Forced to Choose

by Cordelia Baxter

  Even though he smiled and chatted easily, Gabe seemed preoccupied ever since Carla’s name was mentioned. He was tense, and Monica saw him periodically scan the room looking for something or someone. He seemed to forget she was even there.

  Monica, already nervous about her big night out in high society, felt left out. Grabbing another glass of champagne from a passing waiter, Monica downed it quickly. She figured if she wasn’t going to have any part of the conversation, she might as well be drinking. Besides, the champagne was delicious, and probably ridiculously expensive. The movement of Monica’s arm reaching for a glass caught Missy’s eye and she turned all her attention to Monica. Her grey eyes looked Monica up and down appraisingly, from her hair to her designer dress. Monica’s liquid courage hadn’t kicked in yet and she felt naked and vulnerable under that calculating look. She felt like an imposter crashing the party. Monica fought to keep her insecurities at bay under the intense scrutiny.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught your name,” Missy said to Monica. “I’m Missy Rathsmussen.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Monica said. “I’m Monica, Monica Jordan.”

  “Well Monica, I’m very glad you could make it tonight with our dear Gabe.”

  The way she said “Our Gabe” made Monica want to claw her eyes out. He wasn’t anyone’s Gabe but hers, she thought jealously. She could see how all the female eyes traveled to Gabe as soon as they walked in the room, and it set her teeth on edge.

  “Gabe’s quite the catch,” Missy continued. “We’d wondered who the lucky woman was who would win him over after his divorce.” Turning to Gabe she continued, “Now don’t give me that look. We’re like family, I’m sure you know we were all worried about you.”

  “That’s quite enough,” Gabe bit out. He was quickly losing patience with Missy and her meddling ways.

  “Oh Gabe, you know we all care about you, but if you prefer I remain mum about it, then say no more. I’m not one to blab anyone’s private business,” she said.

  “You’re too kind,” Gabe sneered.

  “So tell me Monica, what do you do?” Missy asked, oblivious to the anger in Gabe’s voice.

  “I’m a secretary,” Monica answered.

  Missy’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Oh really, a secretary?” she repeated, with a gleam in her eye.

  “Yes,” Monica replied simply.

  “And where do you work?” Missy asked.

  “At Edison Electric,” Monica answered.

  Missy gave Monica a fake smile, storing up all the information so she could gossip about her later. Monica felt uncomfortable being questioned so acutely, but she was never one to lie or embellish. She wasn’t about to make up a fabulous job or life just to satisfy Missy. It was one of the things Gabe loved about her. She wasn’t fake.

  “How did you and Gabe meet?” Missy probed.

  Before Monica could reply, they were interrupted by one of Gabe’s business associates and his wife.

  “Gabe! What a surprise to see you here,”

  “Hello, Michael,” Gabe answered shaking the older man’s hand. “Mariel, you look ravishing,” Gabe added as he greeted Michael’s wife.

  The new arrivals distracted Missy from her inquisition. Soon the party got lost in conversation about people and places Monica had no clue about. Though she was grateful for the reprieve, she had no interest in joining in. She didn’t care that Rhonda and Richard were recently separated, or that the Jacobsens were forced to sell their home in the Hamptons to downsize after huge losses in the stock market. Gabe seemed immersed in the conversation. Talking business with Michael, he seemed to forget she was there. She stood in that group awkwardly, trying to appear interested in the conversation going on around her but failing miserably.

  She was starting to get annoyed by Gabe as well. He had asked her to go to the ball with him, and here he was practically ignoring her. It’s so easy for him to forget me when he’s with his crowd, Monica thought pessimistically. She didn’t particularly care for Missy’s or Mariel’s company, since they seemed catty and gossipy and talked about people behind their backs, but they were the only people she had been introduced to. She wished she were at home in her pajamas vegging out in front her TV. At least she could be comfortable.

  “I’m just going to head to the ladies room,” she said to no one in particular. She really did have to go after downing her fifth glass of champagne. Gabe gave her a slight nod, not even bothering to look at her, or interrupt his conversation. Maybe I should just call a cab and go home. Let’s see how long it takes for him to notice I’ve left, she thought spitefully as she stalked towards the bathroom.

  *****

  Monica was in the one of the stalls when she heard the bathroom door open and the sound of high heels clicking on the marble floor. The sound of two women’s voices echoed throughout the room. At first, Monica ignored their chatter, hoping they would leave quickly, but her ears perked up when she heard them mention Gabe.

  “Can you believe he came to the ball with her?” one of the women said. “I mean, I just don’t get what’s so great about her. She’s not even pretty.”

  “Rhonda told me that Missy told her that she’s just a secretary at the power company,” the second woman scoffed. “I mean really? A secretary? He’s really scraping the barrel with her, huh? And did you see her dress? I wasn’t aware that secretaries earned so much money they could afford a Moreau gown.”

  “Well you know what they say: you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.”

  “Oh Sandra, that’s too cruel,” the second woman squealed.

  Monica felt her cheeks burn as she listened to their catty remarks, but it was soon turned to anger. How dare they talk about her like that when they didn’t even know her? They were probably just jealous bitches. She was about to step out to confront them when she stopped in her tracks.

  “Did you see how quickly Gabe went looking for Carla once she was out of sight?” Sandra continued.

  “Oh I know, right? Like he couldn’t get away fast enough.”

  “Well, it’s not surprising. I heard he was absolutely crushed when Carla walked out on him. He was begging her to stay.”

  “Poor Gabe. Can you believe he actually brought that woman to Rousseau’s last Saturday?”

  “Get out! I didn’t know that!”

  “Oh yeah! Christy told me she and Annabelle saw them out on a date.”

  “If he thinks to make Carla jealous with her, he’s going to be disappointed.”

  “As if Carla has anything to be jealous of. I mean, you got a good look at her. Carla would feel more pity than jealousy,” they laughed.

  Monica felt her heart drop at their careless words. It seemed everyone in the building knew more about Gabe’s past than she did. Gabe hardly mentioned his ex wife or how they broke up, but according to these two, Gabe still had feelings for her. Monica felt foolish and humiliated. They all thought it was a great big joke that Gabe had decided to show up with her. Big fat, plain old Monica.

  The two women finally left and Monica was alone. Her first reaction was to run home, but she knew she needed to find Gabe. She had to speak to him and hear his side of the story. The past week couldn't have been an act. He wasn’t that good of an actor, she reasoned. The thought that it could all be some scheme to make his ex-wife jealous hurt more than she could stand. It would be the cruelest joke ever played on her.

  Monica left the bathroom, intent on finding Gabe. It was time to put all their cards on the table. She wanted to believe him when he told her she was beautiful and important to him, but he wasn’t acting like that tonight. He had practically ignored her all evening, and if those two were to be believed, made a beeline for his ex once she was out of sight.

  As she entered the ballroom, her eyes were immediately arrested by the sight of Gabe dancing with a tall brunette in a strapless black gown. Monica just knew it was Carla. The woman’s arms were wrapped around his neck. They seemed to
be having an intense conversation judging by the expressions on their faces. Monica’s eyes weren’t the only ones trained on the sight. It seemed everyone in the ballroom was riveted by the scene before them. Nearby, she heard a woman speculating about Gabe and Carla’s reconciliation. Monica shot them a dirty look, but they looked at her with pity.

  Before the dance ended, Carla led Gabe away from the ballroom towards the balcony. Monica crossed the room and followed them outside. The sight of Gabe in the arms of that woman, and Monica had to admit grudgingly that she was beautiful, unleashed a torrent of emotions in her. It seemed like confirmation of the rumors. She was boiling with anger and humiliation.

  When she stepped outside, she was surprised to find the balcony empty. Monica looked around, her eyes finally adjusting to the darkness outside. She heard voices coming from the garden path just below the balcony and scrambled down the stairs towards the sound of voices. She could hear Gabe’s deep baritone, but couldn’t make out exactly what he was saying.

  Monica continued to follow the sound of their voices when it suddenly went quiet. The sight that met her froze her in place and knocked the breath out of her. She felt her heart being ripped out from her chest. Gabe and Carla were partially hidden by a large rose bush, but the moonlight illuminated their figures. Carla’s hands were entwined in Gabe’s hair and they were embraced in a passionate kiss. Monica stood and stared for what seemed like an eternity, each second an exquisite torture to her.

  Unable to take anymore, she turned on her heel to leave. Her dress caught on a branch of a nearby bush and ripped. The sound made Gabe turn around where he spotted Monica angrily tugging at her dress. He broke free from Carla’s grasp and hurried towards her. Monica was too angry to speak to him, to hurt to even look at him. She finally broke free of the offending branch and ran back towards the house.

  “Monica, wait!” Gabe shouted.

  Monica ignored his pleas and kept running. Gabe’s long strides caught up with her easily, and he grabbed her arm and turned her around to look at him.

  “It’s not what you think,” he said.

  “Oh really?” Monica asked, unable to keep the anger from her voice. “I didn’t just see you kissing another woman?”

  “No! I mean, yes you did see that, but it’s not how it looked,” he said flustered.

  “I’m not an idiot, Gabe. I know what I saw. There’s nothing you can say that can change that.” Monica spat back. “I’ve been a complete fool, but I won’t let you continue making a fool of me.”

  “You’re wrong Monica. I can explain,” Gabe began.

  “I don’t want to hear your excuses.” Monica said cutting him off. “I’ve seen and heard enough tonight.”

  “Gabe darling? Is there a problem here?” Gabe and Monica both turned to the sound of the voice. Monica looked at the woman Gabe had kissed. The woman he was married to, and was still in love with according to everyone who knew them. Monica felt equal parts envy and hatred. Carla was a beautiful woman with a svelte figure and sleek brown hair that shone in the moonlight. Even her voice was deep and sexy with a slight European accent.

  “Stay out of this, Carla,” Gabe warned, “I’ll deal with you later.”

  “No no, don’t let me interrupt your little rendezvous,” Monica replied sarcastically. “I was just on my way out.”

  Without another backwards glance, she strode forward up the stairs to the balcony and back in the ballroom and finally out the main hall to the front steps. Her mind was in a whirl. She didn’t know how she made it back out without breaking down. She just knew she had to keep it all inside until she got home. Once there, she could breakdown and cry all she wanted. But for now, she had to be strong and not let anyone see or know what had happened and how much it had hurt her. She had been wrong about guys before, but this time it hurt one thousand times worse. Deep down she knew he was out of her league, but he made her believe she was everything he ever wanted. Now she was awake to the truth. He was only using her. It was probably all a big joke to him that he shared with all his rich friends. A joke she was the butt of.

  *****

  Monica realized too late that she didn’t have a ride back home. She pulled out her cell phone and called the cab company. They’d be there in 30 minutes. Monica didn’t want to go back and face the crowd again, and she didn’t want to run into Gabe, so she skulked to the side of the house near a little garden where there was a bench. She had a perfect view of the drive from her position, so she could see when the cab arrived. Sitting down, she forced her mind not to dwell on what she had seen. If she thought about it, she would cry, and she didn’t want to cry--not yet anyways.

  Monica closed her eyes and rested her head against back of the bench. Her ears perked up when she heard the sound of crunching gravel. Opening her eyes, she saw Gabe standing in front of her just a few feet away. He looked miserable, she noted. They just stared at each other, neither one saying a word. Finally, Monica broke the gaze and turned her head away.

  “Monica, let me explain,” Gabe said wearily.

  “Gabe, I really don’t want to do this right now. I can’t even look at you. Please just leave me alone,” Monica said holding back the tears.

  “Monica, please...” Gabe began.

  “What’s there to explain?” Monica asked.

  “Everything,” Gabe answered. “I know what you think you saw, but it’s not like that.”

  “What I saw was you kissing your ex-wife. Is that not what happened? Do you have a twin brother that I don’t know about who goes around kissing your ex-wife?” Monica asked sarcastically.

  “Be serious Monica,” Gabe admonished. “Yes, you saw us kissing, but it’s not how it seemed. She kissed me.”

  “Well you didn’t look like you were complaining. Besides you got exactly what you wanted,” Monica countered.

  “What do you mean? What are you talking about,” Gabe asked.

  “You know what I mean. You and Carla back together. It’s what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it? I’m just some dumb naive idiot who you used,” Monica answered spitefully.

  “That’s not true at all,” Gabe protested. “I don’t know where you got that idea from, but you’re wrong. I don’t want to get back with Carla. I want you.”

  “Please don’t treat me like a fool, Gabe.”

  “Then stop acting like a fool,” Gabe replied angrily. “How many times have I told you how beautiful you are and how special you are to me? Why would you go thinking I’m all of a sudden lying to you? Yes, you saw Carla and me in a compromising position, but that wasn’t because I wanted it. She kissed me. I didn’t kiss her. I didn’t even want to dance with her.”

  “Then why did you do it?”

  “I...I don’t know.” Gabe answered. “I guess I didn’t want to cause a scene. You don’t know Carla; she can be very...difficult.”

  “Why are you even with me?” Monica asked.

  “What?” Gabe asked taken aback by the question.

  “I mean, why you even bother with me when you could have any woman you want. Just look at Carla and look at me. Why wouldn’t you choose her? Hell, practically all the women here tonight were all over you. You could have your pick of them, so why did you bother with me? Was it some sort of game? A joke?”

  “Damn it Monica!” Gabe cursed. “Why do you always do this?”

  “Do what?” Monica asked confused by his anger.

  “This! You’re always putting yourself down. Thinking less of yourself. I’ve told you why I’m with you, why I find you irresistible, but you don’t ever believe me. You’re going to have to let go of your insecurities. Not everyone has an ulterior motive.”

  Monica was taken aback by Gabe’s vehemence.

  “I don’t know what to tell you, Gabe. I’ve been like this my whole life; I don’t know how to change.”

  “You’re going to have to, or you’ll miss out on a lot in life.”

  “I can’t, I’m sorry,” Monica said tormented as she got up
from the bench. Her taxi had just reached the rounded driveway.

  “Don’t run away from me, Monica,” Gabe whispered.

  Monica stifled a sob as she ran towards the cab. She felt her heart breaking as the cab pulled away from the curb. Monica’s eyes were blurry with her unshed tears pooling in her eyes. Gabe stood where she had left him; he looked miserable. He had seemed so sincere, she didn’t know what to believe, but she couldn’t risk getting hurt again. All the years of pain and rejection had taken its toll on her. She was scared to get her heart broken. Scared to take a chance. She didn’t know when and if she’d ever see him again, or if she was making the biggest mistake of her life by running away.

  *****

  The next installment of Blind Date with the Billionaire Series by Cordelia Baxter is coming soon!

  Just in case you missed it, Blind Date with the Billionaire (Part 1) is available now!

  Discover more Cordelia Baxter stories at Amazon.com

  Other Great Stories by Cordelia Baxter:

  Blind Date with the Billionaire (Part 1)

  Plus sized secretary Monica Jordan always had bad luck with guys. After being rejected because of her weight, she swears off dating. Billionaire divorcee Gabe Stark is looking for love...on the internet. He wants to find a woman who likes him for him, not his money. When he and Monica go on a blind date, sparks fly . Will Monica be able to let go of her insecurities and give Gabe a chance?

  Brianna and the Billionaire Part 1 (Billionaire Erotic Romance)

  Up and coming author, Brianna Larsson, is on the verge of her big break. Right before her life changing meeting, she gets into an argument with a handsome jerk. Little does she know this handsome stranger is British billionaire Adam Gilles. When Adam finds out this fiery vixen is the same writer making such a huge buzz in the publishing world, he knows he has to have her...for himself.