Fatal Attraction Page 4

  When I heard that Erik had finished his conversation, I rushed back to the living room and cozied myself on the sofa. I picked up a travel magazine that was laying on the coffee table and tried to look interested in an article on India. I tried to pretend that I had not heard Erik’s side of the heated conversation.

  From the look on his face, I could see that there was a problem. There was a big problem and he needed to take care of it immediately.

  “Listen, Adrianna,” it was not his usual tone of voice. It’s like that phone conversation aged him, made him weaker, and drained him of his life energy. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. And then I remembered what their drug was doing to people all over the world.

  No sympathy for the Devil, I reminded myself.

  “Everything OK?” I stood up and approached him. Somehow, making myself appear concerned didn’t take that much effort. It came naturally.

  Maybe if we had a decent conversation, instead of me beating around the bush like this, maybe then he’d let me know everything and I wouldn’t have to keep playing this stupid guessing game. I’d finally have all the facts and I’d be able to bring this entire pharma fraud to light.

  That was my brain talking. Good old brain, always knew the right thing to say. But then again, there was my heart, and it seemed that it also had a thing or two to say.

  Erik has made me feel like no one else before. It’s like, with him, I could bare myself, my all, my soul, and just be who I am. Apart from the fact that I was trying to prove he was a criminal. My emotions with him, my enjoyment, it’s all real. There was no faking it.

  So, there we were. My brain fighting my heart, waiting for Erik to make the next move.

  “Yeah, everything’s…- well, it’s not really OK, but I’m sure it’ll be eventually.” he replied, without sounding too convincing. “Nothing you need to worry about sweet heart.”

  I doubted that, but I pretended to buy his story.

  “Sorry to have to wrap things up like this, I was hoping for us to spend the morning together, but something’s come up and I need to see to some things so-“ he trailed off.

  I knew what he was trying to say.

  Could you find your own way out, Adrianna? He was just too nice to say it.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah, no problem,” I said, trying not to sound disappointed at being ushered out the door. “I have some stuff to take care of too actually.”

  I could have helped him, if only he opened up to me. Perhaps, I could have showed him the error of his ways and maybe, just maybe, there could have been a happily ever after for us.

  But, this all seemed too farfetched, as I was putting on my shoes and waving goodbye.

  On my way home, I made a decision. This couldn’t go on like this anymore. I had to tell him. The truth had been eating me up on the inside, poisoning my mind and my thoughts, and these confusing feelings I had weren’t making things any easier on me.

  I had to talk to him, to let him know that I had found out what the company was doing, and that if he didn’t take the drug off the market, I’d go to the authorities. There is always the False Claims Act I can rely on, and even though I hated being the whistleblower, I was more than sure that I’d have no problems bringing this company down, provided I had the right amount of bullet proof evidence.

  I have to say, the whole idea sent shivers down my spine. I was frightened beyond measure knowing that I really didn’t know Erik. It even occurred to me that Erik could have me disposed of. What would prevent him from hiring a hitman and just doing away with me, once he had figured out that I was out to get him? We’ve just spent two nights together so what was I to him anyway?

  I then planned my strategy. I wanted to let him know that if any harm came to me, all of the documents and sensitive data would go to the right people, who would know exactly what to do with it. That should provide me with a safety net, though I knew it was a dangerous game I was playing.

  Erik

  I actually had plans of spending some extra time with Adrianna, who had started to get under my skin. I have no idea how I let this happen, but there it was. Maybe it was finally time to start thinking about finding the right girl and settling down. And Adrianna was feeling right.

  But instead, the phone rang and ruined the whole damn morning. I wished I hadn’t answered it, just let it ring and climbed back into bed with Adrianna. But I hadn’t and now I had a shit storm on my hands.

  I knew it was for the better though, as I still didn’t have the information on her that I needed to be sure she wasn’t playing me. And I had this mess to deal with now too. Time to get busy.

  I picked up the phone and dialed the number I was given, letting it ring only once, and then hanging up. A few short seconds later, my phone rang.

  “Mr. Brown, always a pleasure! Do you have anything new for me?” I asked eagerly. I really wanted him to clear Adrianna’s name more than anything else. More than I wanted that morning phone conversation to disappear from my memory.

  Yes, Mr. Westbrook, I have some news, but I’d rather we waited a little. I always like to double check my sources,” Mr. Brown’s voice was muffled. That wasn’t his real name of course, but I trusted him. He came highly recommended by a most dependable source, so there was no reason not to trust his results.

  “Of course, of course. That’s why I hired you,” I said.

  “Did you get the preliminary information I sent?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’ve got it all here. When can we meet?” I had to be downtown in an hour anyway, so I might as well kill two birds with one stone.

  “No need to meet for this. The less we meet, the better. Remember the postal locker I told you about when we met the first time?”

  “Of course,” I replied..

  “Leave the files there. You’ll be hearing from me soon.”

  He hung up.

  A business man. My kind of guy.

  I picked up the files stuffed inconspicuously in a yellow folder, grabbed my phone and car keys, and rushed out of the apartment.

  Adrianna

  Erik called me the following day. I was nervous but relieved; I really wanted to get this off my chest and get it over with.

  I knew he’d feel betrayed and he’d probably never want to see me again. And after a few days of guilt, I’d be back on my feet with my goal in clear sight. Yes, that’s it. I’d regain my focus and he wouldn’t distract me anymore. That’d be for the best.

  I immediately agreed to meet and started getting ready for the date well ahead of time. Yes, I was nervous. I was about to reveal myself and admit that some of the things I’ve done weren’t exactly right, or fair.

  But I was also hoping that, after all that had happened between the two of us, he’d change his ways. He’d realize that what he’d been doing was wrong and stop. Maybe it could work out and we could be together after all.

  There I go again. Getting lost in daydreams, while what I really needed to focus on was putting a stop to that damned drug that was already out there, harming people.

  As always, Erik was on time, dressed immaculately. Seeing him always made me weak in the knees, and I was praying that I’d have enough strength to say what I had to say.

  “You look stunning,” he greeted me charmingly, offering another delicate bouquet of flowers. There was a little twinkle in his eyes, like a little boy who had mischief on his mind.

  I wanted to return the compliment, but I was sure that he knew how amazing he looked. So I just thanked him for the flowers and we were on our way.

  This time, I was surprised to see that we weren’t going to any posh restaurants, where you had to wait for at least an hour to be seated, unless you were Erik Westbrook that is. It was a little Italian place downtown, cozily hidden in one of the smaller streets, far away from the noise of the passing cars. Only a few alley cats were heard meowing in the distance, but they somehow only added to the charm of the place.

  I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting anything like this.
I had no idea Erik would frequent such places. It was lacking in extravagance, offering little booths, chairs and tables that urge you to gaze lovingly at your partner while he tells you a story, while a pleasant aroma of tomato sauce and oregano permeates the air.

  It was perfect, absolutely perfect. We sat in the corner and waited for the waiter to come take our orders. Illuminated by candle light, it had the look of a little villa restaurant. I noticed Italian magazines and old tea pots on the counter, and Italian posters from the 60s hanging over the walls.

  When the waiter arrived, Erik shocked me by speaking fluent Italian.

  “Is Mario here?” I managed to understand, connecting my almost non-existent knowledge of Spanish with Italian.

  “Yes, Mr. Westbrook, I’ll let him know you’re here,” this one I didn’t understand, but Erik was nice enough to translate it for me.

  In a few seconds, a jolly old man with long white whiskers, curly orange hair and deep blue eyes joined our table.

  “Ah, Erik! Welcome, welcome, my dear boy!” The two men kissed each other on the cheek twice, and then Erik turned toward me, continuing in English.

  “This is Adrianna. Adrianna, this is Mario, the owner of the best Italian restaurant in the whole city.”

  Mario smiled as he kissed me just like he did Erik a few moments ago.

  “Grazie, grazie.” Mario continued smiling. “Erik is, how you say, too kind, si?” both men laughed.

  “You know I never exaggerate, Mario.”

  “You’re a good boy. Giovanni!” he motioned for the waiter. “Get them whatever they want. It’s on the house!” He turned back to us. “My boy here, Giovanni, will take good care of you. Was very good to meet you, Ms. Adrianna.”

  “Send my regards to Alessandra,” Erik switched back to Italian, with a glow I’ve never seen him have before. “Tell her I’m coming next time for her famous agghiotta di lumanche. I haven’t had good Sicilian snail soup anywhere else but here.”

  The two men hugged each other affectionately, after which the jolly old man left us to go back to the kitchen.

  The food was beyond description as was everything else. Erik and I found it more than easy to chit chat about random things, just like the previous times. I enjoyed myself greatly, but knew that at one point, I’d have to say what I had to say, and this would ruin this entire magical evening.

  Better to just get it over with then.

  “Erik,” I started.

  He immediately looked at me with concern.

  “Oh boy, that doesn’t sound good,” he tried to smile and took another sip of his red wine. “Whenever a girl starts her sentence with my name and in that tone, I know I’m in trouble.”

  “I have something to tell you, something you won’t like.” Every word was burning me from the inside, scorching my throat and tongue as it exited. I was doubtful whether I could go through the whole thing.

  “How about this?” he interrupted. “I’ll listen to whatever you feel you need to tell me, but later. I mean, look at where we are!” he gestured around himself with his arms. “This is as close to Italy as it gets! And I have a treat waiting for you, which I’ve been dying to give you. What do you say?”

  He placed his hand over mine. It was warm, and a little moist. But, I didn’t mind.

  I needed to talk to him now. Right now. But, I didn’t really want to. Was that so wrong of me? Giving in felt all too easy, all too satisfying.

  “I guess that’d be alright,” I smiled back.

  What harm would a few more hours do?

  He took me to his home shortly afterwards, and I almost forgot the very important conversation we had to have. I felt happy being there with him, and whether it was right or wrong, I wanted to feel this happy for a little while longer.

  Without saying a word, he took me by the hand and led me straight to his pleasure room. The lights were off, but I noticed that the curtains had been changed and the sheets neatly made from the last time we ruffled them together.

  “Don’t move,” he ordered in that voice I loved so much.

  He fell down to his knees in front of me and lifted my skirt. I stared straight ahead into the darkness, not daring to lower my gaze. His index finger traced my hip bone right between my legs, coming across a dark laced thong.

  My heart started racing, a feeling of surrender was flooding over me. In one quick movement, he tore my panties, releasing me of their grip. His fingers kept on moving along the crease of my vagina, pressing into the crease even harder. I could feel myself getting wet.

  Not able to hold it any longer, I released a moan. He liked the sound of it. I wanted to open myself up to him, to this man who had awoken so much feeling in me. I shuddered with anticipation of what was to come. I felt Erik’s tongue run over my most private parts as he gripped my behind. And when his tongue slid into the divide between my labia, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven.

  Realizing that if he kept going like this, our game would be over too soon, he stopped his attentions and spoke in a low, husky tone.

  “We can’t have you too excited too soon, now can we?”

  I still dared not speak. I had to obey him, stay quiet and still, until he allowed me to move.

  “Get undressed and lie down on the bed,” he ordered.

  I eased out of my blouse and skirt, and could see that the sight aroused him.

  Slowly, I lay on the bed and lifted my arms above my head, in hopes that he’d want to tie me to the bedpost again. My back arched, revealing smooth flesh and hardened nipples. He smiled.

  “Aren’t we eager? But, not like that, little girl. No, I have something else in mind.” his heavy breathing filled the room. “Kneel on the bed, spread your legs and lower your upper body,” his instructions were firm, direct and without any room for opposition.

  I did exactly as he ordered. Waiting for him to do something, anything, I was shaking like a lost kitten.

  A few seconds passed, during which I could hear him walking across the room, making some muffled noises and then returning to my side. I tried to imagine the surprise he was talking about, but couldn’t. Nothing I could imagine would be even close to the feeling of pleasure he could bring me.

  Suddenly, I felt a strong and precise blow right on my bottom, with something that had a leather flap tip.

  I was being flogged!

  As soon as he did so, I released a moan. His hand rested on that very same spot, and I could feel burning heat radiating off of it.

  He released another blow with the riding crop and a sharp, searing pain traveled frantically all over my body. My defenses were all in high gear, waiting for him to flog me again, but instead, he grabbed my hips and shoved himself deeply into me.

  In one, hard thrust he buried himself, as I gasped for air. I could feel my juices gushing out, while he was pushing into me deep and fast. There was no more burning or stinging sensation. It was all one big desire to come, to explode, to let go.

  He pulled on my hair, making me bend my spine, allowing for an even deeper penetration, as he slid his slick cock in and out.

  Before I knew what was happening, I could feel his hot cum gushing out of me, which triggered my own orgasm, as I shook and squealed in pleasure.

  Once again, it felt good and right.

  He quickly pulled out and reached for the nightstand next to bed, grabbing a cream, which he massaged gently onto my flogged behind.

  “Are you OK?” I could hear him ask.

  “Yeah,” I almost whined. The cream felt good.

  “These floggers are a little stronger than what we’ve been using so far, so I tried to be extra careful this first time. Though I wanted to continue,” he added.

  I’m not sure I would have wanted him to continue, at least not this time. Twice was enough. Plus, I wasn’t sure if that thing would leave any marks or worse yet, scars.

  “If you’re wondering about marks and scars,” he mentioned, as if reading my mind, “you should be perfectly fine. I’ll neve
r hit you hard enough to make you bleed or to hurt you so that you can’t sit properly afterwards. Unless you want me to.” he winked, then continued. “Hurting you is not the point, I already told you that. I’ll take good care of you.” He finished putting on the cream, and gave my behind a little peck.

  Completely exhausted, I fell asleep and didn’t wake until the next morning. When I opened my eyes, I was alone in the bed.

  Erik

  Last night was the most fun I’ve ever had with Adrianna, but unfortunately it couldn’t last too long. Not unless I was going to hurt her and that wasn’t my intention.

  This morning, I woke up and left her asleep in my bed. I felt like a criminal as I sneaked past her sleeping silhouette, and headed straight for my study. Right there, on my desk, there was a blue folder, lying where I had left it the previous day.

  My detective did a very snappy job, and delivered all I needed to know that same day. I already made plans with Adrianna, and not willing to ruin what could possibly be our last night together, I decided to leave it for the morning after.

  I wasn’t too eager to open it. What if my hunches were right? Was she a spy working for the competition?

  Well, better just do it and get it over with. Like a band aid. In one swift pull.

  I grabbed the folder and started reading.

  Most of it was what I had already known, what she herself told me. But then, I got to the most interesting part. The one that was about to make it or break it for me- Adrianna’s previous employment record.

  A newspaper office, errand girl, aha! Here we go. A six month employment for… I knew it! For Nirvana Co.!

  It stated here that it ended more than 3 years ago, but you never knew with these sly bastards. They could have issued false documents, just to lead me to believe that she wasn’t working for them anymore, while in fact she was!

  Erik, you idiot! How could you fall for something so stupid, so obvious!

  As if on cue, I heard Adrianna calling from the hallway.

  “I’m here, in the study! Come here!” I yelled.

  She entered looking worried.