"Mister Matheson, I'm very sorry. I don't know how I could have possibly made such an error, but with your permission, I'll go and correct it right away, sir."
"No. Don't bother," Trent quickly replied. "You might not be concentrating today either. Clear out your desk immediately. We won't be needing your services any longer."
Stunned by his demand, Esther burst into tears. She felt that she deserved some sort of reprimand, but nothing that harsh. "Mister Matheson, please give me another chance; I have two young children to support!"
Trent held his head down and fumbled through his papers again. "I'm sorry, Esther. Collect your check from the ground floor first thing in the morning."
Trent had never fired anyone before, but Esther had obviously put him in a very precarious position and perhaps, had caused him to lose yet another multi-million dollar client. She left the office in tears, shunning everyone as she walked by.
Trent remained in his office for hours after that battling emotions of anger and sorrow at the same time. He was angry at Peter since he was seemingly now on a mission to take over his company, and sorry because a faithful employee of ten years had just lost her only means of income.
* 8 *
On Thursday morning, Solange and Sonia met up at the bus-stop. Sonia had convinced her controlling husband, Harry, that Sam Fung wanted her to come in to work that day and that she would return home at the usual time. She figured that if she didn't come up with something good, there was no way he was going to let her out of the house. Furthermore, Sam had been notified just in case Harry called the restaurant to check up on Sonia as he sometimes did.
"Okay, your uncle said you were adopted right here in Raleigh, right?" Sonia asked on the bus.
"Yes. That's what he said," Solange affirmed.
"So that means the first place we outta check is the adoption agency. They should have some useful information there for you."
"After thirty-eight years?"
"Sure. I think they keep those files forever. Maybe because there's someone walking in occasionally wanting to know who their real folks are and all that."
"My adoptive parents had some kind of contact here and knew that my natural mother had died, so, I'm really concerned about finding my brother or sister," Solange said.
"That's really something!" Sonia exclaimed. "Your mother gave you away and had another child afterwards and kept it? That must be really hurtful."
"Kind of... but I try not to focus on it. I guess I'll know her reasons for that one day. Won't I?"
"Let's hope you do, Liza. So, what about your father? Aren't you concerned about his whereabouts?"
"Not particularly. I guess if he's alive, he isn't anyone special anyway. I know how some men are when their women get pregnant. They take off! But if there's some sort of information there about him, I'll take it too."
"You could be totally wrong about your father. He might be a great guy. You should give him the benefit of the doubt because not all men are alike," Sonia said.
"You're right," Solange conceded.
After exiting the bus, they walked a few doors down to the adoption agency.
Sonia approached the woman at the front desk with Solange a step behind her. "Hello. My friend here was wondering if you could help her with some information please."
The lady was clearly in her early fifties, about five feet-three inches tall. "What sort of information do you need, dear?" She asked Solange.
Solange drew closer. "My name is...." Right then, she hesitated. "…Solange Deneuve. Here's my identification." She handed the lady her passport.
Sonia gazed at her in consummate shock.
"According to my parents, Noel and Marie Deneuve, they adopted me from this agency in 1972. I was ten months old then. I then moved to France with them where I was raised and returned here just recently to find my biological family."
"I see," replied the lady. "Well, that information should be retrievable. Hopefully, for you - all of it. I would have to locate the file. Care to take a seat until I get back?" She pointed to a sitting area close by.
"Yeah. Thanks," Sonia replied, pulling Solange by the arm. They sat together at the very end of the row of chairs. "Solange Deneuve, you said? Who the hell is that?"
"That's my real name," Solange replied, avoiding her eyes.
"So why tell everyone your name is Liza?"
"Because of certain reasons I'm not at liberty to discuss." Solange wished she didn't have to bring Sonia along for that very reason. If she thought she could have conducted all of her investigations alone, she would have.
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Sonia pressed. "We're supposed to be friends, remember? Friends confide in each other and are honest with each other. Liza… um... Solange, I don't have any other friends - just you. I'd like for you to be open with me. Tell me why you're here under false pretenses and whatever you say, I'll leave it at that."
Solange sighed. "All right. I'll tell you, but you must promise never to repeat this to anyone. Okay?"
"I Promise," Sonia crossed her heart.
"I had a boyfriend back in Paris," Solange started. "He was into distributing narcotics. One day, he double-crossed some very bad people and they were out to get him. A friend of mine back there who dates one of his pals warned me that my boyfriend was in big trouble and that his enemies had put a contract on his life. She told me that as long as I was with him, there was a good chance that I could be killed too. So, I decided to leave. After all, he treated me like dirt, so I wasn't about to risk my life for him. I don't know if they got him or not, but if he's still alive - no matter where I go - I know he'll be looking for me. And whatever connections he has would also be looking for one Solange Deneuve - a name I abandoned ever since I came here. It must remain a secret, Sonia. That way, I'm safe. No one must know who I really am because if those terrible people even find out that you are my friend, you'll be in danger too."
Solange knew she had convinced Sonia to keep her mouth shut by the mere thought of her own life being threatened. The look in her eyes clearly revealed it.
"Don't worry, Liza - I once again feel comfortable saying - I won't tell anyone. Your secret's safe with me," Sonia assured her.
The agency lady returned several minutes later with a manila file in hand.
"Miss Deneuve?" She glanced at Solange. "I think we have something here for you."
Solange and Sonia immediately approached the desk.
"According to the information we have here, your mother's name was Grace Matheson. She was the daughter of a prominent businessman here in Raleigh by the name of Foster Matheson. A notation is made stating that the reason your mother gave you up for adoption is because she became pregnant by means of rape. I spoke with a co-worker of mine who's been here quite a few years longer than I have and she says Miss Matheson specifically instructed that the reason for her giving you up be stated on these records. From what I've heard, she was a very kind-hearted woman who just found it difficult to raise the child of her molester."
"See what I said about my father?" Solange whispered to Sonia. "I was right; he wasn't anyone special. Turns out to be a bloody rapist."
Sonia held her hand.
"Can you tell me anything more, Miss…"
"Clementine to you, Miss Deneuve… and yes, there is more. This isn't in the record," she said, closing the file, "but your mother gave birth to another child - a boy. I can't remember his name. No one even knew who the father was. A few years after the boy was born, your mother died suddenly - I think of a heart attack or something like that."
"Do you know where he lives - my brother?" Solange asked.
"I can't say for sure. I heard that he and his grandfather lived in a huge mansion somewhere out in the middle of nowhere. I know he's a very prominent businessman like his grandfather was. I think he took over his company and all; I'm not sure."
"Do you know what kind of company it is and where it's located?"
"I know it's some
kind of financial center, maybe a bank, and I'm certain it's one of those downtown."
Solange smiled widely. "Thank you very much, Clementine. You've been a great help."
"My pleasure, Miss Deneuve. You know, not everyone who walks through these doors looking for information gets it this quickly or this easily, and I'm certain that it's only because of the prominent stature of your family. People around here pay plenty attention to the lives of rich folk."
"Thanks again, Clementine," Solange said.
"Always happy to help, dear. You all have a good day now." The lady smiled.
Solange and Sonia left the agency and ran to the bus-stop where they caught the approaching bus. Solange was elated and Sonia for her. The difficult part was over and Solange knew she could find her brother, even though she did not know his first name.
Feeling a sense of accomplishment, the two women spent the afternoon at Fung's, sat together by the window and chatted for hours. At ten minutes to four, Sonia, who had completely lost track of time, got up and hurried home to Harry.
* 9 *
For several days, Tina had distanced herself, to a great degree, from everyone- including Trent. She barely spoke a word at the office and could not be supportive of Trent in spite of the recent difficulties he had been facing.
Now very worried about Tina's state of mind and even the baby's well-being, Trent decided to get to the bottom of what was really going on with Tina. He needed answers and was determined, one way or the other, to get them. He pulled up at her apartment after work and did not bother to let her know in advance that he was coming. She had come up with excuses practically all week as to why they could not spend any 'quality time' together. It seemed to always have something to do with her feeling tired or just needing to be alone.
Tina had already taken her evening bath and was dressed in a simple, dark-blue, flannel gown when Trent showed up at her door. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her eyes, though not so puffy anymore, were noticeably sad. The look of disappointment in her face on seeing him could not be concealed; she simply didn't have the energy or will power to even try. They sat down out front - Trent, on the sofa and Tina, on the opposite side of the table.
"I need to know what's going on with you, Tina. I'm not leaving here without answers." Trent then resorted to a more compassionate tone, "This is not like you, baby. What's wrong? Let me help you."
"You can't help me," Tina said looking away and down at the floor.
Trent got up and sat next to her. He took her hand in his and said, "I'll give it everything I've got."
Tina sighed heavily, feeling like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. "I can't, Trent. I've never felt safe enough to confide in anyone to this extent before. Why are you pushing me?" She was looking into his eyes as if he were terribly guilty of mere determination to know the truth - a truth she wished she could blot out forever.
"You are totally safe with me, honey," he said. "I love you more than anyone else in this world. Don't you know that?"
She nodded apprehensively.
"Then trust me… like I trust you," he said.
Tina took some time to think. If she gave in, she knew she would be exposing a part of herself that she never, in a million years, wanted anyone to see - especially the man she loved. She felt so vulnerable.
They sat silently for what seemed like hours and he never stopped caressing her hand.
She stood up and walked a few feet away, inadvertently arranging some items on a nearby stand. She could not bear to face him with the knowledge that for years, she felt defined her. Then, without warning, she blurted out: "My father used to rape me when I was a child."
Trent's eyes widened with shock, but he dared not interrupt.
"It started a few months after my mother had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I was ten at the time." Tina was still near the stand. "I don't know what happened to him - he just changed after Mom got sick. Before that, he was a great father; we did everything together and had so much fun. Mom usually stayed at home and did chores around the house while Dad and I found something adventurous to keep us busy." She almost wanted to smile right then, but smiling would be too painful for her. "And my parents they loved each other. It was so obvious. Mom adored Dad until the day she died, but I wasn't sure about my dad's feelings towards her after she got sick. He didn't seem to care that much anymore."
"I'm really sorry, honey." Trent felt the need to interject.
"The abuse lasted for six long years. The day I hit sixteen, I ran away and never looked back." She was rubbing the fingers on both hands then. "To some degree, I was able to bury the awful episodes of him coming into my bedroom at night while my mother slept far away in my mind. I tried not to think about it and I guess, somehow, I had subconsciously convinced myself that I really wasn't that person. I think I invented a new me. Now, the dreams I've been having lately brought it all back."
Trent got up, walked over to her and lovingly embraced her. She wept uncontrollably as she rested in his arms.
"It's all right, baby. It's over now," he said softly.
"I feel so ashamed," She sobbed.
"You don't have anything to be ashamed of. You didn't do anything wrong, honey. That jerk… who was supposed to be a father you could admire and look up to will, one day, pay the price for what he's done." Trent said softly.
Tina started to pull away, drying her tears with the back of her hand. "I think he's paying now," she started. "Several years ago, I ran across a cousin of mine at the airport who told me that he was there all alone in that big house as miserable as can be. He has no one now - not Mom and not me. He has a whole lot of time to think about all the mistakes he's made that he could never take back. That'll eat at him all right."
"What does your family think about the non-existent relationship between you and your father," Trent asked.
"I don't get to see my family much." She finally went to sit down again. Trent followed her. "I don't have any dealings at all with anyone on my father's side. I guess I always thought that if they were ever told the truth about what he did to me, they'd take his side. They never liked my mother very much - always thought that she was only with him for his money, so I always felt like they didn't have much use for me either. My grandparents have all passed away, so there's just a few aunts and uncles, and a whole bunch of cousins I seldom ever see. Whenever anyone asks me about my father, I just tell them, we're not that close and I leave it at that."
"I understand."
"The abuse continued for a couple years after my mom died," Her eyes started to well up with tears again. "I couldn't tell anyone about it. It was just too humiliating for me. I was ashamed of who I was and spent years denying that such a thing ever happened to me… and by my own father. When I saw myself in those dreams, it was as if I were watching the life-story of someone else. Now I feel like that little helpless girl again - the person I was a long time ago who was afraid to hold her head up high and show her face in public."
Trent held Tina closely again and looked into her eyes. "It's horrible what your father did to you, but I know you can get through this. What happened to you doesn't make you any less special or valuable than anyone else and telling me about it doesn't make me feel any differently toward you. As a matter of fact, it just makes me love you even more." Tina was stunned by his perception. "You are a very strong lady - that's one of the things I love about you, but if you continue to bury all the hurt and pain inside, instead of release it, it could literally destroy you and I can't let that happen. I love you too much and I love this baby." He gently rubbed her stomach. "Whatever help you need to get through this, I will find it for you. You're not in this alone, okay?"
She hugged him tightly, feeling that everything she needed to get through was right there with her, holding her. She appreciated Trent even more than ever before for helping her to believe, for the first time in her life, that she was truly special and not merely 'damaged goods'. They cuddled
on the sofa and then about an hour later, she remembered something.
"I don't know if this is even worth mentioning…" she sat up, "…but something very odd happened to me several nights ago after one of those dreams."
"What happened?" Trent asked, concerned.
"Maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me, but the more I think about it, I'm not so sure. Just seems so weird."
"What is it?" Trent probed.
"Well, after I woke up, I went into the bathroom to wash my face. When I looked in the mirror…" Trent looked on eagerly. "I discovered that the face looking back at me wasn't mine. It was a horrid, grotesque face like that of a monster! Terrified and in disbelief, I closed my eyes as tightly as I could and it was a while before I dared to look again. When I finally opened them, to my relief, the horrible image was gone and I was looking at myself again. I wasn't dreaming, Trent. I know what I saw."
Trent's heart sunk to the pit of his stomach. Suddenly, everything made sense to him now: Tina's dreams that provoked a hidden past; the ghastly image in the mirror. Tarrow had somehow discovered Tina's greatest fear and decided to prey upon it. He wanted to destroy her sense of peace and purpose.
"Certainly what you saw in the mirror was your imagination running away with you," Trent said in an attempt to rationalize - not wanting her to know what he really thought. "You were just under a lot of stress lately. The dreams brought it all on."
"I don't know... it seemed so real," Tina replied slowly.
"The mind does have a way of fooling us sometimes, but you're going to be just fine, honey. Don't worry about anything. I'll always be here to protect you."
Trent wanted nothing more than to be there for Tina, yet, he knew that he also had serious problems of his own that he had to find a way to resolve. And although Tina had reluctantly poured out her heart to him by sharing her most intimate secret, he was not quite prepared to do the same with her.
Immortals- The Complete Real Illusions Series Page 17