Chapter 3 — Jealousy and lust go together

Astrid:

"I don't believe it" Sydney said, her voice coming through the receiver. I currently was hiding out in my lab, hiding from the demon named Aaro Camelio.

Turns out fate was a sick bitch. She threw us together in the most fucked up of situations, although I was starting to think Aaro was Fate's puppeteer. There was no way that he decided to branch out into the attraction business just as I started working here, it wasn't a coincident that he was the brand new owner of Ascot Private Zoo a month after I started working here.

Right?

"I know" I hissed back at her "That impulsive son of a bitch! He probably thinks since he's my new boss, he can continue to boss me around like he did in that sham of a marriage we had"

"I just don't understand, you guys are divorced, have been for three years, why is he doing this now? Is he that really much of a control freak?"

"And he had the audacity to flaunt his new flavor of the month in front of me! What a cunt!" I cursed, seething.

Yes, I was jealous. Very, very jealous. How couldn't I be?

I gave that selfish bastard five years of my life, I loved him so deeply and for so long that those feelings are embedded in me, it doesn't just go away like that.

Now I knew he didn't love me as deeply as I loved him, it made me so mad to realize that I was so replaceable like that.

"I should just quit and go back to Sumatra or maybe South Africa, at least I would be away from him" I said, sounding defeated.

I did feel defeated. All I wanted was to be left alone and not to be some pawn in Aaro's sick game of dominance. I've had enough.

"If you leave who is gonna take care of those poor cubs huh? You know only you in that whole zoo knows how to care for them. Are you really going to leave them just because of some giant cunt you used to be married to?"

She does have a point. I can't just leave Xenia and Maura here. They are my responsibility and I can't just abandon them because of him.

"You're right Syd"

"I always am" I almost could hear her rolling her eyes "What you've got to do is show that bastard how much of a boss bitch you are and how you won't be bossed around anymore"

I nodded "Right, I didn't go through that gruesome divorce to be a victim again. Thanks for the advice Syd"

"I'm always here for you babe, are we still on for drinks on Saturday?"

Sydney worked and lived in Central London so we only get to see each other at the weekends for drinks at our favorite pub "Sure, I'll see you babe"

I hung up, feeling reinvigorated and energized.

I wasn't going to chicken out of my job just because of Aaro. He can eat my ass. Oh but he did, and so well, my very horny inner self drawled and I frowned.

Don't think of that, I chided myself.

My thoughts were interrupted by the door of my lab door swinging open and Aaro, Mr. Renson and blond bitch strode in.

I stood slowly, looking from face to face trying to figure out why they just invaded my space.

Finally Mr. Renson spoke "Astrid, Mr. Camelio has requested that you be his guide around the zoo grounds, you know show him the animals and show him how everything works here"

Oh no. This is just one of Aaro's plots.

I have to get out of this, I can't be in the same space with him.

"No offense, sir, but you could do it. You know the zoo better than anyone and besides I'm very busy here" I motioned to my very bare work table.

Cue face palm.

Renson gave me a sour look "Come along Astrid, don't keep the good man and his associate waiting"

Fuck me.

"Of course, sir."

I breathed and grabbed my walkie talkie, strapping it to my waist band and my medical bag before walking over to the small group by the door, stopping in front of Aaro.

"Let's go Mr. Camelio."

I was tense, I'm not going to lie. His imposing presence made me tense but just looking at the obviously smitten blond that trailed after him like a lost puppy fueled my jealously which in turn fueled my anger.

Why the hell am I jealous? I shouldn't be. God I need a very stiff drink.

Currently we were in one of the service vehicles, in the grass plains, home to the giraffes.

We had visited a number of my favorite animals already, including Larry the Burmese python, Chester the black bear cub, Asher the white rhino, even Willie the Lion whose teeth I had to clean. I tried to ignore him, only speaking to him when necessary, but I couldn't ignore the look of wonder mixed with a slight bit of concern he had as he watched me interact with the animals.

He looked impressed, a look I hadn't seen from him since we got married. I admit I laughed a bit when he blanched as I wrestled Angus the crocodile into his restraints so I could give him his vitamin shot, it was highly entertaining watching him shocked like that.

I do admit that when he snapped at Blondie to go back to Mr. Renson's office and stay there, I had this sick sense of satisfaction, quickly followed by a tiny bit of dread.

I was going to be alone with him. Oh God no.

So far since we got in the car, he had been quiet, sneaking glances at me when he thinks I'm not looking, but other than that, He's been good.

But that was about to change very quick.

"So, I heard you went to Sumatra, how was it?" He asked, in an airy conversational voice, breaking the tense air of the cab. I frowned "Why are you asking?"

He turned to me, a slight grin on his face, "Because I want to know what my wife has been up to."

"Ex-wife, you mean. In case it slipped your tiny mind, we're divorced."

His grin grew "It didn't slip my mind Mio Amore"

I flinched as that endearment I used to love so much, brushed against my skin like a caress "Don't call me that" I hissed, my hands taut against the steering wheel.

"Why?" He asked innocently, leaning towards me.

I needed to create space between us but my limbs seemed to be frozen underneath his intense gaze.

"Because you don't mean it, stop lying to me"

I felt tears sting my eyes and I silently cursed myself for my weak resolve. Dimly I pushed open the door and jumped out, grabbing my medical bag along with me before stomping in the direction of Lance and the other giraffes. I could hear his aggravated footsteps behind me, easily catching up to me. He grabbed my forearm, whirling me to him, I gasped as I looked into his blazing eyes.

"Do you really think I don't mean those words?" He paused, letting his question sink in before continuing "Ash, I have never lied to you, I can't lie to you"

"Bullshit!" I seethed, trying to jerk out of his grasp but he held on tight "Listen to me Astrid" he hissed "I don't want to, all I'm going to hear are lies and excuses anyway. So why should I?"

I sucked in a breath "Why did you come here? After three years, why did you come here? Does the prospect of me being happy without you irk you so much, you want to ruin it?"

He cupped my face, his big warm hand cupping my cheeks as he stared into my face." No Astrid, I always want to see you happy"

"Then why are you here? I've only just started to try to get over you, Why are you trying to break what little resolve I have?"

Dimly I felt tears dribble down my face but I couldn't care less, I wanted answers from this man in front of me.

He looked conflicted, confused. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out.

Finally he spoke, his voice reverberating through me "I want you back Astrid, that's why I'm here"

My eyes widened at his admission. He wanted me back?! After all these years he still wanted me?

I felt a sneer creep unto my face and I backed out of his grasp.

Now he admits he wants me back after destroying my heart and my love for him, over and over again in that sham of a marriage.

"No!" I sneered at him "I'm not coming back to you Aaro."

"Please Astrid, I love..."

"Don't!" I yelled, cutting him off, tears obscuring my sight, "Don't complete that sentence."

"Astrid," he called, his expression soft, his eyes like honey, "Baby please."

I wiped my face, tightening my grip around my bag, I needed to get out of here before my breaking heart betrays me again.

I turned to go but he reached out and pulled me to him before I could. I opened my mouth to retort but his lips slanted across mine swallowing my words.