Here it is, the chapter of truth, the chapter before the last. The chapter that may open your eyes or actually keep up a fabulous disguise (;. This probably could have been written better, with every chapter I try to write better than I did in the last, but I don't think I'm improving -_-. BUT, I hope you enjoy the chapter of love ^_^.
Imogen hadn't talked to Bianca since the night before, and as her and Eli sat at the dot, he could tell she was growing worried. She was shaking her leg nervously and had barely touched her coffee.
"Immy, have you tried texting her?" He asked, watching her with worry.
She shook her head, "I don't want to be a bother."
"Text her, please? Or, I will," He sighed, taking out his phone.
"Eli, it's almost six, if she wanted to talk to me, she would have by now," Imogen sighed, crossing her arms and sitting back in her chair.
Eli rolled his eyes; he didn't think he would ever understand how a girl's mind worked, "Maybe she wants you to make the first move."
"I shouldn't have to," Imogen huffed, "I've done nothing wrong."
"And, she doesn't think she has, either. Just. Call. Her." He spaced out the words and looked at Imogen seriously.
She raised her eyebrows, challenging him, "No."
Eli shook his head and unlocked his iPhone, dialing Bianca's number.
"What are you doing?" Imogen asked.
Eli smirked and pressed send, "It's for you." He handed her the phone and sat on his hands so she couldn't give it back.
Imogen looked at him, phone in her hand and fuming, "You'll pay for this," she looked at the phone for a second then put it to her ear, "Bianca?"
"Hey, Imm," Bianca practically sang into the phone, "What have you been up to?"
"Uhm, just been hanging out with Eli. We're at The Dot for dinner," Imogen said, confused at Bianca's strangely happy manner
"Ooh really, that's lovely!" Bianca smiled into the phone, "Me and you are definitely going to have some girl time soon. Tomorrow, maybe?"
"What about tonight?" Imogen furrowed her eyebrows at Eli, who was smugly sipping his coffee from across the table.
"Busy," She replied simply.
"With Dr. Chris?" Imogen tried keeping the venom out of her voice.
"I'm going over to Liam's house tonight for dinner. And, I'll get your answers, don't worry," Bianca said, searching through her dresser drawers on the other line, "Hey, do you think I should wear my tight black belly shirt with the leather jacket, or the red shirt that slings over my shoulder?"
Imogen pushed the venom aside and smiled to herself; her best friend was talking to her, "Definitely the red. You look amazing in red."
"Red it is. Okay, I'm going to shower, I'll text you later," Bianca hung up before Imogen could even say a quick 'bye.'
Imogen pressed the end button on Eli's phone and refrained herself from throwing it at the boy who was smirking so confidently and cockily, "So?" He asked, taking the phone away from her.
"Shut up," Imogen stuck out her tongue and held back a smile.
Eli shook his head, "I was right, I should get a prize," he teased.
Imogen smiled and thought for a second, "Spend the night tonight? I promise, you'll get your prize." She stood up and playfully trotted out of The Dot.
*Imogen*
I lay on my bed, looking at the ceiling while Eli was at home, getting things for the night. Nothing really made sense to me, starting with why Bianca wanted to be with Dr. Chris so bad, to why my parents had to stay overnight at a hotel for this marriage counseling.
I found myself wondering about Fitz. I wondered mostly about how he was holding up. I hadn't talked to him at all since that day I went to his house. I contemplated texting him, but I figured that he'd just find me as an annoyance to his new life.
I saved a text to him in my drafts that just said 'Hey,' maybe I could work up the courage to send it soon.
After it was securely saved, I turned my phone on vibrate and threw it on the floor in an act of mental frustration. Getting up, I made my way over to my armoire played with my random accessories to keep my mind off things.
"…And pretty. But freaky. I kind of like it."
Who said it? Was it Dr. Chris or the mysterious dark man? All memories of the two seemed to mesh together in my head. But it made no sense. It was like my brain was relating the two. I thought it was probably because they both had caused me so much grief and frustration.
Because there was no way they were related, in anyway, right? The mysterious dark man had long dark hair that spilled down his muscular shoulders and his deep voice was nothing like the schmooze-to-impress doctor's voice.
The only think similar was the pain and grief they'd caused me.
There was a knock on my door and I put down the necklace I was fiddling with, "Come in."
My mom popped her head through the door, "Okay, we're heading out. You said Bianca was coming over?"
I nodded, "Yup, a girl's night, probably filled with horror movies and popcorn," I smiled brightly at her.
"Good, because I'd hate for you to be alone all night," she smiled and walked up to me, kissing me on the forehead, "Call if you need anything."
"I will, mom," I rolled my eyes at her over-protectiveness and smiled, "Love you. Tell Daddy that I love him, too."
"We love you, too, Immy. See you tomorrow," She smiled and left the room.
After I heard the downstairs door shut, I smiled to myself and put on the necklace I had been playing with earlier, then went to my closet to find something to where. Hidden in the way back of my closet, I found lacy, red lingerie. Hmmm, I smiled to myself, pulling it out and throwing it on my bed. Now, just to find something to wear over it.
~xxxx~
Bianca finished blow drying her hair, her dark brown curls locking into place as she looked into the big oval mirror in her bathroom. She smiled and checked herself out a bit, made sure her light, barely there, makeup was symmetrical and that not a curl was out of place.
She knew that Fitz would definitely like how she looked, but she had no idea if Liam felt the same way about outfits that showed her curves, or if he preferred girls with lots of makeup, or if he liked her hair when it was left naturally curly or flat ironed to death.
Had he even complimented her once, yet?
She felt like she'd have better luck if she looked—and dressed—like her perfect best friend. Hadn't Liam been paying more attention to her than he had to Bianca?
No, Imogen isn't the one going over there tonight, you are, Bianca thought to herself.
She was going to go over there and make sure that the doctor was head over heels for her. She knew she could do it, she was just a little nervous.
Because well, Imogen was nervous, too. And, she never mistrusted Imogen's thoughts on people. She never dated guys without Imogen's approval, and vise versa. It kind of rattled her that this one time she didn't have her best friend's right-of-passage on a guy.
She shook herself then checked herself out in the mirror one more time. She decided that she was finally ready for her date and walked into her living room, sitting on the couch, waiting for him to show up.
"Are you going somewhere?" Her Auntie walked into the room, looking at Bianca curiously.
She nodded, "To Imogen's. We're having a girl's night." She and Imogen had created a common lie over text to keep their guardians at bay.
"Oh, thank God. The house all to myself," Her aunt praised, stretching out her arms and smiling to herself.
"You're always here alone," Bianca rolled her eyes, getting up and deciding she'd be better off waiting outside for Liam.
"And trust me, I cherish every second of it," Her aunt replied coldly, leaving the room on her heel.
Bianca clenched her teeth and walked outside, looking up at the sun, which was covered with clouds in the summer sky. It was making its way towards the horizon, minutes ticking away until the precious sunset.
~xxx*Imogen*xxx~
Around seven o'clock, the doorbell rang. I took a final look at myself in the mirror. It had taken a few outfits, but I had finally found one that would go over the lingerie without it being noticeable. I wore a short sleeved, red shirt, and a black miniskirt.
The shirt wasn't that flattering, but I knew Eli wouldn't care when he saw what was underneath.
I walked to the front door and opened it, smiling brightly at Eli, "Hey, love," I greeted him, kissing him on the cheek.
He stepped in and set down his bag, "So, you're parents really left for the whole night?" He raised his eyebrows and held back a smirk.
"That's right, something to do with their marriage counseling," I shrugged.
He smiled and closed the space between us in one step, "Good." He instantly gripped my hips and pulled my body to his, our lips meeting abruptly. His kiss was passionate and sweet, and caused sparks to fly everywhere as I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him back happily.
Soon—almost too soon—he pulled away and smiled at me, "I love you, Imogen Skye."
I smiled back, "I love you too, Elijah Xavier."
He rolled his eyes at my use of his whole name, "Did you have any activities planned for the night?" He smiled playfully, his deep, green eyes looking at me fondly.
I played back, smiling and pulling away from his grip, "Of course I do." I began walking to my room, "We're going to do our nails, have a pillow fight, lust over jocks, and play truth or dare!" I giggled, listening to Eli's footsteps follow me up as I walked up the stairs, "Doesn't that sound fun?"
I turned around when I got to my door, just for my lips to crash into Eli's with a passionate force. I kissed him back, leaning against the door and reaching for the doorknob with my left hand and letting my right hand tangle in his shaggy brown hair.
I managed to open the door and step inside without breaking this kiss. Eli's hands gripped my waist as he led me to my bed, closing the door with his foot. When we found our way to the bed, he laid me back and rested himself on top of me.
I pulled away, breathless and dazed, "This wasn't on the itinerary," I told him in a quiet whisper.
"Yes it was," he smirked, "I dare you to keep kissing me and see where it leads."
I giggled and pressed my lips back to his. We moved our lips in rhythm with each other, kissing deeply. Out of nowhere, a headache began to form in the back of my head while we kissed, but I ignored it. When his hand moved to intrude my shirt, I flipped us over and pulled away from the kiss so I was straddling him. I shook my head and took off my shirt to reveal the lacy red top of my lingerie.
"Whoa," Eli said, practically speechless with a huge smile plastered on his face.
Confidently, I leaned down and kissed him again.
The headache began to worsen and I could feel myself fading away from the intense moment as reality started shifting into a flashback
Not now! I thought.
~xxxxxxxxxxx~
Dr. Chris and Bianca arrived at his house around six, he had prepared spaghetti and wine for them to replicate the night that she had to go home early. They ate and talked at the table for about an hour, Bianca sipping her wine carefully, not wanting that night to be an exact duplicate. The whole time she debated on when to ask Liam her questions.
She thought after dinner would be better.
When after dinner arrived, they sat on the couch and decided to watch a movie while they drank champagne. They had picked out a slasher film that Bianca had seen countless times, but she planned on acting afraid to please his male pride.
"You sure this isn't too scary for you?" Liam smirked, snaking his arm around her and pulling her close.
"That doesn't matter, because I have you to protect me," she smiled and leaned into him.
He laughed and lifted the remote to press the play button and start the movie.
"Wait," Bianca said, sitting up and turning to look at him, "I have to ask you some questions."
He eyes her curiously then shrugged, "Like what?"
"The other night, at the club, you said something to Imogen," Bianca spoke, watching him carefully, not wanting to make him mad, "Something about how keeping the baby was stupid?" She shrugged, "I don't know, but I need to ask 'why.'"
Dr. Chris looked at her; she stared into his eyes, looking for signs of anything that would prove this true. He looked distant, tapping his fingers on his leg and clenching his jaw before he spoke, "I said that? Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! Is she okay? I didn't mean that. I mean, what kind of Doctor would I be if I were to tell a patient that?"
Bianca sighed in relief, "I didn't think you did mean it. I'll be sure to let Imogen know. She'll be fine."
Something crossed Dr. Chris' eyes and he smiled, "Good…Any other questions on my drunken stupidity?"
"Well no, but…"
"But?" Dr. Chris inclined, cocking an eyebrow and standing up to pour the both of them more champagne at the bar across the room.
Bianca stared at the spot where he previously sat and bit her lip. Her stomach did flips as she tried to find a good way to word her next question, "Don't get mad, okay?"
"Okay…" He said, dragging out the word and returning to his place on the couch, offering Bianca her drink.
Bianca took her drink and took a sip, "Well, the last time I was here, I went to walk to your bathroom, but I was so out of it. I ended up opening the wrong door. I wasn't snooping, I swear! But you had this weird room with, like, I don't know, disguises or some shit. What is that room about?"
Dr. Chris blinked and thought for a second, "Oh? That room, yeah…it..uh, that's my brothers stuff. He's kind of weird." He shrugged and drank his drink.
"You have a brother?" Bianca prodded, not believing Liam's on-the-spot, made-up, excuse, and sipped her champagne, that was tasting better with every sip.
"Yup," he said distantly, picking up the remote and pressing 'play' to start the movie.
~xxx *Imogen* xxx~
I collapsed on Eli, my head aching as the flashback started. I couldn't stop it; my head feeling like it was about to burst, and all of reality fading out as Eli said my name to try to snap me out of it.
I rolled off him and mumbled that I was okay before slipping away completely.
…I stared back into the dark brown eyes—so dark that I couldn't tell where the pupil ended or where the iris began. This was my pursuer; he had captured me to make me his own.
Although his chiseled features and jaw line made him handsome and maybe even charming if he got rid of the ridiculously long hair, this guy was completely creepy. He was dark and gross, and I had no doubt that he was about to kill me.
"You're a pretty little freak, aren't you?" His voice rang with clarity, the familiarity of it stinging like alcohol on an open cut. He threw me to the ground and pinned me down, ripping out my shirt while I clawed at him aimlessly…
"Imogen, calm down, hey!" Eli shook me out of the flashback just in time.
I stopped my careless clawing and opened my eyes, which were now filling with angry tears of betrayal and hurt, looking at Eli.
"We have to go," I told him, sitting up and wiping my eyes.
"Now? I thought we were going to…"
"Bianca's in trouble!" I yelled, getting up and looking at him seriously.
"What do you mean?" Eli perused, getting up and standing inches away from me.
"Eli, it was Dr. Chris, I remember now," tears wouldn't stop spilling from my eyes, not matter how many times I wiped them away.
His eyes widened and his face got red, "He's dead. I'm going to kill him!" He yelled, turning to leave the room.
"No, you're not! Not alone! I'm going, too," I said, following him down the stairs.
"I can't let you," Eli said, turning to me as we reached the front door and kissing my forehead.
"Eli, wait!" I yelled through tears as he opened the door and slammed it behind him.
Thinking on my feet, I pulled out my phone and dialed a familiar number.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
"Imogen? What could you possibly want?" Fitz's voice—as angry as it sounded—was like music to my ears. I sighed in relief and sniffled, "Is everything okay?"
"N-no, It's Bianca. I need your help. Please come pick me up?"
OKAY. So, tada. How do you like Eli and Imogen's middle names xD. They are quite nice, lol. EVERYTHING ELSE WAS IRRELEVANT, RIGHT? Okay, so, you think you know, do you know? Is Imogen remembering correctly? Is Bianca toast? Is Imogen going to put on a shirt before Fitz comes and gets her? xD. Oh yeah, something kind of cool, waaaay back in February, or whenever I started this story, I wrote in my notes that this next chapter would be "Showdown". I SEE THE FUTURE. Okay, well, REVIEW XD.