Love Like This

by Sylvia Hubbard

  "I think you should let the girl go," a voice came through to them.

  Marvin stopped his dragging and looked in the direction of the voice.

  Ethan stepped up on the curb lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag.

  "Mind your own business, mister," Marvin seethed.

  Lynne gasped, “What the hell are you doing here?"

  Ethan came up to the porch. "I think he should let her go."

  "Get the hell off of my property." Marvin swung Nicole behind him holding her wrist still very tight.

  "And I think Nicole can let us know where she wants to go, because I don't think she wants to go in that house." Ethan stepped up to Marvin.

  "This has nothing to do with you," Lynne cried.

  "As long as he's got his hands on Nicole, it has everything to do with me."

  Lynne looked from Ethan to Nicole. "How do you know him?" she demanded of her daughter.

  Nicole wasn't paying much attention to her mother's words. Ethan's words brought so much encouragement inside Nicole and she brought her knee up and hit Marvin between the legs, then elbowed him in the spine. He let her go and fell to the ground. Nicole jumped over his body and moved to Ethan's side. Marvin made a weak attempt to get to Nicole, but he was in so much pain he couldn't get up. He ordered Lynne to not let her go. Ethan took her hand and they began to walk away.

  Lynne called for her daughter following them, but Nicole continued to walk towards the truck. "Ethan, what are the two of you doing together?"

  Nicole stopped instantly and turned slowly to look at her mother then to Ethan who looked very stiff. "How does she know your name?" When Ethan didn't answer she looked at her mother. "How do you know his name?"

  "I know his name because he's my husband. He's Ethan Black."

  "Ex-husband!" Ethan sneered finding his tongue.

  Nicole snatched away from his hand as the truth came to her. She grasped her chest not knowing if she could breathe through all of this. "You're her husband?" She took several steps back. "You know all the time. You knew I was her daughter, didn't you?!" she screamed. "Didn't you?!"

  Ethan closed his eyes, trying to remain calm. This wasn't how he'd planned it. This wasn't how he was supposed to feel.

  She needed no confirmation from him, to know exactly what was going on. "You stay away from me," she seethed barely able to get the words out. "I never want to see you again… EVER." With that she ran down the street.

  Ethan wanted to go after her - he really did, but his feet wouldn't move, his body wouldn't follow. Instead he turned around to see that look in Lynne's eyes - that angry, confused, and defeated look.

  "You went after my daughter?" she asked blinking hard. "Even after you destroyed me financially and sociably, you still went after my daughter? How could you?"

  He grounded out the cigarette and smiled wickedly. "I was trying to be like you and keep it all in the family, Lynne."

  "Are you done with your deceit?" she asked disgustedly. "Or would you like to go to the hospital and fuck my mother too before she dies?"

  "You better hope she doesn't, because I'll make sure the investigator looks to you for foul play."

  "This has nothing to do with you."

  "It does as long as Nicole cares."

  "Stay away from my daughter."

  "Fuck you."

  "What more do you want, Ethan? Has hurting my daughter healed what I've done to you? You've taken everything away from me. Everything and you have the gall to go and break my daughter's heart?"

  "I had to go and break the next best thing, since you don't have one." He walked to his truck and jumped inside. Peeling out of there at a high speed, he felt almost complete. He'd done it! He'd gotten his revenge against that whore! She was standing there speechless, hurt, and ruined.

  So why did he feel like an ass?

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 8

  Going through so much, she wouldn't be surprise if she had a nervous break down. The doctor had offered something to help sleep, but she didn't want anything. She didn't like the dreams about Ethan she continued to have.

  On her third day vigil by her grandmother's side, a very handsome man with gorgeous green eyes and pitch black hair came in the room. When he introduced himself as James Black by handing her a business card, she told him exactly where he could stick the business card. He only chuckled and found and seat next to him.

  "Didn't you hear what I said?"

  "I'm not like my brother," he said.

  "Whatever you have to say about that man to me, you're only wasting your breath."

  "He told me the same thing when I told him I was coming over to see you, and then he also said he'd break my neck if I slept with you."

  "Why should he care? He's got his revenge."

  James lowered his eyes to his briefcase in his lap. "I thought you said you didn't want to speak about him."

  "That would be the reason why you came isn't it?"

  He shook his head. "To be honest, partly. He asked me to do something for him, and I thought I should get the news to you since you won't see him. I figured this was pretty important to you unless you aren't interested in saving your grandmother's business."

  She sat up glaring at him warily. "How could you possibly help me?"

  "By setting up an appointment with Parker Mills a day early before your uncle and mother meet with him. If you have a sweeter deal for him, then I suggest you make a ploy for him now. They owe him a great deal of money."

  She wanted to meeting, but she wasn't sure what or how she could sweeten the deal. "How much is owed?"

  "A quarter of a million."

  She buried her head in her hands.

  "Talk with your mother's lawyer. Maybe he could help you out, Nicole." He placed his card on her lap. "Call me to confirm or let my secretary, Kristen know."

  After he was gone, she went to the pay phone and called Armando Bellini. To her good luck, he was on his way to Detroit and could meet her in Southfield at the St. Royal Hotel tomorrow. She called Cleo to see if she could stay at Nanna's side for her. Cleo eagerly agreed.

  Armando looked in his early thirties and she was surprised to know he was younger than that at 27. "I'm the baby of the Bellini family in my generation. I was the youngest child my aunt raised because my mother died in a car accident. She mothered over ten children when I was younger. We don't consider ourselves cousins, or adopted siblings, or friends. We're a close knit family. My brother actually represented your mother's ex-husband in their divorce," he said matter of factly.

  "I really don't give a fig about that man," she sneered. "I want to discuss Nanna's options. I don't want to sell."

  "She said you wouldn't."

  "What else did she say?"

  "You'd take care of things and would be the only one to look out for her best interest. I must remind you though receiving Nanna's estate is a big responsibility."

  "Why?"

  "Your grandfather invested in a lot of older stocks and Nanna's been hording that money like it was a secret. I didn't understand until she explained to me even her daughter is out to ruin her and if they knew about the money she would never have a penny to her name." He called for a waitress to refill their drinks. She opted for orange juice instead of liquor.

  Nicole informed him of the large debt owed to Parker Mills.

  "I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is you have the money to pay it off, the bad news is in order to get to that money, and Nanna has to either sign for it herself or die so the assets can revert to you. I am only here to make sure her true will is read and letters delivered. I have no power over the money. I know about it though and can even tell you what bank she's got it in, but I can't touch it. You see I usually only work for family members, but my uncle, Antonio Bellini the second owed a favor to your grandfather and Nanna called in that favor when she didn't know anyone else to turn to. Uncle Tony of course came to me and I said I would personally handle the matter because
we take favors very seriously. I came here the day before Nanna had the stroke and worked out power of attorney papers and also the new will including a living will as well."

  "So I can try to make a deal with Parker Mills, but I'm on my own."

  "I can tell you your options and how high you should go before, but that is about it. Like I said, I'm only here to help Nanna and her best interest."

  She should be mad. He was basically telling her unless she laid a wad of money out for him for his services, he wouldn't give her crap, but he was a lawyer. She shouldn't expect much and he was doing his job - looking out for Nanna's best interest.

  "Tell me what you think and I will go from there."

  Armando smiled assuredly. "You're a pretty smart kid, Nicole. I'm sure you will know what to do when the time comes."

  "I'll bet," she snorted. "Because if I mess it up, you'll step in and make sure Nanna's interest are saved right?"

  He laughed. "You get the picture. I take my job very serious."

  She knew someone else who was serious as well. Both of them got on her last nerve about now.

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 9

  Cleo allowed her to borrow her car to make it to Parker Mills office. She was impressed by the building and the courteous area. The secretary led her to a large conference room that seated ten people very comfortable. She was seated at the first charge by the head seat. When offered something to drink, she declined politely because her stomach was doing flips like a Sea World dolphin.

  The three piece dark brown rayon suit she had borrowed from Cleo was two sizes too big for her, but with a lot of pins they'd gotten the size twelve suit down to look very professional on her. Cleo had swept her hair up into a fashionable bob, and applied a light touch of make up. The black Patton leather heels were pretty weird to wear, but she managed and if she walked slowly she actually looked like she knew what she was doing. Underneath the vest, she wore a white French cuffed blouse.

  Yesterday had been her birthday and she had celebrated it sitting by Nanna's side. Again Cleo had come to the hospital to tag team with her on Nanna's vigil. She didn't trust anyone to stay beside Nanna other than Cleo and she was glad Cleo was there for her.

  Focusing her thoughts she concentrated on making her best presentation to Parker Mills. According to James, when he put it bluntly Parker Mills was a serious ass but he loved deals. He lived for them and he was an old high school buddy of Ethan Black. He had inherited the laundry business from his father and had taken over several cleaners in the Detroit and suburban areas. He did a lot of services for business but was looking into privately held residential businesses to expand. She was very impress on the information James had given her about the company and it would be an honor to meet the man in person and learn from him if he gave her the chance.

  James warned her Parker Mills could smell bullshit instantly and he didn't play when it came to money owed to him. If she stayed honest and truthful and stayed realistic, she had a chance.

  When the doors to the conference opened, it came quite a surprise to see that Parker Mills was an African American male who looked no older than about twenty-nine. He walked like there was a stick up his ass and with the bi-focal and stiff three piece dark grey Armani suit, he was definitely the stiff prick James had describe. This was the first time she had met anyone of African-American nature who possessed money so much money and she knew this would be an even bigger challenge than what she had thought it would be.

  She could have handled it better if he was white and on top of that he was very handsome if one looked past those awful glasses.

  He regarded her nonchalantly as he closed the door and told his secretary not to bother him until he was done. That made her feel very important and she hoped this was going to go better than what she thought it would go. He approached the conference table looking a little doubtful as he assessed her.

  Nicole saw he stood about six feet tall and bullock under the suit. She didn't know if it was fat or just muscle, but either way the suit was definitely tailored rather nicely on him.

  "Ms. Gray?" he seemed doubtful

  "Yes, Nicole Gray." She shook his hand.

  He seemed off guard and his chocolate eyes squinted at her. "You look familiar."

  "I'm often mistaken for my mother, Lynne Black."

  This relaxed him immensely. "Yes, she sometimes come with your uncle, Marvin Clark. You're almost a living image of her, but I must say there is something magnificent about you."

  He offered her a seat and he followed suit straightening up his clothes beside her.

  "Mr. Mills, before we begin I want to say how much I appreciate you taking the time out for me on such short notice. A man such as you probably remains busy and I am very impressed by all you hold."

  He nodded a thank you.

  "That's why I want you to understand that I don't want to sell the Laundromat to you. I want to remain a partner."

  He sat back still listening intently, but showing absolutely no emotion.

  "I won't be able to pay back the money my uncle has borrowed in such great access, but I will be able to work out some kind of deal with you that keeps Nanna's interest at heart of the business."

  "I've been trying to get my hands on this property for some time now and until your grandmother got sick I couldn't get word or edgewise from that lady. Now with your uncle willing to sell, what makes you think I need to work out a deal with you?"

  "Because according to the agreement my grandmother has with my brother even though he has final control over the company there is a twenty percent still in her name and ten percent in mine. With I being my grandmother's guardian, that means I have thirty percent control over the sell of the company. I am aware my brother owes you a great deal of money and I'm willing to give you that money back with interest and a percentage of the stock in the company if you work with me. If you don't work with me I can hold up the sale of any the business all together and sue you and my brother for any money owed to me that has already transacted." She laid out the original agreement from which Nanna initially signed over to Marvin. "I don't know what he told you or what documents he showed you to make you believe he owned the company, but until Nanna dies, he only has part control."

  Parker looked over the papers and then buzzed his secretary to bring him the Gray Laundromat file. In a few moments, a folder was brought to them and he looked through until he found a document similar to the one she had laid out to him. Looking down at the control, there were changes and the signatures were false except for Marvin's and the lawyers.

  This man did not look pleased as he closed the file and gave her a long hard look. "So in order to get my hands on the company you want me to have Marvin sign over his part tomorrow to me, and then you will keep your part and pay back the money owed to me."

  "Yes. In addition to sweeten this deal, I give you the land next to the Laundromat which I think will make a nice strip mall. If you survey the area, a small grocery and hardware/supply store is much needed in the area. With Nanna's reputation I am positive the neighborhood will support your improvements."

  "What is being done with the property now?"

  "Collecting dust. Due to Nanna's stroke after she bought the property she was not well enough to expand on the extension like she wanted, but I can share the plans with you if you'd like or you can sell it to anyone you wish, but I will keep my part in it."

  "If I don't go with you deal, of course there's years of litigation involved."

  She leaned in close to him. "Mr. Mills, I assure you I can handle the business. I plan to make major changes and working with you, I'm sure we can make a very good profit without my uncle involved."

  "Does family mean nothing to you?"

  "Not when the family doesn't look out for the well being of my grandmother and takes all she has sweated blood and tears for and throws it away on anything and everything except what is important. I take that serious; Mr. Mills and I will do anything t
o make sure my grandmother's business stays with me which is how she wants it."

  "I do understand your point, but you leave me in a very difficult position with Mr. Clark," he noted. "I will think on it."

  "I was hoping for an answer today since you will be meeting with Mr. Clark tomorrow."

  "I can't give you a decision now, but I will take heed on all you have said and give you an answer day after tomorrow. On you way out you may pick up the copy of your document from the receptionist." He stood up. "Good day, Ms. Gray."

  When she returned to the hospital, Cleo was a little disappointed to know there was no definite decision. "I have a little good news of my own," Cleo said bubbling with excitement as they walked down to the cafeteria while they gave Nanna a sponge bath.

  "What?"

  "He asked about you today. When I was coming out, he asked how you were doing."

  "I really don't care-"

  Cleo cut her off. "That's a lie. The way he sounded I know the two of you really hit it off. He really likes you, Nicole."

  "That's not the point, Cleo. Even if I did like him, I wouldn't go back with him."

  "He told me you two had some kind of argument and that you weren't talking to him."

  Suspiciously, she questioned, "Is he trying to enlist your aid in getting to me?"

  Cleo shook her head. "No, but I think you're making a big mistake and you're being the biggest bigot in the world."

  "Bigot?" Obviously Ethan had not told her the whole story and Cleo was coming to her own conclusions. "This has nothing to do with his color."

  "Is it his age, because thirty-three is not that old."

  "It's as old as my mother."

  "No one told your mother to go spreading her legs open at thirteen. Come on, Nicole, you've got to have a better reason than those for being mad at him. The man is working himself into exhaustion and I think it's just because of you. You're mature, he's mature, and I think you'd make a really good couple. He really cares for you, Nicole."