Ghost From The Past

|| Elizabeth ||

My eyes popped open, and I immediately closed them as a sharp ray of fluorescent light shot into them. I turned to my side, mumbled some incoherent words and tried to sleep again. Then, in a flash, it dawned on me where I was, and I jumped off the bed. A sharp headache spread through my skull, and I felt nausea.

I had the worst night I've ever experienced in years. From nightmares to migraine - I had managed to sleep by 3:00 am. There was a knock on my door, and a young lady walked inside. She tight-fitting polo and neatly tucked it into a palazzo pants.

I couldn't help but admire her. That was the first lady I had seen in this place, and it was a breath of fresh air. She hung a cross bag over her shoulder and walked towards me.

“Good morning, Lizzy. You didn't sleep well” She stared at me.

“Who are you?” I asked. Even though she seemed friendly, I was in a hostile environment.

“I'm Susan, Cross’ cousin,” She said with a smile. It seemed she noticed the sharp glare that spread on my face, and she extended a hand of friendship, “Not to worry, I'm nothing like him. He sent me to ensure that you're well taken care of. He has an emergency meeting to attend, and you'll be there with him”.

I ignored her hand gesture and stared at the wall, “Just go, I don't want to see anybody”.

“Hey Lizzy, I'm not the enemy. I'm sorry about your Dad and your brother. And I know it's tough, but you need to get up and try to survive”.

She unstrapped her bag and threw it on the table, “A change of clothes. There are two gowns in there. You will wear one for the meeting and the other for the club opening tonight. It's gonna be a busy day,” She smiled and catwalk out of the room.

Her perfume had a soothing smell, and I knew it was very expensive. I slowly dragged my feet to the bathroom, opened up and washed my face. There was a new toothbrush, a shampoo and a hair warmer. I pulled off my gown, turned on the shower and let the water cleanse me. Susan was right, I needed to survive.

I stepped out of the bathroom with water dripping from my hair down to my feet. I unlocked the zippers and pulled out a long satin gown. I wore it out, and it clung to my body. I then tied my hair around into a bun and walked towards the door.

It was unlocked, and Susan stuck her face in, “Right on time”.

I followed after her as we climbed the stairs. We stepped into a well-lit corridor and she pushed a door. As I stepped in, I gasped. There was a long ivory table with glowing chairs. It looked like a mini kingdom. Some plates were covered, but the scent wafted into the air.

Cross’s back was turned to me as he kept talking. It seemed he was on a phone call. I pulled out a chair and settled on it. As Cross finished his call, he turned towards me and our eyes locked. He froze and his mouth hung open. He then regained composure and dragged a tray closer.

“Little bride. With the heavy bags around your eye, I can't say you had a good night.” He reached for the tray of toasted bread and scooped some eggs.

I just nodded in reply and reached for my teacup. My stomach rumbled as I then realised how much I was. I brought the cup closer to my lips, and the thoughts of the bloodied man strung on the roof crossed my mind. My stomach rumbled and I dropped the cup down.

“That's the best brewed tea in Ohio,” Susan said. “Drink, you'll love it”.

“She thinks it's poisoned” Cross exclaimed and laughed at his joke.

His laugh was cold and menacing.

I took a sip of my tea; it tasted good, and I smiled at Susan, who was probably staring at me, waiting for a compliment.

“Two of the founding families are getting into a new business. They want to transport guns from the east and sell them to the US military. There will be a meeting today and we will be in attendance,” He said and took a bite off his bread. “I can't flaunt you as my newlywed wife”.

Those last words caused my stomach to turn, and I knew I might throw up very soon.

“Are you okay?” Susan asked.

I nodded, “I'm fine”.

“My enemies are looking to exploit my weakness. A few of them might be present at the meeting today. So, I want you to discard all these your shenanigans…”

“There are no shenanigans, cousin. She is really scared” Susan cut in, “Just give her time, she will fit in”.

“There is no fucking fitting in for me”. I don't know when I said that.

Cross just stared at me for a while and returned to his meal. Susan's mouth was wide open. She leaned closer, “If he didn't like you, he would have killed you”.

“I don't give a fuck” I muttered with gritted teeth.

Kane walked into the dining room and whispered something to Cross. After about six minutes, I perceived a scent. It was a perfume I had known, and it was peculiar to one person.

“Mr. Marco Cross…”

The voice was familiar.

As the person stepped fully into the dining room, I gasped. He was Raymond, my ex. How? She had heard he died in a crash. He tilted his warm gaze to me, and there was no look of surprise on his face. He knew I was here!

“This is Raymond Williams, one of the ten men in Decagon,” Cross introduced. “That's my bride, and my cousin.”..

“Marco Cross, you've gotten a pretty bride for yourself.” He tilted his gaze at me and smiled.

There was more to that smile.