The final bit of evidence confirming their involvement came when Ms. Claire Nichols was ushered to the eighty-ninth floor of Trump Tower, the private city dwelling belonging to none other than Mr. Anthony Rawlings.
Emily Vandersol, twenty-nine, sister and only living relative of Ms. Nichols was asked about her knowledge of Claire and Anthony’s relationship. Mrs. Vandersol informed Ms. Banks that she recently spoke to Claire and she sounded well. There hadn’t been any mention of Anthony Rawlings during their conversation. Mrs. Vandersol had no further comment.
Sorry, ladies, it seems that Ms. Claire Nichols is holding on to Anthony Rawlings. What will she tell us about this private man? We are anxiously waiting to learn.
Byline: Meredith Banks
Claire held the papers even though she finished the article. She desperately searched for something to say, some explanation. Finally, she set the pages on the floor but she didn’t look up. She knew there was nothing to say. The article hadn’t revealed any information, although the sensational title alluded it would. Tony knew that, he flew all the way home. He obviously read the article multiple times.
It was her in the picture. She was talking to Meredith. It wasn’t what it seemed, but in her head she could hear him, she could hear his voice. Now she could hear him getting up and walking toward her.
“Appearances, Claire, how many times have I told you? Appearances mean everything. There is a picture right here of you sitting with her, the author. It doesn’t matter if what she writes is accurate, it is believable because she is seen talking to you.” He wasn’t yelling, he’d regained some control, yet the aura of rage remained. Claire didn’t want to look into his black eyes even though she could feel them staring at her.
“Get up.” She knew that she should, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t, her body was paralyzed with fear. She had no defense and had disobeyed his rules. His volume increased, “Claire, get up!”
The tears dripped off her nose. “Please, Tony,” she sobbed. “I am so sorry.” He lifted her by her arm. She felt helpless.
His voice exuded wrath. “The entire way home I was praying that somehow this was another misunderstanding. You wouldn’t do this after I put my trust in you. But I knew if it wasn’t a misunderstanding there had to be consequences. There had to be a punishment for this blatant disregard for the most fundamental of rules.”
She saw his hand move and instinctively veered to avoid another blow. The miss of her cheek infuriated him, his control gone, he swung again. His hand caught her pearl necklace. The fine chain proved no contest for Tony’s anger and power. The pearl charm flew as the broken chain slid from around Claire’s neck. The next impact put her back on the floor. This time she tasted blood.
She didn’t know if it was her nose or her lip, she started to reach to find the source. His voice continued, “And I believe some time away from people, some time alone will help you remember who and who not to talk to.”
She tried to turn and to twist herself. She pleaded for him to stop. He continued to hurt her and she was sorry, tried to yell, but couldn’t get away. She tried to protect her face, her body. Time wasn’t moving. She wondered how long this was happening. It could have been only seconds, maybe hours, Claire didn’t know.
Suddenly thrown backward by a forceful blow, his voice seemed to drift far away. Her body cried out in agony from the abuse, yet there was a sudden onset of intense pain. She tried to get up, to speak, but she couldn’t. Then the stillness grew and everything—Tony, the room, tears, fear, and pain—all faded to darkness.
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. —Author anonymous