Art of Forgiveness

by Monique Orgeron

  Zander speaks first. “You look beautiful, kid. I love the dress.” Then he winks back.” Again, what the hell? Is there something I don’t know?

  Vin follows. “I agree, I like the new look, it suits you very much.” Man, of few words, my ass.

  She barely looks my way, so I decide I need to say something, too. So, I say the first thing that pops into my head. “I’ve never seen you in a dress, except for that ugly white one.” What a fucking idiot!

  She stares at me like that’s exactly what I am.

  Mom recovers for me. “I think Liam meant to say is he thinks you look beautiful in this dress.”

  I clear my throat and nod my head. I can’t collect myself; it’s like my game has been thrown off completely. Like I have never been able to compliment a woman or get her to fall for me. Some so-called player I am. Not!

  Jeffery brings out the prepared food, and we start eating. At first the table is a little tense until Zander breaks the tension by asking Avery, “So, we’re on for tomorrow, kid?”

  She answers, “I think so, if you have the time. I’d also like to go to the range again, if that’s okay Vin?”

  Okay, now I’m really confused. She knows them, and obviously I have been left in the dark.

  Vin replies, “Sure, do you want to go before or after you meet with Zander?”

  Zander jumps back in, “I can do the morning, and you can have her after. If that works for you, kid?”

  She nods her head at the both of them and looks thrilled. I don’t understand what’s going on. Then Gabriel starts up his own conversation with her as I sit here, dumbfounded.

  “Avery, if I understand correctly, you just graduated from Harvard University? That’s a very prestigious school.”

  You can tell with him she’s a little nervous, but then she answers, “I did, and I’m very proud of myself.”

  “You should be, it’s a huge accomplishment,” Gabriel boasts.

  “Thank you, Gabriel. Your mother tells me you run the casino?”

  Gabriel smiles. “Yes, I do, but my brothers work there also. Liam’s training with me right now to take some of the burden from me. That way, I can start spending more time at home with Fallon and the baby.”

  At the mention of my name, her eyes lift to mine. I’ve been watching her since she entered the room. I can’t form the words to speak to her. I want to, there’s so much I want to say and ask, but I just can’t find my voice.

  Everyone resumes eating; I find myself constantly looking up at her while she eats. She’s everything I have ever wanted and everything I shouldn’t have. Always so pure and innocent. Even now, after everything she has gone through, I still look at her the same way I used to.

  I know I need to detach myself from wanting her, even more so now. Back when I freed her from me, I was concerned with how the possibility of my new life would affect her. Mainly because I didn’t know for sure everything that went on with the life Mom said I would have. But now I know what this life is about. I know the dirty and ugly side of our family business. Again, the realization hits me hard, she still doesn’t belong in this life. As much as I want her, I don’t know if I can involve her. I need to leave her alone like she demanded. I know it will be harder this time, especially now that I know how it was to be without her all these years. Having her back in my life, even though she’s not mine to have and hold, is something I’m not sure I can end. But I’ll try for her; everything I’ve ever done has been for her.

  Mom gets our attention by clearing her throat. “I would like for all of you to know I have planned a party for Avery. It will be held here in three weeks’ time. I expect you all to be here.”

  I notice Avery looks scared and shocked, like she wasn’t expecting this. I wonder what has her so scared. Is it the idea of being surrounded by people again, or is it something more?

  Gabriel notices, too, and tries to take her mind off whatever is bothering her. He tells her about our business. He also says there might be some opportunities for her at the casino in the office handling the books. She seems to put aside what was worrying her and looks enthused about the prospect of working.

  She used to talk about how one day she hoped she might be able to have a job she felt good about. But she always said her mother would never allow it. Avery was born to be a socialite, not work for a living. I’d love for her to get her wish and see her work at the casino, but I don’t know if I could handle seeing her every day like that.

  Our family dinner runs late. We have a few drinks, talking and bullshitting the night away. Avery seems to be enjoying it very much. She even has an easygoing banter with my brothers. I, however, am on edge as I watch the woman I love pay attention to everyone in the room except me. After listening to their conversations, I slowly figure out how she knows Zander and Vin.

  Zander comes and stands on the side of me, and I can’t take it anymore, so I ask, “You’ve started teaching Avery how to kickbox and never thought to mention it to me?”

  With a big, conniving smile, he says, “Nope, never. Why would I?”

  That son of a bitch. Why would he?

  “Fuck you, Zander. You should have just because.”

  “Well, brother, I don’t see you jumping Vin’s ass, and he had her first.”

  I turn and throw my fist towards him, but he sees it coming and dodges my punch right before it lands. He starts to laugh while the rest of the room stares. He straightens his jacket and leans to whisper in my ear, “You have to be quicker, brother. I’ve been getting a lot of practice lately.”

  My mother yells out, “My God, can’t we have any family gatherings with young women around that doesn’t lead to one of you trying to hit the other?”

  Zander looks at Mom and says, “He started it.”

  Later when my family starts to disperse for the evening, Zander reaches for Avery’s hand and tells her he would love to escort her upstairs. To my surprise, she accepts, and they walk away, leaving me alone to my misery.

  29

  Avery

  I don’t know what I expected last night, but it was easier than I imagined. The food was incredible, and the company was warm and inviting. Even meeting Gabriel was a pleasure I didn’t expect. I knew he would be charming and gorgeous, but he had a calming nature about him; but I can see how he could be threatening to others. He dominated the room and ran it the way he wanted.

  Liam, on the other hand, acted like he had no manners or social skills. I know I told him we needed to stay out of each other’s way, but he looked lost and hardly spoke through the entire dinner. I don’t want to make him feel uncomfortable in his own home. Then, just to prove my point, he tried to punch Zander, and I have a feeling it had to do with something about me. This is even more reason for me to leave.

  The major reason I want to leave is Catherine; she announced she was going to have a party in my honor. I know that means she’s ready to tell my parents I’m back, but I can’t let that happen. That’s why I need to confide in her; I need to tell her everything. I just pray she believes me and will keep my secret a little longer.

  I begin to search for Catherine and find her in her office. I knock on the door frame to get her attention. “Catherine, may I speak to you for a minute?”

  “Yes, dear, come in and close the door.”

  I close the door and sit, instantly fearing what might come from this. She’ll probably think I’m nuts.

  “Catherine, I know you want to throw the party for me so my parents will know I’m here, but I can’t let that happen.”

  “Why? You need to explain what I know you’ve been holding back, Avery. It’s time to tell me everything.”

  “How did you know there was more?”

  “Avery, I’ve always prided myself on being able to read people; I know when they’re lying or hiding something. You, my dear, have been hiding something since you arrived, and I want to know what it is.”

  “I’m sorry, Catherine, I didn’t know how to tell you without you
thinking I was crazy; after all, you are friends with my parents.”

  “That, my dear, is subjective. Your mother likes me as much as I like her. It’s a friendship based on convenience. So, tell me, Avery, what has you so scared? Your mother never struck me as the kind of woman who could put that kind of fear in someone.”

  “She’s not, but Adam is.”

  Catherine goes still and leans back in her chair, waiting for me to go on.

  “Adam is the reason the senator had me. He gave me to him.”

  Catherine’s thinking; she doesn’t look like she doesn’t believe me, which I guess is a good sign.

  “Why, Avery? Did the senator tell you any more?”

  “No, but I think it has to do with my family’s money. Mom and he were arguing about the fact that he wasn’t in the will. She came to me and decided to have Mr. Harold draw a new will up and add him as a beneficiary in addition to me. But she hadn’t told him yet.” I start crying. “Catherine. I can’t let him know I’m alive. He’ll try to kill me again. I need a way to stay off his radar.”

  Catherine stands and goes to a wooden file cabinet. She digs a file out and moves back behind the desk. She lays the file in front of me. “Everything you need to know about Adam is in that file. Go ahead, take a look.”

  I stop crying, eye the file and open it. I read in astonishment how complete it is. The file has his birth information, his Social Security number, and his banking information. But the further I look, the more I see the real Adam. There are records of him extorting money from the medical practice, along with bankruptcy records. They have dates, times, along with women’s names he has cheated on my mother with and gambling debts he has acquired over the years. The worst is there are records of prescription drugs he’s illegally distributing.

  I can’t believe this is Adam Edwards. My mother wouldn’t have married him if she knew all this. Then I become curious and ask, “How do you have all of this, and is it all true?”

  “Avery, everything in that file is the complete truth, and how I have the information is a different matter. Let’s just say, you don’t know everything about me or my family, but I trust you will soon enough.”

  “Now what do I do with this information? My mother will never believe me over him.”

  “You’re right, she won’t. So, we’ll just have to show her.”

  “How?”

  “Tell me first, what do you want to do, Avery? How do you want to handle Adam? Do you let him go on with this life, or do you fight back and take it from him? Like he tried to take yours?”

  I think on it as I look back down at the file. “I want to destroy him.”

  “Then I’ll help you, but you have to trust me. Can you do that, Avery?”

  “I’ve trusted you since the day I met you.”

  “That’s what I was hoping to hear. Think about it, where should we start? Come on, Avery, what is his life about?”

  “Well, it’s not my mom, that’s for sure.” Then it dawns on me. “His career, his practice. Even though it looks like he married my mom for her money, he doesn’t want anyone to see him as a gold-digger. He prides himself on being a doctor.”

  “That’s right. Now you’re thinking. We need to destroy his livelihood and put the blame on him. We can’t use his patients against him; it would take too long, and I think you need instant satisfaction.”

  I nod and smile at her. She’s right; I want him to be put down now.

  “Let me make a call. Hold on.” I watch as she grabs her phone and waits for someone to answer. Then I watch in awe as she gives orders to whomever is on the phone.

  “It’s me. I need a job done right away. Dr. Adam Edwards, I want his practice burnt down to the ground, and I want it to look like arson. I don’t want the insurance to make a payout. Make it look like he is the only one who could have possibly caused the fire.” She pauses, as the other person must be speaking. “No, I don’t want anyone hurt, just the building. I will trust you to take care of it all. Be careful, please.”

  After another minute of her silence, she hangs the phone up. I can’t help it, I have to ask.

  “Catherine, who was that, and how do you know you can trust him?”

  She eyes me for a minute before she answers. “Trust me, I would trust my life with that person, and have. But I will not let you have anything to use against him. I might put myself in danger to help you, but his life I am not willing to risk.”

  “Catherine, I want you to know I would never hurt you or your family. I am indebted to you for the rest of my life.”

  We stare at each other, and I can tell she is trying to read me, but if she is, she will see nothing but sincerity. I meant what I said. Catherine is the only person I feel I can count on, and that means more to me than she will ever know.

  I decide to break eye contact and ask, “How will he be able to do what you asked of him?”

  “He is an expert at what he does. He will not fail. I quit questioning his ways a long time ago. Now Avery, what’s next? Look at the file again. I think you will find it interesting that I have his overseas accounts listed. You’re a numbers girl, are you not? Work some of your magic and figure out how to get his money he has been stealing from your family back.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Good. Now, we are not canceling the party, and you will attend. You are under my protection, and like I said, no one would dare touch you. Adam and your mother will attend, they have no choice. Your mother’s social calendar is starting to dry up, and Adam will never allow that to happen. We will not tell anyone outside this family the party is for you until the party starts. There will be nothing but trouble waiting for Adam, and you will be the icing on the cake.”

  “How? What do you have planned?”

  “Well, like you said, Margaret will never believe you about Adam. So, we will invite a few people from his other life. The shock on his face when he sees them and then you will be priceless. I know a particular bookie who would love a chance meeting with your mother. It will all work out. Margaret will never risk a scandal. Once confronted with the true Adam, she will throw him out without a dime. Then he won’t have the power to ever hurt you again. You see, dear, without Margaret, Adam is nothing.”

  “I think it could work. I’ll go along with it. But what do I tell my mom about my disappearance?”

  “You simply agree with them and say you ran away or tell them since you are an adult, you left to live your life the way you wanted. That is an embarrassment to Margaret in and of itself, but I’m sure you wouldn’t mind throwing some of that her way. Would you, dear?”

  She’s right; I couldn’t care less what my mother thinks anymore. Catherine showed me how to be stronger and more independent. I could never go back to that life, even if Adam was not there.

  We finish discussing the details, and I leave to meet with Zander.

  30

  Avery

  The next three weeks pass swiftly. Soon after our first meeting, Adam’s practice was burnt to a crisp and Catherine has learned he is the only suspect in the arson case. Since then, Catherine and I have been busy destroying Adam as much as we can from the outside. I managed to open another bank account overseas and was able to swindle almost all Adam’s money or should I say my money back. I did it in small increments so not to alarm anyone of the transactions. When Mom learns all of the truth, she will kick Adam out and he will have nothing left, no business and no money. I’ve also been spending a lot of time with everyone except Liam. In fact, I haven’t really seen him since the night of the family gathering. Fallon told me he has been spending a lot of time at work with Gabriel and then he returns to his home at night. I guess he’s doing what I asked and is trying to stay away from me. I’m happy about it. I truly am, but sometimes in the middle of the night I wake up from a nightmare and look for him. I try to pass it off as just feeling comfortable with him; I mean, I know him more than anyone else I surround myself with. That has to be it because I can’t handle
the fact that I might just miss him.

  Tonight is the night of the party, and I’m petrified. I can’t seem to pull it together. I swear I’m about to put a hole in the carpet from pacing back and forth.

  Catherine has been keeping me updated on all our hard work. It seems to be paying off; Adam is in financial ruin and has started to panic. Catherine says he has tried to keep everything away from my mother, but she has been seen yelling at him by our local gossip columnist. Not a good look for my mother, but it’s a start. Tonight should help finish him off. That is, if I can stop freaking out.

  The knock on my door startles me. I open it and see Catherine. She walks in and closes the door behind her.

  “Avery, is something wrong? You missed breakfast.”

  “I’m sorry, Catherine, something is wrong. I don’t think I can do this. Please, Catherine, can’t we find another way?”

  “No, Avery, you can and will do this. You are stronger than you think. You came through something that should have killed you, but you survived and you’re here. Now take your revenge and enjoy it. Once this is done, you can have your life back. Not your old life, but the life you want. You can do anything you want and be the person you’ve always wanted to be. I’ll help you, Avery, but it’s time to end the past and Adam tonight.”

  She hugs me and wipes my tears away.

  “Now, Bridgette is bringing a larger crew in to help you and Fallon get ready for tonight, be ready. They should be here in about two hours. Oh, and before I forget, I want you to wear the red dress. Show them the new you.”

  She leaves, and I calm down a little, but not enough. I decide maybe I can burn some of this stress away at the gym.