by Laila Cole
Chapter 6 – Jennifer
I spent all night and the next day in my room, fending off desperate phone calls from Steven, which had now grown annoying.
My phone woke me at 8:00 AM Sunday morning and I snatched it from the nightstand. It was Damien. I answered, trying my best to sound like I hadn’t just woken up from a night full of tears and incessant tossing and turning. “Hello?”
“Hi Jen, it’s Damien. I was just calling to check up on you. I know the last couple days couldn’t have been easy.”
“No, no it’s ok. I’m ok. Everything’s ok.” I got lost in a web of my own bullshit as I came to my senses.
“That’s good, I’m glad you’re feeling better. Listen, my private jet has just landed in San Diego. I should be finished with my business obligations around 5PM, and our reservations at The Masters are at 7PM. Are you up for it? I completely understand if you’re not given what you’ve went through, but I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t hoping to treat you.”
I paused for a moment to contemplate his offer, the timing was horrible, but I just couldn’t bring myself to decline him. “Yes. I’ll go with you, I apologize in advance if I’m a little quiet.”
“Excellent! I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I’ll send my driver for you this evening. Where should he pick you up?”
I wavered a bit before responding. I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to know where I lived. “It’s ok. I’ll meet you there. I know where it is.”
“I insist,” he said, “I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” I began to get nervous and cracked a smile.
“Yes. Now where can he pick you up?” I could sense him grinning through the phone.
I let out a small sigh. He wasn’t going to stop. “I’m at my mothers in Poway, at 3256 Sparrow Lane.”
“Very good, I’ll let my driver know. He’ll be there at 6:30 PM and not minute sooner or later.”
“Ok,” I said. “I’ll be waiting.”
“Goodbye Jennifer, I’m looking forward to seeing you.”
“Goodbye Damien. I look forward to seeing you as well.” As soon as I hung up the phone my heart began to race. I looked in the mirror to find that my face was still lightly bruised but that the swelling had gone down considerably. I could cover it up. I opened up my bag and realized I didn’t have a dress. I panicked and sent Susan a text. “Susan I need a dress for tonight!”
She replied immediately. “Did someone say shopping?”
I worried about money, as I didn’t have enough to buy a fancy dress befitting The Masters restaurant. It was an extravagant place and I didn’t want to look run down. “Yes! Meet me at the outlets in Carlsbad.”
“The outlets? Really? I thought you were a Nordstrom’s girl.”
“Not anymore I’m not, maybe Nordstrom’s Rack. I’ve got to get this one on the cheap. I’m at my mom’s in Poway and I think I’m leaving Steven. I need to conserve my money.”
“Ok. Meet me at the food court at 11:00 AM, I know just the place!”
“Ok, see you soon,” I replied. I trusted her. With as good as she looked, I knew she wouldn’t lead me astray.
