Remember Me

by Rainwater, Priscilla Poole

  “Yes, she's in room 809, just three doors down, to the left.” he replied.

  “Thanks.” she muttered with all the conviction of a ventriloquist dummy, then left without a backward glance.

  Feeling the familiar weight of defeat, he picked his cell phone up, deciding to handle some business. Not only to keep his own mind preoccupied, but to give her time to cool off.

  ***************************************************

  Brett stared at the fireplace in brooding silence, sipping three fingers of Chivas Regal from a crystal tumbler. He hadn't heard from Cassandra, and that alone gave him an uneasy feeling, but his blood was still boiling at the thought of his earlier conversation with her mother, Jocelyn Ames. Anxiously, he had driven to Cassandra's apartment, but was greeted by her mother instead. Even though he had tried to be pleasant, he had been greeted with a stern look that bordered on hatred:

  “Hello, Mrs. Ames, I came to check on Cassandra.”

  Her dark eyes still glaring daggers at him, she had replied in a cold voice, “She's not here, her HUSBAND came and picked her up, she'll be staying with him.”

  The smug manner in which the old bat had said it still rankled him, but he had managed at the time to maintain his composure, somehow.

  Putting his best foot forward, he smiled as he handed her a small bag containing prescription pill bottles. “Mrs. Ames, please, could you see to it she gets these? It's very important that she stays on her medication. Can you give me a number where I can reach her? Just so I can make sure her husband hasn't caused her any set-backs.”

  “Her husband isn't the one I'm worried about hurting her.” she had snapped, then snatched the bag from his hand and slammed the door in his face.

  Cursing loudly, he suddenly hurled the tumbler into the empty fireplace in frustration.

  “Let me guess, you're mooning over that bitch Cassandra again.” Martina mocked as she sauntered into the room.

  Turning to face her, he saw she was clad in an expensive, revealing, slinky red dress. It looked as if she was about to go out for a night on the town. “It seems Granger spirited her away, his growing influence is causing me problems. Her mother gleefully informed me that she's taking up residence with that bastard now.” he muttered.

  Frowning, she thought, Well, now I have no choice but to pay Zeke to get rid of the little bitch. “I saw them earlier, having lunch at that little restaurant in the Flagstone Inn. As you may know, he has a suite there.” she said, and smiled inwardly as she saw the rage building in him. She knew she could use his anger to her advantage. His relentless obsession and pursuit of the little trollop would make it difficult for Granger to work on rebuilding their marriage. “I tell you, it was sickening, watching him practically screwing her right there in the restaurant.” she added. “And from what I saw, your precious little Cassie was behaving like a common gutter slut, letting his hands rove all over that ghetto body of hers. And in public, to boot!”

  Unable to bear the thought, he suddenly growled like a rabid dog, grabbed his car keys from the bar, then headed for the front door with Martina hot on his heels.

  “Brett, sweetie-kins...Breeeetttttt, where are you going?” she asked innocently, wishing with every fiber of her being that she could accompany him to watch the fireworks she knew were sure to come.

  “I have to see her! The BASTARD!!!” he shouted as he opened the front door, stepped outside, then slammed it shut behind him.

  Pressing her ear to the door, she listened as his Mercedes roared to life, backed out of the driveway, then pulled out, tires screeching

  Giggling like an insane schoolgirl, she practically skipped to the bar to pour herself a drink.“Yippeee! Go Brett, GO! There'll be no romance in the air tonight!” she squealed with delight as she clapped her hands.

  Chapter 27

  After going to her mother's suite and knocking on the door (her mother had not yet arrived) Cassandra decided to treat herself to the spa Granger had mentioned. Seeing how she was dressed, the spa manager had been condescending and snotty towards her at first, but turned instant ass-kisser the moment she whipped her platinum card out.

  She couldn't remember in the past three years ever being so pampered. She went the whole nine yards. Full-body massage, manicure, pedicure, even a new hairstyle. Instead of the plain, straight style she was used to, she was now sporting a head full of curls, some of which framed her lovely face, and even got a bit of coloring done with sable and golden highlights.

  ********************************************************

  Walking into Deja Boutique, Cassandra was greeted by an unbelievably thin young woman with a black pixie cut with purple ends.

  “Hi, I'm Katie, may I help you?” the young woman asked.

  “Uhhh, actually, I'm just looking for causal outfits.” she replied as she glanced around the store.

  “Follow me.” the woman smiled. “I'll show you some of my favorites, they're perfect for you.”

  Following the woman doubtfully, she cursed herself for being suckered in so quickly. She doubted the girl would have the same tastes she did, those tastes being on the conservative side. It had been her fashion sense for the past three years, in any event.

  *********************************************************

  Trying on the fourth outfit the clerk had suggested, a caramel colored pants suit that blended beautifully with her skin tone, she had to admit the girl had excellent taste. Looking at the expensive price tag, she chuckled as she thought of her protests only hours earlier when Granger had given her the credit cards. Well, you certainly got used to spending money in a hurry... she thought.

  “Try this one on.” Katie smiled as she handed her a lavender skirt and sweater set. “Of course you'll need a matching purse and pair of shoes, but we have a great selection of those as well.”

  Quickly changing, Cassandra felt like a little girl playing dress up. Looking in the mirror to make sure the skirt didn't fit too snuggly on her round bottom, she surprised herself by muttering, “I wonder if Granger will like this.” Stepping out of the small dressing room, she was startled by a male voice close by.

  “That looks really great on you. Sexy, but very classy. The man you wear that for will be proud to show you off.”

  Turning, she saw a tall, well dressed, reasonably handsome, forty-ish man standing there, and the manner in which his moss colored eyes were openly appraising her figure made her a bit uneasy, but she wasn’t exactly afraid of the man either.

  Running a hand through his neatly cut brown hair, he gave her a sexy smile that she supposed would make most women swoon, then stepped closer to her.

  Unnerved by the fact he was now invading her personal space, she muttered, “Excuse me.” then glanced around nervously for Katie, who was nowhere to be seen. Stepping back into the dressing room, she dressed quickly and decided to buy the pants suit and the lavender skirt/sweater set.

  When she stepped back outside, she was alarmed to see the man still standing there. Moving in the opposite direction, she spotted a rack containing lovely gown and robe sets, and she chose three, one white, one red, and one black, along with several matching sets of bras and panties.

  Heading for the checkout counter, she was relieved to see Katie there, and asked if the items could be sent to Granger's suite, since her mother had not yet returned. Pulling her credit card out, she paid for the items, and added a generous tip for the helpful, pleasant young clerk.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Mortensen, come again anytime.” she smiled, her eyes twinkling with excitement at the big commission and tip she had just scored.

  Bidding her a good day, Cassandra strolled out and wandered to the shop next door, which was a small, yet extremely upscale jewelry store, and tried to forget about the stranger who had followed her out of the last shop and into this one, as she could clearly see from her peripheral vision. Ignoring him, she pretended to look at several pairs of diamond earrings.

  “I think rubies would
look great against that lovely dark skin of yours, Mrs. Mortensen.”

  Becoming annoyed, and somewhat frightened now, she forced herself to turn and face the stranger. “Are you following me? And how do know my name?” she demanded.

  Oh I love it when a target has some spunk... Zeke thought as he threw both hands up in a placating gesture, and favored her with his best disarming smile. “Now now...no need to be paranoid darlin'.” he drawled. “I'm just a man who appreciates beauty, that's all, and you have more of it than any one woman has a right to! I'm just killing time until I have to get to a business meeting, I have a contract to discuss. As for knowing your name, well, you made the cute little clerk a very happy camper with that huge commission.”

  Feeling her face burn with embarrassment, she suddenly recalled Katie calling her by her married name as she paid for her items. Not bothering to reply, she turned back to the display and asked the clerk to show her a pair of two-carat Princess diamond studs. After studying them for a moment, she said, “I'll take these, and I want to find something for my husband, too. Do you have any suggestions?”

  “Well, let's see here...” the clerk said, and began pulling items out from under the counter.

  Although she was loathe to admit it, even to herself, she wanted to make up for the little tiff she had had with Granger before she had left the suite. Deep down, she knew he was really trying, and that she should do her best to at least meet him half-way. After all, it wasn't like he was asking her to sleep with him, he just wanted to spend some time with her. For now, anyway.

  Zeke looked on silently as his potential prey looked at the selection of pinkie rings and men’s bracelets the clerk had placed on top of the counter, and noticed every single one of the ‘suggestions’ was significantly more expensive than those that now remained under the counter.

  “It's not a special occasion or anything, I don't need anything that flashy, I just wanted...I don't know, to give him something." she mumbled.

  Seeing an opportunity to cast himself in a favorable light, Zeke cleared his throat tactfully and spoke. “What about a nice tie clip, or something like that? You know, my mom used to get my dad things like that whenever she went on one of her frequent spending sprees. It was always just a little token gift, but one that made him feel as if she was always thinking about him.”

  Rolling her eyes, she couldn't help but look at him and smile.

  Both intrigued and charmed by her, which was certainly out of the ordinary for him when it concerned ‘business‘, Zeke reflected that by now most women would be fawning all over him. But not this one. While he knew he didn't possess the same pretty-boy, movie star good looks her husband did, he had never met a woman who was immune to his charm for long.

  “You honestly expect me to believe a tie clip will make my husband forget about a spending spree that's going to end up costing more than some people earn in a year?” she smiled.

  “You have my word as a southern gentleman, ma'am. I am well versed in such grave matters.” he drawled with an exaggerated pantomime of taking an invisible hat off and holding it in front of him.

  Chuckling, she turned to the disappointed sales clerk and asked, “You have any of those?” then turned to face the handsome stranger again. “So, the tie clip did the job for momma?”

  Leaning on the display case, he rubbed his smooth chin as if deep in thought, then replied, “Sugar, things went just as smooth as peaches and cream. Well, until my daddy got the credit card bill, that is. He used to cut at least four of those up a month, the credit cards, I mean, but that never stopped momma, she always had backups .”

  “Well, I guess I better make sure this is a good one, huh?” she laughed. “And since you're the foremost expert on tie clips, perhaps you wouldn't mind helping a lady choose?”

  He ended up helping her pick a titanium clip centered with a small, tasteful diamond chip, and matching cuff links. Like her earlier purchases, she also had these items wrapped and delivered to Granger's suite.

  “You've chosen wisely, ma'am.” Zeke drawled, the expression on his facing looking as if they had just discussed the fate of a nation on the verge of nuclear war.

  Completely relaxing around him for the first time, she laughed and hooked her arm through his. “Well, hows about this southern belle buying you a beer, in exchange for your expert consultation?”

  “I would be honored beyond words, lovely lady.” he smiled as they began walking in the direction if the Inn's lounge. You're so sweet, and lovely to boot, it really is a shame you'll have to die... he thought as he smiled down at her and made idle chit-chat.

  ***************************************************

  Scanning his mother's financial records for the time of Cassandra's disappearance, Granger was relieved to find there was nothing unusual. Maybe I was wrong about her… he thought, although he knew he would still have to make it crystal clear to her that she would treat Cassandra with respect, or she would find herself alone. Deciding now was the best time to talk to her, he reached for the phone just as the doorbell rang.

  Getting up, he went to the door and opened it, and was pleased to see Jocelyn standing there, but was puzzled by the presence of two staff members who were loaded down with bags.

  “Sir, your wife requested these be delivered. Where would you like them?”

  Pointing to the bedroom, he waited as they came in and unloaded, then tipped them both and shut the door.

  “Where's Cassandra?” Jocelyn asked, clearly puzzled.

  “I guess she decided to go shopping, she got a little aggravated with me. Again.” he shrugged.

  “Lord Lord, that child can be so stubborn.” she muttered as she reached into her purse and pulled out the bottles of pills Brett Parker had given her. Handing them to Granger, she sighed. “Doctor Parker came sniffing around, at her place. Asking me where she was, and how he could get in touch with her. I didn't tell him a damn thing. I slammed the door in his face instead, that’s what I did,” she huffed.

  “He better pray to his personal God that I don't see him anytime soon.” Granger seethed. “We got the test results back, Jocelyn, he's been giving her a not-quite lethal combination of drugs. Her new doctor thinks he'll have to wean her off them slowly. I'll put these away to give to her new doctor. By the way, he believes that if I speak out against Brett, Cass will only get combative and defensive.”

  Releasing another tired sigh, she simply nodded and thought about how badly she wanted and needed a hot bath, and some room service perhaps. Although her daughter had promised to take her out to eat, she desperately needed to catch up on three years’ worth of lost sleep. Besides, she needs to spend time with her husband… she thought. Kissing Granger on the cheek, she explained, then bid him a good night and left.

  When she was gone, he grabbed his key card, wallet, and cell phone, then left to go find his wife.

  ************************************************

  “Now let me get this straight, honey, you only have memories of the last three years, and you just recently found out you're married to THE Granger Mortensen? Mr. ‘I own half of South West Virginia, and by the way, I have more money than God’, Mortensen?” Zeke asked, amazed at how much of an open book the beautiful woman sitting next to him was. She wasn't boasting either, she was simply being honest and open. People like her are always too easy to manipulate, they see good in everyone, until the mask comes off. And by then it's too late... he thought. He had also put two-and-two together, and correctly deduced that Martina had had a hand in her attack.

  “I know it sounds like something you would only see in a movie on the Lifetime Channel, but it's true.” Cassandra replied as she took a sip of her Heineken and shrugged her slim shoulders.

  “Cassandra!” a voice called suddenly.

  Turning, Zeke saw Granger Mortensen himself stalking in their direction, and the man did not look pleased.

  Looking over her own shoulder, Cassandra groaned inwardly as Granger came to a s
top, glaring at both her and her new friend, his long nose flaring like an angry bull. He had changed into a blue sweater and jeans, and the thought crossed her mind that he actually looked better in casual dress. “Granger, I'd like you to meet my new friend, Zeke.” she said in a nervous voice.

  Nodding his head, Zeke mumbled “Meetcha'.” Big fucker looks ready to pounce... he thought privately.

  “Cassandra, it's time to go, NOW!” Granger snapped, ignoring the startled, uncomfortable looks several people were shooting in their direction. After asking around for her, armed with a photo, he had learned from the clerk in the jewelry store that she had offered to buy a complete stranger, and a man, at that, a drink. Looking at her sitting there with him, and sporting a fresh new hairstyle to boot, nearly drove him insane with jealousy.

  If he thinks he can bully me, he is so wrong.... she thought, then, just to irk him, she took a final sip of her beer and turned her attention back to Zeke. Offering her hand primly, she said, “Zeke, thank you for your assistance and your wonderful company, I hope we run into each other again sometime.”