Chapter 78 WHIRLWIND OF EMOTIONS
I walked towards the pool with a bottle of wine in hand, the warm night contrasting with the heavy load of thoughts on my mind. Where could he be? Why wasn't he responding? Had Patrick not realized his empire was crumbling?
I nervously bit my lip, sitting at the edge of the pool as I sipped the wine, lost in my thoughts. That bastard had returned, bringing all my traumas and fears with him.
“Patrick, you said you would protect me. Where are you?” I whispered to the stars, staring at the sky.
Setting the bottle aside, I decided to dive in to relax the tension in my body, my anxious mind racing through various scenarios that quickened my heartbeat. I floated with closed eyes, immersed in my chaotic thoughts. There are so many unanswered questions. Who was Gabriel? Why was Heloise involved in all of this? Could it be true?
Conflict after conflict. Why hadn't that damn man tried to kidnap me? He just wanted to cause fear; that was his method. But still, years had passed since I escaped his clutches, and patience was never one of his traits.
Something pulled me underwater by the waist. I screamed, trying to push away the assailant, when I recognized the melody of his playful laugh. For a moment, I froze, afraid it was just a dream. I looked at Patrick, handsome despite looking worn. His lips formed a smile, but his eyes were heavy with sadness.
“Where have you been?” I clenched my fists nervously, drawn to his presence.
Patrick propped me up on the pool's edge, where my foot could reach, sliding aside the bottom of my bikini and thrusting me. I missed his bold touches and the intense kisses full of desire. I moaned loudly, entwining my fingers in his hair and pulling him closer. His mouth eagerly sucked on my breasts, while his free hand gently pinched the sensitive nipples.
“Damn it, Patrick. I missed you too!” I gasped, surrendering to the moment. But then, I remembered the photo of Heloise in his secret box and stiffened, making him look at me.
“Is everything okay?” The CEO looked at me, confused.
“No, it's not okay, Patrick. You disappeared; who knows what you were doing. Heloise made serious allegations about your relationship, and the company is in chaos...” Tears rolled down my eyes as I stared at him, unloading all the weight I had felt over the past few days. “I don't know who you are or what to believe. You said you'd be here, that you'd protect me, and then you vanished!”
I pushed his shoulder, ready to escape his grasp, but he held my arms firmly at the sides, trapping me even deeper within myself.
“Forgive me...” I heard his choked voice, and I looked at him, widening my eyes.
His eyes shimmered brightly and were filled with tears. A few stubborn ones slid down, and I held his face in my hands, wiping them away gently.
“Everything is falling apart, Lis. Please, don't let us fall apart too.” A sob escaped his lips. I felt the knot in his throat and the intensity of his words.
I pulled him close, our mouths meeting in an inexplicable longing. The need to alleviate his suffering, just as he had done for me, was intense. I moved my hips against his member, pulsating inside me and moaning amidst our kisses. Patrick intensified his thrusts, sliding his hand over my breasts, squeezing and filling his hand, while his free hand supported us on the pool's edge. Breaking from my lips, he looked at me with a different intensity, a slight smile playing on his lips.
“I love you!” With Patrick's typical ease, he uttered the words simply, increasing his pressure until we reached the peak.
We stayed silent, breathless, listening only to each other's breathing, foreheads touching.
“You can't do this.” I whispered, still looking down.
“Do what?” Lifting my chin, Patrick brushed our lips, sending delightful shivers through my entire body.
“You can't disappear without an explanation and then come back saying you love me.” I furrowed my brow, sighing and avoiding his gaze. “You can't abandon me.”
“Elisabeth,” he emphasized firmly, catching my attention. “If it were only about feelings, I would never leave your side!”
“Then why did you leave? Why all the secrets?” I caressed his face, pulling him into another kiss. “Who is Gabriel? And why is there a photo of Heloise hidden in your wardrobe?”
Frowning, Patrick leaned back a bit, looking intrigued.
“A photo of Heloise?” He sighed, stepping back and getting out of the pool, extending his hand to me. “I need to show you something.”
I hesitated, handing over my chest, assessing his saddened expression.
“It's important, Elisabeth.” Patrick kept his hand outstretched, looking at me deeply.
I agreed and got out of the pool. We headed to his room, where he opened the wardrobe and took out a box and some clothes.
“Change, I need to take you somewhere,” he said mysteriously, turning and heading to the bathroom.
I dried off and changed clothes while he still hadn't returned. When he finally did, Patrick was leaning against the bathroom door, his hand in his pocket, his gaze distant, and his face filled with pain.
“Where are we going?” I nervously bit my lip. “Is it safe to go out? Did Greg tell you I saw my ex at the press conference?”
Seemingly returning from his reverie, he nodded, giving a weak smile.
“Yes, don't worry, you're safe with me!” Walking up to stand in front of me, Patrick caressed my hair tenderly before sighing and placing a quick, gentle kiss on my lips. “Shall we?”
We rode in his private car, Morgan driving in silence. Occasionally, he would rest his hand on my leg, squeezing it gently. His hands were sweaty, and I noticed he was pale and slightly breathless.
“Are you okay?” I asked, concerned, leaning closer and running my finger across his forehead.
“I'm fine,” he replied curtly, avoiding eye contact.
“You don't look well, Patrick. Shouldn't we pull over? I can drive, and you can rest; just tell me where we're going!” I lightly squeezed his hand, but he remained silent, not responding. “Why all the secrecy?”
“Elisabeth, you've told me about your past, your traumas, and your pains.” He paused for a moment before turning his face toward me, his eyes red with tears. “It's time for you to know the worst pain I've ever felt. I'm going to show you my wounds.”