DECEPTION - A Family Affair

by Michele Lee

  Waking up way earlier than expected, she gazed at Marco who was still sleeping. She didn’t know how she managed to not only get him into bed but was able to remove his clothes so he could sleep comfortably. She decided to get ready and face her day instead of just lying there waiting for her fate until he wakes up. She was so confused on where their relationship stood or if they even had a relationship.

  ****♥****

  Feeling a pounding sensation across his forehead, Marco woke up not knowing at first where he was at. Looking around and taking in her scent brought him back to earth, trying to remember what the hell happened last night as he laid in her bed stark naked. Then it all came back to him in dribs and drabs and concern kicked in wondering if he hurt her. Feeling ashamed for how he behaved if his memory served him correctly he roughly banged her against her freaking front door. Oh, God what did I do now? Why is it when I’m around her all sense is gone. I keep causing her more chaos she doesn’t deserve. I need to get far away from her as possible like drive back to Texas as soon as I am able to. Gathering his clothes he began to dress dreading to face her. His phone kept buzzing and he checked his texts one from Charley chewing him out about standing her up they were suppose to meet up after her dinner with Nate to go over the final contracts. Now that he finally got her to agree to the development project he wishes she said no because now it would mean spending a lot of time in North Carolina to manage the development of their project. They were going to develop and build a whole new strip mall and condos on top and around it. Like a mini town within a town. Then the other text was from Angelo asking if he needed to be picked up and the coward that he was texted him back to come pick him up now.

  After washing his face and brushing his teeth with the toothbrush he previously left there he felt a tingle in his heart just seeing the toothbrush standing in the cup next to hers as if it was meant to be that way. Stepping out he walked into her kitchen only to find it empty and he then noticed the sheets of paper on the table with sketched designs for what appeared to be for his barns. Looking them over they were great ideas things he would never have thought of. He felt proud of her work and that she really cared about his ranch. He then noticed the laptop that he set up for the surveillance it was turned off and had the cords all winded up neatly on top of it which actually made him mad that she didn’t care about her safety. Hearing Mace bark it out front he went to the porch and found her there on her Mom’s rocker drinking coffee playing with Mace. Stepping outside his adrenaline all out of whack, “Why did you turn off the laptop knowing that I had set up the surveillance for your safety?” he said more harshly then he intended.

  Taken back by his abruptness she decided to feed into it. She refused to let him use excuses to avoid what really needs to be said. “Well Mr. Grumpy, I set it up so you can take it back. Since the culprits who have harassed me are already identified I shouldn’t be having any more trouble. So I’m good and thank you for helping me, if you weren’t around I don’t know how I would have gotten through it.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? Who were they?” He asked looking uneasy.

  “I tried to tell you yesterday but everything worked out. Unfortunately, it was who I suspected and it’s all out in the open. It is basically in the hands of the school right now.”

  “When did you try to tell me? The only time I heard from you was when you text me about Alex.” Then something clicked and before he could respond, Angelo walked up the porch.

  “Good morning. Marisol I was hoping you were still here. Layla told me about your talk with her yesterday. I don’t know how to say I’m so sorry for Alex’s actions. We had a heart to heart talk with him. If it means anything to you, he is full of remorse. I am so disappointed right now I don’t even know where to put my face.”

  Hearing him speak with such sincerity tugged her heart strings and her eyes teared up. “Angelo, please don’t apologize you did nothing wrong. I love Alex, and I know the torment those boys put him through. I know in my heart he would never have harmed me otherwise. He chose the wrong decision in a distressed situation, I am sure he will learn from it. I didn’t want it to come to this with the school’s involvement and all but in the end we all have to pay the consequences for decisions we make and learn from them.”

  “You are too good and too damn forgiving. You are one special lady Marisol and those kids don’t know how lucky they are to have you. The whole choking game had me sick. He said he only did it once because he feared those punks. Those boys are bullies and it angers the hell out of me.”

  “Well, now that it’s all out in the open he won’t need to fear them any longer. They are in a heap of a mess.”

  “Well I gotta get to the shop so I’ll see you around and I really mean what I said about you. Marco, I’ll be in the truck waiting.” He turned and went back to the truck to wait. Marco listened to their conversation and let it all sink in.

  “You knew Alex was involved from the beginning didn’t you?’ He asked accusingly.

  “Yes.” She whispered and he shook his head.

  “That day in the barn when we argued; why did you allow me to believe Alex was the victim? I basically accused you of verbally abusing him.”

  “I didn’t have the heart to bring your family anymore stress with your father being sick and Layla being pregnant. I just didn’t want to be the cause of anymore grief.” She said looking down at her coffee cup.

  “I hate that you feel that way. I wish you could have trusted me enough.” He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Did I physically hurt you last night?” He said looking straight at her with eyes full of misery.

  Catching her off guard she looked up at him with surprise. “Why would you think you hurt me?”

  “I remember mostly everything and last night should not have happened. I was way out of line and to think how rough I was with you has me feeling sick.” He said with despair.

  “Well I’m sorry you have regrets but if I’m going to be honest I found it amazing what we shared.” She said feeling brave all of a sudden. It saddens her to think he had regrets the only regret she has was not thinking about protection.

  Ignoring what she said he replied, “I have to go Angelo is there waiting patiently for me. But I do want to express how truly sorry I am for all the pain me and my family caused you. I will never be able to make up for all the damage done to you. I will always carry those regrets with me forever.” He said and walked away from her. She felt like this was his way of ending whatever it was they had together. She felt immobilized and her chest tightened and anger set in. Can’t he see how much she loved him and how passionate they were when their bodies met as one?

  ****♥****

  The next couple of days breezed by and she still hadn’t heard from Marco. She also had to decide what to wear for the banquet tomorrow. This afternoon was karaoke at the nursing home and she thought it would be fun to attend with her father of course depending on what mood he was in when she arrived. She joined him in his room and he was actually smiling when she entered. “Hello Dad.”

  “Hello Marisol. Do you have homework to do?” He replied.

  Oh it’s going to be one of those days. “No Dad, remember I work now I’m all done with school?”

  “Don’t talk back it took a lot of work to convince the school to get you those tutors so don’t give me a hard time.”

  “Dad, why did Marco leave town?” there she finally asked and held her breath waiting for his response.

  “That piece of trash sold you out like a whore. He screwed you and got you knocked up. He took my $1,000 I offered him so he can leave you and he took it without a second thought. That’s all you were worth to him a lousy $1,000.”

  Oh my God he bribed him? “You mean to tell me you offered him money to leave me and he agreed just like that?” Infuriated to know her father was capable to do this and it killed her to think that Marco accepted it. There has to be more to this she had faith in Marco.

  “Y
es I offered him money and a one way plane ticket to Texas. I was tired of his family making a fool of me. They used your mom like whore and then did the same to you.”

  “I am not a whore Dad. What else did you tell him that made him accept the money? I know there is more to this.”

  “You are a whore and you call me dad but I don’t even know if I am your father. Your mom was no virgin she was screwing around when she got pregnant and refused to do a paternity test. So I raised you knowing that some other bastard could be your father probably Freddie for all I know. That’s probably why your baby died because that would make Marco your brother wouldn’t it?”

  “Are you crazy? Are you? You just want me to hate you but I’m not like you. No matter what sick things you say to me today or tomorrow I will still love you and you ARE my father no matter what you say to me. Do you understand me? I love you no matter what horrible things you say and I will continue to come here because I am your daughter. You feel like no one has ever loved you, I get it but I will say this again to you, I will love you always.” He just looked at her not sure if he comprehended what she was saying but she said it and meant it even with all the hateful things he just threw at her. He is evil and she will not let evil win in her heart. She can’t let it happen and she won’t.

  Leaving the nursing home she practically ran to her Jeep and sped out. She drove with no destination in mind despite the fact she ended up right in front of Freddie’s house the only person who can help her solve the mysteries of her life. Surveying her surroundings gratitude filled her to see Marco’s car nowhere in sight. When she gained her courage she let her feet guide her to the front door. Staring at the bell for a minute or so she finally decided to ring it and her heart raced when Freddie appeared behind the open door. “Hello Marisol.” He stood in front of her wearing a greyish flannel shirt, black pants and a cautious smile on his aging face.

  “Hi Freddie, I am hoping you could help me. I just came from visiting my father and I have some questions that I believe you have the answers to.” He eyed her with hesitancy but knowing in his heart he owed her his honesty. Stepping to the side so she can enter he responded.

  “Come on in sweetie, I knew this day will come eventually. Come in the kitchen I’m making some coffee would you like to join me?”

  “I would love some, thank you.”

  After he sat with both cups of coffee he asked. “How is William doing?”

  “His health has worsened yet he is who he is and nothing will change that.” Not wanting to waste any more time she looked up and blurted out, “Did you and my mother ever have an affair?”

  “Pretty direct and straight to the point, I like that.” He said with a grin on his face. “To answer your question – the answer is no. She may have been guilty of a little hero worshipping as my wife puts it but no we were family. Marisol honey, your mother was a complicated lady and I will admit she antagonized your father in letting him assume something was going on between us.”

  “Why would she do that? That’s so wrong on so many levels.”

  “She had her reasons I guess. You want the truth? I will give it to you straight and tell you what I know. You are no longer a child and should know the truth. Valencia had big dreams when coming to America and when she finally arrived here the reality kicked in. She was young and naive. She despised hard labor and felt working in the fields and cleaning houses were beneath her. She started rebelling and sneaking around with a local rich boy from town so I forbidden her to go out un-chaperoned. She had her mind set on making it big and became way out of control especially when rich boy broke her heart. Apparently his parents found out he was sneaking around with a Mexican girl and all hell broke loose. She was distraught and the betrayal consumed her so she started on her next conquest. She set her eyes on Braxton Sr. and when her plan failed she moved on and sunk her claws into his son knowing the animosity already existed between father and son. It became a game to her manipulating two men to get what she wanted. When she found out she was pregnant at first she wasn’t sure who the father was but I can tell you Braxton Sr. was sterile due to an injury early on in his life. From what I’m told it happened shortly after the birth of your father and wasn’t able to produce again. I felt like a failure because I failed at protecting her. Although, I tell you one thing; she was so good at conniving and manipulating - a little actress that one. She was difficult but we loved her like family no less.”

  While she listened to him tell the story it sounded as if he spoke entirely about another family one you would read about in tragic novels. No wonder her father was a basket case. She felt relived knowing there was no possible way Freddie could be her father not that she believed it possible to begin with. She would have known – sensed it. “What a mess my mom created between a father and son. My grandfather treated his only son horribly and it only got worse through the years.” She let out a loud sigh and then a light bulb in her head turned on. She observed him through penetrating eyes. “Is there any possibility that my father may not be my real father? My mom did seem quite eager to latch on to someone else quickly after her break-up with this so-called rich guy. Does he even have a name?” She asked attempting to sound strong although on the inside she felt her world tumbling. Looking away from her stare he appeared uncomfortable and took a moment to gather his thoughts.

  With a tone of defeat he finally responded. “Marisol, I genuinely don’t know for certain during that time it was total chaos especially since she was so young. I had to make sure she married and be taken care of. Regarding the other guy, all I remember if it matters any is his family’s surname is Richardson.” Her stomach just dropped hitting the floor creating numbness throughout her body. Her life as she knows it no longer exists.

  “My father also mentioned the day my mom died she was leaving him for you, clearly another lie to add to her list. What was she really up to?”

  Taking a deep breathe he continued with her family saga. “Please keep in mind Valencia can be selfish at times. I don’t want to hurt you but I promised to be honest with you. It’s true that day she planned to leave your father. She wiped out his bank account and was disappearing to Las Vegas, so she said she had friends who lived there and helped her land a job. She wasn’t happy with her life and she suffered from depression. She only came to see me because I asked her to come. I wanted to talk her out of it but she only made it to the front of the shop before the accident occurred and I have lived with guilt ever since.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently to comfort him before releasing it. His eyes filled with watery tears displaying the guilt and anguish he lived with for all these years.

  “It was not your fault so please let go of any blame you carry. She had her own agenda not caring about anyone but herself. I guess when she decided to chase her demented dreams that included walking out on me as well.” She said gloomy.

  “You were the one reason why I tried to talk her out of it. She believed you would be safer with the Braxton’s for Las Vegas was no place to raise a young girl. She wasn’t in her right mind during that time I don’t know what happened to cause the little spirit she had left to be destroyed.”

  “I once overheard one of the police officers say he had a hunch it wasn’t an accident, he felt she may have intentionally drove her car in front of that truck. The thought never escaped my mind. Now I feel there may be some truth to his assumption.” Freddie avoided her eyes and when she thought he wasn’t going to respond he at last nodded his head in agreement.

  “I would lie if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind a thousand times but we’ll never truly know. What I do know is that she loved you and I don’t want you to doubt her love. You were the one person who could always put a smile on her face and you were the one thing she did do right.” He let out a soft sigh and reached for her hand giving it a tug.

  Picking up her head she inhaled and exhaled slowly changing gears she asked the last piece of information she needed to know. “Freddie, please t
ell me why Marco took money from my father and left? Please…tell me I need to know. I don’t quite believe my father’s colorful version.” Watching his expressions play across his face Marisol knew it was worse than she expected.

  “I am just as much to blame as William is for causing you and my son misery.” His eyes releasing a few tears before he could continue. “Your father pulled us over that night and he was waiting for the right moment to get his revenge on me. He really believed your mom’s tales about me and her. I tried telling him the truth to no avail he had death ears where I’m concerned. Planning his vengeance, he gathered evidence through the years on my dealings with trafficking people over the border. The group I was involved in paid off police officers, military folks, politicians and some very shady people. We did whatever we could to complete our objectives. Then things became out of control when some drugs were also smuggled over along with our people and it caused huge problems to say the least. Our group was threatened to keep quiet and expected to continue. I wanted no association with their drug business and I got out immediately. It’s not who I am. I lived in fear for a long time that harm would come to me or one of my family members. It was a crazy time and I still don’t even know how your father obtained that information. So to make a long story short, your father gave Marco an ultimatum either he disappears and leaves you forever or he would use all the evidence he had on me which would put me away or get me killed. He used every card he had from scare tactics to physical abuse. He ensured him if we fought it the legal fees would bankrupt the family and where would that leave his mother. I was helpless there was nothing I could do to stop him.” He could barely talk anymore as the tears poured down his face as he stared into space. She sat there feeling numb and tearless. There were no words or justification she could express to ease the pain and guilt he bore. Her brain functions seized so the rest of her body was paralyzed. “I am so sorry Marisol because I know you have suffered a great deal. You lost so much so young.”