Love, Lies & The D.A. (25 page)

“Your
breathing is different.”

“Oh.
Okay.”

“You’re
not even up and about yet, and already your mind is working overtime. What’s up?”

“I was
thinking that we’d be heading back today. I’m not looking forward to that.”

“Unfortunately,
it’s back to reality.”

“Did
you want to return in one vehicle, or do you want to get the dogs and both
vehicles there?”

“Would
you mind driving the car back?”

“You
mean you’d let me drive your precious Bentley all the way to San Francisco?”

“According
to someone I know… it’s just a bloody car.”

I
laugh at his response.

Hours
later, after
a quick lunch, I follow him all the way home.
I pull into the parking space in his two-car garage, and he closes the garage
door before I get out. This series of coordinated events reminds me of why I
chose not to stay here in San Francisco. At least anywhere else I can live a
normal life. I can visit restaurants and leave my home. For now, I’m confined
to my penthouse and worry about reporters or my follower tracking my every
move.

I
haven’t been inside his San Francisco home. I help him with his luggage, and
the dogs lead the way up through the indoor staircase.

It’s
beautiful, clean, and contemporary. He gives me a quick tour of his home. It’s
much smaller than his Lake Tahoe house. I suppose no family comes over for long
weekends as they would there. A very modern spiral staircase is the centerpiece
of the house. It leads to the master bedroom and guest room, and his home
office upstairs. All the rooms feature large oversized windows overlooking
views very similar to Jonathan’s family home. Maggie and Micky seem to have an
affinity for spectacular views. They occupy their seats by the windows in the
great room.

I lie
on his bed in his room, perusing through a magazine while he unpacks.

“I’ve
been trying to make a decision about where I should stay over the coming weeks.”

“Did
you change your mind about Big Sur?”

“Not
really, but I’ll not get to see you if I go.”

“I can
come on the weekend,” he says.

“That
would be great. You can even bring the dogs.”

“I’m
concerned about you being alone, though, especially since you’ll be in a house
all by yourself.”

“It
has a security system.”

“How
are you with dogs?”

“Great.
I had three growing up.”

“I
think I’d feel better if you took them with you since you’ll be alone.”

“Won’t
you miss them?”

“I
will, but your safety is more important. They’ll be very protective of you… They
can get very vicious.”

“Is
that really necessary?”

“You
want me to remind you of the last few months as your brother did?”

I
stare at him in silence.

“Do
you own a gun?” he continues.

“No,
but these days, I’m packing a can of pepper spray,” I laugh.

“Jada,
this isn’t a joke. Someone tried to—”

“Fine…
I don’t need reminding. Won’t you miss the dogs?”

“I
missed work last week. I’m going to be swamped over the coming week, so I won’t
have much time for them.”

“Maybe
I should head down there today.”

“Go
tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“I’ll
get to spend more time with you before you abandon me for a week.”

“Since
you put it that way, sure.”

“Would
you like to go out for dinner tonight?”

“You
think that’s wise?”

“I don’t
think it matters anymore. I know one or two secluded spots that I think we can
have some peace of mind. You game?”

“I’m
in.”

“Just
so you know, they’re not fancy.”

“That’s
fine. Just because I own fancy resorts, it doesn’t mean that’s the only
experience I want to have. I wasn’t surrounded by all this stuff growing up. I
haven’t forgotten where I came from.”

Half
an hour
later, we arrive at the quaint restaurant about ten
minutes from his house. It’s almost maxed out to capacity, but we’re seated in
a very private corner booth. We place our order, and while we wait, I make sure
I am up-to-date on what my doggie duties will be over the next week.

“So
what time are they usually fed?”

“In
the morning. Is the property fenced?”

“Yes.”

“That’s
perfect. You can let them out. And they probably will roam around for about
thirty minutes then come back in.”

“Excuse
me… Hello, Jada.”

I hear
the female voice from behind. I turn and Koto stands in front of me—pregnant. I
am certain the hairs over my body stand on end. I am in complete shock. Then
anger kicks in.

“I
have nothing to say to you. Please leave me alone,” I say calmly.

Jonathan
looks at me questioningly.

“I
wanted to tell you I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?
Look, I got your emails and your telephone call… There was no need for you to
ruin my perfect evening.”

“Jada,
I need your forgiveness.”

“If
you don’t leave me alone right this second, I will get out of this seat and
leave.”

“You
don’t understand.”

“I
understand perfectly… Let’s go… I can’t do this,” I say to Jonathan. I slip out
of the booth, ramming my fist through my coat. At the same moment, the server
arrives with our food.

“I’m
sorry, are you leaving?” he asks.

“Yes,”
I respond curtly.

“Would
you like me to box it to go?” he continues.

“Yes,
please,” Jonathan and I reply simultaneously.

Jonathan
hands me the keys. I head to the car while he waits for the food. Koto proceeds
to follow me.

“What
the hell do you want from me?” I ask, turning around to face her a few yards
away from the vehicle. “Haven’t you done enough damage already?”

“All I
want is your forgiveness.”

“Oh,
is that all?”

“Please,
I need you to forgive me.”

“Why?
So you can have your baby with a clear conscience?”

“We
never in—”

“You
know what? I don’t want to hear about your bloody intentions.”

I see
Jonathan walking towards me with the bag in one of his hands.

“Stay
the hell away from me or I swear to God, I’ll file a restraining order against
you.”

He
swoops one arm around my waist and carries me to the car. After strapping me in
place, he drives away. All the anger, hurt, and pain I felt from that day
returns. After all this time, I am still so hurt and angry. I can’t believe my
best friend had such disregard for my relationship and our friendship. I can’t
believe that, beyond the fact that she was having an affair with Richard, she
would allow herself to get pregnant. Was she not at all concerned about how
much this would hurt me?

The
car comes to a halt. We are back at the house. Jonathan walks to my side and
opens the door. As we enter the house, silent tears stream down my face. He
walks me to the sofa and holds me in his arms. A while later, after what I
witnessed sinks in, I wipe my tears away. One of his arms surrounds my
shoulders; the other hand he laces through my fingers.

“I’m
so sorry,” I eventually whisper.

“Why
are you apologizing?”

“I let
her get the better of me.”

“I’m
assuming that was your best friend?”

“My
so-called best friend, yes.”

“You
didn’t know she was pregnant, did you?”

“I had
no clue… I can’t believe it.”

“She
looks more than three months pregnant.”

“The
investigators found out they were seeing each other for months… close to a
year.”

His
eyes fill with astonishment at my response.

“He
started seeing her almost right after he proposed to me. I guess that means
when I walked in on them, she was already pregnant.”

“I’m
sorry.”

“Me,
too. I wish this all had ended the day I threw them out of my house. The more I
find out, the angrier I get.”

“I
know this isn’t easy, Babe, but you have to try to let this go. Otherwise, it
will eat you up inside.”

I
sigh. I know he’s right. I wish I could erase all memory I have of Koto Miller
and Richard Preston. I get off the sofa, head to the bathroom, and wash my
face. I think I’ve wasted enough tears on the two of them. I return to the
living room.

“I
know you must be hungry. Let’s eat. I’ll get us some plates,” I say, walking
into the kitchen.

“I’ll
do it. You sit,” Jonathan replies, following closely behind me.

I eat
dinner but the healthy appetite I had prior to seeing Koto is gone. Jonathan is
very quiet. I’m not sure he knows how to handle my mood.

“I’m
sorry dinner was ruined,” I finally say, breaking the silence.

“Don’t
worry about it. I know being betrayed that way by two of the people that were
supposed to be closest to you can’t be easy.”

“C’est
la vie… What time do you usually go to bed during the week?”

“Ten
or eleven. Why?”

“Maybe
we can watch a movie from that extensive collection of yours before I go home.”

“I
thought you were spending the night and leaving tomorrow morning with the
dogs.”

“We
discussed the dog part. We didn’t talk about spending the night.”

“Maybe
you should…” He looks at me with sparkling eyes.

“As
tempting as that might sound, I think I should go home. I’ve kept you awake
every night we’ve spent together. You’re going to have another rough week. You
need your rest.”

“You
didn’t keep me awake…”

“
Immm
hmmm
. If it’s okay, I’ll put you to bed then I’ll take myself home later. I
have to go. I’ll need my luggage.”

“Alright.
Take the Land Rover. You should take it with you to Big Sur too. I don’t think
there’s enough space for the dogs in your car.”

“Good
thinking.”

After
dinner, we
cuddle on the family room sofa to watch a movie. Within
half an hour, Jonathan is fast asleep besides me. I knew he was tired. I lie with
him for a few more minutes then cast the throw over him and kiss him gently on
the lips before I shut off the TV.

I
find the keys on the foyer table, and soon, I watch the garage door close. Ten
minutes later, I arrive home. I step out of the shower and then my
Johnnyphone
rings.

“You
left without saying goodbye,” he says groggily.

“I
said goodbye. You were comatose, so you didn’t notice.”

“I’m
sorry. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”

“I
did,” I reply, climbing into my bed.

“I
wanted to make sure you got home safely.”

“I
did. I’m about to go to bed. You should do the same.”

“Sleep
well.”

“Sweet
dreams,” I whisper.

“Hopefully,
they’ll be all of you…”

I’m
out the
house by 5:30 the next morning. I call ahead at my
downtown location and order breakfast for two. Twenty minutes later, I arrive
at Jonathan’s house.

As I
climb the stairs from the garage, he awaits me at the top of the landing, arms
outstretched. He looks like he stepped out from the pages of a Giorgio Armani
catalog dressed all in black—black suit, black shirt, black tie.

“You
look sharp this morning,” I say, kissing him lightly on the lips.

“And
you look hot as usual.”

I
blush. “Hungry?”

“Where
did you get food from before six in the morning?”

“That’s
one of the benefits of owning your own hotel. I got you an omelet, croissants,
and some fruit. I hope that’s enough.”

“More
than enough… thanks.”

We
enjoy breakfast together. Although he’s his usual charming self, something
about him seems different. Like that day I passed him in the corridor of the
courts. All business. I suppose he’s in his work frame of mind, thinking about
the day ahead.

“Busy
day?”

“Yep.
Opening arguments start today for a major drug trafficking case.”

“Sure
you have your man?”

“If I
wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t be trying the case.”