Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Sharon listened to him, refusing to utter any word but fiddled with the gold bangle on her wrists trying to work out the answer to the question he had previously asked about why she was afraid of him before giving her a lecture on running from situations. What did he know about running from situations? She could have aborted her pregnancy and not take responsibility for it and wiped off the evidence of the reckless night she had had with him in Rome. She could have remained adamant about not wanting to marry Gerhard and some other situations he knew nothing about.

But about the reason she was scared of him, The very sight of him made her heart beat violently, that was frightening enough. He seemed so untouched as though he had forgotten that they had ever been lovers, as though she was a stranger.

'David told us that you have accepted the invitation to the party'.

Sharon nodded. She wished now that she hadn't and it showed in her eyes. She could not have imagined how traumatic it would be meeting Bryan Ferdinand face to face again.

'Yes, of course. It would have been churlish to refuse just because of...' she shrugged, fighting for composure.

'Because of us?' Bryan completed the sentence for her, his hard mouth mocking.

'If you like'. She didn't like the admission. She pulled the collar of her coat higher around her throat. Bryan watched the movement, the shaky fingers.

'Cold?' he taunted in a low voice.

'What do you think?' she couldn't help snapping, tension evident on every line of her slender body. She wondered why the taxi was taking long to get to her house.

'I think for David's sake, we should seem to be getting along. I have grown so fond of him in these past years, though you may not believe it, always suspicious of me when it comes to him. I wonder why you did not marry him but ended up marrying someone else and I could never have imagined that you could leave his side but then again, one cannot be too trusting these days', he said expressionlessly, looking at her intensely.

She stared. 'Is that what all this is about?' she demanded unsteadily, suddenly realizing that this meeting was planned. She should have remembered that Bryan left nothing to chance. Pride stifled her spine. 'Well,you can rest assured that I wouldn't upset David in anyway. Not anyone at the party for that matter, I am actually looking forward to seeing them all, actually'.

'And they, you', he said with a smile. Then with heartfelt relief, Sharon felt the car pulling to a halt and glancing out the window, found herself in front of her own house. At last.

She fumbled in her own purse, trying to pay for her own fare of the taxi. Ridiculous though it was, she couldn't bear to be indebted to him, no matter how little it was.

'Forget it', he said reading her clumsy actions.

'No, I can't...' Her fingers couldn't work. She couldn't open her purse.

'Sharon, I said forget it's, there was amusement in his voice but also warning too.

'Thank you', she said not knowing what the problem was with her. she felt like some adolescent faced with some long - loved idol.

'The pleasure is mine'. He smiled though his eyes were serious and unreadable.

She turned away, nearly bolting through the gate.

She was waiting, listening for the noise of the taxi drawing away and the longed for knowledge that Bryan had gone and she nearly jumped out of her skin when a hand touched her shoulder. She whirled round to find him only inches away, towering over her, tall, powerful and somehow menacing.

'You forgot these', He held out the two carrier bags that held her new bag and shoes.

'Oh__' she took them from him, electricity burning her as their fingers brushed. 'Thanks'.

'What's the matter?' Bryan asked staring at her again.

'Nothing. I don't know what you mean '.

His mouth tightened impatiently. 'Why are you so damn afraid of me?'

'I'm not.She drew herself up, her green eyes meeting his with defiance.

'Have dinner with me tonight then?' he said with a smile.

Dumbfounded Sharon shook her head. 'I already have plans for this evening!' she said shakily.

'Tomorrow?' There was a silky mockery in his voice as though he knew she would refuse.

'No', she pushed her hand through her hair.

'Why mo'

'Why are you asking me?' her knees trembling at the persuasive charm of his face.

'Isn't it obvious?'

'No, otherwise...' Her voice trailed off as she looked into his eyes, her heart lurching at what she read there. It could not be translated into words or thoughts. It was pure emotion and it demanded response.

'Ehat do you want from me?' she whispered, suddenly frightened. 'Why ate you doing this?'

'I want to make some contact with you. I want to get through that wall of I e which you have built around yourself', Bryan replied grimly. 'I want to know why you are frozen up inside. I want to know what happened to the woman I knew'.

Sharon laughed bitterly. How could he be so blind? How could he not know that if she was frozen behind a wall, he was the reason for all that?'

'I am surprised, you even remember!'

'Oh, I remember'. His voice was low, shivering through every nerve in her body. 'I remember everything, every moment we spent together.

'That was years ago', she retorted, still trembling violently. 'It's all over now and after David's party', we won't see each other again, so let's just leave it at that, shall we?'

'Do you really believe that?' Bryan asked surveying her through narrowed eyes.

Sharon bit her lip, betraying her anxiety. She wanted him to leave before her daughter had cause to come out. It was getting dark but he could still see her and find out what she wanted to still hide from him. 'I don't understand...'

'No, you don't, do you?' he said calmly and she heard him laughing as she turned her head away.

She still hadn't found her keys and neither did she want to know to alert those inside. She wondered why they had not been roused by the noise Bryan and she were making but whatever be the case, she was grateful and hope it continues to keep them in doors till Bryan was gone. She had a feeling that if she found her keys and opened the door, Bryan would be inside the house before she had time to stop him and she didn't want that.

'Obviously not. Do why don't you tell me?' she answered coolly, wanting him to go. She did not know what to say to him and could not bear to look at him. Her nerve was stretched as tight as a wire.

Bryan's long fingers closed round her chin, tilting her head and forcing her to meet the probing depths of his dark eyes.

She struggled,her breath locked in her lungs bit he was too strong for her. She couldn't move an inch beneath the strength of those fingers.

He watched her impotent struggling, gazing into her pale face with cool intensity. 'Don't fight me Sharon, you can't win, So don't back yourself into a corner. I never lose as any number of people who have tried to take me on would tell you'. He lifted his other hand, gently stroking her wet hair from her forehead.

'Thanks for the warning', she tried to make her voice acid but it came out shakily.

Bryan smiled again. 'Its not a warning, Sharon, it's a promise and please extend my greetings to your daughter. It is already late, else I would have come in to look in on her but I hope to see her at the birthday party. Do there is still time for introductions.

He released his grip on her chin and turning on his heel, walked away into the darkness, leaving Sharon trembling with relief and disappointment.

Relief because he did not force himself in to see her daughter and disappointment because while holding her chin up, she had expected him to kiss her. Had longed for it and maybe it was the desire in her eyes that he saw that made him so confident to boast to her about not failing and so she should not fight what she felt for him?

She opened her door, finding the keys at last and went in to find both Gabriel and her daughter Deborah fast asleep. Little wonder! she smiled, her heart welling with pride and joy at the sight of her daughter.