by Leah Shay
"Que te enteraste?"
What did you find out?
"Ella quiere verme? Donde esta ella?"
She wants to see me? Where is she?
"Que prueba?"
What proof?
He listened, then hung up, and slumped back into the chair, clearly perplexed from the conversation, his mind obviously on overdrive.
I got my phone out and texted him: Are you okay?
Jared texted: Fine, how are you doing?
His face stated otherwise - he was not fine.
I texted him again: You look worried. Want to share?
He texted: Nothing for you to be concerned about.
He smiled, but it was not convincing.
I had two people working on my hair. An hour and fifteen minutes later when they were finished, the nausea was back, accompanied by a headache. I looked at Jared and he was watching me closely. He got up, came over, and stooped in front of me.
"What's wrong?" He looked up into my eyes.
"The nausea is back."
"What can I do?
"Get me to bed."
And so he did. He tucked me into bed and set a garbage container at the side of the bed in case I needed to vomit again.
"Drink this." Jared sat at the side of the bed and handed me a cup of what smelled like ginger tea. I took a sip; it was a soothing remedy for my stomach. Whenever I tried to put the cup down, he persuaded me to drink more. He took the cup when it was empty, tucked me into bed, and left the room. His phone rang as he stepped in the hallway. He told J.C. to hold and closed the room door behind him. Curiosity got the best of me, so I got out of bed, listening carefully before I opened the door. Jared was seated out on the balcony with his back to me. I hurried across the living room and pressed my back against the wall next to the door, which was wide open.
"What does she want?"
I wished I were able to hear both sides of the conversation.
"J.C., how is she going to contact Kyra?"
"What fucking proof does she have?"
"I'm not going to New York to see her. Do whatever you have to do. I'm not going to let her ruin my life. Kyra is not feeling well. It's bad enough I have to leave her tonight. Now this crazy bitch is trying to ruin my life."
I tiptoed to the kitchen and got a bottle of water from the fridge. I could not hear him anymore in the kitchen, but I had heard enough.
"Kyra, why aren't you in bed?" Jared asked, surprised to see me out of bed and probably worried that I might have overheard something.
"I needed water." I lifted the bottle.
"Let's get you back where you belong."
Jared joined me in bed, holding me so close our bodies molded into each other. I wanted to pry but did not. I needed to know where Ella was and why she wanted to get in touch with me. Something had Jared worried and it was evident that Ella wanted to tell me something. I fell asleep wondering how I was going to acquire this information.
When I woke up, it was dusk outside. I could see the city lights in the distance and Jared was quietly watching me sleep.
"What time is it?" I had lost track of time.
"Almost six."
"What happened to your flight?"
"We'll leave when I get there. One of the perks of having a private jet."
"Jared," I said softly, "I want you to know that you can tell me anything."
"I know that, Kyra."
"Jared, I'm a bit concerned. I'm aware that Ella can be unstable. Is there any chance that she might come after me?"
"Babe, there is no need for you to worry about anything. Ella is in a New York Hospital. She tried to harm herself again."
"Is she in a psych facility?"
"She's at Lennox Hill, under constant watch, recovering."
I was giving him a chance to open up to me, to confide in me, and relieve him of some of the stress that he was going through. I knew that I would be adding to it later on, but I refused to back out. What he did to me was wrong and too much planning had gone into this for me to change course.
"I love you so much," Jared said. "I'm so sorry I have to go."
"Jay, I understand you have family obligations. I'll be fine. Please don't worry about me unnecessarily," I smiled and stroked his cheek. "I am a medical professional. I can take care of myself."
"And even though they should know better, they take care of others better than they take care of themselves."
That was a comment that I could not argue with, because it was a fact.
.
The huge white 747 with the Stern logo on the side was in the hanger at the airport, waiting on the arrival of its passengers.
"The driver will take you home," Jared said as he got out of the car.
I opened my door and stepped out. "What about my car?" I asked, as he came around the car and pulled me into his arms.
"Your car is already at home."
"What?" I looked at him, puzzled.
"I knew you would be stubborn, so I asked J.C. to take your car home."
He pulled me in for a hug and whispered in my ear, "I love you and I'll see you soon."
"I'll see you soon," I replied.
I reached in my bag and handed him the gift before I lost my nerve.
"What is this?"
"A present."
"Can I open it now?" he asked, turning it around in his hand.
I almost shouted, "No!" Promise you will not open it until you get home."
"I'll try."
I knew he would not wait, but all I needed was an hour's head start. I watched him walk toward the plane, as J.C. was removing the bags from the trunk. Jared turned and waved at me and then disappeared into the plane.
"Thanks for taking my car home, J.C."
"You're welcome. How are you feeling?"
"Much better. Please take care of Jay for me."
"As always, Kyra."
I jumped as Jared's voice echoed over the hanger. "J.C., let's go."
We looked up; he was standing at the top of the steps. "Come on, J.C."
"Take care, Kyra. I hope you feel better soon."
"Thanks, J.C."
As the chauffer drove out of the hanger, I looked back to see Jared standing on the plane steps. I called Jenn, hoping she could help me find Ella. Jenn was from a very large family who were in the medical profession. I remember her once saying she had a family member working at every hospital in New York. I hoped she could come through for me.
"Jenn, I need you to help me find somebody."
"Who?"
I loved Jenn. She was always there for me, no matter what.
"Ella Wright, Jared's ex. She's at Lennox Hill Hospital. I doubt she'll be registered under her name, but I think she was admitted a couple of days ago for an attempted suicide."
"I'll call you back."
Jenn called back as I got home. Ella was registered under the name Maria Knight. She was admitted two days ago, after her assistant found her unresponsive in her Manhattan apartment. She had overdosed on Xanax and OxyContin. She was in ICU, but was transferred to a medical floor today. She was been held involuntarily for evaluation and treatment of her mental health. To prevent her from harming herself again, a sitter was placed in her room to watch her every move.
I knew it was unethical and could jeopardize her recovery, but she wanted to talk to me and she had information that I needed. Ella was my only way to discover the truth about Jared Stern, and nothing was going to stop me from getting that information.
"Jenn, I need to talk to her. I know it might be..."
"I'll see what I can do. You owe me big time."
"Thanks, Jenn."
Ella had wanted to get in touch with me, and so she would. She had information that I needed. I had to know about The Pad and his preferences. She knew things that Jared was seriously nervous about me finding out. I was adamant about finding out about the dark side of Jared Stern. If this was something that he did not want revealed to me, something that would t
ear us apart, most likely it was better if we went our separate ways, but not without my first finding out what it was.
Nate was ready for us to go on our little getaway. He was not happy when I told him he could not take his cell phone, but I did not trust these things and their GPS devices. I had seen what Jared could do, so no cell phones on this trip. I had not heard from Jared - not even a quick call or text. Maybe he was too busy trying to cover things up. As I was about to turn the phone off, it rang. It was a New York number.
"Hello," I answered.
"Kyra?"
"Yes. I heard you wanted to get in touch with me."
"And how did you hear that?"
"Does it matter? Do you want to talk to me or not?"
"You are pretty resourceful, Akyra Harris. Maybe you can use your resources and charm to get Jared to pay me a visit."
"And why would I want to do that?"
"Because I have information that you might find very interesting or...disturbing."
"What information?"
"I think I have your attention."
"How am I going to get that information? I need something now."
"He has an insatiable sex drive with, let's say...some very peculiar preferences. I hope you don't mind sharing," she sang.
I was as calm as ever, not wanting her to think for one minute that she had gotten under my skin.
"How do I know you're not lying?"
"I'll send you an email attachment of us at The Pad."
That was the second time I'd heard her mentioned The Pad.
"I'll need to borrow your friend's phone."
I had a couple of email addresses that I did not use, so I gave her one of my Gmail address which I planned to close later.
"Get him to visit, and you'll get it all."
"I'll see what I can do. No promises."
She snickered. "I know I've gotten your interest. You'll get him here."
"Aren't you afraid of the repercussions if he finds out?"
She went silent on me. "What's he going to do? I'm fucking crazy and I'm not accountable for anything I do."
"I see your game."
She laughed.
"But if you ever cross me, you'll find out who is the crazier bitch." I hung up my phone.
Chapter Thirteen
Apprehension was my saboteur. Now that I might be getting the proof I needed, I turned my phone off without checking to see if Ella had sent the email. I was scared, and I wanted to know everything; at the same time, I was so terrified of what I'd find out that I feared I would not be able to handle it. What a time to find this all out! Pregnant from a man I met six months ago. A man who harbored a great deal of secrets; whose secrets were so guarded, all my suspicions remained unanswered. No one would breathe a negative word about Jared. His secrets were locked up so tight, I was beginning to feel they would never be uncovered. Until now. Ella was the key. She would tell me all I needed to know. No matter what I had to do.
Nate and I checked into the Trump International on the beach and my sister, as usual, had not disappointed. She had us booked into the deluxe, whirlpool spa guestroom, a luxuriously elegant room with a hot tub on the balcony, overlooking the blue-green waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
It was a good getaway. We enjoyed the amenities of the hotel and there were so many activities for kids. I lay on the beach and went to the spa to be pampered. Nate enjoyed the restaurants and I watched him eat all the food I could not.
Several times a day I would wonder where Jared was and what he was doing. I wanted to see his agony, to watch him go crazy as the days went by and all his efforts to find me were futile. To see the misery and pain in his eyes as regret ate away at him. To watch the light go out in his eyes as he suffered, wondering if he had lost me forever.
What could he say to make me forgive him?
What would he do to convince me to take him back?
.
Sunday morning as I turned over in bed, I had a feeling that I was not alone. I thought I was at home and that Nate had come into my room like he usually did. I lay quietly, waiting for some movement or sound, but there was none. Then I remembered that we were not at home. I sat up suddenly in bed, getting an instant headache as I did so. Sitting on the couch across the room, looking like he had been to hell and back, was Jared.
"Jared, what are you doing here?" I asked as I got out of bed and reached for the robe to cover my scantily clad body. His regretful eyes never left me.
He sat there, staring at me in a daze.
"Jared, what are you doing here!" I shouted.
"Kyra, I'm so, so very sorry," he mumbled and stood up. "Babe, I did a stupid thing." He took a step toward me.
"Do not come any closer," I said sternly.
"Kyra, please, I'm desperate. I don't want to lose you, and it was a dumb thing I did to hold on to you." He shook his head as if trying to get rid of some scary image in his mind. "Baby, I fucked up. I fucked up bad."
He was tired, looking like he hadn't slept since Thursday. He needed a shave, his hair was disheveled, and the white blazer he had on was crushed, or was it the style? Even though I was furious at him, he looked so ruggedly hot.
"Kyra, how are you? I was so worried..." He stepped forward.
I stepped back and felt the bed at the back of my legs.
"Worried!" I said in disgust. "What were you worried about? That you got caught, that your little scheme did not work? You men are all the same - you can't be trusted, and use women for your personal gain. I can't do this, Jared. It's over."
As if the words had delivered a physical blow, he fell to his knees. I could not believe what I was seeing. Right before my very eyes, Jared Stern was on his knees, his head hung in defeat. "Please, Kyra, I will do anything...anything you want me to do. I can't live without you, baby. I can't. Please, baby, I can't go back to that life."
He lifted his dejected head, his darkened eyes sparkled with tears. "Please help me, Kyra. Only you can. You are the best part of my life. I'm begging you, don't do this to me, baby, please."
It was satisfying seeing Jared in this humbling, defeated, subservient position, on his knees and begging. At the same time that I pitied him, I relished his misery.
"Please, Kyra, say something," He used his sleeve to wipe the tears from his eyes before they spilled.
"Tell me what you were thinking, Jared. We have discussed this, taken precautions. I have so much to do. There are not enough hours in a day for me. I feel so guilty sometimes because I don't think I spend enough time with Nate. What you did was a betrayal to me. Jared, you cannot have things your way all the time. It's not all about you, Jared. It's Jared and Akyra. We communicate, listen, and respect each other's decisions. I can't and will not stay in a relationship where I feel like I am being controlled, like my opinions do not matter, and like I'm being used."
"Kyra, I hear you and I understand. I'm begging for your help through this. Please, help me...only you can help me be the man I was."
"Let me explain something, and this might be a bit difficult for you to understand. The world does not revolve around you." Maybe it does. "You cannot play with people's lives. I have a life and a damn good one, too. I have dreams that I want to see fulfilled and if I say no, not yet, later, please respect my wishes."
"I promise, Kyra. Whatever you say, I'll listen. Whatever you want, I'll do. Please give us another chance, babe."
"Please get up, Jared," I said scornfully.
He did and, with outstretched arms, approached me. I placed my hand on his chest and stopped him before he could take me in his arms. I had him right where I wanted him - this was my moment to strike.
"I overheard your conversation on Thursday at the apartment. Ella wants something. What is it?" I asked harshly.
"She wants to see me," he answered.
"Are you going?"
"I have no intention of going to see her."
"Maybe you should."
"You want me to see her?" He look
ed puzzled, as if he could not believe I had said that.
"Yes, to put an end to her harassing calls, but I'm coming with you."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
I folded my arms. "What's not a good idea? You going to see her, or me going with you?"
"Okay, whatever you want."
I loved how gratifying this felt. I thought I could get almost anything out of him when he was this vulnerable.
"Kyra, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Are you pregnant?"
I looked him straight in the eye. "No," I lied, then I turned away before he could see that I was lying.
"What if I was pregnant? What if you had accomplished what you had set out to do?"
"Honestly, I would be beyond happy, but saddened because of how it happened."
"Would you have told me?"
"I think I would, someday," he said without a thought.
"What would your family think of me? They would believe I got pregnant on purpose."
"I would tell them the truth...I had to tell my mom what I did."
"You told her?" I was taken aback.
"I had to. It was during her party. I could not sit around anymore. I was going crazy. I had taken the call in the kitchen and was informed that no one was able to find you. I was in such a rage, I turned over her glass table and broke it and all her china. I practically destroyed her kitchen. Luckily the party was held outdoors. She walked in and thought I was losing my mind again, got scared, and started to cry, so I had to tell her."
"You told your mom?" I was shocked.
"She told me how stupid and selfish I was, and that I should beg for your forgiveness."
"So, your entire family knows?"
"Just my mom. She's good at keeping secrets, even from Dad." He shifted uncomfortably. "Kyra, can you forgive me? Can we move forward?"
"I'll have to think about it."
"Can we at least have breakfast?"
"How did you find me, Jared? On second thought, don't bother. I'm going to take a shower." I could figure that out myself. Jeff, the security guard, saw when I left in the cab, and from there my tracks were uncovered.
I locked the bathroom door. What did he mean that his mom thought he was going crazy again? Did he even realize he'd said that? I took a shower and got dressed in a pair of white linen pants and a sexy, white, low-cut crochet top. Jared was not in the room when I got out of the bathroom. My iPhone was on the night table. He had placed it there after I went into the bathroom. I picked it up and scrolled through the numerous messages Jared had left over the past two days. Jared was in Nate's room, sitting on his bed and talking about some new app on his phone.