Chapter twelve
Abi woke up feeling sick. Her body was aching and her head was pounding. She looked around and wasn't sure where she was, then recognized the room as Ben's. She looked to her side and saw Ben sleeping next to her, naked, then realized she's naked as well. God, this can't be happening, she thought. Ben would never do that to me, would he? She left the bed in search of her clothes. They were scattered all around the living room, intact. She got dressed as fast as she could then left the apartment. She kept thinking but couldn't remember what happened over the last night. She called a cab on her cell phone, which took her back to the legacy house.
As she walked in all was quiet, assuming everyone was asleep she wanted to rush to her room where she can think harder and try and remember the missing events. Walking up the stairs she ran into Nick who was heading for the gym. He looked at her "Must have been quiet a night," he said.
Abi didn't say a word just past him by and fled to her room, locking the door behind her. Heading for the shower she heard a knock on the door. "Who is it?" she asked.
"It's me Abi, Derek."
She opened the door ant let him in. he held her hands and said, "Nick told me you just got back. Had a nice time dear?"
She couldn't hold herself any more and told him what happened.
"And do you think Ben forced himself on you?"
No answer came from her. She knew Ben he was incapable of doing that. But maybe something happened to him and he didn't know what he was doing. Maybe the same thing that came over her.
"I don't want to talk about it right now dad. I need to shower and catch some sleep. Please," she pleaded with him.
He kissed her forehead and left the room, looking for Nick. He found him in the gym. "Nick, I want you to go talk to Ben," he said.
"Why?"
"Don't get crazy, just listen." He told Nick all the things Abi told him.
"Do you think he, god I can't even say that word. If he did I'll kill him," said Nick.
"I don't think he did Nick, that's why I want you to go talk to him. Abi is a little confused right now, she can't think straight. And maybe she is in denial. I tried but all I saw was warmth and love, so I'm quite sure it was not forced."
"And you want me to make sure?" asked Nick.
"I guess so. But Nick, don't lose it. Listen to the man and then we'll figure out what to do together."
"Ok," said Nick heading upstairs to get dressed.
+++
Ben woke up and was surprised to find Abi was gone. He searched the apartment but there was no sign of her. "Shit," he yelled. "Why would she leave without a word, unless, unless she is sorry about last night." He sat back down on the bed then decided he must go talk to her. He got dressed and drove over to the legacy house.
+++
Abi was unable to sleep. She finished her bath and went downstairs. She met Nick again as he was coming up from the gym. They both heard the knock on the door. Abi knew who it was and her face paled. Nick noticed that but went to answer the door. Ben came bursting in. He saw Abi standing there.
"God Abi, you scared me. Why did you leave like that?" he stopped looked at Nick and asked, "Can we speak in private?"
She felt a little dizzy and almost fell. He reached out his hand and grabbed her. She jumped at his touch and withdrew form his hold. He saw the wicked smile he missed the night before as she walked over towards Nick. "Anything you have to say to me you can say in front of him."
"Are you sorry about last night?" Asked Ben.
"Last night was a mistake," she said her eyes turning darker and full of mock. She then turned to face Nick and kissed him passionately. Then laughing viciously she left the two of them alone.
Nick was puzzled by her behavior. He looked at Ben and signed him to follow him to the living room. "Ben, what the hell happened last night?" he asked directly.
"Well, after the party we went to see my parents. She wasn't feeling well and asked to leave. It was raining and she asked if we can go to my place cause she can't face this house yet." He thought for a minute then said, "I should have brought her here", he said as if to himself. "As soon as we got to my place she asked me to kiss her taking her clothes off and then she asked me to make love to her."
"Which you did?" asked Nick.
"Yes. I thought she has finally reached a decision about us."
Derek came in at that moment. "So what happened then Ben. What made her have second thoughts?" he asked.
"I have no idea. All I know is now she says it was a mistake and she kissed Nick."
"Nick" asked Derek.
"Don't look at me like that Derek. She surprised me. She was behaving really strange."
"I'll go talk to her" said Derek. He left the two young men alone. "I'm sorry Ben," said Nick.
"What for? She obviously decided you are the one after all. You're probably…" said Ben before his voice betrayed him.
Nick had no idea what to say. He hasn't spoken to Abi yet. He didn't know how she felt for him or for Ben.
+++
Derek found Abi in her office. The closer he got to her the worst feelings of evil he got. The minute his hand was on her arm he knew.
"Abi, have you given more thought to the matter of changing your name to Rayne? You do realize it's a rather dangerous name to have?"
She looked at him surprised. "Why would I want to change my name? I love being Abi Hirsh. Besides you may be biologically my father but you are not my daddy. Sorry if that offends you but…" she turned and left him there.
"God, I was afraid of that." He went back to talk to Nick and Ben. "Ben, that was not Abi talking to you. And it wasn't Abi who kissed you Nick."
Both men looked at him puzzled. "She's possessed?" asked Nick.
"Yes Nick. By Joshua," replied Derek.
"She must have been possessed when she was with me last night. God I should have known," said Ben.
"It's probably one of Joshua's tricks to pull you two apart," said Derek. "Ben, was she alone for any period of time last night?" he asked.
"Well yes she got tired greeting people, so I sent her off to rest in the garden."
"That's probably when it happened. I'd like to see this place. Can you arrange that?" asked Derek in the controlling manner he used often in his roll as precept.
"I'll see to it immediately" said Ben and started making some phone calls.
"Nick, I want you to advise everyone of this new situation, but tell all to act as if it's business as usual I don't want him to get suspicious. Not until I figure out what to do. Then ask Alex to call Philip and consult him. See if he has any advice for us. And guys, be careful. He is very dangerous. To you, and to Abi. Especially for her," said Derek.
Nick went a head with the task asked of him.
"We can go see the place now if you wish Derek," said Ben. He looked scared his voice shattered.
"Ben, we will do all we can to bring her back here safe and sound. I promise. I only just found her so I'm not letting her go just yet. And just so you know, she loves you, not Nick."
"How can you be sure?" asked Ben.
"Because she just told me that. The good thing is that although Joshua is in her body she is still a very strong spirit and she is holding back her powers from him. But she will not be able to this for much longer. So we have to figure out a way to get rid of him before he'll possess her powers of reading minds."
"Derek in my head I understand that was not Abi saying these things to me, but in my heart, I'm afraid. Afraid I lost her, forever."
"I don't know Ben. Now come on let's check that garden and see if we can figure out what happened."