Others Like It Ruthless

XVIII: Dinner

I looked around for the umpteenth time and studied the place I once called home. Not much has changed in the year I've been gone, except the fact that the house looks as if no one has been inside for just as long.

"You know if you wanted to talk, I would prefer in front of our lawyers." I said breaking the silence between us.

Cole ignored my bitter statement and proceeded to remove his jacket exposing a white undershirt as he made himself at home. 

"What we're about to discuss isn't for innocent ears," he replied playfully sending me a wink or two that I had to roll my eyes at his flirting. I refuse to follow his lead and make this a pleasant night for both of us. Whatever happened between us isn't worth revisiting, ever. 

I watched as he set the table and served the food he probably prepared earlier, most likely for Eden. I mean, there is no way he would know I am coming back today. 

"Come, let's eat." He invited but I stayed rooted on the couch, refusing to eat. Like I said, I made it my mission to be as difficult as I can. "I know this is the last place you want to be in, after everything that has happened between us, but trust me when I say you would want to sit and eat before I bring up what I want to discuss."

I stared at him in suspicion, but I decided it would take longer and he probably would refuse to let me go even more if I keep being stubborn. "Fine, I'll eat. Only because I want to get out of here as soon as I can, and I have a feeling it wouldn't be soon if I keep being difficult."

He smirked, as if I played right into his hand. Suddenly, dining across this man in our old house with just the two of us doesn't seem to be the best idea.

"On second thoughts, I don't have to do what you say. I'm leaving," I tried to run away, but he is quicker. In a flash, he is in front of me holding my left arm captive and tugging me towards the dining room.

"Touch move princess, I don't take no for an answer remember? Now sit, you'd want to hear this." Ah, there's the commanding jerk I married.

I guess I was hungrier than I thought since the moment I smelled the delicious food served in beautiful temptation, I dug in and forgot who I am with. We ate in silence, and it wasn't as terrible as I imagined it would be. It's like we're back to a year prior to my hiding, as if no time passed. 

He's here, I can see it, the man I fell in love with. It would be so easy to just hope once again that there is a future for us, but too much has been said and done. I don't think we could go back to the way things were, even if he help me put his father behind bars. 

I was deep in thought when I heard him clear his throat to grab my attention. I raised an eyebrow when he kept staring instead of getting to what the evening is really about. 

"Please don't tell me you want another chance, really Cole we're too old for that." I said dryly earning a laugh from him.

"Oh, if I wanted another chance I wouldn't just say it. You'd want it just as much as I do," he replied in that cockiness I hate yet strangely like at the same time, if that even make sense. I mean, it's good, him being cocky. It felt familiar and that familiarity put me at ease for some reason. 

"I really hate you," I simply said and emptied my wine glass. Cole on the other hand, shifted in his seat as if my comment...hurt. 

"I'm sure you're kept up to date with everything that is happening around here," Cole started and I kept my mouth shut this time. "Tomorrow, we're going to proceed with the merger. My father's company had been in contact with yours and Harvey has been working none stop to let it happen. He's right in the middle of it," something in his tone made me think, but I guess it might be the rivalry between the two.

I'm aware of everything that's going on, it's all part of our plan. We want James comfortable, I want him to be in his element, to get that taste of victory before it comes crashing down as he watch powerless while I enjoy his demise. 

I reached over and poured myself more wine, and refrained from commenting though I know Cole could tell just how pleased I am from hearing the first phase of our plan started based on the small smile playing on my lips.

"Harvey worked really hard to get everything smoothed out. He also kept sending me copies of the divorce papers you signed over a year ago." Cole continued.

"Which you kept refusing to sign. Really Cole, what is it you're playing at?"

"It would take more than that to get rid of me dear wife," he quipped back, confidently leaning back against his seat.

"What would it take?" I responded a little overzealous, can't blame a girl from trying to move forward.

"I've also been in contact with Detective Arlo, in secret." His confession caught my full attention and I held my breath in anticipation. Did they finally get a solid evidence against James? But Cole didn't continue, it seems he is debating with himself whether to tell me or not whatever he found out. 

"What did you two talked about?" I urged him on, putting down my half empty glass. 

"You wouldn't believe it," he said with a solemn look on his face. 

"Try me."

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "I don't know if telling you would be the right move, but if telling you would keep you safe then I don't care if you believe me or not." 

"For Pete's sake, just say it!"

"We think Harvey is the murderer." He blurted out. I almost laughed, it's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard him say and I've heard Cole say a lot of ridiculous things, like he loves me for example.

"You're right," I replied swallowing the remaining alcohol on my glass before standing up to collect my belongings. "I don't believe you." 

I turned on my heels and walked as fast as I could. I don't even know how I'm going to get out of here without any ride but I don't want to stay another second to listen to this infuriating development. 

"Margaret," Cole called after me. "Margaret, wait up." He caught me halfway across the front lawn.

When he grabbed my arm to turn me around, I spun and landed a loud slap on his cheek. That wasn't satisfying enough though, so I did the same to his other cheek. What surprised me was he didn't even express any anger towards my action. Unlike the last time I slapped him, but that isn't enough to calm my anger. 

"How dare you?" I said, poking my finger against his chest with all my might causing him to stumble backwards.  "Just how dare you accuse the man who loved my grandfather as much as I did with something he would never dream of doing?" I managed to say through gritted teeth. And even if I didn't want to, tears streamed down my face at the thought of my grandfather. 

"I'm sorry," he apologized and tried to wrap me in his warmth.

"No, get away from me." I protested weakly and before I knew it, I was wrapped in his embrace and I hated it. I hate how it felt like coming home, that despite the things he just accused my cousin with, I felt safe, that despite our impeding separation, I felt loved.

"Please, I don't care if you believe me or not. You can doubt my sincerity all you want, but please, please be safe. I know you trust my brother more than me, I know that and it hurts knowing that, but talk to Arlo. If you don't believe me, maybe he can get you to." Cole said in quiet whisper against my ears, as if he's aware that someone is watching our every move sending chills down my spine, and not the kind of chills you'd want to feel.

It almost made me want to believe him, so I nodded and he pulled away making miss the contact immediately but I would rather die than admit that to myself, much less out loud so instead, I followed Cole back into the house and took his offer to give me a ride to Shaira's place.

The car ride was silent, both of us have things in our minds. What Cole and Arlo are getting at isn't entirely ridiculous now that I think about it, but I know Harvey like the two of them don't. He can't even hurt a fly, how could he do that to the man who was like a father to us? It makes no sense, but deep down, it kind of does and that possibility scares me.