Solange lowered her head.
"Working there at Fung's is back-breaking work," he continued. "That place is always crowded; I see how hard you work. I also spoke with your good friend, Sonia."
"You did?" Solange was surprised.
"Yes, I did and she said that you had been working double shifts for weeks now."
Solange shook her head again — dismayed by how much Sonia managed to run her mouth.
"She told me you wouldn't like the fact that she ran her mouth about it," Trent said. "The point I'm trying to make is that from now on all of that is going to change. Our mother left some stocks in a particular company that I've never touched; I had no reason to. I've checked the account yesterday and they now have a value of roughly 1.4 million dollars. I'm turning that over to you."
Solange's eyes widened with shock — they felt like they were about to pop out of her head.
"I'm not finished yet…" he said.
Solange was looking at him as if he had lost all sense of logic.
"I have something else in mind, but for starters, I will also make you vice-president of First Provincial."
"What?" Solange was flabbergasted. "But I have no experience in banking or anything like that."
Trent got up, walked over to her and offered both hands. She gently placed hers in his and stood as well. "No experience necessary," he said. "You are my sister and a Matheson. You'll learn the ropes." He hugged her so tightly that Solange thought that he was about to squeeze the very life out of her. When they parted, they both had tears in their eyes.
"This is so overwhelming," Solange sobbed. "I can't believe this is happening."
"Believe it. It's happening," Trent said, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "Welcome home, sis."
10
A New Beginning
Solange walked into First Provincial Bank & Trust with her brother at her side.
"Nervous?" Trent asked quietly.
"Yes," Solange muttered.
"Don’t be. We're all like family here."
Clara hurried around to the front of the booth. "Miss Matheson, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you!" She said excitedly. They quickly exchanged a handshake. "Haven't we met before though? Your face looks quite familiar."
"This is Clara Eaves — one of the bank's most trusted and long-term employees," Trent said.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Eaves," Solange replied. "And yes, I was here several months ago."
Clara turned to Trent with a motherly scold. "How come you didn't introduce me to your sister before?" She asked.
"I really can't get into that right now, Clara," Trent returned. "It's a long story."
She re-focused her attention on Solange. "Well then, I think you ought to know that everyone is anxiously awaiting your arrival, dear," she quietly said.
"Oh my," Solange touched her chest. She suddenly felt so important.
Everyone had gathered on the third floor. "Welcome home!" They shouted as soon as Solange and Trent stepped out of the elevator.
Solange glanced at Trent. "They set that part up on their own." He smiled.
"Good morning, everyone," Trent said. "It is my great pleasure to introduce to all of you, my sister — Solange Matheson Deneuve. As you all know, she's our new vice-president and I know you will make her feel right at home."
Solange stepped forward a little. "It's so nice to see all of you," she started. "Thank you very much for such a warm greeting. I recognize many of your faces from Fung's restaurant where I used to work. I guess it seems kind of odd that recently I was taking some of your orders for burgers or fried chicken and now I'm here before you assuming an office — I'll be the first to say — that I'm not qualified for."
There were chuckles in the background.
"I would like to thank my brother for accepting me with open arms and it is my heart-felt wish that you would accept me also. I am very humbled by all of this." Solange realized that she was now at a crossroads: Her real name had been used publicly and there was no taking it back. She secretly hoped that her decision to connect with her brother would not ultimately be the worst mistake she could have ever made.
* * *
Around mid-morning, Trent strolled into what used to be Peter's office. Solange was sitting at the desk reading some notes.
"How's it going?" He asked.
"Everything's just fine," Solange replied, resting the papers down.
"Where's Marcie?"
"Oh, she offered to get us some coffee. She's really teaching me a lot of interesting things."
"That's great. I knew she would do a perfect job filling you in on the day to day operations — aside from what you and I went over already." He looked around the office. "No one's occupied this space since Peter died."
"I can tell that he meant a lot to you — that you two were very close friends," Solange said.
"Yeah. We used to be." Trent sighed.
Solange knew there was more he wanted to share.
He sat down in front of her. "Peter and I were very close for many years. We were like brothers."
"What happened?" Solange asked curiously.
Feeling the disappointment in his heart like he did the night his friend revealed that he was willing to kill him in order to take control of the company, he said: "He got greedy. Suddenly, material things meant more to him than brotherhood. He had this insatiable desire for more wealth — much more than he could have ever spent." Trent rested his head on the back of the chair, unsure if he should have even mentioned it to her.
"That's sad," Solange replied. "Betrayal is the most terrible thing and what's scary is… it's only those you really love and care about that have the ability to hurt you at that level. If it’s a stranger or someone you don't care for very much, there's not much of a sting."
"You're right — the pain cuts inside you like a knife. That's why I would've preferred if it was almost anyone else that betrayed me other than Peter. I just never thought for a second that he had it in him." He shifted in his seat, the pressure in his face visible. "But what's done is done; we can't undo the past and regardless of our situation, I never would've wished any harm on him. He didn't deserve to die that way."
"That's true," Solange noted. She was gripped with compassion and wanted to get up and put her arms around him, and tell him it's okay.
"Anyway," Trent sighed, "I won't take up anymore of your time. I know you have a lot of information to read through, so I'll leave you to it."
"Okay. We'll talk again later," she replied.
Just as he was getting up, Marcie walked in with two cups of coffee in hand.
Trent nodded to her on his way out.
* * *
"Would you like for me to give the little one a sponge bath?" Amina asked as Tina laid the baby in bed.
"Thanks Amina, but there's no need. Took care of that before you arrived this morning," Tina replied.
"That early?"
Tina was confused. "Why? Is there a problem?"
"No. No problem," Amina quickly answered. "I was just thinking that giving a newborn a sponge bath before 7:00am might expose him to early morning draft - that's all."
"It's not like I'm bathing him outside, Amina. I appreciate your concern, but I am quite capable of taking care of my own child," Tina riposted.
"Pardon me, Miss Tina, but I was not implying that you're not. Please excuse me." She bowed her head slightly and left the room.
"Amina!"
"Yes, Miss?" Amina peeped back.
"I'm going to take a shower now. Would you keep an eye on the baby for me until I'm done?" Tina asked.
"Certainly. I will watch him."
"Thank you." Tina grabbed her robe. "And I'm sorry that I snapped at you. I didn't mean it."
"Oh, that's nothing," Amina remarked. "We all have our moments. I don't take it personally."
"That's good," Tina said before entering the bathroom.
As the water drizzled down
her naked body, Tina felt like she was in the clouds. Although she adored Little Foster, every minute she got to herself felt like a well-deserved luxury.
After several minutes of basking in her precious alone time, she grabbed a large towel from the rack and stepped out onto the mat. As she dried her face, something appeared before her. She froze. It was standing approximately six feet away, then gradually and seemingly effortlessly, got closer. Now, it was right in front of her.
The hooded figure's black hole of a face was darker than anything she had ever seen. Where there was no mouth, Tina felt a cold breath of air escape — so cold that it subtly bit her face. The thick, black garment her uninvited guest was wearing appeared to possess an aura of its own.
She tried to utter the words: Please… don't hurt me! Strangely, they wouldn't escape. Enveloped with fear, she desperately hoped, at that moment, that the entity could read her thoughts.
"Surrender the child…" went a deep, sepulchral voice from the faceless figure. The words seemed to penetrate Tina's very soul, then suddenly, there was a single, loud thunderclap — probably the loudest she had ever heard in her life and in a flash, the visitor was gone.
Tina took a deep breath in, feeling like the air had been literally sucked out of her body. "Amina!" She cried at the top of her lungs as she rushed into the bedroom.
"What's wrong, Miss?" Amina sprung up from the bed in a panic.
"Get the baby bag for me now!" Tina demanded.
"Are you going somewhere?"
"Yes. Just get the bag!"
"Okay. I will call Mister Matheson," Amina said.
"No, Amina!" Tina rejoined. "I don't have time for that!" She yanked open a drawer and quickly threw on a sweat pants and a shirt. She then grabbed a luggage bag from the closet. Amina had retrieved the baby bag and was standing there confused as Tina started filling the luggage bag with clothing for herself and the baby.
"I'll go with you," Amina said.
"No, Amina. Go home now! Mister Matheson will call when he needs you," Tina directed, pulling her hair into a ponytail.
Amina backed out of the room and hurried downstairs to the living room. She picked up the phone from the side table and dialed Trent's number.
"Matheson…." He answered on the first ring.
"Sir, this is Amina."
Trent instantly heard the consternation in her voice. "Is everything all right, Amina?" He asked.
"No, sir. I know you said that Miss Tina is not supposed to be alone with the baby, but she's packed up and about to leave the house."
"Why? What happened?" Trent probed.
"I don't know, sir. She just rushed out of the bathroom and started to pack." Just then, Tina descended the stairway with the baby. "Amina, bring the bags to the car for me please. Hurry!"
"Amina, let me speak with her," Trent urged.
"Yes, sir. She's right here. Miss Tina, Mister Matheson would like to speak with you," she said, handing her the phone.
Annoyed, Tina snatched the phone from her. "Honey, I can't talk right now. We have to get out of here. They want the baby."
"Tina, who wants the baby?"
"The hooded people," she said.
Trent's heart sank. Not again, he thought. "Tina, listen to me: None of that stuff is real. It's just your mind playing tricks on you. Please go lie down and relax. I'm coming home right now."
"We can't stay here, Trent. We have to leave now!"
"Wait! Wait, Tina!" Trent pleaded. "Just tell me where you're going."
"I'm going to the Clock-In Hotel on Fourth Terrace. You can meet me there and we'll devise a plan to stop these bastards," she replied.
"Okay, honey… but take Amina with you to help out."
"I don’t need her, Trent!" She barked. "She needs to get out of this God-forsaken house and go home to her family!"
"Okay, honey," Trent replied cautiously. "I'll meet you at the hotel."
* * *
There was a light tap at the door. Tina peered through the peep-hole. It was him. She quickly unlocked the door.
"Oh, honey. I'm so glad you're here!" She rushed into Trent's arms.
From both sides of the door emerged two men dressed in plain, white uniforms. Then Dr. Palenski appeared from the left.
"Where's the baby, Tina?" Palenski asked.
"He's inside… asleep. Why are you here?" She was bewildered.
One of the uniformed men went inside the room.
"Honey, the doctor is here to help you," Trent started. "We're all very concerned about you."
"I'm fine," Tina replied.
"No, you're not, Tina," Palenski asserted. "We're going to take you to the hospital and we're going to run those tests we spoke about before and everything will be all right."
"The baby is asleep," the man in white stepped outside again. "He's fine."
"Of course he's fine!" Tina snapped. She looked at Trent, then at Palenski again, then back at Trent. "You did this? You called them for me?" She had the terrible sting of betrayal in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, honey. Doctor Palenski promised that they would take really good care of you. They're going to help you get back to the way you were," Trent said.
"You traitor! You sneaky, little traitor! I'm never marrying you! You're a snake, Trent Matheson!"
Palenski gave the nod and the men in white took hold of her and led her away down the corridor. Tina was kicking and screaming. "They're after the baby!" She cried. "He told me so! Trent, don't let them take our baby!"
"I won't, honey. I won't let them take him. I promise!" Trent tried his best to assure her.
"Don't worry," Palenski said to him. He could see that it broke the man's heart to have his own fiancé committed. We're going to run the appropriate tests and based upon my diagnosis, we will treat her, monitor her progress and at some point — all goes well — she'll be back home."
"What do you mean… if all goes well?" Trent asked.
"No need to worry," Mister Matheson. "Everything is going to be just fine."
Trent sighed heavily. "I can't help but wonder if all this has anything to do with her childhood; she was still having a hard time dealing with it."
"We'll get to the root of the problem — whatever it is," Palenski assured him.
* * *
Trent twisted and turned throughout the night. He felt like hell for what he had done to Tina. She had been doing so well and to suddenly have a relapse, in spite of the medication, was perplexing.
Don’t let them take the baby! is what she had said. He couldn't understand her bizarre obsession with Little Foster's safety. Nevertheless, the baby slept in the room with him; Tina's final words echoed in his mind.
11
Committal
He walked down the wide corridor of the hospital. White walls lined both sides and monotonous, gray tiles covered the floor. A few people wandered about — some were obviously patients and others, hospital personnel.
Trent made his way to the very last room on the right. Dr. Palenski was seated at a small desk and Tina was sitting near the wall in a straitjacket. She appeared to be heavily sedated.
"Why is she in that?" Trent asked, shocked by the sight of her.
"Hello, Mister Matheson," Palenski turned around. "We had to restrain Tina because she was out of control and we had to sedate her."
"She looks pretty sedated to me, so why is she still in that thing?"
"We're about to relieve her of that, but we could not allow her to hurt herself or anyone else for that matter. I'm sure you understand."
"Doctor Palenski," Trent looked at him sorely. "Tina doesn't have a violent bone in her body and neither is she self-destructive or suicidal. So, no… I don’t understand what you're saying. I'm starting to regret this whole thing."
Palenski stood up. "Mister Matheson, I am aware that this is very difficult for you. Believe me, I completely understand… but you haven't made the wrong decision. I don't want to alarm you, but Tina threatened to bite one of ou
r personnel if we didn't let her out. She started on a tirade and that's why we had to restrain her like this. I'm sorry, but we didn't have much of a choice. On another note, we've run a series of tests and in my professional opinion, I can safely say that Tina's behavior is symptomatic of what is known as: Paranoid schizophrenia."
Trent was stunned.
"She sees and hears things that are not real, but she believes they are. She wholeheartedly believes that someone is out to harm your baby. Tell me, do you believe that?" He asked.
Trent thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No, I don't."
"I didn't think so."
"So what's next? How do you make her better again?"
"We've administered a certain type of medication that deals specifically with her condition. However, we have to monitor her progress to see if we're on the right track with it or if we have to try something else. We've just started about a half-hour before you arrived."
Trent walked over to Tina who was sitting upright with her head hung low. She didn't seem to recognize him.
"Honey…" he said, gently lifting her chin; her head gradually lowering again. He bent over and kissed her on the forehead. "I'm here and I love you. I'm going to take you home soon."
Immortals- The Complete Real Illusions Series Page 25
