Chapter Eight
Lisa ran her fingers across the smooth mahogny surface of the coffee table. In the light, Jacksons house lit up beautifully. The wood floors gleamed, along with all the other wooden surfaces in the house. Nothing seemed out of place. Except a picture, that rested on a shelf in the living room. She walked over to it, studing it very carefully. It was a picture taken of several people on a wooden deck, and a lake in the background. Two women sat on a wooden bench in the corner of the bench. One was cradling a baby, the other smiling at the infant. Leaning over the deck, two men held fishing poles, talking to eachother. One of the men, Lisa thought looked much like Jackson. He had the same eyes as him.
Jackson walked into the room, after putting Lisa's luggage upstairs. Lisa turned to him, and saw him stop, and look at her carefully. He knew what she had been looking at.
"Who are these people in this picture?"Lisa asked, and fear bloomed in her eyes once again, as Jackson moved towards her and the picture. But she stood her ground and continued."This man looks like you."Pointing at one of the men in the picture.
"That's my father."Jackson forced out, now inches from Lisa. He watched her eyes study him for a moment, then he reached up for the picture, setting it face down on the shelf. Never letting his gaze leave hers.
"Are you...the infant?"Lisa curiously asked, she still feared Jackson, but felt safe around him at the same time.
"I was taking the picture."He said flatly."It's a picture of my folks and their friends. We spent almost the whole summer with them."
He waited a little bit longer, his eyes telling Lisa that he was not about to say more on the subject. And she wasn't about to ignore his warning. After Jackson was sure she was done with the topic, he moved into the kitchen."Are you hungry?"He shouted to Lisa from the kitchen.
Taking one last glance at the picture lying face down, she joined him in the kitchen. He was at the sink, washing his hands, staring over at Lisa. She nodded her head a couple of times at him.
"Ok...how about scrambled eggs."He taunted, knowing that those were Lisa's favorite. When he had watched her during the two month period, she would always make them. Lisa just glared at him, and reluctantly took a seat at the wooden island. He chuckled at her, then pulled out a pan, and a few eggs from the refrigerator.
"What did you write in that letter?"Lisa reffered to the letter he had thrown away."You-"
"Lisa...it was nothing."He cutt her off, while cracking a few eggs into the heated pan." I remember telling you not to worry about it."
"I just-"Lisa attempted one more time, but stopped at the sight of Jackson's glare at her. She said nothing more. A few minutes later, after Jackson had finished the eggs and toasted a few pieces of bread, he aranged two plates with the food, setting a plate in front of Lisa, then taking a seat next to her.
"It's not much, but it's food."Jackson watched as Lisa dug into her food."Then again, you never really did eat much."His voice changed from kind to mocking in a metter of seconds. She tried to ignore him, but couldn't.
"I came here willingly, I think maybe you should treat me with a little more respect."She snapped. Jackson knew she was right, but couldn't hold back all his remarks. They came almost naturally, and quickly.
"Sure."He smiled at her, and went back to eating. Lisa shook her head out of annoyance. No matter what the hell she said to him, he always had something to say back.
Adam searched the house top to bottom. No sign of Lisa, all that he found were a few open drawers, scattered belongings, and a note. Curious, Adam picked up the small yellow piece of paper. And read it aloud to himself.
Dad-
I have decided to go on a much needed vacation.
I would have called, but decided not to bug you with it.
Be back soon.
Love,
Lisa
"Lisa, a vacation? Why would you just leave without telling anybody? And you left without your car."Adam was not convinced by the note, but there was nothing that pointed otherwise. Glancing around the room, something caught his eye. In the trash bin, he saw a, still intact, letter. Pulling it out, he read the return adress. His eyes widened a little. Jackson Rippner? Why the hell would he be writing you Lisa? Adam quickly ripped open the envelope.
When he pulled out the note, he half expected it to be a death threat to Lisa, but was shocked to see what it really was. He stopped reading it for a second then continued.
Lisa-
I haven't ever lied to you, and would never. Im writing this letter hoping that it will sound true to you. I want to see
your beautiful face one more time, but know that it could never be. Please forgive me for what I have done to you.
I walked into your life, and destroyed it. Changed everything from you in just a few hours. I lost my head, and tried
to kill you, but you have to understand that, I had no choice. This may be hard for you to accept, but I need you to
try to believe what I am saying. Ever since I layed eyes on you, well, I think I have fallen in love with you. Yes, I have
told you this before, and I could see that you did not believe me, or else I would not be writing this letter.
Lisa, I love you, and would die for you.
JR
Letting the letter fall from his hand, Adam knew where Lisa was. Jackson had come back for her. He couldn't let him get away with this. Jackson could not have Lisa. And Lisa wouldn't just fall in love with him. He had done to many things to her. Right?
"You will be sleeping here."Jackson said, opening a dark brown wooden door for Lisa. Inside there was a large four post bed. The wood was colored with white paint, and the walls were a tan color, matching the bed sheets. Two, white nightstands, were placed on each side of the bed. In the corner of the room was a small, tan couch, the back of it against the wall. Across from it was a white desk, with a tan deskk chair. The window was large, and the white, lacey curtains were tied back. Allowing the morning sun to shine in through the room. And the bathroom was just as beautiful.
Turning to Jackson, who was still standing in the doorway, she walked up to him. Trying to think of something to say. "Um...Jackson, thank you."She finally managed to choke out.
"I tried my best to supply you with everything you needed."He told her, nodding his head towards the bathroom."It's not much, but will do for now."With that, he turned and walked down the hall, disapearing into another room. Lisa closed the door, and walked over to the window, looking out over the horizon. There was a large field of flowers, mostly sunflowers. It was the most spectacular thing that Lisa had seen in a long time.
Even though it was beautiful, it made her sick to see that there was at least three or four acres of landscape before there was any sign of human life. "Last chance to turn back..." She remembered Jackson telling her. And she suddenly felt trapped, she had given into him so easily. Let him take her to where she was, without any fight. If she even tried to escape, he would be able to catch her before she even made it across the three acres of land. He would catch up to her and drag her right back, before she made it ten feet away from the house. Jackson was so much stronger and faster than her, and it would be no trouble for him to catch her.
Her whole life she had tried to be strong, but had always failled, and let everyone take advantage of her. The time in the parking lot, she tried hard to fight back, and wasn't strong enough. Then it almost happedned to her again just a few weeks ago...Oh my god... Lisa fell a little on to the desk, catching herself with her hands. Pulling herself together, she ran and opened the door, searching each room for Jackson. She found him in his office, sitting on a small black chair, reading the newspaper. He glanced over at Lisa, and got up, setting the paper on a table.
"Lisa?"He sounded a little worried. The look on Lisa's face was hard to read. He knew it wasn't fear, but could not pinpoint what."Are you ok?"Jackson walked over to her side, taking her by the arm and back.
"You said you followed me for eight weeks?"She asked, even though she knew that was the right answer.
"Yes, I did."His voice sounded a little iritated.
"There was a man, who...saved me."As soon as Jackson heard her, he knew what she was talking about, and walked over to the window, his back turned to her.
"I didn't see his face. You hid your face from me..."She pointed out, and joined him, trying to get him to look at her. This whole time, Jackson had hoped that she would not find out. He cared about her, and she was his only weakness. The only person who made him re-think his actions. He had already told her he loved her, what else did she need from him?
"I just don't know how I could have not recognized the sound of your voice."Lisa set her hand on top of his, which had been holding onto the edge of the desk. He looked up at her, glad that she knew, but at the same time, not wanting her to know at all.
"Am I interupting something?" Rupert sneered, watching from the door. Jackson turned around, his eyes blazing with anger.
"Fuck! Rupert! What the hell are you doing here?!"He cursed at Rupert, walking over to him. Lisa backed up into a corner.
"Just thought I would give you some important news about the job."Rupert glanced over to Lisa."News she probably knows, and hid from you." Jackson glanced over at Lisa, and saw her face turn to fear and worry as she stared back at him.
"Ok."Jackson said playing on a note of anger."What is it?"
"Adam Hawk survived the gun shot."Rupert answered, floping onto the black chair."Thought you might want to know, that you failed, again."
Jackson lunged ar Rupert, unsheathing his knife from under his shirt, and holding it up to Rupert's neck. Lisa jumped a little, startled by his quickness, and the fact that she had no clue he had a knife hidden. Of course he has a knife...I should be surprised if he didn't... She tried to calm herself.
"Rupert...how many times do I have to tell you...to watch what you say."Jackson rasped, his eyes on Rupert's shocked face. Finally, able to control his anger, Jackson pulled away from Rupert, his attention on Lisa now. He was mad at her for not telling him anything about it, but felt sick too. Regaining his strength to talk again, Rupert continued.
"Jack, we need to take him out once and for all. Or we'll both be killed if the company finds out he is alive."
"The company doesn't know about it yet?"Jackson turned to Rupert again, a little taken back by what he was hearing. Lisa knew she had to get out of the room, she didn't want to know what Jackson might do to her. Moving slowly against the wall, trying not to bring attention to herself. Please, Jack...don't look my way... She pleaded in her mind.
Rupert watched Lisa, amused by her trying to flee. "No, they don't."Rupert told him. Seeing Rupert looking behind him, Jackson turned to see Lisa begin to run for the door.
"Lisa!"He yelled from behind her, it only egged Lisa on. Running down the stairs, she could hear his footsteps behind her. She ran into the kitchen, searching for something to use to defend herself. Jackson had locked up everything that she could have used to harm him. Darting back around the island, she started for the hall, but stopped by Jackson blocking the door way.
"Going somewhere, Leese?"He mocked angirly. Lisa may love him, but she hated him when he treated her like all she was, was some captive of his. Anyone would hate that.
"Jack, please. I-I meant to tell you."She tried to lie to him, to try and calm him down. Jackson laughed at her, then walked slowly towards Lisa. Lisa quickly backed around the other side of the island, making sure Jack was on the other side.
"It's a little late for that now."Jack hissed, and both Lisa and him circled around the island."Did you think that I would never find out?"
She shook her head, thinking it would be the right thing to do, her body was trembling again. He got tired of the island being in the way, and leapt across the counter, taking Lisa by the arms."Ssh, Lisa. Stop struggling, it will only make it worse." He couldn't let her get away. Lisa meant the world to him, and even if she did everything in her power to anger him, Jackson still loved her. And couldn't just let go of the one thing in the world that made him want to keep living. Just to be able to hold her in his arms forever, and to see her every day of the rest of his life.
Lisa moved her body wildly around in his arms, trying to get away from him. Come on...think! You have to outsmart him somehow! Lisa tried hard to concentrate, then pretended to give up her fight. Maybe if I can get him to let his gaurd down, make him think he won...
"Good...now, if you keep running from me like this, I might never be able to trust you."He told her with a small smirk on his relieved face.
Feeling him loosen his hold on her, Lisa kicked him in the shin, forcing him to let go of her. Again, she ran for the door, making it out into the hall. Reaching the top of the stairs, Rupert shoved her into the wall, holding her by the waist with one hand, and his other hand grasping her by the back of the neck.
Her chest hurt from being pushed against the wall, and she put her face up against the cold wall, trying get as far away from Rupert as she could. Even if it was impossible in her position.
She could hear Jackson asccending the stairs, and suddenly wished she had never run from him. He was violent towards her, but he cared about her. That much she knew, for she could see it in his eyes. Even when he was angry with her. All Rupert cared about was making her suffer and getting whatever he wanted from her. Him being so close, and Jackson so far from her, made her mind race with memories from the past, and what had happened to her in the parking lot two misserable years ago.
"Lisa, Lisa, Lisa..."Rupert said, gently stroking the exposed cheek of Lisa."You should stop trying to escape." His face was touching hers, making her shake even more.
"Rupert! Let her go!"Jackson screamed at him. Rupert gave Jackson an annoyed look, but released Lisa, letting her sink to the wood floor. Both Jackson and Rupert towering over her, sent a fear through her, that she never had felt before. She knew that she would not be able to do anything, and flinched as Jackson took her by the arms, pulling her to her feet.
"Jack, why do you give a damn what I do to her?"Rupert madly asked Jackson. Still holding Lisa by one arm, Jackson turned to Rupert, throwing a fist at his jaw. Rupert fell back a few feet, then glaring up at Jackson, rubbing his face.
"You wont lay a hand on her. Got it?"The anger in Jackson passed, and turned into mock."Let's get back to buisness."
Trying to keep up with Jackson's quick pace, Lisa almost fell over. Her arm hurt where Jackson held her, and being dragged behind him back into the office made it hurt worse. Behind them, was a pissed off Rupert, still holding his jaw. Once back in the office, Jackson sat down on the small couch, forcing Lisa down next to him. Holding her by the waist. Rupert leaned on the wall, a few feet away from them.
I would have never done anything to her... Jackson thought, mad that she had tried to run from him.
Lisa didn't move much, just sat by him quietly, looking down at the floor boards. He stared at her for a moment longer. I could never hurt her. I may be pissed about her keeping me in the dark about Adam, but not enough to hurt her...
"How do we get rid of him?"Jackson picked up from where they had been interupted. Watching Lisa, then looking back up at Jackson, Rupert shruged his shoulders. "It doesn't matter."Rupert told Jackson."As long as he is taken out."Jackson tucked Lisa's hair behind her ear.
"You know, after I learned that Adam survived, I went to go find him." A cruel grin spread across Ruperts smug face. Lisa heard his amussed tone in his voice, and looked up at him."Just to see with my own two eyes...that in fact he was still alive. I found him at his house. Not surprising, but what did surprise me was that..."
Jackson watched him carefully. And noticed Lisa start to shift in her seat. Rupert continued, knowing he had news that would piss Jackson off.
"What surprised me, is that I saw Lisa Reisert, picking him up and then driving to a lovely restraunt. You would think it was probably police matter...but they were both acting so affectionate towards each other. That I had a really hard time believing it was just...work."Jackson's gaze narrowed on Lisa, he didn't want to believe what he was hearing.
Lisa didn't dare to look at him, and stared at the other side of the room, where the back of her head faced Jackson. She never considered the fact that he might find out about her date with Adam.
"Lisa?"Jackson asked in a shocked, almost betrayed manner. When she would not look at him, he made her himself. He wrenched her face towards his."Lisa...why...what where you doing with him?"
"Jack...I only went to dinner with him-"Lisa tried hard to sound reassuring, but it only came out sounding frightened. He would not hear it, letting her face go, Jackson jumped up from the couch, roughly shoving Lisa into the hall and to her bedroom.
Pusing her inside, Jackson slammed the door, then locked the door closed. You're an idiot! Locking her in her room isn't going to do a god damn thing! Jackson furiously thought, leaning his fore head against the frame of the door. He could hear Lisa's screams and cry's, and the constant pounding on the wood. It tore him deep inside hearing Lisa so distressed, but also, he felt better about her being locked away. Thinking maybe she deserved it. Then the horrible thought creeped into his head. She isn't mine...I can't choose who she loves. Even if I keep her here, and..NO! No, I'm not going to let another man have her...
Forcing his head up, Jackson walked away, joining an entertained Rupert, in his office. He ignored the helpless calls of Lisa, and sat at his desk.
No sound came from the hall, and Lisa stopped shouting, tears rolled down her warm face. Her hands were sore from hitting the door, and in some areas, they began to bleed. She pressed her small face to the wooden door, slowly letting herself sink to the hard floor. Giving up what she knew was a pointless fight for freedom.
"Jack, I love you..."Lisa confessed, whispering the few, complicated words she could not tell Jackson, to herself. No matter how much she wanted to, or how much she tried to get herself to say those three words to Jackson, she just couldn't build up enough courage to say it. He had said them to her, but why was it so hard to return the words.
Gathering what strength she had left, Lisa got up and collapsed on the bed. Muffling her cries in the pillow. For hours Lisa lay there, thinking about the betrayed look on Jackson's face when he found out about her and Adam. She didn't love Adam and never had. She only went with him because he was lonely, and now, Jackson probably hated her because of it.
The sun had gone down, and had been replaced with a full moon. Lighting up her dark room. Stars filled the night sky, each one shining brightly, adding more light on the city. Soon, Lisa found herself fading into a deep sleep. A sleep with no dreams or memories. The deep sleep that would release her from this hell for the night until she would wake again.
I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter up, I have been kinda busy lately. But I hope you enjoyed it and the next chapter will be up soon. Review!