Chapter 22 The Haunting
“You’re suspended because of me.” She stated knowing exactly why he was with her at the hotel. Ian had told Albert to put her in a room under the lawyer’s company’s name. And he said to put all her expenses under his account, telling him that he will take care of all her bills.
Albert agreed knowing that Ian was good with the payment. He knows exactly who Ian was, the Taylor’s family name was well known within the upper class. And Albert had met his parents at a charity function couple of months back.
“I think you look better in brown, the blonde color hair makes your complexion paler.” He caressed her strands while keeping her close in his arms.
“Thank you…” she turned to face him and pulled his face down for a kiss.
His hand cupped her cheek and gave her his sweetest sensual kiss, making her tiptoe as she reached up for more of his kisses.
The whole day had been stressful for her. And Lisa topped her fear by warning her about Benjamin, telling her that his spirit was still lurking around her.
“Will you stay here with me? I’m scared, Lisa said..”
“I’m not leaving you alone. Look, I’ve had Albert contact your mother, I think it’s best if we let him handle the matter. At least she knows that you’re not on the run and he’s processing your case.”
“Can I talk to her?”
“Of course, but we have to wait for Albert. He will advise you on what to say to her… look, baby, everything will be okay. You want to rest now?”
She looked at him and nodded, she was feeling tired, so tired that she thinks she could fall asleep right away.
Ian left Blair to rest on the bed while he took her stuff from his car. He was back in her suite fifteen minutes later, and she was still sleeping peacefully.
Then he treats himself with a mini gin from the bar while resting his exhausted body on the sofa. He was about to fall asleep when his phone buzzed.
“Ian, where are you?” his mother’s voice was calm but cautious. He knows her well enough that she was trying to be on his good side just because she loves him too much.
From early on, he had always been a good boy for the Taylor’s. It was one of his way of showing his gratitude for taking him in. He was still very young when he was adopted, but being a kid in an abusive family he grows up too damn fast.
“I’m with Blair, mom, we’ve just finished processing her. She’s resting, I will stay with her. She needs me.”
“Look Ian, I’m sorry about earlier…”
There…
He had known that she would play the guilt card. And she also knew that it would get to him every time.
“Mom, I love you. But I love her too now.”
He could hear her subtle gasped from the other line.
“Don’t you think that’s a bit fast my son?”
He chuckled at her words.
“Mom, you have practically been shoving women, parading them for me to choose as a wife. But I love her mom, why don’t we start fresh? Let me introduce you again when this is all over?”
“You know you’re my favorite son, and I’d do anything for you.”
“Mom, I’m your only favorite son. And I love you to death, I would never want to disappoint you. So please? trust me on this one?”
Ian was still talking with her mother while Blair was deep in her sleep.
She was drifting in her world, pitch black, cold, and silently eery. She knows she was having a dream, and she was trying hard to wake herself up but she couldn’t. She was shocked to hear his deep cold voice behind her.
“Bitch! you killed me! And I’m taking you with me.” With his words, she could feel her hair was being tugged so harshly that her scalp burns from the pain. She tried to yell but she couldn’t get her voice out, she could feel her tears falling and she flinched when he grabbed her neck trying to choke her.
She could finally let out a small scream alarming Ian instantly.
“What the… Sorry, mom, I gotta go. She’s having her nightmares.” His mom was about to say goodbye but he abruptly ended the line telling her that he’d call her back.
“Blair! baby, wake up! I’m here…”
Ian cuddled her in his embrace, and she was finally awake and sobbed in his arms. Her voice was throaty until he saw the handprint on her neck.
He didn’t let her go, while with his other hand he calls for Lisa.
“Lisa, it’s Ian sorry to bother you… yes, you know? How do we fix this?”
Lisa was known for her sixth sense, and Ian already knows about her ability, she had helped him in several unsolved cases. So he did not question her when she said that she knew about Blair’s nightmare.
“Hold her, do not let her go. I’ll call Shani. Text me your address and I’ll let you know when she can be there.” Lisa answered in a calm and assuring manner.
He hung up minutes later, then ushered Blair to the sofa where he turns on all the lights and handed her bottled water while keeping her close in his arms.
“You will be fine Blair. Lisa will send her friend, she’ll help us. She will get rid of him.”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
Blair was still in shock, she didn’t say anything, she couldn’t. She just drinks the water and lets him pull her closer in his embrace.
Ian carried her back to the bed late last night knowing she would rest better in a comfy bed. She was still sleeping in his arms when morning came. His warmth had cocooned her into a dreamless state of sleep until she finally stretched and opened her eyes, then smiled at him.
“Did I snore?”
“More like purring, like a cute little cheetah.”
“Cheetah?”
“Yeah, they’re the only big cats that purr.” He answered wrapping her in his arms.
“That loud huh?” she was backing away, but he was pulling her flat to his naked chest.
“But cute, no baby… I’m kidding. You sleep peacefully.” He said kissing her hair.
“Why don’t you freshen up while I order breakfast and coffee?” he finally let her go and she leaves him to go to the bathroom. She was still changing when Ian walked in on her.
“What? I’ve seen it all before.” He smirked looking at her from the bathroom mirror as he brushed his teeth and washed his face.
She shook her head but keep on dressing in her casual jeans and a loose blouse.
Minutes later she joins Ian who was sitting at the dining table where their breakfast was already spread beautifully by room service.
“Ian you should stop spending money on me, a simple breakfast would do. This case could take a while, maybe I should move to a motel. This suite would cost more for me to stay longer in.”
“Hmm, talking like a true housewife already.” He teased, but she was not backing down on him.
“I’m serious Ian, I’m not…”
Worth it…
He knows before she even said it, it was the stereotype of the abused woman where they would feel worthless and not meant to be cherished. But he was not letting her believe that about herself.
“Blair, just eat… we will talk later Shani is on her way here.” He convinced her while caressing her hand and she finally relents and started sipping on her coffee.