The Perfect Ruin

by Shanora Williams

  “So, dinner should be ready in about ten minutes,” Lola said when I faced her again. “Georgia and the crew are taking care of some final touches. Come join us for a drink while we wait.” Lola led me to the island counter and poured some champagne into a flute for me.

  Accepting the drink, I took a sip and felt eyes on me as I swallowed. I had hoped it was Corey, but it wasn’t. It was Faith. I gave her a smile as I lowered my flute. She exchanged a smile, but it was definitely not genuine.

  For a while the women chatted back and forth, and Corey stood on the sidelines, eyes bouncing back and forth between each woman who spoke, casually sipping his champagne. I did the same, mostly because I had no clue what these women were even talking about.

  “You can’t tell me you two don’t want to at least try again,” Arabel said, looking between Corey and Lola. I perked up. Wait . . . when did we get on the topic of trying again?

  “Well, we’ve considered it before, but honestly, we’re too high up there in age now, Arabel. It would cause complications, and I’m just not sure if I want that risk again.”

  “Aw, I understand,” Arabel cooed.

  “Not only that,” Corey chimed in, “but Lola’s career is doing great. A baby would interrupt all that. She’s thriving and she’s told me herself that it’s best if we adopt instead if it comes down to it. Trying again may result in more heartbreak, and we want to avoid that if we can.” Corey sighed. “Sacrifices.”

  “Yes, exactly, honey.” Lola lifted her glass to her husband and tilted it toward him. He did the same and they both sipped.

  I didn’t understand this whole charade they were putting on. Lola wanted to try again. Corey didn’t. She’d never flat out told me that, but I could read between the lines. She always went on about, We have our careers to think about now, and It’s better this way. Last thing I want is another scare. And by scare, she meant a miscarriage. I could understand that, but I knew the maternal part of her wanted to try again, just to see if things would work out, but Corey must have told her it wasn’t wise. It was okay if Corey didn’t want kids. I could live with that.

  “So, Ivy, Lola tells me that you plan on quitting your job to work for the Ladies with Passion charity full-time soon?” Faith said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

  “I am, yeah. I’ve already put in my two-week notice. I’m finishing there, and then I’ll be on my way to becoming a Lady with Passion.” Oh right. I forgot to tell you about that, Marriott. During one of our lunch dates, Lola told me that she was opening a new position at the office for the charity. The job would be similar to Noah and Olivia’s. It was for a creative consultant. She’d practically handed me the job, so I took it. The pay was higher, and the schedule was way more flexible. I was moving on up.

  “That’s nice. I think it’s so great that Lola created jobs within the charity. And you’ll be working at the office with Noah and Olivia, who have been there for about five years now?”

  “Yes.” Her tone seemed accusatory. I wasn’t sure what she was getting at.

  “Stop it, Faith,” Arabel chortled.

  What the fuck was so funny?

  “Stop what? I’m only asking questions,” Faith said with a smug smile.

  So, this was some sort of inside joke? Something they’d spoken about? And to think I’d actually liked these bitches at first. Well, “like” was a strong word. I just figured they were so wrapped up in their own rich lives that they didn’t give a damn about the mediocre girl who worked at Banana Republic.

  I glanced at Lola, who was now frowning at Faith. “Faith, what are you trying to imply?” Lola demanded.

  “Nothing! Nothing!” Faith chuckled, then sipped her wine. “I just can’t help thinking that . . . well, you’ve just met Ivy, Lola, and she already has her hands in so much of your stuff. You two sunbathe together, shop together, and now she’s working with you?”

  “And your point is?” Lola’s frown deepened.

  “I just think you need to slow down with the poor girl. To me, it seems like you’re trying to replace Keke with Ivy. One friend’s absence has opened up a chair, and Ivy has the seat now.”

  Okay. Faith was a bitch, plain and simple. And maybe she was jealous too. She wished she was in my position, tanning and reading and sipping crisp white wine with Lola Maxwell. The room went still, an awkward crackle of tension in the air.

  Footsteps sounded on the marble floors, and Lola turned as Georgia appeared at the mouth of the kitchen. “Dinner is ready when you are, Mrs. Maxwell.”

  “Good.” Lola put her attention to Faith again while saying, “Arabel, Ivy, why don’t you two go ahead and get seated. I need a word with Faith.”

  I nodded and trailed behind Arabel, following Georgia to the dining room. Over my shoulder, I watched Lola murmur something to Corey, and then she gave him a pat on the chest. He nodded and sighed, following right after us.

  When I sat, I couldn’t see Lola or Faith in the kitchen anymore, but I hoped Lola was sticking up for me.

  “You know how Faith gets when she starts drinking,” Arabel said as Corey took his seat. “She loses that filter of hers.”

  “I see,” Corey said, but he wasn’t amused.

  Arabel looked my way. “To be honest, I like you much more than Keke. I think you’re good for Lola.”

  “That I can agree with—you being good for Lola, that is,” Corey said. “I haven’t seen her so relaxed in so long. You’re a good listener, from what she’s told me.”

  I nodded. “Well, I try to be. It seems like she needs an ear here and there.”

  “She has me and Faith to talk to too,” Arabel countered.

  Yeah, once a week, and only so they could come over, eat all Lola’s food, drink all her wine, and complain about their older husbands while Lola fidgeted and listened.

  “She does. She talks about you and Faith a lot with me. She loves you two.”

  Arabel put on a cocky grin after my statement. That’s all these women wanted, Marriott. They wanted their egos stroked and their pride in good standing. Never demean them. Never make them feel replaceable or irrelevant. How did I know? Because I’d studied Lola for over a year to figure it out.

  Speaking of, Lola sauntered into the dining room with Faith trailing behind her. “Sorry about that,” she said as she pulled back the chair beside Corey and sat down. Faith took the seat next to Arabel, not once looking my way.

  “Before we dig into our delicious meal, I’d like us to pray,” Lola announced. “And Faith will do us the honors.” She gave Faith a stern look in the eye.

  Faith pursed her lips a moment and then said, “Let’s bow our heads.” Her prayer was straight to the point. Nothing fancy.

  “Amen,” everyone said in unison when she was done.

  “Thank you for that, Faith,” said dear Lola, and I caught the sarcasm in her voice. She wasn’t happy with Faith at the moment.

  Georgia entered the room with two men in white button-downs and black vests following her. Each man had white plates occupying both hands that they placed on the table in front of us.

  “This is our appetizer,” Georgia murmured, setting a plate in front of Lola. “It’s a crab-stuffed portobello mushroom and of course for you, Lola, a crabless stuffed portobello mushroom to cater to your vegan needs. Enjoy.”

  “Thanks, G.” Lola looked around the table. “Let’s dig in, shall we?”

  Everyone dug right in as the men with Georgia filled our wineglasses. The mushroom was good, but the entrée they brought out minutes later was divine. A duck roasted in butter and garlic and served with a cranberry-orange sauce. Along with it, asparagus and a baked potato. Lola only had the asparagus and potato.

  Rich people ate so well, Marriott. I could really get used to that.

  “So, there’s a reason I invited you ladies over tonight,” Lola said as everyone was close to finishing their entrées. “I mentioned a while back during one of the volunteer meetings that we were trying really, really hard to get th
e Green Garden Hall for the Passion Gala this September. It took a lot of work and a lot of swaying, but I am so happy to let you girls know that we got it! It’ll be our first time hosting the gala in New York!”

  “Oh my goodness, Lola! That is incredible!” Arabel sang.

  “What? That is amazing!” Faith added.

  Corey gave a proud smile, as if he’d known this news for a while now.

  “I’m so happy for you, Lola!” I exclaimed. No, really, I was. Lola was mentioning the gala to me more and more every time I saw her, and I knew about her getting the Green Garden Hall. I saw an email pop up on her phone from the events coordinator there when we were baking vegan raisin and walnut cookies last week.

  “Thank you, ladies. Of course the event will still be in September. If you know about the Green Garden Hall, you’ll know it’s a beautiful venue, which will make for a lovely night. I’ve been talking to the event planner about the vision I have as far as decorations. Expect lots of fairy lights and drapery and candles. With the greenery the venue has on the walls, it will all come together. So, right now I am officially inviting you three to the event.”

  I almost choked on my water.

  “Oh wow!” Faith said a little too loudly.

  “Wait, Lola, are you serious?” I gasped.

  Lola gave me a sure nod. “Of course I am, Ivy. I want you there. You’ve been so good to me, and I know you’d have a great time. Plus, you’ll be working for me soon, so you’re pretty much obligated to go now.”

  Pretending to be surprised was easy, but I knew Lola would eventually invite me to the gala. I didn’t think the official invite would happen until after I started working for her, but knowing now was just as good. I was in. Really in. No more doubts about it.

  “You should be so honored, Ivy,” Arabel said to me as dessert was brought out. “I mean, getting an invite to this gala requires a lot of leg-pulling and money, and yet you get invited by the queen herself. That’s a huge honor. Lola sees something in you.”

  I gave her a sweet smile. “Thanks, Arabel.”

  One of the men gave me another refill of wine. This was my fourth drink, including the champagne. Everyone else was downing theirs drinks like water, cheery and jubilant. I couldn’t keep up . . . but I knew I could use not keeping up to my advantage tonight.

  Things carried on with lots of excitement as we transitioned from the dining room to one of the sitting rooms with dim lighting. Lola discussed her big ideas and plans for the gala, and even started talking about the dress she was going to have custom-made for herself. As she did, the drinks continued, glasses filled to the rim, and Arabel and Faith became giggly, while Lola became downright sloppy.

  She hugged Corey around the neck too tightly, clung to him like a baby monkey. She kissed him too much on the face and neck, and through it all, he seemed to be made uncomfortable by her actions. He was a man who loved his affection in private. Even I could see that.

  “Well, tonight was amazing, but if I don’t get my ass home and to my bed soon, I might just pass out on this chair,” Arabel broadcasted.

  Arabel’s remark wasn’t the least bit funny, but I broke out in a laugh, and everyone looked my way. Faith and Arabel decided to ignore my outburst, but Lola and Corey seemed surprised by it. I was pretending to be drunk. I had to let it be known.

  The couple bid their friends farewell and Arabel gave me a hug and told me goodbye. Faith didn’t even come near me. I noticed she hadn’t said another word to me after what happened in the kitchen. Lola must have set her straight, but I knew Faith would never apologize to me. Not to someone she thought was beneath her.

  When the chatty duo was gone, Lola and Corey turned to me in the corridor.

  “You okay to drive, Ivy?” Corey asked, concern etched on his forehead.

  “Oh—yes, I’m great. Well, actually, I’m a little fuzzy, but I’m fine. I can catch an Uber and come back for my car in the morning.”

  “What? Hell no! Are you kidding?” Lola’s voice was too loud, and it made my head throb. “You can stay the night here or stick around until you sober up. I’m not letting you go out alone with drinks in you. Not in Miami. No ma’am.”

  I bit back a grin, pretending I didn’t know what to say, or how to react.

  “If you aren’t comfortable staying, I can have Felix drop you off,” Corey offered quickly. “He drives for us on call when we need him.”

  “No, absolutely not.” Lola took me by the hand. “Ivy, please stay here until you’re okay. I would hate for something to happen to you. We drank a lot tonight. Best thing you can do is sleep it off. Besides, we have plenty of space. You wouldn’t be in anybody’s way.”

  “Are you sure, Lola? I don’t want to interrupt your night or invade—”

  “Nonsense,” she blurted out, then snickered. “Matter of fact, if you’re staying, join me for another glass by the pool.”

  “Oh-kay,” Corey intercepted, moving between me and Lola. “I think you’ve had enough to drink tonight, Lola. Let me get you upstairs and to bed.” Lola pouted as Corey grabbed her hand. “Ivy, I’ll have Georgia show you to the guest room.”

  “That’s okay,” I said as Corey started down the corridor with his wife. “Lola showed me where one is. If it’s okay with her, I’ll just go to that one, sleep for a few hours.”

  “That’s my favorite guest room!” Lola exclaimed. “Just don’t vomit on anything and you’re good. I’m teasing! Seriously! There are pajamas and nightgowns in there, but you aren’t sleepy, are you, Ivy? Corey, come on! Just one more glass by the pool,” Lola pleaded, tugging on Corey’s hand to stop him as he started leading the way to the staircase.

  “Lola, enough.” Corey’s voice was firm but low. He was facing her now, brows drawn together. I supposed he’d had enough. I guess Dr. Maxwell could see his wife’s flaws just as well as I could.

  Lola narrowed her eyes at him for a brief moment. Tension sparked between them as they stared each other down. It was so quiet that we could hear the dining room being cleared, the dishes clinking and being stacked.

  Lola looked away and put her focus on me, giving me a grin that must have required all her willpower. “Good night, Ivy. Stick around until morning. I’ll have a nice breakfast ready.”

  “Thanks, Lo.” Lo? I’d never called her that one. Maybe I did have one too many drinks. By the way she winked, I assumed she liked the new nickname.

  Lola took off, leaving Corey behind. He huffed and trailed after her, and I watched them disappear around a corner, heading for the marble staircase.

  I waited a moment before going in the same direction, taking each step slowly to make it up to the second level. I knew exactly where the guest room was. Lola’s favorite.

  I stepped right into it, closing the door behind me and kicking out of my heels. I stripped out of my dress and was left standing in only my nude bra and panties. It was a matching set. I always made sure to match sets now that I was visiting Lola’s mansion so much. I never knew when I’d bump into Corey, or get the chance to be alone with him, so I was always prepared.

  I moseyed to the closet and spotted the silky pearl robe I’d had my eye on many times before. Whenever I visited Lola, I’d make at least one trip to this room, pretending it was mine, dreaming of this exact moment—the moment when I’d be able to lie in the bed, soak in the tub, shower beneath the rain-forest showerhead. Tonight was going to be the first night of many, and I’d worked hard for it.

  I took out the robe and slid my arms into it. Then I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror I’d grown to love, with the gold-and-pearl frame, and studied my body in the robe. I tied it at the waist, and it accentuated my curves—my new breasts, my hips.

  I heard something rattle outside and walked to one of the windows in the room to look out. From the window I could make out the Miami skyline and Lola’s pools and, right below, there were the pool chairs and umbrellas.

  The lights were out by the pool, so only a blue light illu
minated the area. The water shimmered like turquoise crystals, and standing in front of the larger pool, holding a glass of liquor, was none other than Corey Maxwell himself.

  My heart beat a little faster.

  I supposed the shower could wait.

  Now was the time to make my first move.

  I left the bedroom as quietly as I could and clicked the door shut behind me. I didn’t need anyone noticing I wasn’t inside.

  The lights in the dining room were out now, as well as the lights in the kitchen. Everyone was in bed. Lola didn’t have cameras inside her home, only on the outside. The camera recorded the perimeter of the bay and the pools. Not much past the umbrellas.

  She valued her privacy and was very adamant about the way hackers could get into the camera systems inside houses and share the content.

  As I entered the kitchen, the rippling blue light from the pool poured on me. Corey was standing right there, casually sipping a drink he’d most likely made himself. Thinking, it appeared.

  Thinking about what, Corey? Your drunk wife? Me?

  To my luck, the sliding doors were already open. I walked out, and as if he heard me, Corey turned his head and spotted me.

  “Oh shit. Ivy!” He turned halfway, releasing a breath of relief. “You scared the hell out of me. What are you doing out here?”

  “I couldn’t sleep, figured I’d come down for some air.”

  “Ah.” He lowered his gaze, and that’s when he caught it. My breasts—his breasts—were on full display for him. He swallowed thickly and turned back around to face the pool.

  “Yeah. When I drink, it’s hard for me to go right to sleep for some reason. That’s why I don’t drink much. Kind of throws off my sleep schedule.” I took a step forward and was standing right beside him.

  “Yeah, tonight got a little awkward at times. Sorry about the whole thing in the hall with Lola. She can get carried away.” He paused. “Sometimes she drinks like she’s trying to suppress certain thoughts and feelings.” He shrugged and sipped the last of his drink. “I don’t know what’s up with her sometimes.”