The Glass Secret (Chain of Secrets) (52 page)

I shifted my gaze downward. I didn’t want him to see the exhausting fat tears that crested on the edge of my lids. In that moment, I still felt rejected by Rain. It hurt in spite of how much time had gone by. I don’t know if you can ever heal from a broken heart. A truly broken one.

“I’m sorry. I’m only trying to help you remember what happened. Don’t think too hard about things. Let me ask the questions and just let the answers come to you naturally. Can you remember if he ever delivered the spa, and your novel, did you ever finish it?” He asked too many questions at once. Maybe he genuinely did care.

“Oh my God, my novel. Yes, I think it’s finished, but honestly I’m concerned—I feel someone has taken possession of it. My memory is still fuzzy. I was supposed to have given it to Dr. Piccart—do you think I can go home now?”

“I understand that you believe you are ready to leave here, but I feel you need more time to heal. I would like to evaluate you further. I would also like to hear more about your life in Paris? I feel it’s imperative that we know how you ended up here...and if you are, in fact, in any danger when you are discharged. It’s my responsibility to make certain that you will be safe after you are released.”

I thought about what the doctor had said for a moment. He made a few valid points. “Okay, but after I remember what happened, will you please allow me to go?” I asked anxiously.

“Yes, of course...but there’s still the issue with the authorities. I’m sorry Brielle. I had to report the facts to them, concerning the deceased Brielle and you. After I release you, it will be in their hands to handle things how they see fit.”

I inhaled and exhaled long. “But, you said, if I—”

Just when I was beginning to like Dr. Tagorski, he betrayed my trust.

“Brielle, it’s hospital policy and in unusual cases such as yours it’s my duty to report my findings. I think we first need to discover how you sustained your injuries in the first place and proceed from there. Your memories are fascinating, but well. Honestly, I have to question the timing of when these events took place,” he said, narrowing his eyes and appraising me closely. What did he mean by this? Great he was back to believing that I had stolen the deceased woman’s identity.

I pulled my lips into an O pout, brows furrowed, eyes glaring, and anything else I could clench on my face to show my disappointment, I did. Pissed, to say the least.

“Sorry you feel this way. Even, after all I have shared.” I shook off my disappointment, realizing there was no sense confronting him, not in my position.

Going forward, I decided to be a little more discreet with what I’d revealed to him. He confirmed, once again, that most humans could not be trusted. I had legitimate fears that I was in deep water.  No doubt!

“Why don’t we continue?” he asked nonchalantly as if I should cave in and oblige his request. His demeanor was pleasant enough, yet he was oblivious to the promise that he had made to me earlier. I may have forgotten my short-term memory, but I specifically recalled that he told me if I could prove who I was that he would not involve the authorities.

I flashed at the clock on the wall, it was half past three. “There’s so much more to tell. Do you mind if I take a break for a while? Can I get something to eat? And, do you have any glazed donuts around here. Please,” I whined. No, actually it was more as if I gave him an ultimatum before I would proceed.  Of course, I had no real interest in eating. Hoping Dr. Tagorski would take the bait. I needed time alone to process my thoughts before our second go around.

“Yes. I will get you a nice supper and dessert, but when I return, please tell me the rest of your story. But, before I leave, I am curious though, what about your childhood invisible friend. You know the voice in your head that you called Storm? Whatever happened to him? You seemed to have had such a special relationship. I can’t imagine that he never returned.” He was probing, hopefully not to register me as certifiably nuts.

“Well, truthfully, I don’t remember,” I said hesitantly, concerned that I had told him too much ready. What did he think of me? I wondered. Then confidently, although feeling shaky inside, I bravely asked, “Do you think I am mad?”

“I’m intrigued. Let’s just leave it at that until you tell me all the details.”

I sighed and boldly stated, “Okay...that seems fair enough.” Pausing for a beat, I then challengingly said, “I hope I can trust you.” Doctor Tagorski arched both brows in tandem, and I continued, “Because you’re not going to believe what I discovered...”

My eyes flicked toward the window. The storm had increased and the shadow of a large cloud darkened out the daylight. A weightless stream of air feathered across my face. I squared my shoulders, and smiled inwardly, knowingly, I had a few secrets worth keeping from the good doctor.

Fin.

(The End)

A Sneak Preview of Between the Raindrops / Chain of Secrets A Paranormal Love Story continues...

The spa arrived unexpectedly this morning, and I assumed that Rain had undoubtedly planned to show up later to see how it all worked out. I hoped so anyway.

The younger installer with a goatee, the only one that I believed spoke any English, asked me if I was wearing the key that Rain had given to me? I told him I was not. And, pulled it from my pocket. “Miss, please, wear the key around your neck, it’s better that way.” He spoke in broken English with a French accent. I pouted my bottom lip, puzzled that he knew about the key. He quickly pulled out a small velvet red box and handed it to me. Inside I found the most beautiful chain with a small heart shaped diamond pendant. With questioning eyes, I glanced up at the installer.

“Here let me help you.” He slipped the key over the chain. “May I?” He asked, reaching upward, raising the necklace into the air above my head.

“It’s just too much—” I intended to refuse, but instead surrendered and bent my neck, and he slipped the chain over my head.

When I raised my head, the sunlight that beamed in from the window hit directly into my eyes. Suddenly I saw Rain standing behind the spa installers. “Rain, you came,” I called out, taking a skip toward him, smiling big.

His men turned around and looked in the same direction at Rain. “Mademoiselle, Mr. Greyson Rain de’ Bluche could not make it today. But, he sends his best regards...and of course the necklace.” Their voices all blended together, chatting on, sensory overload over came me.

My knees felt weak and suddenly, darkness embraced me. When I opened my eyes, I felt the familiarity of my sofa beneath me, and a cool washcloth on my forehead. Above me were Rain’s goofy French helpers staring down at me as if I were a piece of art. They looked very worried.

“What happened?” I whispered, flashing them a forced and twisted smile.

“You fainted, Mademoiselle.”

“Here, drink this.” The younger one with a long scruffy beard and sweet eyes handed me a glass of ice water. I sipped it slowly. I tried to lift myself from the sofa where they evidently had laid me.

I felt weak and whispered to them, “Where’s Rain?” I spoke softly.

They all looked at each other, and then their beady little eyes panned around the room and back at me. “He said he could not make it today.”  They stared hard at me with a very discerning look on their faces.

“Please quit staring at me. I’m fine now. You don’t have all day, please, finish your work,” I said then repeated, reassuring them with a smile. “I am fine.”

They scurried out of the area and began their task to install the spa. I drew the key out of my blouse.
What is this about
? I thought, staring down at the key.

For hours, I paced back and forth, watching the hands on the clock, slowly, ticking by as his men worked away. My anticipation grew as if someone was in labor. Ironically, I supposed his men were. I felt anxious and uncomfortable with them in my home.

I found myself rubbing the smooth key frantically between my fingers and thumb. Finally, after many hours, the men retreated from the bathroom with laughter in their eyes and cheer in their voices. I couldn’t understand much of what they were saying, but they sounded giddy.

They spoke in sync, all at once, “Mademoiselle Brielle, come see, s’il vous plait.” They all gathered around me, carefully taking my arms and led me down the hall to the bathroom.

I was astonished when I saw they had transformed my entire bathroom into an exact replica of Rain’s chamber, but a much smaller version.

The short little men stood there with yellow-stained toothsome grins smeared across their faces from ear to ear. On the outside, I smiled back at them, but on the inside, I was furious! In turn, I wanted to bop each one of them on their big fat heads! But, I wouldn’t dare do such a thing. It was Rain who contributed to the anger that filled my heart, with such disillusionment of men, not these poor chaps.

Why the hell did Rain have them do this to my bathroom? I couldn’t say it wasn’t the most enchanting room in the flat now, but it wasn’t what I wanted! I did not understand Rain! Not at all! My head was spinning and I needed to be alone. I thanked all the men for a job well done and sent them on their merry way.

I sat on the edge of the tub, trying to decide what to do next. I felt out of place, undressing and bathing in the spa. Mostly, because the last time I was in it, I was with Rain.

“Rain! Are you here? I like the spa. It’s so beautiful, but...” I spoke to Rain as if he could hear me. I believed I was going completely mad.

“Brielle.” I heard his deep voice behind me. “I am here.”

I turned and there he was, in the flesh, in my apartment, and in my bathroom. He had returned like he had promised.

Something dark, very dark lurked in his eyes. What was wrong with him? Was Rain the man that my ghost lover had warned me of? His eyes were black, dilating pools of determination, seeking, and appraising me. He frightened me to the core.

Second novel, coming soon...