes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I wasn't going to hurt you Amber... I just wanted you to look at me," Cade said gently, disturbed by the look in her eyes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Where are the bathrooms?" Amber said on her feet. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Just through the double doors there," Cade frowned, "Are you okay?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber nodded and wove her way towards the bathrooms. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade was rifling through his emails when Amber returned to her seat. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Sorry about that," she apologised. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Don't be, I hope everything is okay?" Cade asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I hope so," Amber said. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Would you like to talk about it? I'm a good listener, I might be able to help. I would like to think we were established friends now," Cade offered. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber's smile was grim, "It's all I ever do... is talk about it... for once in my life I just want to forget about it... everything. Have you ever been like that?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Sure, haven't we all... but I tend to tackle things head on, I just don't like festering... festering is what kills it for me. Sometimes the best course of action is accepting it," Cade offered. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"How do you accept something that was beyond your control but it still manages to resonate with you... I still feel as lost as ever... you're probably wasting your time sitting here with me with this nutcase, me!" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"If it was beyond your control before, then you'd have to get control of it now, you've just got to get back in the driving seat... no bullshitting..." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Even if I'm a victim of domestic abuse and he left me for dead... almost," Amber bravely said, interrupting Cade's advice. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-52566483380765988272012-04-30T09:50:00.002-07:002012-05-02T03:10:38.652-07:00 Amber's Advocate <div align="center">
<u>Chapter Seven</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<br />
<em>Surprises</em></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
"Say what? Abercombie asked you out? How did that happen?" Millie leaned against the kitchen counter, clutching a cup of coffee, the following morning, "You're not considering going out with him are you? You really ought to take your time Amber and you can't forget what he said to you that night with Fitch, which brought on that massive panic attack... is this even sensible?"</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"She's not a kid Mills," Liam spoke upon entering the kitchen in just grey sweats, clutching an iPad. He kissed his wife, "I say, go for it, what have you got to lose? You don't owe him but he's obviously made an impression on you, otherwise why would you be passing it through Mills."</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"That's true, I never considered it like that," Amber replied, "I don't know yet."</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Do it! He may actually be good for you... obviously you'll never know that, if you're just lying around here doing nothing," Liam joked. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Liam, you're really not helping the situation," Millie glared at him. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"I'm not out to help the situation, I'm here to help Amber. She obviously wants in but is to scared to make that leap.," Liam looks seriously at Amber, "I say, you should go for it. What have you got to lose? Either way, you'll find out whether he's worth it or not." </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade sat on the bench around the corner from where Amber lived with Millie and Liam in the town house in Chelsea. If he leaned forward, he could just about see it. He'd been sitting here for twenty minutes, phone in hand and he was casually dressed. If casual was his worn jeans, leather jacket and a checkered shirt, he'd go so far as to say he was casual smart. He didn't want to come across as a complete lazy tosser by wearing sweat pants on the first day, but hey, he'd like to make a good impression. He even wore his smart trainers, they'd be doing a lot of walking today and he wanted to be comfortable. <br />
<br />
The sky was the bluest he'd seen in a long time, he was always indoors working, to really appreciate the sky, the sun. Today was going to be a day of firsts, in a long time. He was going to appreciate the city, which he hadn't in a while. And the even better, he was going to enjoy figuring out Amber. <br />
<br />
He looked at his watch, she was five minutes late. He hoped she was coming, otherwise it would be a very lonely day. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"Damn! I'm late," exclaimed Amber as she flicked the eyeliner brush and applied some blusher. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"What's the big deal, you said you weren't bothered about this," Millie chipped in. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"I'm not," Amber replied, "But sometimes it pays to make an effort and I don't exactly want to turn up looking haggard." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"You don't look haggard," Millie said, whilst sitting on the bed watching Amber, "Whatever gave you that impression?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"I don't know... I'm not exactly what you call 'beautiful' am I?" Amber said, looking at herself in the mirror. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"Beautiful is not conventional... and you are not conventional. You look much prettier without all that slap, y'know," Millie objected.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"Slap being the make up right? I really ought to get used to you Brits and your slang words," Amber said, getting a facial wipe and clearing off the make up. She applied sunscreen and put on a bit of tint, a stroke of bronzer and some clear lip gloss and hoped for the best. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"Y'know slap is better when it doesn't look like slap... like how you've done it now," Millie observed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"Do I look okay?" Amber spun around. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Millie smiled, "You look great. You're nervous aren't you?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"Can you tell?" Amber frowned.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
"This is a big step and I'm going to be a supportive friend... I should have been at the beginning. I just don't want you..." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Amber put her hands up, "I don't want to think about it anymore... I just want to get on with my life. Wish me luck!" <br />
<br />
"Good luck," Millie called out after her, as she ran out of the house. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The sunlight was blinding as she skipped down the stairs and towards the park. It was warm and maybe she had overcompensated with the layers she'd worn. She couldn't help herself, she was always cold, no matter the weather. She took off her jeans jacket and strode over to the park, where she had arranged with Cade she would meet him. The park was a buzz with activity, families were scattered around playing all sorts of throw-and-catch games. Amber looked at the bench beside the entrance and noticed a couple kissing, they were sucking each others faces... wasn't that where Cade said he would be waiting, to meet her? She peered closer at the man and realised it wasn't Cade and she breathed a sigh of relief. She edged closer into the centre of the park and eyed the faces, none of them vaguely resembling Cade. <br />
<br />
The sun was shining, causing flickering light beams on the lake, making her squint in the daylight. And then she noticed him. He was helping out a little boy and they were both crouched down by the edge. Cade had a branch in one hand, whilst the other was shielding the little boy from falling into the pond. Something tugged at her and she couldn't help but watch. Cade managed to move the football towards them and the football bounced in the water and into the boys hands. She could clearly see the delight written all over the little boy's face and then watched as the mother of the little boy, thanked Cade profusely. Amber turned on her heel and went back to their arranged meeting spot, thankfully the couple had disappeared and she took a seat, patiently waiting for him to come back. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-42538111576426757732012-04-08T12:39:00.000-07:002012-05-02T03:00:26.436-07:00 Amber's Advocate <div align="center">
<u>Chapter Six</u><br />
<br />
<em>Proposal</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Amber stared at the ceiling, she was accustomed to looking at ceilings especially as she'd stared at the same one numerous times before, when her posture obviously couldn't take the force anymore and she'd stumble and hit the floor. She remembered having the breathe stolen from her and the numbness sinking into her nerve endings. She exhaled, blinking back the images as well as the emotions welling up inside her. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Up you get." The strong arms of her Krav Maga instructor as he set her on her feet and carried on explaining ways to defend and deter danger. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Amber listened intently, she wanted to soak up as much information as humanly possible. She was afraid but she was tired of playing the 'afraid' card. If Rick was released on parole, she wanted to be ready. If he wanted to play dirty, so could she. She was the only woman in the class and was always picked to do demonstrations, usually she found herself on the floor most times but in order for her to learn, she would have to start from rock bottom... the floor. The session was over, she grabbed her bags and scurried out of the class. She badly needed a pick me up, a fruity drink to calm her beating heart and a couple of minutes to gain back her breathe. Heading to the smoothie bar, she chose a strawberry and mango shake and sat down by the window. Staring out into the street, watching the every day people going about their day to day lives and then she heard her name. She heard it again and spun around to see Cade in sweats and an a hoodie which revealed a glimpse of his hairless chest. He had his gym bag in his hand and his hair was damp from what she gathered must have been a shower. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Funny seeing you here," he smiled warmly looking towards the empty seat, waiting for an invitation. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He was met with silence. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I'm sorry... did you want to...?" Amber whispered. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Never thought you'd ask," he grinned as he took the seat in front of her, "What did you go on?" </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Go on?" Amber replied, her mind not with her, as usual.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"The gym equipment. What did you use?" he asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I don't really use the machines here," Amber replied. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Oh, then you must have been at one of the classes then... let me guess... you're a Zumba girl. I can't say I'm a Zumba girl myself but hey, there's a first and last time for everything," he quipped. He was rewarded with a giggle and he smiled, "Y'know you look beautiful when your eyes light up like that."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Amber smiled a shy thanks, "What did you do here?" </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Apart from trying to get fit and getting rid of my gut... not much else. Are you waiting on another class? Or are you good to talk?" Cade replied. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I've just finished my class and just having a breather before I head off home, you?" Amber asked lightly. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Not sure, I've got a couple of days off, so I'm trying to decide what to do with my time. Any recommendations?" Cade asked, trying to gage conversation. He hadn't wanted to do much with his time off, but having seen Amber from across the room, an idea struck him. He was intrigued. There was something intriguing about her- he didn't know whether it was because she didn't disclose what she did, that made him want to peel the layers. From where he was sitting, she definitely had a body, even if it was dressed in layers of sweats. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I'm sure there are galleries and museums to amuse you," Amber replied getting up. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cade watched as she prepared to leave, collecting her things and dumping her smoothie into the bin. he stayed sitting, "Can I take you to lunch tomorrow?"<br />
<br />
Amber stopped and turned around, "Lunch?"<br />
<br />
"Dinner is too pretentious, lunch is easy going... no pressure, so what do you say?" Cade said, still seated. <br />
<br />
"Is this a date?" Amber asked. <br />
<br />
"Just lunch with a mate, not unless you want it to be... it's on your terms... but I'd like the company, for lunch tomorrow," he stood up and walked towards her, "What do you say?" </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-19940325447162397392012-03-30T05:50:00.002-07:002012-05-02T02:22:27.545-07:00 Amber's Advocate <div align="center">
<u>Chapter Five</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
Stirrings</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He was woken by the repetitive noise from the cell next door, every day he spent here he grew with his anger but they didn't know, because he chose to conceal it. He was supreme in keeping his anger locked up elsewhere, away from educated know-it-alls who'd asked him plenty of questions about his past, his mother, his father and why he was the way he was but he fooled and schooled them all. He exuded a quiet confidence and he tricked them with his foolery. <em>That little bitch was going to pay and when he found her, he would do more then just make her bleed... he was going to make her pay for shutting him in. </em>Of course, he had to devise a plan and with plans they needed time and management. He could wait, he'd been here coming to three months and each day was the same; the same routine, the same miserable faces but faces he knew, were hungry... hungry for revenge and in that respect, he knew he wasn't alone. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber clutched the mug for dear life, as if it were her safety net, her barrier against the man sitting in front of her. They'd been sitting here for half an hour and she had expected it to be unpleasant but it was the complete opposite. She had to admit to herself that he was a beautiful specimen of a man- but she told herself she wasn't ready to go down that road, not now and not in the foreseeable future. He had been doing most of the talking and she knew he'd done it to make her feel comfortable that there wasn't pressure for her to speak but of course, she always felt pressure. She felt pressure every waking day, for once she just wanted to forget. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Hey! Enough about me... tell me something about yourself?" he asked, his hazel eyes taking on a darker hue as they probed hers gently. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I'm not all that exciting." <em>Yes, keep your sentences to a minimum- don't let him get too close. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Why don't you let me be the judge of that," he smiled.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Silence. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Okay, if you don't want to talk about yourself right now, how about you tell me how you know Millie?" Cade asked, taking a sip of his coffee. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"She's my friend," Amber replied. <br />
<br />
"Yes, I know that... but how did you two meet?" Cade asked. <br />
<br />
"We have mutual friends," Amber replied, she looked out the window. <br />
<br />
"Are you trying to be evasive on purpose?" Cade quipped, there was 'mysterious' and then there was down right 'secretive' and Amber was both and then some. There was also a look of vulnerability about her too but he wasn't going to pry and he wasn't going to beg. So, he fell into silence, appreciating the quietness. They had been sitting there for ten minutes before she spoke. <br />
<br />
"I better go," she got up. <br />
<br />
"Let me walk you," Cade said, putting some change on the table and following her as she made her way out. <br />
<br />
<br />
Amber wrapped her cardigan closer to herself, feeling the slight chill. It was warm but she always felt the cold no matter where she was. Suddenly she felt something settle on her shoulders and she flinched. <br />
<br />
"I thought you might be cold," Cade whispered, as he walked with her. <br />
<br />
"I am... thanks," Amber replied, tugging the material closer. She walked the remainder of the way home in silence with him walking beside her. Strange, but she felt safer when he was around but she didn't want to depend on him, especially as this was the first time she'd properly spoken to him, who knows what kind of person he could be and what secrets he could be carrying. It brought her back to when she first met Rick. He'd been rowdy with a couple of his friends at a bar in Tribeca, New York and Rick had hitted on anything that could justify a skirt. She had entered the bar with Millie at the time, brought her to one of her favourite haunts- only to have a bunch of rowdy men acting like pubescent teenagers. Amber had gotten right up in Rick's face and demolished him with her feistiness. Somehow he took thrill out of being told what do by a woman and charmed the socks off her and lest be known, he'd persuaded her to go on a date with her. <br />
<br />
The sound of Cade's voice broke her out of her reverie, if you could call it that. Most days when she revisited the past, she did it with a heavy heart. She couldn't seem to surpass it. Millie had said it would take time, so did her therapist. <br />
<br />
"Sorry, what did you say?" Amber asked. She saw his lips moving but she didn't catch what he'd said the first time. <br />
<br />
"You stopped, I presumed this is where you lived," Cade said looking at the Town House, "Nice building though." <br />
<br />
Amber was about to reply when someones voice cut through the conversation. <br />
<br />
"Hey Amber!" <br />
<br />
Amber looked straight ahead and saw Sam stepping out of a big black SUV, "Hi Sam!" The petite yet curvaceous woman walked towards them. She was dressed casually in jeans and trainers and wore a T-shirt, "Where've you come from?" <br />
<br />
"Oh, just returned from a weekend with the girls, who's...?" Sam looked up at the man standing beside Amber. <br />
<br />
"Oh sorry, Sam this is Cade... a friend... Cade this is Sam, our next door neighbour," Amber said. <br />
<br />
They both shook hands and Sam said goodnight and disappeared up the steps. <br />
<br />
Cade turned back towards Amber and stood there quietly. <br />
<br />
Amber shrugged and peeled off his jacket, "Thank you for this." <br />
<br />
"No problem," Cade smiled. <br />
<br />
"Thanks for the company, I'll see you around. Good night," and Amber disappeared up the stairs. <br />
<br />
Cade waited until she was inside before he walked home- a sudden spring in his step. <br />
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-25766505521331091092012-03-22T07:53:00.000-07:002012-05-29T03:11:42.788-07:00Amber's Advocate<div align="center">
<u>Chapter Four</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
Prisoner</div>
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<br />
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
Insomnia was a bitch! Especially when the prescribed drugs didn't do anything to help you sleep, she'd long stopped taking them because what was the point? She hadn't been able to transition properly to <em>British Summer Time </em>and even if she did manage forty winks, she'd suddenly wake up screaming for her life. Dan was no longer in the picture but every time she closed her eyes she would see his black devil eyes and his clump of a fist nearing towards her and the blood spurting out everywhere, like some Hitchcock movie. The thought of it now, as her eyes focused on walking brought shivers down her back. She willed those images away. They would always be there but in time, they would fade... much like the scars on her body. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
It was a beautiful night in this part of town, where droves of men and women were making their way home from a night out. The women in short vibrant dresses and the shortest of hemlines; their platform heels making their dainty legs look endless -struggled to remain upright as they walked down the street past Amber, probably intoxicated, having drunk the bar dry. The whiff of alcohol confirmed that, making Amber nauseous and wrap her jumper closer around her as she watched them walk away. She turned back to the objective at hand and started making her way towards the coffee shop a few blocks out. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
*</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade sat at the back of the black cab, stuck in traffic. The red numbers on the meter read ten pounds twenty five pence and they'd only moved a meter in the last fifteen meters. He was heading home, home to his flat in Camden. He'd been annoyed at himself for not moving faster, an opportunity to talk to Millie Bright Blake and Liam Blake - but maybe it was a good idea that he hadn't. What the hell would he have said to them? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>'Remember me? I was the bastard who put your friend in her place-' </em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No, it wasn't a great way to make friends. He put his hand through his hair, grimacing at the combination of gel and wax in his hand. He wasn't used to putting that crap in his hair but he had to make an effort. He managed to get some gossip amidst eavesdropping on a few celebrities, enough to fill a column and justify the content. If he got stuck, he could always trail <em>Perez Hilton </em>and was alarmed to find out, he knew of Perez Hilton. He shook his head, to think that he would steep that low. At least now, he could go home, take off the bloody tux and hit the sack. The black cab still hadn't moved and he was getting impatient. Outside his window he stared at a woman who was giggling amongst her friends, she was on the floor trying to be helped up. Probably having fallen flat on her face by those ridiculous shoes that they wore. They'd obviously lost all decorum as they bent down and was rewarded by honking and wolf whistles. Cade looked at the meter, it had shifted to fifteen pounds, bloody hell. He looked out the window, the girls were up off the floor making their way down the street and then that's when he saw her. First it was the flicker of red and then he saw her face and her disappearing figure going in the opposite direction. He delved into his pocket, withdrew a twenty pound note, handed it to the cab driver, told him to keep the change and ran in that direction. <br />
<br />
Her retreating figure was hugged in hip hugging denims and a cable knit jumper and her hair was loose, like flickering fire down her back. He bypassed party goers and random pedestrians, all fading into the background. He ran past her and stopped to take a breathe and managed to say her name in between gulps of breathe, "Amber." <br />
<br />
She stopped mid step and looked at him, the expression on her face unreadable. They stood in silence for almost three minutes until she broke the silence with, "Are you following me?" <br />
<br />
"I saw... you... an...and... I thought I'd see how you were," Cade said. <br />
<br />
"That's an awful long way... just to see how I am?" she said looking behind her, trying to figure out where he'd run from. She turned back towards him, hugging her jumper to her. <br />
<br />
"Are you okay?" Cade caught his breathe back, undoing his tux jacket<br />
<br />
"Did you rub up against a penguin tonight or what?" Amber quipped, though her face was blank.<br />
<br />
"No, I was at a Charity Gala," Cade replied, "It doesn't matter... stop avoiding my question."<br />
<br />
"You must have been to the same charity gala that Millie and Liam were at," Amber commented. <br />
<br />
"If you won't answer my question, tell me this... where are you going to at this time of the night?" <br />
<br />
"That's none of your business, so if you'll excuse me," Amber dismissed him and walked away. <br />
<br />
Cade followed, hands in pocket as he strode alongside her, "Then you won't mind if I keep you company." <br />
<br />
Amber didn't know whether to be angry or feel less alone but she wasn't going to think about it. Thinking would only resort to being stressed and she didn't want to be. She'd blank out the image of the tall broad shouldered man dressed in a tux walking beside her. She felt inferior with this man, it wasn't the same inferior she felt when she was with Dan but she felt small besides him. His great encompassing stature to her lilith one- she had to admit he looked good in a tux. <br />
<br />
"I'm not going to pretend with you; I'm curious about you, about your life... but whether you choose to disclose that part of you to me is up to you, no pressure. I just thought I'd put it out there, so there isn't this uneasy feeling between us, okay?"<br />
<br />
Amber nodded. <br />
<br />
"So, where is it that you're heading off to?" Cade asked. <br />
<br />
"Coffee... I'm going for coffee, would you like to join me?" Amber asked. <br />
<br />
"Why not," Cade smiled back and they walked the remainder of the way in peaceful silence. <br />
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-61973139781115882442012-03-12T10:50:00.000-07:002012-05-02T01:53:47.132-07:00Amber's Advocate<div align="center">
<u>Chapter Three</u></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<em>Worry & Boredom</em></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Cade stared outside the window of his office, the rain was beating down against the glass, reflecting much of his mood. He'd been staring at the computer screen trying to write an article for next month's issue but the words weren't flowing as well as he'd like. Three weeks had flown by since that incident outside <em>Nomad, </em>which seemed to have been chronicled in every tabloid and gossip magazine; not that Cade would be the first to admit he read those stories but he was curious. At that time, he hadn't even noticed the paps but then again, anyone could be the paparazzi with the technology on mobile phones these days. Thankfully in the photographs, his identity hadn't been shown, however he had been labelled in the papers as 'A Knight in Shining Armour' and 'Civilian Saves The Day'. No one knew he had been there, not even Bryan and there was no way in hell he was going to admit it. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
His telephone rang interrupting him of his wavering thoughts, he picked it up to hear the sound of his editor on the other end, requesting him to go to his office. Cade picked himself up from his desk and walked over to James' office. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"What's up?" Cade asked, peering into James' office. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Take a seat," the forty-something year old said. He waited for Cade to take a seat before he proceeded. James was a straight forward bloke, like most editors he didn't really have time to beat around the bush. If he wanted something, he came out with it... or in other instances, got someone else to do it for him. He was going grey of course and he'd put on a considerable amount more weight since joining the magazine two years ago, "I've overlooked you somehow Cade and have been reading your articles and am impressed... so this is what I'm proposing... Carl is off on paternity for two weeks, I want you to cover his slot whilst he's away." </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"But Carl covers the social scene... I do worthy informative news..." Cade said. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"I know... but sometimes it's nice to change scene once in a while, keep your writing style fresh," James intervened. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Look James, I really appreciate this opportunity but I really... don't... I'm just not a social..." Cade couldn't quite spit it out. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"It's only for two weeks and besides, whilst you do Carl's column you can still do your <em>worthy informative news</em> - that way you still get a bit of both worlds," James said, "Tonight is a Charity auction and you're going and all the A-listers are going to be there..." James said pushing an envelope towards Cade. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"What if I don't go?" Cade asked. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Then that's the stupidest thing I've heard today," James leaned back in his chair, "If you don't- then you will have to contemplate your future here at <em>STANCE.</em>"</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Cade took the envelope from the desk and headed out, "Better get ready then." </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
"Yes, don't disappoint me," James said, having the last word. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Cade returned to his desk and dumped the envelope on his desk. A 1st in Journalism and he was resounded to writing a gossip column. This was a kick in the teeth from everything that he had learned. He looked at his watch and hoped that the Tuxedo hanging in his closet was clean and pressed, otherwise he'd have to turn up to Saville Row and hire one. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Mills, she's a big girl and she's a lot more stronger then you take her for. She's come out of it better then most women. You really ought to stop worrying about her," Liam whispered into his wife's ear. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Most women? Do you even know most women who've come out of an abusive relationship Liam?" Mills whispered. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I don't but from what I've seen and heard, Amber is fighting strong," Liam exhaled as he steered his wife to the table, "Let's just enjoy the evening okay?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Millie picked up her skirts and sat down at the offered seat, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm just..." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"A good friend and a protective one at that, there's nothing wrong with that... it's one of the qualities I love about you," Liam smiled, "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"No but tell me again," Millie smiled. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You look beautiful," Liam was about to lean forward to kiss his wife when someone tapped him on the shoulder. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Sorry to interrupt the interlude folks but we swapped two place settings to sit with you," Liam looked up, smiled and hugged Artie. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"How you doing Artie? When did you get back?" Liam said. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Millie rose from her seat to greet Artie's wife, Frieda Armstrong. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Got back a few hours ago- location was deep in the jungle and damn, I missed a good bath," Artie smiled and turned his attention to Millie, "Hi Mills, how are you?" He kissed her on the cheek. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Good and you?" Millie asked back. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Oh, can't wait to get back to normalcy. We can catch up once we get seated," Artie said as he steered his wife to the designated empty seats beside Millie and Liam. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The evening wore on, food was consumed as was large amounts of alcohol. Bids were taken and prizes were auctioned. The aim of the game was to collect as much money as possible. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade watched from the bar on the far side. He'd especially paid attention to the brunette seated with the actor on one of the tables nearer to the stage. He'd watched them laugh, bid and converse with another familiar A- List couple. He was itching to speak to the brunette for reasons he didn't want to acknowledge, but it had been stone cold quiet since the last time he'd seen her and the woman and all he wanted to know, was that the woman was okay. They were making their way to the exit and his opportunity to talk to her was slipping away. So he smacked his glass back on the bar and made a bee line for them. They slipped out and the door closed behind them, <em>damn! </em>He tried to move towards them but came to a block of people mingling. He cursed, trying to move around them and not succeeding. He looked for another exit and couldn't find one. There was no way in hell, he was going to catch up with them now. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber heard the key in the lock and the front door open. She had been lounging on the sofa watching pointless brainless TV, going out of her mind with boredom. She perked up when Millie appeared in her beautiful Oscar de la Renta dress. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"How was it?" Amber asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"It was fun, caught up with Frieda and Artie... they definitely raised some... how was your day?" Millie took off her earrings and deposited them in the bowl by the mantel piece. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Boring as hell... I really need to do something with my time... but I'm such an invalid," Amber exhaled. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You're not an invalid Amber... you've got a sprained wrist- there's a difference," Millie said, plonking down beside her, "So how you feeling?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Apart from bored, great," came the sarcasm. Amber got up, "Do you know what... I'm going for a walk."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"A walk but it's late," Mills reasoned. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Mills you really ought to let me breathe a little... I'm fine, I won't go too far and besides I've been couped up here like a fire fly in a jar, I want to be set free... I just need some air. I'll be fine," Amber said, striding out of the living room. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Let me come with you," Millie asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"No... I really want to be on my own, it's fine," Amber said, as she grabbed a jumper and slipped into her ballet pumps and walked out the door. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Liam appeared from the bedroom dressed in sweats, "Was that Amber leaving?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Yeah, she's gone for a walk," Mills said, eyeing the door. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Good," Liam smiled, "Now Mrs Blake... I'm going to get rid of that dress..." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"It's an Oscar de la Renta dress..." Millie said sheepishly. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"A dress is a dress Mills no matter who designed it or however much it costs... and we might as well take advantage of it just being us here," Liam smiled teasingly. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Millie laughed and followed her husband up the stairs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-79456028419943101122012-03-05T04:13:00.001-08:002012-05-02T01:45:08.109-07:00Amber's Advocate<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Chapter Two</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Broken</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber was afraid. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She may have come across as strong-willed and feisty but deep down, she was broken. And it was only now, after moving continents that she was finally able to put the pieces back together. She was mighty glad that Millie had taken her in and given her a room where she could lick her wounds and build the confidence to start out fresh. Millie was a big part of her new life now, a sister she always wanted and a best friend she didn't know she needed until now. Since arriving in London, Millie and her had become inseperable. They had been frequenting <em>Nomad </em>on and off for the last couple of weeks now. <br />
<br />
Millie, bless her soul, knew about the situation Amber had been in. But like a commanding officer she refused to treat Amber any differently and so they etched their way into the social scene. It was the third outing at <em>Nomad </em>when Amber had first spotted, <em>Abercombie and Fitch</em>. The nicknames she'd given to the sexiest bunch of guys she'd seen in a very long time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Abercombie was a few centimetres taller then Fitch, gaging at six foot two, with his dark caramel floppy hair and striking hazel eyes, well, what Amber thought were hazel eyes but up until a few minutes ago had a golden hue around the outter iris. His friend Fitch was of similar built, wore dorky black glasses and had jet black crew cut hair. He looked like a techy person and Amber noticed, he fidgeted a lot. His eyes were the colour of the Bluelagoon, the one she vacationed as a child in Malta. So blue, she missed the old times. Amber had noticed the way they dressed, completely two contradicting styles. Abercombie was self assured in the black leather jacket he wore, merino wool jumpers and ultra smart shoes whilst his friend Fitch, seem to sport cord trousers and plaid shirts that were rolled up to his elbows to expose tanned arms with a sprinkling of hair. Amber had both been admiring them from a far until only a few minutes ago when she had been visited by them each individually. <br />
<br />
Fitch was a walking-talking cliche book with his chat up lines, which left Amber with no choice but to send him off with marching orders. Abercombie being some advocate to his friend stunned her with what he had to say about her behaviour towards his friend. Which only left the questions; where all men the same? Were they all after one thing? Could any man love unconditionally? Amber sometimes wished, she could shut down the questions. Put a stop to them. It was the questions that got to her the most. Too many questions, not enough answers. Abercombie's words were strangling her, should she take that step and trust again? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
She saw Bryan Peerson leave and she followed, maybe if she apologised- she could somehow take it from there. Maybe they could start off as friends? She had to think positively- it was the only way she could move forward from this. He was a few metres down the road when she called his name. He turned around and was surprised to see her standing there. She walked the rest of the way up to him and took a breathe. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Hi Bryan, I'm Amber... we met earlier..." she said. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Yes, I know... you're the red head who's too good for just the Average Joe," he said angrily, "Just because you're beautiful on the outside, gives you no right whatsoever to treat us guys like shit." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I'm sorry... I didn't..." she began before she was interrupted again. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Right... like I haven't heard the word 'sorry' before. Let me just save you the energy... I'm not interested! Well I was before, but it turns out, you're much more uglier then I had imagined. Let someone screw you over and see how that feels. Look at yourself in the mirror and tell me what you see then?" and with that, Bryan walked off leaving Amber standing there with tears streaming down her face. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She walked the rest of the way back back, wiping the tears from her face. She probably looked like a panda by now. And just when she thought her heart was getting into shape. Why did everything bad happen to her? Yes, she'd looked in the mirror but she didn't see beautiful at all, instead she saw the opposite... ugly. Ugly and broken. Hugging herself, as the onslaught of a panic attack reared it's ugly head- she had to remember to breathe in and out and control it, just like the doctor had ordered. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As she turned the corner she slammed straight into something solid, the impact forcing gravity to work against her as she fell to the floor - and the flash back of Dan's fist hurtling towards her made her panic attack ten times worse. She hit the pavement, her hands catching her fall and the pain from her wrist shooting up her shoulder as she cried out in pain. She was having an episode, an episode which she tried and willed herself to blink back but it was too late. Everything went blank in her mind, all she could see was the repeated punches, the kicks she received from the man she thought had loved her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How had she made progress when she still carried it everywhere she went. Her body started to convulse in terror, it had always been that way. Especially after he had left her for dead so many times and then, like a flip of a switch- tried to help her, make excuses for his behaviour and tell her he wouldn't do it again. But he always went back on his promises. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade was by her side trying to help her up but she had curled up into a ball, her face covered as she rocked back and forth. He was about to say something when Millie ran out and immediately saw her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What the hell happened?" worry etched in her face. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"We accidentally collided, is she okay?" Cade asked. This was a far cry from what she had been in the bar earlier in the evening. Something wasn't right at all. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Millie didn't respond, she looked around and then delved into her phone, "Liam, I need you to come and pick us up... it's Amber... yes, we're outside, please come as soon as you can." She put her phone back into her bag and focused her attention back to Amber, "Amber, it's Millie... honey, it's okay." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amber slowly looked up and at Millie. She exhaled. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade caught the sight of her face, she had been crying. Her eyes were red and her face blotchy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Stand up from the floor and we can walk to the corner, Liam's coming to pick us up," Millie said, helping her to stand. Amber cried out in pain and it pained Cade to hear it, he scooped her up in his arms and followed Millie. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few minutes later, a black range rover pulled up and Liam Blake got out of the car. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Where do you want her?" Cade asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"In the back please," Millie and Liam said in unison. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cade gently put her in the back and Millie climbed in, she smiled and mouthed a 'thank you' as Liam climbed in the front and started the car. They disappeared before Cade had a chance to blink. He stood there, completely bewildered by what just happened. <em>What exactly did just happen?</em> Amber, that was her name. Somehow he couldn't shake off the image of her, a complete contrast to what she was like in the bar earlier. As the events rolled around in his head, he suddenly felt guilty to a point where he wondered how he could make it up to her? </div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-26021840548827672972012-03-02T06:19:00.001-08:002012-03-02T06:22:48.659-08:00Amber's Advocate<div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">Chapter One</span></u><br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Abercombie + Fitch</em><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"You better pick your tongue up off the floor before it gets trampled on," Cade eyed the woman that had caught his best mate's attention... again. It was the same woman who had been in the bar on and off the past couple of weeks. The same time they'd been frequenting the place too. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cade took a look at the woman, she was pretty in an unconventional way. She wore her signature leather trousers, like a second skin as they clung to the curves of her shapely bottom and her endless legs. Her eyes were the colour of malt whiskey and her hair, a wild mane of red fiery hair cascading down her shoulders. Of course, everyone knew who her friend was. Who didn't know Millie Bright Blake? The woman who had married and reformed the world famous actor Liam Blake, from being a recluse and an alcoholic into one of the most watched and desired actors in the world today. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I'm going to talk to her," Bryan said, trying to assimilate the courage to speak to her. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"And what is it you're gonna say exactly?" Cade asked casually, taking a swig from his beer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I don't know, I'll think of something," Bryan said smoothing down his hair and smartening his collar. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I don't think she's the chat up line kind of girl," Cade assumed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Well we'll see about that," Bryan strode towards the two women who were standing by the bar. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Don't look now but <em>Fitch </em>is headed our way," Millie whispered to Amber. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amber rolled her eyes and took a sip of her Moquito. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Hi there, I'm Bryan and..." Bryan began clutching the ice between his hands. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"What on earth have you got there?" Amber said looking surprised as well as confused. She could feel Millie obviously trying to stifle her laugh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I wanted to come over and break the ice," Bryan said, clutching at the ice and trying to break it with his bare hands. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>How cheesy. </em>Amber thought as she watched Bryan attempt to break the ice again, "You really ought to stop doing that. I get it. Besides, you don't want to incur frostbite." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"What are you doing here, you look lost?" Bryan asked, "When you should be with the angels in heaven." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amber held her hands up towards him, she had had enough of the chat up lines, "Look, I'm sure you're a nice guy but really, chat up lines? Do you actually think chat up lines will actually get you some where? It repels me, it makes me think you're a sad and pathetic man. I'm really not interested, okay? If you'll excuse us, we were having a drink." Amber turned around and spoke to Millie. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"That was really mean Amber, I think you could have really hurt his feelings with that one," Millie said seriously. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Are you kidding me?" Amber exclaimed, "With a chat up line like that? Please." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millie looked at her friend, "You really need to open up your mind to the possibilities Amber, not every man you meet is going to turn out to be Dan. You might have walked away from a really sweet guy." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Sweet? You may see sweet but I see sickly. What is it that I'm putting out there? Maybe I have 'Mug' written on my forehead or something," Amber said. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I said all that and all you got was 'the sweet bit'?" Millie offered, "You need to open your mind to the bigger picture hun." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Yeah, thanks!" Amber said, rolling her eyes, "Coming from the woman who's married to sex symbol Liam Blake? God, life is so unfair!" Amber stamped her feet. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Actually not only is Liam a sex symbol, much to my disdain, he is also an Oscar nominated actor and ohmigod <em>Abercombie </em>is headed our way!" Millie exclaimed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amber turned around and <em>Abercombie </em>was standing in front of her. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"You obviously make it a habit by stomping on people's hearts, I gather? So, why don't you listen and I'll speak," Amber heard <em>Abercombie </em>say, "My friend with the ice, his name's Bryan and he's liked you as much as the next girl. He has passed up on women who have better manners and bigger personalities, in favor of you. He obviously sees something in you, that none of us see. He's gone to wash his hands of you but I don't think it'll stay, he's pretty adamant about you. He's a great guy - minus the chat up lines and he'll treat you like a princess. Here's his number, it's up to you what you do with it." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cade put the scrawny piece of paper on the bar's counter in front of Amber and made his way back. The sound of Amber's voice stopped him. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Why are you doing this?" Amber asked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Simple... Bryan's a good guy and sometimes the good guys need to finish first," Cade said and walked away. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amber looked at his fleeting figure and then down at the paper in her hands. So, <em>Fitch's </em>name was Bryan Peerson. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"So, what you gonna do?" Millie asked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amber looked at the paper in her hands and then at her good friend Millie, "I don't know... I really don't know." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Seems like an honourable gent, especially coming to the defence of his mate... says a lot about a guy," Millie said. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amber nodded. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"What you thinking?" Millie asked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I'm thinking... well, I'm deciding... whether I go talk to Bryan or I go talk to his mate instead," Amber said. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Uh-oh, tell me you didn't just say that?" Millie urged. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I think I like <em>Abercombie </em>over <em>Fitch </em>- but what does that say about me?" Amber said, turning around to look in the direction that he left. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Why does she keep looking over here for? She made herself clear she wasn't interested, so why the hell does she keep staring at me?" Bryan said, onto his fourth beer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both him and Cade had gotten a table and were milling away the night. They'd been approached by several women who'd stayed and gone, mostly gone out of sheer boredom. Conversation wasn't exactly tittilating. Cade wasn't in the mood and neither was Bryan, if you could call him being in any mood. All he seemed to be talking about was 'that woman'. Even Cade hadn't gotten the name of 'that woman'. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I'm getting out of here, I've had enough," Bryan said, picking up his beer and rinsing the last of it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I'll come with," Cade said as he got up. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"No, you stay here... I'll see myself home," Bryan said, flapping away Cade's request, "I'll see you Saturday." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Yeah, Saturday," Cade said watching Bryan go. Cade turned his attention to the surroundings, the bar was just warming up but he didn't exactly want to stay in a bar by himself, so after ten minutes of looking at the label of his beer bottle, he decided to head out. It was Summer in London, London was London to him but he liked it especially in Summer. Everyone was a little more care free and less guarded. He opened the door and stepped out into the warm Thursday night and smacked into the 'heart breaker'. He hadn't spotted her as she appeared out of no where and he was too late in catching her as she fell backwards on to the pavement. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-89878876413603258352011-11-17T05:42:00.000-08:002011-11-17T05:42:52.308-08:00The Reluctant Millie Bright<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Epilogue</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Fantasy is Reality</em></span><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Millie took Liam's hand as she gracefully exited the comfort of the limousine to the rapturous applause and screaming of hundreds of people who were milling around the theatre. She was nervous, this was the first public outing she would be taking as Mrs Liam Blake and to say she was nervous was an understatement. She was absolutely kacking it. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Breathe Mills, I'm here and I won't leave your side," Liam whispered into her ear. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"How do you do this?" Millie whispered back.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"It takes practice, but at the beginning it used to be very daunting but it's all part of the package," Liam soothed. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Girls were screaming and chanting out his name and Liam walked towards them with an easy confidence. He took pictures with them, chatted with them and signed autographs with them. All whilst Millie stood uncomfortably a few feet behind him. He spun around and caught her eye and called her over. He introduced her to the crowd and they all 'ahhh-ed' at them. Liam drew her to him and kissed her on the cheek to the cheers and congratulations of the crowd. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"See... nothing to worry about, they love you but not as much as me," Liam whispered to her. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Millie nodded. A few minutes later they were ushered into the theatre and led to the Royal Box where they took their seats and were offered champagne. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"I haven't been to the theatre in such a long time, I almost forgot what it felt like," Millie whispered, peering over the ledge. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"What was the last production you saw?" Liam asked, watching her. She was elegantly dressed in a black dress, the A-line skirt fitted like a glove and came just below her knee. The top half showcased her cleavage in an off the shoulder cowl fashion. He was finding it hard to steer his eyes away from them. Her chocolate brown hair was fashioned in curls and was partly swept up from her face. God, she was a vision. He looked at her hands and noticed the sparkler on her wedding finger and the platinum wedding band he planted there shortly after. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"It was a musical at the Drury Lane Theatre... I saw bits of it as I was working that night," she replied. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Working? So you've never really been to the theatre as a guest then?" Liam asked. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"No, not really... in between working and studying and other things, I never really had the time to enjoy nights out like that, so I guess, officially this would be my first," Millie said. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Honey, you should have said?!" Liam leaned forward and kissed her, "I would have loved to have taken you to a production." </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Millie touched his knee and smiled, "Liam, I don't want you thinking that I would want this and that... I haven't married you for the money..." </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Sssh," Liam said, stopping her with a kiss, "I know. You married me for my sense of humour and my ability to make you cum." </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Millie gasped and hit him lightly on the arm, "Liam, you're so dirty."</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"You love me really, besides you're my wife now and I'm going to make you the happiest woman alive and if it's providing you multiple orgasms, then so be it," Liam smiled cheekily. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"What are you like," Millie smiled as she leaned in towards him. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Now now, there can't be any public affection here... Liam doesn't do that," the voice emerged behind them and it was Hartley who was striding into the Royal Box. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Millie laughed and hugged Hartley, "He does now." </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Yes, only because of you Millie... he's a changed man," Hartley greeted Liam. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"How's Frieda?" Liam asked</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"She's nervous, which is normal. I caught her trying to pull a fast one with a shot of tequila to calm her nerves... gosh that woman really keeps me on my feet, I'm telling you. At least I can say, my marriage is fresh because of it," Hartley admitted, "So, you kids looking forward to your honeymoon tomorrow? What time are you leaving? You got time for a few drinks after this?" </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"We're leaving in the afternoon," Liam said and looked at Millie, "What do you reckon, a few drinks after?" </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Millie smiled, "Why not? It will be a while till we see you guys." </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"True. Thanks for coming, Frieda and I really appreciate it. Considering it's her return to acting and her stage debut, she's counting on all the support she can get." Hartley smiled. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Where's Fred and Jack? I thought that they would be here?" Millie asked. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Yeah, they went away for a couple of days, a mini break and so, y'know before the baby arrives," Hartley admitted. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Is Sam and Elv coming?" Millie asked. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"They wanted to but Elv's doing a gig in the US and Sam went along with the kids, they have family out there also, so they thought, why not y'know. Kill two birds with one stone," Hartley said, "Thanks for coming though. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Our pleasure," Liam said, as the lights in the theatre faded out. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="center">***</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="justify">Liam grabbed the DSLR from the table beside him and looked through the eye piece, he focused on his wife who was lying on her stomach on the sun lounger reading this morning's paper. She was wearing an electric blue bikini and her hair was bunched up on top of her hair. She was a sight. He snapped away, understanding why the paps went wild everywhere they went, because she was beautiful. She had become an overnight celebrity. She was reluctant to take the role because she wasn't that. She was just Millie through and through. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Liam thought back to his wedding day a few weeks back. He remembered standing at the altar of a beautiful Chapel in the Cotswold's, he was dressed up in a tailored black Armani suit with his best man Hartley in the same attire. Their children were their flower girl and ring bearer and Millie had chosen Sam as her maid of honor. Sam was hilarious with a cracking sense of humour and there was never a dull moment when she was around. He liked her more and more everytime he met her. When it came down to Millie though, his heart had skipped a beat and then tripled in speed when she graced the aisle, walking towards him. He couldn't express the feeling that was welling up inside him. It had been a mixture of pride, happiness, glee and an abundance of love and joy that were threatening the tears welling up in his eyes. It had been one of the happiest days of his life. She was wearing an elegant understated <a href="http://www.mantenqu.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/vera-wang-wedding-dresses-oscar.jpg" target="_blank">dress</a>, he couldn't quite remember the label but that didn't matter, the superficial things didn't matter anymore, not when it came to love and marriage and Millie. Millie was what made everything right in the world, Millie was whom completed him. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Why have you got that faraway look about you again?" she said interrupting his thoughts, as she came sauntering over to him and sat on his lap. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"I was just thinking," Liam said. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Thinking? What about? Something good I hope?" Millie fiddled with his hair. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Thinking about you of course, thinking about what I want to do to you," Liam teased. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Millie rolled her eyes and got up, "Let's do something..."</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Yes, let's!" Liam said jumping on her and tickling her. She laughed out loud, trying to stop him from tickling her any further, "I was thinking of getting you naked." </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Stop thinking man and do it, just don't tickle me anymore," Millie laughed. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"I'm glad I can persuade you to my side of thinking," Liam laughed, as he kissed her and pulled at the strings of her bikini top. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="center">THE END</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-68596225484059236072011-11-15T09:38:00.000-08:002011-11-15T09:39:00.089-08:00The Reluctant Millie Bright<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Chapter Twelve</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>The Proposal</em></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The canapes are yum," Sam chewed as she smiled warmly at Frieda. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both ladies were dressed for the festive season. Frieda wore a glittery gold gown by Elie Saab, that made her look angelic, whilst Sam had opted for a bright red frilly top and a green frilly skirt. They chatted about their respective families, about the wonder of teething problems and their hunky husbands. Sam had become close to her neighbours in the last couple of months and every so often, would invite them round for dinner and invite the kids over for mini slumber parties as she had every Disney film to date. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hartley was in a conversation with Elvin and Liam about football and random stuff. Hartley smiled at his wife, who smiled back. The year had been hard on their marriage but they were back on track, Frieda had mellowed out a lot and she was more at ease with Liam and everyone else and he finally felt like everything was falling into place. The doorbell went and Liam strode to the door, opening it up, Jack and Frederica stood, clutching a bag of presents each. They both chorused, a <em>Happy Christmas</em> and strolled in. Everyone gravitated towards them with open arms. Once Frederica got rid of her coat, the ladies congregated near the fire place. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"So good to see you Sam, how are the babies?" Frederica asked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The babies are sweet little things... they have their good and bad moments but they're my little angels. I was very close to calling them Simba and Baloo but Elvin was having none of it," Sam chirped. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
"Yes, I think that would be taking it to the extreme thought Sam," Frieda smiled, "I would love to have seen Elv's face though, in passing. That would have been a right laugh." </div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Typical of you Frieda to get a kick out of someone else. How are you by the way? " Frederica tapped her twin sister, gaining her attention. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Good, y'know me. Frederica, have some champagne, something to eat you look a little pale," Freida called one of the waiter. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I can't have any champagne," Frederica smiled shyly, "But I won't pass on eating." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sam and Frieda both stared at her and chorused together, "You're pregnant!" And they engulfed her in a hug, screaming. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hartley, Elvin, Jack and Liam approached them. It was Jack who spoke first, "I gather you told them then?" As he snuggled up to his wife, planting a kiss on her forehead. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Told them what?" Liam asked puzzled. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I'm gonna be a dad, guys." Jack said sheepishly. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hartley, Elvin and Liam smacked Jack proudly on the back, "Nice one mate," Elvin smiled. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"About bloody time," Hartley joked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Congratulations dude," Liam smiled, "When's she due?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"July, a nice Summer sprog." Jack smiled. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the night wore on and everyone settled on the couch, everyone started sharing stories. Spoke about first impressions and things they wanted to do in the New Year. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I can't believe this year has flown by so quickly," Frederica commented, lying flat on the sofa. Jack touched her small bump of a stomach. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Blimey, you guys are gonna be parents in the new year... talk about big changes," Sam commented. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I can't wait... I've already started planning the making of the cot, the fixtures, even the toys," Jack spoke with wonder and awe. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I'd like to see it some time, when it's done," Hartley said. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Yeah, you could definitely expand on that," Elv chipped in, "I know when my Mrs had the babes... she kitted the nursury out in pure Disney... it's like we have the whole Disney shop on the top floor." Elv said. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sam flung a cushion at him, as she breast fed her baby, "There is nothing wrong with Disney." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Alright babe, alright," Elv smiled cheekily. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"So Liam, when you planning to get hitched and have a couple of babies?" Frederica asked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Liam shrugged, God, he hated these questions. They always made him uncomfortable. Luckily he was saved by the bell. Thank fuck for that. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hartley jumped up and raced towards the door, as he opened it, he started laughing. Everyone turned round to see Millie dressed up in an elves costume. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"How come you're not dressed up?" Millie said confused. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Didn't you get the memo?" Hartley laughed even harder. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millie stepped into the hall and turned around to see that everyone was dressed glamorously. She, unfortunately wasn't, but the kids seemed to like it as they ran up to her and were smiling like Christmas had come early. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Frieda was the first to stand up and greet Millie, "Oh Millie, you look lovely," </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Please spare me, I look atrocious," she said waving away the comment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I must have missed you off the email," Frieda grinned, "Liam, why don't you come and help Millie with the food in the kitchen?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Liam wanted an excuse to talk to Millie, but the pass that Frieda had given him, made him feel like an adolescent having his moment with a verified-beautiful woman. On close inspection, she was wearing tight green stockings, over sized green shoes with the baubles on the top. An over sized red jumper with even more baubles and a hat with a giant bauble on the end of it. No wonder Hartley couldn't stop laughing, she did look rather amusing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Go ahead and laugh Liam Blake, I know you want to," Millie rolled her eyes as she smiled at him, "But before you do, can I just eat something, I'm famished." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Yeah, just follow me," he said, leading her towards the kitchen. There were plates of canapes and food nestled underneath silver plates covered in cling film, "Why were you so late anyway?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Yeah, about that, I just got back from New York. My trip of two weeks was only meant to be two weeks but it extended, literally got back a few hours ago, and then, I realised an old red bridesmaid dress wasn't going to cut it for a Mary Christmas outside, so I had to call on a friend who knows a friend who has a costume place on Shaftesbury Avenue. So, that's my long story short," Millie said, grabbing an empty plate and piling food on top, "So, are you doing these days?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I've been clean for six months now, it's been a struggle but I'm seeing the end of the tunnel now," Liam said, pouring a glass of champagne into a champagne glass for her. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Thanks," she said, taking it from him and taking a sip, "So, being around alcohol doesn't bother you then?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Not really," Liam replied, "I've just learnt to live with it now." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millie nodded as she delved into some food, "So, what else have you been up to then? Come on, I want the goss." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I've just been hanging out with anyone who'll have me y'know. I've learnt a lot through everyone... and no one's treated me like the drunk that I am," Liam said contemplative.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Liam, you're not a drunk... it pains me to think you would feel that way," Millie said putting down her plate of food to stand in front of him. She grabbed his arm and tugged at it, when she looked at him her eyes were filled with unshed tears. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When Liam touched the softness of her cheek, the tears streamed down, "Why are you crying Mills?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse me... it's been a while, you've been on my mind since the last time I saw you and I guess... I've just been worried," she said simply. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Why are you worried about me, I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself," Liam smiled more to her, then himself. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Because at one point, I thought I was going to lose you and the trip I was on kept extending and I didn't know whether I was coming or staying," Millie moved to the sink, "Just ignore me, I'm a jibbering mess." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Liam gave her, her space. He should find it amusing to see a grown elf at the sink, but nothing was amusing right now, not when she was surely upset. He hated to see her cry and all he wanted to do was collect her in his arms and hug her, "Mills, look at me." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millie turned slowly towards him, leaning a hip against the counter, "I'm okay now, you don't have to worry about me," He paused, collecting his thoughts, "Actually, I owe you a lot. If you hadn't intervened then, God knows... I don't even want to think about it. Do you want to go for a walk?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Not really, these shoes aren't really made for walking," Millie said inspecting the soles, "Actually, my feet feel like ice slabs right now." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Oh, do you want to go to my place? I've really missed you and I somewhat feel like I'm being watched now, by everyone?" Liam whispered as he looked out to see everyone being suspiciously normal. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millie followed his gaze and noticed a lot of their friends looking towards them, "Good Idea." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
<div align="center">***</div></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">"This might be a bit big, but it's warm and dry," Liam said walking towards Millie who was sat like an elf in his living room. He handed her long cashmere pyjamas and a fleecy top, "You can use my bathroom, if you wish." </div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">Millie nodded and disappeared up the stairs. The last time she was here, Liam hadn't been himself. He had been drunk, out of his head and pissed. He had renovated the place now, the furniture had changed. It had almost felt like a different house when she stepped in, exorcised his demons by getting rid of all the furniture and replacing it with new vintage, cosy furniture. There was even a McCalister rocking chair near the window. As she stripped out of her elf costume and left it on the radiator to dry, she put on her clothes. God, they smelt of him and something inside her went pop. <em>Don't get ahead of yourself Millie</em>, she told herself. She closed the door behind her and found Liam in the kitchen cooking up an omelet and making her a hot chocolate. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">"You don't have to do that," Millie said, taking a seat on the couch. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">"I want to, besides I kinda dragged you out there without a decent meal, it's the least I could do." Liam said, expertly flipping the pan. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">"How'd you learn to cook?" Millie asked, snuggling underneath a blanket. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">"Ah, I took some lessons... I had a lot of free time, learnt a few things. Maybe one day, I'll show you," he winked. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">"I would like that," Millie replied. <br />
<br />
Millie 'mmmed' when Liam served up the food, she hadn't realised how hungry she was, and what an amazing chef Liam made. She could really start getting used to this but she paused. Lately she'd been thinking a lot about Liam and was estatic when she was invited to Hartley and Frieda's Christmas party. Now, as she sat comfortably in the corner of his couch, she just didn't want to move, looking at the clock above the mantel piece, it was almost midnight. Where had the time past? <br />
<br />
"Thanks for the food Liam, that was amazing. I could seriously get used to that," she smiled, setting the plate on the coffee table.<br />
<br />
"Y'know me, I like to impress the ladies with my culinary skills... even if it is just the basics," Liam leaned into the couch a few feet away from her, watching her. She looked comfortable in his house, in his jammies and suddenly, he just said it outright, "God, I've missed you so much Millie. I really have." <br />
<br />
"I've missed you too Liam," Millie replied, "So, what happens now?" <br />
<br />
"Well, I was hoping you would spend Christmas with me?" Liam said. <br />
<br />
"Is that all that you want, Christmas?" Millie challenged.<br />
<br />
"No, it's not all that I want. I don't think Christmas, forever, eternity would be enough Mills," Liam said, raking his hands through his hair, "God, none of this was how I pictured it would be." <br />
<br />
"Then spit it out," Millie said, "I'm tired of waiting for that grand gesture... if you don't do it, I damn well will. I've been fighting to keep my distance Liam, I have. I have been fighting so you could recover and now that you have, all you ask of me is Christmas, I want more then that..." <br />
<br />
Before she could utter any more words, he kissed her. Kissed her passionately, their hands tangled in each other's hair. He kissed her, like they had been apart for centuries. He kissed her, like he had all the love to give but it still wasn't enough. And before they both knew it, they made love on the couch in his living room. It was heated, but it was gentle, tender and sensual. And that's when he told her, "I love you Millie," he peered down at her, his elbows on either side of her, "I love you so much Millie, that I want you to be mine and only mine." <br />
<br />
"Well, that's a bit possessive and a bit unromantic. I was hoping you would go down on one knee and ask me to marry you instead?" Millie quipped. <br />
<br />
Liam laughed, "I was getting to that but thanks for stealing my thunder... but that's okay, you stole my heart away from me a long long time ago, so that figures. What do you reckon? You wanna be my wife?" </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062374907667414687.post-86627767660037695662011-11-14T08:44:00.000-08:002011-11-14T09:11:25.824-08:00The Reluctant Millie Bright<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chapter Eleven</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stresses of Life & Love</span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
<em></em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Is he going to be alright?" Millie asked, huddled in amidst Dr Lang and Hartley outside Liam's bedroom. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Yes and no. His wound has been taken care of and would need the stitches removed in a couple of weeks but I'm more worried about the toxicity of alcohol in his bloodstream. It is important that we wean him off the alcohol as much as possible, otherwise his liver will cease to continue or it could fatally kill him." Dr Lang said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Kill him?" Millie said out loud. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I've never seen this degree of alcohol in one person's blood stream. It's almost as if he intended to drink this much. I think it very much has a lot to do up here, then anything," Dr Lang pointed to his mind. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"What can we do?" Hartley asked, his hands on his hips. A degree of concern written all over his face. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"There's rehab for a start," Dr Lang replied. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Rehab? He's not going to want to do rehab," Hartley pointed out. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Then if this continues, we could very well lose him." Dr Lang replied. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"STOP TALKING AS IF I'M NOT HERE!" came the shout from the bedroom. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They all walked into his bedroom, where he sat up against the headboard, his right hand bandaged and a scowl on his face. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"You have to do rehab. There is no way about it. " Dr Lang said. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Rehab? Fuck! What do you think I am, an alcoholic?" Liam yelled. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Denial is one of the..." Dr Lang began before he was interrupted by Liam. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Don't fucking tell me this bullshit... I like to drink, is that a crime... to enjoy a beer once in a while? Fuck! You're not my mother, I don't have to answer to you..." Liam yelled. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Liam that is enough!" Hartley bellowed out, silencing Liam but not quite as long. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Oh what you gonna do? Wrestle me, take my money away from me... what are you going to do?" Liam taunted. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"If you don't get the help you need Mr Blake, we could very well lose you in a few months time, or even a couple of weeks. Your liver is on the verge of collapse and if you don't stop drinking, then you're finished," Dr Lang hit the nail on the coffin, watched as the information digested. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Excuse me," Millie said quietly and disappeared from the room. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hartley and Liam watched as Millie left the room and Hartley went to follow her, but Liam had managed to stagger past him in the direction she was headed to. Liam found her in the kitchen, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand, her back towards him. He leaned against the counter as he approached. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Are you alright?" he whispered. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Her shoulders sagged and she remained where she was, her back towards him, "Shouldn't you be concerned about yourself then me?" she replied. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"No, not really." Liam replied. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Why not?" she asked, still not facing him. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"What's the point, I don't have anyone to live for," he was surprised by his honesty. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She spun around then, her eyes glazed with tears, "Not even for yourself?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"What's the point? I'm dying anyway." Liam said, realising he didn't care anymore. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millie shook violently, grabbing the counter for support as she tried to will the tears away. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Why are you crying? Why are you even here? What does it matter whether I'm dying or not? As far as I'm concerned you're nothing but a stranger to me... you're dust... you're..." Liam paused, as he watched her face go white. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"You're an arsehole Liam Blake!" Millie kept her voice levelled, "Whatever compelled me to come here and cut off a perfectly great evening reception of a good friend's wedding is beyond me! Maybe deep down, I thought, I could help you... because Hartley begged and I could see the concern and outright devastation written all over his face. He spoke about you, like you are his brother. He was desperate, he was clutching at straws and I couldn't let him down," she held up her hand to ward him off, "I'm not finished! Would your brother be happy to know that you're giving up life so easily now, because you're afraid, that you're wasting your life away... I bet he's looking down from heaven and thinking, gee, Liam... what a way to go!" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"You know nothing about my brother! And don't you dare bring him into it!" he all but screamed at her. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Yes, I may know nothing about your brother but I know he wouldn't want you to be living the way you are now!" Millie screamed back at him. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Why is it so important to you Millie, what I do anyway?" Liam asked, "I've asked you this question over and over and you never answer me. Which makes me think... that maybe, maybe you still love me, that you still care. Otherwise, why would you have cleaned my house, took care of me and then cried your eyes out knowing that I could die." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millie held herself together. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Why Millie... why the hell are you here?" Liam asked, "Give me a valid reason, why?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millie held her hands up, she couldn't take it anymore, "I have never stopped loving you Liam, is that a valid enough reason?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Then why did you leave me in St. Lucia then? Why?" Liam demanded. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was the golden question, why did she leave him. She laughed suddenly, completely out of character. He looked at her, as if she belonged in a mental asylum. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I wanted you to leave me because I was afraid... because I loved you so much that I thought that love would eventually kill me. In my weird and twisted way, I thought that if I continued to have you in my life that somehow I would be punished for it. The pregnancy, then the assault, losing Lucy, that's what I wanted to call our baby girl by the way, then seeing you again and then the shark attack. It was a lot to take in, in such short a period of time. Looking back on it, I realise how strange it is... how unexplainable my warped way of thinking was. I thought all those things happened because of you, that if I continued to love you, you would continue to punish me... I just didn't think... I don't know... does that make any sense?" Liam didn't reply, he was digesting what she'd just told him, "I started seeing a counsellor and he told me that I was suffering from post traumatic stress, from everything that I encountered, and he assured me it had nothing to do with you, but that I just had a series of bad accidents that I couldn't prevent. I've been getting treatment, it was slow at first because I couldn't accept it but I've been working on it and I realise now that it had nothing to do with you. It was just life.. life happening." Millie said, exhaling, "I'm sorry that I've put you through everything, it wasn't my intention... I wasn't in the right frame of mind." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Liam closed his eyes, "I need to sit down." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millie went straight for him and ushered him to a seat where he sat down and exhaled a long breathe, "So what are you going to do now?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Well, I've got to get my shit together, that's for sure," Liam replied, "Why couldn't you come and talk to me about it?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I don't know... I really don't... but I don't want to look back on it, it's like taking two steps back when I really should be taking the steps forward, y'know," Millie said, playing with her skirts. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Can I ask you to do something for me please, Millie, but don't take it the wrong way," Liam asked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Of course," Millie replied. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Would you leave me alone, just give me time to think things over but I promise you that when I've got my shit together, you'd be the first person I will get in touch with?" Liam asked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Of course," she nodded as she stood up looking at her watch, "I guess that's my cue to leave then." She delved into her clutch bag and took out her business card and laid it flat on the table, "Take care of yourself Liam," she said softly, kissing him on the cheek and he watched as she walked towards his front door and opened the door, she stopped, turned around, smiled and closed the door behind her. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>The Next Couple of Months</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Each day was a struggle for Liam but he treated each day like it was a hurdle in an Olympic race. The first few were hard, he could barely get out of bed because he was so damn tired. Tired of everything. He regularly consulted with Dr Lang, who advised him to take it easy and who referred him to a nutritionist and a counsellor. God, he was a nut job, but he found strength from such an unlikely source, his best friend Hartley, who opened up his house to him. Liam spent most of his time there, taking care of his kids, taking walks out in the park with his family. He even saddled up with Jack McCalister and got to work with him. His wife Frederica was lovely, smart, funny and passionate and he could see what a great match they made. They didn't treat him like he was a lost cause, they treated him like any other person and he appreciated that, he was sane because of that. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The days ran into weeks and the weeks turned into months, yet Liam hardly noticed. The seasons had changed from Spring to Autumn and now they were heading towards Winter. He was getting back to his usual self, gaining his appetite back and he no longer acknowledged the need for liqueur or beer or even a shot of tequila. He watched as Frieda walked into the room with a pen and paper in her hand, she looked up when she saw him and smiled. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"What you doing?" Liam asked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Just planning our Christmas party- just thinking who to invite and what food to have. Have you got any suggestions?" she asked, as she sat down in front of him. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Eggnog, Turkey... umm those sausages with that bacon around it," Liam suggested. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Pigs in blankets," Frieda replied. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Those are hot dogs in the States, y'know," Liam laughed, "Hot dogs for Christmas dinner, that'd be great." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Pigs in blankets, are not hot dogs Liam, they're cocktail sausages," Frieda said. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"But if they're called pigs, why is the blanket made of the pig anyway?" Liam asked, "Shouldn't it be called pork sausages wrapped in bacon blankets or something." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"We could be at this all day y'know," Frieda smiled, "Any other requests?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Nah, not really. Am I invited?" Liam smiled. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Of course, it wouldn't be a Christmas without you," Frieda commented. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I appreciate everything you've done to accommodate me Freida, I know we've not really seen eye to eye but I'm really thankful." Liam said, as he leaned forward and hugged her. She hugged him back. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Hey, hey, hey! Get off my woman!" Hartley laughed as he walked through the room and saw the embrace between the two. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I better make myself scarce, got a lot of planning to do," smiled Frieda as she left the room. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Wondered what you wanted to do tonight?" Hartley asked Liam. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"What did you have in mind?" Liam said. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Dunno, meet up with the other boys... been a while since we last had a boy's night out. What do you think?" Hartley suggested. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Okay," Liam said. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Come on, show some enthusiasm Liam... this is good for you... this will test your resilience." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"To alcohol, yeah. Or it could set me off... I don't want to go down that road," Liam refused. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"You've come this far not to back down... come on, you can do it Liam. You can... man, I have faith in you." Hartley said, smacking him on the back. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Yeah, someone has to." Liam exhaled. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
<em>Later that Night...</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When Hartley said they would be going out for a boy's night out, he wasn't kidding. They pulled up outside a gentleman's club. Or in other words, a fucking stripper's club. They shot through the back door and into the club's VIP room, where they were treated to champagne on ice and an unlimited bar on tap. Liam chose orange juice and was surprised by his reluctance to even go down the alcohol route. He took a seat on their plush black leather couch as beautiful woman clad in next to nothing wandered past them, their sauntering hips and their plush backsides causing quite a stir in the nether regions. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Goddamn, I wish I was that fucking pole she's sliding on," the remark came from Nate, Jack's brother who had come along last minute. When he'd heard they were going to one of the best Stripper joints, he couldn't pass up the offer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Yeah, what you really mean is you wish you had a pole up your arse," Jack his brother snickered. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nate shoved him and they looked about them, "I could get used to this... this is probably what a King must have felt like?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"You're in every man's fantasy and you're thinking about being a king..." Hartley laughed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Nothing wrong with that! I'm gonna have a lap dance," Nate said, disappearing down the corridor. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Liam gave it about an hour before he gave up, yeah, it was every man's fantasy, but he was bored. He wasn't in the mood, so he said his goodbyes and took a stroll out. It was far colder then he remembered, but maybe that was due to being cooped up in a 4x4 on the way there. He pulled together his jacket and strolled down the road, it was quite a quiet evening for November. He'd expected the streets to be emblazoned with people doing their Christmas shopping. His feet found their way to Chelsea Bridge, he stood there gazing out into the cold black distance. His hands dug into his jacket and his hand wrapped around something thin and hard, he took it out and stared at it. How did it get there? Before he put too much thought into it, he hailed a cab and gave the driver the address. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Liam stood on Millie's door step, hesitant in ringing the door bell. He'd been standing on the front stoop for ten minutes pondering whether he was strong enough to do this but he was here now. As he reached down to press the door bell, the door swung open and she almost tackled him to the floor. She dropped the suitcase and yelped. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"God, you gave me a heart attack..." she said mostly to herself, only then when she looked up, did she realise who was standing in front of her, "Liam?!" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Hi Mills," he half grinned. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"My God, what are you doing here? I mean, sorry... umm, I'm in a bit of a pickle at the moment... I'm heading to Heathrow." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Where you going?" Liam asked, as he helped her heave her suitcase down the stairs, there was a black Mercedes parked outside her house and the door opened. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I'm going to New York for work. I hate to rush you but was there something you wanted? Did you want to come with me, in the car? On the way? I can get Ted to drop you afterwards?" Millie said as she gave her luggage to her chauffeur. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"No, it can wait," Liam smiled, as he stood on the curb watching her. God, she was beautiful. He couldn't take his eyes off her. When she took her cream coat off, she was wearing a red cashmere jumper and jeans that hugged her like a second skin. Her hair, he noticed had subtle highlights in them, which only accentuated her beauty. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millie dumped her coat in the back seat and turned around to Liam, "If you're sure?" she said. He nodded and what surprised him more was the hug she gave him. There were friendly hugs and there were hug, hugs. This hug, was definitely an 'I've Missed You' hug. They hugged for what seemed like forever and then she was reluctant to leave him, "You look good... actually, you look more then good. You look great. I'll see you when I get back, okay?" With that, she smiled at him and got into the car. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And Liam's heavy heart was restored. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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