by Weeks, Abby
“So what’s the story? What’s wrong with the painting?”
Ariel laughed. “It’s a good thing I wasn’t trying to get one up on you. I never would have pulled it off.”
“Well, there’s so much glee in your face right now, I know something’s up with that painting.”
“Well, it’s a little complicated, but essentially, the painting could be worth five million dollars to Jake.”
“So he’s going to make money on it?”
“Yes, but only if no one finds out that it’s a fake.”
“It’s a fake?” Trudy said.
“Yes, well, that’s the thing Jake doesn’t know yet.”
“How do you know it’s worth five million?” Trudy said.
“It’s a stolen painting. There’s a five million dollar reward if the museum it was stolen from can be convinced that it’s the real thing.”
“And do you think Jake will be able to convince them that it is?”
“Yes. Yes I do. It won’t be easy, it will be a long, drawn out process. But ultimately, they should fall for it. We’ve built up a convincing cover story, the forgery is technically perfect. Unless someone comes forward with the real painting, this should work.”
“But only if you keep quiet,” Trudy said, smiling.
“Yes, now that Jake owns the painting, he’s got a lot of money on the line. He’s going to find out tomorrow that the painting’s a fake.”
“How’s he going to find that out?”
“I’m going to tell him,” Ariel said.
“Won’t he go to the police?”
“The police won’t be able to prove it’s a fake. Only I can prove it’s a fake, and I won’t.”
“I see,” Trudy said.
“Basically, I’m going to tell him it’s a fake, but I’ll also tell him that no one ever needs to find out.”
“So that he can still collect his five million?”
“Exactly.”
“But only if he lets Zola go?”
“Yes,” Ariel said.
Trudy shook her head. The way she was looking at Ariel was different than how she’d ever looked at her before. There was a new sense of admiration in her gaze.
“That’s quite a plan,” Trudy said.
“It’s pretty simple when you think about it,” Ariel said. “Jake can let Zola go, give her a generous divorce settlement and let her start a happy new life. If he does that, he can pass off his forged painting as the real thing and collect the five million from the museum.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Trudy said.
“There is no alternative. Once he thinks about it for a while, he’ll realize that. His only alternative is to start yelling that his own painting, something he just paid over three million dollars for, is a forgery.”
“He could do that.”
“He could, but all it would do would be to make the painting worthless. He’d lose over three million. That’s not Jake’s style.”
“Wouldn’t you and Gabe get in trouble.”
“Like I said, there’s no way of proving it’s a fake.”
“So if he went to the police, all he’d really do is screw himself with the museum?”
“They’re the only ones who really care about the painting’s authenticity. The police have better things to worry about,” Ariel said.
“That’s pretty foolproof,” Trudy said.
“Thank you,” Ariel said with a little curtsy.
“You’re hilarious,” Trudy said. “But you know, you’ve still got to tell Jake what you’ve done.”
“I’m well aware of that,” Ariel said.
“Are you looking forward to it?”
“A little, I have to admit,” Ariel said, “but there’s also a big part of me that’s dreading it. Jake can be a pretty dangerous guy. He’s also got a lot of friends from his internet forum who could make quite an unpleasant scene if he wanted them to.”
“It would be pretty priceless to see Jake’s face when you tell him.”
Ariel nodded. She’d imagined the moment a number of times already.
“You know,” Trudy said, “I might be able to help you with the confrontation.”
“How?”
“Well, there is a group of frat boys at UCLA that I’ve been spending a little time with lately.”
Ariel burst out laughing. “A group of frat boys, Trudy? Really? Are you kidding me?”
“I’m serious,” Trudy said.
Ariel shook her head. “I can’t believe you.”
“Believe it. I’ve had these boys in my bedroom. It was exquisite!”
“How many of them?” Ariel said.
“So far, just two, but I’m trying to get them to bring another friend next time.”
Ariel shook her head. “Well you sure do know how to have a good time.”
“Anyway, I can ask them to come. A little bit of muscle couldn’t hurt. It would be good to show Jake that you’ve got backup.”
“You’re right,” Ariel said. It was true. It would be better for Zola too if Jake saw the amount of support that she had. It would make him think twice about screwing with her later. “Bring your muscle then,” Ariel said.
“Perfect,” Trudy said.
XII
ZOLA WAS EXCITED TO BE seeing Veronica. They were meeting for coffee at a small place close to Veronica’s new restaurant. Zola hadn’t even been to the restaurant yet and she was excited to see that too. It seemed like everyone was beginning a new adventure in their life or getting a new start in some way.
She hugged Veronica when she came into the cafe. “Oh my God,” she said, “I hear you’ve got some pretty big news.”
“Who told you that?” Veronica said, laughing.
Zola could see that Veronica could hardly contain her happiness. She was practically bursting with it. “Ariel told me yesterday,” she said.
“I’m getting together with Matt.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“It is,” Veronica said. “It’s an amazing feeling, Zola. To finally realize that you are allowed to spend the rest of your life with the man you love.”
“That’s so great,” Zola said. “And how’s Hank taking it?”
“Very well,” Veronica said. “I’m actually amazed at how understanding he’s been. He’s not angry at me at all.”
“He knows you were in love with Matt.”
“Yes, and what’s more, he understands, and he forgives me for it.”
“You’re a lucky woman to have two such great men in your life,” Zola said.
Veronica felt bad for Zola then. She knew how difficult this period had been for her. Zola had been crying more than ever and was so scared of what Ariel was planning that she was finding it difficult to sleep at night. Looking closely at her, Veronica could see the signs of the stress on Zola’s face.
“What about your life?” Veronica said.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Zola said. “I’ll just be happy when this is all over.”
“Ariel’s going to confront Jake soon, isn’t she?”
“Yes, that’s what she says. I’m just so scared.”
“What is she going to tell him?”
“Well, it’s about the painting. To be honest I’m not even sure about all the details. All I know is she thinks she’s got him by the balls now.”
“I heard he’d transferred over three million dollars to her and Gabe.”
“Yes,” Zola said.
“So she’s going to use that as leverage?”
“I just hope she doesn’t make any mistakes. If she’s taken a misstep somewhere along the way, Jake is going to make my life a living hell.”
“You can’t think like that,” Veronica said. “You’ve got to be strong. Have faith.”
“I know,” Zola said.
“Ariel wouldn’t do anything to make your life worse.”
“I know,” Zola said again. “I’m just scared is all.”
“Well, I think Ariel wants us all
to meet up at the Roosevelt tomorrow.”
“So that’s when she’s going to confront Jake?” Zola said.
“I would imagine so,” Veronica said.
XIII
ARIEL WAS IN THE PENTHOUSE suite of the Roosevelt. It was her first time in the room since the orgy almost a week earlier. So much had changed in that week that she almost didn’t feel as if it was the same room. Last time she’d been there, Jake held all the cards. He’d been in control of everything, especially Zola’s life. He had Zola so far under his thumb that she was terrified of confronting him. Even today when Ariel told Zola to come to the hotel, Zola was terrified. If it wasn’t for the fact that Veronica was going to personally bring her, Ariel would have been afraid Zola might not show.
She sat by the window and waited for Jake. He thought he was meeting her there for sex. He was in for a surprise! She looked at her watch. It was almost eleven. He should be arriving any minute. She was nervous and excited at the same time. She knew that Gabe was waiting in the next room with Trudy and her frat boys. Matt Harkness and Hank Roycroft were there too. Veronica was supposed to be bringing Zola. All she had to do was call out and they’d all come in and back her up.
She took deep breaths. This was it, the moment she’d been waiting for. This was her chance to help her friend get free of a very abusive relationship.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” she said.
It was Jake. He looked happy and confident, same as he always did, with absolutely no idea what was about to happen. Ariel almost pitied him.
“So, sweetheart,” he said, walking straight over to her.
He leaned down and kissed her on the mouth. Ariel was about to stop him but as soon as his tongue was in her mouth she felt a surge of desire flow through her body. She let him kiss her. She was about to floor him with the biggest news he’d had maybe in his entire life, but what was the harm in enjoying one last kiss first?
“So, I got the painting from your stupid ex-husband,” Jake said.
“Yes, I know.”
“Easiest couple million I’ve ever made.”
“Well, maybe not quite as easy as you thought,” Ariel said.
Jake stood up straight. “Why’s that?” he said, his voice getting a little more serious.
“Well, have you taken possession of the painting?” Ariel said.
“Of course I have. My guy, Landfeld, he has it.”
“Well, you might want to make sure that no one tells him the painting is a forgery.”
Ariel watched Jake’s reaction. It had been a moment she’d been waiting to see for a very long time. There was nothing quite so sweet as seeing a man who’d been cruel to a woman finally realizing that the women had struck back. She watched as the blood drained from his face.
“What?”
“You heard me,” Ariel said defiantly.
“What are you talking about?” Jake said.
He was getting aggressive. His voice was rising. Ariel knew it would be a good time to call in Gabe and the rest of her backup.
She picked up her phone, but as soon as she did, Jake knocked it out of her hand.
“You listen very carefully to me,” Jake said, his voice sounding dark and menacing.
“I don’t have to listen to you anymore,” Ariel said, “and neither does Zola.”
She looked across the room at her phone where it had fallen to the floor. She’d never be able to reach it. Jake was right in front of her, his hands on her shoulders.
“What are you saying?” he said.
“I sold you a forged painting,” Ariel said.
“Why the fuck did you do that?”
“Because I needed to make sure that you’d allow Zola to get the divorce she needed.”
“Zola’s not going anywhere,” Jake said. “I fucking own that bitch.”
“No you don’t,” Ariel said. “You never did, and that’s what I’m going to show you.”
“If that painting’s a forgery, all I have to do is tell the police. They’ll have you and your ex-husband arrested immediately.”
“Not if they can’t prove the painting’s forged.”
“They’ll prove it.”
“Your expert, Douglas Landfeld, couldn’t prove it. How will the police?”
“Is it a forgery or not?” Jake said.
“It’s a forgery. But here’s the thing. I won’t tell anyone.”
“If you sold me a fake, why wouldn’t you tell anyone?”
“So that you’ll still be able to get the five million for it.”
Jake was shaking his head. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she said.
Jake was sharp when it came to money. He knew she had him. He understood exactly what was going on. If she did anything to let the museum know the painting was a fake, he’d never be able to collect the five million reward, but at the same time, there was nothing he could do about it because the forgery was so good that the police wouldn’t be able to charge her and Gabe with selling a fake.
Jake drew back his arm. Ariel saw it coming even before it happened. His arm flew toward her and his hand struck her across the face. The pain flew through her like a shockwave.
Finally, Ariel could see what life had been like for Zola. She understood Zola’s fear now. And she knew she had to show Jake that the game was up, that she’d gotten the better of him once and for all, and that he was going to have to let Zola go.
“Gabe,” Ariel called.
“What is this?” Jake said, looking around.
Within seconds, Gabe came in through the bedroom door. When he saw that Jake had struck Ariel across the face, he rushed at him. Jake turned in time to meet Gabe and the two men struck each other like charging bulls. Ariel had no idea who would have won the fight because Trudy was the next to enter the room, along with her two frat boys, Gary and Dean. They grabbed Jake and pulled him off of Gabe.
Ariel thought about the irony of the fact that last time they’d been in that room, the two men had fucked.
“What the hell is going on?” Jake said.
Next, Veronica entered the room, accompanied by both Hank and Matt. It didn’t seem like Veronica’s decision to leave Hank had gotten in the way of Hank and Matt’s friendship at all. Even Veronica was surprised at how understanding and mature the men were being.
Finally, Zola entered.
When Jake saw her his jaw clenched. “What is the meaning of all of this?” he said, looking around the room. The two frat boys loosened their grip just a little.
It was time. It was finally time for Jake to learn what had happened to him, and why.
XIV
ZOLA SCANNED THE ROOM. Everyone was there, all her friends. Each of them wanted to teach Jake a lesson, to show him that he couldn’t go on treating his wife like a sex slave, or a piece of personal property that he could do with as he pleased. It felt good to Zola that her friends were there to support her. She looked in turn at Ariel, Trudy and Veronica.
Ariel had orchestrated this entire confrontation with Jake. There had been times when Zola had been terrified of what Ariel was planning, but now that she was here, back in the hotel room in which they’d had their orgy, she felt overjoyed that her friend had been willing to go to such lengths to help her.
Next she looked at Trudy. Trudy had brought her two UCLA lovers with her so that they could help keep Jake under control. While Zola knew that Trudy had a lot of issues still to deal with in her life, she was glad to call her a friend and felt encouraged and emboldened by the knowledge that she had a whole frat house of support down on the nearby UCLA campus if she ever needed it. Knowing that Jake had the members on his forum to fall back on, Zola knew she might need the backup of the frat boys if she was going to be able to feel safe continuing her life on Beverly Row.
Then there was Veronica. Zola saw Veronica almost as a symbol of herself. If Veronica could take charge of her li
fe and make the difficult decisions necessary to change things, then so could she.
Even the fact that both Matt and Hank were there, supporting her, showed her that not all men were bad. Some men could be trusted. They could be her friend and they would help keep her safe from Jake in the future.
Zola looked at Jake. He was fuming. If it weren’t for everyone else, Zola would have been too terrified to face him like this. There was no telling what he might ordinarily do when he was this angry. She wanted him to know as soon as possible that the days of him bullying her were over.
“Gabe,” she said. “Why don’t you explain things to Jake.”
“Alright,” Gabe said. “Jake. I know you’re a sharp guy. You’ll be able to figure this out for yourself without too much trouble, but basically it’s as simple as this. The painting you paid for is a fake. As long as no one knows that, you should be able to collect your five million from the museum.”
Zola looked at Jake and miraculously, he was nodding. His calculating mind was going over every detail.
“Hank can probably explain things a little better to you on the technical side,” Gabe said.
Hank cleared his throat. “It’s plain and simple, Jake,” Hank said. “You’ve basically got two options. Do what Ariel wants, and you’ll be able to pass the forgery off as the real deal and collect your five million, or fight her on it, and lose the money.”
“And make no mistake,” Ariel said, “if you make one wrong step, I’ll call the museum and tell them exactly how to know that the painting’s not real.”
Jake was shaking his head.
“I should fucking call the cops on all of you right now,” Jake said.
He struggled and the two frat boys tightened their grip on him.
“You can call the police,” Ariel said, “but you’ll achieve nothing, other than alerting the museum that they shouldn’t pay out the reward. They’re the only ones who’ll be scared off by any suggestion that the painting’s not the real deal.”
Jake wasn’t happy accepting what Ariel was saying but he was smart enough to know it was true. The only person he’d hurt by creating a fuss was himself. It was his five million dollars on the line now. They had him by the balls.
“So,” Ariel said, “I think it’s time that Zola had the opportunity to face you and tell you exactly what she wants.”
