Crazy In The New York City – Episode 36

Celine’s Pov

 

I was scared, not scared for myself but for Russell and Adrian, Adrian looked like he was ready to beat Russell up and I know Russell never to back down from a fight. I have to stop this madness now.

 

“Adrian it’s not what you think” I say softly hoping to break the walls of anger that surrounded him but that wasn’t enough to water the fire that was arousing in him.

 

“Well I’ll be damned” Russell says coming forward, I hope he doesn’t try anything foolish.

 

He ignores him and bores his eyes into mine, silently informing me of his displeasure.

 

“Well explain now” He roared.

 

I bristled at his commanding tone, what right did he have to barge into my room even after making it clear that he doesn’t have any existing feelings for me and demand an explanation for obviously what is not his business.

 

“Well it is his business, remember he’s your husband” my subconscious shot at me clearly reminding me Adrian had a right over me.

 

“She doesn’t owe you any explanation” Russell growled from behind me, coming close to place his hand on my shoulders.

 

 

I sucked in my breath in dread watching as Adrian’s gaze moved down to rest on Russell’s hand on my shoulder. A low growl sounded from his throat and he takes a step forward, hands clenched into fist.

 

“Get your fucking hands off her” He orders.

 

“Adrian!” I gasped, stunned at the vicious lash of his words.

 

“It’s not what you think, Russell is…..”

 

“Mad as hell and ready to beat some sense into you” Russell interrupts, eyes glinting in anger. His hand on my shoulder tightened telling Adrian he wasn’t scared of him.

 

“And here I was hoping for a quiet evening in bed” Russell states, Adrian took those words to another meaning. it sounded like a taunt and challenge, I knew the game Russell was playing at. He was trying to make Adrian Jealous, I appreciate his effort but honestly I don’t want a fight.

 

Adrian’s Pov

 

Adrenaline fueled by anger pumped through my veins. It had been a long time since I engaged in a physical fight, it’s been a while since someone had been a fool enough to cross my territory and take what belongs to me. The longing to smash my fist into the bastard’s teeth was so bad I had to keep myself in check.

 

I needed a confirmation from Celine, wanted to hear her admit she has taken a lover despite being married to me.

 

“Russell please can you stay off for now” Celine tells her lover.

 

So his name is Russell, that would help a lot when am shoving his shoes through his throat.

 

He shrugs , not taking his hands off Celine.

 

“You’d better leave now dude.”Russell states, The words came out shrouded in ice.

 

“I don’t know what you came here for, but you’re not welcome.” He continues

 

“Russell” Erin shrieked at him.

 

“That’s enough.” She continues

 

“Oh no sweetbites let him continue by all means.” I cut in, my tone quiet.

 

“I’d like to hear what he has to say before I kill him.”

 

Her eyes flickered over to me and I could see the fury in their depths. Idly, I wondered who she was furious at, me for interrupting their lovers tryst or at Russell for admitting the truth. Either way, I didn’t give a shit.

 

“Adrian…” Celine took a deep breath and turned towards me.

 

“Look, you’re getting the wrong impression here.” She shot Russell an angry glare.

 

“Russell doesn’t mean what he’s saying…”

 

“I mean every word.” Russell growled from behind her.

 

“I know who he is Celine and I don’t care”

 

I chuckled, the sound humorless and deadly at the same time.

 

“Oh so you know who I am?” I took a slow deliberate step forward.

 

“That’s good…that’s very good. That will help a lot when I send you to hell.”

 

“Are you threatening me?” Russell’s chin went up in challenge.

 

“Cos I gotta warn you buddy, that’s a mistake you don’t want to make.” He tells me not in any threatened.

 

Celine’s Pov

 

I planted herself between the two men, glaring up at the two towering hulks of senseless testosterone, I felt like a dwarf, my five feet frame sandwiched between two men, each one well over six feet and solidly built.

 

 

“Stop this right now! You two are acting like idiots for heaven’s sakes.” I hissed, teeth clenched in an effort to stop from screaming, or hitting both men in the jaw whatever was needed to stop this madness.

 

Adrian’s look sent chills of cold fear running down my spine.

 

“You should tell your ‘boyfriend’ to back off Sweetbites.” His mocking gaze swept over my body, mouth twisted in a sardonic smile.

 

“That is if he wants to continue existing on this earth. Not that I’m averse to wringing his scrawny neck for daring to take what does not belong to him.”

 

“Oh for heaven’s sake.” His words only served to infuriate me.

 

“This is ridiculous, you don’t even understand what’s going on but you’re already jumping to conclusions.”

 

“Jumping to conclusions?” He hissed, glaring down at me.

 

“What the fuck am I supposed to think when you answer the door looking like…that.” He gestured towards the towel still wrapped around my waist.

 

“And then that idiot strolls out behind you seconds later?”

 

“I’d watch my tongue if I were you buddy.” Russell took another menacing step forward stepping around me and planting himself squarely in Adrian’s face. The two men were the same height, with Adrian slightly taller by an inch. Adrian stared at Russell for a moment, his jaw twitching.

 

“Get out of my face ‘buddy’.” Adrian snarled, flexing his shoulder mucsles. ”

 

You have exactly three seconds to do so before I stuff your face with my fist.” Russell grinned, and swung.

 

A scream was torn from my throat as I watched the scene before her.

 

Obviously expecting the attack, Adrian moved with a speed that belied his height.

 

Russell’s blow went wild, catching him of balance, the unexpected momentum causing him to stumble forward.

 

 

Adrian’s fist crashed into Russell’s face, the sickening crunch of bone mingling with my screams.

 

The force of the hit sent Russell crashing backwards, landing heavily on the ground in a splatter of blood and gore.

 

“Russell!” I screamed horrified at seeing so much blood, I rushed towards where my cousin lay. I sank to my knees, reaching out to gather him in my arms.

Russell groaned and sat up, brushing me aside impatiently.

 

His nose was a bloodied mess, blood dripping down over his mouth and chin.

 

Still he looked furious, glaring up at Adrian.

 

“Are you alright?” I fussed over Russell panic and worry clashing within me.

 

How had things managed to get so out of hand?.

 

What the hell had possessed Adrian to hit my cousin like that?

 

“Am fine.” Russell raised a hand to touch his broken nose, wincing at the bolt of pain that shot through him.

 

“Damn.”

 

I glared up at Adrian who stood, feet wide apart watching us dispassionately. “Are you satisfied?” I hissed, hating him at that moment with every fibre of my being.

 

He looked contrite, running a hand through his hair and blew out a breath.

 

“Celine…” He started with

 

“Save it! I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”

 

I helped Russell to his feet, sliding an arm around his waist to hold him up.

 

“You’re an asshole Adrian, always have and always will be and I want nothing to do with you.

 

Adrian’s Pov

 

Seeing Celine so concerned for her lover broke me in ways I couldn’t imagine. It felt like I lost.

 

 

I thought to apologize even though the fury burning in me had other things in mind.

 

“Look Celine he hit me first okay, I defended myself”

 

She scoffs mockingly.

 

“He’s my cousin okay, he was only watching out for me. Maybe you didn’t notice but the both of us look almost alike but your ego won’t let you see that”

 

It dawned on me and I figured out why he looked familiar, he looked like Julia and he had the same eyes with Celine.

 

Fuck I messed up big time.

 

“Am so…”

 

“Just leave” She says blankly.

 

Celine’s Pov

 

I was angry at him, boiling mad for acting like a damn Neanderthal and causing all this trouble. I was angry at his double standards, because I clearly remembered his words after standing me up at the altar.

 

On the other hand, I was pissed at my cousin for making things worse. Determined to give him a piece of my mind, I marched back to the room

 

where he lay on the couch, groaning in pain.

 

“What were you playing at Russel?” I demanded, thrusting the bag of frozen peas at him.

 

“I should be asking you the same damn question.” Russell retorted sitting up to level a glare at me.

 

“That man had no right to talk to you like that, what’s wrong with your Marital status”

 

My face flamed in embarrassment but i simply crossed my arms over my chest and returned the glare.

 

“None of your business Russell”

 

Russell snorted, pressing the bag to his nose.

 

“Gimme a break Celine.”

 

I set my jaw stubbornly.

 

“It is my business and you had no right to interfere.”

 

“It is my business when my cousin decides to involve herself in something stupid.” Russell rose from the couch, one hand clutching the bag to his nose and the other closing the laptop.

 

“You know what? Maybe you should leave too.” I snapped, my patience at an end.

 

“I don’t need a lecture on my love life from you – not tonight anyways.” A muscle ticked in his neck as he regarded me in stunned silence.

 

“You’re throwing me out?”

 

“No, I just need to be alone right now Russell.” I wrapped my arms around my body and studied the cream rug under my feet.

 

“Please?”

 

“Look Celine,” He came to stand before me, his expression gentle and sympathetic.

 

“I’ll admit I over-reacted just now, but you have got to understand I’m only looking out for my little cousin.”

 

I raised my eyes to his.

 

“I’m not little anymore Russell I am capable of making my own decisions. Fine, I will admit Adrian and I are not happily married but I can sort things out myself.”

 

“I know…” He set down the bag, raked his damp hand through his hair.

 

“I guess I owe you another apology.” He says giving me a sorry look.

 

I sigh deeply and look at the wall clock.

 

 

“It’s late anyways, you can sleep on the couch. And forget about that dinner. The beating you ate tonight is your dinner” He chuckles.

 

“Aye aye captain, am done with your laptop anyways” He says and hands it to me.

 

_________________

 

Two hours later, I lay in my bed wide awake, my mind playing back the events of only a few hours ago.

 

It still seemed surreal, still felt as though the fight had just been a figment of my imagination – something my tired mind had conjured up.

 

Still, the sound of Russel’s snores coming from the couch told me the events had been very real.

 

I sighed, rising up to punch my pillow into shape. What had driven Adrian to hit out at Russell.

 

Sure, I knew my cousin had goaded him, but why was he acting so damn possessive towards me.

 

So many questions with no answers.

 

The digital clock on my nightstand beeped, signaling the hour. A quick glance at it told me it was well past mid-night and still sleep had deserted me. I needed closure, a way to get at the answers and I knew a way.

 

With a determined sigh I flipped back the covers and slid out of bed, padding barefoot to the closet. I slipped into faded jeans over the t-shirt, sliding my feet into a pair of low sandals and headed for the door. Careful to keep my movements light so as not to wake Russell, even though he had taken some painkillers that would knock an elephant out. Still, I couldn’t take the chance that he’d wake up.

 

I sneaked to Adrian’s room and knocked on his door, he opens it almost immediately like he was expecting me.

 

“Celine” He said blankly and let me in, the look on his face was different from the one he always had on.

 

He offered me a seat on his long arm chair.

 

Tonight he looked calm and sorry, a part of me felt bad for deleting his presentation.

 

He absently rubbed at his knuckle wincing in pain. I gasped at the sight of the bruised red flesh, without thinking I scooted to the other side of the seat reaching out to grasp his arm.

 

He stiffened but let me touch him, his skin hot to touch.

 

“You should put some ice on it, it’ll help with the swelling”

 

“Am sorry Celine, I deeply am” He apologized.

 

What was he sorry for, using me or hitting Russell.

 

I opened my mouth but only air could come out, I was short of words.

 

I stared at him, I read his eyes and I felt like he meant every word.

 

Still staring at each other, Adrian cupped my chin raising my lips to his , taking my mouth in a soul shattering kiss.

 

My core throbbed for him and I moaned out when he grabbed my hips.

 

I stopped him, the denial coming out weak.

 

I pulled away from him, pulling the strand of hair falling on my face behind my back.

 

“I need to go” I said and left.

 

I shut the door lightly and gasped out, it gets harder every day. I just want to stop loving the man that causes me so much pain.

 

Adrian’s Pov

 

I was happy, happy that the guy was her cousin not her lover but I was angry with myself for blowing things out of proportion.

 

I need to apologize to her properly, her cousin had left already leaving both of us alone in the mansion.

 

I have never apologized to a woman before so it’s going to be hard.

 

Only one person can help me now but we stopped talking since the day I threw Celine out of my office.

 

I opened my laptop which was lieing on the table.

 

I thought of sending Romeo a message but decided to call him.

 

I called him thrice before he finally picked the call.

 

 

What he says blankly.

 

I chuckle and I notice the blood stain on the laptop, which meant someone had touched it probably tampered with it.

 

My calm expression changed and I end the call immediately.

 

I only pray the person didn’t tamper with the important stuff on the laptop.

 

 

I clicked on the private files and my confused expression changed to an angry one.

 

My presentation was gone to be replaced with pictures of Celine and I.

 

“CELINE!!!!!” I roared angrily almost bringing the house down