She drove three blocks to the condo she shared with Nick. He won’t be around for the next several weeks because his wife was in town. Last week he stopped by for an hour here and three hours there after work. She hates when he’s unable to make more time for her. When he does, his attentiveness made her feel as if she was the only woman in his life. But, she’s not. He has a wife, and that’s what prevents their relationship from being perfect. He claims his marriage is open, but he treats her like a secret. Well, it was time to let the cat out of the bag. Tomorrow night she and Mrs. Corley would finally meet and Nick has no idea. Once the three of them come face to face, he’ll be forced to choose. It will either her or Lauren and Ramona doesn’t intend to lose. She reached for her phone inside her purse to call Rhonda as she turned off her car.
“Hey, I’m glad I got you and not your voicemail. Are you available tomorrow morning?”
“Depends. What do you need?”
“Can you deliver a package for me?”
“I don’t know, Mona. I already told you I don’t agree with what you’re doing,” said Rhonda.
“You’ve told me a thousand times. I understand why you feel that way but you must respect my feelings as well. So, can you do it?”
“Consider it done,” sighed Rhonda, “What do you have up your sleeve for the party?”
“The big reveal no one will see coming!”
Ramona walked in the door of the condo, to her surprise Nick was sitting on the couch. “What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with Lauren?” she sniped.
Nick didn’t answer. Instead, he walked over to her, reached into his pants pocket and retrieved a blindfold. Without saying a word, he placed the blindfold over Ramona’s eyes.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Shh,” he said, gently, grabbing her hand. With Ramona’s hand in his, Nick guided her to the front door, down the hall, and into the elevator. “Nick, what’s going on? Where are you taking me?” she asked.
He remained silent as he guided her off the elevator. Once they were in the parking garage, they continued to walk a few more steps. Suddenly he and Ramona came to a stop, and she heard him say, “We're here, bring it around.” Ramona stood impatient, holding Nick’s hand. Suddenly she heard the sound of a car engine come closer and closer to her. A second later Nick removed the blindfold, Ramona focused her eyes on the parked car in front of her. Not sure if she was hallucinating, she rubbed her eyes and opened them again. The car was still there. In front of her was a brand new black Audi S5. “I know you’re not happy with me at the moment, but I hope this makes up for everything,” he said.
Ramona was absolutely speechless. Her mind was blown. The best gift she’s ever received from a male friend was a designer bag or expensive pair of shoes, nothing ever this extravagant. “I can't believe you bought me a car!” said Ramona eyeing the beauty in front of her. After the shock wore off she became suspicious. “Nick, I love the gesture. But, it’s not enough for me to forget about your wife.”
A frown grew on his face. “Damn, why do you act like this every time I do something nice for you? Your continuous jabs about Lauren are tiring. If you don’t want the car, I can return it. I don’t need the grief.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to appear ungrateful.”
“Just say thank you.”
“Thank you, but there's nothing wrong with the car I have,” Ramona said opening the driver’s side door.
“Everything is wrong with your car. If you are going to be my girl, you must drive in style.”
“Oh, so I’m your girl, now?” Ramona asked playfully.
“Just get in and let's take it for a spin.”
She had to admit that it felt nice driving a brand new expensive car. She excitedly inhaled the scent that new cars had, the black leather seats were a vast improvement over her stained cloth seats in her Camry, and now she has wifi, navigation, and everything else her car lacked. They drove around downtown with no particular destination in mind.
“I can't believe you did this! I told you last month my air conditioner was toast, I never dreamed you’d buy a new car.”
“You thought I would allow you to drive around in Texas heat without air?”
“No. But, buying a new car is insane! What am I thinking? Our entire relationship is insane!” exclaimed Ramona.
Nick gently rubbed the back of her neck. “What we have is not insane. You enjoy being with me and I enjoy being with you. Let's not try defining or putting a label on what we have. As long as you’re in my life I will treat you like a queen,” he said.
Ramona sighed to herself, everything within her wants to believe what’s she hears. Why couldn’t she be emotionally stronger? In every part of her life, she’s confident, self-assured, and fearless except when it came to men. She always followed her heart, which lead to poor choices and sometimes with a guy that’s completely unavailable. Whether it’s emotionally or physically.
“Everything I’ve done with you is a first for me,” continued Nick.
“Such as?”
“Like moving you in, buying you expensive gifts, wanting to spend all my free time with you. Wishing I could be with you when I can’t.”
“I’m sure you’ve done nice things for her?”
“Long ago. When you’re in a relationship that feels more like a business partnership there isn’t room for yearning and affection.”
“Does she know we’re living together?” asked Ramona.
“She prefers not to discuss anything that doesn't concern her.”
“So, I guess that means no. If your marriage is as open as you claim why not tell her about us?”
“It’s complicated.”
Ramona turned up the car radio, she couldn’t listen to any more of his lies. When they first met, it didn’t matter if he was married because she never thought they would have a relationship that would have evolved to the point that it has. But, now that she has committed herself to him she thinks he should do the same. Still, there was one burning question that needed an answer. “If she doesn't care what you do or who you see. Why get married? What was the point?”
“It didn't start off that way. We were in love when we married but after ten years we drifted apart. We married young, I was twenty-two, and she was nineteen. She took a job with a Non-profit Organization and traveled to raise money. I believe she travels to be away from me. It's one of those things where we know we can't make each other happy any longer, but neither one of us has sat down to discuss a divorce.”
“At least y’all had the sense not to have kids. It’s hard on a child when only one parent is around,” said Ramona drifting away in her thoughts.
“Hey, what's that about? Are you thinking about your mother again?” asked Nick.
"No!"
"Talk to me. You always get upset whenever I mention your mother."
“Maybe, that means I don't want to talk about her! Didn’t we just have this conversation?” said Ramona as she slammed on the brakes of the car.
Not wanting to wreck her brand new gift, she turned into a gourmet pizza restaurant parking lot. If Nick wanted to bring up upsetting topics, he would have to do so over a cheese pizza with mushrooms. He claimed he wasn’t in the mood to eat and didn’t get out of the car until Ramona was near the restaurant’s door. After the waitress took their order he wasted no time picking up the conversation right where they left off.
"Ramona, don’t ask me not to ask you questions especially when you take every opportunity to ask about Lauren. You've told me bits and pieces of your life but why does it upset you that I want to know more?"
Ramona sighed. “I'm not upset, I don’t like to talk about my childhood. But, if it will shut you up I will tell this...” She took a deep breath and let out a sharp exhale before continuing. “When I was old enough to understand what my mother did by leaving me with my grandmother, I hated her. I always asked myself how could a mother just leave her child without returning once to
check on her. I was four years old! Four! Thank God for my grandmother, she died trying to give me what my parents couldn’t, but I wasn’t in the state of mind to accept it. I was full of rage and rebellion. Like I told you before, I came to forgive my father while I was locked up at fifteen. We had nearly three years to forgive and bond as father and daughter. Unfortunately, it was all wiped away in a day. The night before I was released my father was killed. I've been on my own ever since. There are two people I blame, my so-called mother and the person responsible for my father’s death.”
Nick sat silently, for a second Ramona thought she saw his eyes tear up. When she tried to take a closer look, he turned away towards the table side window. He remained silent when the waitress placed their medium pizza in the center of the table. Once she walked away, he finally turned towards her and placed her hand in his. “I'm sorry for what happened to your father. I remember you told me someone killed him during a robbery and they never caught that person. Is that who you blame for his death?”
“It’s someone I hold more responsible than the person who pulled the trigger. That’s all I will say.”
“Okay, I won’t push.”
“I hope you finally understand why I don’t like to discuss my mother. Please don’t bring her up again,” said Ramona.
Discussing her depressing life ceased her appetite. She had to take his focus off her past and put it to better use. She asked Nick to take care of the check while she waited for him in the car. Once he was in the car, she drove to the opposite end of the parking lot that was completely darkened with only the night’s moon as a light source. Ramona put the car’s gearshift into park, Nick had a bewildered look on his face. “What are you doing?” he asked. She shut the car off and turned towards Nick. “Thanking you for a wonderful gift.”
He smiled. “How do you plan on thanking me?”
Ramona bit down on her red stained lower lip and seductively looked Nick’s body up and down. “You know how.”
“Here?! In the parking lot?”
“Yes! Live a little, I know you have an adventurous side,” she said as she moved to the back seat. Nick remained in the front. Ramona slowly unbutton her shirt, as he watched, revealing a red lace bra. Ramona’s tongue slowly traced her upper lip. “Are you going to join me or just watch?” Nick leaped into the back seat. He unzipped his pants and gestured for Ramona to get on top of him. Nick hiked up her skirt, slid his hand between her thighs, using his finger to swiftly slide her lace panties to the side. He entered her slowly, causing Ramona to let out a soft moan. She savored every minute devouring him with hot wet kisses. Nick unfastened her bra and allowed his hands to travel all over her bare back, occasionally pulling on locks of her curly hair that cascaded over her shoulders. Both were in tune with the other’s body, causing Ramona to cry out Nick’s name until they collapsed in each other's arms.
“Can you stay the night?” asked Ramona breathing heavily as she smoothed out her skirt. Nick locked eyes with her as he stroked her hair. “I wish I could. I have an early morning meeting and..” He looked away before finishing his sentence.
“And what?”
“I hate doing this to you but I won’t see you tomorrow night, either. Lauren and I have to attend a party for a friend.”
“Whose party is it?”
“Tami is throwing Josh a party, so I have to be there.”
Ramona smiled to herself as she fantasized Nick's reaction to her at the party tomorrow. He’ll be pissed and have no choice but to deal with the fallout. When they arrived home, she tried to entice him to stay, but it didn't work. He left anyway. It's probably for the best, what she had in store for Tami required a full night’s sleep. There was no room for error. The Hamiltons were in for the ultimate blindside.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Josh, why aren’t you dressed? We’re leaving in an hour,” said Tami as she raced around the house searching for her diamond bracelet. She saw it last in the kitchen when she removed it to wash dishes.
Josh was watching the sports channel on television. “Once again, why are we going out?” he asked unenthusiastically about tonight’s event. Tami recognized that tone in his voice, it’s the I really don't feel like going anywhere tone.
“You agreed to date night, so I made reservations at your favorite seafood restaurant. You know the one that makes the crab soup you like. I thought we could unwind and release the tension between us. We don’t have to rush home because the nurse will be here with mom.”
“Fine,” he said flatly.
His attitude made her question all the preparation she's done for the night. A bundle of nerves stirred within her as she thought of all that could go wrong. Was this surprise party a bad idea? Nope. She's determined to remain optimistic about the night. Once he saw the length she has gone through to apologize his mood will change and their marriage will return to a solid ground. Tonight will show him that she appreciates the patience he has shown her and she's ready to remove the discord between them. The conversation she had with Ramona was eye-opening. It caused her to have a change of heart about how she’s handled their problems up to this point. It also made her think hard about the crossroad she and Josh stood in their marriage. Tonight had to be a success because no other outcome would be acceptable.
Josh was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, looking just as fine as he did on the day they met. He was adorned in all black. Black suit, shirt and silk tie. “You look very handsome, Mr. Hamilton,” said Tami.
“Thanks,” he responded with his eyes fixated on the floor. A clear indication his attitude had not improved. She wanted to ask him to keep an open mind about the night, but before she could, the doorbell rang. It was her mother’s nurse. “Hi, Mrs. Hamilton someone left this envelope on your porch,” she said handing her a white cardboard envelope. She knew exactly what it was. “By chance did you see who left it?”
“No, it was already on your welcome mat when I walked up,” she said.
Tami closed the door behind the nurse and watched as she walked up the stairs to her mother’s room. She wanted complete privacy when she opened it. Josh had already walked off and was in the middle of making himself a drink in the kitchen. With the coast clear, Tami opened the envelope and just as she thought it was another letter asking her, to tell the truth. But, this time it included a threat. Tell the truth or it will be told for you! The paper trembled in her hand as she read it, due to her rattled nerves. Maybe it was time to tell Josh about the mysterious letters showing up at her home and office. To her dismay, there wasn’t much to share. If he asked she could not tell her husband what it’s about or who’s behind it. Was it someone in her inner circle or someone she works with? It’s possible because this person knows where she works and lives. Tami’s next thought was to check the surveillance cameras. Last time she didn’t have much luck. She immediately entered the study after she made sure Josh was still in the other room. She viewed the full day recording beginning from early morning, carefully searching for anyone or anything out of place. It was mid-way through the video she saw a white sedan drive slowly in front of the house two times. Three minutes later a person dressed in dark clothing and a hat walked up their driveway with an envelope in their hand. Unlike before, she could clearly see it was a female due to the shape of their body. However, the sunglasses and the manner they turned their face away from the camera prevented her from identifying the person. It was definitely time to tell Josh but not before they fix what’s broken between them. In the morning she will tell him everything.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Alexis checked her watch as she waited for Tim’s arrival. He was ten minutes late. Last time he was a complete no-show, claiming he had forgotten about meeting up altogether. This time, he called as he left the house to say he was on his way.
Alexis felt a pain in her stomach, it’s been achy all day. She swallowed the second dose of Pepto Bismol, cringing at the bitter taste in her mouth. Her pain was not from eating bad foo
d, it’s her nerves. The thought of being in the same room with both Tami and Ramona has caused her nerves to go haywire. She hadn’t spoken to Tami in what seemed like forever and the last time she saw Ramona their interaction was not pleasant. It has been sickening to watch them act like best friends at the office. Tami thinks jealousy is at the root of the issues between them. But, that’s not true. In her gut, she knows Ramona plan to hurt Tami somehow, and Tim is the key to it all.
She received a text from him stating he’s waiting outside in his car. She kissed her son and mother goodbye.
“Sorry, I'm late,” he said, backing out of the driveway.
“It’s not a problem. How do you feel about tonight?”
“What do you mean?”
“Hello? You’ll be in the same room with Ramona and others from work.”
“I’m making an appearance to speak with Dan, no one else.”
She could tell he was not interested in small talk and had to cut to the chase. “Tell me everything you know about Ramona.”
“Slow down, before we get into what I know, tell me why the sudden interest in Ramona,” said Tim.
“It’s not sudden. I never trusted her from the moment we met.” Tim nodded his head in agreement. “It's one of those things where you can't put your finger on exactly what it is,” she continued.
Shattered Lives (The Shattered Series Book 1) Page 17
