“Hello, Jenna,” he slowly said, parting from the hug.
“Hello, Derek.” She looked around and smiled. “Thank you for coming alone.”
“Of course.” He sat down on the other side of the table, and she slowly sank down onto her bench. “This won’t take long. I just need a signature, and I will write you a check and be gone.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?” she asked.
He looked up at her. “You are the new owner of your father’s property at Elm Street, are you not? Since your father is deceased and he was divorced from your mother, then that makes you the owner.”
She raised an eyebrow. “My parents aren’t divorced.”
“What do you mean? I talked to your mom and she said that she divorced him.”
She shook her head and casually glanced around the park. When she turned to look back at him, her face had clouded over. “No one knows the truth.”
“What truth?” he asked.
“Was it easy to locate us?” she asked nonchalantly. He shook his head. She nodded her understanding. “Shortly after I left town, my mom made a confession to me. My dad was abusive to her. It started right after graduation. He took to drinking and started physically hitting her.”
“I’m sorry,” Derek slowly stated.
She shrugged. “It happens. Fashion wasn’t making me the money and I had to support my mom, so I went into modeling. I got a stage name and asked my mom to stay with me. We moved around a lot, trying to make it so my dad wouldn’t be able to find us. Mom started doing pills and drinking almost as much as dad ever did, but at least she went and got help. She’s been in several rehabs, mainly so Dad wouldn’t find her. Every time we figured someone was closing in on us, we went somewhere else. When I got word Dad had passed away, I wasn’t sad and I know that’s horrible but he made our lives miserable, so I don’t want anything he has.”
Derek listened to her story, feeling pained that she had to go through that, then feeling relief, because if she didn’t want anything then she wouldn’t even want to fight for the building, but now it came back to being Victoria’s decision and he didn’t know how she’s feel. He pulled the papers from their envelope and presented them to Jenna. “I’m sorry for what you and your mom had to endure and I promise that if you get her to sign these papers, then I will leave you be and you can go back to living your life.” He told her how he planned on building a mall out there, and it was holding back productions. He needed the signature on a contract, and he would pay for the property. “It’s the only property holding the project back. A simple signature will allow us to proceed.” He withdrew his checkbook from his pocket. “I will pay your mom two hundred and fifty thousand dollars if she signs the paper.”
She looked it over. Her brow furrowed. “That’s what this is about?” she asked. She looked up at him.
He nodded. “It’s business, Jenna. I need her to sign this paper, and due to uncontrollable circumstances, you both made it hard to locate you.”
She laughed, looking down at the paperwork. “I’m sorry to make your life hard.” Her words were quiet, but he heard them.
“I didn’t mean it that way, Jenna.”
She sighed. “Whatever…I’m going to have my lawyer look them over and then we’ll negotiate a fair deal.”
“Jenna, you know me. I wouldn’t try to rip you off. You don’t use that property, and there’s no reason why she can’t sell it to us.”
She shrugged. “And I might tell her that, but not until my lawyer looks them over.”
He sighed. “Fine! When will that be?”
“I’ll call him tonight, but since it’s the weekend, it might be Monday or later.” Derek didn’t want to argue about it. As long as she got back to him, he would accept that. He started to stand up, but her words halted him. “You do look good, Derek.”
He nodded. “Thank you…so do you.”
He said it to be nice as a courtesy since she said it to him, but he was surprised how much time had changed him. He thought he’d been pining away for the girl next door and in a way…he had, but Jenna wasn’t the same girl he fell in love with and seeing her now made him realize the truth. “Thanks!” she whispered, responding to him. “I’m seeing someone, you know.”
Derek nodded. “I do.” She opened her mouth, then quickly closed it. “I got a text from someone anonymous. Was it you?” At first he didn’t think she would do something like that, but the more he considered it, the more he figured she just might.
She frowned and shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He opened his cell phone and showed her the text message he got, along with the picture. “Oh…that probably came from Jordan. He’s pretty jealous, and you kept looking for me and what were we supposed to think?
“Jenna, you were supposed to think that I moved on and wasn’t pining for you after twelve years. You were supposed to expect that along the way I fell in love with someone, too.”
She crossed her arms. “You talking about the woman that was at my house earlier?”
He was stuck, and he didn’t know how to dig out of the hole he put himself in. He finally nodded. “Yes. You aren’t the only one to fall in love with someone else.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re happy,” she quietly stated.
“Well, we’re both happy,” Derek replied as he stood up. “Now, if you don’t mind…I want to get back to her. Talk to your lawyer and get back to me as soon as you can.”
He turned around and before he got out of earshot, she stopped him. “Derek…”
He turned around. “Yes?”
“You are happy, right?” she asked.
He thought about it, and the thing that was stuck inside him was if he had answered that question a few months ago, he would’ve been unsure how to answer it. Yet, somewhere along the way he could honestly say he was happy. He smiled. “As happy as I’ve ever been. Call me, Jenna.” Her blue eyes seemed to hide sadness beneath them. He turned around and headed back to his car. He wanted to get back to Charity, and he didn’t care who knew that.
***
Charity wiped away another tear that trekked down her cheek. The minute she got back to the hotel room, she changed into her bathing suit and got in the hot tub. She had questioned bringing the bathing suit along, as it didn’t seem practical at the time, but now she was grateful she had. She lowered herself in the hot tub, letting the hot water float over her chest. Derek was already meeting up with Jenna, and she wanted to know what was going on there. She had left the car so quickly, that she didn’t even really say goodbye.
She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. Derek showed up in her mind. He was handsome, no doubt and now she was tempted by how kind and generous he was as a person. He wasn’t the same person he was when she first started working for him. He was the person he wanted her to see, and it drew her in. She sighed. “Grant me the strength,” she mumbled.
“Charity?” Her eyes shot open. Derek’s voice entered her mind. He was back already. When she opened her eyes, she heard his voice from the living room. “Charity?” he called again.
“In here!” she called. She quickly scrambled out of the hot tub, but not before he had already reached the room.
“Oh…I’m sorry.” Their eyes met, but only for a split second before he lowered his gaze over her bikini and shamelessly stared at her half naked body. She reached for a towel but took extra time to wrap it around her body.
“No biggie,” she nonchalantly stated. She enjoyed watching him sweat and at that moment he was sweating profusely, and his face was red…beet red. “You should really take a moment in the hot tub later. It’s to die for,” she replied with an overly eager attitude.
His redness on his cheeks grew deeper, and he nodded. “Maybe.” He looked up and timidly smiled at her. “We need to talk.” He exited the room, and she just stood there. Seeing how uncomfortable he was, she stayed in the room and pulled her shorts on over her bikini, then slipped her t-shirt
back on. She dropped the towel in a pile to gather later, then went out to meet him in the living room. He had his head down like he was praying and she wondered what was so important to have him on edge.
“I didn’t expect you back so soon,” she admitted, approaching the couch.
He looked up, and his eyes lingered slightly on her outfit. It looked like he wished she still had the bikini on. She ignored that thought as he spoke. “I wanted to get back here so we could talk.”
“Oh…” she solemnly replied. “Everything alright?”
He pointed to the couch, to the position next to him, and asked her to take a seat. She slowly obliged. She was nervous sitting there and not knowing what he was about to say. “As you know, I saw Jenna today, and I want to be completely honest with you. At least, I’ll do my best. She settled back against the back of the couch, and he continued. “Jenna and I were high school sweethearts. In our senior year, we were voted most likely to marry.” His eyes lifted up to Charity, but she didn’t move to respond. “I suppose I did always think we would get married, but as things would progress and she chose to leave Maine, then those ideas slowly drifted from my own mind.” He paused and pulled out his cellphone. She quietly waited for him to recover what he was looking for. Once he did, he held up a picture of a woman and man kissing. “Yesterday I received this picture from an anonymous number. Whoever sent it told me to leave her alone.”
He put his phone away and looked down at his hands. “I didn’t come here to see how Jenna was doing. I truly had business with her and her mom. However, I suppose a part of me wondered how she’s been. After all, she was a huge part of my life. When I saw her today, she confirmed that she’s happy and I…” his voice fell off. He looked up, and his eyes bore deep holes within Charity’s eyes. “I told her you and I were dating, and I thought you should know.”
Her mouth opened, but she couldn’t find the words. Suddenly everything was so clear. “I see,” she quietly stated.
“I know this contradicts everything I told you, but honestly I never intended on telling her that, but she asked if you were the person I was in love with and I could back down.”
“You told her you love me?”
He slowly nodded. “I had to tell her something and it just happened.”
She snickered. “It just happened. She was bragging about how happy she was and so you just happened to say that you were equally as happy. How convenient.”
He shook his head. “That’s not exactly how it happened.”
She crossed her arms. “I call bullshit. You used me and you’re just too chicken to admit it.” She jumped up from the couch.
He stood up and grabbed her hand, but she quickly pulled back. His eyes continued to grow dark. “Why are you so angry?” he asked. His words were forceful, but tender, if that was even possible.
She looked away from him. “I hate being used,” she mumbled.
“I understand that,” he gently stated. “I truly am sorry, but I wanted you to know. It did just happen and the moment I said it, I wanted to take it back. It doesn’t have to go any farther than this. The next time I talk to her, I’ll tell her that I made it all up.”
She wanted to laugh at that. If he confessed he lied, then Jenna could weasel her way back into his life, and Charity didn’t want that. To answer his question, she was angry because it wasn’t true. She was angry that he didn’t love her and he was only using it to benefit himself, but the more she felt betrayed, the more she realized that it didn’t even matter. Derek held concern in his eyes and the sound of his apologetic pleas did sound genuine. She turned her head to look at him. “Did she sign the papers?” she asked.
He sighed. “Actually, she told me that her mom lied and she never got a divorce from Marcus, so it’s back in Victoria’s hands. That’s a long story for another day,” he quietly stated. “Plus, she’s having her lawyer look at it. It might not be until Monday so we could be here another night.”
“Which means I need to cancel your Tuesday appointments.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry.”
She shrugged. “Not a big deal…what’s one more night?”
“Right!” he softly replied. She turned away to grab her laptop, and he stopped her. “I really am sorry, Charity.”
Charity nodded. “I know.” She grabbed her laptop and carried it to the desk. As she sat down, she felt a small smile appear on her lips. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen if she had to pretend she was his girlfriend. She could definitely handle that.
***
“I’ll call you back later to reschedule. Thank you, Mr. Johnson.” She hung up the phone and marked off his appointment. He watched her every move. He had every intention of telling her everything…including how he expected to feel something when he saw Jenna again and yet…he felt nothing. However, she didn’t really give him a chance.
She looked up and smiled. “Finished?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes and perfect timing, too. My phone battery is about dead.” She got up from the chair in the kitchen nook and left the area, disappearing into her bedroom. A vision of Charity in her bikini popped in his head. He hadn’t anticipated seeing her in a bikini when he went into the room, but it was a sight he would gladly take a do-over on. She was gorgeous with her long legs and tanned skin, giving him just enough to peak his curiosity. He was sexually attracted to her, and it was becoming even more impossible to ignore. She exited the room, and he looked up. She shook her head. “I was in such a hurry to leave that I forgot my charger at home.”
“Oh…I’m sorry.”
Her gaze met his and she chuckled. “Some things may be your fault, but this isn’t one of them.” He laughed, even though she was slightly criticizing him. “It will do me good to be cut off from the outside world. Everyone’s appointments have been canceled for Tuesday, so who else do I need to communicate with?”
He was impressed with her attitude. He knew many people that would die if they lost access to their cellphones. “Maybe we could stop off somewhere and buy a charger.”
She smiled. “Thanks, but we don’t need to bother.”
He stood up from the couch. “We could use a night out, though,” he replied. “What do you say we go grab a bite to eat and get out of here for a bit?”
She nodded. “I’m famished. I’ll change and be ready in a half hour, will that work?”
He smiled. “Sounds good.”
She left the room, and he stood there for a moment. The sound of the shower sounded, and he pictured her briefly removing her clothes and getting into the steamy shower until he had to smack the vision out of his head and he disappeared into his own room. He rifled through his suitcase and pulled out a polo shirt and pair of jeans, along with a clean pair of boxers. He went into his own bathroom and got into the shower. He didn’t dilly dally around in the shower because he didn’t want to keep Charity waiting.
When he got out of the shower, he changed, brushed his teeth, did his hair, and put on some aftershave. It was a difference from his normal work attire, and he nodded at his reflection. He left the room at the same time Charity walked out of her room. He slowly stopped and stared at her. She was captivating in her jean mini skirt and a mid-rise shirt that barely covered her navel. Her hair was shiny from just being washed and it was hanging past her shoulders.
“You look…nice,” he replied softly.
She nodded. “So, do you Mayor Worthington. Thank you!” They laughed and headed to the door to leave the hotel room. They took the elevator to the lobby and once outside, she started to head to the parking lot. He reached out and grabbed her hand. She stared at him. “I thought we were going to the restaurant.”
He smiled. “We are, but I thought we could walk. It’s a nice night out.”
She shrugged. “Works for me.”
As they started walking towards the sidewalk, her hand remained clutched in his. He wasn’t sure if she even noticed, but he did. They walked two blocks, remaining silent until t
hey arrived at the straight line of restaurants and bars. “What are you hungry for?” he asked.
She looked up at each of the buildings, and a smile crossed her lips. “They all are appealing. You choose.”
Derek noticed she stared a little longer at the Country and Western club, so he pointed. “What about The Ropin’ Cowboy?”
She laughed. “I don’t picture you as cowboy type of guy.”
“I can Boot Scoot Boogie with the best of them,” he replied with a laugh.
She nodded. “This I gotta see. “The Ropin’ Cowboy it is.” They walked into the club, with her hand still holding onto his. Once inside they were directed to a table to the right of a dance floor. The waitress handed each of them a menu and took their drink orders, then left for them to look through the food selections. Her hand fell from his when they sat down, but he knew it wasn’t the end of the evening, so he didn’t feel empty at that moment. “You do realize that before the night’s over, I’m getting you onto that dance floor, right?” she asked with a laugh.
He smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. How else can I show you my moves?”
She snickered. “True!” She looked down at the menu, and they decided what to order. When the waitress left to get their orders going, she looked back up at him. Things didn’t get awkward between them, as they covered every area of conversation they could. Including Jesse and Ana. “Did you tell Jesse we were going toCalifornia?” she asked.
He shook his head. The fact of the matter was, he didn’t think Jesse was the best person to talk to about Charity being in California with him. Jesse would surely think that meant they decided to run off and get married. It didn’t matter what Derek did to convince him otherwise. “Did you tell Ana?”
“No, but honestly I didn’t really have the chance. I mean last night happened so quickly, then today has been kind of a rollercoaster.”
The Inheritance (Forever Bound #1) Page 23
