“A fan who wanted to get too close, nothing to worry about,” Jayden assured.
Finally, we made our last stop for the day. However, I noticed Jayden was much more on edge, more predatory as we exited the vehicle and made our way into the shop. We were the only three people in the store besides the sales staff, but trust me, Jayden was going to ensure it stayed that way. The store was locked down with the closed sign up once we entered. It would seem I was in for a special viewing of some fashionable gowns, something to wear to the premiere.
I looked at Melissa as we took a seat in the oversized upholstered bright white chairs with our chi tea in hand. We watched as gown after gown was brought out for our inspection. They were all stunning from designers such as Versace, Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, Burberry…. Melissa picked out her dress right away, matching the black color to the color of Zander’s tux. It was a gorgeous gown by Azzedine Alaia.
“Just once I would like to have a date other than Zander,” she mused.
“Why don’t you?” I asked.
“I seem to always be working. Anyway….” She sighed. “Cayden, Chandler, and Zander are who I see the most. I guess I don’t have time to find anyone.”
“Melissa, you should make the time. You’re young. Don’t give all of your life away to your job, to everyone else, and not give anything to yourself. What about Shawn? Maybe you could make time for him?”
“Shawn’s a nice guy, cute and all but.” She shrugged. “If I tell you something, will it be our secret?” she asked.
“Of course.”
Melissa’s cheeks turned pink. “I kind of have a thing for Chandler, but he would never notice.”
“You are very pretty, extremely nice, caring, smart. Why would he not notice? I cannot imagine he has not noticed you.”
“Sometimes I think maybe he has but then I decide no. He is always so….” Melissa was searching for the right description.
“Irritating,” I interjected. “Oh sorry.”
“No, you’re right. He is irritating, but I like that in him. He’s so casual, calm, and cool. He has this way about him, assured, smooth, alpha male sexy, you know?”
“Yeah,” I said.
Melissa’s face became serious. “Chandler is kind of a bad boy. He has dated a lot if you know what I mean. I have watched him with the ladies he dates and actually, I have been more than jealous, imagining his mouth and strong hands on their bodies wishing instead of them it was me.” Melissa blushed, abruptly changing the direction of our conversation. “There’s something about him.” She smiled sheepish.
Even though Chandler bugged the heck out of me, I could see his appeal.
“If you really like Chandler then let him know.”
Melissa gave a halfhearted shrug, set her tea down then gazed at her twisting hands. “Do you think maybe Chandler doesn’t really notice because I have worked with him and his brother for so long, he sees me as part of the family? Sometimes I get the feeling he thinks of me as a younger sister rather than a woman.”
“I don’t know Melissa, maybe? Show Chandler what he is missing out on, let him see the woman. He is a little preoccupied, do something to make him take notice.”
“Like what?”
“Well, Chandler is a straightforward guy so be straightforward in your approach.”
Melissa giggled and twisted a piece of her hair behind her ear.
“I can’t very well walk up to him and say, ‘Chandler, I have a condom with your name written on it,’ now can I?”
I chuckled then set my tea down before I returned my gaze to Melissa.
“You could and actually Chandler would probably like that. I bet he would notice you then.”
“Yeah,” she said, giggling.
“How about, do you have a mirror in your pocket?”
Melissa played along, “No, why?” she asked.
“Cause I can see myself in your pants.”
We both laughed out loud.
“And how about this one,” she said. “Damn…your ass is fine! Want to come see mine?”
After a few minutes of spouting off lewd, rude, and crude pickup lines Melissa looked gloomy.
“Melissa, what’s wrong?”
“Maybe Chandler thinks I’m too young for him. He is ten years older than me.”
I snorted.
“What?” she asked.
“Melissa, age doesn’t matter. Trust me. If there should be any issues about age differences when it comes to who we love, well you know I have you beat on that one. Look at me and Cayden. Do you realize I was fourteen when he was born? And turned fifteen soon after.”
I sighed because even though I was saying age did not matter, it did matter to me. If I were honest, Cayden’s youth and my lack of it did bother me sometimes. Cayden would still be young when I was old. There was no way around it.
“You are right.” Melissa agreed, her face determined. “Age isn’t important. You and Cayden are really great together.” She smiled her bright smile.
“So, are you going to give Chandler a clue?”
“Maybe,” she replied then something seemed to catch her eye. “Winter, you need to try on that dress.” She pointed to the dark emerald green masterpiece by Dior the shop staff was holding.
“Sure,” I acquiesced.
It would do me no good to argue. I would be leaving with a dress. It was a given.
I went into the oversized dressing room, which was completely covered by mirrors, to try on the dark green dress. I couldn’t hide any of my body’s imperfections in this lighted, reflective space. I wanted to cringe, but I undressed and stepped into the emerald masterpiece. It fit almost like a corset around the waist, very tight and streamlined. I had to have help from the sales staff to button up the back. The neck came to a very low v, lingering below my navel and the back of the dress came to a v shape as well. There were no sleeves, but the straps were thicker than spaghetti straps, adorned with dark green beadwork around the inner edges. The bottom of the dress started above the tight corset like waist and hung long where it rested in a silky puddle wherever it hit the floor. It was beautiful, probably beyond me, but I took a breath and stepped out for Melissa’s critique.
She smiled a wide smile. “That’s it for sure.” Melissa held up her cell phone and snapped a picture of me.
“What are you doing?” I asked, rather shocked.
“I am sending a picture of you to Cayden. I think he should see this. That way his eyes pop out now and not when we are in public where the cameras can catch it.”
“But should Cayden have a picture of me on his cell phone?”
“Relax…. I told him to look, enjoy, and delete.”
“So you don’t think this dress is a little too much?”
“No. It is perfect on you. We are going to be at a Hollywood premiere, remember?”
“Yeah, but I am a little self-conscious in this type of dress. I don’t usually.” I paused. “I should rephrase that.” I amended. “I never wore anything so revealing until coming here to New York. I worry I am too old to really wear this type of stuff.”
Melissa smiled. She called out in her high-pitched voice. “Jayden, can you come in here please?”
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
Melissa continued to smile.
“Melissa, what is wrong?” Jayden said, standing stiff inside the room with us.
“Jayden, I want you to do something for me. I want you to take a look at Winter. Don’t worry about saying the wrong thing. Answer honestly. Tell me, how do you think she looks?”
Jayden stood still for a long moment. His eyes were covered in his usual dark sunglasses, but I knew he was looking at me. He shifted his weight and relaxed his shoulders a bit.
“Stunning,” he said.
“And do you think she is too old to wear this type of dress?” Melissa asked.
“No,” he answered.
“And being a man, do you find what she is wearing
attractive?”
“Yes,” he said.
Melissa turned and gazed at me with a sense of victory on her face. “See. You have nothing to worry about, even Jayden agrees with me.” She giggled like bubbles.
Jayden stood stiff armed again then cleared his throat, “Ahem…. Do you need anything further?”
“No. Thank you,” Melissa replied.
Jayden stepped out to take his usual post by the door. I went back into the dressing room, blushing as I took off the dress, and stepped back into my faded jeans. That feeling returned. Lightheaded. I paused, took a breath, and placed the dress back onto the silk lined hanger when Melissa came hopping in quite happy. She held out her phone and pointed to the name displayed on the front screen of her cell.
“I’m totally sure I made his day. I bet he is calling about the picture,” she squealed. Melissa held up the phone to her ear then leaned into me so I could hear the call as well. “Hello.”
“Melissa, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you. That picture was beyond words. I am a very, very lucky man.”
“So tell me, Cayden, do you think her choice for the premiere was a good one?”
“Are you kidding? I had to close my mouth to stop drooling. She is beyond beautiful.”
“Yeah, I thought it might be a good idea to see her now so you don’t drool over her in public. Everyone will be at the premiere with cameras in hand you know.”
Cayden laughed wickedly. “Smart,” he said. “But I still might drool when I see her in person. Tell her I love her.”
“Here, you tell her,” Melissa said, handing me the phone.
“Hi,” I whispered.
“You really do take my breath away. You are so beautiful. I cannot believe how fortunate I am to have you, to have finally found you.” I giggled. I was the fortunate one. “Baby, I love that giggle,” Cayden said.
“I love you. I miss you,” I returned.
“Me, too, sorry I can’t talk longer but I’ve got to go.”
“Cayden?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for today but you really don’t need to spend so much money on me. I do not need things, I only need you.”
Cayden’s voice softened. “I want to give you things, it makes me happy. You are the beating of my heart.”
Chapter Ten
Bombshells
After dinner, I excused myself. I did feel strange, tired. I made my way upstairs. My bed a welcome site. I would take a shower, put on something comfortable, perhaps lie down. When my cell phone rang, it startled me a bit, lost in thoughts of a hot shower and some rest. I plucked my phone from the bedside table and glanced at the number on the display.
“Hi, Mrs. Carlyle,” I answered.
“Winter, dear. How are you?” she asked.
“I’ve been a little under the weather with some sort of flu, but I’m fine. And you?”
“I’m fine,” she said, and became quiet for a moment. “Winter, I’m not quite sure how to say this.”
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Well, there are some things I would like to talk about. Things that may be difficult to hear about Doctor Carlyle.”
“Is he okay?”
“He is fine, dear.” Another pause.
“Judith?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Are you sure you are okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said.
“Listen, whatever you need to talk about, I’m here,” I offered.
“Cayden,” she said.
“Cayden?”
“Yes.”
“What about him?”
“Winter, you know I have always respected your wishes regarding the accident that took our Austin away. I know you never wanted to discuss the accident, his death….”
“Judith, what are you trying to say?”
“Winter, Doctor Carlyle and I knew Cayden’s parents. We knew them, very well. At one time we were what you could call great friends.”
“Chandler mentioned it to me,” I admitted, not wanting to hide anything.
“He did?”
“Yes.”
“So then you know, we all parted ways?”
“Yes, Judith. And I know it was Cayden’s parents who hit Austin’s car.”
“Winter, once we knew about you and Cayden, both Doctor Carlyle and I wanted to tell you about the accident.”
“It’s okay. I know I never wanted to discuss the accident, that you were trying to respect my wishes,” I said.
“I never actually met Cayden,” she said. “Well, not until the other week. Not until our dinner together. He was born after our friendship with the Cain’s ended.” She became silent again.
“Judith—”
“I’ve always known,” she said quietly. “Deep down, I’ve known.”
Oh God.
“Known what?”
“Wells is Cayden’s father,” she said. “He had an affair with Julia, Cayden’s mother.”
“Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Judith.” I didn’t know what to say.
“Wells doesn’t realize I know about the affair, but I’ve always known. I suppose on some deeper level it was easier not to know, not acknowledge the fact the man I loved cheated, but I loved him, needed him, and I didn’t want to face the truth.”
“Judith, I—”
“Wells is a good man, Winter. He made a mistake, and even in my denial, I forgave him long ago. But after seeing Cayden, meeting him.” Mrs. Carlyle hesitated. “Winter, there is very little doubt in my mind. He is so much like Austin, and if Cayden is my husband’s son, he is my son, too. Wells and I need to make this right. And no matter the past, Cayden should know who he is.”
“What does Doctor Carlyle say?”
“I haven’t told him I know. I needed to speak with you,” she said.
“Judith, I love you and I love Doctor Carlyle. I love Cayden, and I know how difficult all of this is, and how difficult it will be, but if Cayden is Austin’s brother, he should know.”
“I will speak with Wells tonight. Tell him I know about the affair,” she said.
“And Cayden? What about him?”
“Doctor Carlyle and I will tell him the truth. There’s no reason to hide the truth from him or from his brother, Chandler.”
“You know this will be hard,” I said.
“Yes, but doing the right thing isn’t always easy,” she replied.
“No, I guess not,” I agreed.
After our conversation, my own guilt about my knowledge of the subject subsided a bit. The Carlyle’s would do the right thing, and regardless, even though Cayden had no memories of his childhood, his parents, or the crash he was also involved in, he should hear the truth. And I would be there to support him.
“He needs to know,” I said out loud, as I made my way into the bathroom.
After my bath, I went to lie down on the bed and read a book I had found in the small library of the estate. It was a paperback erotica, but it was actually good. I determined I may need to read more from this author, forcing myself to stay awake and wait for Cayden, but the battle of my heavy lids won out.
I remember being moved. I fell asleep on the end of the bed, lying horizontal with a book in my hand, yet when I woke up Cayden wasn’t in bed with me. I got up and walked over to the balcony then to the bathroom, no Cayden. I knew he must have come home because my book was on the side table closed, not to mention I’d been tucked under the sheets.
I glanced at the clock. 1:08 a.m. I opened up the door to my room and didn’t hear anything but the low hum of the heater as the warm air flowed through the vents. I walked down the hall then down the stairs. I saw lights on in the media room. I slowed to listen. Cayden’s voice. He was speaking very low. I could make out Chandler and Zander’s voice too. I walked over in the direction of the media room where I stood quietly outside the door.
“Did you see the pics they have of Cheryl plastered across the front pages of The Inquirer?” Zander asked.<
br />
“Cheryl loves the coverage,” Chandler interjected.
They were discussing the press coverage of the day, the man and Jayden’s encounter outside the café that took place earlier and something about the threat to Cheryl Lynn last year. I was shocked when they discussed Logan.
“Do you think Logan has something to do with what’s going on?” Zander asked.
What’s going on?
“I doubt it,” Chandler said. “He mostly thinks with his dick which I have no doubt he wants to unleash on Winter.” Crude but this is Chandler. “But I was very clear with him. If he wants to keep his dick, he won’t call Winter, try to see Winter, or even think about Winter.”
“I want to kick his fucking ass,” Cayden interjected before their voices quieted a bit.
I did not catch all of that conversation but did hear Zander give Chandler instructions about sticking close to me at the premiere. Cayden’s voice was stressed as he spoke. He told his brother to remember his manners. I almost laughed. Cayden’s jealousy was kicking in, but I wasn’t going to hang out in the hall eavesdropping. I thought I would get a glass of milk. My stomach still felt weird.
I made my way into the kitchen, flipped on the lights, opened the refrigerator, pulled out a carton of milk, grabbed a glass from the cabinet, and poured. My stomach turned a bit. At first, I thought it might be from the smell of the milk so I lifted the glass to my nose just to make sure the milk had not soured. It smelt fine so I took a drink. As soon as the milk settled into my stomach, I had to find the sink where I immediately tossed the entire contents of my stomach into the steel basin.
“Baby….” I heard Cayden’s voice. “God, baby,” he said as he brushed my hair back over my shoulder.
“Wait.” I turned on the water to rinse out the sink. I filled my mouth with water, rinsed and spit it out, too. I let the water run a bit as I splashed water over my face.
“You are still sick,” Cayden said. He started rubbing my back in soothing circles. “You are going to see my doctor tomorrow. As soon as we land in California and get you back to the house he will be there to see you.”
“Cayden, I am fine,” I assured. I used the bottom of my shirt to wipe the water from my face. And I was. After tossing my cookies, I felt perfectly fine.
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