A Changed Life Read online

  “How’s that working out for you?” Simon sarcastically asks me. So hurt by his coldness, I shove at his chest with my two hands, he barely budges, but it felt good to react. Now my tears have ceased, and I’m angry at Simon for turning this around on me. I gather my things and begin to walk to the door, waiting for Simon to stop me, but he remains where he is standing. I give him one last chance to talk to me, but he is brooding. With my hand on the door knob I say to him.

  “Simon, after everything we shared, for you to treat me this way is so unfair. You said I could trust you and you would listen to me, but instead you compared me to someone that hurt you deeply. I’m not Jennifer, and to bring her up is just cruel.”

  I pause for a second and waited. With tears again falling down my cheeks, I whisper, “Goodbye, Simon.”

  Slamming the door, I practically run to my car, but he still doesn’t follow. I expected him to run after me, apologize and tell me that we’re going to be ok, but he didn’t. My eyes are filled with layers of tears, barely managing to see the road as I drive home. I‘m alone and bone tired from my argument with Simon. I hurt him with my dishonesty, but he hurt me back with his coldness and unwillingness to listen after he promised he would. He begged me to talk to him, and when I did he flipped out and ripped my heart out in the process. I should have never kept the truth from him, but I thought I was doing the right thing, how wrong I was. I left Simon standing alone in the cabana. By hesitating to leave, I was giving him the chance to come to me. How did our night turn from being blissfully in love, to me walking out on him? Will I wake up tomorrow morning with a break-up message? The thought of losing Simon, makes me sick to my stomach.

  Silently praying that my parents are asleep, I make my way up to my room. Thanking the universe for this save. I was in no shape to face anyone tonight, not when my heart was breaking into a million pieces. I have never felt more alone. My alarm goes off for the third time, I finally roll over and pick up the wretched device and toss it across the room. Groaning from my headache, my head feels like it weighs fifty pounds. Reaching for my phone, no texts from Simon… not one text. My red and puffy eyes sting from more tears falling.

  Pulling the covers back over my head, I want to hide here for a week. I can still smell Simon’s cologne on my skin. My body is aching for Simon, while my heart breaks that he’s not here with me. I can’t believe I haven’t heard from him. Knocking on my door, I jolt up thinking it could me Simon. “Nicolette, time to get up, you’re going to be late.” Holding my head in my hands, I’m so stupid, why would Simon be here? It was just Gracie. Grabbing my backpack and phone which is now totally dead. Shit! I forgot to charge it. I plugged it in to my car charger, with the hopes that I may have a message waiting for me or a missed call while I was in the shower.

  My phone came to life and I saw nothing. Not one text message of an apology from Simon, and no voice mails. Sinking further into my seat, there was no way I was going to school today. I can’t face anyone. If Simon wants to be angry with me, then he can do it without seeing me today.

  I drove down to the beach. The one place I felt closest to since moving here to California. Remembering what I shared last night with Simon, and all the other intimate moments with him. I fell in love with Simon here at this beach. Now it reminds me of the mistakes that I have made, and how broken my heart was. Simon was so angry with me. He let me leave, and never once tried to stop me. “I trusted you Nicolette. I fucking trusted you.” His words were replaying in my mind over and over again. My mind was in a fog and I needed to clear my head. I walked down to the marina.

  I was breathing in the salted air, and watching the boats sail by. Some fishermen were here working on their morning catches. I found a bench, and that’s where I stayed for most of the day. I hadn’t eaten today, and my stomach was rumbling. My head hurt from crying, and the absence of food had made it worse. It was so quiet now. All the fishermen have left, not a single person was around. I didn’t know where to go or should I just go home? Call Bailey? I didn’t have one complete thought in my head. I just sat and cried until I had no more to tears to shed.

  I had turned my phone off when I arrived at the beach this morning. It had only charged for a short while. Once it was powered up, I heard ping after ping with my inbox full of messages. I received several from Alexis and Bailey, asking me where I was. I had two from Jameson, inviting me to cut class today and shop. Jameson’s message made me laugh. I only had one voice mail and my eyes lit up when I saw who it was from—Simon. I listened to his message right away. He struggled to speak through his cries.

  “Nicolette, please call me when you get this message. You didn’t come to school today. You’re not at your house, where are you? I love you. Please forgive me, and please don’t hide from me. I am sick over my behavior last night. I should have never allowed you to leave. I was angry, and I just didn’t trust myself. I should have understood your reasons for not telling me about Michael. It was my anger and hatred for him that drove you away. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I regret that. Turning away from you was a mistake when my love should have made you stay. I am so sorry baby. I have been looking everywhere for you. Please call me, and tell me you’re ok. Please let me know where you are, and I will come to you.

  Simon”

  Voice mail again! Where are you, Nicolette? I just let her walk out the door, and I did nothing to stop her. I was so angry with Nicolette, feeling betrayed by her lies of omission. I couldn’t see straight or think for that matter. All I wanted to do was beat the living shit out of someone, and that someone was Michael. Losing control and beating Michael, wouldn’t serve me any good. I only had one card to play, and made the decision to seek help from Michael’s father, Clayton St. Clair.

  “Excuse me, young man, you can’t go in there.” Clayton’s secretary calling out to me, as I slammed my way into his office.

  “What the hell is going on here?” Mr. St. Clair shouting at me as he looks up from his computer.

  “I tried to stop him sir, he ran right by me.” Mr. St. Clair looked at me, and sighed. “It’s ok Priscilla, hold my calls.”

  “You have five minutes, Simon, and then security will be escorting you from the building.”

  “Mr. St. Clair, I’m here for one reason only, and I think you know what it is.”

  “Just to be clear son, why don’t you tell me what you think I know?”

  “It’s Michael. He has been harassing Nicolette Vanelle, my girlfriend, and it ends today. I’m asking you to keep you’re fucked up son away from my girlfriend or I will handle him on my own.”

  Mr. St. Clair just rubbed his chin for a moment, and then stood up, and walked over to me. He looked right into my eyes. “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to son? You think you can just barge into my office.” Not blinking an eye, Michael’s father didn’t intimidate me. His arrogance alone made me want to take a swing at him, so freaking like Michael, they could be twins.

  “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Michael away from her. You can count on that. My first stop will be to my father’s office, where I will have him draw up papers for a restraining order. Mr. St. Clair, Michael needs to stop harassing Nicolette. I am going to her father, and then to the police.”

  “Simon, what crime has my son committed against Nicolette? Tokens of affection don’t warrant restraining orders. What are you afraid of Simon? Do you fear that maybe Nicolette, may like my son, and choose him instead of you?” I couldn’t believe what I was listening to from this asshole. I thought he could help, but he may be as delusional as his son is. “I’m not worried at all Mr. St. Clair, but your son should be.”

  “Are you threatening me, Simon?”

  “No, sir. Just delivering a promise. If Michael even thinks of going near Nicolette again, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  Wasting my time with Clayton, I turned and walked out of his office. I was so worried about Nicolette. I texted her again and still no response. I had phoned my
father, and explained everything in detail to him. He was obviously concerned, but his hands were tied. The police and her parents needed to be made aware of what was going on. I knew what I had to do. I then reached out to Mason Vanelle. He answered on the second ring, and was surprised that I was calling him, but curiosity got the best of him, and asked me why the call?

  I needed to see him in person. He explained he was tied up for the afternoon. I told him it was important that I see him, and it involved Nicolette. With the mention of Nicolette’s name, I had his full attention. I asked him to meet me now, and I would be waiting for him at the Starbucks near his office. Ten minutes later, Mr. Vanelle walked in with concern etched out on his face. He shook my hand and had a seat.

  “What’s this about, Simon? Is Nicolette, ok?” he asked.

  “She’s not ok sir, and hasn’t been for a while. We argued last night after she revealed something to me, and I didn’t handle it very well. I said some things that hurt her, sending her away.”

  “What happened, Simon? What could my daughter possibly do to make you so angry?”

  I had tears in my eyes as I continued to explain our fight to him, of all people, my girl’s father.

  “Simon, for God sakes! Are we going to dance around this all day? Tell me what the hell is going on?”

  “Michael St. Clair.”

  “Clayton’s son? What about him?”

  “He’s been stalking her. He hasn’t stopped pursuing her, even after you confronted his father. He cornered her the night of her birthday party. He’s got it in his head that she belongs with him, and he has not stopped trying to convince her. She was afraid to tell you because of your working relationship with his father and my history with Michael. Sir, I even talked to his father today, and the guy doesn’t care. He accused me of being jealous of Michael, and of course I am, but that’s because she’s my girl. I don’t want any guy looking at her, but it’s different with St. Clair, he’s dangerous. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and that’s Nicolette. Sir, you have to do something, and it has to be done today!” I slammed my hand down on the table spilling my coffee, and I didn’t care about the scene I was making. I was angry again.

  Pinching the bridge of his nose, Mason sat there quiet for a minute. “I didn’t see Nicolette last night, nor this morning. We left before she woke up. Her mother and I have been so busy with our work, and too oblivious to see what has been happening in our daughter’s life. I promise you son, I will take care of this today. I just need to find my daughter first. Looking down at his watch, she should be home from school by now.”

  “Mr. Vanelle, Nicolette never showed up for school today. No one has heard from her, and I have no clue on where she is.”

  “I’m going where?” I say to my father.

  “You heard me, son. You are going out of town for a while until things blow over with the Vanelles.”

  “Stop packing my things and get the hell out of my room.” Shouting at their housekeeper, as she scurries out of his room like a frightened mouse. Stepping in front of his father. “Why do I have to leave?”

  “You just couldn’t stay away from that girl, Michael. This is why you are leaving. You will be on a plane within the hour. I don’t want to hear another word about it!”

  “The hell I am, and I’m not going anywhere, and certainly not leaving Nicolette.”

  “Do you hear yourself son? She is not yours, she never was, nor will ever be. You have crossed the line, and if you don’t separate yourself from your delusions, this is going to break you.”

  Stay away from my girlfriend, Michael. I am not yours Michael; I love Simon, and only Simon. She is not yours, she never was. This is going to break you, break you, and break you. “Shut up! Shut up! You don’t know anything.”

  “Michael, what’s gotten into you?” With anger raging through me, I lunged at my surprised father, and hit him on the side of his head; knocking him unconscious. I have never felt so much anger. My hands were shaking when I struggled to feel for my father’s pulse. He was breathing, but just knocked out. I knelt down and whispered into his ear.

  “You don’t know what I feel for her, and she doesn’t either, but she will. Tonight Nicolette will know exactly how much I love her.” I left my father on the floor, and his home in search of Nicolette.

  Like a song on repeat, I had listened to his voicemail over and over again. It brought me peace to know that Simon still loved me. I have been crying since last night, and my eyes are so swollen, I can barely see the screen on my phone. I should call Simon, and let him know that I’m ok. I love him so much and in the short time that we have been together, he owns my heart. I will do anything to have him remain there. Finally I call Simon. He picks up right away.

  “Simon.”

  “Oh, thank God. Baby, where you are?”

  I can barely speak without crying, the sound of his panicked voice is making me cry harder. “I’m down at the beach, but parked at the marina.”

  The beach? Of course my girl would be there. Why didn’t I go there first?

  “Nicolette, I’m here with your father, and we have been searching all over for you. Please stay where you are. He wants to talk to you.”

  “Nicolette, Sweetheart, I have been so worried about you, are you ok?” asked my father.

  “Yes, Daddy, I’m fine. Sorry for worrying you and mom.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry for. Nicolette, it’s me who should apologize to you. I am so sorry that you felt you needed to handle this problem with Michael on your own. I promise we are going to right this wrong, and everything will be worked out. I love you honey. We are on our way to you.”

  Choking back my tears. “I love you too, Daddy.” I clutched my phone to my chest. I smiled for the first time since leaving Simon last night. I felt relief flooding through me, and I was so happy that Simon and I will move past our argument. I waited for Simon, and my father to arrive. The temperature began to change, and not wearing a jacket, I was getting cold. I turned around to head back to my car. I walked along the line of boats and, as I turned the corner, I was grabbed from behind.

  As a strong hand covered my mouth I could hear a whisper in my ear, “DO… NOT… SCREAM.”

  All I could do was obey. I was so afraid, and could not move. My body was being dragged down the same path I had just taken. My masked assailant picked me up, forcing me on to a boat named Lydia’s Joy.

  I was shoved with such force that I slipped and hit my head hard against the floor. Pulling off his mask, I was stunned to see who my assailant was. I was face to face with none other than Michael. He was breathing heavy; his dark eyes glaring at me.

  I was dizzy from not eating all day and now from hitting my head. I barely had my balance when Michael picked me up and slammed me up against the wall, as if I were a rag doll. My body bounced off the wall and I was once again lying on the floor. The room was becoming a blur after the second hit I took to my head. Leaning over my body, Michael looked at me with the darkest eyes I have ever seen. I have never been so terrified in all of my life.

  “Running away from me stops here, Nicolette.” Michael just seethed with anger. “I have tried to convince you that I love you. We are meant to be together; don’t you know that by now? All that I have done has been for you. I have professed my love for you over and over again, and what do you do with it? You rip out my heart, and stomp on it. No one makes me look like a fool. Running to Simon, when you should have been with me. Tonight, my love, I’m going to make sure you never run from me again. Tonight my sweet Nicolette, I’ll make you mine.”

  Hovering over me like a wild animal about to kill his prey, Michael continues to taunt me. This is unimaginable. Think Nicolette! I have to fight him, but with what? He is too strong. Michael’s chest feels like a brick wall on me.

  “Please, Michael, not like this. I’m begging you. Please don’t hurt me. I can’t have my first time like this. We can talk it out, please. I won’t say anything to anyone, p
lease don’t hurt me.” Pleading with him, as I whimper in pain from the slams I took to my head. His jaw is clenching as he continues to glare at me, and keeping me planted to the floor.

  “Now you want to talk Nicolette? What about all the times, I wanted to talk to you? You never gave me a chance. I’m not going to hurt you baby, I’m going to show you how much I love you, and you are going to enjoy every bit of me, as I take you and make you mine.”

  “NO!” I screamed at him. I clawed at Michael, scratching his face, hitting him on his hard chest. I tried to claw my way on the ground for anything I could use to hit him with, but he over powered me again. Michael held me down with his strong hands, grabbing my face; he slammed his lips down onto mine. I spit at him, and then I bit his lip.

  “Yes. Nicolette, I love it! Let me hear you.” I continued to struggle, and tried to get out of his hold.

  He tore at my blouse, shredding my bra as if it was nothing, I felt so bare, and exposed. I was trying to break free of him as he tugged at my jeans, pulling them down, and then my panties. I was exhausted, and could feel my strength just breaking down. This wasn’t happening to me. This is a nightmare, and I’m going to wake up, and it will be over. It wasn’t a dream. This was real and it was happening... Michael St. Clair…was about to rape me.

  My attempts at fighting him were futile. I kept crying out “no” to him, and he wouldn’t stop. He covered my mouth with his to silence my cries.