Bonus Chapter

Bonus Chapter From Room To Breathe

****DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED ROOM TO BREATHE. CONTAINS SPOILERS****

Lucinda

I fight back the urge to reach out and punch the blonde American bitch leading me into the small study. I loathe her. Every time I am within arm’s reach of her I just want to act out some form of violence on her.

“What is it you wanted to talk about, Lucinda?” Cora asks turning to face me. I calmly sit down in one of the chairs opposite her. I sweep my long brown hair behind my shoulders. Taking a deep breath, I force my emotions away from the surface. I soften my dark brown eyes as I plaster the most sincere look of remorse I can manage on my face.

“I came to apologize,” I respond. I look away in hope that she can’t see my true feelings.

“Apologize for what?”

“For the way I have been treating you. Cora, I am so sorry. I had been having a really tough go of things before you arrived. I should never have taken any of that out on you.”

“Really?” Cora says her voice heavy with surprise.

“Yes, really. I was wrong and I really hope that one day we can be friends.” I gently smile at her as I meet her eyes. My smile is genuine but only because the thought of her and I being friends is truly laughable. Her face softens and it looks like she is buying this.

“I would like that too,” she answers warmly as she returns my smile. She’s pathetic.

“Good. Are you excited for your trip to Japan?” I ask trying to gently coax her into giving me the information I need.

“Yeah, I really am. I think a change of scenery will be good. I just need to be somewhere I can get my mind off certain things,” Cora replies as she starts to get misty eyed. Dear God! If I have to listen to her whine about having to choose between two incredible men I am not going to be able to resist strangling her. 

Fortunately for us both she starts telling me about the different places they are going to visit in Japan. After only a few minutes I see her body relax as she leans back in her chair and I know she has let her defenses down.

“It is a long flight to Japan. I hope you don't have to sit next to anyone too awful. Even in first class it can be uncomfortable,” I say leading her.

“Oh, that shouldn't be an issue. We are taking a private plane. It is going to just be me and two other people that work for Harrison.”

“Well that will be nice and much more comfortable,” I say simply. That is exactly what I hoped for. “What about Harrison?”

“He will be getting to Japan a few days after us.” Even more perfect. Now I just need to know where her papers are with the flight information.

“Do you know what kind of plane it is you will be on?” I probe her gently.

“I don't remember. I think it says on the paperwork Harrison gave me with all the flight info. It’s in my bag by the door. Do you want me to go look?” she asks me, clueless that she has handed me the last piece of the puzzle.

“No, I was just curious.” I smile at her. This time it is genuine.

“Well, you should probably be going. The car is going to be here any moment now to take me to the 

airport,” Cora says sweetly as she stands up. I am starting to think her naïve act isn't an act. She really thinks just like that we are friends.

“Of course,” I respond as I stand. “Just before I go, I need to get a few things that Tristan let me leave here last time I visited. I think they are in the wine cellar.”

“What things?” She looks at me suspiciously. She may not believe me but I know she has no idea what my real plan is.

“Oh, nothing really. They should be together in a small box,” I lie.

“Okay, I will go with you.” Maybe she isn't completely naïve. I don't care either way. In a few short hours I will never have to think of Cora Allen again.

The Cooper’s large home is empty, save the two of us. Tristan is so paranoid about his privacy he doesn't like staff roaming about the place. No one should be here until it is time for them to start prep for dinner. That gives me about a two hours head start.

I take a moment to remember all the parties I have attended here over the past few years as we walk toward the wine cellar. I have had many good moments within these walls. Moments before my life seemed to be pulled out from under me. I never expected him to love me. I wasn't in it for love and I knew he didn't want me to be. It still came as a shock when he dumped me like garbage headed for the bin. So what if his wife was pregnant. Suddenly that one fact makes what we were doing uncomfortable for him? The last thing he said to me was that he might know of someone else that was looking for a girl like me. Like I'm a coat you just pass on to your friend when you outgrow.

Then I thought I had finally found a place I could use to restart my life. I know that Eric has a soft spot for my sister. He would have let me stay with him as long as I needed to find a rich husband if Cora had never showed up. The morning before she moved into the manor he called me to his office. Eric said that I really needed to find a direction for my life and find it soon. He said that with the new charge coming the house was going to start getting too full and that I needed to come up with a plan on when I thought I could be out.

From the moment Cora walked into the library I knew what the real reason was. They had been locked in a bedroom for a full day and she had just had her own personal shopping spree courtesy of Eric. Her sweet little ingénue act combined with her fat ass made her the exact drug of choice for Eric. He would have thrown his own mother out for this obnoxious girl.

I’ll admit what I said to her that first meeting wasn't very nice. I really couldn't help it though. I when I saw her pretending to be sickly sweet all I could think was how I had just been told I needed to leave my last chance at a decent life because of some fat American. I snapped.

Then I finally grasp ahold of my last choice for something besides a guest room in Wales and she takes that away from me without even wanting it. As we approach the top of the stairs to the cellar I consider pushing her down them for a brief moment. Then I remember I am too pretty to go to prison because I am sure I would be the first person they would come for.

“What does the box look like?” Cora asks me as we reach the bottom of the short staircase.

“It’s just a small brown box. It should have my name on the outside,” I lie to her again. I pretend to start looking around near the bottom of stairs as she wanders further into the small room. I wait until she walks behind one of the racks of wine bottles to quickly untie the loop holding the key for the door.

“I wonder if it is behind those wine barrels there in the corner. Cora, can you look behind them?” I call out to her. Without question she walks over to the barrels and leans over the closest one to open the box of wine that is just on the other side.

“It is just more wine,” I hear her say as I reach the top of the staircase. She turns around just in time to see me closing the door. I quickly lock it as I hear her feet pounding up the stairs.

“God, you sound like an entire herd of elephants,” I exclaim loudly to the closed door so she can hear me. The knob on the door rattles in Cora’s vain effort.

“Lucinda! Let me out of here!”

“No.”

“Why not? What in the hell do you think you are doing?”

“I am taking back the opportunity you stole from me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, it appears you have changed your mind about going to Japan. Don’t worry. Someone will be along to let you out in a few hours. I know that is a long time for someone like you to go without eating but I am sure you will be alright. I will give Harrison your best. Good bye Cora.” 

Cora continues to pound on the door and scream insults at me as I make my way to the front entry. Her bags are stacked neatly by the door. I quickly open the bag on top and search through until I find her travel information and her mobile. I use it to send Harrison a message impersonating Cora.

I am so sorry. I can’t go to Japan and leave Eric. I hope you understand.

Harrison’s reply comes back quickly.

Why am I not surprised? I knew trusting an American was a bad idea. What in the fuck am I supposed to do now?

It looks like at least Harrison and I will share a dislike of Cora. It should make it easier to draw him in. I send a reply from Cora’s mobile again, still pretending to be her.

Lucinda has offered to go in my place. I figured that would be alright with you. She is smarter and prettier than me.

I can’t help it if that is the truth. His reply is exactly what I wanted to hear.

Yes, she is very nice to look at. I should never have changed my mind about taking her in the first place. Give her your flight info and I will get everything changed at the airport. Hope you and Eric are happy together.

I put her mobile back where I found it. That was easier than I thought it would be. I am not too surprised though. He is right. I was the best choice from the beginning.

I take the papers with the travel information on them and go outside to the car I have had waiting since I arrived. My bags are already packed and ready to go. I can’t help but smile as the driver opens my door.

“To the airport now, madam?” he asks as he helps me into the backseat.

“Yes, as quickly as possible.”  I find myself giggling slightly thinking about Cora locked in that cellar. I really do think that her sweet innocent act isn't an act now. She really truly believed I wanted to be her friend. I mean really, how naïve can a person be?

My mobile pings that I have a new message. It is from my sister, Hannah. She wants me to call her again. I am so sick of listening to her self-righteous lectures. If she tells me one more time that I need to get a job and move in with her I swear to God I will smash my mobile into bits. I have heard everything from her I need to hear and I have said everything I need to say to her.

I am beyond sick of everyone telling me what they think I should be doing with my life. It is just that, my life. I am not going to ever be happy living in some little village with a little family. In fact, just the thought of it makes me feel sick. I want more out of life and I am entitled to more. I am sure after today no one will ever doubt that I am willing to do whatever I have to have the future I deserve.

We get to the private airport as quickly as we can considering the traffic. After making it through all the appropriate security I climb the stairs leading into the private jet. The inside is bigger than I thought it would be. It looks comfortable with tan leather seating and dark wood accents. There are two men already seated at either side of a small table.

Both men are wearing dark suits and typing away at laptops in front of them. They both are also tall and appear to have a lean build. Their similarities end there. The first one has black hair that is a little on the long side and falls to about his jaw. He looks out of place in his suit and gives the impression he is happier in jeans. The second one has short light blonde hair and eyes that are so blue I can tell from across the plane.

The second one notices me first. “You must be Cora,” he says smiling at me.

“No, actually. My name is Lucinda. Cora won’t be able to make it. Harrison is aware of the change.”

“Oh, then in that case, it is nice to meet you Lucinda. My name is Kevin and this is Tanner. We will be your escorts for the next few days.”

“Thank you. It is nice to meet you as well,” I respond taking a seat across from them as the plane starts up. This is more proof that I should be here instead of Cora. She could never appreciate being with these two for a few days. I cross my legs and notice Tanner looking me over with a familiar look in his eyes. I slowly uncross my legs and re-cross them again. The corner of his mouth lifts slightly.

“You know two days is a long time. We should use the flight to really get to know each other,” I say drawing the attention of both men.

“What did you have in mind?” Kevin asks.

“Oh, I am sure we can think of something,” I answer. I lift my top off over my head in one fluid motion to ensure there is no mistaking my meaning. We haven't even left the airport and Japan is already shaping up to be the trip of a lifetime.