Eclipse - Chapter 25. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Title: Eclipse
Author: CC
Story: In a love triangle caught in a complex web of power, lies, deception, hatred, and dark obsession, who will pay the highest price to find true happiness?
Rating: Rated R
Warnings: Graphic Sex, Non-Con
Pairing: Kradam
Disclaimer: This is purely fiction.
Word Count: 2202
Chapter 25. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
A loud crash in the hospital cafeteria caught everyone’s attention.
“Kris!”
Katy suddenly rushed to Kris’s side to find out if he was hurt. Coffee spilt on the floor and fragments of the broken cup were scattered everywhere.
When a canteen staff approached to clean the mess, everybody went back to what they were doing and left Kris embarrassed at his clumsiness.
“I’m alright, Katy.” Kris tried to reassure her.
“No, you’re not, Kris,” Katy said in a stern voice that somehow managed to still sound sympathetic. “You haven’t slept a wink. You’re very tired. You need to go home right now and get some sleep. It will not help your situation if you’ll also fall sick. I’ll be here to look after your parents.”
Kris could not believe his bad luck. Straight from the airport, he got to the hospital with more bad news. His father had fallen into a deep coma and because of that her mother had fallen ill too. To top it all, he had not heard from Adam. When he last talked with Kara, the office secretary, she said that her boss left in a hurry with Adam and she did not know where they went.
The waiter brought Kris another cup of coffee. Kris sat down and stared at his trembling hands. He could feel it in his gut; something bad had happened. A sudden cold terror had gripped his heart that made him drop his coffee. What made matters worse was he was trapped in London. Even if he wanted to go back to California, he could not leave his sick parents with one at the brink of death.
Katy’s heart broke at the look of despair in Kris’s eyes. She knew her friend was doing his best to hold back his tears. She would do anything to take away Kris’s pain, if she only knew how. She reached out and covered Kris’s trembling hands with hers.
“It’ll be alright, you’ll see.” Katy’s reassuring words did not assuage his fears.
“Thank you, Katy.” Kris’s effort to smile failed. Only one person could bring the warmth back into his heart. Despite his self-control, a teardrop rolled down his cheek and he hurriedly wiped it away.
**************************************
Adam refused to lie down in the bunk bed. He sat huddled in one corner of the tiny prison cell of the police department where he was taken shortly after his arrest. If he had any hope left, it was all gone now.
When he pleaded for his right earlier to make one phone call, he dared to dial Kris’s number. Adam was so terrified to go to jail that he was willing to do anything to stay out of it.
Adam held his breath when the ringing stopped expecting to hear Kris’s voice on the other line. He didn’t even have the slightest idea how he would explain everything to Kris. It turned out he did not need to worry about that part because Katy answered the call.
“Hello, Katy... this is Adam. Is Kris there?” Adam tried his best to hide the disappointment in his voice and to sound casual despite the rising panic in his heart.
Katy looked at Kris’s sleeping form on the couch. She couldn’t bring herself to wake him up when he had just dozed off.
“Adam, I’m really sorry, but Kris can’t take your call. I hope you understand. He’s been through a lot.”
“I just really need to talk to him, Katy, please,” Adam was almost in tears. This was his last hope. He was desperate. If he wouldn’t be able to talk to Kris it would seal his fate to rot in jail.
Katy suddenly felt an overwhelming jealousy and resentment toward Adam. She thought that Adam was the reason why Kris was hurting so much. In her mind, she was convinced that she would be doing Kris a big favor if she kept them apart. And maybe, just maybe, Adam’s absence would make Kris forget him. Without Adam in the picture, she was certain that Kris would finally see how they were truly meant for each other.
Pouring out all her contempt, Katy hissed, “Adam, don’t be so selfish. If you really love Kris, you’ll understand his situation and not make him feel guilty about choosing his family over you.”
Adam did not let the hurtful words get to him; he swallowed his pride and was about to beg shamelessly again for Katy to get Kris when he heard her hang up.
What have you done? Katy quickly blocked off the accusing tone she suddenly heard inside her head. She did not have the time to feel remorse. When she saw Kris stirring from his sleep, she hurriedly placed the phone on the table and rushed to Kris’s side and sat beside him on the couch.
“What was that?” Kris muttered drowsily, awakened from his shallow sleep.
“It was nothing, Kris.” Katy lovingly caressed Kris’s face. “Go back to sleep.”
Kris’s eyelids drooped with weariness and within seconds he quickly went back to sleep.
Adam’s last hope was squashed like an inconsequential bug. Katy’s words were like cold water that was splashed cruelly onto his face and punched a large hole into his chest, KRIS CHOSE HIS FAMILY OVER YOU! The words kept playing over and over in his head as he was seated, hunched like a lost child in his cell. Even if it was already physically impossible, he cowered even farther into his cell when the two policemen came back to get him for questioning.
For almost an hour, the two officers kept forcing Adam to admit that he was dealing drugs because of the cocaine they found in his possession. Adam was almost ready to admit anything just to put a stop to the interrogation. He was tired, he was hungry, and he was about ready to collapse with exhaustion.
When Adam thought that all hope was lost, a well-dressed middle-aged man suddenly entered the room and introduced himself as Adam’s lawyer. He requested the two cops to leave the room so he could have some private time with his client. The lawyer sat facing Adam and took out some papers from his briefcase. After studying the documents in front of him, he did not look too optimistic.
“It seems they have a solid case against you, Adam. You have to understand kid, this is not a simple misdemeanor case. This is a serious felony where you can go to trial. If you are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, you are looking at serving time in prison,” he paused and shook his head regretfully before continuing, “It would be such a shame. A pretty boy like you wouldn’t last a day in jail.”
Adam cringed at the implicit threat in the lawyer’s words. “I swear I’m innocent, Sir. Will you not help me?” Adam’s weak voice was filled with despair.
“Well, I can see a way out for you, if you’re willing to cooperate.”
“Please..., I’ll do anything. Just tell me what I need to do.”
“You work for Parris, right?”
Adam nodded nervously.
“Then, Alex Kennedy is your rich employer.”
The mere mention of Alex’s name caused alarm bells to ring wildly in his head. He didn’t know where his lawyer’s line of questioning was heading but he nodded just the same.
“Why don’t you give him a call and ask his help?”
“I don’t understand.” Adam furrowed his brow and asked confused, “How could he help me?”
“Well, if you say that you’re innocent, then we can hire topnotch investigators to find out who planted those drugs in the trunk of your car. This would surely cost a lot of money. If you get your boss on your side, then you could solve all your problems,” the lawyer explained.
Adam shook his head. He couldn’t bear the thought of seeing Alex again. “Is there any other way?”
“Kid, that’s your only ticket out of this mess,” the lawyer said incredulously. “If you’re embarrassed, then I could make the call for you,” he offered.
If Adam wasn’t terrified out of his wits, he would consider the cruel irony of his situation bizarrely funny. The very man he was trying to run away from was the very same man he needed to find now in order to save him.
He had to make a choice, Alex or prison. Somehow the answer became pretty clear. Despite the strong objection he felt deep inside, he swallowed hard and spoke in a voice that lacked conviction, “If you feel that Alex... Mr. Kennedy could help, then I leave it up to your better judgement. Do whatever you feel is best.”
Adam was left alone in the interrogation room. He was feeling a little claustrophobic. The oppressive room seemed to be getting smaller by the minute. Through the one-way glass, he could also feel eyes watching him. Paranoia was starting to set in as so many horrifying thoughts were playing in his jumbled mind. Somehow he did not anymore see Alex as the villain, since he now stood as his last hope that could save him from plunging down deeper into hell. Deep inside, Adam knew that Alex could refuse to help him. The very thought sent cold shivers down his spine.
In Adam’s baffled mind he was asking himself how he got into this predicament. What sins was he atoning for to exact such a high price? What or who did he wronged to be punished this way? He was barely holding on to his sanity when the door suddenly opened. He bowed his head when he saw Alex behind his lawyer. Somehow he couldn’t make eye contact without being reminded of how Alex forcibly took away his virginity.
“Mr. Lambert, it seems that not all gods have abandoned you,” the lawyer said exuding an air of self-importance, “Mr. Kennedy has generously offered to save you from your dilemma, if you’ll agree to his conditions.”
Adam looked at the pompous lawyer then lowered his doubtful eyes to slowly look up at Alex. His eyes quickly darted away as he felt Alex’s stony stare made his body heat up in shame and fear. As his heartbeat slowed down and the wild pulse drumming in his ears quieted down, he heard his own voice speak inside his head, I am ready to sell my soul even to the devil himself. If he wants me to work for free, I will do it, until I completely pay off all my debts. If that is what it takes, I’ll do it. But the voice remained inside his head, as he could neither move nor speak with trepidation. Adam looked helplessly at his lawyer.
“I think you’ll be happy with Mr. Kennedy’s magnanimous offer. You would be a total fool not to take it.” The lawyer took out some papers and a pen from his briefcase.
Alex hid all his emotions underneath his expressionless face.
Adam rested his hands over his ears to shut off the grating voice of his lawyer that still managed to break through.
“Adam, as your lawyer, I strongly advised you to just sign these contracts. You obviously don’t belong in this place, so it would serve your best interest to agree to Mr. Kennedy’s propositions,” the lawyer said arrogantly.
“Mr. Kennedy believes in your innocence, Adam. He is willing therefore to pay for your exorbitant bail so you don’t sleep a night in prison and everything else to ensure that you are proven innocent,” the lawyer explained.
Adam looked warily at Alex and mouthed the words, ‘thank you.’ Knowing at least somebody believed he was innocent made Adam feel a little better. He lowered his head when Alex just continued to stare at him stonily as if he did not see what he just did.
The lawyer continued speaking, “What do you say to that, Adam?”
Adam clasped his hands tight to stop it from shaking. He looked at his lawyer and cleared his dry throat before speaking in a thin voice, “I know it would take a long time before I can return the money back, but I’m willing to work for it,” Adam paused and peeked at Alex, “if that is what it takes.”
The self-absorbed lawyer laughed like Adam said the funniest thing he had ever heard. “That’s the thing, kid, you don’t have to pay him back a single cent.” The lawyer turned to look at Alex as if to get his permission to continue speaking.
Adam looked at his lawyer then at Alex with suspicion. Somehow Alex did not strike him as somebody who would be spending a large amount of money for charity. His inner voice spoke again, If he wasn’t expecting me to pay him back with money, what would he demand from me in return? The maniacal laugh and the evil smirk on his lawyer’s face made him hear the alarm bells again in his head. He waited with bated breath for the other shoe to fall.
“Adam, all your worries will disappear if you sign this contract and agree to be Mr. Alexander Kennedy's husband.”
Author: CC
Story: In a love triangle caught in a complex web of power, lies, deception, hatred, and dark obsession, who will pay the highest price to find true happiness?
Rating: Rated R
Warnings: Graphic Sex, Non-Con
Pairing: Kradam
Disclaimer: This is purely fiction.
Word Count: 2202
Chapter 25. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
A loud crash in the hospital cafeteria caught everyone’s attention.
“Kris!”
Katy suddenly rushed to Kris’s side to find out if he was hurt. Coffee spilt on the floor and fragments of the broken cup were scattered everywhere.
When a canteen staff approached to clean the mess, everybody went back to what they were doing and left Kris embarrassed at his clumsiness.
“I’m alright, Katy.” Kris tried to reassure her.
“No, you’re not, Kris,” Katy said in a stern voice that somehow managed to still sound sympathetic. “You haven’t slept a wink. You’re very tired. You need to go home right now and get some sleep. It will not help your situation if you’ll also fall sick. I’ll be here to look after your parents.”
Kris could not believe his bad luck. Straight from the airport, he got to the hospital with more bad news. His father had fallen into a deep coma and because of that her mother had fallen ill too. To top it all, he had not heard from Adam. When he last talked with Kara, the office secretary, she said that her boss left in a hurry with Adam and she did not know where they went.
The waiter brought Kris another cup of coffee. Kris sat down and stared at his trembling hands. He could feel it in his gut; something bad had happened. A sudden cold terror had gripped his heart that made him drop his coffee. What made matters worse was he was trapped in London. Even if he wanted to go back to California, he could not leave his sick parents with one at the brink of death.
Katy’s heart broke at the look of despair in Kris’s eyes. She knew her friend was doing his best to hold back his tears. She would do anything to take away Kris’s pain, if she only knew how. She reached out and covered Kris’s trembling hands with hers.
“It’ll be alright, you’ll see.” Katy’s reassuring words did not assuage his fears.
“Thank you, Katy.” Kris’s effort to smile failed. Only one person could bring the warmth back into his heart. Despite his self-control, a teardrop rolled down his cheek and he hurriedly wiped it away.
**************************************
Adam refused to lie down in the bunk bed. He sat huddled in one corner of the tiny prison cell of the police department where he was taken shortly after his arrest. If he had any hope left, it was all gone now.
When he pleaded for his right earlier to make one phone call, he dared to dial Kris’s number. Adam was so terrified to go to jail that he was willing to do anything to stay out of it.
Adam held his breath when the ringing stopped expecting to hear Kris’s voice on the other line. He didn’t even have the slightest idea how he would explain everything to Kris. It turned out he did not need to worry about that part because Katy answered the call.
“Hello, Katy... this is Adam. Is Kris there?” Adam tried his best to hide the disappointment in his voice and to sound casual despite the rising panic in his heart.
Katy looked at Kris’s sleeping form on the couch. She couldn’t bring herself to wake him up when he had just dozed off.
“Adam, I’m really sorry, but Kris can’t take your call. I hope you understand. He’s been through a lot.”
“I just really need to talk to him, Katy, please,” Adam was almost in tears. This was his last hope. He was desperate. If he wouldn’t be able to talk to Kris it would seal his fate to rot in jail.
Katy suddenly felt an overwhelming jealousy and resentment toward Adam. She thought that Adam was the reason why Kris was hurting so much. In her mind, she was convinced that she would be doing Kris a big favor if she kept them apart. And maybe, just maybe, Adam’s absence would make Kris forget him. Without Adam in the picture, she was certain that Kris would finally see how they were truly meant for each other.
Pouring out all her contempt, Katy hissed, “Adam, don’t be so selfish. If you really love Kris, you’ll understand his situation and not make him feel guilty about choosing his family over you.”
Adam did not let the hurtful words get to him; he swallowed his pride and was about to beg shamelessly again for Katy to get Kris when he heard her hang up.
What have you done? Katy quickly blocked off the accusing tone she suddenly heard inside her head. She did not have the time to feel remorse. When she saw Kris stirring from his sleep, she hurriedly placed the phone on the table and rushed to Kris’s side and sat beside him on the couch.
“What was that?” Kris muttered drowsily, awakened from his shallow sleep.
“It was nothing, Kris.” Katy lovingly caressed Kris’s face. “Go back to sleep.”
Kris’s eyelids drooped with weariness and within seconds he quickly went back to sleep.
Adam’s last hope was squashed like an inconsequential bug. Katy’s words were like cold water that was splashed cruelly onto his face and punched a large hole into his chest, KRIS CHOSE HIS FAMILY OVER YOU! The words kept playing over and over in his head as he was seated, hunched like a lost child in his cell. Even if it was already physically impossible, he cowered even farther into his cell when the two policemen came back to get him for questioning.
For almost an hour, the two officers kept forcing Adam to admit that he was dealing drugs because of the cocaine they found in his possession. Adam was almost ready to admit anything just to put a stop to the interrogation. He was tired, he was hungry, and he was about ready to collapse with exhaustion.
When Adam thought that all hope was lost, a well-dressed middle-aged man suddenly entered the room and introduced himself as Adam’s lawyer. He requested the two cops to leave the room so he could have some private time with his client. The lawyer sat facing Adam and took out some papers from his briefcase. After studying the documents in front of him, he did not look too optimistic.
“It seems they have a solid case against you, Adam. You have to understand kid, this is not a simple misdemeanor case. This is a serious felony where you can go to trial. If you are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, you are looking at serving time in prison,” he paused and shook his head regretfully before continuing, “It would be such a shame. A pretty boy like you wouldn’t last a day in jail.”
Adam cringed at the implicit threat in the lawyer’s words. “I swear I’m innocent, Sir. Will you not help me?” Adam’s weak voice was filled with despair.
“Well, I can see a way out for you, if you’re willing to cooperate.”
“Please..., I’ll do anything. Just tell me what I need to do.”
“You work for Parris, right?”
Adam nodded nervously.
“Then, Alex Kennedy is your rich employer.”
The mere mention of Alex’s name caused alarm bells to ring wildly in his head. He didn’t know where his lawyer’s line of questioning was heading but he nodded just the same.
“Why don’t you give him a call and ask his help?”
“I don’t understand.” Adam furrowed his brow and asked confused, “How could he help me?”
“Well, if you say that you’re innocent, then we can hire topnotch investigators to find out who planted those drugs in the trunk of your car. This would surely cost a lot of money. If you get your boss on your side, then you could solve all your problems,” the lawyer explained.
Adam shook his head. He couldn’t bear the thought of seeing Alex again. “Is there any other way?”
“Kid, that’s your only ticket out of this mess,” the lawyer said incredulously. “If you’re embarrassed, then I could make the call for you,” he offered.
If Adam wasn’t terrified out of his wits, he would consider the cruel irony of his situation bizarrely funny. The very man he was trying to run away from was the very same man he needed to find now in order to save him.
He had to make a choice, Alex or prison. Somehow the answer became pretty clear. Despite the strong objection he felt deep inside, he swallowed hard and spoke in a voice that lacked conviction, “If you feel that Alex... Mr. Kennedy could help, then I leave it up to your better judgement. Do whatever you feel is best.”
Adam was left alone in the interrogation room. He was feeling a little claustrophobic. The oppressive room seemed to be getting smaller by the minute. Through the one-way glass, he could also feel eyes watching him. Paranoia was starting to set in as so many horrifying thoughts were playing in his jumbled mind. Somehow he did not anymore see Alex as the villain, since he now stood as his last hope that could save him from plunging down deeper into hell. Deep inside, Adam knew that Alex could refuse to help him. The very thought sent cold shivers down his spine.
In Adam’s baffled mind he was asking himself how he got into this predicament. What sins was he atoning for to exact such a high price? What or who did he wronged to be punished this way? He was barely holding on to his sanity when the door suddenly opened. He bowed his head when he saw Alex behind his lawyer. Somehow he couldn’t make eye contact without being reminded of how Alex forcibly took away his virginity.
“Mr. Lambert, it seems that not all gods have abandoned you,” the lawyer said exuding an air of self-importance, “Mr. Kennedy has generously offered to save you from your dilemma, if you’ll agree to his conditions.”
Adam looked at the pompous lawyer then lowered his doubtful eyes to slowly look up at Alex. His eyes quickly darted away as he felt Alex’s stony stare made his body heat up in shame and fear. As his heartbeat slowed down and the wild pulse drumming in his ears quieted down, he heard his own voice speak inside his head, I am ready to sell my soul even to the devil himself. If he wants me to work for free, I will do it, until I completely pay off all my debts. If that is what it takes, I’ll do it. But the voice remained inside his head, as he could neither move nor speak with trepidation. Adam looked helplessly at his lawyer.
“I think you’ll be happy with Mr. Kennedy’s magnanimous offer. You would be a total fool not to take it.” The lawyer took out some papers and a pen from his briefcase.
Alex hid all his emotions underneath his expressionless face.
Adam rested his hands over his ears to shut off the grating voice of his lawyer that still managed to break through.
“Adam, as your lawyer, I strongly advised you to just sign these contracts. You obviously don’t belong in this place, so it would serve your best interest to agree to Mr. Kennedy’s propositions,” the lawyer said arrogantly.
“Mr. Kennedy believes in your innocence, Adam. He is willing therefore to pay for your exorbitant bail so you don’t sleep a night in prison and everything else to ensure that you are proven innocent,” the lawyer explained.
Adam looked warily at Alex and mouthed the words, ‘thank you.’ Knowing at least somebody believed he was innocent made Adam feel a little better. He lowered his head when Alex just continued to stare at him stonily as if he did not see what he just did.
The lawyer continued speaking, “What do you say to that, Adam?”
Adam clasped his hands tight to stop it from shaking. He looked at his lawyer and cleared his dry throat before speaking in a thin voice, “I know it would take a long time before I can return the money back, but I’m willing to work for it,” Adam paused and peeked at Alex, “if that is what it takes.”
The self-absorbed lawyer laughed like Adam said the funniest thing he had ever heard. “That’s the thing, kid, you don’t have to pay him back a single cent.” The lawyer turned to look at Alex as if to get his permission to continue speaking.
Adam looked at his lawyer then at Alex with suspicion. Somehow Alex did not strike him as somebody who would be spending a large amount of money for charity. His inner voice spoke again, If he wasn’t expecting me to pay him back with money, what would he demand from me in return? The maniacal laugh and the evil smirk on his lawyer’s face made him hear the alarm bells again in his head. He waited with bated breath for the other shoe to fall.
“Adam, all your worries will disappear if you sign this contract and agree to be Mr. Alexander Kennedy's husband.”