CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Ramona and Nick argued the entire ride home once there they resolved nothing. They continued to argue more. “Ramona, you’ve known from the beginning about my marriage and you still moved in. If it bothered you that much you should’ve left.” Ramona shook her head in disbelief, she couldn't believe he had the nerve to put this all on her. She'll admit at first she tried to ignore his marriage, but as time went on, she thought he would leave his wife. Now that Lauren knows everything, he’s still determined to stay by her side. As she listened to his list of reasons, she was wrong to confront his precious wife, she grew angrier with each agonizing minute. She tried hard to contain it but his refusal to acknowledge his part in this triangle infuriated her. Without thinking, she took off her four-inch heels and throw them one at a time, aiming for his head. The first one missed because he ducked but the second one smacked him right on the forehead. “Who the hell do you think I am? Do you really believe I’m so desperate to hold on to you I will continue to be your side piece, your mistress, or whatever name you want to put on it? I'm sorry, but it’s decision time,” she snapped.
“What kind of decision?” asked Nick rubbing his forehead.
“What do you think? It's either your lame ass wife or me.”
“I don't understand why you couldn’t leave well enough alone.”
“Because you can't have us both!!” she screamed.
“I’ve explained the situation to you a million times. I thought you were fine with our arrangement.”
“That’s the problem, Nick. I was never fine with any of this.” He tried to put his arms around her. She pushed him away. “You just don’t get it. I don’t want to be without you, and I thought you felt the same.”
“I do.”
“Then why can’t you leave her? Why can’t you choose me, like I’ve chosen you?”
Both Ramona and Nick fell silent, neither wanting to give in to the other's demand. She was no longer interested in discussing the matter any further. If he refused to man up and choose, she would do it for him. She marched to their bedroom’s closet and filled her suitcase with her clothes.
“You’re leaving?” he asked.
She hadn’t realized he followed her. “Ding...ding…ding! Give the man a prize!” Ramona gathered her shoes and stuffed them in the suitcase on top of her clothes.
“Sweetheart, you’re overreacting. Don’t leave, give me more time.”
She stopped packing and faced him. “Time for what? To string me further along?”
Nick reached for her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. She met his eyes and surprisingly found sadness. “My intentions were to never string you along. I assumed you understood that I’ve chosen you because I’ve told you countless times I don’t love Lauren. She and I have an arrangement,” he said, wiping a falling tear from her face.
Ramona released her hand from his and grabbed the handle of the suitcase. “As long as you’re with her, we can’t be together.” She rolled her luggage past Nick towards the bedroom door. He jumped in her way, preventing her from leaving. “Nick, I’m done with the games. You say you and your wife have an open marriage, but that’s not how she reacted. She was definitely staking her claim on you.”
“Can we sit? I need you to hear me out.”
Ramona reluctantly sat on the side of the bed with Nick beside her. “Lauren and I have been riding this merry-go-round for years. Neither one of us willing to take the first leap off. It’s been this way for so long we’ve grown accustomed to it. Because Lauren and I are not romantic, I became lonely and sought comfort elsewhere. It wasn’t a revolving door of women like the picture you tried to paint. More like an occasional one night stand, but never no one serious until you.”
She sat unmoved by his words. “I’ve heard this before. I’m special and you never met anyone like me,” she interrupted, rolling her eyes.
“It’s true. The night I saw you at Josh’s I couldn’t take my eyes off you. After I gave you my number, I thought of you the entire the time and grew disappointed when you didn’t call. Later, when fate brought us together, I told myself I wouldn’t let you get away from me again. That’s why I pushed for you to move in here.” Nick scooted closer to her on the bed. He placed his hand under her chin, turning her head to face him. “You said you can’t be without me, I don’t want to ever be without you.”
Those were the words she’s been waiting to hear. But, Nick was smooth and she couldn’t let her guard down. She had to remain strong.
“Can you give me a chance to make this right?” he asked.
“I don’t know, Nick. These words sound awfully familiar.”
“I realize that. Give me until tonight to turn this situation around. If you’re still unhappy, you can leave.”
“You’ll let me go?” asked Ramona, apprehensively.
“It would be hard, but I won’t stand in your way. Promise.”
She had no clue what game he was playing or the tricks he had up his sleeve. But, she intended to keep him to his word and leave if she remained unhappy. She sat silently, replaying his words in her mind when Nick leaned over and kissed her on the lips. She pulled back, and he leaned in for another kiss. This time she didn't pull away and unbuttoned his shirt. Before, either one could go any further his cell phone rang. “I have to answer it.” Nick gently moved Ramona out the way to get to his phone on the table. She could see Josh’s name on screen from where she sat. “Josh, what's up, man?” Nick walked to the opposite side of the room but he was speaking loud enough where Ramona could hear every word. She heard him mention The Tavern bar and meeting Josh there. Five minutes later he hung up the phone. “I have to meet Josh at the Tavern, he's not doing well. He said he walked out on Tami.”
“His timing is awful,” said Ramona, with a pout.
Nick kissed her on the cheek. “I know. We can pick this up later. He’s messed up, it’s all in his voice.” She followed him into the living room where he retrieved his car keys.
“How long do you think you’ll be?”
“Don’t know. Before I check on him, I have to keep my promise and take care of that other matter. Stay here and wait for me.” She watched as he walked towards the front door. Before he opened the door, he turned to her. “By the way, you look beautiful. I love the dress.”
She retreated to the bedroom and plopped down onto the bed. Why am I wasting my time? She was not in the mood for his games or wait around while he attempts to fulfill a promise that he can’t keep. Ramona stood and unzipped her dress. Since he won’t see Josh right away, she could keep him company. There's nothing wrong with going to the Tavern to help him soothe his wounds. She retrieved her black cashmere sweater dress from her suitcase, changed her clothes, and left.
The Tavern was a sports bar on the outskirts of downtown Houston that caters to mostly college students. However, on certain nights you will find patrons of all ages in there. Tonight was not one of those nights, Josh stuck out like a sore thumb among the barrage of University of Houston students. He sat at the end of the bar nursing shots looking as if he had lost his best friend. He didn't notice Ramona as she took the seat next to him and order a drink from the bartender. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked getting his attention.
“Excussse me?” he replied with a drunken slur.
“I was only asking if you wanted to talk about whatever is bothering you. You have the look of someone who has had their heart broken.”
“I do, huh?”
“Yeah.” Ramona almost felt sorry for him. Coming to terms that your wife is a fraud and liar would be tough on any man. However, feeling sorry for him would be a pointless emotion, as far as she's concerned Josh was a casualty of war. A war between his wife and her, too bad she doesn’t know the enemy throwing the grenades. Ramona will continue to blow up her life piece by piece. She's about to give her one more thing to cry about tonight. “So, what's her name? The one that put you in a funk,” she asked.
/> Josh turned towards her with his head cocked to the side and eyes squinted. “Have we met?”
“If we have, I'm sure you would remember me. I think I'm pretty unforgettable.”
“Maybe!” Josh slapped the bar with his hand and let out a loud laugh. Ramona tried hard not to laugh herself. A drunken Josh was entertaining. In less than a millisecond he went from having a laughing fit to the look of sorrow in his eyes. “She lied and I can’t forgive her.”
“That explains your mood. Well, maybe what you need is for someone to help you forget about your problems for a little while.”
Josh smiled. “Nope," he said shaking his head. “I'm married.”
“You thought I was coming on to you? I only meant we can sit here, have a couple of shots, and go our separate ways.” Ramona was not deterred by Josh reluctance, by the end of the night, he will be in perfect condition to do what she wanted. They sat, chatted, and drank, at least Josh did, and when he was on the verge of passing out, she made her move. “Hey, you’re in no condition to drive. Why don't you let me get you home safely.”
“I don’t know your name and you want to take me home,” he said, almost falling off the bar stool.
“It's Rebecca,” she said. “Come on, let me help you to your car.”
“I have a room at the Parisian Hotel down the street. I took a cab here.”
“I will take you there in my car, help you to your room and leave. Is that okay with you?” Josh shook his head in agreement.
Ramona drove him to the hotel which was five minutes away from the bar. Once there, she helped him to room 110. From her observation, he was very drunk with some lucid moments, by the time his head hit the pillow he would be out. He sat on the bed, slowly swaying from side to side. He pats the space on the bed beside him, signaling for Ramona to sit. She sat at the end of the bed and could still smell the heavy odor of alcohol on his breath. He scooted closer to her, he leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I remember where I know you from,” he said unable to keep his eyes open. “Where?” Josh stared at her for a moment before speaking. “You’re the wife of one of my clients. I met you at his office.”
Ramona smiled. “You got me, I didn’t think you’d remembered. We can talk about that later, right now you need to sleep.” Ramona stood up and gently pushed Josh backward helping him fall onto his pillow. It was only a matter of time before he passed out. While she waited she made two phone calls. The first one was to someone that could help her with her plans and the second one was to Nick. She only needed to verify that he was still with Lauren. He didn't answer so that meant he was with her. He never answers her calls when he's with his wife.
Twenty minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Ramona squinted through the peephole before opening it. It was the person she had called. She looked over her shoulder at Josh, who remained passed out on the bed.
“Get in here! We don’t have much time. He might wake up or someone could come looking for him,” whispered Ramona as she pulled the person into the room. It was Eliza, an employee of, Tricia, the lady Ramona met at Cabana’s. After Tricia gave Ramona her business card, she called her a few times. Not because she was interested in becoming an escort but just in case she needed to use her services in the future. She gave Eliza a once-over, Tricia definitely sent over one of her best girls. Eliza is what people called an exotic beauty. No one knows exactly what her ethnic makeup was but on all counts, she was stunning with a near perfect body.
“Do you have the money?” she asked. Tricia had informed Ramona that she already briefed Eliza on the job requirements.
“Yeah, I got it but you'll get it after you do the job.”
“I rarely work that way but Tricia likes you, so I believe you're good on your word. Is that him?” she asked pointing at Josh.
“Yeah, we need to get started.”
“Oh, he's a cutie,” Eliza exclaimed as she removed her clothes. She stripped down to her underwear and removed Josh's shirt. He didn't wake up as Eliza moved him back and forth to remove his button down yellow shirt. Ramona opened the camera on her phone as Eliza position herself on top of Josh straddled on her hands and knees. She bent down and kissed his chest as Ramona snapped pictures. Her long hair obstructed half of her face as she continued to kiss him. Ramona had taken six pictures before Josh stirred, he let out a few moans and softly called out Tami's name.
“Okay, we have enough. You can get up,” Ramona whispered as she flipped through the pictures she had taken. “These are perfect! Without a doubt, Tami will believe her husband nursed his wounds in the arms of another woman.” She installed an app that allowed her to send a text message from a fake number. After installation, she scrolled through her contacts until she reached Tami's name, and sent her three pictures of Josh and Eliza. She deleted the rest of the pictures, the app, and the text message.
“My money, please.” Eliza held out a well-manicured hand. Ramona reached into her purse and retrieved five crisp one-hundred-dollar bills.
“Thanks, nice doing business with you,” she said stuffing the money into her clutch.
“If I need you again, I will contact Tricia,” replied Ramona, as she gathered her purse. As she headed out the door behind Eliza, she turned one last time towards Josh. She once again almost felt sorry for him. You seem like a nice guy, too bad you're married to a bitch. Ramona softly closed the door behind her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Nick turned down the volume of his car stereo to gather his thoughts. The impending conversation would not be easy. In hindsight, it’s something he should’ve done long ago, even if he never possessed the motivation to do so. Everything changed when he met Ramona, and he had to do right by her. The night he bumped into her at Josh’s house was a night he will always remember. They locked eyes, and she took his breath away. Her gorgeous brown eyes attracted him like a magnet and he found it difficult to turn away. When she spoke, all he thought of was kissing her luscious plump lips. The red dress she had worn accentuated every part of her curvaceous body. He’d wished he could have spent the entire night talking with her. Unfortunately, he was with Lauren. The woman he once loved.
They had met in calculus class. There wasn’t an immediate attraction between them. She was brilliant, and he needed a tutor. With time, they became inseparable. On paper, they weren't a match. They were two young adults who had led opposite lives. He spent his youth in Georgia with parents who struggled for every dime. Unlike Lauren, who had lived a life of privilege in Connecticut.
After graduation, they thought marriage was the next natural step. Midway through their ten-year union their relationship crumbled. He no longer loved her and she had fallen out of love with him. It wasn’t anything he had done, they simply had grown apart. Both had contrasting views of what they desired in life. She’s the current head and the face of the International Hunger Coalition. A nonprofit organization that uses donated funds to provide food for children in underdeveloped countries. Her job requires her to travel frequently to international countries. At times, to the poorest nations to provide aid to orphanages and remote villages. By that point in their marriage, she was away from home most of the time. Nick was proud of his wife’s accomplishments, but the long distance had put a strain on their relationship. When he expressed his concerns, Lauren didn’t seem to care. It felt as if she was more fulfilled away from him than with him.
Once she had taken a trip to Sierra Leone, in West Africa. She had been away for one month. Suffering from loneliness, Nick engaged in a night of drinking at a nearby bar. He’d met a woman and invited her home. It was the same night Lauren was returning from her trip. Just like he imagined, Lauren caught him with the other woman. Nick had hoped to get a reaction from his wife, instead, she shrugged it off. After his third random one-night stand, she continued not to respond in the way he’d imagined. He thought she would curse him out or haul all kinds of threats and insults. Instead, she had told him she had one request. He must keep what he does far away
from her and not to bring anyone to her home. In return for turning an eye from his indiscretions, she required him to attend all public functions with her. He must appear to be a loving and doting husband. It surprised him, but she explained it was a necessity for them to appear to have a happy home because of the work she does. She explained that if they were to divorce the individuals in their social circle would treat her like a pariah. That would lead to severed ties and hinder the relationships with donors. Some of her largest donors she met through him and those are the ones she's afraid to lose. Who knows if that’s true or just an excuse. Nevertheless, he agreed and had gone along with it. Because he chose Lauren’s way of life, he now has more to lose and can’t continue this way.
Nick turned onto the driveway of his home and released a heavy sigh as he exited his car. During his walk up the winding pathway to the front door, he rehearsed in his mind exactly what he wanted to say to his wife. He entered the house and found it dark and quiet. He glanced towards the top of the staircase. The door to the bedroom he once shared with his wife was slightly ajar. Through the open doorway, he could see the light from the television illuminate the room. His room was on the opposite end of the hall. They hadn’t shared a bed in three years. He walked up the stairway and knocked on her door. “Lauren, are you up?” he whispered. “What do you want Nick?” she asked angrily.
“We need to talk.”
“About?”
“What we’ve been avoiding.”
Lauren stepped into the doorway. “I have nothing to say to you. Why couldn’t you do the one thing I asked? I never wanted to cross paths with those sleazy
women.”
“I understand why you’re upset. But, I’m not having this conversation in a dark hallway. Either we can speak in your room or we can go downstairs.”
Shattered Lives (The Shattered Series Book 1) Page 20
