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Chapter 9 Confusion
I wake the next morning somehow in bed, feeling like a train has run over me. My body hurts all over, as I try to move my arm to lift the covers wondering how the hell I got into bed. I know that I was in the bathroom when I fell asleep last night. The thought unsetting, somehow Jose got me out after I was sleeping. A cold shiver runs down my spine, the thought crossing my mind; I have nowhere safe to escape him in this house. As soon as my eyes open, I hear, "Good morning, Ana," whispered sweetly into my ear. My eyes move to the left to find Jose laying next to me, smiling at me. He leans, attempting to kiss me on the lips. I quickly move my head, he ends up kissing my cheek instead. He grumbles something under his breath that I don't catch as I say, "Morning Jose." Silently pondering why he is in a good mood today. Why is he being nice? Is he up to something? Jose is never nice, which means he is up to something in my mind.
Sitting on his dresser is a glass of pineapple juice, he hands it to me, as I sit up, taking it from him, my throat feels raw from all the crying last night. I take a drink, savoring the flavor of the juice wondering if he poisoned it, like the one time he tried to do to Mason to kill him when Mason wouldn't behave and do as he was told. "I'm sorry for last night." He mutters. I quip an eyebrow at him. Tell that to my angry black and blue bruises on my arms again. I bite my tongue, not having the energy to start an argument this morning. He continues to say," I'm leaving today for the next two week to go to Mexico to do business, Ana. Leila will be home to keep an eye on you for me, along with Whalen. Last night, after our fight, I went to the grocery store and did all the grocery shopping for the next two weeks so you shouldn't need to leave the house for anything. I called your work, and told them you fell, hurt your ankle yesterday and the doctor was advising you to be out of work for the next two weeks as well."
"You did what!" I ask, flabbergasted as I stare at him and cross my arms over my chest.
"It will be safer this way. Whalen and Grey will be around. Whalen more so than Grey. You will be safe." I shiver at the thought of being watched for two whole weeks by Whalen. Whalen creeps me out. I am secretly happy about Jose being away, but I'm not going to tell him that. Jose will cancel his trip if he knows I am happy he is leaving.
"Grey isn't going with you?" I ask, wondering why he isn't going with Jose if he is Jose's right-hand man and Jose loves him so much.
Grey will be in and out during the next two weeks conducting business around here, I need him to stay here this time. I don't want you going out with him alone. I don't want you talking to him alone unless Leila is present. I need you to keep an eye on him for me, tell me if you see anything funny that he is doing?"
"Why would I do something like that for you, Jose?"
"Because I am beginning to think Grey isn't who he really is. He has been acting funny lately. Yesterday, he let me beat the crap out of him when I threatened to go home and take my anger out on you. A normal person would have fought back, but not Grey, he took all the abuse I dished out. Before I started, he told me to take my aggression out on him if it meant you didn't have to bare any of my wrath."
"Jose, you beat up, Grey? Why would you do that?" I stutter as my eyes widen in shock. I had a theory that it was actually Jose who beat up Grey, but for him to actually confirm it. I feel sick to my stomach as he says nonchalantly, "I was testing his loyalty to me."
"And did he pass?"
"Barely, but I still think he is up to something so I need you to keep an eye on him while I am gone. Report every move, that he makes, every interaction that he has with anyone including you back to me. This will be easy as he seems to trust you for some reason." He grins.
"I don't feel comfortable doing that. I don't want to do that!" I whisper as a shiver goes up my spine.
"Well, if you don't, and I find out you knew something Grey was up to, then I will personally find Mason, drag him back home to California, and I will kill him, in front of your eyes. I will make his death a long, painful one. I can promise you that. I have already tried it once, and he somehow survived thanks to those damn doctors so don't put it past me. Then I will kill you and Grey because I know you have feelings for him even though you try to hide them from me. I can see right through you." Jose whispers sinisterly into my ear as a shiver creeps down my spine. I hate Jose. How dare he threaten Mason, Grey, and even me. I don't want to do this. Jose leaves the bedroom, walking into the closet, pulling out a duffle bag to pack for his trip. As he walks out the door, I feel like I can finally breathe for the first time in years. My shoulders feel lighter, my mood even seems to improve. My mind floats back to Grey, wondering what my answer to his question would have been, had a code not been called. Would I have said no to him wanting to leave me alone? The truth is I don't think I want him to leave me alone. I want to know why he took the fall for me with Jose. I could have dealt with Jose's anger. I have done it before. I can do it again. I didn't need him taking the fall for me especially when Jose's fists beat him to a bloody pulp. Next time, Jose might not be so kind to him, and he could kill him. I don't think I could live with knowing Grey got himself killed because of me. I throw on a pair of sneakers to go for a run to clear my mind as I step outside the birds even sound happy this morning. I sit on the front porch as I dial a number that I know by heart: the hospital.
"Hello, this is Grace."
"Grace, this is Ana."
"Oh my goodness, how are you doing? I was so worried when Jose called and told me what happened to you. Don't worry, my dear, all of your shifts will be covered for the next two weeks, somehow, even if I have to do it myself."
"You see that is why I was calling. Jose sort of had a moment of insanity before he left this morning when he called me out of work. I am fine. My ankle feels fine now. So I should be able to resume my work schedule starting on my next scheduled day."
"I am so glad to hear that! I was worried that he had done something to you."
"I am fine. Believe me." I say, a smile spreading on my lips, at Grace's concern for my wellbeing.
"We will talk more when I see you at work, but I need to go. We are swamped right now."
"Do you need me to come in?"
"No, take some time off and rest. I will see you on your next scheduled day. That is an order."
"You got it," I say as my eyes shoot to the car sitting across the street that I know holds Whalen, watching me. As I hang up with Grace I take off running. I feel eyes on me, and I hear someone running behind me, my head turns to find Leila running half a mile behind me. I pick up my pace, not wanting to deal with her craziness today. I need a peaceful day to myself. "Ana," She yells, as I round a corner into an alley, a shortcut home. I stop in the alley, wondering what she wants. "What the hell do you want?" I ask, turning around, out of breath.
"Stay away from Grey!" She snaps at me. "He is mine." She pushes me into a wall as she runs by, my elbow grazes against a stone wall, as I say "Bitch," under my breath, rubbing my elbow, the warmth of blood trickling down the skin of my arm. Jose and her deserve each other. They are both crazy! I start running home, only to see Grey walking down the road in the opposite direction as me. I wonder if he knows what Leila is up to. He waves at me as I return the wave. That night is my first restful, peaceful night of sleep. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I am asleep, dreaming for the first time since Grey moved in next door about C, wondering what he is doing right now.
I wake with a smile on my face. A knock sounds on my front door, breaking the silence of the house. I peak through the front door to see Grey standing there, looking uncomfortable. As soon as I pull open the door, I regret it, Leila is standing there holding his hand. His arms are wrapped around her waist. I take a deep breath as I fully pull open the door saying, "Hey, whatever it is. I don't want to deal with it right now." I don't want to deal with Leila right now especially after yesterday.
Grey looks at me with sincere, almost pleading eyes as he says, "Jose called me, and I am needed. Can you please look after Leila while I am gone. She doesn't have many friends in the area. She has been having a hard time since moving to this area with me, and I thought you two could get to know one another maybe go to that gallery showing that I was telling you about. I will try to meet you both there tonight. I know Leila has been looking forward to it"
"Whatever," I say as I step aside letting Leila in. Leila rolls her eyes as Grey is talking. As Grey is talking about Leila and me becoming friends; I stand there wondering if he knows about Leila's activities yesterday, like her pushing me into a wall as she yelled at me to stay away from him. Grey makes no motion to move inside the house, he stays standing outside, probably remembering how much trouble we both got into for him coming into the house without permission from Jose. He kisses Leila on the forehead then quickly leaves, hoping off the porch, avoiding the steps altogether. Leila turns towards me, with a smirk on her face, as she says, "Okay Princess, this is how this arrangement is going to work. You are going to answer my questions with the correct answer, and I will think about not hurting you if I like your answers. Then I will think about going to that stupid gallery with you like Grey suggested we do together to become friends because you want the truth. I don't want to be your friend. I sort of hate you. You are after what is already mine, and what I want." What the hell. This is a new level of crazy even for Leila.
"What?" I ask, unsure if I have heard her right.
Leila looks at me, like I am stupid, as she says, "You are going to answer my questions, right now."
"Okay," I say, knowing that I have no other choice.
"One: when Grey comes back from dealing with Jose's business and he asks if I was sad without him, you are going to tell him that I was absolutely miserable without him. Two: you and I are going to go to this stupid gallery together to look at stupid paintings together, and we are going to pretend to become best friends for Grey, but that only hinges on your answer to number three.
"And that would be?" I ask, quipping an eyebrow at her.
"Three: I need to know the truth because the way Grey has been looking at you, I need to know did you and my fiance sleep together?"
"Fiance?" I ask stuttering. Grey never told me that they were engaged.
"Yes, he asked me to marry him last night, and of course I said yes."
"Can I see your ring?" I ask, feeling a deep seed of jealousy taking place in my stomach as she says, "We are going to pick one out together. Now answer my question. Did Grey and you sleep together that day that he took you out on the boat?"
I laugh at her stupid, crazy statement. "Are you crazy? Why would I do that? I love Jose."
"You don't love Jose. Stop pretending, Ana. Jose knows that you don't love him anymore. He told me so, himself. I love Jose more than you love him."
"Speaking of which, when did that conversation happen before or after Jose was shoving his tongue down your throat. You love Grey so much, yet you are making out with my boyfriend."
"Please Ana, we all know that you and Jose aren't really together. He told me so himself. Now answer the question, did you and Grey sleep together on his boat. I know that he takes all the girls to his boat to have his way with them."
"You sound jealous Leila, and jealousy isn't a good color on you, darling."
"Answer the damn question." She says as she backs me into a corner, my eyes move towards the knife on the countertop, her eyes follow mine, as she says, "I wouldn't try it. I will kill you faster than you could even make it to that damn blade. Answer the question."
"Grey and I went out on his boat, and we had a nice day because you kicked him out of the house for whatever reason, I don't care. He said it was because he was being too loud and that you were pissed that he had to work that night. I don't know what you think Grey and I have going on, but we are only friends."
"You better tell him that." She mumbles as her voice get louder, "Jose told me that he caught both of you kissing in the den, feeling each other up."
I stare at her thinking, of course, Jose had something to do with why Leila was acting the way she is."Do you really think that Grey would still be standing if that had been the case? Jose is a very possessive man. I would do well to remember that Leila. I will tell you what happened that day, one more time. We went on his boat, had lots of great conversations. We swam a bit in the freezing ocean, then we ate dinner, and came back here. There never was a kiss between us. Grey and I are friends, that is all we will ever be because he is with you, and I am with Jose."
"Fine, I'm sorry Ana for acting crazy. Do you forgive me?"
"No," I say crossing my arms over my chest.
"I expected that. Do you think we can go to this stupid gallery showing together? I know it would make Grey happy.
"I would like that," I say, wondering what she really is up to.
Half an hour later, I am staring into my closet wondering what you wear to a gallery showing for paintings. My fingers are dialing Kate's number before I even realize it, she will know exactly what to wear.
"Help me," I say as I throw dress after dress onto the bed.
"What's wrong? What did Jose do now?"
"I'm going to an art gallery thing, and I have no idea what the hell to wear."
"Oh wear that killer plum dress that I sent you for your birthday with those nude heels. You will look amazing. You will look like you belong in an art gallery looking at paintings."
"Thanks, Katie." I grin as I pull the dress out of my closet. I strip to my bra and panties, picking out my black satin pair that matches one another. The satin feels smooth against my skin as I step into the dress, it hugs my curves, making me feel sexy. The heels giving me confidence. My hair I leave down in waves, and my make-up I do something simple, never really being a girly girl understanding how to appropriately use it. That is what Kate was around for. As I step out into the evening air, I glance at the dark, parked car across the street. I wave at Whalen as I have been doing since Jose left. I know it will piss Jose off, once he finds out how happy I am without him. I knock on the door. Leila yells "It's open. Come in!"
As I push the front door open, I feel slightly uncomfortable at being alone with her in the house. What if she tries to hurt me or kill me? After what happened this morning, anything is possible. This girl's mood swings are crazy. Grey and her never let Jose or me into their house. I always wondered why that was, but they always seem protective over their space. There are pictures hanging on the wall. Without knowing what I am doing, I move closer to the photos to get a better look. Several of the photos are of Leila with various friends, some of the photos are of her and Grey similar to what I found in that chest on the boat. Leila and Grey in various poses, but Grey is in a military uniform, Leila is not. As my mind floats back to finding those photographs on the boat in that chest, I thought they may have been Halloween pictures. Now, I'm not so sure as I look at the pictures of the happy couple. Was Grey in the military? Is Grey in the military? Tucked into the corner are what look to be graduation photos of both of them. I take particular interest in Grey's Air Force one. He looks angry in it with no smile on his face. My mind floats back to meeting C at the airport. He looks almost identical to him, wearing an identical uniform. There is no way. I have been talking, to this man, and seeing this man daily for weeks and he hasn't said a word to me. Is that why he seems familiar? Is it because we have met before? I must be dreaming. I shake my head, trying to clear the fog, but the pictures are all still there. Sitting on an end table, is a picture of two little kids, a boy, and a girl, kissing as they sit on a truck. I pick up the photo to get a better look. Do Grey and Leila have kids together? "You ready?" I hear behind me. Leila touches my shoulder as I jump, quickly putting the picture down.
"Isn't that cute. That was C and me when we were next door neighbors before everything happened to him."
"What did you just say?"
"That photo is of C and me. Weren't we cute when we were kids? We were next door neighbors before he was placed into foster care because his mother killed herself. We reconnected in high school in math class, actually. I was trying to cheat off him, and he caught me. He offered to tutor me. It was love at first sight for me at least. C, he I think, it took him a little bit to open up to me as he had a rough past, a rough start in life when he was in foster care, but we got through it together. " My head feels like I am drowning underwater as I keep hearing her repeat the name C.
"What's with the military pictures?" I ask feeling brave as I stare at her.
"Shit! I never should have allowed you in here. C is going to kill me." She mutters under her breath.
"Ana, please don't say anything to Jose. Those are in the past."
"Is there more than one Grey or C in the Air Force?" I ask, forcing the question out of my mouth. My mouth feels sticky as my heart rate speeds up.
"No, not that I know of, and I know a lot of people." I can tell that Leila wants to say more, but she can't as I hear the front door whipped open. Grey or as I should say C, walks through the door looking pissed. "What the hell did you do Leila! Are you trying to get me killed or even Stacia killed!" He yells as he grips me by the arm, pulling me out of the house with him. "You will forget everything that you saw in that house. Do you understand?" He says, ordering me.
I shake my head yes, his tone meaning business as I ask, "And what if I don't?"
"Then we will have a huge problem because Jose will not only kill me, but he will kill you as well. Please Stacia, please listen to me for once."
"Why should I do anything that you say? I am tired of men telling me what to say, what to do, or how to act." I say, my anger becoming too much for me to handle
"Stacia, come with me and I can explain everything. I-"
"Grey, save it or should I call you C."
"How do you know my other name?" He asks, a questioning look etching across his features as I scoff, "I have an answer for you to your question that you asked the other day, about whether or not I wanted you to stay away from me. Well, the answer is yes. I want you to stay the hell away from me. Go live your perfect life with Leila because you two are clearly perfect for each other. Full of lies! Leave me the hell alone!" I say as I take off down the steps of the porch. I hear heavy footsteps chase after me. I kick off my heels and take off running. Not caring that I am ruining my tights. I can't bear to look at this man. He has been lying to me for months. He gave me his phone number in that Detroit airport even though he has been with Leila forever. What the hell! My eyes burn as I fight back the tears. I refuse to cry over this man. He probably knew who I was, and yet he never told me who he was. Ever time, I asked why he looked familiar he never said a word. He always ignored the question, changing it.
Thoughts on this chapter? Please review and let me know what you think. Things are about to get interesting in the next few chapters. Next chapter will be up on the weekend of October 27th. Until Next Time!