Chapter 6. After Collin
Dr. Raynes called me to his office the next day. “Morning, Mrs. Buford. First of all, we would like to give you our condolences. I’m very sorry for your loss. Please have a seat.” He told me, pulling a chair for me to sit. He waited until I was seated, then he continued.
“I’m not sure if your lawyer has been in touch with you or not. If not we will facilitate your meeting, and contact him for you. We will make sure, everything goes as smoothly as possible. In a couple of days, we will transfer you back to your home.” He told me, while he was shuffling my files on his desk.
“But be sure that we will still available for you, for further consultation. Laura will assist you, Mrs. Buford. Again, we’re sorry for your loss.” He explained to me, another technicality but I was already tuned out by then.
My head was already doing weird thinking, I was ready to fall back to my corner when Laura assisted me to get up, and we went back to my room.
“Nicolette honey, I already contacted your lawyer and he will be here in an hour, he was already on his way when I called. So, why don’t you go get freshen up? I’ll go get set up the room for your meeting. And don’t worry honey, I will be there for you when you get out. I promise you.” She hugged me, leaving me with my thoughts.
I went and took a quick shower, and got ready for my lawyer, Mr. Roberts. He was my dad’s lawyer, and now he acted as my lawyer and conducted business between mine and Collins’s lawyer. I had started contacting him after I found out that Collin had been cheating with other women, and I was trying to protect my future self financially wise.
Sometimes I wondered, what made me took that decision. I guess deep down inside, I still had a survival instinct.
“Hello Nicolette, I hope we’re meeting in a better situation. Tough I still think that we are. I never did like that Collin guy.” Ian gave me his fatherly hug.
“Hello Ian, how’s the family?” We sat and talked about his family, and the memory of ours, vacationing together along time ago.
“So Nicolette, I’m just going to get to the point. Your late husband Collin was a piece of work. The last time we talked, we had arranged so he couldn’t touch your fund, because of his infidelity. But under the circumstances of your supposedly mental health, he had taken legal steps to get his hands on your inheritance. I was still trying to find some loopholes with his lawyers, but got stumped after another suicide attempt from you last week?” He held out his hand and took mine to caress.
“I don’t know what happened to you child, but you have to be strong now. Your parents would want you to be. I know they will. You’re never alone, you know. You have us. I know Regan misses you. She never did understand, why you pushed her away. But that’s all in past. We should just look ahead okay?” He wiped my tears away.
“So, I will go straight to your asset. You still have your parent’s house. But you don’t have anymore fixed income. Turned out Collin, sold out all your bonds, and his own property.” He started explaining.
“So that leaves you with the house and less than twenty thousand dollars in your savings. Now, that’s why they will transfer you back to your house since you could not afford this place anymore. I would suggest that you sell your parents’ house and move to a smaller place. And still, go to group meetings here or another place that you prefer just to keep your mental state in check.” He added.
“His body? Will you take care of it? I don’t want to do anything about it.” I stuttered mentioning it to Ian.
“Yes, I will take care of his body, and coordinate with the police with your approval. You don’t have to worry about that.” He assured me.
He carried on advising me as I listened. “I don’t mean to be rude Nicolette. But it’s the harsh reality. I would strongly suggest that you, at least let Regan back into your life. You need a friend, child. She could be good for you. And now that Collin’s gone, I’m confident that you will survive this.” I nodded at his suggestion.
He left me, after our two hours meeting. I went back to my room. I didn’t feel the need to attend any other activity, since I would be leaving this place anyway. I got my book and started reading.
But I couldn’t focus. I kept on thinking about what would I do without Collin in the house, it felt like I had been with Collin for so long. When in reality, it had been an intense four years of my life, that was being forcefully taken away from me.
I heard a knock, then Brenton came in. He closed the door behind him. He came to me, put my book down, and hugged me.
“Laura told me everything. I’m not sure I’m sorry for your loss. But I’m glad that he’s gone. You deserve so much better Nicolette.” I rested my head on his chest. His tattooed arms circle my body. I felt warm and safe in his embrace.
“I heard that you’re leaving? Laura told me about your situation. I know it’ll sound weird, but I got a proposition for you. I want you to be my muse.” I was taken back by what he said. I quickly shook my head no.
I know what entailed to be a muse for a painter, it would take long hours, most likely a romantic relationship.
“Nicolette, just think about it. Give me your answer tomorrow. Or in the next couple of days. I can’t let you go, I need you to be my muse.” His expression was honest like I could trust him. But it felt like I was jumping from one man to the next. I didn’t think I’m there yet.
But he came to me, and sit by my side anyway. His face was close to mine, his breath was making me shivered. Then he was kissing me, making me breathless, as we both moaned each other’s name. “Please think about it, Nicolette? Could you please do that for me?” He asked nibbling on my ear. His deep voice vibrated, throughout my body.
His hands lifting me, sitting me on his lap, then he latched on to my mouth, pushed his tongue inside, making me whimpered. As I replied to his question. “Yes, I will think about it, Brenton.”
I could feel him smiling smugly, as he reached the underside of my breast and started playing with them. I cursed as he chuckled, and started laying me down on the bed, slithering down between my legs, and started pleasing me, taking my body higher and higher. Until I climax, by his talented fingers.
“Thank you, Nicolette. I will be waiting for your answer.” One breathless kissed later he left me alone, sated in my room.
Damn! Not good! Maybe because it’s too good.
Woman! You need to re-evaluate your priorities here…