The Rennillia Series: Volumes 1-5

by M. Sembera

  Thrilled Ramsden was literally squirming where he sat, I narrowed my eyes as he replied, “The offer of a sincere apology would be a firm indication.”

  Raising an eyebrow at him, I tilted my head to the side, coaxing, “Well?”

  Ramsden appeared humiliated as he replied, “Mrs. Herterand…I…” before I cut him off, saying, “Thank you for your time, Mr. Ramsden. Have a good day.”

  As if he was trying to comprehend what had just happened, he sat there staring at me.

  It took me formally dismissing Ramsden before he actually left. Smiling wide, I bounced in the chair a few times, clapping my hand from the sheer joy of breaking him. I felt a little silly when I felt The Brothers staring at me.

  Standing up, I said, “Oh, sorry,” before Fiore stated, “I enjoyed that also.”

  Confused, I glance up at him as he said, “That was very well done,” with a smile.

  Smiling back, I chirped, “Thanks!”

  Thinking, ‘this is turning out to be a great day,’ as I watched Fiore walk out of the office.

  Turning to me, Ignacio asked, “Will that be all Mrs. Herterand?”

  With a little sigh, I replied, “Yea and I’m sorry for yelling at you yesterday.”

  “I know,” he replied before offering, “You are an exceptional woman.”

  Smiling at him, I assured, “I am pretty impressive when properly motivated.”

  Serious in expression, Ignacio stated, “It’s a shame you have other plans. The Office could use someone who isn’t easily swayed.”

  I looked at him for a moment before saying, “You're right.” “What about you?” I asked.

  Ignacio gave me a strange look before replying, “You have officially run out of good ideas, I see.”

  Shaking my head, I disagreed, saying, “No I haven’t. Hert is leaving and someone has to run The Office here. You could and your brother could be like I don’t know your second or something like that but seriously, I think you should.”

  “No offense, Mrs. Herterand, you do not understand what you are offering,” he stated.

  Feeling myself frown, I replied, “Yes I do. I’m offering you a chance to do something different with your life, I think. I want everyone I care about to better off than they are now.”

  Ignacio’s expression grew solemn as he said, “Do not do this.”

  “What?” I questioned, wondering why he was so upset.

  Glaring down at me, he stated, “Have a good day Mrs. Herterand.”

  Taken aback by his mood, I nodded and watched him walk out.

  After The Brothers left, I stood in Hert’s office for a while. Looking around, I knew I didn’t belong there, so before I walked out, I tipped my picture that sat on the corner of Hert’s desk off onto the floor.

  Chapter 19

  First thing in the morning, I received a phone call that more or less scared the hell out of me. Not only had HE not called the house since the night I graduated from high school, HE sounded worried that Salvador requested both of us at his house. I called The Brothers and gave them time estimates before calling Amila and asking her if she could watch Sophia with Emerson. Feeling like I should bring her to Mrs. Thomas, I decided it was in everyone’s best interest not to, just in case Mr. Thomas couldn’t keep a secret.

  When I arrived at HIS house, I honked my horn instead of going to the door. Appearing put out, HE walked as slow as possible before HE got in and slammed the door.

  “What is this about?” HE asked.

  Instantly irritated, I answered, “You’re the one that called me.”

  As I backed out onto the road, HE asked, “You didn’t set this up?”

  “No, I told you next Friday,” I fussed.

  Both of us were on edge as we glanced at each other before I headed to Salvador’s house.

  Actively concentrating on anything and everything this meeting could be about, I waited a moment before getting out of my car. HE seemed curious as to why I was still sitting there.

  Turning to HIM, I said, “If this is bad, I’m sorry.”

  “Get out of the car,” HE stated, opening the passenger door and stepping out.

  With a heavy sigh, I obeyed.

  Before we made it to the front door, HE stopped and said, “Act right in front of him.”

  I started to yell at HIM but didn’t get the chance, when Salvador opened the door. Forcing a polite smile, I thought, who does HE think HE is? I know how to handle myself.

  “Rennillia,” Salvador greeted before stepping back and ushering us inside.

  The three of us headed to the room all the way at the back of his house. Salvador took his place behind his desk while HE and I waited for the offer to sit.

  The offer to sit never came and I started to panic. Salvador stared at us and I couldn’t get a handle on what was going on.

  Finally, Salvador gave a slow smile as he said, “It would be a gross understatement to say I am impressed.”

  Still unsure of the outcome here, I asked, “May I,” as I motioned to the chair.

  “Of course, I should have offered. At the moment, I am trying to comprehend how a woman like you could send a man like Mr. Ramsden, begging me to step in.”

  Serious in expression, I narrowed my eyes questioning, “Is that why we’re here?”

  Sliding his hands together before running his index finger over his chin, Salvador replied, “That is why you are here. My nephew is here for a different reason.”

  Sitting up tall, I stated, “You gave your word.”

  With a slow blink he smiled, assuring, “And I am keeping it.”

  Feeling like I was being played with I snapped, “What do you want?”

  Salvador stood before walking around the side of his desk.

  “Watch your tone, Mrs. Herterand,” he scolded before turning to HIM and saying, “What fun it must have been to handle her.”

  Irritated was an understatement as I stood, informing, “With all due respect Mr. Perazzi, I would appreciate an answer.”

  Drawing in a slow deep breath, Salvador replied, “Always so ready to get to the point,” before a smile formed and he shared, “I simply wanted the opportunity to tell you in person, my word stands and I look forward to our next meeting.”

  I was so relieved I wanted to give a loud sigh. Instead, I held my composer.

  Salvador stepped right in front of HIM with an agitated expression. Instantly, HIS eyes shot to the floor.

  Grabbing hold of HIS face, forcing HIM to make eye contact, Salvador growled, “You are lucky to have made it this far.”

  Confused, I couldn’t look away.

  “Yes sir,” HE forced out before Salvador slapped HIM.

  Quickly catching HIS face again, Salvador leaned closer to HIM, informing, “I have wasted countless hours. You are incapable of improvement.”

  Even though I had no idea what this was about, I couldn’t stand to be a part of this knowing what Salvador had done to HIM. What he was still doing to HIM.

  When HE whispered, “I’m sorry sir,” I had to step in.

  “Mr. Perazzi, we had an understanding, correct?” I blurted.

  HE didn’t move however, Salvador glanced over at me and smiled.

  “Correct,” he replied before walking behind his desk.

  Folding his hands on top of his desk, Salvador stated, “You are dismissed,” to HIM, then giving me a slow smile, assured, “It has been a pleasure.”

  Forcing a smile in return, I turned and walked out.

  No matter how slow I walked, HE refused to stay at my side. Recalling everything I knew about HIS uncle, I wondered what Henley would be like if Salvador had not stolen HIS mother from HIM. By the time we made it to the car, I was angry on HIS behalf. It was still difficult for me to grasp, I had feelings other than hatred and disgust towards HIM.

  It took all the way to HIS house before HE said a word. When HE did, it wasn’t nice.

  “Did I ask you for help?” he growled.

  Shaking
my head, I replied, “No but I thought…” before HE snapped at me, “I would never ask for your help.” Then leaning close to my face, HE hatefully shared, “The only good thing about you disappeared when you let Herterand touch you.”

  I could feel tears welling up in my eyes as HE started to say something else then jumped out of my car and slammed the door. Flashes of how pleased HE was the first night I was with HIM. The moment there was proof, HE had taken something I had not given to anyone else, HE said I was HIS. HE called me HIS promised land. The memory made the tears that were building roll down my cheeks. For a minute, I considered going to house, picking up Sophia and just leaving town. I could leave everything behind me. Let the people I was leaving sort the mess out for themselves. Then the more I thought about it, I would be leaving people I loved and that loved me. With the knowledge of ‘It’s almost over,’ I continued to the house.

  Sophia was down for her nap when I arrived back at the house. Emerson and Amila were in the living room sitting on the couch looking at me with concern. Giving them a weak smile, I headed up the stairs and into my room. It wasn’t long before I heard a tap on my door.

  Rolling over on my bed, I said, “Not now.”

  Emerson walked in anyway, offering, “Amila went home, do you need to talk?”

  Holding up my hand, I warned, “Don’t come in here, I want to be alone.”

  His brown eyes were soft as he urged, “Ren.”

  Shaking my head at him, I snapped, “No.”

  Em looked sad for a moment before he nodded at me and stepped back out of my room.

  Just before bed, I took a shower. Happy that I was able to spend the rest of the day with my Sophia, I was starting to feel a little better. She made me so happy. No matter how scared or upset I was, having her in my arms gave me peace. So much had happened and was fixing to happen that I wanted to have a clear head but I needed a clear heart.

  Chapter 20

  The day before the event, Erin arrived. Making her appearance at the house only thirty minutes before we were supposed to be at The Society meeting, I begrudgingly agreed to ride with her. I would not have been unhappy except for the fact that I was no longer fond of drivers taking me places. I needed to be in control of everything until after the event and not being able to drive myself was enough to put me in a bad mood.

  On the way to our meeting, Erin smiled a few times but I could tell something was bothering her.

  Politely smiling, I asked, “How have you been?”

  “Good dear, and you?” she replied.

  Erin was always reserved but at the moment she seemed a bit cold.

  Nodding, I questioned, “Are you upset with me?”

  With a little sigh she answered, “I am upset by the situation, not you.”

  Guilt swelled through me as I said, “Erin, I appreciate everything you and Mr. Roberts have done for me. This just isn’t the life I want.”

  “I know dear,” she said before asking, “Did you know Mr. Roberts advised Scott not to stay here.” Shaking my head, I listened as she shared, “Mason was very fond of you. I believe he saw a lot of himself in Scott. I feel he would be very proud of you right now.”

  Taking a deep breath, I worked hard not to cry as I replied, “I wish I could have said I was sorry. I was so disrespectful to him before I left.”

  Patting my hand, she stated, “Now none of that,” before folding her hands in her lap.

  Exhaling, I nodded.

  The meeting was short. As Erin visited with the other members, I made my way over to Ellis.

  “Mrs. Montgomery,” I said, tapping her on the shoulder.

  Giving me a stern look, she fussed, “It is always Ellis.”

  Smiling, I said, “I wasn’t sure, since I’m giving up my chair. I don’t want to be rude.”

  “You are the first since our founding and you are worried saying my first name is rude?” she questioned.

  Feeling bad about that, I replied, “I hope you understand, I don’t mean any disrespect.”

  Lightly smiling, she assured, “You will be missed, however I do understand,” before asking, “Does Erin know who you have given your chair to?”

  “No ma’am, I don’t think she would understand. At least not until the end of the party,” I shared.

  Pursing her lips at me, she questioned, “She doesn’t know anything?”

  Smiling and shrugging, I answered, “No, I just know she won’t agree but if there’s people around she won’t really have a choice but to appear happy.”

  Shaking her head at me, Ellis assured, “I am going to miss you around here,” then with a sneaky grin, she whispered, “I do hope Mr. Thomas will make an appearance. He is a bit young for me but always nice to look at.”

  Shaking my head at her, I laughed and thanked her again for organizing Hert’s party.

  Back at the house, I decided to go upstairs and change while Erin fawned all over Sophia. I had assured her it was no problem to move Emerson downstairs for the next two days but she insisted on staying in a hotel. Before going to my room, I thought I’d survey the damage in Sophia’s room. It was sweet of her to bring gifts but when I saw the six large bags she handed Emerson before we left for our Society meeting, all I could think was now I have to pack that.

  Before I reached the room, I saw Hert in his office. I hadn’t spoken to him since his whole ‘you’re an untrustworthy whore’ declaration but since we probably wouldn’t have time to sit down and talk before he left for Spain, I thought why not.

  Leaning in his doorway, I tapped his door saying, “Hey.”

  Hert glanced up from the papers on his desk long enough to say, “Hey,” then got right back to work.

  Continuing to his desk, I asked, “So, you’re all packed and ready I see,” glancing at his all but empty office, minus the boxes in the center if the room.”

  Without looking up this time, he stated, “Yes.”

  “Can you stop for a minute?” I snapped.

  Hert tossed his pen on top of the desk, before glaring at me.

  With a little smile, I asked, “You’re not really going to leave mad at me are you?”

  His jaw flexed before he snapped, “I’m going to your stupid party. Where you’re supposedly going to appoint me head of The Office then the next day I will get up, get divorced and leave. What difference does it make what I am. I’m doing what you want.”

  “First of all, leaving is what you wanted,” I argued before softening my tone and saying, “But Hert come on, two days ‘til you move to a different country and you don’t have anything to say to me.”

  Narrowing his eyes at me, Hert fussed, “You want me to take back what I’ve said so you can feel better about yourself?” Before he stood up in front of me, asking, “You want me to tell you that I love you and I’m sorry?” Then Hert pulled me against him, saying, “That I want you just as much as I always have?” As I looked up at him, he whispered, “I’ll lie to you.”

  Pushing him away from me, I shouted, “You’re a jerk!”

  Sitting down in his chair, Hert gave me smirk then picked up his pen and started working again.

  Furious with him, I didn’t care about what was in Sophia’s room, I just wanted to go to mine. I was already packed too even though I didn’t have very much. I had spent most of my free time lately at my house, getting it ready and waiting on delivery men. I wanted everything to be ready for Sophia and I to move in after Hert left. Mrs. Thomas was with me most of the time helping with Sophia while I was painting. Mr. Thomas even came and changed one of the light switches for me. It took a while but before he left, he looked me in the eye and offered to help with anything that I needed. The offer was nice, since I did not think he would ever recover from walking in on me and Jackson.

  Everything was set in place and everyone that was involved, knew what they needed to do. Still, I was scared out of my mind. I had complete and total faith that my plan was going to work but I had never had a plan turn out right before. May
be I was afraid to really make a change or maybe there was just too much that could go wrong. After all, my plan hinged on two hired service men, one of which didn’t really like me and the other offended that I cared about him, my sadistic ex, a mental patient, and myself. Oh yea, what could possibly go wrong? Pushing all my negative thoughts to the back of my mind, I reminded myself that two days was all that stood between me and the rest of my life.

  Chapter 21

  Wondering why I always managed to oversleep, when something important was going on, I quickly showered and threw some clothes on. After getting myself ready, I packed Sophia’s bag and got her dressed. Trying to focus on the task at hand, I had a constant lump in my throat. Even though I had asked him not to, Hert went to work to tie up some loose ends there. Emerson was outside of Sophia’s room, waiting to help me with her stuff. I tried to make my stop at the Thomas’ as quick as possible. Hugging Sophia and Mrs. Thomas, I couldn’t help but worry this might be the last time I see her. I had planned on staying at a hotel for the night then decided at the last minute to ask Mrs. Thomas if I could stay there.

  On my way to JPT Financial, I forced myself to calm down and take things one step at a time before my mind got carried away and I ended up having some sort of a breakdown before noon. When I walked in the door the receptionist started to wave me in, then stopped and stood up.

  Walking close to me, she whispered, “You’re friends with Jackson, right?”

  Nodding, I replied, “Yes,” before she shared, “I’ve been trying to get him to ask me out since he came back.”

  Instantly hating her, I said, “Um, okay.”

  Apparently she was oblivious to my irritation because she then proceeded to ask, “Do you know if he’s seeing anyone?”

  There were many things I considered saying to her but I settled with, “Sorry,” as I shrugged my shoulder.

  Disappointed, she stepped back behind her desk with a pouty look on her face.

  Trying to pretend the bouncy blond at the receptionist desk didn’t make me want to punch her, I continued through the office and to Mr. Thomas’ secretary.