I lay in my bed looking up at the ceiling, thinking of this nightmare. I wanted to wake up from this nightmare and have it all end. When I next woke, it was 6:00 in the evening. I was still feeling sick to my stomach. I hadn’t eaten anything since I left Sofia’s. Maybe I just needed to eat something.
My phone was ringing again. I looked at my phone, it was Brenda so I answered. “What’s up, Girl?”
“How were the Hamptons?”
“It was ok. Something dreadful has happened, Brenda,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
“Are you ok, Candice?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’m coming over. Just give a few minutes to get uptown.”
“Ok, Brenda. Thank you. I need someone to talk to.” I went to the kitchen and opened a can of soup, trying to calm my stomach while I waited on Brenda. What was I going to do on Monday when I went back to work? Ashton would want to see me and want to know why I had left.
I would just keep it to myself until I figured out what to do. It was his brother who’d raped me after all. I was angry with the wrong person, but I didn’t know who to be angry with. Maybe I should be angry with myself. I did go to Ashton’s mother’s without knowing what type of brother he had. I’d put myself in harm’s way.
My doorbell rang. Expecting Brenda I opened the door without looking through the peep hole. There stood Ashton, bold as ever Ashton. “Candice, what’s wrong? Are you alright? I must have left you about thirty messages. When you didn’t answer your phone, I left.”
“Yes, I’m ok. I just needed to come home.”
“Why haven’t you answered your phone? Mother said she didn’t know you had left. Marbella said you needed a doctor here in New York. If you were that sick I would have brought you back.”
“I’ll be fine. I just needed to rest at home, not at your mother’s.”
“I’m sorry, Babe. I didn’t mean to agitate you any further. I was just worried.”
“It’s ok, Ashton. I’m not agitated. I’m just still tired.”
“Let me help you to bed. Have you called the doctor?”
“I don’t need the doctor. I think it might be the flu.”
“We’ll get some food in you and let you rest.” The doorbell rang, “Are you expecting company?”
“Yes, Brenda was coming over to help me out before I knew you would be here.”
“That’s ok. I will let her in and tell I’m here now.”
“No need for that. I will talk to her myself.”
“Alright, she is your friend not mine.”
“You are right again.” I couldn’t help snapping at him.
“Candice, have I done something wrong that I don’t know about? You’ve been kind of hateful with me since I got here.”
“I just want to talk to my friend.”
“Am I not your friend and soon to be husband? Tell me what’s going on here. Something isn’t right and I can feel it.”
“Let Brenda in and we can talk later.” Ashton opened the door. The shocked look on Brenda’s face told the story.
“What are you doing here?”
Ashton seemed surprised at her tone. “I’m here taking care of Candice, and you?”
“I’m here for the same reason, so you can leave if you’d like.”
“I need her to tell me that, if you don’t mind.”
“Ashton let me talk to Brenda alone for a few minutes and get into bed.”
“That sounds like a plan,” and he exited the room.
“Candice, what is going on and why is Ashton here?”
“I didn’t know he was coming over, that’s why I told you to come.”
“Tell me why you were so frantic on the phone, and what happened in the Hamptons.”
“I can’t tell you now because Ashton’s here.”
“Did he hurt you?”
“No. I just can’t talk right now.”
“Candice, would you like me to leave? I came all the way uptown because you asked me to.”
“Look, Brenda, let me pay you for your time. I’m sorry for any inconvenience.”
“Pay me for my time? My inconvenience? I didn’t come here as your assistant. I came as your friend.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I am just not myself. I will explain it later. Please, Brenda, can we talk later? And I’m sorry for upsetting you.”
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t come here to upset you so I’m going to leave now.”
“Thanks, Girl, for coming. You are a true friend.” We hugged and she left.
Ashton walked back in, “I heard the door shut. Is Brenda gone? I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“I just need to lie down if you don’t mind. It’s been a long weekend.”
“I made up the bed and made you some chicken soup that Marbella taught me how to make. I’m going to stay the night, but I will sleep on the couch so you can rest.”
“That will work and thank you for the soup. I’m not going to work in the morning.”
“Don’t worry about work. I will let the necessary people know you are sick.”
“Thanks, Ashton. I’m going to try to sleep.” He kissed me on the forehead and left the room. I laid there thinking about what Marbella had told me before I left.
Why had she told me things I certainly had no right to know? There were a lot of things going on in Ashton’s family, even he didn’t know about. I knew now that black or white, rich or poor, there would always be lies. Some people just hid them well. I didn’t want to think about anything anymore. I just wanted to sleep.
Ashton woke me the next morning with more of Marbella’s chicken soup. “I want you to get better, Sweetie, so eat up. This soup is a cure all.”
“Maybe, but right now it was making me sick to my stomach. Let me get to the bathroom first, then I will eat.” I ran into the bathroom. I threw up the chicken soup I’d had last night and everything else too. What was wrong with me? My body must have been traumatized from being raped. That had to be why I was so sick.
Ashton knocked on the door. “Are you all right in there? Candice, do I need to call a doctor.”
“Yes Ashton, just give me a minute. I will be alright. Just give me a second.” I rinsed my mouth, splashed some water on my face, feeling a little better.
Ashton was standing in the doorway. “Candice, please let me get you a doctor.”
“I’m going to be ok. I think it’s the flu or a stomach bug.”
“Well eat some more of this soup. It will make you feel better.”
“I don’t think so. It might be the soup that’s making me sick,” I replied, trying to be humorous. He didn’t seem amused at the comment. “I’m just joking, Ashton. Don’t take it serious.”
“I’m just trying to help you.”
“You know what you can do to help? Get out of here and go to work. I will just lie here and get some rest.”
“Alright I am leaving. Just call if you need anything.”
“Don’t worry, I will. You have a lovely day.” When he left I turned on the TV and let it put me to sleep. I woke feeling better so decided to get some work done from home. I looked like hammered hell. I took a shower and fixed my matted hair. I was finally starting to feel like my old self again. The bug must have passed. Thank God for that.
Ashton had left messages on my machine. I decided I would call him later. I just needed some me time. My phone started to ring and I decided to let the answering machine pick it up. “Candice, this is Lance. I’m in New York on business and would love to see you. Just give me a call when you get in.”
Lance. That was all I needed right now. I didn’t feel up to seeing Lance, but maybe seeing him would make me feel better. I lay around all day trying to decide if I would call Lance. I knew how he felt about me. Maybe this was just adding fuel to the flame.
I needed to make sure Ashton was working since I knew he wouldn’t understand. I decided to call him first and go from there. I called and his assistant picked up, “Asht
on Williams’ office, Pam speaking.”
“Pam, this is Candice Robinson speaking. Is Ashton in?”
“Candic,e he is in a meeting with a prospective new client and it may take a while. I can have him call you as soon as he is free.”
“Thanks Pam, talk to you later.” That meeting could go on forever so I decided to call Lance and take my chances. Lance’s phone went straight to voice mail, “Lance, this is Candice. Give me a call when you’re free.” That was that.
I was so hungry. I needed something other than the chicken soup Ashton had made. I dialed my favorite Chinese takeout place, “Wong’s Spicy Wings. Can we help you?” That sounded yummy. I placed my order and waited, watching some America’s Next Top Model, until the doorbell rang.
“Wong’s Spicy Wings, I have your order.” I opened the door, paid for my wings, and ate till I thought I would burst. Everything was right with the world at this very minute. My phone rang. It was Ashton, “Hey Baby, how are you feeling? Better?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I am. I just ate some wings from Wong’s and I’m watching TV.”
“Sounds like you have recovered well and that’s good. I’m going to be leaving here late. I will see you tomorrow. Are you coming in to work?”
“More than likely I will feel even better in the morning. My things are being moved to my new office.”
“That was taken care of today. I saw Brenda going in an out so I’m sure things are in order.”
“I did some work from home, the rest will keep till I get there. Who’s the new client Pam told me about?”
“A trucking company up from Atlanta. I think Maxwell is in if the numbers are right.”
“From Atlanta? Did you happen to get the guy’s name?”
“Yes, it’s Lance Jackson. He put in a pretty decent bid so I’m sure you will get to meet him in the near future.”
“I can’t wait. Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Ok, and one other thing, Candice. I love you.”
“I love you too, Ashton.” I hung up the phone, speechless. This just couldn’t be happening. Lance working for the same company? What were the odds of that? Not that it mattered, but I just couldn’t believe my luck. This was as strange as it gets. What would I say if Ashton found out we were from the same town? He would want to know everything about me and I wasn’t ready to tell.
I hoped this was just another trucking job for Lance and our paths never actually had to cross. I think I remembered he had said he ran it from his Atlanta office and I hoped it stayed that way.
Chapter 11
I woke up the next morning and got ready for work. Lance hadn’t returned my phone call. Maybe it was for the best.
I was feeling better about the weekend, but I hadn’t forgotten what had happened. If I just went on with my life maybe I could put it all behind me. I wouldn’t let Victor, or anyone else, steal my life or my happiness. I had never been a victim. Not before, not now. I could never tell Ashton. He never had to know about his brother. Somehow I would heal from this. I would soon marry Ashton and all this would be a distant memory.
I got to work and went straight to my new office. It was enormous and had a spectacular view. I could see most of Fifth Avenue along with Ashton’s office through the frosted glass window. I had a large mahogany desk with a new top of the line computer. I smiled to myself, thinking I’m uptown now. Look at this small town girl from Brownsville. She wanted more and got it.
Here I was, sitting in my new swivel leather chair, smiling from ear to ear. If my sisters could see me now, they would be so jealous. But deep down I wanted them to one day come and see how I lived my life. It was lonely at the top, but right now I was enjoying the ride.
“I see you are settling in, isn’t this view amazing?”
“Yes it is, Brenda. Did you think this day would ever come?”
“Yes. And you deserve it. You’ve worked your ass off.”
“Thank you, Brenda. I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re my right hand man.”
“I hate to be Debbie Downer, but what happened this weekend?”
“I’ve decided to try and forget what happened.”
“Forget what happened? It had to be something terrible for you to have called.”
“When I was in the Hamptons, Ashton’s brother raped me.”
“He what!?!”
“Yes. You heard me right.” Now I had said it out loud.
“Does Ashton know?”
“No, and I want to keep it that way.”
“Why? Why wouldn’t you tell him? It’s something detrimental in your life and he should know.”
“I don’t want to cause any rift between the two brothers.”
“You can’t keep this to yourself. You should talk to a professional at least.”
“You know, Brenda? I thought about that, but I think I will be ok.”
“When something like this happens, we all think we can handle it. What will you do when you are face to face with him again? What if he tries it again? It’s like keeping his secrets. Just think about what I’m saying.”
“Ashton asked me to marry him, but I’m not sure I want to after this weekend.”
“Do you love him, Candice?”
“Yes, but to love him is to love his family.”
“Do what’s best for you, and screw the rest.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
“Can I ask you a favor, Brenda? Let’s never talk about this again.”
“I’m with you whatever you decide and I’m always here if you want to talk.”
“Thank you, now let’s get some coffee and get to work.” We walked by Ashton’s office on our way downstairs, and there sat Lance. I just kept walking, hoping he hadn’t seen me.
“Candice, have you seen that guy in Ashton’s office? He is one fabulous looking guy. I think he is trying to get a contract with the company. Maxwell and Ashton have been talking to him for the last two days.”
“No, I didn’t see him,” I lied.
“I would like to get to know him better,” Brenda laughed.
“What about Calvin? I thought you were so into him.”
“I like Calvin, but you know I would love to be with a guy that has it all together.”
“Calvin is a sweet guy. You two were made to be together.”
“If you say so, but Calvin doesn’t want the same things I want out of life. He likes things simple. I guess I would love to have a guy that wants more.”
“Wanting more is overrated, Brenda.”
“You have Mr. Ashton Williams. I have Calvin, Mr. Simplicity.” We sipped our coffee. I was stalling, hoping Lance would be gone when we got back upstairs. As my luck would have it, Ashton and Lance where coming out of his office as we walked back.
“Candice, I would like you to meet Mr. Jackson. This is Candice, the head of our marketing department.”
“Yes, we know each other, Candice and I grew up together in Tennessee.” The puzzled look on Ashton’s face was priceless.
“Ok… Well this is Brenda, Candice’s Assistant. Don’t tell me you know her too.” he said with a smirk.
“No, I don’t. Nice to meet you, Brenda” he said as he took her hand.
I couldn’t read Ashton’s body language, but I knew we would be discussing this later, and I’m sure that was putting it mildly. “Well Lance, I believe Maxwell is waiting downstairs. Shall we go? Ladies.”
“Candice, I’ll talk to you later,” they said in unison. I almost fell through the floor. I just stood there wishing I could fade away.
“I will talk to you both later.” What the hell I was thinking, telling Ashton that I didn’t know Lance. How was I going to talk my way out of this one? I was just sick to death of telling half truths. Who was I trying to fool with the lies I was telling?
I just wouldn’t think about it now. All Ashton knew was we were childhood friends. “Candice,” Brenda interrupted my thoughts, “I didn’t know you knew Mr. Jackson.”<
br />
“Yes, we are friends, like he said.”
“Did you see Ashton’s face when he said he knew you?”
“Yes, I did. He seemed to be a little upset. I can’t imagine why, but I’m sure I will find out later. Let’s get to work. Enough about my personal life.”
On the way home that evening, all I could think about was how I was going to explain this. My phone had been ringing since I’d left the office, so I picked it up. “Hello?”
“Candice, this is Lance, I don’t mean to bother you, but after running in to you today, I thought I should call.”
“I called you last night, but you didn’t answer.”
“I was in meetings all day with Maxwell and Ashton. I didn’t check my phone until now. I hope things with you are ok.”
“They are, Lance, why wouldn’t they be?”
“I sensed a little tension this afternoon at our chance meeting.”
“I didn’t notice any tension. I was just surprised to see you in my office.”
“I thought I told you I was looking to expand my business to New York.”
“You did, but I didn’t know we would be working under the same umbrella.”
“If things go well, and I think they will, I will be a frequent flyer. But my home is in Atlanta, and that’s where I will be until something comes up. Since I’m in town, can we have dinner tonight?”
“Let me get back to you, I have a lot to do tonight.”
“Candice, I didn’t come here to get in your way or to cause any problems. I just thought we could have dinner.”
“I know, Lance, and I will see what I can do. Just give me an hour and I will call you back.”
“That’s fantastic. I will talk to you soon, bye now.”
I wanted to see Lance so I could explain about Ashton and me.
I walked in my building and Ashton was there waiting for me. Well here go the fireworks, I thought. “Hey, Baby,” he kissed me on the cheek, “I’ve been waiting for you. Would you like to have dinner or just grab some take out?”
Black Lies White Lies Page 10