Finding Her Way (26 page)

Chapter Twenty

The final guests filtered into the dining room, seating themselves in the scattered empty chairs. Jerrica sat across from Lauren. With everyone seated at the long rectangle oak table, Jerrica could now sum up the competition. Jerrica calculated that there were sixteen people sitting at the table. The Daniel family counted for three, between familiar faces and other mannerisms, she figured ten, including she and Lauren, were there for the competition, but there were two men and one woman that she just couldn’t place. One of those people was Lauren’s friend, Andrew
.
She wondered what their role was for this weekend. Were they friend or foe? From her vantage point, she could see everyone she needed to watch.

There was quiet chitchat during diner as the wait staff fluently served a superb four-course meal. When dessert was finally served, consisting of fresh strawberry puree drizzled on a decadent piece of New York cheese cake, Jerrica graciously declined. This didn’t go unnoticed by the hostess.

“Why, Ms. Kerrison, did you not care for your dessert?”

“It looks absolutely delicious, Ms. Daniel, I’m just not much for such lavish sweets. But thank you for your concern about my eating habits.” Though civil, her tone bordered on sarcasm.

The room went deadly silent as every head swiveled toward Victoria Daniel to see what her response would be.

Always graceful and dignified, Victoria lifted her glass, acknowledging Jerrica’s statement with a smile and a nod.

Jerrica repeated the motion, putting an end to the dinnertime show. Jerrica peered above the rim of her glass at Lauren as she sipped her drink. The smirk on her face told Jerrica she approved of the recent interaction with the elder Daniel.

The room remained strangely silent during dessert. The sound of silverware touching china plates echoed though the room until everyone had completed their dish. Mr. Daniel placed his napkin beside his plate. Standing, he made an announcement. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you would care to, please join me in the family room for pleasantries.”
 

Like good little lab rats following the master with the cheese, everyone stood and did what was instructed, everyone except the representatives from Morrill, Hartford and Donahue. They sat quietly until they were the only two, besides staff clearing the table, left in the dining room.

“We could have showed up tomorrow and missed all of this,” Jerrica said as she waved her arms in exasperation., “I don’t understand why they wanted us to come tonight. They’ve spent all of five seconds with us all evening. This is all bullshit.”

“You forget who’s behind this,” replied Lauren as she got to her feet., “Shall we go?”

“Let the record show, I don’t want to do this.”

“It has been noted, boss lady. Now put on that fake smile and let’s go mingle.”

Since they were the last ones to enter the family room, every head turned when they appeared. Before Jerrica had a chance to look around, Andrew and an unknown woman entered her personal space. Jerrica watched, as a strange feeling seemed to pass through Lauren and Andrew as their eyes met.

“Ms. Kerrison, is it okay if I steal Lauren from you for a little while?” Andrew said not even looking in Jerrica’s direction.

“Andrew, I don’t want to leave Jerrica here by herself.” Lauren’s voice was just above a whisper.

“I think I can entertain her for a while,” said the mystery woman. She held out her hand. “I’m Paula.”

“Jerrica.”

“Well, I guess everything is settled. Shall we go find a quiet place to talk?” Andrew held out his arm.

With a smile to her boss, Lauren turned, wrapped her hand around Andrew’s elbow, and floated away.

Jerrica couldn’t believe that Lauren had just left her there. Jerrica almost felt like a third wheel on a date, being pawned off on the wingman. In this case, it was the wing woman. Jerrica felt very uncomfortable. As fate would have it, a staff member was walking around with more trays of champagne. She motioned for him to come over. Removing two glasses from the tray, she handed one to her guest. Before the waiter could leave, Jerrica asked if she could order a stronger drink. After taking her request, he politely excused himself, making his way toward the bar area.

“I know who you are,” Paula commented.

“Excuse me,” Jerrica said, choking on the champagne.

“I have been wracking my brain all evening trying to figure out who you were. You’re Jerrica Kerrison from Morrill, Hartford, and Donahue. I recognized you from your article in Forbes magazine.” Paula sounded excited as she continued. “I must have read that article about twenty times.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Jerrica said flatly.

Paula didn’t seem to notice as she rambled on with excitement.

Jerrica tried to pay attention to the clueless woman who was chatting away. Often she would add a right or that’s interesting to the conversation, to make it sound like she was listening. She consumed the stronger drink in two gulps, seconds after the waiter had put it in her hand. Jerrica’s eyes were just about to glaze from boredom or maybe it was the alcohol when Paula stopped talking.

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that,” asked Jerrica, suddenly aware Paula was waiting for an answer.

Paula smile widened. “I asked you to clarify what you meant in your article when you said and I quote, ‘Life is such a short drive. Why not stop at every exit to see where it takes you.’ Did you mean professionally or personally.”

“Yes, Ms. Kerrison, do explain your meaning,” interjected Devin.

Jerrica spun around to find Devin standing just behind her.

Paula stood next to Jerrica waiting for her to answer.

Devin was baiting her again.

Totally ignoring Devin, Jerrica turned to Paula, “I’m sorry, but I’ve suddenly developed a headache. Maybe it’s the alcohol. Would you please excuse me?”

 
“Ms. Daniel, could you please give your parents my apologies for having to retire early?” she said, turning to Devin.

Devin nodded her head as Jerrica cased the room for Lauren.

“Ms. Kerrison, why don’t you go rest and I’ll make sure your associate knows of your location,” Devin’s phony concern was written on her face.

“Thank you, Ms. Daniel, I would appreciate your assistance. Goodnight, ladies.” Jerrica graciously smiled at both of them, then withdrew from the room.

Chapter Twenty-One

The two-inch heels and restricting gown made running out of the main house impossible. It took longer for her to get to the cottage than anticipated. She had planned to have enough time to change into a more suitable outfit before Devin’s arrival. She estimated it would take at least twenty minutes for Devin to slip from the party without someone connecting that both of them were absent. She left the bedroom door partially open. She was pulling down the last window blind when she heard the front door open. Jerrica stood perfectly still with her back to the windows, staring at the doorway, anxiously waiting. Devin entered the room with so much arrogance that Jerrica could feel it from across the room. Her anger began to fester low in her belly.

Devin strolled toward Jerrica, but stopped at the edge of the bed.

Jerrica watched as Devin slid her hands down her lower back, over her curvy buttocks, tucking the dress as she seated herself on the bed. Her gaze didn’t wander as Devin crossed her legs. When their eyes finally met, Jerrica uttered, “Why, Devin?”

Devin pondered the question a moment then wetted her lips. “Because I love you.”

“What you are doing to me, you don’t do to people you love. You hide your cruel actions and selfishness under this blanket you call love. “

Devin looked at her hands in her lap, her confidence wavering. “You wouldn’t talk to me. You totally shut me out of your life. I had to get your attention.”

Tossing her hands in the air in frustration, she turned to one side. “There are better ways to get my attention than ruining my career.”

“Ruining you?” Devin’s voice went up a few octaves. “What about me?”

Standing, she stepped closer. “You never gave me a chance, us a chance. You walked out on us! You told me you loved me.”

Jerrica could see the hurt in her eyes, hear the anger in her voice. “I tried to give us a chance. You’re the one who destroyed us. I told you from the beginning, I wouldn’t hide who I was ever again and that’s what you wanted me to do. You haven’t been honest with your parents or yourself,” Jerrica said and sighed., “I can’t deny that we had something special together, but I realize now it wasn’t love. Maybe it was admiration or lust, but we weren’t in love.”

“No! Don’t say that, Jerrica! I know you love me! I know you do!”

Without any warning, she lunged at Jerrica, knocking her off balance as she pushed her against the windows. Devin pinned Jerrica’s arms above her head, then captured her lips with her own.

Jerrica struggled to get away, but the weight of Devin’s body prevented her from escaping. A shapely thigh shoved between her legs and further kept her off balance.

Devin pulled her lips away, burying her face in the crook of Jerrica’s neck. “I know you love me. I know you do.”

Jerrica could hear her repeating that phrase several times near her ear. “Devin, let me go,” Jerrica pleaded, trying to push her away.
 

Devin shifted her weight again to hold Jerrica captive, but freed at least one hand.

Panic rushed through every vein in Jerrica’s body as she not only felt, but also heard the material of her gown being ripped open, exposing her flesh.

“No, stop!” Jerrica screamed as flash backs of a previous life flooded her mind. Quickly placing her shoe on the low windowsill, Jerrica pushed as hard as she could; sending them both tumbling toward the bed.

Devin released Jerrica as she tried to catch herself before falling to the floor.

Jerrica fell to her knees, but was able to scramble to her feet, pulling the ripped side of her dress closed.

Devin kneeled on the floor breathing heavily. She used the edge of the bed to help her stand. When Devin finally turned around, Jerrica was in full swing, slapping her hard across the face. “How dare you! I am not something you can just take! You do not own me, Devin Daniel!”

The look on Devin’s face as she held her hand to the side of her face was worth the pain now radiating through Jerrica’s hand.

Devin’s eyes narrowed. “How could you hit me?”

“You’re lucky that’s all I did! You were forcing yourself on me! What did you expect me to do? I am not one of your whores!”

“I don’t know what I expected. I guess I hoped if I made you see we belong together, that you would come back to me. Everything just got out of hand.” A bright red handprint was beginning to develop on her cheek.

Jerrica walked to the door. With one hand on the doorknob, she motioned to Devin. “I want you to go. Now!”

Jerrica reached in her bag, retrieving the phone as Devin walked toward her. She held it out for Devin to take, “Take this! I don’t want any of your gifts.”

A flash of anger raged through Devin as she ripped the phone out of Jerrica’s hand and pitched it at the wall.

Jerrica watched as the brand new phone struck the wall, shattering into millions of pieces and scattering across the room. Jerrica looked at Devin in surprise.

“I don’t want the fucking phone, I want you.”

“Well, you can’t have me,” she said as she opened the door.

“Mark my words, Jerrica, once you get tired of your pretty little girl toy, you’ll be back. You’ve never been able to resist me.”

Confidence filled her voice. “I just did, Ms. Daniel. Now, please leave.”

Jerrica watched as Devin’s blonde hair swayed on her back as she left. Was Devin referring to Madison? Jerrica locked the bedroom door before she sat down on the bed. Her hands were shaking as the adrenaline rush was beginning to wearing off. Without warning, tears started trickling down her face. She could feel the sobs building in her throat. A soft knock on the door startled Jerrica. She didn’t answer; instead sat motionless until she heard the loving voice on the other side.

“Jerrica, are you ok? It’s Lauren.”

Jerrica rushed across the room to open the door.

Lauren wrapped the sobbing Jerrica in her arms. Trying to comfort Jerrica, the only way she knew how, by holding her tight. Lauren felt helpless, not knowing what exactly had transpired that evening. Acting more like a Mom then an employee, Lauren help Jerrica change into sleepwear and into bed. Lauren noticed the large rips in the gown as she draped it over a nearby chair. She held Jerrica’s hand as she recounted what had occurred that evening between Devin and her, pointing absently to the pieces of cell phone on the floor.

Lauren heard the panicked tone in her voice.

Jerrica could see the anger in Lauren’s eye, but was too weary to argue with her. The last thing she remembered before she passed out from exhaustion was Lauren kissing her on the forehead, then turning off the light.

†

The unexpected sound of music shocked Jerrica from her slumber. Reaching up, she flipped the switch to shut the alarm off. She pulled back the blankets about to get out of bed, but halted when she heard a light snore beside her. Cautiously rolling over, Jerrica saw a beautiful woman sleeping soundly on the other side of the bed. Jerrica smiled as she watched Lauren sleep. She slipped out of bed, heading for the bathroom to change. When she re-entered the room, she was in her jogging t-shirt and shorts. Jerrica softly touched Lauren’s arm to wake her.

Lauren turned onto her back, slowly opening her eyes.

“Good morning. Thank you for staying with me. I’m going to the beach for a run. Maybe you should hop in the shower to wake up and then order us some breakfast.”

“How are you doing this morning?”

“I’m doing okay, better than last night. Can I borrow your phone?”

Lauren nodded as she yawned some of the sleep away.

Jerrica picked up Lauren’s cell phone from the nightstand. Walking to the windows, she dialed Madison.

Lauren sat on the side of the bed, observing.

Within seconds, Jerrica clicked the phone off. “Voicemail again,” she said handing the phone to Lauren. “I’ll be back.”

The sun was rising slowly in the sky. She did her warm up stretches on the wooden walkway that led to the deserted beach. There was a small breeze coming off the water, which made her happy she had put her hair in a small ponytail. The music was blasting through her ear buds as she started down the beach, with a muddled mind and a sad heart.