Unwanted Fate

by A. Gorman

  “I appreciate this.” I hold up the paper. I dig around in my purse and find a business card. Pulling out a pen from the side pocket of the purse, I write down my address on the back of the business card. “My cell phone is the first number listed and my office number is second. My apartment address is on there as well.”

  “Thank you. I’m going to give you a heads up, once it gets out that you’re my daughter, people will be contacting you, trying to get interviews or pictures. Just be polite and say no comment. Hopefully we can stay under the paparazzi’s radar until we can get a plan into place.”

  “Yes, because I don’t want to be used by anyone—”

  “I won’t let that happen,” Patrick interrupts.

  “I’m glad you’re watching out for her, Patrick,” Kenneth says in a fatherly tone.

  “You have my number as well. If you see anything that might come her way, let me know. I’ll make sure it’s handled.”

  “Will do. Emily, I’ll have Cassie make sure she contacts you as soon as she’s settled in tomorrow.”

  “Perfect. I might come over if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all. Both of you come over for dinner; I’ll cook.”

  I look up at Patrick and he nods in agreement.

  “Okay. I guess there’s nothing else to discuss right now. I would like to see the doctor before I leave—” Knocking on the door stops me mid-thought and we all turn to the door. An older gentleman walks in, with a clipboard in hand.

  “Ms. Janes? I’m Dr. Sabean. I’ve spoken to Mr. Reed about your mother’s condition, and I’m glad I’m able to speak to you as well.” He walks over to me and shakes my hand.

  “Thank you, Dr. Sabean.” I give him a polite smile.

  He goes over everything they’ve done and her prognosis with me. After speaking to me, he checks her over again and tells us that she’s doing better and will be able to leave tomorrow. This could have been a lot worse than just minor dehydration and depression. Even though I don’t know Kenneth, I have a feeling I’m not going to have to worry about the quality of care my mom receives in his home.

  For once, someone is looking after my mom.

  I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything that’s happened in the past four hours. Poor Emily, I can’t even imagine what’s going through her head, and I hope she talks to me and doesn’t shut me out. I know what that can do to a person, and I’m glad that I am the one that is here for her. I don’t mind her leaning on me or looking after her. She’s always worried about everyone else; it’s time for someone to take care of her.

  “Are you staying the night with your mom or do you want me to take you home?” I whisper in her ear.

  She looks up at me, with her beautiful whiskey colored eyes, and says, “I’m going home. I think Kenneth has everything under control. I don’t want to add to her stress of worry about me missing work and all the other stuff that goes through her head.”

  “Okay, let me know when you’re comfortable with leaving here and I’ll take you wherever you need to go.”

  “Thank you, Patrick.” She smiles, warming me in places that I never knew that could feel.

  I pull out my cell phone, sending a text to Kristin to let her know I would be in the office tonight to address anything I missed while I was out of the office, and have her look into security companies for a personal bodyguard. I have a feeling once it’s out that Emily is Kenneth’s illegitimate child, life is going to get crazy for her. I want to be prepared for the worst and hope I’ve overreacted.

  Looking up from my phone, I notice that Emily is talking to her mom, and she gives her a hug. Looks like it might be time to leave. She tells Kenneth bye and hugs him. I think once the shock of everything wears off, they will have a good relationship, or at least I hope so.

  “Ready?” I ask as she walks toward me.

  “I am.” Exhaustion is evident in her voice.

  “Bye, Ms. Janes, Mr. Reed. See you tomorrow.”

  “Bye, Patrick,” Cassandra replies as Kenneth waves.

  I grab Emily’s hand and walk out of the room with our fingers intertwined. She’s quiet on the walk to the car and I know she’s trying to process everything that’s happened.

  “Stay the night with me,” she blurts out.

  “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

  “I need to get my SUV from your office, though.”

  “We’ll get it all worked later, okay?”

  “Alright,” is all she says, not offering to question me further.

  The drive to her apartment is quiet and I glance at Emily looking out the window, watching the scenery as we drive by. As I pull into her complex’s parking lot, a sense of relief falls over her face. I think it’s because she knows everything here is what it seems to be.

  She waits for me to open the door for her and we walk to her apartment. She unlocks the door and the smell of citrus and vanilla greets my nose, the scent I crave.

  “I’m glad your mom will be okay and taken care of,” I say, sitting down on the couch next to her as I loosen my tie.

  “Me too. I’m still…confused. I mean I understand why she did it, but I feel sorry for Kenneth because he missed so much. I’m glad that he got to meet Nate, but he didn’t get to know him, have that fatherly relationship. I think I’m more sad than angry. Although, I might be angry once everything soaks in, but I doubt it. I realized after Nate’s death, life is way too short to waste it on ill feelings.” She places her hand my thigh and rubs circles with her thumb.

  “I wish I could agree with you,” I say, looking over at her.

  “One of these days you will. Once you’ve let go of what’s up here,” she touches my forehead, “you’ll feel different, and you won’t let anything else bother you like that again.”

  “I hope you’re right,” I say, Only if I can let go the remaining pain caused from my father.

  “I am.” She smirks.

  “I’ll let that one slide since today’s been crazy. Just remember I give one freebie and you’ve collected it,” I deadpan.

  “A day, right?”

  “No, ever.”

  “Uh huh.” She giggles.

  She grabs the remote to the TV, turning it on, and flips through channels. I can’t remember the last time I sat to watch TV just for the fun of it. I don’t have time to watch sports or weekly programs. I try to pay attention to the Dow Jones, NYSE, and NASDAQ, but normally Kristin keeps tabs for me. Emily stops on some sort of a reality program about people who want to be singers. As the people come on to sing, she becomes enthralled with their stories, and I see the tears in her eyes as she feels for these people, people she doesn’t even know. Her heart is huge, and I’m lucky she’s given me a chance to be in her life.

  After watching new performer after new performer, it’s hard not to feel for them. I know I had a rough childhood, but my life was nothing compared to theirs. I’m glad the work that Emily does in the community is able to reach some of these people, and I really could take a lesson or two from her. She gives and gives and wants nothing in return, and I’m always giving and looking for something in return.

  If I’m ever going to be able to completely let go of the resentment I feel toward my father, I’m going to have to stop thinking as I do. I need to give to people because I’m financially able to. Not to prove myself to my father or to others. I have to do it because I want to make a difference, make a change.

  I glance at Emily and I notice she’s dozed off, and I get the TV remote and turn off the show. Gently pulling her into my arms, I carry her into her bedroom and carefully undress her all the way down to her panties. I take her bra off and replace it with the tank top that is on her bed. I turn down the covers and put her in bed, covering her up. I quickly undress and slide into bed behind her, pulling her into my body, and I close my eyes as I inhale citrus and vanilla, drifting to sleep.

  I roll over in bed, not remembering how I got here, and notice that Patrick isn’t here and where
he would sleep isn’t warm either. My heart jumps up in my throat Did he stay with me? Did he leave? I sit up in bed and see his keys sitting on my night stand, then notice a piece of paper under them, and I move his keys and pick up the paper to read.

  Dearest Emily,

  Sorry I won’t be here when you wake, I tried waking you when I left, but you didn’t stir when I kissed you good-bye. I needed to get to work to tie up some loose ends for meetings today. I left you my car to use because I’m assuming you’ll go to work. When you get off, please come by the office to pick me up, and we’ll go to Kenneth’s for dinner.

  Have a great day, gorgeous.

  P.H.M.

  I look at the clock and see it’s six in the morning, and I wonder what time he left. I know there’s no sense in me staying at home because I’ll be bored out of my mind and I’ll be unnecessarily worrying about my mother. I finish my normal morning routine and thinking if I should take an extra change of clothes for dinner tonight.

  Deciding against changing, I put on a teal sleeveless dress that I’ll feel comfortable in at work and at dinner. I’ll include a cropped black jacket so I’m not showing too much skin at the office. I apply my makeup a shade darker than normal, lining my eyes with a black eyeliner, and I leave my hair down. I’m sure by the end of the day I’ll have it pulled up in a bun.

  I pick the keys off the nightstand and head to the living room where I remember leaving my purse, and it’s lying on the coffee table next to the TV remote. I place the keys down next to the purse and walk into the kitchen to eat breakfast. Opening the refrigerator, I realize I probably had nothing that Patrick would eat here. I guess I might want to ask him what he likes for breakfast if I’m going to keep inviting him to spend the night.

  Opting for an apple and granola bar, I put them in my purse and get ready to leave. The only thing I don’t have is my briefcase, and I don’t think I’ll need any of the files in there today. The only important file in there is the one for the pending grant.

  I go to unlock the doors on the black Mercedes and accidently hit the alarm button instead. Great job, Ems. I finally get the alarm turned off and unlock the doors. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I realize my feet are nowhere near the gas pedal. I feel around the seat looking for the buttons to move the seat forward and after hitting the third button the seat finally moves in the correct direction.

  Placing the key in the ignition, I turn it to start the car that’s worth more than I make in three years. I’m glad he trusts me to drive his car because I don’t. I pull my phone out of my purse, turning on the Bluetooth, and hoping it will sync automatically. Yes, finally a first try victory.

  Pulling out of the parking space, I drive to the center with the radio full blast. I hope that no one will mess with the car in the parking lot, and on the drive to the center, I decide I’ll park where I can see the car from my office window. I’d feel horrible if something happens to it.

  The day has gone by so slow and I thought four would never get here. I only had one client today and the center took the kids on a field trip so I was stuck in the office doing paperwork, and thinking about dinner with Kenneth, Mom, and Patrick.

  I hope he doesn’t expect me to call him Dad, because I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to call him that. Maybe after I get to know him and build a relationship with him I’ll think differently. Patrick texted me throughout the day, checking on me and making sure the car drove okay for me. I think he worries a lot too, but doesn’t let it show. He also reminded me to park in reserve spot number five on the right as soon as I entered the parking garage.

  The drive from the center to Patrick’s office takes longer than yesterday because everyone is getting off work and trying to get home. Or they are in a rush to get to the casinos. Rushing to get nowhere quickly.

  I pull into the garage, parking in the spot he told me, and walk to the building. Stopping by the security desk, I tell them where I’m going and I get a personalized name badge to keep. Patrick must plan to keep me around, and I make it to the eighteenth floor.

  Walking down the hallway, I admire the pictures again, but don’t stop to study them. As I come to the opening, I see Kristin is on the phone, and I stand back, waiting for her to get off but she waves me forward and toward Patrick’s office. I walk up to the door, knocking on it before I push it up.

  Patrick looks up behind a pair of reading glasses, our eyes meet. He takes them off and comes around the desk, meeting me halfway through the office, pulling me into his arms and kissing me senseless.

  “Hey, gorgeous. I missed you. How was your day?”

  “Missed you more. Long and boring. Yours?”

  “Hectic. The market is crazy right now and I’m making sure that our financials are in good shape because if the market tanks, we could too.”

  “Oh, wow.” I actually don’t know what all that means, but I’ll ask him to explain one day. “Are you about finished or do I need to go to dinner alone?”

  “I’d never let you go alone. I’ll be finished in a few minutes. Do you want a drink or anything while you wait?”

  “No, I’m good. Kind of nervous actually, because this still feels so surreal.”

  “I can see how you could feel that way. Did you talk to your mom today?” He looks at me with curiosity.

  “Yes, she called when I was on lunch break, telling me she made it safely and the place is enormous and breathtaking,” I say with a smile.

  “Sounds like she’s happy there.”

  “I think she might be happy to not be alone. I hope he isn’t stringing her along.”

  “I don’t see him doing that,” I reply honestly.

  “I somewhat agree. He did look like he still cared for her a lot.”

  “Yes, I agree…all finished.?”

  “Thanks for letting me drive your car. You’ll have to adjust the seat and mirrors.” I smirk.

  He laughs and says, “I figured as much.”

  Patrick pulls me into another kiss, lighting my desire on fire. I almost want to say screw dinner and go home, but I can’t. My need to know that my mom is somewhere she can heal is greater.

  “I put the address in my phone, do you need it?”

  “No, he gave it to me as well, so I put it in my phone.” He grabs my hand and we make our way down to the garage. He opens the door for me and closes it when I’m in. He’s quickly in the driver’s seat and we’re on our way to dinner. I hope once we’re there, my nerves settle down.

  I’ve lived in the Reno area all my life and I can say I’ve never been to this part of the area. I look down at the address on my phone, Flagstone Road, Reno. I don’t think it’s too far, but I’m not sure.

  Patrick turns on a gravel road, and I’m about to ask him if we’re lost when we come to a gate. There’s a black box on the left before you come to the gate, and Patrick rolls his window down, punching in the password on the number pad. I don’t even have it. The gates swing open slowly, allowing us to pass through them.

  “How?”

  “He called me earlier today to make sure we were still coming. I guess your mom was nervous that you wouldn’t come.”

  “Seriously?” I asked a little upset.

  “Yes, but I assured him we would be here. Your mom’s just worried about you, with everything going on.”

  “Ugh, but I’m not the one who’s been in the hospital,” I bite out.

  “I know, Emily. Everything will get out in the open and worked out.”

  “You’re right,” I say because he’s right.

  “This doesn’t look like I thought it would,” I say looking at the non-mansion looking home.

  “It’s really a country house.” He looks impressed.

  The enormous timber house sets at the base of the mountains, and shrubs and trees line the driveway up to the garage of the home. Large barns set off to the side of the house and no other houses can be seen from here. This house is excluded from everyone, everything.

  He parks in th
e driveway and squeezes my upper thigh gently. “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  We get out and make our way to the front door and Kenneth meets us before we can knock.

  “Glad to see you, come in. Cassie is out on the deck.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’ll show you the way. Do you want something to drink? Dinner’s almost ready.”

  “I’m good,” Patrick and I answer at the same time.

  Kenneth smiles and leads us to where my mom is, and when we make it out to her, we see she’s talking to a man. Who is he?

  “Emily, Patrick, this is my good friend Mike. Mike, this is Cassie’s daughter Emily and her friend Patrick.”

  Patrick looks like he’s been kicked in the gut with that introduction, but the look quickly fades.

  “Nice to meet you both,” he says as he stands up and shakes both of our hands.

  “Please sit wherever you want, I’m going to check on dinner. Anyone need anything?”

  We all shake our heads no.

  “How are you feeling, Mom?”

  “Better now that I’m out of the hospital and I don’t plan on going back there anytime soon.”

  “That’s good to hear.” She smiles and I return the smile—glad she’s realizing that she needs to take better care of herself.

  There’s an awkward silence and I don’t know what to say. I’m trying to think of something when Mike speaks up.

  “Emily, I’ve heard a lot about you today. Sounds like you’re doing some amazing things in the nonprofit sector.”

  “I do what I can with the money I’m given. Thanks to companies like Patrick’s, I’m able to help more people than ever.”

  “Sounds like you enjoy what you do.”

  “Very much so. Anytime I can help feed someone or make sure they have shelter, I feel like I’ve spent that grant well.”