Authors: Vivienne Harris-Scott
He
clears his throat, no doubt thinking about what I just said, and my reasons
behind it.
“
That may be true, but you don
’
t know yet if this is what you are
…
you haven
’
t lost yourself. I haven
’
t heard you sing this is in quite a while
…
you must be deeply troubled by him to even
utter these words
…”
I
almost wail in frustration.
“
Vi, baby, listen to me, I get you are
scared and confused. You
’
re
entitled. The last time you loved, it went terribly wrong, and that
’
s putting it mildly
…”
his voice trails off as if he is
recollecting the horrors of my ways as far as Ethan is concerned.
”
But, even if Julian is still friend with
Ethan, and that
’
s
a big IF, he will not let him hurt you, this I can pretty much guarantee. He
’
s not a stupid man.
”
he says reassuringly.
”
You said it yourself. He claimed you. As a
man, my guts tell me I
’
m
right. As an analyst, I can tell you, once an alpha male has done that, nothing
short of killing anything that gets in his way will happen...Ethan included.
”
he voices firmly.
He
hears me sigh and continues,
“
I
usually profile terrorists, but an alpha male is an alpha male. Terrorist or
not. Julian and Ethan both are, they are very similar in that fashion, with one
glaring difference. One of them is madly in love with you, and to protect what
he now considers his, he will do almost anything, trust me. I
’
ll take bets on this. If he starts turning
stones to find you, it
’
s
because he cares deeply for you.
”
I
sigh again, and in one breath ask,
“
Since when being a profiler with Interpol
gives you authority in men psychology or in matters of the heart?
”
He
chuckles
“
Baby
girl, it
’
s
not men psychology. This is what I do, and you know I
’
m good at it. You are in a unique set of
circumstances having two determined men looking for you. You are the prize, and
if it comes down to doing battle, both will fight until only one is left
standing
…”
he laughs.
”
As far as your heart is concerned, I will
do anything in my power to make sure it doesn
’
t get broken again.
”
he tenderly says.
“
Julian has been good for you these past
few weeks. I heard it in your voice every time we spoke. Having this man in
your life has made you happier than being without
…”
He pauses, as if waiting to see if I
’
m going to interrupt him to deny, then
adds,
“
Just
go to him when you
’
re
ready. Things will work out. I
’
m
sure he was shocked, so his reaction has been delayed. After all, you did
spring it on him
…
rather
unexpectedly
…
but
in a few days, he
’
ll
want to speak to you, and since you pulled another disappearing act, he will
try to locate you
…”
“
Well, you know what, Kev? I
’
ve had it with them. Let them both try!
Call me an equal opportunity heart breaker! I
’
m over it. Actually to hell with them! You
are right about one thing; they both have their reasons to want to find me. So,
let them do their worst. I am going to live my life! I am not his nor was I
Ethan
’
s.
Not anymore! It
’
s
me, myself, and I. The new and improved Vi, and you know what? I am damn fine!
I am removing myself from this equation. I don
’
t need it! I don
’
t want it! I was perfectly happy on my own
…”
my foot is tapping, I feel angry.
”
It
’
ll be a cold day in hell before I let
another man own me
…”
my voice is rising, and I can a waiting passenger shoot me an angry look.
“
As to E. Well, I
’
m still waiting for him to turn up at my
door, If or when he does, I
’
ll
just tell him to go to hell. In fact, they can both go to hell!
“
Kevin
is now laughing loudly.
“
What? What is so funny?
”
I ask, puzzled by the sudden outburst.
“
You, baby girl. You
’
re back. I love it when you show fire and
sass. I can almost picture the smoke coming out of your ears
…”
I
smile. I am back.
“
I
’
m tired Kev. Him showing up unnerved me,
but it
’
s
all good now. I
’
m
going to get some rest, and then we
’
ll see about dealing with Mr McCarty.
Thank you.
”
“
Always, Bella. Always. Call me in a few
days.
”
I
promise to do so before hanging up, and giving the phone back to the lounge
hostess.
((~~!~~))
Soon. I will speak and deal with Julian
soon. I just need some time to think, some peace first.
I
didn
’
t
like being surprised. I won
’
t
let it happen again.
Evidently,
some precautions must be taken.
Frances
I don
’
t take rejection well. Actually, I don
’
t take rejection at all.
Some
people say it
’
s
because I am Frances Palmers and I have an infamous temper.
But,
that
’
s
not it. Well, not exactly. I am Frances Palmers, after all
…
The
real reason is far simpler; I don
’
t
take rejection well, because I had to eat a shitload of crow, dejections and
rejection before I reinvented myself at age 21.
Once
you
’
ve
gotten past that, you swear to yourself, never again, and this is how
reputations are born.
What
people don
’
t
realize is that before becoming La Frances, I was Francesca Palmieri, a young
girl, from the wrong side of Valley, without any family, any money, pregnant
and unmarried at 17. A girl who had to take a lot of abuse, but who knew her
porcelain skin and strong belief in herself could and would turn her world
around.
And,
it did. My ego, and my unwavering determination saved my life, my talent, kept
me on top, and I don
’
t
know who the hell Julian think he is, but if he believes he can
’
t just dump me, for a nobody no less,
without some retribution, clearly, he did underestimate me.
I
am angry.
Life
has taught me a long time ago, most people never get what they want because
they don
’
t
persist, and they lack focus and intent.
I
am driven. When I want something, I get it. I don
’
t waver.
I
will not be the unpredictable and despondent person most people think I am.
With
coolness, and calculation, vengeance will be mine.
((~~!~~))
James Marshall. Born September 3
rd
,
1982, ex-navy seal, and information officer for the pentagon, currently
employed by Mercy Inc., as a consultant.
A
fixer.
With
quite a reputation to boot according to the cases I have read. I
’
ll admit, I admire him. A little. Not many
men can refuse me.
It
has taken some doing but I finally know who he is, and why Julian hired him.
When James hasn
’
t
been amenable to my charms and money, other people were, and I finally have all
the information I need.
I
am sitting on my sofa, the three files right next to me, and I
‘
m thinking about my plan to get Julian
back.
I
came to the conclusion that there is only one viable option: eliminate the
competition. If that skank is neutralized, Julian will be mine. He will come
back with the proverbial tail between his legs.
By
the looks of things, swift measures are needed.
Marcus
threats have long lived. I
’
ll
deal with him when and if the time comes.
First,
the matter at hand.
I
need to be quick. The longer I wait, the harder it will be, and I
’
ve never been the patient kind.
I
have her name, Thalia Victoryn Marie McGregor, and her husband
’
s name. I have to say; I was surprised by
this development. Not only she is married, but apparently to one of Julian
’
s friend. And if I weren
’
t occupied with this Julian
’
s thing, I
’
d go for Ethan myself. The man looks
positively scrumptious. I
’
ll
give her that: she has good taste.
But,
I digress
…
So,
these two are friends. Interesting. Maybe I can pit them against each other.
I
just need to thread carefully. This Ethan McGregor seems to be ruthless and
quite a character.
Never
mind. Men are weak when it comes to certain women. I can
’
t delude myself, it is obviously the case
here, and she somehow has managed to make these two fall for her.
I
chose to focus on her.
It
is clear, the woman is running. Why? I don
’
t know, and I don
’
t care.
I
wonder if Julian has hit the same brick wall I have. The woman seems to vanish
at will, and very little information is actually available on her.
This
will work to my advantage.
She
will be collateral damage.
She
needs to go back down under to her husband and stay there. I will make sure of
it.
I
am Frances Palmers.
I
will let her know, soon; she can't step in and take what's mine. I have the
means and incentives to make her see things my way.
I
mean, who the fuck does she think she is to usurp my rightful position at
Julian's side? I
’
ve
worked too hard to get there and keep him where I want. Julian doesn
’
t realize it, but I am doing him a favor.
From the little information I read about her, the pathetic woman is weak and
simply put, doesn
’
t
have what it takes to compete with me.
I
will see Julian in exactly three days. We are still going to the Oscars
together. It has been just over a month since he humiliated me in front of his
family.
Yes,
five weeks to gather information, and foment my plan.
I
’
ll play it cool. I
’
ll be dazzling. I
’
ll remind him how much fun I am, how good
we can be. But, I won
’
t
push. I won
’
t
need to. From what I have gathered, that bitch is out of the country; so, he is
alone, and he is taking me, not her, to this major public event. She just needs
to stay at bay, and I intend to keep it that way.
My
anger hasn
’
t
subsided; I
’
m
just more focused.
Revenge
is an excellent outlet.
I
haven
’
t
decided yet if I want Julian to come back to me, so I can reject him and teach
him that Frances Palmers is no one
’
s
plaything, or simply destroy whatever he thinks is between them, just because I
can.
Either
way, he will suffer.
I
am a bitch, I know.
Never
pretended to be anything else.