by Diana Nixon
"I know. And I need to pay back the loan or they will levy a default upon the house and then sell it to compensate the loan."
"Do you have that much money?"
"Of course not."
"What are you gonna do now?"
"First of all, I need to know what my father spent the loan on."
Furious, I rushed back to the house. Dad was in the kitchen, eating his dinner.
Slamming the paper against the table, I asked as calmly as possible, "Can you explain this?"
His eyes moved down the lines written in the notification, then he looked at me and said, "I was going to tell you about it, Rhea…"
"When? After you lost your house?"
"No. Listen to me, please."
"I'm all ears." I crossed my arms and watched him intently. I couldn't believe we got stuck in this mess because of him.
"One day, I went to the casino…"
"Again?"
"I needed money and I thought I could play a little and win some cash."
"You needed money? Seriously? For what? I pay all the bills for you, I buy your clothes and food. What the hell would you need money for?" I thought for a moment. "Wait, let me guess – you got taken the cleaners. Am I right?"
He lowered his eyes and I knew I pushed the right button.
"How much do you owe the casino?"
"As much as is written in this paper." He nodded to the damn notification.
"Do you realize that you can lose everything that you have?"
"I don't have anything anymore!" He shouted back. "I lost everything the day I lost your mother. She died and took away my life with her. I don't have anything to live for!"
"What about me? Am I not worth it, Dad?"
He hid his face in his hands and shook his head. "You don't understand, Rhea… While I had work to do, it was my escape. But after retirement, I felt so useless and lonely. You didn't need me anymore. I felt like a burden."
"Is that why you wasted all the money that you had on playing in the casino?"
He nodded and his eyes watered again.
"I didn't know what else to do, or where to go. I didn't have friends to hang out with and you were busy with your own life."
"I can't believe this is happening, Dad… I can't afford to pay back your loan. I'm not a millionaire!"
"Does this mean… We are going to lose the house?"
I shrugged helplessly. "Unless you know where to get the needed sum."
Kora came into the kitchen. "Sorry, I didn't mean to nose into your family problems, but what if you go to the bank and ask for an additional grace period? If you, Rhea, show them your bank statement, they might back down and wait a little more."
"It's a great idea," Dad said.
"I don't know… My incomes are not very impressive right now. I'm in the middle of a bid for a new contract."
"Is there a way to sway the balance in your favor?" Kora asked.
"I doubt it. The company made it clear that all the offers would be carefully examined. I don't want to lose the contract by rushing them with making a decision. I don't have a right to do it."
"Then all we can do is pray," Dad summarized.
Kora and I shared a glance.
"When are you going to know the results of the bid?" She asked.
"On Monday afternoon."
"It's not too long to wait. Maybe luck will be on your side and everything will be okay." She smiled reassuringly and hugged me. "The kids and I gotta go. They are tired and need to get some sleep."
"Of course. I'll accompany you back to your parents." I looked at my father. "Dad, you stay here and finish your dinner. We will talk when I'm back."
He nodded and got back to the unfinished meal.
"Looks like Monday is gonna be my best day ever," I said, walking down the street.
"Courage, girl. I know you can do this."
I smiled sadly. "Amen."
When passing by Kenneth's house, Kora looked at me and said. "You should have married Kenneth when he proposed."
Kenneth was there to help me through my breakup with Jeffrey. Well, I could hardly call it 'a breakup'. After the unfortunate conversation that I accidentally overheard, a lot of things changed. First, I changed my phone number so I would never listen to any of the lame excuses that Jeffrey might have come up with to explain why he wanted to break up with me. Second, I enrolled in an External Degree Program, because I didn't want to give up on my biggest dream ever because of him. And third – I moved off campus and rented a room not far away from the café I started working at to pay for my new 'home'. Dad didn't know anything about any of the above. I preferred things to stay that way.
After getting a diploma, I sent my CVs everywhere I could, and a few months later, I finally got a job offer that marked the beginning of my designing career. Getting married wasn't in the list of my to-do things back then, that's why Kenneth's proposal didn't get an affirmative answer.
"I didn't love him," I said to Kora. Kenneth knew it too. That's why he didn't push it and we agreed to stay on 'a friends only' stage. A few years ago, he married a girl he met back in the university, and I couldn't be happier for them.
"I didn't love him," Kora mimicked me. "So what? At least you would have someone to resolve your problems for you."
"I can do it without anyone's help."
"That's why now you are racking your brain on how to find enough money so as not to let your old man lose his place."
"Those are unexpected circumstances."
"Right."
We stopped at her parents' house, the boys hugged me good-bye and ran to the porch.
"Call me as soon as you know the results of the bid," Kora said.
"I will."
We said good-byes and I went back home, hoping Monday wouldn't become a complete disappointment. Otherwise, Dad would have to move in with me, and sharing my one-bedroom apartment with him would be hell.
CHAPTER 16
"Morning, Rhea!" Wendy, my secretary said as I walked into my waiting room.
"It's almost noon." I sat on a chair facing her, kicked off my heels and stretched out my legs.
"It is. But for me, Monday mornings start at noon."
I smiled. "It's so true about today."
Wendy was in her late thirties and we had been working together for almost three years now.
"You look tired," she commented on my appearance.
"I am tired as hell. I didn’t' get much sleep last night. And I needed to take my dad to the doctor this morning. He hates doctors."
"Hope he's okay?"
"Kind of." I didn't want anyone at work to know about my family issues, so I didn't give away the details. Dad was now under the supervision of nurses and qualified doctors and I hoped they would be able to help him deal with his addiction.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you…" Wendy took one of the papers lying on her table and gave it to me. "Coleman & Son sent you an invitation to join today's dinner where they will be announcing the winner of the bid."
My heart missed a beat. "Coleman & Son?"
"Yes, they have finally disclosed their name."
No one knew the name of the company. It was a part of the deal – to keep it secret until the day they were going to announce the winner.
To say that I was shocked was nothing.
Twelve years… This is how much time I wasted trying to forget Jeffrey Coleman's name and scratch it out of my life, forever. I was sure I had healed from the disease called my crush on Jeffrey. But the mere mention of his name made all my instincts go on high alert. I suddenly felt like I had been thrown years back to the day I realized what a bastard he was. I stood up, took my heels, refusing to put the tight things back on and went to my office.
"Rhea, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"We need to confirm your presence at the dinner."
I turned my head to look at Wendy, feeling like nothing on earth. "I'll be there," I said on autopilot.
/> What a turn in the story, I thought to myself, leaning against the closed door. Who would have thought I would be dreaming of working for the Colemans? Did Jeffrey get the position that he wanted? He obviously did, considering it was Coleman & Son now. Would he be attending the dinner? Of course, he would. Would he recognize me? Stupid question. I haven't changed much.
God, why me again? What have I done to piss off fate and deserve that many slaps in the face from her?
I walked to my desk and sat in my leather chair. I closed my eyes and the images of Jeffrey and I filled my mind….
There was a time I thought he was the best man in the whole world. How could I have been that stupid? How could I had believed a guy like him would put a girl like me first and forget about his future? Besides, his future had been decided for him. He didn't have much choice but to accept it, no matter how many times he repeated that his family didn't have any power over his life.
My life after him consisted of many things, except one – there was still no one to wake up next to and put the pieces of my broken heart back together. Even years later, I was still too scared to open up and be happy again, no matter the number of times men asked me out. There was only one man to haunt my dreams; I hated myself for how I still felt about him. A part of me hated him so much I wished nothing but to watch him fail in everything he wanted to get from his life. When the other part still harbored a soft spot for the man whose image imprinted in my head years ago and refused to leave it, no matter what.
I picked up the phone and dialed Sandy's number. She, of all people, knew how I felt about the upcoming meeting with my past.
"What's up, Sweetie?"
As always, she was an example of good mood. I didn't remember a single time I saw her pissed or sad, and that with three kids that she had given birth to.
"I'm gonna see Jeffrey tonight," I said bluntly.
"As in the Jeffrey?" She asked as surprised as ever.
"Correct."
"Wow… To what does he owe the honor of seeing you tonight?"
"To the fucking contract that I can't let slip through my fingers," I said angrily. I still couldn't believe the shit was real. I hated myself for being so weak again, small and scared to see the man I used to love with all my heart and realize that my feelings for him were still too strong to move on.
"Is that the one you wanted so bad? Something about the new trade center designing, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay… So what are you going to wear?"
That was Sandy for you – she believed that first impressions were most lasting. And in her world, first impression meant being sharp-dressed and wear the most confident expression ever, even if you felt like a scared as shit rabbit about to be swallowed by the wolf.
"That's why I'm calling you and not my father," I said. "I need your help."
"Figures. Are you at work now?"
"Yes."
"I'll be there in thirty. Levy is working from home today, so the kids will stay with him."
"Okay, see you soon then."
Did I mention Sandy married Levy right after their graduation? And by 'right after' I mean the day following the day they got their diplomas. Jeffrey was the best man, so I had to skip the wedding. I sent them a gift with a note saying I would kick Levy's ass if he dared to hurt my doll.
Despite everything, Sandy and I never stopped being friends. I saw Levy from time to time too, but for his own safety, he never mentioned my breakup with his roommate. As far as I knew, they were still close and Jeffrey was a permanent guest on most of their family gatherings. Unlike him, I only accepted the invitations that didn't mention his name. I couldn't stand the idea of being in the same room with him. Though today, it didn't look like I had much choice on that.
"Why this very contract?" I asked into the silence of the room. Why couldn't I find a different contract to bid on? Why did it have to be him deciding my future now? Because without his approval, my whole life was about to go down the fucking drain.
As promised, Sandy knocked at my door thirty minutes later, not a second earlier.
"Jesus Christ, Rhea! What on earth are you wearing?"
I gave my outfit an indifferent look. "A skirt and a jacket?"
"Have you borrowed it from your grandmas' wardrobe?" She put her bag on a small sofa, pursed her red glossed lips and added, "We need to do something about it or you're gonna lose this battle."
"I don't have time to go shopping, if this is what you mean. I need to do a few things before dinner."
"Changing your clothes is one of them. Do you have an emergency outfit to wear?"
I thought for a moment. "Not exactly…" I came to a closet hidden behind a glass door and took out a single piece of clothes kept there. "I only have this."
"Perfect!" Sandy took a snow-white jacket from my hands, put it to my chest and gave it a judging look. "You're gonna rock the damn dinner. Take off your clothes. And send them straight to a trash can."
"I spent half of my monthly salary on this duo!"
My friend rolled her eyes. "A total waste of money. I told you – going shopping without me is a bad idea."
"And going shopping with you means spending my year budget, which I can't afford happening every month or so." I took off my clothes, leaving nothing on except my lingerie to cover my body.
"Now put on the white jacket and the heels."
"You don't want me to go to the dinner dressed up like this, do you?"
The jacket was long enough to cover my butt and a part of my hip, but still too short to wear it to a business meeting.
"I look like a stripper," I said, looking at my reflection in the mirror.
"Let's pretend you're wearing a dress jacket. Do you want to get the contract, or not?"
"Dressed up like this? The only contract I will get will be to work in a cathouse."
Sandy giggled. "You don't think Jeffrey never been there, do you?"
"I don't really need to know where he goes."
Sandy's expression turned from smiling to bothered. "Come here," she said, sitting on a couch.
I sat down next to her, already knowing everything she was going to say next.
"I thought you were over him."
"I am," I replied without looking at her. I hardly believed my own words.
"Liar. You are still crazy about the man."
"Not true!"
"Oh, keep saying that and MAYBE, just maybe, you will believe it too."
"I haven't seen him for years. Maybe he's not as good-looking as he used to be."
"Trust me – you will be impressed."
I leaned against the back of the couch and sighed. "You are not helping."
"Actually, I am. I'm trying to get you ready for the meeting that is supposed to change your life, in a good meaning of the word. You never asked me about Jeffrey or his personal life, but so you know – he's not dating anyone at the moment."
"At the moment – are the keywords here."
She smirked. "Jealous?"
"God forbid!"
"Anyway, all I'm saying is that you need to show him that what he did hasn't ruined you. On the contrary – he needs to want you, Rhea, again."
"But I don't want to sleep with him! I just need some money to resolve my family problems. All I want is get the contract. Period."
"You will get it, if you really want it." She paused and watched me. "How bad do you want it, Rhea?"
"Really bad."
"Then it's time to rise and shine, as fucking blindingly as ever."
***
Jeffrey
The room was full of guests. People from all over the country came to hear the name of the winner who was gonna sign a six-figure contract with us. It wasn't the first event that I attended as the head of the company, but somehow, everything about the upcoming dinner felt different. As if deep down inside I knew it wouldn't end up well; my Sixth Sense never lied to me.
"Mr. Coleman, we are ready to start," Jordan, my assistan
t, said.
I looked at my watch and nodded. Tell everyone to take their seats.
As always, taking my father's seat at the top of the table felt a little unreal. I had been dreaming about taking his place in the company for so long, I didn’t remember a single day that I wasn't breathing for it. My job was everything to me and even more. I lived for the projects our company was working on. I checked every small detail before I approved anything. Tonight was not going to be an exception. Before announcing the winner's name, I wanted to talk to all the candidates and know more about them. I needed to feel that the person I was going to work with was worth my time and my money. I couldn't let someone I didn’t trust rule over one of the biggest projects ever. It would be a failure from the very beginning.
And so, I took a deep breath, stood in front of the guests whose eyes were following my every small move and said, "First of all, I would like to thank you for the hard work that every one of you has done to make me chose your names as the finalist of the bid. I know how much time you spent developing your ideas and drawing sketches that were supposed to attract my attention. I must say, I have never seen so many talented people in one room." The guests smiled proudly at my words. "That's why it is so hard to choose one of you to work with in the future. Before I announce the winner's name, I would like to…"
Suddenly the door to the conference room opened and SHE walked in…
The woman whose image in my mind I fell asleep and woke up with since I was eighteen.
The woman who once stole my heart and never gave it back to me.
The woman whose eyes still were the first thing I wanted to see in the morning.
Rhea Burns.
"Excuse me," she said to one of the guests. "It seems that you have taken the wrong seat."
The man in a black tailored suit checked on his invitation and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, Miss." He then moved one seat to the right and Rhea sat down at the oval table; her seat just happened to be opposite from mine.
Jordan ran up to me. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Coleman. I was sure all the guests were here."
"It's okay, Jordan."
Of all the twenty-five people gathered in the room, I couldn't take my eyes off one particular woman, who seemed to be ignoring my presence. The other woman, sitting on her left said something to her and she smiled in response, and nodded curtly.
