Real Love 4 (If Loving You is Wrong)

by H. H. Fowler

  “But that still doesn’t mean you have the right to call upon them without my permission.”

  “Since when have these boys become your personal property? The last time I checked, Mrs. O’Grady was still the principal of this school. If I needed any permission, it would come from her, not from you!”

  “I seriously doubt that you asked Mrs. O’Grady anything,” Levi said, “Because you know she can’t stand you. And now you’re making it easy for everyone else to follow suit.” Levi stared past Sasha at the two boys who were lagging a few feet behind. He did not want to look at the expression on Sasha’s face, because he knew his words had stung the heck out of her. “Tony! Scott! Get over here. We have tons of work to put in at the beach.”

  “Thanks, Levi, for reminding me of how inconsiderate and insensitive you can be,” Sasha harrumphed. “My only prayer is that none of it rubs off on any of these impressionable young boys because that would really be unfortunate.”

  Sasha marched away, leaving Myles to gaze after her until she disappeared through the double door entrance. He’d been observing these bizarre interactions between Levi and Sasha for weeks and the only conclusion in his mind was that those two were having an illicit affair. How else could he explain their behavior? The fact that Sasha was calling Levi by his first name revealed just how informal they were with each other.

  However, with Myles, basketball was his first love. He didn’t have the time nor the desire to be getting into grown people’s business. If his coach was indeed sneaking around with a married woman, that was on Levi’s conscience, not Myles’. Myles’ only concern was that whatever was going on behind closed doors with those two adults wouldn’t become a public spectacle. Because he would hate to see the school’s basketball team get caught in the middle of it.

  ****

  Lakeland, Florida – 7:12 p.m.

  Tonight was the final display of a four-day showcase. The Hunter Rose jewelry collection could be seen everywhere throughout the crowded room. Jewelry crafted from the finest of materials: sterling silver, 14k gold, gemstones and pearls, all beautifully positioned within their own individual glass casings. Small light probes shone directly on each masterpiece, augmenting the luxury of Hunter’s gifted hands. And as she was preparing to make an announcement about having landed a fresh face to showcase her men’s necklace collection, she saw Kevin stepping out of the shadows with a very beautiful dark-skinned woman.

  The woman in question was considered to be one of Hunter’s up and coming competitors, who in recent years had introduced the world to her dazzling conch shell designs worth more than two thousand dollars per piece. Her name was Shiloh Bethune, a beautiful woman indeed, who was not only known for her designs but was also known for her flirtatious ways with the opposite sex. Hunter had heard several rumors about her—how she’d slept with powerful business men, only to extort their major acquisition deals, which completely ruined their company’s reputation.

  Now Hunter was not the jealous type. In fact, she could stomach the way that this woman was all over Kevin, touching him every chance she got and bathing him with eyes that left nothing to the imagination about her intentions. But with such an infamous background, Hunter was desperate to know what Ms. Bethune had up her sleeve. Maybe the woman was trying to snag Kevin for a spot in her own magazine or perhaps she was trying to get Kevin to climb between the sheets. But how disgraceful it would be, Hunter thought, if she allowed this brazen female to take advantage of the situation.

  The real test to Hunter’s patience came when she observed how Kevin seemed to bask in all the attention, validating Ms. Bethune’s priggish grin with a grin of his own. And he had the nerve to wink at Hunter with those sexy brown eyes. He seemed to have no idea of what he was doing or what he was getting himself into. She should have known better than to leave him to roam alone, because Hunter had forgotten how these female sharks love to show up at these sorts of events – simply to prey on fine-looking men like Kevin. Hunter was so disturbed over the scene that she almost missed her cue when the stage attendant handed her the microphone.

  “A pleasant good evening, everyone.” Hunter cleared her throat, praying that she was able to mask the humiliation she felt swelling through her veins. She then swiped a lock of her blonde hair to the side and smiled. “I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made these four days moments to remember. Especially to my wonderful team, including the four bench jewelers who have helped me weld, solder, polish, and finish every piece for the last five years. They’ve had to put up with my tendencies to Skype them at all hours of the night. And my obsession to perfect my craft gets on all of their nerves. But –”

  Hunter paused when the dark-skinned woman giggled at something that Kevin had supposedly said to her. Hunter did not miss her pushing something into Kevin’s pants pocket. Maybe a business card of some sort. But it was such a sneaky move. Wow, Kevin, you’re not even paying any attention to me and what I have to say. This brassy female has gotten your full attention. Well, Hunter had had enough. She could finish saying her thanks to her team at another time. It was time to move ahead with the announcement of the evening.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” she continued. “I will conclude my speech at the end of the stage. Please help me welcome to the podium, Mr. Debonair himself and the new face of my men’s necklace collection, Mr. Kevin Beckford. You will be seeing a lot of his handsome face in the coming weeks.”

  Kevin appeared genuinely taken off guard by the announcement. To save face, he cracked a lopsided grin and walked coolly down the aisle toward the podium. Once he was standing next to Hunter, she gave the cue to the man operating the projector. One click of a button and a close up of Kevin’s face appeared on the screen. Though the photo had been taken less than twenty-four hours ago, it was flawless, set against a black, glossy magazine cover that read in bold gold font: Exquisite Jewelry Designs by Hunter Rose. New Men’s Collection coming this fall.

  Kevin was wearing a crisp white shirt, which was open at the collar to reveal an oval-shaped pendant, embedded with dozens of rare gemstones that hung from Kevin’s powerful neck. Of course, the photo wouldn’t have been complete without that sexy lopsided smile. By the oohs and ahs and the thunderous applause throughout the room, Hunter could tell that everyone approved.

  “Now let the party begin,” Hunter beamed, as she held on to Kevin’s arm. “And please, I know you wanna give this man some love, but remember to handle him with care. The Rose Hunter collection can’t afford to replace him.”

  Hunter subtly moved her gaze through to the back of the room and saw that the dark-skinned woman was giving her a sassy look. The woman smirked, just before she turned on her heel and sashayed through the exit. When Hunter saw that, it confirmed that that woman had had a secret agenda all along. However, Hunter didn’t give a rat’s behind, because she refused to allow anyone to ruin what she and Kevin had going for them.

  She turned her attention back to her handsome beau and said, “Thanks for agreeing to showcase my work. I know the decision wasn’t easy for you.”

  He gave her a smack on the lips. “You’re the only woman who could get me to do such things,” he said and then gave Hunter a naughty look. “I saw you watching me.”

  Hunter gasped in mocked surprise. “I was not –”

  “Yes you were and I’m totally blown away by it. To see such an incredible, sexy woman marking her territory is such a turn on.”

  “Oh my God, you’ve just embarrassed the pants off of me. Did I appear that desperate?”

  Kevin grinned. “Far from it…I think I’m the only one who noticed the subtle changes in your voice pattern. Just so you know, I have firmly rejected the offers of that woman. Both her business proposals and her sexual innuendoes.”

  So I was right about that succubus. Hunter felt the urge to smile, but she suppressed it. “Why did you feel the need to tell me that?”

  Kevin gazed deeply into Hunter’s blue eyes before being pulled
away for a handshake then he concluded, “Because I want you to know that I am as committed to you as I am to this relationship. You must know how important you are to me and I will do nothing to jeopardize that.”

  Those were the exact words Hunter needed to hear as she made plans to return to Devin’s Cay the next morning, because being in a long distant relationship came with its own challenges. However, the only thing that still had Hunter a bit out of sorts was seeing how genuinely enamored Kevin seemed to be in the presence of Ms. Bethune. He was so engrossed with their conversation that he’d barely heard his name called.

  Hunter couldn’t help but wonder if being with a white woman with lengthy blonde hair and blue eyes was something Kevin truly wanted. Because he certainly appeared comfortable relating to his own ethnicity. Maybe he couldn’t really get over the stereotypes of biracial dating and was too much of a gentleman to say so. Whatever the reasons were, Hunter wished there was a way she could be sure, because she really wanted to believe that Kevin was the right man for her.

  Once again, she smiled away her concern and joined Kevin’s side, as he shook the hands of those in line to greet him.

  Chapter Five

  Tuesday – 2:53 p.m.

  Rena Henderson didn’t bother knocking on Lewis’ office door. She waltzed right in and pulled out a chair. She may have been short in stature, but she had the backbone of a pit bull. Lewis, who’d gotten accustomed to Rena’s crazy antics over the years, simply glared at her over the frame of his glasses.

  “You were supposed to be here two days ago,” he said.

  “Paris is a long way from Devin’s Cay,” she snapped. “I did the best I could, considering how busy I am –”

  “Watching porn…I know, you’ve sung that sad song for years.”

  “For the last time,” Rena fired back, “I am a film editor! Not the depraved junkie I assume you are and are trying to put the spotlight on me. You are almost a hundred years old and you want to know why the hell you’re not married as yet? It’s because no one is interested in lying next to an old cantankerous prune like you.”

  “Are you sure you’re not describing yourself?” Lewis released a deep sigh. “And you wonder why you and your father couldn’t get along. I’m surprised that he kept your bratty behind in the will.”

  Rena grew quiet as her mind rolled back to the last argument she’d had with her father, which probably was the main reason he’d made her pack her things at nineteen years old and move out on her own. Her father’s words were as fresh now as they were twenty years ago. The late Rev. T. G Henderson was known to be a humble man, but he was by no means a pushover.

  “Why do you waste time all day, entertaining these ungodly friends of yours? The driveway is littered with Guinness bottles and my blessed living room smells like pot!”

  Rena giggled. “I’m surprised you’ve made such an accurate guess, because I didn’t think you knew what pot was.”

  “Listen to me, young lady,” her father said with much vehemence. “This house has been consecrated to the Holy Spirit and will not be used as a den for immoral, unproductive devils…”

  “So now you’re calling me an unproductive devil? Wow, Dad…I’ve never heard that one before. Just because I have a few friends over to have a couple of drinks, you’re throwing a hissy fit.”

  “I preach to hundreds every week and have helped many to surrender their lives to God. Yet, I can’t get my only child to obey one word of my instructions. Do you know how hard that is for me as a preacher?”

  “Maybe that’s because you’re a better preacher than you are a father. Admit it, Dad, you suck at parenthood.”

  Her father’s face turned beet red with anger. “You impertinent child, you will not talk to me like that in my house!”

  “Then maybe I shouldn’t be in this house!” Rena sprang to her feet. “I should just pack my things and move in with one of those immoral, unproductive devils. At least I know they actually care about me…”

  “I’m sorry for what I said,” Lewis apologized, pulling Rena back from her unsettled past. “But you have a rude way of relating to people.”

  “Lewis, I’m not trying to be rude. I’m reacting.”

  “To what?”

  “To all that money my father has left behind for Drake. Is there any hope of contesting the will?”

  “Why would you want to mess with your father’s final wishes? You’ve already gotten a huge share of it. Take it and be grateful.”

  “No, Lewis. I want to know what are the grounds for challenging my father’s will. Because I’m his only heir and I feel I should have been the one to receive the bulk of his estate.”

  Lewis leaned forward in his swivel chair and locked his fingers on the desk in front of him. “My dear, you have no grounds, because your father made sure his will could not be contested. It’s a legally binding document you can’t do anything with.”

  “There is always a way, Lewis.”

  “In accordance with the applicable laws of the island, the Testator must sign a will in the presence and hearing of two witnesses – in the same room at the same time. Each must sign while the others observe.”

  Rena uncrossed her feet and stared at the balding lawyer. “You’re telling me that two other persons know about this will besides you?”

  “Correct.”

  “Who are they?”

  “You don’t know these persons. They don’t even live on the island.”

  “Well, my father was almost eighty years old,” Rena said, still not satisfied with Lewis’ answer. “Could it be possible that my father didn’t understand what he was doing? I’ve heard that that can be a reason a will could be contested.”

  “You’re assuming your father lacked the competence to sign his own will?”

  “Yes, that is exactly what I’m assuming.”

  Lewis shook his head. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

  “Why should I, Lewis? My father may have been an excellent preacher, but he wasn’t a good father – to me, at least. It’s my way of settling the score between us –”

  “Which you should have done way before he died,” Lewis finished.

  “Don’t go there, because you have no idea the type of relationship I had with my father. Besides, what would Drake and that church do with all that money?”

  “The question is, Rena: Why do you want the money? And what do you plan to do with it?”

  “I don’t answer to you about my personal affairs,” Rena snapped. “You just help me find a way to beat the system.”

  “There is no way,” Lewis said firmly. “Your father was perfectly fit and in his right mind when he signed that will ten years ago.”

  “Ten years?” Rena was shocked. “Drake was only fifteen when my father made this stupid decision. And yet you tell me that that man was in his right mind. How could he be, signing over more than half of his estate to a boy he barely knew at the time?”

  Lewis sighed, as he remembered sitting with Rev. Henderson and voicing some of the same concerns Rena had. Rev. Henderson had originally planned to leave the majority of his assets to Rena, but because of the type of industry Rena was in, combined with her unwillingness to follow in her father’s footsteps, Rev. Henderson thought it would be wiser to leave the greater part of his estate to someone who would use it to enhance the kingdom of God, rather than splurge it on worldly pleasures and enticements of the flesh.

  “I’m going to share something with you,” Lewis said, “and I hope you listen attentively to what I have to say, because your father loved you – more than you will ever know. His desire has always been for you to serve alongside him in the church. But of course, we all know how things turned out. You moved to Paris to pursue your dreams, while your father stayed here in Devin’s Cay and built a strong congregation, leaving behind an exceptional legacy.

  “This is what I need you to know about your father: He was an adamant believer in the line of succession and even up to the time
of his death, he felt no one was more qualified to walk in his shoes than Drake Beckford. Ultimately, it was what drove your father to arrange the settlement of his estate the way he did. He was more concerned about the “spiritual” side of things, rather than the carnal, as he had said to me that day. If you try to contest this will, Rena, you will be promptly disinherited.”

  Rena furrowed her brows. “I don’t believe this mess.”

  Lewis pulled out the original copy of the will and handed it to Rena. “Go down about three paragraphs toward the end and read the section that has been italicized in article three…”

  I give one third of my tangible personal property and policies and proceeds of insurance along with one third of all royalties and dividends, to my daughter, Rena Henderson, on the basis of her acceptance and her willingness to allow the execution of my will without contest. Otherwise, the above stated will be promptly forfeited and bequeathed to Drake Beckford…”

  Rena’s heart was skipping when she leveled her gaze with Lewis’.

  “He knew you would try to fight it,” he said to Rena’s forlorn expression. “Now you see why I told you to take your share and be grateful? One point three million dollars is a lot of money.”

  “But Drake gets 3.9 million and now you’re saying he could inherit everything if I fight this.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Well,” Rena said standing up, “I will take my chances. Clearly, my father was incompetent when he made this will and I will not stop until I prove it.”

  Lewis spread his hands. “Do what you feel is right; but let me say, you’ll be wasting your time. As executor of your father’s estate, I have every right to carry out your father’s last wishes. My advice to you is the same: Take your cut and let the chips fall where they may.”

  “Easy for you to say, you’re not being cheated out of almost 4 million dollars,” Rena countered. She picked up her step and stormed out of Lewis’ office.