Fortune & Fame: A Novel (17 page)

Natasia could think of a few scenes, a few scenarios that she could set up to expose Jasmine to Hosea. But she’d need some help. First, getting Hosea on the show, and then setting Jasmine up. She needed someone who wanted to bring Jasmine down just as much as she did.

Someone like Rachel Jackson Adams!

Yes, Rachel was the most country-speaking, neck-rolling, Ross-wearing-thinking-she-was-fly woman she’d ever met. But today, Natasia had new respect for the woman she was sure could never pass a fifth-grade test.

It was Rachel’s question, “Are you Hosea’s Natasia?” that had Natasia looking at Rachel with new eyes. When Rachel had asked her that, “Yes,” was right on the tip of Natasia’s tongue. But she
was
smart enough to pass an elementary school exam, so she hadn’t uttered a single word.

The question had made her curious, though. Why had Rachel asked? What did she know about her and Hosea? Had Jasmine been talking? Had Hosea been talking . . . about her?

She had no answers, but the fact that Rachel had asked let Natasia know that Rachel could be her ally.

When Sonny shouted, “Cut!” Natasia rushed to the circle of the First Ladies and the girls. Some of the girls were still asleep and had to be awakened, but Natasia left all of that for the producers. She headed straight to Rachel.

“This was such a brilliant idea,” she gushed to Rachel. “Thank you for thinking of it.”

It took Rachel a moment to respond, as if she couldn’t believe Natasia was talking to her, and Natasia wished that she’d been a bit nicer to Rachel before now. Finally, Rachel said, “You think so?” and she grinned.

So easy,
Natasia thought. “Yes. Because not only did you get to inspire the girls, but you know how much we wanted to
bring a news element to this show? Well, this helps. I’m going to interview the administrator of this facility, and we’re going to include that in this segment.”

“That’s fantastic,” Rachel said, sounding like now she was the one who was giddy.

From the corner of her eye, Natasia could see Jasmine watching and seething. Jasmine was trying not to stand too close, but it was obvious that she was listening to every word Natasia and Rachel exchanged.

And so for the benefit of Rachel
and
Jasmine, Natasia said, “We should really have lunch very soon. I know this show is going to be a hit and when we get picked up for another season, I just might consider you as a producer . . . you have such great ideas.”

“Oh, my God!” Rachel exclaimed and Natasia hoped that the girl didn’t faint. Rachel already acted like she had fallen and bumped her head. “Really?” She clapped her hands.

Not a chance,
Natasia said inside. “Yes! Let’s talk about it soon.”

“Definitely!”

Without giving a single glance to Jasmine, Natasia strolled to the back of the facility. Now, that she had Rachel in place, all she needed to do was talk to Melinda. Tell her that it made no sense that they’d filmed Rachel with Lester and Mary with Nathan, but they had nothing with Jasmine and Hosea.

With that, Melinda would be able to convince Jasmine. Really, Jasmine had no choice. This was Natasia’s show, and she was going to make sure that Jasmine knew it. If Jasmine wanted to stay, she’d have to do it this way . . . or just leave the show.

And since Natasia knew that Jasmine wasn’t going to do that, she was sure that Hosea would be on the set very soon.

Natasia sighed. Winning always felt so wonderful.

E
very day, Mary was hating more and more that she’d allowed Nathan to talk her into this. Yes, Pleasant City had gotten some screen time, but she couldn’t see how this reality show appearance would benefit them at all. In fact, if she were someone looking for a church home, she’d cross Pleasant City off the list for even participating in this mess. And Mary definitely couldn’t see why so-called classy women like Rachel and Jasmine would be doing this foolishness.

Mary glanced over at the Christmas card again. Nathan had actually set it up on the credenza in their hallway as if to serve as a constant reminder. No, she may not know why Rachel and Jasmine were doing the show, but she knew why she was. And that’s all she needed to focus on.

“What are you doing?” Nathan asked as he descended the stairs. “Why aren’t you dressed?”

“I am dressed.” Mary glanced down at her black chiffon dress that hugged her ample hips and cut low in the front, showing off just a tad bit of cleavage. Since Rachel had talked about her “matronly outfits,” Mary tried to spruce her attire up a bit.

“Aren’t you guys filming the brunch today?” Nathan asked, frowning in confusion.

“Yes.” Mary nodded.

His eyes ran up and down her outfit again. “So, where are you going in
that
?”

It was her turn to be confused. “What’s wrong with what I have on?”

“You look like a whore,” he replied with disgust.

Mary bit her bottom lip in both anger and shame. Nathan was getting more and more crass every day.

“I . . . you agreed that I needed to revamp my wardrobe.” She glanced down again. Yes, the outfit was a tad sexy but nothing like what she used to wear. “I was just trying to spruce it up.”

“By looking like a harlot?” he shot back. Then, he paused. “Wait a minute, so are you wearing that for Lester?”

Today was slated to be the first scene they would film with all the husbands. And Nathan was more excited about it than she was. It’s all he had been talking about for the past twenty-four hours.

“What?” she asked.

“That’s exactly why you’re wearing it.” He nodded as if he’d convinced himself without any help from her. “You knew your little boyfriend was going to be here and you want to look nice for him. Is that it?” Nathan stepped toward her. She could see his nostrils starting to flare. Was he seriously about to get angry over this?

“Don’t be ridiculous. I just put on an outfit.” Still, Mary found herself wondering if subconsciously, she’d put this on for Lester. “I just—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Nathan reached out and slapped her across the face. She winced in pain as she grabbed her face.

“Wh-what was that for?” Mary managed to reply.

“Because I’m not being ridiculous and you’re trying to play me and I don’t take kindly to getting played,” he hissed. He held up his hand like he was trying to calm himself. “I’m working my butt off and it’s like you’re fighting me every step of the way. I’m trying to get Lewis back for
us
and I can’t do that if my wife looks like a cheap whore. Now, get your behind back upstairs and change into something First Lady worthy.”

Mary sniffed as she scurried back up the stairs. If her old friends could see her now, no one would believe she’d been reduced to a submissive, whiny woman. The old Mary would have made Nathan the star of the new movie
The Burning Bed 2,
but this Mary was trying to walk with God and as Nathan was constantly telling her, that meant learning to be submissive and obedient.

Twenty minutes later, Mary was sitting in silence next to her husband as they rode to the church. Nathan was acting like nothing was wrong. In fact, he was actually humming along with the gospel song “I Am Worthy.” At the stop light, he even closed his eyes and raised his hand to the roof as he gave God praise.

The whole scene was sickening, but Mary bit her tongue and remained quiet. She was all too happy when they finally pulled up in front of the restaurant where they were meeting for brunch.

She saw the attitude form on his face when he noticed they were already filming. “And we’re late, because my wife thought it was okay to dress like she’s on the pole,” he snapped.

The pole?
The dress had come to her knees. How was he now making it into a stripper’s outfit? Mary remained quiet as he eased the car up front to the valet.

“Come on,” he said, throwing the car into park. “You see the cameras. Pull yourself together. Plaster on a smile.”

Mary couldn’t move. After what had just happened, she was now supposed to go in here and shin and grin like everything was okay?

Nathan glanced over at her and must’ve decided to take another approach. He took her hand. “Babe, I’m sorry, about earlier, okay? It’s just that I’m fighting so hard for our future and you’re fighting me every step of the way. We are a team, and I think sometimes you forget that.” He smiled at her. “So, we’re good?”

She nodded but didn’t reply.

“There, that’s better.” He looked at the valet, who was standing there waiting to open his door. “Come on, babe.”

“Hey, Mary,” Sonny called out as they climbed out the car. “Just pretend we’re not here and get on out and walk in. The others are already inside.”

Nathan struggled to hide his irritation, but he plastered on a smile and gave a bunch of “hello”s and “bless you”s to random people as they made their way inside.

They had barely made it into the foyer area when Lester came around the corner and bumped right into Nathan.

Nathan grinned widely as he stepped in front of Mary. She couldn’t help it, she lowered her head and tried to remain inconspicuous. She just wasn’t ready to face Lester. She hadn’t seen him since that day in court when she’d begged Rachel to take her daughter before they hauled her off to jail.

“Well, if it isn’t the great Lester Adams,” Nathan said. “I’ve heard several things about you.”

Lester seemed confused. “I hope it’s all good.” He chuckled.

“Some of it.” Nathan heartily shook Lester’s hand.

“And you are?”

“Nathan Frazier.” He stepped to the side and pushed Mary forward. “This is my wife, Mary. I think you know her.”

Lester’s smile faded and it looked like all the color drained from his face.

Mary wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

“Hi, Lester,” she said, barely looking him into the eye.

“Um, hi, Mary.”

Nathan put his arm around her as the cameraman panned back and forth among the three of them. “I know the last you heard, she was locked up. But I’m happy to say that my darling has paid her debt to society.” Nathan was really playing it up for the camera.

Just then, Rachel came stomping toward them like a radar had gone off warning her that Mary was within five feet of her husband.

“Good morning, Lady Rachel,” Nathan said as she approached.

“Lester, I need to speak with you,” Rachel said, ignoring Nathan.

“Can’t we all get along?” Nathan laughed as they walked off. “Nice to finally meet you in person, Rev. Adams,” Nathan called out after him. “I look forward to great things.”

“Okay, that’s good,” Sonny said. “Now, if you two can get on in, that would be great.”

Mary could see that Rachel was not happy and she knew that Nathan was going to milk that for all it was worth to get more camera time.

Nathan happily took Mary’s hand and led them to the table. There were four cameras shooting the long table from various angles.

“Okay, guys,” Sonny said, “now that everyone is here, we need you to just talk casually. Make introductions like you’re getting to know each other.”

“That won’t be too hard.” Nathan laughed. “Some of us know the others all too well. Ain’t that right, babe?”

Mary couldn’t believe Nathan was showing out like this. Rachel obviously didn’t appreciate the humor either. She just rolled her eyes.

“All right, and action,” Sonny said.

No one at the table moved or said a word.

“Cut,” Sonny said, approaching the table. “Umm, yeah, when I say action, we’d kind of like some action.”

Still no one moved.

“Look, Natasia will be here shortly and this scene needs to be done.” Sonny ran his hands through his hair like he was frustrated. “Can we try this again? And action.”

He stepped back and Nathan took the lead. “So, Rev. Adams, I’ve been following your career. The things you and Lady Rachel are doing with the ABC are phenomenal.”

“Thank you,” Lester curtly replied. Rachel didn’t bother, so Nathan turned to Jasmine.

“And where is the esteemed Rev. Bush?” Nathan asked.

Jasmine looked over at Rachel, then back at Nathan, then over at Sonny. “What’s the purpose of this scene again?”

“Ugh,” Sonny yelled. “Look, take five. I’m going to talk to Natasia because I can’t work like this.” Sonny turned around and stormed off.

“I thought this was supposed to be a First Ladies show, anyway,” Jasmine quipped. “Not First Ladies and husbands.” She smiled at Lester. “No offense, Lester.”

Lester finally smiled. “None taken. The only reason I’m here is because Rachel said Hosea would be, too.” He eyed Rachel.

“Oh, Hosea won’t . . . Ow!” Jasmine said when Rachel kicked her under the table. Jasmine looked like she wanted to reach across the table and slap Rachel but the pleading look in Rachel’s eyes must’ve stopped her.

Mary couldn’t help it, the corners of her lips turned up in a slow smile. Nathan wanted to be important so badly and they wouldn’t give him the time of day.

He caught her smiling and cut his eyes at her. She immediately lost her smile and began toying with the salad the waiter had set down in front of her.

Mary paused when she noticed the expression on Rachel’s face. Rachel was watching their exchange, almost as if she was studying them and Mary didn’t know why, but she felt compelled to scoot closer to her husband and pretend that she was much happier than she actually was. Unfortunately, that was getting harder and harder to do.

O
kay, that’s a wrap,” Sonny shouted and the smiles on all of their faces faded as fast as the bright lights from the cameras.

Nathan stood first, and Mary quickly did the same, looking like a trained puppy taught to follow her master.

Rachel and Lester remained seated, still chatting, and Jasmine scooted her chair back and scurried to the other side of the table before Rachel could get away.

Just as Rachel stood, Jasmine said, “Rachel, can I speak to you for a moment?”

Rachel paused for just a second, then looked over her shoulder before she turned back to Jasmine. “You talking to me?”