Envy

A/N:
Im alive, I promise lol
So so so so sorry I haven't updated in.....forever, literally. Turns out that when your dont have sex, writing is easy... but when you do have sex... its not. Thennn... a few days ago I just got back from the hospital that I was at for 2 freakin weeks. Long story. I'll tell you about it in my blog, if you want.

Remember.... www.fictionbychaos.blogspot.com


And now... the new chapter. Its not much, and *warning* no smut, but, I'm decently happy with it. I hope you enjoy =]

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Tempests

Paul hated working the phones -he hadn’t had to work phones since he first started working at James&Huntington Carpentry. He hated answering stupid questions and dealing with the irate and beguiled rich folk that demanded top notch carpentry in less than a weeks time, with their nit-picking complaints about how the business was being ran and how he couldn’t simply give a quote for a full kitchen renovation…over the phone. Paul hated talking on the phone, period.

“Yes, Mrs. Forrester…” Paul said as patiently as he could muster, pinching the bridge of his nose, and silently damned the secretary for having to leave early for “family matters”. “I understand you’re rush to have the entertainment center in done in five days time, and -of course I’m not being sarcastic, Mrs. Forrester.” Paul tried to hide the contrary in his voice.

He was just about to tell Mrs. Forrester exactly where she could put her three-tiered cherry wood entertainment center when he heard the front door open, and the distinct sound of heels clicking on the floor. Raising a brow, he slowly lifted his head and bit his bottom lip. This was not good.

“Mrs. Forrester, hold on a moment while I get you Mr. James…” he said slowly, punching a couple buttons on the phone then turned back to his own personal hell.

“I would have thought you would have started your own business by now.” her voice was smooth like honey, dripping from a spoon. It was hypnotic.

The last time Paul had seen her, her hair was longer, falling in deep chocolate waves down her back. Her caramel colored eyes were lit with allure, standing out immensely because of her perfect eye makeup. Paul did a quick once-over on her…nothing had really changed. Dark skinny jeans, hugging her every curve, a black wife-beater style tank top and high patent leather black heels. Just as sexy as she ever been. Nadia. His Ex-Girlfriend just before he met Lindsey. The model.

“Nah.” Paul replied warily. It had been three years since he saw Nadia, and he didn’t know how exactly he should respond. After all, he did cheat on her with her sister…and her cousin…twice. “Do you need something?”

Nadia hesitated before sighing softly, “I actually came in to see if I could have a vanity made.” she said quietly, pulling out a folder from her large purse. “Here’s pictures of the rest of the furniture in my bedroom.”

Paul took the folder, clearing his throat softly, “I’ll see if Mark can do it-”

“I don’t want Mark to do it.” Nadia’s tone -obviously frustrated and harboring some deep seeded hostility towards Paul, was expected and justified. “You’re the best carpenter in town, so if we could do this as painless as possible…”

Paul nodded, clearing his throat again, “Look, Nadia-”

“Don’t.” she snapped, sighing heavily. She placed her hands on the desk and leaned in towards Paul, “You might have been the best fuck of my life, Paul Harlow, but you’re still a worthless piece of shit.”

Paul drew his brows together angrily, “Take your pictures and leave then, Nadia.” he said lowly. He wanted her to leave sooner rather than later. he knew he fucked up in the past and didn’t need her willowy frame reminding him of what a douche he was.

And as if all the world turned on him in a split second, he heard Lindsey’s voice, “Paul! Baby, I got your lunch…why aren’t you in the back-”

Nadia hitched a brow and glared harshly at Paul before going in for the kill: he could see it in her caramel eyes and for a split second, Paul was scared to the core. She grabbed the back of his head, pressing her lips against his roughly, not caring that Paul’s lips didn’t move in time with hers. After getting over the initial shock that Nadia would stoop so low as Lindsey stepped into the front room, Paul pushed her away.

“Fuck you, Nadia!” Paul spat, then looked over to Lindsey.

Her hair was pulled up into a messy ponytail, no makeup -but she didn’t need it, honestly. In her baker’s uniform with flour and chocolate all over her shirt. He knew what she was thinking, even though she was dead wrong, as she looked at Nadia, then to the floor. Her face was like stone -hardened and expressionless as she slowly walked up to Paul, dropping the bag of food onto the floor in front of him, then looked back to Rebecca.

“Oh my god.” Nadia gasped and Paul shook with anger, “Are you… this is so embarrassing.” Nadia was also a great actress.

And as false tears began streaming down Nadia’s face, Paul stood motionless, staring at Lindsey and knew no matter what he said, she wouldn’t believe him. “I thought you told her! I thought you told her that it was over and you were in love with someone else!”

“Enough!” Paul growled at Nadia, she was taking it too far, “Get the fuck out of here, Nadia.”

“No.” Lindsey said softly, looking between Paul and Nadia, “I’ll leave.”

“Lindsey, its not-” Paul began, trying to grab her arm.

Lindsey jerked away from him “Don’t touch me.” she gritted through her teeth. “Should have known you’d do this to me. I was such a fucking fool.”

Paul watched as Lindsey walked away, his whole body ridged with angry tension. He looked to Nadia, who was wiping her face, then smirked at him. He wanted to hit her, honestly, he did. She was lucky that he never hit women. She was lucky that he was controlling himself and that they were at his work.

“How’s it feel?” Nadia asked coolly.

Paul clenched his jaw tightly, balling his hands into fists, “Get out.” he said darkly.

Naida pursed her lips slightly and leaned towards Paul again, “You shouldn’t fuck with people’s emotions, Paul. I gave you ten months of my life and for what? Lies, and your inability to be faithful.”

She reached her hand up and traced Paul’s bottom lip with her finger before he grabbed her wrist, shoving her hand away, “It’s a shame our first kiss had to be like that.” her voice dripped in sarcasm, “Still on your high horse about that?”

“Get out.” Paul grunted, before ripping his eyes away from her. He grabbed his sweatshirt and car keys, heading for the door.

“Paul.” Naida called after him softly.

Paul sighed heavily and stopped, but kept his back to her, not wanting to see any form of mockery on her face, “What?” he snapped.

He heard her sigh with regret and he almost smiled at it -Nadia had a good heart and it was probably killing her, knowing she did that to Lindsey. “She’s beautiful.” she finally said.

~*~*~

Paul was right in guessing that Lindsey went straight home instead of back to work. He took the stairs two by two, and by the time he was in the kitchen of their apartment, he was panting heavily, looking around for Lindsey. He found her, tears streaming down her face as she shoved clothes into a suitcase. Paul’s dark eyes widened at the sight, but he hesitated to touch her, no matter how badly he wanted to.

“She’s my Ex.” Paul said softly from the doorway. “She was getting back at me because I hurt her.”

Lindsey stopped, and turned to face Paul, “Oh really.” her tone was harsh. “Is that what you told all your other little fucks when they found out there was someone else?”

“Linds-”

“No!” Lindsey spat, “How long was this charade going to go on, Paul? How were you going to drag it out? Its already been three years, how much longer did you plan on fucking with my life?!”

Paul ran a hand through his hair in frustration, and advanced on Lindsey, taking her face in his hands, “Listen to me.” he said darkly, “What you saw in there wasn’t what you thought-”

Lindsey chuckled was sarcasm and moved away form Paul, snatching her suitcase, “You cheated on everyone else, Paul. Why not me too, right? My dad was right about you, after all.”

Paul followed Lindsey as she stormed into the kitchen, his voice low, “Lindsey, I’m not chea-”

By now, the tears had stopped falling down her face, as she threw her suitcase next to the front door, and went to the cabinets, pure hurt and anger crossing her face, she started pulling out her glass bowls, measuring cups and other kitchen supplies she used on a daily basis.

“I can see why it was so easy to go to her instead of me. She’s perfect.” Lindsey spat, bitterly.

Paul groaned loudly in frustration and grabbed Lindsey by her upper arms, spinning her around to face him, he pinned her against the kitchen counter, “She. Was. My. Ex.” he gritted through his teeth.

“I don’t want to hear your excuses.” Lindsey shot back darkly, lifting her chin with a stubborn glare.

Paul drew his brows together harshly, “Not a fucking excuse, Linds, it’s the truth.”

Lindsey kept silent, biting her bottom lip while she glared at Pauls chest. His hands moved to either side of her face, and he bent his head down, leaning in for a kiss, when Lindsey grabbed his sides and pushed him back, “Don’t you dare kiss me after she kissed you, Paul Harlow. Don’t you fucking dare!”

Paul grunted, advancing on her once more and held her face in his hands, his forehead resting against hers, as he breathed heavily. Lindsey felt his hot breath against her face, and smelled a hint of the cinnamon gum he was probably chewing on earlier at work, like he always did. It made her want to melt into him, and disregard the fact that she saw him kiss another woman. It was too much for her and a small, shallow breath escaped her lips, as the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, she felt goosebumps rise over her body.

“You’re the only thing that makes sense in my life.” Paul whispered, “I love you so much it hurts, and I swear on everything I have that while we’ve been together, I have been completely faithful to you. Im telling you the truth when I say that Nadia was my ex and she was trying to hurt me like I hurt her.”

Lindsey felt a single tear drop down her cheek, hot and wet, slipping down, only to drop onto her shirt. “Why was she there?” she choked out.

Paul sighed and wrapped his arms around Lindsey, wincing when he felt her tense up when he did so, “She wanted me to build her something. When you came in, everything went to hell.” he whispered.

Lindsey looked up at Paul, her blue eyes watery and hurt, “Pinky promise me.” Her voice was soft, and strained.

Paul nodded. It might have been a silly thing to most people, but Lindsey took a pinky promise very seriously. It was the most sacred of all promises, in her eyes. He lifted his hand, holding out his pinky, “I promise you, baby that I am telling the truth.”

Lindsey sobbed out a small laugh and wrapped her pinky around his, accepting the kiss that Paul placed on her lips. She saw stars, as a small feeling of pride overwhelmed her that the one person who could never hold a promise to anyone, who could never be faithful, to tell truths to partners…loved her and was faithful to her, and would be, forever.

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