Chapter 89 Chapter 89
“Why are you like this?” I asked.
“Because I realized that I loved you, and losing you felt like I lost a part of me, and I never want to feel that way again,” he said.
I heard the slamming of doors, and he let go of me and stepped back. I heard heels clicking up the walkway.
“Zaiel, what is going on?” I heard his father say. I turned around and looked at them.
“Oh good, lord. Tessa, you’re okay,” Mrs. Rhyland said.
She came over to me and hugged me. “It is so good to see you,” she said.
“It’s good to see you too, Mrs. Rhyland. Mr. Rhyland Hello.”
“Hello, dear, it is good to see you alive and well. Mrs. Rhyland took my hand and led me into the cabin and sat down, pulling me to sit down beside her.
“What happened?” she asked,
“Well, I have a tendency to run from your idiotic son when he becomes overbearing. I had no idea that my disappearance would be so closely linked to a dead woman.”
“She likes to be dramatic,” he said, and I looked at him.
“And you’re overbearing,” I retorted.
“Why don't you both leave and give me and Tessa a few minutes alone?” Mrs. Rhyland said. They didn't say anything; they just walked out and closed the door.
She took my hand in hers. “He… Zaiel is headstrong and ruthless, but hearing that you were gone. I never saw him like that; he is my child, but it was the first time I had ever seen my son so helpless and hopeless and could do nothing to help him. He loves you; he truly does. Whatever is going on, when it is finished, please come back. We’ll have a wedding, and you will be properly introduced to the family,” she said.
“Mrs. Rhyland, Do you approve of this marriage?” I asked cautiously.
“When Zaiel was 16, he had a girlfriend. She was a normal girl. I would never deny my son anything in this world. I was hesitant about the relationship; after all, they were young and schoolchildren. But she didn't really love him; she just wanted his money. He gave her almost one million dollars before she showed her true colors.
After that I have been hesitant to let him get involved with anyone, but over the years he stayed away from relationships. Clarissa, it was just arranged. I don’t hate you,
Tessa; I haven't gotten to know you. I am willing to put all my doubts aside and get to know you so you and my son can be happy,” she said.
“My mother. I don't… She left when I was a child. My past is complicated. Ask Zaiel; he’ll tell you.” I said quietly.
Kai
When we walked into the resort, she walked past us and headed straight to the elevator; one of her friends caught up with her, and they got onto the elevator.
I saw my cousins when we passed the restaurant. I watched her as the elevator doors closed. I headed straight up to my room; I was surprised when they both followed me in.
“Umm, what is this about?”
“Tessa said you would tell us about her past. She said it is complicated.” My mother said, and I sighed.
“Fine, you should probably sit down, because it’s long.”
They sat down, and I poured a glass of scotch and sat down and told them about Tessa’s past.
When I was finished, it was well past one. I didn't dare mention the shit I did, or I would end up in the hospital or the morgue.
“She really suffered. Well, if you are sure it's here, then that's it. Now why don’t you get some rest? Tonight is the family dinner,” my mother said before stepping out of the room. After they left, I called Joe and Jax to let them know what they were now doing and asked Jax to deliver the keys to her.
Tessa
I was having dinner with my friends. He was with his entire family over on the other end of the restaurant. I didn't have to look up to know he was looking at me; I could feel his eyes on me.
“So who was it? Who did you hook up with last night?” Jane asked.
“Who else but Craig? I’m guessing he came?” Rhonda asked, and I just smiled.
By eleven I was already in bed. I was tired but couldn't sleep.
That night when I kidnapped Clayton, I was prepared to kill him, but he stopped me. He had sobered up and asked why I was doing this, and I told him it was for what his father did to me. He said he didn't have a father; he only had a mother. So I asked him then who Mark Russland was, and he blurted out that Mark was his friend.
After he told me, I realized I couldn't kill him, and I couldn't be out in the open where Mark and Claton could find me. I needed to disappear, so I set everything into motion. Anna Ryan’s background was solid. I spent 200 grand on it; the demolished house. I sold the plot and took that money and bought the small place in DC because he said the last they mentioned, they were going to DC. He couldn't give an exact description of what they looked like now, so that was a tough nut to crack.
I wrote the letters and left the money and the box for him. I paid for a whole two years. I expected them to find it maybe six months after I left. I guess the dead woman and her name being so similar to mine made them check.
When I got to DC. I got a job and made friends as if I had known them all my life. After the first week I was settled in, I began searching. The guy mentioned that they had money, which meant they would be living well, not rich and flashy, but they’ll be comfortable. They won’t be out and about; they’ll keep to themselves and probably go looking for me.
When Jane asked me to fill in at the event that night, I didn't think anything of it. I was at the back all night. It was only after Jane asked me to take some more champagne and I was in the hallway that I saw him and the woman, and I was pissed. When I walked over, I saw the way he was swaying and knew something was off. Zaiel would never drink that much, and Jax, Carlo, or Rob were nowhere in sight. I knew there was something wrong.
When he called me Tessa, I panicked for a minute, thinking he saw through my disguise, but he didn't; he was too drunk. I didn't expect the idiot man to take me in the shower.