by Collins, Lea
“I need to go by Jacqueline’s but I’m thinking of cancelling that. All she does is ask for more dresses and I’m getting tired of it. Once I get help, things will move along faster but I’m doing the best I can by myself. I am thinking of making some changes, particularly if Andrew does get his own business. I would prefer that he not go into partnership with Jacqueline. What do you think?”
“I agree. I don’t think Jacqueline would be easy to work with and Andrew is innovative. You could work with him in some capacity and Molly, too, if she wants. Your contract with Jacqueline is for a year so we’re stuck there but in the meantime there are a lot of possibilities. Of course, we need to discuss this with Andrew.”
He walked out of his bedroom stating, “I’ve heard part of what you’ve been saying and I agree. I haven’t been exactly comfortable with a partnership with her. She is used to being her own boss and making her own decisions. I am, too, and see conflict ahead with a partnership. First I need to find a location so be on the lookout, Andre, as I’d like to be in that mall.”
There’s something else I need to discuss with you. I am worried about Lily’s safety. Those two crazies aren’t smart but they could get lucky. I have made arrangements for a bodyguard for Lily. He is to go everywhere she goes. He is retired Army and will be armed. His name is Keith and he’s a professional. He may get in your way sometimes but remember he is here to protect you. Do exactly what he says. I have to go to Chicago soon to tie up loose ends and I know Andre needs to get back to run his salon. With Keith looking after your welfare, we can both relax while we’re not here. What do you think?”
“I think it’s a great idea and I appreciate you thinking of it. It certainly makes me feel relieved because I can’t be here all the time,” replied Andre. Only Lily looked unconvinced. “This is like having a babysitter following me around. I’m perfectly safe as long as I’m in the apartment.”
“His primary responsibility is protecting you when you go out but he will also keep an eye out for anything strange in or around the building. He won’t just sit and watch you all the time. He knows his job and he comes highly recommended. This will give both Andre and me peace of mind,” explained Andrew. “Promise me you’ll do exactly what he says whether it makes sense to you or not. These crazies have tried and failed and I feel sure they will try again.”
“Oh, that’s frightening. Yes, I’ll do exactly as he says,” promised Lily.
The doorbell rang and Andrew opened the door to a medium height muscular man with a military haircut. His brown eyes were shrewd and he said simply, “I’m Keith.” Andrew introduced himself, Andre and Lily. They all shook hands and Andrew explained to Keith that Lily was the person that he was to protect. Keith nodded and gave Lily an object on a chain. It was small with two buttons and a microphone. “You push the red button if you’re in trouble and need me immediately, the blue one if you want to talk to me. If the blue one makes a buzzing sound, that means I’m calling you and you push it to answer.
I’ll be close to you at all times. Let me know immediately if you plan to go out of the apartment. That means if you go from one apartment to another. Anyone could be on the elevator. This building is not safe so I’ll be looking around for anything strange. Do you have any questions?”
“No. I just go about my usual routine and you’ll be around?”Lily confirmed.
Keith emphasized, “Definitely do not go out the door of this apartment unless I am present. Just call me and tell me and wait until I get here. Also, don’t let anybody in unless you know them. For example, a delivery person. Call me if someone tries to deliver flowers, or anything.”
Andre kissed Lily and the men walked out into the hall. Keith said he wanted to check out the building and particularly the automobile garage and drivers so he left. Andre complimented his father on his selection of Keith as a bodyguard. They were both pleased and felt a great deal better about Lily’s safety. The men agreed they weren’t needed here so would go down to the mall. Andre commented that he needed to spend time at his salon. He kissed Lily again and he and Andrew walked out to the elevator.
Once on the elevator, Andrew asked if he should check on Molly. Andre promptly answered that he thought his father should give her a breather and step back a little. “Are you so sure she is the one?” he asked. “You haven’t even dated anyone else or met other women you might like.” Andrew shook his head. “The first time I saw Molly, my heart started racing. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I knew immediately she is the one. I have met many women in the past years and none affected me this way although I wasn’t looking for someone. It just happened with Molly and I am finding it very difficult not to come on too strong.”
“Well, it certainly sounds as if Molly has taken your heart but I advise you to take it a little slower. She has been a recluse for years and has made so much progress in recent months. Why don’t you ask her for a date to dinner or something,” suggested Andre.
“That would fit in her plan of getting to know each other and have fun. I’ll do that.”
Chapter 12
Shortly after the men left, the doorbell rang again and Lily opened the door to see a slim, attractive young woman standing there smiling shyly. The girl was much younger than Lily expected but talent doesn’t depend on age, she thought. “Hello, I’m Lily. Please come in.”
“I’m Rosa. I brought a dress I made to show you.” Lily suggested they sit on the sofa and discuss sewing.
Lily examined the dress carefully and was very impressed with the workmanship involved and the beautiful seams – all sewn by hand. Lily asked,” Have you ever used a sewing machine?” “No. I have never used one. I learned to sew at an early age and just love sewing. But we couldn’t afford a sewing machine,” replied Rosa.
“You sew beautifully, Rosa. Let me show you my sewing room and I will first teach you how to use a sewing machine.” Rosa was very excited and her eyes widened when Lily showed her the dresses they would be making. Lily found her to be an adept pupil and she quickly mastered the sewing machine. Molly arrived to meet the new seamstress and watched as Lily showed Rosa how to operate the serger. The hours went by quickly and the women had fun sewing and talking.
When Andrew and Andre reached the mall, they stopped at Andre’s for a moment. Clarissa immediately came out to greet Andrew. She flirted with him, rubbing her breasts against his arm and suggested they get together for drinks after she got off work. He declined, saying he had other plans. He quickly started walking down the mall taking mental inventory of the types of stores open for business. He walked the entire length of the first floor and second floor.
He saw a door with the word, Manager, written on it. He knocked and walked in. Inside a middle aged man sat typing rapidly on a laptop. “Sit down, I’ll be with you in a moment,” he said without looking up. After a few minutes he finished, closed his laptop and said, “I’m Mike James, Manager of the Mall. How can I help you?”
Andrew replied, “I am Andrew Nelson of Nelson Construction in Chicago. I plan to relocate to Miami and want to start a business here. My new business will be a total change from construction as I want to open a high end store for women. I plan to stock designer clothing and other items that are needed, for example shoes, purses, jewelry, etc.”
Mike James looked intrigued and commented, “You have some big ideas here. We have three high end dress stores in the mall already. What makes you think a fourth will do well? Four seems too many to me.”
“I don’t plan to be just another high end dress store like the other three. I will stock everything a woman needs to go with the dress, shoes, accessories, jewelry – all high end, of course. Fashion shows and other events will draw customers in. My store will be nothing like the other stores in the mall at present,” Andrew explained.
“Do you have the cash money or were you planning on financing?”
“Money is not a problem. If I needed a partner, Andre would probably come in as partner but I prefer to do t
his on my own.”
“Andre?”
“Yes, Andre of Andre’s Salon is my son. I might add that Lily, the new designer that Jacqueline is carrying, is my daughter-in-law.”
Mr. James had raised his eyebrows at these revelations. “You are certainly well connected in the mall. Are you thinking of locating your store in this mall even though there are already three high end women’s dress shops here?”
Andrew thought for a few moments before responding. “I have walked the entire mall and, aside from the fact that there are no empty spaces, I have noticed several things. The first level has two high end women’s clothing stores. This level just has one, Jacqueline’s. For some reason the nicer stores are located at the opposite end of this floor. There are kids hanging out because of the video games store, snow cone and ice cream store and others that don’t fit in with the atmosphere I think you want in the mall.”
“That is all true. The owners and I have been aware of this for some time but in order to keep the spaces rented, we have to rent to less desirable stores.”
“What are the conditions of the rental contracts? Is it possible to break a contract?” asked Andrew.
“It is possible, yes. What do you have in mind?”
“My store could be the anchor store for this floor. I’d need at least two store spaces because I’d have fashion shows regularly. I’m thinking of musical programs of classical quartets or harp solos, just in the thinking stage. In order words, it would be more than a store. I’d have it professionally laid out and decorated. Do you think your owners would be interested in this sort of undertaking?”
“I think it’s the most exciting idea I’ve heard in a long time but, of course, I have to discuss it with the owner. There are, obviously, a lot of details to be worked out. I will get back to you. Are you considering other malls?”
“I plan to look around some more but my preference is for this one because the location is good and I have family here already. I have been thinking of naming the store “Lily’s”.
Mr. James looked horrified and blurted out, “Jacqueline would have a fit!”
Andrew laughed and responded, “Yes she would, wouldn’t she? I will be expecting to hear from you soon.”
He walked back down the mall toward Andre’s chuckling as he thought of Jacqueline’s reaction if he named his store after Lily. What he was proposing would cost a lot of money but he thought he would enjoy getting into a totally different kind of business. When he reached Andre’s, he saw that Andre was busy with a client. He walked in and, as expected, Clarissa promptly came over to flirt with him. He had enough of her and asked her to excuse him as he was in a hurry. He walked into Andre’s office, sat down and started drawing out possibilities for the layout of his store.
After a couple of hours, Andre walked in and looked at what his father was doing. “I thought you’d gone to sleep in here since you had such an uncomfortable night.” They both laughed and Andrew explained that he’d talked with the manager of the mall and was drawing different layouts of his store. Andre studied his father’s various layouts and commented, “You must be planning on a large space. None of the spaces here will accommodate what you have in mind.”
“I know. I would need at least two store spaces. Two stores would have to be removed from the mall.”
Andre studied his father for a moment and said, “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“I’m very serious. This will cost a lot of money but I’m excited to be doing something entirely different. I have to sell the construction company and liquidate other assets but it’s possible. I made reservations for tomorrow morning to fly to Chicago so I can get going on my plans. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone but I want to finish up as quickly as possible. Let’s all go out to dinner tonight to celebrate.”
Andre burst into laughter. “We go out to celebrate something that hasn’t even happened yet!” “It’ll happen. When I make a business decision, it usually works out. Let’s head for home. There’s someone I want to see,” said Andrew.
Andre told Clarissa he was leaving for the day and with a lingering glance at Andrew, she agreed to take care of things.
Andre called Lily on her cell phone. It took a while for her to answer and he was becoming concerned. “I was getting worried. What are you doing?” he asked. “I’ve been teaching Rosa how to use the sewing machine and serger. She’s going to work out great and Molly has been helping by cutting so we’ve made great progress. We have almost made a dress today except for the beading,” Lily excitedly replied. “Are you on your way home?”
“Yes and Andrew wants to take us to dinner tonight since he’s leaving tomorrow for Chicago. Molly, of course, is included. And he has a surprise to tell you and Molly about. See you in about twenty minutes.”
When the men stepped off the elevator, Keith was on his feet, his hand near his holster. When he saw who it was, he relaxed and said that nothing suspicious had happened that day. When asked about Lily going out to dinner with the group, he reminded them that she was vulnerable when outside.
“I know,” Andre responded. “It’s a celebration of sorts and she needs to get out sometimes. There will be four of us and you, making five in all. We can hurry Lily out the door between us.”
“Very well. I’ll be waiting here. I want Ramon to drive us. I have gotten to know him and I trust him to make sure the car is in good shape. Remember that there are lots of ways to harm people. Always check the car out.”
Andre and Andrew looked at each other in surprise. “I never thought of the car being tampered with. No doubt there are other things Keith has thought of. Thanks, Keith, for being so alert. We have to talk to the women first and make sure they want to go but I feel sure they will. If so, we’ll leave in about two hours.”
They entered the apartment to find Lily and Molly in great spirits. “Well, look who finally decided to come home!” greeted Lily. We have been waiting for hours.”
Andre leaned over Lily and gave her a lengthy passionate kiss.
Andrew and Molly looked at each other, Molly obviously feeling awkward. Andrew walked over to her, picked her up and swung her around. She started laughing and when he stood her on the floor, he kissed her. “I love these greetings. It makes a guy look forward to coming home,” he said.
Lily’s phone rang and when she answered, she listened with a strange expression on her face. “Are you sure? This is impossible.” She listened for another few minutes, and then said she appreciated the information and hung up. She looked shocked and Andre asked, “Lily, what was that about?”
She replied, “That was the detective at the police station. My DNA doesn’t match the DNA on the envelope saliva. It’s from a woman but we are not related. We don’t have the same mother. They sent the samples to two different labs to make sure of the results.”
Lily sank into a chair with a disbelieving expression on her face. Andre sat beside her and held her hand. Molly and Andrew sat and looked at Lily in puzzlement.
“Lily, have you ever seen your birth certificate?” asked Andre. She looked at him in surprise and answered, “No, actually I haven’t.” She looked thoughtful. “I’ve never thought about it before but once I needed it for something and Mom said she couldn’t find it.”
“There are two possibilities. One is that someone is helping them and the other is that she is not your sister. Or, at least, not a blood relative,” Andrew put in.
“I may not be older than Jenny. I was just always told I was older and had no reason not to believe it. If Jenny knew I was not really her sister that could explain why she has always hated me. I never could figure it out and Mom said she didn’t understand it either. Dad just stayed out of everything involving the girls and retreated to his workshop. I was always close to Mom but Jenny just demanded her way and nobody made her obey any rules.”
“Let’s go ahead with our plans, Andre. I want to take everybody to dinner to celebrate a surprise. It will be good to go out and h
ave fun. Keith will go with us so Lily should be safe in a group. What do you say?” asked Andrew.
Lily stood and with a smile hugged Molly and said, “Let’s go out and have fun, Molly. It’s on your list.” Molly blushed and glanced at Andrew. She responded it sounded like fun so they all agreed to meet at the penthouse in two hours.
When they were alone, Andre sat in their favorite chair and pulled Lily into his lap. She moved slowly as if in shock. “I don’t know who I am. It’s such a strange feeling. Maybe I’m adopted,” she said. “Don’t jump to conclusions,” cautioned Andre “We don’t know anything for sure. Someone else could have licked the envelope or perhaps you aren’t sisters. You have never had a loving sister relationship with her. You won’t be losing anything.”
“But that means that I have been lied to all my life. Maybe she knows something that I don’t know and that is why she has always hated me. This has shaken my foundations, Andre.”
“I originally thought she was crazy and just trying to scare or hurt you but I now think she is really trying to kill you. This really scares me. There has to be an important reason, something for her to gain. Money is the reason I have come up with. But first we have to establish who your parents are and hers. Let’s deal with that tomorrow. For now, let’s shower and go out and have fun. We won’t go if you don’t want to but I think you’ll be safe with four of us and Keith.”
“I want to get out of the apartment for a while. Let’s go out.”
Two hours later, Molly and Andrew arrived and they were ready to go. Keith stepped off the elevator ready to escort them down to the car. He instructed them to get in with Lily last. Keith sat in the front next to the driver.
“Where are we going?” asked Andre. “Someone recommended a restaurant and dance club called The Red Parrot located just beyond the bridge to South Beach. He assured me the food is delicious, the atmosphere unique and it is well worth the trip,” Andrew replied.
