He sets down our meals. “Anything I can get you for your meal?”
We both shake our heads, the waiter nods and he walks off.
“Look I don't want to fight with you on this. I love you, you are my best friend and a huge part of my support system. I know you don't like him. I don't like him, but this is where I am right now.”
Spence looks at his sandwich and pushes around his sweet potato fries. He picks up the sandwich and takes a few bites before speaking again. “Okay. I don't understand you, but I respect you. I still think your stupid though.” he continues to shove fries in his mouth.
Yes. That I am. Maybe it is because I have no confidence in myself after all the times Kade has belittled and insulted me. Maybe I am better than I think I am, but right now, today, is not the day for me to deal with those emotions.
We spend the rest of the time quietly eating.
After lunch we drive home. The silence is killing me, so I try to think of a safe topic.
“Do you think the gallery will have a good show this year?”
He frowns his brow at my sad attempt. “I'm sure it will be great. She alway seems to push the boundaries and come out on top of the world. That woman has one twisted mind.”
“Yeah she does.” I agree.
“I'm sorry. I know I have no say in your life choices.” he takes a deep breath. “I just don't want you to spend the rest of your life unhappy. I know you would be if you stay where you are now. Even being alone can't be as bad as a life with Kade. I mean I'm single and I don't have any issues with it.”
I laugh at him. “Single? You have many ‘friends’, so I hardly think you can comment on being alone.”
He smiles and shanks his head. “Guess your right about that. Someday I hope to find the right guy for me, but that doesn't mean I am going to let myself be unhappy until then. I have needs you know.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know.”
We pull up to our apartment building and get out. I don't really want to waste the rest of the day locked up in there.
“What do you say we go for a walk? It is way too beautiful out to be cooped up inside all day.”
He walks to me putting his arm around my shoulder and pulling me away for the building. “It sounds like a wonderful idea. We haven't been on an adventure in a while.”
We both laugh. Back in college we would take walks all the time, each time we somehow would end up in some strange situation. Sometimes we would go looking for trouble but most times we didn't have to. It always seemed to find us on its own.
Chapter 10
Ember
Traffic is pretty clear this morning as I drive the forty minutes to the Montaner Plantation. It is situated on the outskirts of the city, just a fifteen minute drive from the airport. I turn to the gated entrance and press the intercom.
“Welcome to Montaner Plantation, how may I help you?” an attractive man appears on the screen.
“Thank you, I have a tour scheduled for Event on Point.”
“Perfect, you must be Miss Beauvoir.” he said with a smile.
“Yes, but Ember will do just fine, thank you.”
“Of course, Miss Ember. I will open the gates for you. Please follow the drive to the main house, valet will be waiting for you there. Your guests have already arrived and are in the parlor.”
The gate begins to open soundlessly.
“Thank you very much.” I say before driving through.
I wonder why they are here so early, I know why I am, but they shouldn’t have arrived for another fifteen minutes. I hope I didn’t give them the wrong time.
The driveway is easily three miles long, remnants of the old plantation can be seen in the distance off to the south side. The house itself is still intact and as beautiful as ever. Anything that is not original was perfectly replicated. The house has been used as an event venue for the past decade, and it is not cheap. Renting this place for the night could set you back, well I’m not actually sure how much, I just know it is more than any of my clients have been able to afford.
The Plantation is 1695 acres of lush greenery. Five ponds are scattered across the land, three perfectly manicured gardens and a large wooded area for hunting.
As I come to the large round-about that is at the front of the main house I see a man in a red blazer motioning me to him. I drive around to where he stands at the bottom of the steps leading to the large entrance. He opens my door and offers his hand, I take it and get out of my Jeep.
“Miss Ember, please make your way up the steps to where Victor is waiting for you,” he points to the man at the top of the steps. “He will take you to the parlor where your guests are waiting. When you are ready to leave just let him know and your vehicle will be waiting when you make your way out.”
“Thank you” I give him a friendly smile as he gets into the driver’s seat.
“Welcome Miss Ember, I trust your drive was well?” asks Victor when I reach him.
“Yes, thank you, it was very pleasant.” everyone is so proper, I am not used to it.
He bows his head and motions his hand to the large wooden double doors that are both open to the entryway. “This way ma’am.”
I step through the threshold with Victor at my heels. He steps in front of me to lead the way to the parlor. The room is large with enough seating to accommodate a football team. I see Jonas and Janessa sitting in the arm chairs in front of the fireplace. They both turn when they hear us enter the room and stand to great me.
Both of them look as if they just stepped off the cover of a magazine. Janessa extends her hand to me, her long thin fingers wrap around my hand and she pulls me into a hug. She is much stronger than I would have thought, nearly squeezing the air out of my lungs.
“It is so good to see you Ember, I have been looking forward to this all week long.” she gushed.
“It is true. She has been talking about how excited she was to see you again.” he gave her a look and nudged her playfully. “All week long.”
“I am so happy to see you too. I thought maybe after we could ditch Jonas and go grab a bite to eat. No offence Jonas.” I say seeing his smile fade. “I think girl time is needed.”
He smiles sweetly at me. “Yes, I suppose you are right. She is in desperate need of time out of the flat and away from me.”
“Yes, I am!” she said with such excitement it made me excited too. “I don’t care what we do, anything to keep me from being stuck in that flat all day and night. You are so sweet Ember, thank you.”
Victor cleared his throat to announce he was still there. “Would you care to start the tour ma’am?” he says looking at me.
“Yes, thank you Victor, please lead the way.” I say politely, feeling a bit guilty for forgetting him.
“The plantation was constructed in 1714 and is one of the oldest plantations in the state and is a National historical landmark.” he says as he leads us out of the room. We walk back to the grand entrance and the tour begins.
“The house itself holds 14 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, 2 parlors, a gourmet kitchen, 3 dining rooms and a 2-story ballroom. The grounds hold a very accommodating guest house, 3 gardens, half a dozen or so ponds, a boat house on the river, a tropical greenhouse and many trails to be explored. There is also a 100 acre woodland area for hunting. The stables hold….”
Janessa grabs my hand holding it in hers and keeping me close to her. “This place is beautiful, no? I saw the listing online while on my flight and when I saw it on a billboard I just knew it was the perfect spot. All the open land and beauty remind me of home.” I smile at her. She seems at peace here, calm and happy, as if nothing could ever bring her down.
“It’s funny to think, I have lived here my entire life and never had a chance to come see this place. I have always wanted to though. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.” it’s true I have dreamt of seeing this house all my life. It is a huge part of the city’s history.
Jonas looks over his shoulder when he hears us laug
hing. He gives me an approving smile and winks. God he is beautiful. I watch as he walks in front of us, dark wash jeans hug his ass and the pale blue t-shirt showing every muscle on his back.
“He is beautiful, no?” she says nodding in front of us towards Jonas.
Oh shit. “Sorry, what?” I am so busted.
She smiles, laughs and shakes her head. “It is not important. What is important is this ballroom. Look at it, oh my heaven it is fantastic.” she dances into the room as if she were in a ballet. Her cream dress flowing in the wind she makes as she spins around the room.
“She is very dramatic, but I love her anyway.” Jonas says as he steps forward to follow her. He looks back and takes my hand in his and pulls me along.
“Oh Jonas, I told you this was the perfect place.” her excitement is contagious.
“Yes, you did Ness, it is lovely. Though it is a bit much for what we need, perhaps the grounds would be more suitable.”
The look on her face is comical. She looks as if he just took away her favorite doll, a sad child look.
“Do not give me that look.” he scolds her
She only pouts more. “I do not want the grounds, I want the ballroom.”
Well as entertaining as this is, I suppose it is my job to step in and come up with a suitable solution. I walk around to the large glass paned doors and see a large stone and cement area with seating and foliage.
“Victor?”
“Yes, Miss Ember? What can I do for you?”
“These doors, do they open to the patio there?” I say pointing to the area.
“Yes, as a matter of fact they do.” he pulls the locks from the floor and top door frame and pulls the doors open. He then does the same to two more sets of double doors. “Is this what you had in mind ma’am?”
“This is perfect, thank you Victor.” I walk to where the two are still arguing. “Sorry to break up such an entertaining argument but I may have a solution to make each of you happy.” I point to the doors where Victor still stands.
“Oh, look Jonas, you can have your outside and I can have my ballroom.” she squeals and begins to twirl her way to the doors.
“Thank you. It is not often we come to a compromise that benefits me.” he said laughing as Janessa rolled her eyes at him. “She is very demanding and I would rather give her what she wants than listen to her cry about it.”
“Well it is my job, but I am happy to help.” I look up to find his dark emerald eyes on mine, I can’t help but get lost in them. He takes one of my hands and places it on his shoulder, the other in his other hand. Then he pulls me into him, his other hand now on my lower back. There is no music, but he swings me around in large circles.
“You are a natural.” he says as we make our way around the center of the room toward the open doors. I can’t help but stare into his beautiful eyes, I want to be closer to him. His scent is intoxicating, I’m getting dizzy. “Ember, are you ok?”
We have stopped moving and I realize I am much closer than I remember being. My knees are bent, not supporting my weight, he is holding me up. My head is on his chest, I listen to his heart beating faster and faster. I open my eyes to see Janessa fanning me with a brochure. What the hell just happened?
I regain my footing before placing my hands on his chest to push myself away. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what happened.”
“Oh, Ember, sweet girl are you ok? How many fingers am I holding up?” she says as she waves her hands in my face.
I take her hand in mine “Well I can’t see when you are waving them all over the place.” she holds her hand still. “Three fingers, I’m fine, really. I must have just gotten dizzy and lost my balance.”
“That was more than just losing your balance, Agápi Mou. How is your head? Do you feel ill?” Jonas is probing me with questions.
“Here sir.” Victor says as he hands a glass of water to Jonas.
“Drink.” is all he says as he puts it in my hands.
This is so embarrassing. It’s no big deal, I don’t know what happened but it's not like I'm dead. Maybe I shouldn't have skipped breakfast this morning. I drink the water and hand the glass to Victor. “Thank you very much.”
“Perhaps we should end the tour here. It seems they have decided on this room for the event, but the entire ground will be at your disposal for the nights you have booked.” he says as he sets the glass down and brings a chair for me to sit in.
“Guys I am fine. It must have been the spinning, just got dizzy. It really is no big deal” I say in protest as Jonas guides me to the chair and makes sure I sit.
“Better safe than sorry, don’t you think.” he says, then leans in as whispers. “I highly doubt the adrenaline junky gets dizzy from just a few minutes of dancing.” he pulls away from me with a sly smile and I can’t help but laugh. He’s right.
After a while of arguing with them they decide I am fine to walk back to the car but both insist I let Janessa drive back to the city. I agree to their demands.
Jonas follows us to the restaurant to make sure all is well. Once I have him convinced I am fine he leaves us to our girl’s time.
We chose a small bistro near Old Town. It has been here for as long as I can remember. The restaurant is small but full of character.
"Table for two?" asked the waitress as she walked up to the door where we just entered. We nod and she grabs the menus. "Right this way ladies....how about a seat with a view?" she gestures us to a table next to the window and we both take a seat.
"My name is Sara and I will be taking care of you today. What can I get you to drink?"
"I would like sparkling water without ice please." Janessa orders
"Ice tea please." I say when she looks at me.
"I will be right back ladies, take you time with the menus and let me know if you have any questions." she smiles and heads to the kitchen area.
I don't need to look at the menu since I have been coming here my whole life. Janessa barely looks at hers before smiling and closing it.
"I have been meaning to ask you why you didn't come to the meeting at my office. Normally all the parties invested in the event like to be present to give their wants and needs."
She smiles and raises her eyebrows. "Jonas asked me not to go, I suppose he wanted you all to himself. I thought you would have enjoyed the time alone with him, I know he did."
"I’m sorry, what?" I ask, mortified, but before she has a chance to answer the waitress is back with our drinks.
"Looks like you're both ready to order.”
Janessa nods and begins her order
Did she really say that? I must have imagined it, right? Shit what the hell am I going to say to that?
"And for you ma'am?" the waitress says as she clears her throat to get my attention.
"I’m sorry what?” I am confused as she pulls me out of my thoughts.
She smiled and asked for my order again. I give it to her and she is off again.
"This place is lovely, has it been here long?" Janessa asked me, pulling me out of my thoughts again. Is she really just going to forget the conversations we were having, or were going to have? Maybe I should be thankful for that, but I am more worried than anything.
"Yes, it's been here longer than I have been alive." I look at her waiting for her to say something.
"What is it you want me to say Ember? I can tell you want to talk about Jonas." she smiles so sweetly, what the hell is happening?
I sat there in shock for a moment. "Ember, it is ok to be attracted to him, a lot of women are. Do you feel badly because you are in a relationship?” she said it as if it means nothing to her.
Finally, I get my words to form. "I’m sorry, I don't know what to say. No, it has nothing to do with Kade, he's a...well he's not important.'' I drift off in thought for a moment.
"If he is not important then why are you with him? Do you have children? Are you afraid?" she stops when I laugh at her. "Did I say something funny?" she looks confused.
"No, no kids and I'm not afraid, well not of him at least. But this is completely off topic." I am trying to avoid the topic.
"I don't understand." she says bluntly. "You do not want to be with him, you clearly have feelings for my brother and I know he does for you as well. So, what is holding you to a man that...well he is…forgive me but he is very unpleasant and I have only had to encounter him once."
My jaw drops to the floor. Brother, did she just say brother? Oh my God, I am an idiot, Jonas is her brother. He has feelings for me?
"Wait, what?" I can't seem to form a coherent thought into words.
"Ember, please don't tell me you didn't know. From the moment he met you he was captivated by you and your beauty, he can’t seem to get you off his mind. I have never seen my brother so taken with anyone before. He seems to think you are his soulmate." she gasps and puts her hand over her mouth. "Please don’t tell him I said that last part. He would be so upset if he knew I told you before he could."
I can't seem to comprehend what she is saying. This can't be right, I must be dreaming. She just keeps looking at me, waiting for me to say something.
"Um...yeah, Ok I won’t tell him." I finally managed to get out, still in shock.
Thankfully our waitress is only steps away with our meal, I am in desperate need of something to distract from conversation.
She sets the tray on a stand and sets our meals in front of us, then the drink refills. "Any condiments ladies?" we both shake our heads no. "Well enjoy your meal and let me know if you need anything else." she says with a smile and walks away.
I start eating immediately to keep my mouth busy. Janessa raises her eyebrows and nods in understanding.
After lunch Janessa is confident I am better and gives me back my keys. We decide to go get a mani-pedi. I take her to the salon Spence works at part-time, he does the most amazing nail art I have ever seen.
"EMMEY!" he says as he jumps out of his chair to come hug me. "I know we live together but I feel like I haven't seen you in weeks." he says with a pout. "Adulting sucks."
Ribbon of Fate: Love or lust? Page 9