Delecto - Games of Mastery (part 1) (17 page)

I stop and
digest for a minute.

Not been
herself?

“
Hasn't
she?”

“
Not
since her mother, my ex wife, died.”

“
Oh yes,
she did tell me about that, what a terrible tragedy,” I lied. “I'll
do my best, anyhow.”

“
Thanks
Sebastian. I'm sure you're just what she needs. She's a young
woman, she should have some fun. I keep telling her
this.”

I pushed things
a little further as he seemed so keen for Amanda to enjoy herself.
“Perhaps she could stay at Sudbury for the weekend. D'you think
she'd like that?”

“
I guess
so. There's one way to find out.”

“
I'd like
to go ask her.”

“
Sure.
Come up.”

We collected
Amanda's things from the back of the car and I picked up the
flowers.

“
Oh my
word, Sebastian.” His eyes widened. “She's going to love
those.”

“
I hope
so.”

“
You
certainly know how to do roses in style, don't you? They are
fabulous. Which florist do you use?”

“
Oh, just
a local one.” I smiled to myself.

We arrived in
their penthouse apartment and I took a quick look around. It was
smart, modern and tidy, and had a good outlook. It was larger than
I had imagined. Three huge pale colored sofas dominated the living
area and five doors led off it.

“
Amanda,
where are you, darling?” he called out.

“
I'm
making coffee, Dad. Won't be long,” she called out in
reply.

“
She's in
there,” He said quietly and pointed to one of the doors, which was
slightly opened. “I'll leave you to it.” He slapped my back gently,
giving me the go ahead and then disappeared into one of the other
rooms, tactfully.

I looked around
the door, silently easing my way inside.

My eyes took in
the kitchen. A sleek white room with black granite countertops.

She was
standing in the middle of it with her back to me, barefoot, in
pale, worn out jeans and a white t-shirt, her hair hanging
loose.

I crept up
behind her, and hugged her around the waist, holding the flowers
behind my back.

“
Shit!
” she jumped in shock.

Her loud gasp
and the sucking in of her stomach turned me on.

“
Hello,
beautiful, guess who?” I held fast.

“
Let me go, Seb...
” she ground out angrily,
wriggling to escape my arm.

“
Only if
you say the magic word,” I whispered, in her ear, squeezing all the
tighter.

She elbowed me
hard in the stomach.

“
What's
the word, ouch?”

I released her
a little and gave her her little victory.

She turned to
face me, her eyes blazing.

“
No, it's
hello.” I tried to sound hurt.

“
Goodbye,
more likely.”

Her face was
fresh, no make up, but for a little mascara. She was pale but still
incredibly lovely.

Her assessing
eyes swept over me and then she stared suspiciously. I placed the
flowers in her hands.

“
What's
this? Round two of your seduction plan?”

“
No, it's
just a gift. And an apology, for the way things were
left.”

“
Well,
they're very, very beautiful. Thank you.” she whispered, clutching
them to her chest.

“
I cut
them over two hours ago. They need to go in water soon.”

I picked the
card out and placed it in her hand.

I watched her
read it and as she did, I leaned forward placing a tiny, soft,
whisper of a kiss on her cheek, just touching the side of her
mouth. Every hair on my body rose to the occasion. She smelled and
felt so gorgeous.

I leaned back
again, not wanting to push my luck.

“
There,
all delivered. As promised.”

Did I hear a
sigh?

“
Thank
you, that's very sweet,” she murmured.

So, if I
promise to behave, will you see me again?”

“
I am
seeing you again. I didn't have any choice. You gatecrashed my
home. How did you get in by the way? I didn't hear the door
buzzer.”

“
I called
your father.”

“
You
dared to sneak in with my father?”

“
Yes, I
dared. Is that worthy of some punishment? ”

Her eyes met
mine.

“
I don't
know yet. It depends on your motives.”

“
I'd like
you to accompany me, to my function. I came early to allow you time
to get ready.”

“
Excuse me? No.
Don't order me
around.”

“
I'd
really love your company tonight, and tomorrow, come with me for
the weekend, please?”

Richard
appeared at the doorway, clearing his throat.

“
Of
course Amanda would love to come, wouldn't you?” he said in a
fatherly tone.

“
But what
about Abi?” she replied in an appealing voice to her
father.

“
Who's
Abi.” I asked.

“
She's my
sister. She's disabled.”

“
It's
okay, Lucy's staying over tonight anyway. We can look after Abi
together, I'm happy to do it. Have the weekend off, Amanda. Go stay
with Sebastian and enjoy yourselves together.”

This was
working out better than I could have imagined. I had a co
conspirator with her father, he was obviously just as keen as I was
to get us together. And I could guess why.

I could sense
the vibes flowing between them. She shot her dad a really evil
look. I knew she wanted to say something unpleasant, but she
didn't. Instead she said, “Right. As you both seem determined to
make me do this, and I'm not actively seeking it out, I accept the
offer of a weekend off.”

“
That's
my girl,” her father said.

I smiled at
her, hopefully in a pleasant way and not too lasciviously. She
really was very beautiful in her casual outfit, her hair everywhere
and covered with roses. I don't think I'd seen a more appealing
sight in my life.

“
I expect
you'd like some coffee?” she snapped.

“
How
sweet of you, Amanda. Is that your idea of an
invitation?”

“
Of
course it is,” Richard butted in. “You're very welcome. Can I take
your jacket Sebastian, we don't dress quite so formally here.” He
smiled at me.

I took off my
jacket and passed it to Richard who disappeared with it.

I touched her
arm. “Thank you.”

“
What
for, the coffee...or for not killing you?”

“
The
latter. And you never know, you may actually enjoy yourself with
me.”

“
Maybe I
will but don't expect a repeat performance of last
night.”

I looked at her
questioningly. She loved what happened last night, until something
took a hold of her and she froze. I didn't understand. She was
single, and so was I. What the hell was the problem?

She unwrapped
the roses and placed them in a large glass vase full of water. They
were so expertly arranged and tied that they looked perfect without
another touch.

“
Oh
Sebastian, these are so lovely.”

“
They're
special to me. I'm glad you like them.”

“
I think
I love them, actually.” She brushed her fingers around the buds and
leaned inward to take in more of their stirring
fragrance.

I'm feeling
pretty good right now.

Richard
returned to the kitchen.

“
Why
don't you introduce Sebastian to Abigail?”

She glared at
him again. And he ignored her, and smiled at me instead.

“
Okay, “
she conceded, with a tilt if her head. “I don't see why not. Come
and meet my sister.”

She picked up
the vase of roses, and I followed as she carried them through to
the living room where she placed them on the low coffee table. Then
she took me to the furthest door, turning to face me

In a quiet
voice, she said, “Abi's paralyzed. Please don't react negatively
when you see her, she picks up facial expressions and moods very
quickly.”

“
Right,”
I replied, with a sense of trepidation, wondering what the hell I
was going to see beyond that door.

She led me
inside.

My God.

I was glad
Amanda had warned me, because I really was shocked when I saw her,
but I kept a smile plastered resolutely on my face.

I saw a pale,
extremely thin version of Amanda lying before me in a reclining
position. She had very short black hair, but the same pretty mouth
and eyes. Her eyes focused on me intently, flaring with
interest.

“
Abi
sweetheart, this is Sebastian, a friend of mine. I'm going out with
him later.”

“
Sss...”
Abigail made a strange sound, like a whispered hiss.

“
Yes,
he's very nice, isn't he?” Amanda smiled at me, wryly.

“
Hello,
Abi, it's a pleasure to meet you.” I approached her and picked up
her hand.

“
Abi
can't feel anything below the neck, so you should touch or kiss her
cheek.”

I leaned down
and pressed my lips to her warm cheek. I felt a small movement in
her facial muscles, as if she were trying to smile, and she hissed
in my ear pleasantly.

I really was at
a loss for words. My stomach was tied in such knots. And it seemed
my tongue was suffering similarly. What on earth could I say to
this tragic, beautiful, young girl?

I noticed her
nails were painted. It might be a superficial conversation, but it
was something, a start.

“
You have
lovely hands, and very pretty nails. Did Amanda paint
them?”

She hissed at
me. I guessed that meant, yes.

“
It's
something we do a lot of. Nails, make up, massage, face painting.”
Amanda pointed at a board to the side, which was full of
photographs of Abigail, in various states of make up and paint.
There were pictures of the rest of the family, plus another woman,
who I assumed was her mother.

“
And what
else does Abi like? You mentioned you see movies
together.”

“
Yes...
movies, music, reading, and she likes to watch people doing things.
We were going to walk around the park after coffee, but I suppose
that's canceled now you're here.”

“
Oh no,
I'm not stopping you. Please go ahead. Perhaps I could come with
you?”

“
You're
hardly dressed for a stroll in the park, are you? And if I'm going
out at five I need to do my hair and find something to wear. I
don't want to rush. Taking Abi out is very time
consuming.”

“
Another
time then? I'm sure Abi would like that, wouldn't you?”

“
Sss,”
she hissed loudly, instantly agreeing. I smiled at her sweet little
face as her eyes danced around my face.

She stuck the
end of her tongue out at me and I stuck my tongue out at her in
amusement.

Amanda laughed.
“She's not being rude, that actually means she wants a drink. Here,
you want to do it? I'm sure she'd love that.”

She passed me
the cup and straw and I gently put it in her mouth. Abigail's eyes
seemed to drink me in as she sipped at my hands. I brushed a finger
down her cheek and they fluttered close in obvious enjoyment at my
touch.

She was like
the prettiest little rosebud, hidden from view, and one that would
never fully bloom into full flower. Simply existing, and not much
else, and fading away quietly. So much potential, which was never
likely to be achieved.

This was all
her life was. The sum total of her pleasure.

Looking,
tasting, listening... she couldn't do a thing for herself.

My heart went
out to her in a wave of compassion so strong, it took me by
surprise. Tears burned behind my eyes. I fought back the flood of
emotion engulfing my whole being.

What a
responsibility for the family. To have such dependency. What a
burden for Amanda. Now I understand only too well why she can't
leave home. And why that decision was made for her. She couldn't
leave Abigail. It would be an unbearable emotional wrench for them
both. I feel for them all, and so very deeply. And I want to know
more about what happened to her. How did she come to be this way? I
want to do something to help. I don't know if I can, or if Amanda
and Richard would even permit me―a virtual stranger in their
lives―to interfere in such a way. But I had money. A lot of money.
Way more than Richard had, I was sure of that. Money could buy the
best of the best. If there was anything I could do, to make life
better for Abigail, I wanted to do it.

My own
sister was taken from me, at a similar age. That event ruined my
life and destroyed my relationship with my family. I couldn't do
anything to
change
that. It
was set in stone. But
I
could
change what happened going forward. I gave a lot of my time to
charity, donating funds and helping at fund-raising events. I knew
I did it selfishly, in an attempt to feel good in my own skin, and
I'd never become personally involved with any one case. But as I
looked at Abigail, her emaciated body, her expressive eyes
desperately attached to every movement I made, I had already made
my decision.