“It’ll be okay, Aiden.”
“It’s not just safety I’m worried about… I don’t want you to have to deal with all the chaos on your own.”
The reminder of what has been going on the past few weeks makes me shudder involuntarily. The aftermath of the attack has indeed been chaotic. The multiple statements I had to make to the police, all the evidence they asked me to gather and present, and the questions and answers initially took a toll on me. The idea that I would have to face Imran in court to testify against him caused me many sleepless nights. But we just learned last week that there won’t be a need for me to testify. The security camera in the hallway recorded the whole incident including the portion of the conversation when he admitted to attacking me last year. With that evidence, the prosecution is convinced that they have an open and closed case. Imran will be locked up behind bars for many years to come and I don’t have to worry about facing him for a very long time.
When the news of the attack and Imran’s arrest spread, my life became chaotic in more than one way. Not only have we had to deal with the police and the investigators, I’ve also had to handle all of my old friends and family members. Almost every one of the people who turned their backs to me and shunned me has tried to reach out and apologize. Thankfully most of them don’t have any way of reaching me other than through my email and Facebook, but a few found my phone number and tried to call. Even Zoha sent me a long apologetic email.
My mom has also called multiple times and tried repeatedly to come see me. Aiden has been great in trying to diffuse all of them. It’s not that I still harbor hatred towards them. I simply don’t know how to react to their apologies. Their declarations of remorse and well wishes feel empty. None of them were there when I needed them. None believed me when I needed at least one person to be on my side. The fact that they are coming to my side now that everything is out in the open and irrefutable, doesn’t say anything about their friendship to me.
Adding to the chaos of my family and old friends, I’ve also had to deal with Justin. When he found out, Aiden’s back in the country, he started distancing himself from me even more than before. The week before the attack, he didn’t even say hi to me when he passed by me in class. His behavior was strange to me, but I had so much going on with Aiden that I didn’t give it much though. What I didn’t expect was the malicious way in which he talked to me when I went back to class after the attack.
I won’t ever forget the smirk on his lips when he saw me walking with difficulty towards the class, or the words he said to me afterwards. He came right up to my face. “Look at you. Who’s all high and mighty now?”
When I just looked at him with confusion, he decided to go on and show his true colors. “You deserve what you got, bitch. I call that Karma. That’s what happens when you turn me down for a stupid rich brat. Hope you can never walk right again. You certainly deserve it.”
Lucky for him, before I had a chance to give him a piece of my mind, he turned around and quickly walked away. As I stood there watching him rush away, I thanked my lucky stars that I made the right choice and picked Aiden. Still his bitter words affected my already fragile emotional state. When Aiden found out what Justin told me, his face got so red in anger that I was sure he was going to explode. But he just held me and soothed my aching heart as he always does. I only found out later that he’d had a serious conversation with Justin. I suspect the encounter involved much more than just a conversation, as Justin has never come near me since then. But Aiden didn’t give me any details of what he told him or what happened next.
That was a few days ago. Things have truly calmed down since then. And even though I truly don’t want Aiden to go, I know I have to act strong right now.
“The chaos has died down. We don’t have to deal with the police anymore and I barely received any emails or phone calls from my old friends all of last week. Plus even if they do call, it is to express their support. That’s not a bad thing.”
Aiden rolls his eyes at my statement. He knows exactly how I feel about their support, but I’m grateful that he doesn’t call me out on it right now. “Come on. You’ll be late for your flight. You don’t want a repeat of the last time we were here at the airport, do you?” I ask teasingly.
“Please don’t remind me of that day or I’ll refuse to get out of this car.”
I nudge his shoulder playfully. “Let’s go. We both know you’re making this trip. Let’s just get it over with.”
Despite our best efforts to remain strong and even though we know our separation is for no more than six weeks, we cling to each other like it is the last time we’re seeing each other until the very last minute. As he kisses me for the last time right before he leaves, I can’t help getting teary eyed. I turn around abruptly so Aiden doesn’t see my tears and wave him goodbye from a distance.
I haven’t been home back from the airport for more than a few minutes, when I hear my phone ring. Seeing Lou’s number on my screen startles me.
“Hello.”
“Aleah. Did you drop Aiden off at the airport?”
“I did. Is something wrong?”
“No. I was just wondering if he’s still with you or not. My call doesn’t relate to Aiden though. I wanted to invite you somewhere.”
My curiosity is peaked, as I stay silent to encourage him to go on. “You know the Pierson Foundation supports initiatives for foster and at risk children. There is a fundraising dinner in Hollywood in a couple of weeks during which David will receive an award posthumously for being a staunch supporter of these initiatives. A lot of David’s old friends and associates will be there. Aiden is not in town, and I couldn’t think of anybody else from his family that David would want to be there, but you. So I wanted to see if you want to go.”
To say that I’m shocked by the invitation is an understatement. “You want me to represent the Pierson family in a fundraiser dinner in Hollywood where everyone will see me as his gold-digger young wife?” I can’t help asking.
“It won’t be like that, Aleah. A lot of those people won’t know how you are. If you’re uncomfortable, you can even use your maiden name. My firm will have a table. My wife will be there and so will Steve and his wife. You don’t even have to move from the table if you’re not comfortable. I just thought that David would want you there… Plus, this would be one of the friendliest places for you to get acquainted with this world… You’re going to have to get used to these things one way or another.”
Lou doesn’t say it directly, but I know exactly what he’s referring to. If I want to stay with Aiden, I have to prepare myself for fancy fundraisers and rubbing elbows with the rich and famous of Hollywood. There is no doubt in my mind that Aiden’s destined to inherit David’s billions and probably his position at Pierson Investments. Once that happens, he is bound to have to attend these types of functions. That’s something I’ve refused to think about, but Lou’s hint reminds me how far apart Aiden and my worlds actually are.
“You don’t have to answer me now. You’ll have a couple of days. Think about. It will be good for you,” I hear Lou say.
He hangs up the call and the wheels start turning in my head. Can I do this? After everything that’s happened recently am I emotionally stable enough to deal with potential insults and jabs at such a high profile event? I think about it for a few minutes and make a decision on a whim. If this is what Aiden’s life will be like, I will have to get a taste to see if I can do it. What better way to try it when he is not around to shield me from potential issues that may come up in the future. I don’t bother calling Lou back. I send him a quick email and ask him to send me the information for the event, before I can change my mind.
TWENTY-EIGHT
ALEAH
Lou told me that the dress code is formal evening wear and I spent an entire afternoon browsing boutiques on Rodeo Drive for a proper outfit. Now that I’m putting it on after my hair and makeup has been done at the salon, I can’t help but feel happy with
my choice. I chose a simple, yet elegant black dress that fits perfectly into my curves. With a low back, the dress is sexy enough to be eye catching, but still remains classy. I take a quick selfie and send it Aiden to get his opinion before I leave the house. He responds immediately.
Aiden: “Are you trying to kill me? Or make me take the next flight out of Houston?”
Me: “I’ll take that to mean that you like it?”
Aiden: “Are you kidding me? You’re breathtaking, but please tell me you have a jacket or something to cover up your back.”
I can’t help chuckling at his jealously.
Me: “Nope…nothing…nada. Too bad you’re not here to enjoy it.”
Aiden: “On my way to the airport.”
The only reason I laugh at this is that I know for a fact he is joking. He has an important work dinner scheduled tonight and he knows that even if he were to take the next flight, he wouldn’t get here on time.
My lobby attendant calls me to let me know that the limo is here to pick me up. When Lou told me that I should hire a limo to take me to the event, I laughed at first. When I realized how serious he was, I almost backed out. I have no business going to an event that requires me to arrive in a limo. The only reason I’m still going is that I hate backing out of something once I’ve given my word. But as I make my way downstairs, I can’t help the flurry of nerves that hit my body.
The limo ride is quick and uneventful and I get to the hotel lobby shortly after. I look around as I walk in and thankfully quickly spot Steve with a woman I assume is his wife. I breathe a sigh of relief, as I make my way to them. Steve introduces me to his wife and we are joined quickly after by Lou and his wife and a few other people from Lou’s law firm. Lou introduces me to a few people as Aleah Lateef and tells them that I’m interested in going to law school and starting a career in the non-profit world. Most everyone is friendly and courteous.
Lou and Steve take their time mingling with multiple people, but thankfully both of their wives stay by my side. To my pleasant surprise, both are extremely nice and down to earth, which eases my anxiety. Still I don’t dare venture out of the small group I’m in. Looking at the sea of designer dresses and fake faces, I have a feeling that not everyone in this gathering will be as nice and friendly to me as the group I’m with, particularly if they realize who I really am.
The program starts promptly after the cocktail hour is over and I breathe a sigh of relief that no one recognized me. We take our seats at the dinner table and I turn my face to the speakers. Multiple speakers speak about the plight of foster children and what the organization they’re raising funds for has done for the children, until it’s time of the awards portion.
David is mentioned first. The presenter reads through a lengthy description of everything David did in his lifetime for children in need including foster and at risk children. By the end of his description, I have a difficult time holding my tears back. David always told me about his regrets and all the things he had done wrong in his life.
He never mentioned anything about all of the charitable work he’s done. Listening to the lady read through the list, I realize once again that I misjudged another individual. We tend to always put people in boxes. Right after meeting someone, we’re usually quick to make a judgment about them and decide which box they belong to. So and so is mean and greedy, we think to ourselves if we see one negative act from someone. So and so is always friendly, we may think of another person we barely know. We define people by their individual behaviors, forgetting that people are multi-faceted. People may react differently under different circumstances. A person who may have a lot of shortcomings in one arena of their life, may have a lot of other positive attributes in other areas.
As l sit here listening to everything that David did through his Foundation and individually for these children, I’m reminded how much that is true in David’s case. He was a person who failed a lot of his close family and friends. He most definitely had a scandalous life and did a lot of things that had I known about, I wouldn’t have associated with him. But he also did so much good in his life. As I watch the room erupt in applause for David’s lifetime award of charitable giving, I chose to remember the good he did in his life.
The program is over shortly after the awards are distributed, and I release a small sigh of relief as I realize it’s time to say goodbye. The evening wasn’t half as bad as I expected. Of course it helped that no one recognized me and I had a good support system around me, but nevertheless as a first experience it went pretty well. We make our way outside to wait for the cars to come pick us up.
There is a large group of people standing outside as people are slowly trickling out from the hall, and there is a slow and steady procession of cars that come up to the curb to pick up their passengers. As we are waiting outside, I notice a scuffle taking place in the periphery of my vision and hear some yelling and cursing but I don’t pay too much attention to it. It’s not until I see a hotel security guard running towards the action, that I take notice of what is happening. From the distance, all I see is a homeless man in conversation with the security guard and a couple of other people. Lou asks a hotel employee what is going on.
“There is a homeless guy hassling some of the guests for money. But, he’s being take care of promptly, sir. Nothing to worry about.”
Lou’s hired car pulls up to the curb then followed closely by my limo. I say my goodbyes to Lou and his wife and wait for my limo to pull up close, when I hear a familiar voice. I snap my head around and catch a glimpse of the homeless man who is now being dragged by the security guard into the street.
And my heart stops.
That can’t be.
I must be mistaking, I tell myself.
I blink furiously to make sure what I’m seeing is correct, as my eyes follow the outline of the homeless man until he’s completely outside of my line of sight.
It’s not until then that I realize the driver has opened the car door for me and is waiting patiently for me to get in. My heart rate picks up, as I climb into the limo and quickly review my options in my head. I could pretend like I didn’t see anything and go on my own way, but I’ll never be able to live with myself. I could call someone and let them know to go and check on him, but by the time someone gets here, he may be long gone. As I think about it for a mere few seconds, I realize that I don’t have any options other than going to check for myself if what I saw was true.
I try to get the driver’s attention immediately as I start knocking on the window separating me from his section of the huge car.
“Please follow the homeless man.” I tell him, once I know he can hear me. The driver looks at me for a second like I’ve lost my mind.
“I need to see who he is. He looked like someone I know. I’ll pay you extra. Please go.” I plead with him and he finally complies, following the homeless man into a side street.
As we get closer to him and I watch the way he walks from the back, I get a sick feeling at the pit of my stomach. There is no question that he is the man I think he is. Once the car reaches him, I hop off quickly and round off the corner to come face to face…with my brother, Shane.
My mouth drops, as I take in his appearance. He looks completely like a homeless man. He’s lost a lot of weight and appears very feeble. Gone is the intimidating man who threatened me. He looks broken beyond repair. He doesn’t even appear to recognize me at first, when I first walk towards him. It’s not until he hears my voice that I see a reaction from him.
“Shane–what’s going on? Why…why do you look like this?” I ask him apprehensively.
He bends his head down low when he hears me and just keeps walking away. “Shane, where the hell are you going? Stop, I want to help you,” I yell at his back.
He turns around abruptly. I look into his eyes and don’t see any traces of the brother I once knew. The man in front of me is a shell of my brother. His eyes look glossy. His hair is long and matted, and his clothes in tatt
ers. No matter what he did to me in the past, my heart aches for him. My need to find out what has happened to make him look like this far exceeds any remnant of hard feelings I have towards him. He brings his head up, but fails to look into my eyes.
“Shane–look at me. What’s going on? I’m trying to help you, but you need to talk to me.” I plead with him.
“If you want to help me, give me some money,” he finally says with difficulty. His voice sounds distant and horse, and his words slur. I look around to see if I there is anyone around to help, but there is nobody on this side street at this hour of the night. Once I realize it’s just me and the driver, I make a decision on a whim.
“I’ll give you money, if you let me give you a ride. This place is unsafe. Let me drive you to a safer place.”
He hesitates for a few seconds, but finally follows me back to the limo. Once I’m sure he’s firmly seated in the back, I make my way to the front to talk to the driver. I can tell he’s extremely uncomfortable with the turn of the events, so I try to explain quickly.
“He’s my brother. I haven’t seen him in a long time and have no idea why he looks like that, but I have to take him to my parents’ house. I’ll make sure you’re well compensated. Here’s the address, please write it down and look it up later. I have to get back there before he gets out and starts walking away.” Right before I make my way to the back, I pause. “Will you please keep an eye out on the back? I’m sure he’s harmless, but he’s acting a bit strange.” I don’t tell the driver that my brother has a history of violence and in particular violence against me. There is no point spooking him any further than he is.
Redeeming Love (Resilient Hearts #2) Page 19