The Devil's Intended-Love & Evil In Palm Beach

by Pamela Southwood

few bottles of wine, the men departed. Anthony listened to his messages and decided to return Kristen’s call. She answered right away and he cheerfully said “Hi Honey! How are things going with Marco? Are you ready to flee from him yet?” Kristen laughed “Funny you should ask. I already escaped him. I am at The Plaza.”

   Anthony now took on a serious tone. “Are you kidding me? What did he try on you?” Kristen quickly answered “No, no, nothing like that. I just decided I would be more comfortable here and then it would be easy to get back to the airport to meet you whenever you come back from New Jersey. It will be great. I can go shopping all day tomorrow. I am where I am meant to be!”

   Anthony said “Are you sure he did not hit on you?” Kristen was surprised at his jealousy. "Marco has been quite the gentleman. There is nothing to worry about.” Anthony apologized “I really should have brought you with me. Then you could have met Vincente too. At least I can trust him.”

   Kristen cut in. “So much for our trip together. When am I going to see you again?” Anthony said “I should have things wrapped up tomorrow morning. We can fly back in the late afternoon. Is that good for you?” She replied “Sure! Just give me an hour warning so I can get back to the hotel from the stores. Do you want to meet me here?” Anthony agreed, “Sounds like the plan. We’ll get dinner on the island somewhere after we land. Have some fun, but not too much. Good-bye Dream Girl.”

   Kristen smiled as she held the phone. She was so happy with how everything was going for them. They already felt like a married couple with a future. She could not even imagine how any dark clouds could ever get in their way.

   

   

  17 TURNED TO SALT

   

   Palm Beach was a very small town, even during Season, and it was inevitable that you would eventually run into everyone at some point. The Shiny Sheet kept close tabs on them all, whether they were in town or in The Hamptons. Nowadays, the paper wasn’t quite as gossipy. But in the inner circles, tongues were clucking around the clock. 

   As Kristen gained more access to the top rungs she became even more conservative in her dress and her ways. She was excited becoming a mother soon and wanted to be the perfect role model. She also needed to be the ultimate trophy wife to be seen on the arm of Anthony. He was in an elite class and not someone to embarrass. She needed to show grace and poise at all times.

   It was late March and the wedding now appeared on the horizon. Kristen was head over heels in love with her fiancé, but was getting nervous and a little apprehensive about actually going through with it. To do this meant total responsibility and commitment. It was not an easy thing for her to say “I will love you forever”, especially since she was still young.

   Kristen thought “It must be a full moon coming up if I am thinking like this.” Anthony was in New York again and she was lonely. She decided to cheer up and go to a lounge on the island that night. Melanie was in town from California, so she called her up and arranged to meet her inside one of the Breaker’s Hotel bars after 9 PM. Kristen was feeling a little dark and searched through her closet for a nasty, but appropriate “little black dress.”

   She decided on a leopard print and to wear her hair down tonight. She sat at her dressing table and sipped on a Chocolate Martini. She spent about fifteen minutes straightening her locks completely flat. She viewed herself in the mirror and was surprised that she looked like she was in her early 20's again.  Kristen then worried and thought that maybe she should try a different look in case she ran into any Fiore acquaintances. “What the heck! I only have less than a month left to party.” She assumed Melanie was dressing to kill and she had to outdo her!

   She valeted Anthony’s Black Ferrari and slowly walked into the hotel. She found Melanie sitting at the bar talking with a gentleman from Canada. The bartender also seemed interested in her and was leaning on the bar with his elbows, trying to join in the conversation.

   Kristen sat down next to her. She ordered wine and turned her chair to observe the people. The bar was half-filled and just some of the tables were occupied. Kristen thought that there must be a major party going on somewhere else. The rest of the crowd would probably show up later towards closing.

   Kristen was on her second glass, and Melanie, on her first kiss, when a man with three very young redheads dressed in white walked in. He chose a table only ten feet away and she watched as he ordered a bucket of champagne. He turned his head to look around and his gaze rested immediately on Kristen. He sat up a little taller.

   The man’s hair was perfectly coiffed and he was wearing an expensive dinner jacket. Kristen looked through his blue eyes and saw the blackness in them. It was Karl!

   He smiled at Kristen and his face now came to life. It made him look like a different person and approachable. She nodded nervously as he left his chair and came over to stand next to her. Kristen could smell his spicy cologne and again felt attracted to him. She couldn’t help herself. He was actually excited to see her and shed his former demeanor to give her a kiss on her cheek.

   Kristen was feeling very shy. Karl said warmly “How have you been doing Kristen? It’s been a while.” Instead of Kristen immediately bringing up the subject of how their last meeting in Chicago had ended with him disappearing, she replied politely “I am doing well Karl. What brings you to the Palm Beach?” He answered “I have always had a place here at the end of the island. I am still in New York too.” Kristen thought Karl looked happier now, just like a human.

   She wasn’t used to this Karl. He seemed miles away from his dominant personality. Kristen looked at the girls at his table and wondered if they were submissives. An old feeling came over her. She was jealous! She was surprised at herself. These were not the feelings of an engaged woman. She thought it must be the alcohol, but she knew it wasn’t.

   Karl and Kristen now looked at each other like lost lovers. He acknowledged this saying “Kristen, I have done nothing but think of you since I last saw you.” Kristen turned away. He said “Strange days. Weren’t they?” Kristen mustered up some words “Are you still into that?” He gave her a familiar mischievous look. “It has hardly been that long since I saw you last. Of, course I am into it. It’s not a choice.” He lowered his voice “There happens to be a strong underworld element to this island. But I am sure you have not seen it.”

   She was afraid to speak. The old Karl was coming out and again she feared him. “I am going to a party tonight on an ocean estate and I would like you to come with me.” He pointed over to his table and laughed. I will forgo my foursome with “The Furies” in order to enjoy your company instead.” She looked toward Melanie to avoid Karl’s eyes.

   Kristen had been so wrapped up in seeing Karl that she was not aware that Melanie and her Canuck were now on the other side of the lounge. Kristen shifted in her chair. Karl was becoming impatient and said like he always did, “Kristen, this is not a game.” Kristen replied quickly “I’m not playing games Karl. I am no longer looking for a thrill. It doesn’t interest me. Game over.” She stared straight at him. “Again, that scene is not for me. It just seems boring if you aren’t really into it. And I am not the type who is going to pretend to enjoy it just to get myself a man, including a very rich one.”

   Karl said “You never knew what it was really about. Maybe you don’t want it, but I know you still want me.” Kristen had never heard Karl actually try to talk to her. She was used to him just dismissing her. He now acted like she had some significant impact on him back then.

   “Kristen, pain and humiliation are not the key, it goes deeper.” He continued “It is about control. It is about trust. I saw a quality and a need in you that I wanted to explore further and I regret that I never called you again.” Kristen said “It’s alright. I knew there was nothing going on. I was just curious about things. It wasn’t you.”

   Karl looked at her dead-on. “Don’t delude yourself, or pretend for my sake. You know what it was.” He was sur
prised at her new ability to put up defenses. He said sadly “I can tell you won’t let yourself feel anymore. Will you?”

   Kristen just looked down at the floor and said “I feel.” Karl preached on “You’re just acting these days. You have chosen what your destiny should be, but you’re not on-board, no one is here for you, no one can be. You are just showing the Kristen they want to see.”

   Kristen was very uncomfortable and wanted to change the direction of the conversation. She gave him a perky reply “So, Karl. Where’s the party?” Again, he knew that she was trying to avoid him. He laughed “It’s on the North End. It’s a normal, boring affair. No S&M.” Kristen was dying to tell him that she was engaged and chase him off before she fell for him again. She had deliberately not worn her ring that night and now wished she had.

   Karl started acting like he was truly interested in her. “Come on Kristen, the party doesn’t matter. I want to be with you, just to talk. We can do whatever you would like. I do have feelings for you. We’ll do it your way this time.”

   Kristen was now the strong one and shrugged defiantly “I can’t do that Karl. I am here with my friend and not leaving anytime soon. You can go back to your girlfriends, I won’t mind.” Karl