C33 Chapter 33

CHRISTINE

“Because you can’t even tell me sincerely if you want a second chance with me. He’s committed. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to turn him down just because you turned up.”

“Well then what’s the point?” Grady asks. I can tell he is beginning to get upset.

I reach across the table and grab the front of his shirt. I yank him towards me across the table and look him in the eyes.

“Have I got you your attention pretty, big dick boy?”

Grady nods.

“Good. Then listen. You. Broke. My. Heart. Got it?”

He nods.

“Now, if you want a second chance, I’ll give you that but you’re well behind the curve so you better make up time and make it up quick. If you think taking a woman to a nice restaurant, telling her nice things, and making her laugh is going to get you laid then you’re wrong. Especially when you broke that woman’s heart once before.”

He says nothing but looks at me, listening.

“Now, if you want to be that spoiled, rich boy, who’s never had to work for anything in his life and has always had fake, gold-digging tarts who bend over for you every time you ask, then go on and have that. But if you want a second chance here, you’re going to have to work for it. And if you work for it, I promise you, I’ll bend for you every damn way you want me to. But you’re the one who has got to prove it. And the clocks ticking. The ball’s in your court.”

Grady says nothing and just looks at me. “Okay, I’m sorry,” he says again. “I’ll work for it.”

“You did before. It’s not that hard.”

“Yeah, but what about him,” Grady says signaling the ring.

“What about it? A ring doesn’t close the hole. Not until I say ‘I do’.”

Grady smiles and nods.

“That doesn’t mean you can take your time. You see, I’ve told him I’ll marry him but I’ve left everything to him to organize. Including the date. So, he’s going to surprise me. It could be tomorrow or it could be next year. It’s up to you to make it never.”

Our conversation is subdued the rest of the evening but I think Grady’s got the message. He has no idea how hard I have to work not to break down and go against everything I’ve told him. I know though that if do, I’ll never have his respect. If he works for me, maybe he’ll finally understand what it takes. I know I’ll give him everything he wants but I’m not giving my pussy away like it’s a non-profit.

We finish our dinner and part ways outside the restaurant. I’m sure we’ve made progress this evening and that Grady’s getting the picture.

Rick and I don’t spend every evening together. We still have our own homes and that works for us with our busy schedules. Tonight I go home to my place. I’m glad I don’t have to face Rick tonight after Grady. I feel some measure of guilt for playing him against Rick but even if Grady fails, I’ll eventually go through with the wedding to Rick. Why?

I don’t need his money. I’m making my own. We can sign a prenup. I’ll gladly sign one. But being with him, I can get him to support me once we’re married and all my money can get saved. If I can do that for a couple of years, I don’t need anything from him when I divorce him. But I’ll have so much more saved when we part ways. I’m going to hit my retirement goals and I’m going to do it my way. If after I finish with Rick, Grady’s still around, then maybe we’ll get together again. Or maybe I’ll keep him on the side.

My mother was a gold digger. I don’t admit it to anyone. I never talk about my parents. They’re both gone now. Gold digging doesn’t build a foundation for a good life and I always swore I wouldn’t do it. So, marrying someone like Rick who’s well enough off, doesn’t make me a gold digger. I have my own business and can support myself. All I’ll be doing is living with him while I save like hell. Besides, look at our busy schedules. Who do we think we’re fooling? It’s not like we’re really going to have a life together.

Would it be any different with Grady? Maybe. I don’t know. I can follow the same strategy if nothing comes of Rick and me. But it’s too early to tell.

You might think my perception of relationships is screwed but hey, I saw what my mother did to men and what men did to her. That way there’s only pain. I haven’t even been married yet and I’ve experienced some measure of pain with Grady. It’s all the same. A fantasy. Some succeed but a lot don’t. I think success in marriage is like the genes you inherit. If your parents had a successful marriage, there’s a good chance you’ll marry successfully too. If their marriage failed, there’s a good chance yours will go the same way.

Check the statistics. As far as I know, they agree.

VIOLA

When life has a plan for you, it has a way of bringing you round to its plan sooner or later. The chance meeting that surprises or upsets you. That’s life’s way. We seldom see it or accept it for what it is but it sets the trajectory for our life that follows.

I have a meeting with Lara at her office. When I arrive she’s in a client meeting and I wait outside her office making small talk with her secretary, Sabrina.

When Lara opens her office door, I don’t immediately see who her client is. She’s looking back at her client as she talks to them and then she turns and sees me.

“V, sorry I’m running a bit late. I’ll be with you in a minute.”

I open my mouth to answer but then I see him. The first thought that runs through my mind is, Oh, Shit! Shit! Shit! No! WTF?” I can’t speak and simply nod as my eyes meet her client.

It’s him.

Rick.

He looks at me and seems about to say something. Lara is looking back at him and I quickly shake my head. He gets the message and says nothing. Lara realizes he is looking at me and introduces us.

“This is V, Viola. She runs our elopement services business I mentioned to you. V, this is Rick.”

“Um, hi,” I say as I hold out my hand. He takes my hand and shakes it firmly. “Pleased to meet you,” he says smiling.

“Likewise,” I add lamely.

“Okay, well call me when you’ve considered the options we’ve discussed, and then we can move forward with bookings, and so on.”

“Great, thanks Lara,” Rick says. He throws me a quick glance and then greets us before leaving. I can feel his eyes on me as I enter Lara’s office. Despite my golden brown skin, I’m sure I must be glowing bright red.

Lara doesn’t need to explain but she does. “He’s getting married to my best friend, Christine and he’s making all the arrangements. I think it’s so romantic. She’s said yes to marrying him but the whole wedding, even the date, is going to be a surprise.”

“Christine Jackson?” I ask.

Lara looks up quickly from her desk as if I’ve just dropped a bomb.

“Actually yes. Do you know her?” Lara asks.

“Not very well. I mean I know she’s famous in the industry but we’ve only met once or twice.”

Lara looks at me as if she’s trying to decide to believe me or not. Then she seems to brush aside her curiosity and sits down. “Anyway, how is our baby doing?” she asks referring to the business.

I do my best to keep it together but a few times, Lara has to repeat herself. I apologize and tell her I’m not feeling too well and that maybe I’m coming down with something. My mind is stuck on Rick. He’s marrying Christine? WTF? How in God’s name did they meet? I feel hurt, lost, adrift, angry. My thoughts are also stuck on the fact that Lara is best friends with Christine. Doubts begin to creep into my mind. I’m sure Christine must know I’m working for Lara. Can I trust Lara, I ask myself?

Eventually, my meeting with Lara ends and she greets me with a look of concern. “Go home and get some rest. You’re burning the candle at both ends,” she says.

“Thanks. I will,” I say.