by Ruby Cruz
Darcy and I had plans to meet the coming weekend, a do-over from our canceled plans from two weekends ago. He’d stopped by briefly as promised for dinner and what I’d jokingly called our “conjugal visit,” but then he had to fly back out to California. As far as I knew, Ana had returned and was back at work at the center. As busy as I was with work and clinicals, now that my midterms were over, I planned to visit her after my monthly visit with Aunt Jo.
I picked up my aunt at her apartment and gave her a quick hug while surreptitiously inspecting her living space. There were the piles of old newspapers and magazines, the anemic houseplants. But I noticed her apartment was cleaner and she’d hung some framed photos on the wall. I recognized Jane’s wedding portrait with Charlie and Chloe, a snapshot of Will and me from the wedding, and a picture of herself astride a beautiful chestnut mare. I made my way across the room and asked her about it.
“Oh, that. Ana gave that to me, insisted on framing it. She’s a good egg, that one.”
Her cat, Jasper, wandered out from the bedroom and hovered just out of reach, giving me the stink-eye the entire time. “We’d better go. I want to stop by the center to see Ana before I head home later.”
I led Aunt Jo out of her apartment and down to my car. “You’re looking good,” I said truthfully. “Did you do something different to your hair?”
“I started going to that salon where Ana gets hers done at. Costs a fortune, but I have to admit, they do a decent job. Better than those hacks over by Shoprite.”
The difference was subtle, but the auburn color suited her better than the mousy brown that she typically wore. And the style was softer, less coarse looking than her usual cut.
After her heart attack last year, Aunt Jo was doing fabulously: eating right, taking care of herself. She was even getting out of the house more. As we drove to the mall, she told me about the book club she joined. “We mostly read Oprah books, but that’s fine with me. That woman has decent enough taste.” From the corner of my eye, I spied her turn fully in her seat to eye me beadily. I felt like she was scanning me with x-ray vision and could all but feel the energy pulse from her eyes. “Now, tell me about your man. How’s the doctor treating you?”
“We’re fine.” I kept my eyes firmly on the road.
“That’s not what I asked, girlie.”
She was practically burning a hole in my skull with her gaze, but I avoided glancing over. “It just sucks with him staying in California during the week. He’s so busy working, and with me swamped with work and clinicals, we barely have time to talk for two minutes and when we do, it’s just a rehash of silly, superficial stuff. I haven’t physically seen him for more than two weeks.”
She finally settled back into her seat and began to dig around in her purse. “Oh, quit your whining. You’ll see him soon enough.”
“I know. And I know it could be much worse. I just wish things could go back to where they were.”
“Nothing hurts to wish, but you can’t expect everything to be the same all the time. People change. Situations evolve. It’s just the way things are. Best you get used to rolling with the punches.” Her hand emerged from her purse with a tube of lipstick that she began to apply generously.
“Believe me, I’m rolling as well as I can.”
She harrumphed, dropped the tube back into her purse, then said, “I talked to your ma. She told me that Jane’s having another baby. Good for her.”
“They’re all thrilled, Chloe especially. She doesn’t seem to understand that the baby isn’t going to be like one of her baby dolls.”
“Oh, she’ll be fine, I’m sure. Jane was fine enough when you came into the picture at that age. Treated you like gold.”
I parked at the nail spa and we climbed out. I normally never got manicures because the hand sanitizers at work typically destroyed them after one shift, so I got a pedicure while Aunt Jo got her manicure updated. She had mild diabetic neuropathy so she had her toes nails trimmed and groomed by her podiatrist.
As I sat in with my feet soaking across the room, Aunt Jo called out, “I’ve seen Ana at the center. She’s been quiet lately. Looks like she’s working at least as hard as your doctor.”
“That’s sort of why I wanted to drop by and see her. She hasn’t been returning my calls.”
“Everything okay with you two?”
“I think so, but…I think something happened between her and this guy. It’s sort of a long story.”
“Are you talking about that blond guy that showed up the other day? Handsome one?”
Chase went to see her? Jeez, no wonder she was avoiding my calls. “Did you meet him?”
“Nah, just saw him from far away when I was doing my ride. They seemed to be talking about something serious. Not that it was any of my business.” She thought for a moment, then shrugged. “About time she got a boyfriend.”
“I don’t think they’re dating.”
“Well, whatever they are, pretty young thing like that shouldn’t work her life away.”
“You’re starting to sound like Mom.”
“I’m not saying she should marry him right off the bat, but there’s no reason why she shouldn’t have some fun. Hell, look at me. Even I have a guy.”
“Whoa, hold on.” I sat up straighter in the chair and nearly had my toe nail ripped off. The lady buffing my nail glared at me, and I settled back down in the seat. “You have a boyfriend? How come I didn’t know about this?”
“Relax, girlie, it’s nothing to get yourself worked up over. He’s just that guy who helps Ana with the horses at the center. Jack Holden. Nice, strong name, he’s got. Strong hands, too.”
“Oh, my God.” I wasn’t sure whether to be ecstatic or horrified. “How long has this been going on?”
“A month or two, I haven’t really been keeping track. He’s a decent guy, good family. Men like him come few and far between.”
I examined my aunt with a critical eye. “No wonder you’re looking so good. You’ve got the sex glow going.”
“Just like the one you were sporting the last time I saw you. Don’t think I hadn’t noticed.”
I had no retort for that one. “But…a boyfriend?” Thousands of questions flew through my head. “What do you guys do?”
“Do I really need to explain it?”
“No, not that. I don’t want to know about that. I mean…does he take you out? Treat you right?” I lowered my voice to a stage whisper. “Do you use protection?”
She barked out a laugh. “Yes, yes, and yes. I may be old, but I’m not stupid.”
“So…do you ride with him? Never mind, don’t answer that. Can I meet him?”
“It’s not serious. We’re just having a good time right now. But I guess if you’re going by the center later, he’ll probably be working with the horses.”
Jeez, Aunt Jo with a boyfriend. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the concept.
After our nails were buffed and polished, we headed back out for a quick lunch before driving to the center. I invited Aunt Jo to come with me, but she declined. “I’m seeing Jack tonight, so no point in me giving him a preview.”
I parked in front of her apartment building and made to walk up with her, but she stayed me. “You go see Ana. I know you’ve got a full plate on your hands. I can manage getting back to my apartment okay.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve been doing fine on my own the past year, haven’t I?”
“More than fine, I think. I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Yeah, I guess I am. We’ll see about Jack. He’s taking me to the drive-in.”
“Drive-in? They still have those?”
“I haven’t been to one in years, not since your uncle was alive. Should be fun.”
“No necking in the dark.”
“Aw, don’t be a stick in the mud. That’s the best part of drive-ins.”
I drew her into a big hug. “I love you. Take car
e of yourself.”
“Love you, too. And tell your man he should do better than calling you a few minutes a day. You ask me, he needs to make you more of a priority.”
“Thanks, but we both have our responsibilities. I’m okay that he takes his so seriously.”
“Still, you should be at the top of the list. Now go see Ana. Tell her to stop working so hard.”
I watched her enter the apartment building before pulling out of the parking spot. As I headed back onto the highway, I thought about her parting words and sighed. Telling a Darcy to stop working hard was like telling them to stop breathing - nearly impossible for them to achieve.
~
I pulled into the visitors’ parking lot at Pemberley and parked. I stayed in the car a moment, steeling myself. Ana was obviously avoiding me, but why? What had happened between her and Chase that she didn’t want to talk to me about it? Sure, it really was none of my business, but she couldn’t go on just ignoring my calls forever, could she?
A call ahead to the receptionist confirmed that Ana was expected to be onsite and wasn’t away on business like she had been recently. I exited the car and started walking towards the entrance, wondering what I would say to her when I did see her. Could I lead with, “So…I saw you kissing Chase and want to know what that’s all about?” I didn’t think so.
When I checked in at the front desk, Charity’s face lit up on seeing me. “Hi, Miss Bennett! Miss Darcy is in a meeting with a client at the moment, but you could wait for her if you like. It’s scheduled to end in fifteen minutes.”
“Great, thanks, Charity. How’s the baby doing? By the way, you’re looking fantastic.”
“Thanks. Brayden has gotten so big. He’s already sitting up on his own. Not crawling yet, but you can see he’s getting ready. He’s taking solids now, so he’s finally starting to sleep through the night, thank God.” She pulled out her phone and started showing me pictures of an adorably bald, brown-eyed baby boy.
The phone rang so she excused herself to answer it, and I found a seat in the waiting area. I had no messages from Darcy - not that I was really expecting any - but I checked anyway, hoping to be surprised.
I had a text from Luke just checking in - he was working in San Francisco, a fact which gave me pause. Darcy never mentioned seeing Luke when he was out there on business. Perhaps they hadn’t crossed paths. After all, The DeBourgh Group, while not one of the biggest companies in its field, had different facets of research, and they could easily have been working in different areas.
Just as Charity finished with her phone call, I heard a door open and Ana’s familiar voice spoke with a deeper, unfamiliar one. A moment later, Ana stepped out from the office area with an older gentleman. “Thank you for visiting, Mr. Blumenthal. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions about your wife’s stay.” She handed him a business card, shook his hand, and saw him to the door. It wasn’t until he was walking across the parking lot that Ana turned to me.
Her smile was polite and rather distant. “Hey, Lizzy. What brings you here?”
I glanced at Charity briefly. She seemed to be working, but was obviously trying to eavesdrop a bit. “Can we go to your office?”
“Of course. Charity, if Mr. Rojas arrives early, could you please let me know? Thank you.”
When we reached her office, Ana closed the door behind us and gestured to the empty seat in front of her desk. Instead of taking the seat beside me or sitting across from me, she opted to lean against her desk, so she was looking at me slightly from above. Why was she trying to intimidate me? As relaxed and easy she appeared, I knew a power play when I saw one. “What can I do for you, Lizzy?”
I was taken aback by her formal tone. Something was definitely up. “I was just wondering why you’re avoiding my phone calls.”
“I’ve been incredibly busy. Between traveling and working here, I’ve hardly had any time to socialize.”
“I’m not looking to socialize. I’m worried about you. You ran off last week after…well, you can’t blame me for wondering what’s going on.”
“So you did see.”
“It was hard not to. Are you and Chase…”
“No. We’re not. We never were. That was a mistake, and I’d appreciate if you don’t talk about it again.”
“Okay.” I was dying to pry more, but by the look on her face, I suspected she’d sooner skewer me and roast me for lunch than admit what had really happened between them. “It doesn’t matter anyway. You just seemed very upset, and I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
Her stony visage softened slightly. “I’m fine. Aunt Catherine has been keeping Will and me very busy with all the changes happening within the company.”
“I know. Will doesn’t talk about it much, but he’s hardly been given a moment to breathe, let alone talk to me on the phone.”
“That company is my aunt’s life now that Grandfather is gone. She’s always thrown herself into her work. It’s all she really knows, to be honest. Will and I are trying to help her cope as much as possible.”
“Still, you two shouldn’t be running yourself ragged. You’ve got your own responsibilities here.”
“It’s not easy, I have to admit, but I’m managing. Will has had the larger brunt of responsibility by covering my aunt’s old position in the company and managing this merger. He’s had a hard time getting up to speed with the new technologies in development. It’s such a different world than what he’s been working with in the past.”
“He hardly talks about his work.”
“It’s just because he doesn’t want to burden you with the stress he’s been under and, he’d never admit it, but I think he’s overwhelmed with all the changes that have taken place.”
“Believe me, it’s not easy for me to see him go through all this, having to give up a career that he loves to help his aunt out. I truly hope she appreciates all he’s doing for her.”
“I honestly don’t think she sees it that way. That’s not how she thinks. I mean, she sees the company as his birthright, his responsibility. She’s hoping that when she’s gone, he’ll be the one to take it over.”
“But what about you? You seem more suited for the job, no offense to him.”
“It’s just another way to exert control over him. You know my aunt and how much she loves control. As for me, I’m already tied to the company through the center. If the company ever decides to sell us off, let’s just say I wouldn’t be happy. Believe me, I’m doing everything I can to make sure this center is a success, because I can’t afford to lose it.”
“She would sell off Pemberley?”
“It was passed down to us through our father. She has no emotional ties to it. The land is ours, as are the buildings, but the business, the brand…those belong to the company. It’s been so successful, even if we combined the money in our trust accounts, Will and I wouldn’t be able to afford to buy it back if she decided to sell it. Unfortunately, that’s something I never considered when we decided to build this business.”
“But even if you cut ties and they left, wouldn’t you be able to start a new business?”
“We wouldn’t have the capital. This was funded by DeBourgh money. We would need to start completely from scratch without the strength of the DeBourgh name behind us. It’d be easier to convert it back to a horse farm than to do that.” She sighed heavily. “But you didn’t come here to talk to me about Pemberley.”
“No, but you did give me a bit more insight on why your aunt has such a strong hold over you and your brother.”
“Even putting Pemberley aside, Will would still have made the choice to work with Aunt Catherine.”
“He does sort of have that hero complex going, doesn’t he?”
She smiled. “He does truly enjoy saving people, you’re right. His patients, his family, his friends…you. He doesn’t know how to do anything else.”
“Why does he have to be so
damn selfless?”
“Don’t think that way. You wouldn’t love him nearly as much if he weren’t. He loves you, Lizzy. And he loves Aunt Catherine. Don’t let it be any more difficult for him than it is.”
“I’m trying, but…it hasn’t been easy for me either, knowing your aunt doesn’t want me to be with him. And don’t tell me I’m wrong. I heard her tell her friend, Chase’s mom.”
At the mention of Chase, she paled, but her expression remained neutral. “I can’t deny Aunt Catherine can be difficult to get along with. And I don’t know what exactly you overheard, but please, just let it go. For Will’s sake.”
I nodded. “What about you? When are you going to give yourself a break?”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you don’t want to talk about it, but there’s something going on with you and Chase and for whatever reason, you’re beating yourself up about it. He’s a decent guy. I don’t see why you shouldn’t be with him.”
“There’s a lot you don’t understand, Lizzy. It’s not that simple.”
“No, it probably isn’t. But maybe you should stop torturing yourself over it. I’m not judging you, Ana. Whether you want to be with Chase or not, I just want you to be happy.”
My words seemed to penetrate the defensive shell she’d built around her, because before I knew it, she’d stood, and leaned over me, and enveloped me in a hug. I awkwardly hugged her back and when she pulled away, she had tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch. I don’t know what’s going on with me.”
I stood so we were more at eye level. “You’ve lost your grandfather and there’s a lot of changes happening in your life and your family.”
“But it doesn’t give me an excuse to act so horribly when you’re just trying to be supportive.”
“I meant what I said about wanting you to be happy.”
“And, truly, I know you mean well, but please, I don’t want to talk about Chase. It’s too…I just can’t. But I do appreciate you worrying about me.”
