Loyal

Chapter 39

Colin's POV

Rebecca sits across from me in the meeting room with different stacks of papers.

            "Trish is ready to settle. She's willing to settle for 1 million, and she promises to leave you alone. She will sign other documents to ensure that."

                        "Are you sure?" I ask.

            "Yes. I am absolutely sure. Didn't you speak with your lawyer?"

                        "Come on Becks, you know I'm more comfortable talking with you."

            "Alright, I guess. But would you go for this? Or did you want to negotiate something else?"

                        "As long as I can get my hands on that tape, I'll be fine."

            "She refuses to give up the tape, but she promises to destroy it. And it's in her best interest to do so, especially with all of the 'in-between-the-lines' things we have against her. Don't worry; she's not in any kind of position to leak this out. We found quite a bit on her as well."

                        "Yeah I bet...A lot of money issues right?"

            "Yes. Quite a bit. We could put her in jail for a very long time. But only if she refuses to cooperate. It's quite a bit of incentive."

                        "I guess. As long as you're sure, I'll sign. I want her out of my life. Along with that tape, for good."

            "Okay," Rebecca hands me a pen, and I sign my name on several different papers. After I'm done I sit back in my chair, putting my hands behind my head.

                        "You didn't tell Vera, did you?"

            "No. I didn't, and now I don't have to."

                        "I guess. I hope she doesn't find out down the line."

            I shrug, and sit up, thinking about the ring in my car.

            "I'm proposing to her." Becca's eyes widen, glistening as she lets those words resignate.

                        "You promise? Wow, oh my gosh!" She stands up and hurries over to me, embracing me into a warm hug.

            "Yes. I promise. I love her, she's the one."

                        "She's the one, huh? Wow Colin. I'm so happy for you!" Rebecca is wiping tears from her eyes. I feel awkward, and pat her on the shoulder. I don't really remember what its like to have a mom, but I always considered Becca a mother figure. She was there from the beginning, helping me get through addiction, and other rough parts of my life.

            "I'm just trying to figure out how to do it," I say, thinking aloud. Rebecca sniffles and reaches for a nearby tissue box. 

                        "Well, I don't know if this helps, but Vera isn't really the flashy type of person. So if you were planning on doing something large and extravagant, that isn't really her style." I nod, thinking of Vera's shy demeanor. Doing something huge is my style, but it definitely isn't hers. I would have to figure out an intimate way to do this.

            "Thanks Rebecca, I appreciate it." I smile at her and she gives me a gentle squeeze on the hand.

                        "You deserve to be happy Colin, you truly do," she smiles at me and for once in my damn life I feel like everything's right in the world. 

Vera's POV

The small round table in the nearby coffee shop isn't as big as I would like it to be. Trish and I sit across form each other in silence, and I can't figure out what to do with my hands. She's so close I can smell the coconut butter lotion on her skin. What does she want? What's her angle?

            "So, Vera. How are you?" I fight the urge to roll my eyes and take a few sips of coffee.

                        "I'm fine Trish. How are you?"

            "How are you and Colin?"

                        "We're fine."

            "More than fine, I'd say."

I literally bite my tongue. "I don't mean to be rude, but what we do is none of your business." I'm  surprised by my own sass. Something within me is different. I can't quite pinpoint it, but my bullshit tolerance is at an all time low.

            "I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean to offend you. It's just difficult for me to see him with someone else. You know, with us having been engaged to be married and all." Trish takes a sip of her coffee, and I watch her perfectly manicured hand lift the cup and set it back down onto the table. She says her words as if with a knife, stabbing me in the chest. 

                        "I can imagine that might be hard."

            "Yes, it is, but I can tell Colin really cares for you, so I'm going to back off." I raise an eyebrow.

                        "Okay. That's oddly considerate of you."

            "It is. But I'm telling you right now that you should end it with him." She says them so casually, as if she's making another order. So that's what the bitch really wanted to say.

                        "Huh, thank you for your advice, but no thanks."

            "I know about Lauren. About all of his little one nights, since me of course. I just know the way Colin is. He doesn't have the, ability, to maintain a relationship. It's not in his nature. Especially with the addiction, and extra baggage." She takes another sip of coffee.

                       Addiction? Not in his nature? Girls?  "What are you talking about?"

            "Colin is a sex fiend. He can't be satisfied by just one woman. That's part of the reason we ended. That, and the drugs. Which I guess he's had taken care of with counseling and such."

                        "Really? I thought it was because you were a cold hearted selfish bitch?" Trish makes a face at the last word that leaves my mouth. She looks up at me warningly, but smiles again.

            "Vera, I'm just trying to help you out. I know him better than you do. And you should always know that there are two sides to every story."

                        "Knew, you knew him better than me. I know him now, and he is not the same person he was whenever he was with you."

            "Oh, isn't that what we would all like to think." I stand up, and Trish stands up along with me. I try to push past her but she stops me, tripping and falling against me. She accidentally pulls my purse to the ground, things falling out all over the ground.

            "I'm so sorry Vera! Let me grab all of that for you!" she scurries to pick everything up, and I wait for her, annoyed more than hell. She straightens up, flattening out the front of her flawless suit and handing me my purse.

                        "Thanks Trish," I mutter, grabbing my purse.

            "No Vera, thank you. I guess we'll never be crossing paths again," she smiles sweetly at me.

                        "I hope I could be that lucky," I say under my breath, brushing past her. Pushing through the glass doors I pause, feeling sick again. Fuck. I rush to my car and lean against the driver's side door. The feeling of nausea subsides after a few moments and I take a deep breath before opening the door and getting into the driver's seat.

         So Colin had a drug addiction? A sex addiction too? I guess I shouldn't be too surprised with his history of being with so many women. But drugs? Why hadn't he told me?