24. Jessica
JESSICA
Istood out on the sidewalk long enough to see the figure appear behind the glass wall in the building across the street.
I was sure he couldn’t make out my face, but it was enough for him to guess at my identity from this distance.
Then again, this sackcloth dress I wore wasn’t the norm, so he might not be too sure, which kind of adds a whole new element of mystery, come to think of it.
I wanted him to wonder if it was me and what I was doing here.
I wanted fear to eat away at his tiny little brain until I dropped the hammer.
Once he realizes what kind of trouble his little lover was in, I want him to wonder if it was my doing and just how much I knew. I was only just getting started.
That caused my brain to switch gears from scorched earth revenge to the petty. Though my family doesn’t usually shop the conventional way, I’ve been in a store or two back in my teens when I had time for such things.
The S.A.s my family usually hired for each of us kids by the age of twelve were the ones who did the heavy lifting, bringing a selection of clothing to the house at the beginning of each season for us to choose from.
I think that all started because Dad didn’t let Mom go anywhere on her own when they first got married, and it became a habit after that. Plus, he hates shopping like poison, though he still sits on the chaise lounge in their sitting room when she’s making her choices.
It helps a ton for someone like me who hates shopping, but then again…
I turned and headed back to the car with a wicked grin on my face.
Who said I had to buy clothes? Since someone wanted to play sugar daddy, I’ll show him.
My account is well padded since I barely spend what I have each month, with Dad adding to my trust each month, not to mention the money the great-uncles and grandpa sneaks to each of us at the end of each month as well.
I’m not sure what the purpose of setting up trusts that start paying out at eighteen for each of us kids was, because Dad still treats us like little kids who need his financial support.
My sister still grumbles that they treat her like a kid because she’s one of those independent types who likes to stand on their own two feet.
I think Mom must’ve dropped her on her head once too many times as a baby because who in their right mind would complain about that? Then again, my hobbies cost way more than hers, so for me, every little bit helps.
For that reason, I headed to the electronics store, then sat in the parking lot before going in, pulling up the well-hidden website that even scions of the dark web would give their left nut to enter.
I placed an order with my new card and grinned.
I dropped a cool two million in less than five minutes because that stuff had been in my shopping cart for weeks just waiting for me to make up my mind.
My kid brother has been begging for a humanoid gaming robot for ages, but my last project took a year longer than expected, and there was no time until now.
Not to mention, the parts change at least every three months, with better, more up-to-date components each time, so now was a good time to get started.
By the time I left the electronics store, I’d spent close to three million dollars of his hard-earned cash.
If he said one word about it, I’d pack my shit and head back to my father’s house.
Not that I’m with him for his money, of course, but if you can’t keep me in the style my father can, why would I leave his house for yours? Do I look stupid?
If he even squints at the amount, I’ll just come over to play with him when I need that itch scratched, then go home to my comfortable bed.
I can’t play the lovesick fool with him again just to get my feelings hurt and my heart broken- no way.
So for now, I’m going to push every button he has until I truly give in to him.
A little voice in my head said it was too late for that, but I shut that down real quick.
It would be a cold day in Valhalla before I let that happen.
I went back to my house out of habit and gave serious thought to heading back his way, but since I was there, there was no reason not to go in and say hi.
Since when was I so comfortable with the thought of going back to his place?
Now that I think about it, his family has been a little strange.
You’d think with a stranger in the house, they’d be a bit reserved; even though the two families know each other and have been close for years, this felt different.
I didn’t get the feeling from any of them that they saw me as just the daughter of a close friend, but rather as a member of their family; they seemed to act like I was one of their own. How had I missed that, and what the hell was that about anyway?
His Mom and dad give me this knowing smile; his sister-in-law gives me half-amused, half-pitying looks; and his brother acts like I’ve lived in their house for years. “Hey, look who’s here.” Mom called out as soon as she saw me.
“What the heck are you wearing? Oh wait, don’t tell me that was Julius’s doing, wasn’t it?
My sister snorted. I’m not sure why she was so amused; her husband is worse.
She can’t leave the house wearing anything above the knee, which must be hell for the former fashionista known for pushing the envelope when it came to scandal.
My sister is one of those trend-setter types who was always the first to try anything among her friend group. A clothes horse who’d try anything once as long as it looked good on her- that was until she met her husband, who makes Julius’ crazy look like child’s play.
I don’t think she’s worn a mini skirt in ages, and things only seem to have gotten worse since she had the baby. If my dress was sackcloth, then hers was a gunny sack. “Hello pot, meet kettle.” I rolled my eyes at her and rushed to wash my hands so I could hog the baby.
I ignored their questioning looks and focused all of my attention on the cute little bundle until they started teasing me about wedding bells and diapers. “Where do you people get these ideas from? Who says anything about getting married? I’m just playing with him until I get bored.”
My face turned bright red, and I tried to hide it in the baby’s neck while they both burst out laughing.
The knowing look that passed between them made the hairs on my nape stand up.
My eyes fell on the magazines on the table in front of them, and my heart filled with suspicion.
“What were you two doing before I came in?”
They didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed when I pinned them with a threatening look. Instead, she lifted the bridal magazine, opened to a behemoth of a gown that looked like something out of an old European castle. “Which little princess is getting married?”
I asked, though I had a sneaky suspicion just who it was. “Why are you looking at wedding dresses for me?” I started backing away from the table with the baby still clutched in my arms like a shield. “Don’t get nervous, love. We know how you feel about such things, so we’ll handle it for you.”
“What’re you talking about? Handle what for me?” Another knowing look passed between them, and then Mom’s phone rang. It was a video call, and Mrs. Blair was on the other end. From the sounds of it, these crazy women were planning mine and Julius’ wedding.
My mouth opened and closed, but there were no words. Then I heard his mom say he wanted it done in no less than three months, and my head began to spin. What the hell is going on? Did anybody ask me?
I stood there rooted to the spot as my own mother sold me out. “Come and sit down, hon.” She offered once she hung up the phone, and I walked towards her like one of my earlier robot prototypes. Slow and uncertain of the world around me. Has everyone gone mad?
“There’s no need to panic; we’ve all been waiting for this day.”
“All? Who, what day?” If Mom even hints that she knew how I felt about Julius all these years, I’m moving out of state and changing my name. My traitor of a sister just nodded her head with an indulgent smile on her face as she patted the seat between them.
I could smell Julius’ influence all over this shit.
Just what the hell has he been up to in the short time since I left him?
No, this looked too well thought out to be a shot in the pan kind of operation.
I have to watch myself with these people, or I’d be married with six kids before I know what hit me.
“Your father and I are very pleased with your choice.” Mom ran her hand over my hair as she used to when I was a kid, seeking comfort. “No, no…” I looked for an escape route, and my heart started racing sickeningly in my chest at her words.
“Mom…” What was it that I wanted to say? I couldn’t remember. This was moving too fast even for them. How come they never pushed me to get married when I was with Dale? I’d spent a couple of nights at Julius’ place, and they were already giving me away. What the hell is so different?
“I know, sweetheart. I’ve always known.” It was the look in her eyes more than her words that made me want to bolt.
How could she know? “Does Dad…?” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words around the lump in my throat.
She nodded and stroked my hair with a smile.
I, on the other hand, felt like I had fallen down the rabbit hole.
I felt exposed, like I needed to hide, so I plopped the baby back in my sister’s arms and made a run for it, back out the door with the two of them calling after me.
JULIUS
I rushed home like a bat out of hell after getting the call.
I left a shit ton of work on my desk, but it didn’t matter.
Her Mom said she’d looked spooked when she ran, and if the tracker hadn’t shown that she’d headed back to my place, I might’ve lost it.
I warned them not to show their hands too soon, but I guess there was no point in crying over spilled milk.
I slammed out of the barely stopped car and bounded up the stairs, headed for my room.
She was in there, buried under the covers, her face hidden from me.
“Does your family know too?” She pulled the covers down from her face and glared at me, her eyes spitting fire.
I didn’t need to ask what she meant; I just nodded my head as I walked towards her.
She went back to hiding, and I almost laughed, but now was not the time. If I’m not mistaken, there were fear and tears in her eyes when she looked at me just now. I kicked off my shoes and climbed onto the bed with her. I guess this talk was long overdue.