NEAR BUT FAR
[NATHAN's POV]
I checked on everyone that got on the aeroplane by hacking into the airport's security cameras and got the details of each and every one. I checked and double checked even though I was on a disguise, using a fake moustache and hair - because you can never be too sure. I did not even tell my dad of my return for his own safety.
Fortunately or unfortunately, Elena was having her vacation in Abroin. She was in an hotel whose distance was a ten minute drive, away from Martha's school. I booked a room in the same hotel and called her that same day to notify her of my arrival.
By 9pm, I heard a knock on my door. I was just coming out of the bathroom after a quick shower and I knew it was Elena. I mentally prepared myself for what was to happen before I opened the door. I did not bother to put on any cloth except a towel, tied around my waist because I was about to get naked anyway. I opened the door to reveal Elena in a long red robe. Her curly hair was styled to the left, her plump lips wore a bright red lip gloss but the small holes in her ears held no earring. She wore a simple necklace and her porcelain looking fingers held a bottle of wine in her right hand.
"Hi Nathan" she greeted in a voice I assumed was meant to sound sexy.
"Hi Cipher" I replied, calling her by her nickname. "Is that how you would continue to stand there sexily or would you not invite me in? It has been years now but you still haven't changed" she said and it was then I realized that I was still standing at the door.
"So sorry, do come in" I said moving away from the door and letting her go in.
As she passed by me into the room, I perceived the perfume she wore – it had a faint strawberry and sandalwood scent.
" I'll join you in a bit, let me dry my hair. Please, make yourself comfortable" I said to her as I went to get another towel to dry my hair to avoid catching a cold.
''Alright'' she said and dropped the wine on the centre table in my suite.
As I was drying my hair in front of a mirror, I saw Elena walk through the door through the reflection of the mirror. I was about to turn to her because she stopped at the door but she began to slowly loosen the rope that held her robe together through the mirror.
As the robe fell off her shoulders and pooled at her feet, I saw that she wore a matching lacy red bikini She stepped out of the robe and started walking towards me and her breasts that strained on the bra she wore, bounced with every step she took. I did not know what to do at all. Elena is a very attractive woman with a good body shape but at this moment I knew Martha must have bewitched me because despite the fact that Elena had a curvier body and bigger breasts, she did not elicit the kind of feelings Martha elicits from me, even when fully clothed. I just hope I would not flop and mess things up. I decided to play along and smiled to her. I turned around and drew her close to myself. She brought her lips close to my face but did not kiss me still. She then brought her lip to my right ear and kissed behind it.
"You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this opportunity Nathan. You know I have always loved you but I was always hurt when you never paid me any attention. Even if you do not love me and you are doing this because you want something, please make it real" she said slowly and in a small voice.
She licked my ear and brought her face to mine and when she opened her eyes, I saw how dazed she looked already.
"Fuck me Nathan" she said looking directly to my eyes and I took that as my cue. I closed my eyes and began to think of Martha. I saw her face and zoomed in on her lips in my mind, how right her body felt in that boxing ring and how my hormones were jolted to life at the touch of her lips on mine.
I felt Elena withdraw from my arms probably pissed at the fact that I was closing my eyes. As her hand was about to leave mine, I grabbed her face and kissed her. The kiss was rough and with the kiss, I sauntered her to the bed in the other room. I pushed her to the bed and watched as she drew herself further into the bed. I let my towel fall to the floor and her lips formed a small 'o' when her eyes trailed to the southern part of my body.
I joined her on the bed and hovered over her. She bit her lips and I continued to kiss her. She moaned into my mouth and I unhooked her bra in one sleek movement and her full breasts were out on display.
I finally gave in and had sex with her – for everything good and all I cherish.
I woke up before her and checked in on my assistant in Fijex on the things happening in the company. Towards the end of his report, Elena stirred awake.
"Good morning Nate" she greeted with a bright smile.
"Good morning Elena" I responded but I did not take my eyes off my laptop.
'"I see we are back to business huh?" she asked rhetorically as she sat up on the bed, letting the blanket fall off her upper pelvic region.
"I do not want to hurt your feelings Elena but…" I started but she stopped me.
"You do not need to worry, I understand and I knew what I was getting into'' she said cutting me off.
"Where is my phone?" she asked, darting her eyes around the room.
''On the table, close to the wine bottle'' I said.
''Oh the wine! Guess it is useless now'' she said with a small forceful laugh.
"What did you bring it for?" I asked coolly as I placed my laptop on the stool close to the bed and turned to face her.
"I was just being stupid. I had this wide and wild thought that something real could you know, happen between us after this but it seems not. You are the only guy I know I can trust Nathan and you do not know how much of me rests on you. We have not spoken for a long while but anytime I remember...I remember how you treated me during our training days, I feel more like a human. Yes, I am a consigliere to one of the biggest mafia organizations in Vuren and there are many persons out there that want my head – some can't even stand the fact that I am a woman but my boss, Ernesto du Lipo has been a very good man. After my mum auctioned me off immediately I was done with my training, I stopped feeling like a human but working with him made me feel more. I need someone as sincere as you in my life Nathan. Facing rival mafia groups almost every day of my life has made me come in contact with different kind of men but you surpass them all Nathan. I brought the wine to celebrate our friendship and possible reunion of our relationship but last night, while you were in me, you...you mentioned the name of a lady" she said the last part with visible anger.
My mind began to reel back to recall who I had mentioned.
"You called me Martha, Nathan"
There was a pause of about five seconds that felt like an eternity. Martha!
"I guess that is the lady who you are in love with and that is not even the name of the model you posted on your social media accounts. I don't know you with any Marthas, so who is this Martha?" she asked as she gripped the bed sheet hard, turning her knuckles white.
"I understand that must have depleted your pride as a lady and I am sorry for that but I can't let you know who Martha is. I am still your friend Elena and despite the positions we have found ourselves in life, you are still my friend. We work for organizations that have their various goals and objectives and I just want you to know that, that doesn't change us. I currently can't show myself publicly but I want you to know I am here for you" I told her with hopes of calming her down.
"I am going to tell you the meaning of that signature but I want you to go out one last time with me"
Me:"..."(silence)
"I...I just want to know what it feels like for a guy I like to take me out on a date and...and before you say no, I also want you to know that wherever we would choose to have our date, I can have the best snipers and combat men scout the area and be on the lookout. I just need an hour plus of your time, please do not say no" she asked pleadingly.
After a minute of thinking, I agreed to go on the date with her.
"Alright" I said.
"Thanks Nathan" she screeched as she drew close to me and hugged me with her bare upper body.
"I,... I think you need to put on something" I told her as I averted my eyes from her body. '
"Alright saint" she said and wrapped the blankets round her body. She went to the other room and came out with the robe she was on last night.
"Do you have anything to smoke" she asked as she came out of the room.
'"Yes I do. Just a minute" I told her as I stood up and went to my travel box where I retrieved a cigarette .
'"Here you go" I told her as I handed it to her.
''So you still smoke?'' she asked and took a long drag of the smoke.
"Once in a millennia while though. It is not something I do frequently" I told her truthfully. "Whatever you say Nathan. Back to business, the words inscribed in that signature are 'The Blood'. "The Blood?"
"Yes, The Blood"
"Do you know them?" she asked.
"Not yet. What about you?" I asked her.
"Nothing specific though" she said.
I arched a brow up in suspicion but I decided not to push through with the question that was ringing in my head.
When Elena left, I decided to conclude the meeting I was having with my assistant. I reached him and he answered in one ring. We went through some deals and I postponed some very important meetings to a later date. When I was done, I ordered some food and ate it in my room as I watched the news on the television provided by the hotel.
A message popped in my phone and it was from Elena. 'Venue: The Lifestyle Hotel, Time: 4pm. See you there Nathan' the message read.
I was soon feeling sleepy, so I decided to take a bath. As water flowed from the shower head to my head and I saw the water pool at my feet before going through the drainage, images began to cross my mind. The first was the image of those signatures I spent time zooming in and out on, next was Mrs William in her pool of blood and it suddenly it all made sense to me. The initials 'TB', that were written at the end of those letters, sent to the houses of the members of The Heart that were killed, actually stood for something. 'TB' stands for THE BLOOD. The same words that were inscribed in those signatures. I hurriedly washed off the foam from the body wash I had applied earlier and dried my body. Things were finally making sense but I knew that whoever these persons are, they are not to be joked with or taken lightly but I also am not to be taken lightly.
Let's get this game on.