Eclipse - Chapter 36. The Phoenix
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: 1684
Chapter 36. The Phoenix
There was a heightened sense of excitement in the Allen household. Everyone was busy preparing for the homecoming of Kris Allen who had disappeared for almost a year. The party was not only to celebrate his return but also the immense success of his business venture in Asia that expanded the family business even more.
When Kris left, Kim decided to go back to Arkansas and invited Katy to live with her. Katy agreed not because she needed a place to stay for she had her own house, but more so because she was still pinning for Kris and hanging on the hope, no matter how scanty, that Kris would finally wake up from his nightmare and realize that she was what he was looking for.
Kris had kept in touch on the phone and took care of business from China. Katy was more than happy to make people believe that Kris chose reclusion to quickly recover from his father’s death and to fully concentrate on the business. Even Kim was not told about the truth, but she was livid when she learned how Adam had left Kris for another man. In the end, she thought it was for the best since she had never approved of the relationship anyway.
Kim was beaming with happiness awaiting the arrival of her only son who had finally decided to come back and live in their home. Katy, however, was a nervous wreck. The last time she saw Kris, he was devastated and devoid of life.
While they were standing at the steps just outside the house waiting for Kris’s car to arrive, Katy was shaking with nervousness for the possibility of seeing a distraught Kris again.
Her heart was working double time when she finally saw the car approaching. The minute he saw Kris, all her fears dissipated, and her breath caught at seeing him after many months of absence. It seemed that his stay in China had served him well. He was more handsome than ever and his much stronger physique showed through the expensive suit he was wearing. There was also something she couldn’t pin down in the eyes, the smile, and the way he moved and greeted them that left her feeling kind of sad, but she hurriedly shook the feeling away. What counted was Kris was finally here.
Parties were really beyond Kris’s taste but to be a dutiful son and so as not to disappoint his mother who had gone to all the trouble arranging this, he appeared cordial to everyone. But the long trip and not knowing half the guests that were invited were a bit too much for his waning patience so he excused himself and retired to his old room.
Despite the huge size of his bedroom, Kris felt stifled. Maybe he wasn’t prepared to be around so many people after living alone for the past months. Maybe it was the feeling of being home again and the increased likelihood of painful memories resurfacing anytime that had him on the verge of a claustrophobic attack.
He put down his glass of wine, slipped out of his coat, and took a deep breath. He did not come here to let all these emotions control his life again. Looking back, Kris knew that he had come a long way, but it was no pleasure cruise for him. He had struggled daily to come to terms with the fact that Adam had let him down.
His first few days in China were like hell. On the outside, when he conducted himself in business, he presented a picture of somebody with strong self-assurance, but at night when he was alone in his bedroom, he would be haunted by questions that just about threatened his sanity because of their constant demand for answers.
Why didn’t I see it coming? Why was I so blind? Where did I go wrong? Wasn’t my love enough?
After many weeks of wallowing in self-pity and blaming himself for his lost love, Kris slowly and painfully came to the shocking realization that he had not done anything wrong. It was Adam who left. It was Adam who wanted more. It was Adam who broke his promise. It was Adam who betrayed him. It was Adam’s fault.
The more he thought about it, the more he believed it. The more he believed it, the more his anger fuelled his ever increasing need to seek revenge. He wanted to see Adam suffer the way he suffered.
He worked through the emotions of disbelief, isolation, sadness, depression, until all that remained was anger. An insidious anger that quietly simmered beneath the surface, that slowly built up inside, that dictated all his actions, and had consumed him. If Kris would be asked to admit the secret to his success, he would totally deny the truth that it was his all consuming desire for retaliation that drove him to work hard day and night until he was sure that people would stop and take notice of his power, fame, and piles upon piles of money.
Kris smirked at the thought that his business triumph was just pure and plain serendipity, just an accidental bi-product really of his true reason which was to exact revenge. It was the only real reason he came back home. He had pushed the button and the wheels had started turning. He had already completed the first phase of his plan and he was now ready to see it through.
Aside from his gritted teeth, nothing seemed to look out of the ordinary with Kris. No one would have guessed that beneath his calm exterior lay a toxic poison bent on destroying the seemingly happy marriage of Alex and Adam.
************************************
Get a grip. This is just an innocent dinner date. Don’t get your hopes up, Katy admonished herself inwardly. But she couldn’t help reading all the signs-a romantic restaurant, a candlelit dinner for two, sweet music. Why else would Kris invite her other than for romantic reasons?
When Kris asked her to go out to dinner, she was beside herself with excitement and spent an unusually long time picking out the right dress that would please Kris. Sitting across the table from him, she was fidgeting with nervousness.
“Katy, I owe you my life.”
“You know I’ll do anything for you, Kris.”
How could he doubt Katy’s love when all the adoration and deep affection she had for him were proudly reflected on her face? Maybe her love would be enough for both of us-this was the last thought at the back of Kris’s mind before he pulled out a small box from his coat and opened it to reveal a diamond ring.
Compared to what Kris felt when he proposed to Adam, his heart wasn’t beating fast like it would jump out of his chest. There was neither burning passion nor extreme joy within; he only felt a sense of security. Maybe that was what he needed.
Katy’s eyes were filled with tears as she held her breath.
“Will you marry me, Katy?”
Katy knew that Kris was only marrying her for gratitude. But she believed that she could make Kris love her eventually. This was more than she had ever hoped for.
“Of course I’ll marry you, Kris, I love you.” She moved to sit beside him and hugged him tight. Then, Kris placed the engagement ring on her finger.
“We’ll plan the wedding after I’m done with my last project,” Kris’s tone suddenly sounded more urgent, “I want you to go with me, Katy.”
“Go where?”
“To California, to meet my new business partner.”
**********************************
Adam was sketching his new line of women’s daytime wear specializing in haute couture in preparation for starting his own fashion label under the umbrella of Parris. The idea was born when Alex gave him his own boutique to manage which sold mostly his own designs. It was so well received by the public and created a high demand for his work. This made Adam very busy and work became his therapy.
His hand tensed when Alex came through the bedroom door. He did not look up to acknowledge him but pretended not to notice him. Even though Alex had never technically broken his promise not to hurt him again, he still dominated him in bed and always acted like he was sex starved.
His entire body stiffened when Alex’s hands started rubbing his shoulders but after a while he began to relax as the right amount of pressure was applied to his tired muscles that were begging for attention. A moan of pleasure escaped his lips as Alex’s expert hands magically took away all the tension of the day’s work.
“Baby, do you remember about the firm’s plan to expand to China?”
“Hmm,” he hummed with satisfaction in response to the question and leaned back against Alex to indicate that he did not want Alex to stop his massage.
Alex obliged but his hands slowly went down to softly caress Adam’s chest. “Well, an opportunity came that just might be what we’ve been waiting for,” he whispered to Adam’s ears.
As Alex’s hand dove deeper into his sweat pants, Adam moaned and tossed his head back in pleasure.
“I have a meeting with a rich investor tomorrow who successfully established his textile business there and is now looking for someone to help him start a fashion line.” Alex started sucking his neck while his hand was busy pleasuring Adam.
Adam was already incoherent and could hardly follow what Alex was saying.
“He wants to meet all our designers so I want you to also join the meeting,” Alex’s breathing was becoming uneven as his desire was also escalating.“Okay, baby?”
“Hhm,” was Adam’s only intelligible response.
“Let’s finish this in bed.” Alex almost dragged Adam and did not stop ravaging him until he felt totally sated.
As always it would again be in the morning when Adam would feel the heavy weight of guilt and disappointment at how his weak and treacherous body had easily surrendered once more to a fleeting moment of sexual pleasure.
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: 1684
Chapter 36. The Phoenix
There was a heightened sense of excitement in the Allen household. Everyone was busy preparing for the homecoming of Kris Allen who had disappeared for almost a year. The party was not only to celebrate his return but also the immense success of his business venture in Asia that expanded the family business even more.
When Kris left, Kim decided to go back to Arkansas and invited Katy to live with her. Katy agreed not because she needed a place to stay for she had her own house, but more so because she was still pinning for Kris and hanging on the hope, no matter how scanty, that Kris would finally wake up from his nightmare and realize that she was what he was looking for.
Kris had kept in touch on the phone and took care of business from China. Katy was more than happy to make people believe that Kris chose reclusion to quickly recover from his father’s death and to fully concentrate on the business. Even Kim was not told about the truth, but she was livid when she learned how Adam had left Kris for another man. In the end, she thought it was for the best since she had never approved of the relationship anyway.
Kim was beaming with happiness awaiting the arrival of her only son who had finally decided to come back and live in their home. Katy, however, was a nervous wreck. The last time she saw Kris, he was devastated and devoid of life.
While they were standing at the steps just outside the house waiting for Kris’s car to arrive, Katy was shaking with nervousness for the possibility of seeing a distraught Kris again.
Her heart was working double time when she finally saw the car approaching. The minute he saw Kris, all her fears dissipated, and her breath caught at seeing him after many months of absence. It seemed that his stay in China had served him well. He was more handsome than ever and his much stronger physique showed through the expensive suit he was wearing. There was also something she couldn’t pin down in the eyes, the smile, and the way he moved and greeted them that left her feeling kind of sad, but she hurriedly shook the feeling away. What counted was Kris was finally here.
Parties were really beyond Kris’s taste but to be a dutiful son and so as not to disappoint his mother who had gone to all the trouble arranging this, he appeared cordial to everyone. But the long trip and not knowing half the guests that were invited were a bit too much for his waning patience so he excused himself and retired to his old room.
Despite the huge size of his bedroom, Kris felt stifled. Maybe he wasn’t prepared to be around so many people after living alone for the past months. Maybe it was the feeling of being home again and the increased likelihood of painful memories resurfacing anytime that had him on the verge of a claustrophobic attack.
He put down his glass of wine, slipped out of his coat, and took a deep breath. He did not come here to let all these emotions control his life again. Looking back, Kris knew that he had come a long way, but it was no pleasure cruise for him. He had struggled daily to come to terms with the fact that Adam had let him down.
His first few days in China were like hell. On the outside, when he conducted himself in business, he presented a picture of somebody with strong self-assurance, but at night when he was alone in his bedroom, he would be haunted by questions that just about threatened his sanity because of their constant demand for answers.
Why didn’t I see it coming? Why was I so blind? Where did I go wrong? Wasn’t my love enough?
After many weeks of wallowing in self-pity and blaming himself for his lost love, Kris slowly and painfully came to the shocking realization that he had not done anything wrong. It was Adam who left. It was Adam who wanted more. It was Adam who broke his promise. It was Adam who betrayed him. It was Adam’s fault.
The more he thought about it, the more he believed it. The more he believed it, the more his anger fuelled his ever increasing need to seek revenge. He wanted to see Adam suffer the way he suffered.
He worked through the emotions of disbelief, isolation, sadness, depression, until all that remained was anger. An insidious anger that quietly simmered beneath the surface, that slowly built up inside, that dictated all his actions, and had consumed him. If Kris would be asked to admit the secret to his success, he would totally deny the truth that it was his all consuming desire for retaliation that drove him to work hard day and night until he was sure that people would stop and take notice of his power, fame, and piles upon piles of money.
Kris smirked at the thought that his business triumph was just pure and plain serendipity, just an accidental bi-product really of his true reason which was to exact revenge. It was the only real reason he came back home. He had pushed the button and the wheels had started turning. He had already completed the first phase of his plan and he was now ready to see it through.
Aside from his gritted teeth, nothing seemed to look out of the ordinary with Kris. No one would have guessed that beneath his calm exterior lay a toxic poison bent on destroying the seemingly happy marriage of Alex and Adam.
************************************
Get a grip. This is just an innocent dinner date. Don’t get your hopes up, Katy admonished herself inwardly. But she couldn’t help reading all the signs-a romantic restaurant, a candlelit dinner for two, sweet music. Why else would Kris invite her other than for romantic reasons?
When Kris asked her to go out to dinner, she was beside herself with excitement and spent an unusually long time picking out the right dress that would please Kris. Sitting across the table from him, she was fidgeting with nervousness.
“Katy, I owe you my life.”
“You know I’ll do anything for you, Kris.”
How could he doubt Katy’s love when all the adoration and deep affection she had for him were proudly reflected on her face? Maybe her love would be enough for both of us-this was the last thought at the back of Kris’s mind before he pulled out a small box from his coat and opened it to reveal a diamond ring.
Compared to what Kris felt when he proposed to Adam, his heart wasn’t beating fast like it would jump out of his chest. There was neither burning passion nor extreme joy within; he only felt a sense of security. Maybe that was what he needed.
Katy’s eyes were filled with tears as she held her breath.
“Will you marry me, Katy?”
Katy knew that Kris was only marrying her for gratitude. But she believed that she could make Kris love her eventually. This was more than she had ever hoped for.
“Of course I’ll marry you, Kris, I love you.” She moved to sit beside him and hugged him tight. Then, Kris placed the engagement ring on her finger.
“We’ll plan the wedding after I’m done with my last project,” Kris’s tone suddenly sounded more urgent, “I want you to go with me, Katy.”
“Go where?”
“To California, to meet my new business partner.”
**********************************
Adam was sketching his new line of women’s daytime wear specializing in haute couture in preparation for starting his own fashion label under the umbrella of Parris. The idea was born when Alex gave him his own boutique to manage which sold mostly his own designs. It was so well received by the public and created a high demand for his work. This made Adam very busy and work became his therapy.
His hand tensed when Alex came through the bedroom door. He did not look up to acknowledge him but pretended not to notice him. Even though Alex had never technically broken his promise not to hurt him again, he still dominated him in bed and always acted like he was sex starved.
His entire body stiffened when Alex’s hands started rubbing his shoulders but after a while he began to relax as the right amount of pressure was applied to his tired muscles that were begging for attention. A moan of pleasure escaped his lips as Alex’s expert hands magically took away all the tension of the day’s work.
“Baby, do you remember about the firm’s plan to expand to China?”
“Hmm,” he hummed with satisfaction in response to the question and leaned back against Alex to indicate that he did not want Alex to stop his massage.
Alex obliged but his hands slowly went down to softly caress Adam’s chest. “Well, an opportunity came that just might be what we’ve been waiting for,” he whispered to Adam’s ears.
As Alex’s hand dove deeper into his sweat pants, Adam moaned and tossed his head back in pleasure.
“I have a meeting with a rich investor tomorrow who successfully established his textile business there and is now looking for someone to help him start a fashion line.” Alex started sucking his neck while his hand was busy pleasuring Adam.
Adam was already incoherent and could hardly follow what Alex was saying.
“He wants to meet all our designers so I want you to also join the meeting,” Alex’s breathing was becoming uneven as his desire was also escalating.“Okay, baby?”
“Hhm,” was Adam’s only intelligible response.
“Let’s finish this in bed.” Alex almost dragged Adam and did not stop ravaging him until he felt totally sated.
As always it would again be in the morning when Adam would feel the heavy weight of guilt and disappointment at how his weak and treacherous body had easily surrendered once more to a fleeting moment of sexual pleasure.