Beautifully Damned

twenty-nine: out of the woods

                           the shining by the nbhd

Maxime.

I'd been at the penthouse with Imogen for a couple weeks now, calling out for a few days. We'd had dinner with her parents the third day back, and I was quite fond of them. It took them a couple days to warm up to me but they came around, well at least her mother did. They left a little over a week ago, after Imogen practically shoved them out the door.

As I set my glass down in the kitchen, I heard the water running. I walked up the stairs, walking into the bathroom seeing the tub fill as she stood in the mirror. She'd been staring at the healing scar, and as she saw me she wrapped  her robe over her body.

I'd noticed her acting strange and jumpy over the last few days, she never wanted to talk about it. Still, she hadn't remembered that night clearly, though she'd read about what reporters 'thought' happened. Granted she was drunk and it was traumatic.

She jumped, "Damn it Max, I didn't see you there" She said

"Drawing a bath?" I asked

"Yeah, just need to relax" She responded

"Would you like some company?" I joked

"In your dreams" She stepped in the water

My phone rang, distracting me and I walked out to answer. Camille was on the line explaining how board executives were at the company and I needed to come in and sign papers. I asked her if it was possible for her to bring them for me, but the executives needed me to personally come in.

I groaned going back into the bathroom, Imogen was settled into the bath full of bubbles. I knelt next to the tub, twirling my fingers in the lukewarm water.

"Chérie, I have to go into the office. I'd stay but it was urgent" I explained

"Go, it's okay. I'll be fine" She looked at me

"You sure?"

"Maxime it's been 15 days, you've played caregiver 24/7. I mean it go" She splashed me

I lifted her chin, giving her a kiss before stepping away. I quickly changed into a casual outfit, wearing a turtleneck and slacks, pairing it with a blazer. I trailed back to the bathroom, seeing her relaxed reading a book.

"Okay, I'll be right back chérie. I'll have my cell on so call or text if anything happens. And if you can't rea—" I said

"I will be fine, now shut up and kiss me" she reached out of the water

I kissed her and moved down and delivered a kiss to her nipple. She squirmed at the gesture but giggled nonetheless.

"Que diriez-vous que nous sauf que pour plus tard" she raised her brow
[Translation: How about we save that for later]

I gave her one last kiss before rushing out and grabbing my keys.
————

The signing of the papers turned into a long meeting, resulting in the entire project being scrapped altogether. It was pointless and I had been a bit upset that it took me away from Imogen. I was on the way back to the hotel, pulling up I parked in my private garage floor.

I made my way into the building, thinking to myself. As I was away, I couldn't help but worry. I didn't even know why she had me feeling this way. I was utterly in love with her, it scared me because I wasn't the type to "fall in love". She's different than anyone else I've fucked, and with her I can't help but feel like it's only the start. The only thing that made me hesitant to jump all in is my reputation.

I'd never really committed to anyone. As soon as it becomes "official", she'd become a liability, and maybe even a target. I can't have that, I couldn't handle it, there are many people who'd love to see my head on a stick. I walked up to the penthouse and unlocked the door. It was quiet, so I walked into the kitchen, hearing distant sobs. I was immediately alarmed and ran upstairs to the bedroom, entering, I saw the balcony door open. She sat on the chair, staring into the night sky, her tears fell like a waterfall.

"Hey, what is it? What happened?" I asked her

She looked away, picking up a glass and taking a sip, "Please, amour, talk to me, I hate when you cry"
[Translation: My love/Love]

I took my hand to turn her head, lifting her chin, she looked at me with glassy eyes, "I remember" She uttered

I sighed fearing this moment, "I should've been there, I had my men searching everywhere for him. I shouldn't have let you go when he was out there" I rambled

"It's not your fault, I was...." She paused

I looked at her, she gave me a confused look on her face, "What?"

"You knew he was out?" her voice cracked

"I only found out before you left the party. I didn't want to worry you, especially on your birthday" I reasoned

She sniffed, letting out a sarcastic laugh, "Yeah well look at me now" She ran her hands through her hair

"I've been thinking about that night a lot. What did he mean by he 'told you he'd be back'?" I questioned

I stood, taking her drink out her hands, "I got an anonymous message from a blocked number" She said

"What? why didn't you tell me?" I said, now shouting

"It wasn't a big deal. After all this thing between us is just a fling. I told you that I love you, I didn't want to regret it because it's the truth but you're pushing it" She stood

"Not a big deal?" I scoffed, "I'm beginning to think you don't understand my feelings for you. When I'm with you, I lose my sensibility. You don't understand what I'm risking just by being with you. I mean just think about my i—" I stopped once I saw her face

She stood, recoiling at my attempt to stop her, "I....chérie, I'm sorry for yelling. Please just listen" I walked after her

"No just—leave me alone. I really thought you changed, you're just what they say you are. Incapable of caring for anyone other than yourself" At this point she was picking up her things

"Imogen don't do this, please" I said

"Look this was never gonna work, I don't know what we were thinking. Let's just call it right here." She said

"Tu veux dire tout pour moi. Je ne voulais pas dire ça comme ça. Ne partez pas" I pleaded
[Translation: You mean everything to me. I didn't mean it that way. Don't leave]

She turned her head, walking out the penthouse. She looked back at me, "Goodbye Max" She said
*********

WHY WE GOING SO FUCKING FAST. That was a 180 if I've ever seen one

I'm cackling, I'm so sorry it had to be done

I feel like i'm doing too many jumps...I might release a chapter full of different scenarios that went on during those weeks. But I'm not gonna do any more jumps until the next chapter and the big one.