Tangled Chords

by Brenda Barrett

  He got up hastily and slammed the door when he went outside.

  *****

  Farrah arrived at work slightly rumpled in her simple sheath cream dress. Her brand new desk was in the corner facing Ruby's and she had a phone and a small pile of files waiting for her.

  "That's work." Cynth pointed to her after brief pleasantries. "Ruby is not coming in today, so it's just me and you, kiddo. I hope you are up for it."

  "I am," Farrah said, a determined set to her face.

  "You look less than impeccable," Cynth said shrewdly. "Trouble in paradise already with the hotly hunky Xavier?"

  "Nope," Farrah said, "no trouble at all."

  "Too bad," Cynth said breezily, "because I am on standby for when you dump him and return to your rightful place in society as heiress to the Knight fortune. I will be his shoulder to cry on."

  "I am not going to dump him," Farrah said exasperatedly. "How did you come by that conclusion?"

  "The papers." Cynth gave her copy of the Montego Bay Chronicle to her.

  Farrah plugged her cell phone into a charger and then picked up the paper. The headlines read: Wedding merger between the Knights and the Cavendishes pushed down again. Is there trouble in paradise?

  Farrah read the piece with increasing incredulity. The news piece implied that she was away on vacation because she had a lover's tiff with Jason Cavendish and the wedding was postponed but it went on to say that true love would prevail.

  "Lovers tiff? Vacation?" she gasped. "Who wrote this totally bizarre spin on reality?"

  "Your father's PR perhaps?" Cynth said lightly. "Obviously, your father wants that wedding."

  Farrah was about to retort that she would not be jumping through any hoops for her father ever again when her phone rang. It was her mother.

  "Hi Mother," she said after her mother's greetings. "I wondered when you would realize that I am no longer living at the house."

  Her mother chuckled. "I know you are on your honeymoon. People don't interrupt others when they are on their honeymoon."

  "Didn't you see the papers today? Apparently I am still going to marry Jason."

  Her mother laughed, a tinkling sound that made Farrah feel oddly homesick, which was weird because her mother was hardly home.

  "Your father is not going to give up. Maybe you need to work on a grandchild with Xavier."

  "For heaven's sake, Mother!" Farrah growled. Xavier doesn't love me. He is only sexually attracted to me. She felt like saying it out loud and then crying like a baby. But though Cynth had powered up her computer and was reading her mail, she knew that she was listening intently to the conversation and that a statement like that would encourage Cynth to pursue Xavier.

  "Don't growl at me," her mother said calmly. "I am sure Xavier wants children."

  "Why are you taking my marriage to Xavier so well?" Farrah asked and then got up when Cynth stopped pretending to be reading her email and started looking at Farrah fully.

  Farrah headed to the bathroom and closed the door.

  "Why shouldn't I?" her mother said, surprised. "Xavier is an exceptional young man. I know he'll cherish you for the rest of your life. He loved you so much a few years ago. Let me tell you, I was more than happy when you decided to follow your heart and choose Xavier. Your father can be a pain in the ass but he will come around eventually. As I said, work on those grandbabies."

  After her mother hung up, tears pricked Farrah's eyes at the thought that Xavier had loved her so much back then but didn't love her now.

  She looked in the mirror and carefully wiped her eyes so that her mascara wouldn't smudge. She was not going to cry about it, though. She had work to do and for once in her life she wanted to make a go at something. Maybe then she would be worthy of Xavier, or maybe she could be worthy of herself.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Farrah walked around the Palm Tree Hotel ballroom, frantically checking to make sure that she had everything in order. She had a long checklist of things to do to ensure that the event proceeded as smoothly as possible. Cynth was supervising Farrah on her debut event and at first she had been overly critical but now, as the minutes ticked down to the beginning of the event, she started to calm down and was even smiling at Farrah.

  Cynth had stopped gleefully pointing out that something was overlooked and had started reassuring her.

  Farrah was exhausted, though the event hadn't started yet. This particular event was a variety program featuring the New Song Band and other performers that persons paid premium to see. It was in aid of an optical care charity for children. No surprise, it was the brainchild of the Bells: Carson and Xavier.

  The charity head had gushed on and on about their virtues for long enough over the phone, especially about Xavier. She made Xavier sound like a saint when she was finished. Farrah stood beside Cynth with the clipboard clutched to her chest and sighed.

  "It will be okay," Cynth said to Farrah calmly. "You have all your bases covered.

  By the way, love your dress." It was a deep burgundy dress that was designed just for her.

  "Thanks," Farrah took a deep breath. "I wish I had worn flat shoes. These are killing me."

  Cynth looked at her heels. "I have never met anyone in real life who has worn that brand. I wish we wore the same size; I would borrow your shoes from you."

  Farrah chuckled. "I got them as a gift. I printed the ones that I wanted and put it on my father's desk and said in bold letters this is what I want for my birthday."

  "I wish I had your father." Cynth folded her arms. "Life is so unfair."

  "No you don't," Farrah said, looking over her checklist once more. "He doesn't love me." She swallowed. "You know, I don't have one fond memory of the two of us doing something together just for fun. I wish things could be different."

  She laughed uncomfortably. "I can't believe I am still wishing this after all this time. I guess children never grow out of wanting to have a relationship with their parents, huh?"

  Cynth shrugged. "I have a good enough dad. He's not rich, nor is he poor. My siblings and I always had him around and he was always giving the men in our life a hard time. I still wish I had your dad though."

  Farrah laughed. "The grass is always greener on the other side."

  "Of course it's greener on your side. The Knights can afford gold-plated sprinklers. Oh look, it's your husband." Cynth pointed. "That guy is so yummy. I think he's even yummier than Jason Cavendish, if you want my humble, unbiased opinion."

  Farrah swung around and saw Xavier. He had just entered the ballroom and was talking to the other band members. They were all dressed in tuxedos with bow ties. Ian said something that had the rest of them in stitches.

  Farrah watched as the chirpy Madge, the charity head, made a beeline to Xavier as soon as he stepped onto the stage with his band members to do a sound test. Madge only had eyes for him and she was engaging him in some kind of deep conversation. Her red painted lips are too close to his ears, Farrah thought.

  Cynth snickered, "I wonder if Xavier told her that he is married."

  Jealousy gripped Farrah. It came out of nowhere and made her feel hot and bothered, even though the ballroom was air-conditioned.

  "I think you two should wear rings," Cynth said, "that way you could fend off the stampede. Look at Carson, Ian, and Logan. They have on their rings. Why doesn't Xavier wear his?"

  Farrah felt like screaming shut up to Cynth. She and Xavier were not in a normal relationship. When she had propositioned him she hadn't even thought about rings. He had given her his school ring to wear for the ceremony and she had handed it back to him after. It was too big for even her thumb, anyway.

  "Uh-oh. She's on the verge of caressing him," Cynth said gleefully. "Girl, go set that hussy straight."

  Farrah frowned. Why should she interfere? But Xavier was bending his head low to hear what Madge was saying and it looked too intimate for her. Besides, until they had their stupid annulment he was her husband. They had a piece of paper tha
t said so.

  She walked over to the stage purposefully, with Cynth's cackling laugh following behind her.

  "Hey," Farrah said to Xavier, drawing closer to him and Madge.

  "Hi Madge," she smiled coldly at the other woman.

  "Oh hi. Is there anything I can help you with?" Madge asked dismissively. Her fair skin was flushed and her eyes were bright, like a little girl in a candy store. It was obvious that she was enjoying her talk with Xavier and really hated Farrah's intrusion.

  "No," Farrah shook her head. "Just came over to greet my hubby."

  "Hi darling." She moved in closer to Xavier and straightened his bow tie. "I hope you are not mad that I used your car. The rust bucket would not start this morning."

  Xavier laughed and then moved in to whisper, "Darling? Hubby? You are something else—taken up acting now?"

  He moved away from her and looked at Madge, who had her mouth opened in an inelegant gasp. "I'll call you about the donations, Madge."

  Madge nodded and shot a disbelieving look in Farrah's direction as she moved off.

  Xavier grabbed her hands and examined them. "Those claws came out pretty sharp. Were you jealous?"

  "Of course," Farrah answered honestly. "I have always been jealous of you and I have never been the kind of woman to share."

  Xavier stood still and then he said softly. "I can't take much more of this, Farrah. I am a man; one day I am going to snap and... "

  Farrah smiled at him innocently. "Whatever are you talking about, Xavier?"

  Xavier sighed and then picked up his guitar again. "You can't make statements like 'you don't want to share' and not expect a response. By the way, I am going to need a lift home tonight."

  "Okay." Farrah stepped away.

  "Maybe we can go out for a meal?" Xavier asked. "After this?"

  Like a date? Farrah wanted to ask. They had never gone out on a date before.

  "Sure," she said out loud, but inside she was dancing.

  *****

  "Cynth says I did a good job." Farrah told Xavier as they sat at the seaside watching the lights flirting with the water in the distance and listening as the waves crashed against the stony shoreline.

  Xavier mumbled, "Yes, you did. It was a good evening. Everything went smoothly."

  "That's what event planners are for." Farrah grinned and bit into her burger. Apparently going out for a meal involved getting burgers from a place called Tiki's Burgers, and sitting to enjoy them on strategically placed stone benches at the seaside. She had removed her shoes and put on flats and Xavier had removed his jacket and bow tie. There was a gentle breeze blowing and the hot and spicy sweet potato fries were addictive.

  "You have never done anything like this, have you?" Xavier asked.

  "What, eat a burger at nine in the night sitting at the seaside with you? No."

  "I meant having a simple date with a guy without the rich trappings."

  "No," Farrah grinned. "This is a record for me. I usually go to exotic locales and have waiters serve me a seven course meal at dinner, then I'd dance under the stars with a full orchestra." She was teasing him but he didn't laugh.

  He was frowning instead. "That's what I thought. You know, I don't understand you. I thought you'd be back home by now. Living the kind of life that you are used to."

  "We got back the electricity didn't we?" Farrah said, teasing. "Why would I go back to my parents’ house?"

  Xavier looked away from her and then mumbled, "Well, it has only been a month."

  "And I am not going to go back anytime soon," Farrah shuddered dramatically, "not until I can prove to my father that I don't need him."

  "Do you miss Jason?" Xavier asked, turning toward her fully.

  Farrah shrugged. "Nah. We didn't have that kind of relationship."

  "What kind did you have?" Xavier crumpled up the bag that his burger came in, and like a pro basketball player shot it into a bin.

  "Cool," Farrah said, crumpling her bag as well and throwing it. She missed.

  Xavier laughed. "And I am the one who was born with strabismus. Tsk tsk." He got up and threw the bag in the bin.

  "Is that what it was called?" Farrah asked, stretching.

  "Yup, that was the official name for my eye condition. You were telling me about Jason."

  "We hardly spoke, never really connected. I think he was also being pressured by his father to marry for the business."

  "Never kissed him?" Xavier asked.

  Farrah laughed. "Yes, but there is no chemistry. Zilch. Nothing. Not even the hint of increased breathing."

  Xavier stared at her lips and she licked them slowly.

  "You mean like this?" Xavier mocked, leaning down to capture her pliant lips and extract a hungry kiss. The kiss went on and on, and then the two of them broke apart breathing heavily.

  "Not like that." Farrah shook her head. "Definitely not."

  "We should go." Xavier's voice was hoarse.

  "Yes, I have an early start tomorrow. We are working on the NorChip launch in Jamaica. It will be in two weeks."

  Xavier stiffened and pulled away from her. "Really?"

  Farrah got up quickly. "It is such an important event that Cynth and Ruby are working on it together. I am going to be the grunt person. I will watch as they bring together that very important party."

  Xavier was watching her silently as she babbled on. A nervous tingling had encased her body and she was feeling super sensitive.

  "I have work to do tomorrow myself," he said softly. He got into the driver's seat and then turned to her before he started the car. "There is something that I have to tell you."

  Farrah gazed at him wide eyed. "What?"

  "I have always had this fantasy," Xavier caressed the steering wheel and Farrah looked at it enviously. How could she be jealous of the inanimate thing?

  "I..." he hesitated. He really couldn't say what he had wanted to say. "I have always wanted you to choose me. Warts and all," he improvised.

  "You don't have any warts, Xavier, and how much proof do you need that I chose you? I live with you in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere; you have no hot water in the pipes and no discernible job; and I sometimes drive your brother's rusty truck to work."

  Xavier smiled. "I meant, choose me, not because you wanted help to ditch your father or to avoid marrying a guy you have zero chemistry with."

  Farrah considered shouting at him that she loved him but she had a feeling that Xavier would not accept what she said without having doubts. She looked at him challengingly. "Only time will tell."

  Xavier nodded. "I guess so. Only time will tell."

  Chapter Sixteen

  When Farrah walked into her office a week later she found Jason sitting across from her desk, his dark curly head bent over a laptop.

  Cynth was sitting at her desk eying him as if he was a full plate of food and she was extremely hungry. The only thing she had left to do was lick her lips.

  Ruby came in behind her and stopped. "Is there going to be a ex-lover showdown?" she whispered to Farrah.

  Farrah shook her head. "It's unlikely."

  Jason looked up when he heard her and smiled awkwardly. "Hi."

  "Hi," Farrah said. "Want us to go outside and talk?"

  "No," Cynth said. "Please stay. I have stopped watching soap operas on television. Can I get a peek into your life, please, and watch a live one? Pretty please?"

  Jason was looking at Cynth semi-fearfully.

  Farrah put down her bag and shook her head. "Ignore her."

  Jason got up hurriedly. "Ladies." He bowed his head slightly and held the door as Farrah stepped through and entered the lobby. Steffanie, the new receptionist, wasn't at work yet.

  She stood facing Jason, taking him in. His eyes were bloodshot and looked tired, as if he weren't getting enough sleep. Besides that, he looked the same—tall, tanned, and muscular.

  "I can't believe how hard it was to find you," Jason said earnestly. "Your friends didn't know where you
are."

  "You mean Kate didn't know where I was. My family knows that I got married and moved out."

  Jason ran his fingers through his hair. "Your father said that you are going to get an annulment. He told me that you are living in the slums with his past housekeeper's son to spite him."

  "My father is delusional," Farrah retorted. "And I am not living in the slums."

  "We could have done the same thing that you did with this guy you married and gotten an annulment after a reasonable time had passed," Jason said. "Why the hell didn't I think of that? It would have given both of us breathing room in this ridiculous business deal."

  "You didn't think of it because you are in love with Kate and you were trying to pretend that we had something more than we did. You didn't think of it because you were so busy trying to avoid me and were always at meetings or on your phone. You have never even tried to get to know me."

  Jason grimaced. "I admit I should have been honest but those meetings are necessary because the company has gotten into a financial pickle."

  "Too bad." Farrah folded her arms over her chest. "You played your cards wrong. You should have at least pretended to like me."

  "I am sorry," he said earnestly. "Can we, like, start over? I know this marriage that you have is a sham. Just dissolve it and we can continue as if the whole thing never happened. We can still get married in December."

  Farrah was so intently staring at Jason in horrified disbelief that he still thought that she was a pushover, that it was only when the shop door opened that she realized that Xavier was standing there, staring between the two of them.

  "Sorry to interrupt," he said when Farrah shifted her gaze to his. "I came to drop these off." He dangled the car keys in front of her. "I thought you were going to need it. I am going to be getting another car in the meanwhile."