Playing With Fire (Sweet Redemption)

by Francis, Rose

  Janet had to use all her acting skills to pretend shock and surprise when Liz came to her tearfully about Jason’s disappearance.

  “Don’t worry, you’ll find someone else—someone who deserves you,” she said soothingly.

  Janet thought about what to say next. She didn’t want to dwell on the topic for too long, for fear of giving herself away somehow.

  “Hey, what about that guy Leroy?” she asked. “In Receivables?”

  “Please girl—you know work people are off-limits.” Liz caught her eye. “Well for most of us. Anyway, I’m not ready to jump into another relationship—nothing real that is. But who am I going to bring to the Christmas party? It’s in three weeks and no one shows up at the Christmas party alone!”

  Janet felt bad. She knew she’d have Eric proudly on her arm, and she couldn’t wait to introduce him to her father—although she suspected he already knew about their relationship; nothing on company grounds stayed secret. Brenda or some other worker probably already tipped him off.

  Still, she was excited to present Eric to him and see his reaction.

  She noticed Liz suddenly looking at her with eyes that seemed to shake. Her usually steady, sharp eyes were widened with what looked like trepidation.

  “Can I come with you guys?” she asked. “I don’t want to miss the party because I don’t have a date, and I don’t want to inconvenience you two, but I don’t want to be alone.”

  Janet knew there was no way she could refuse her friend; after all she was the reason Liz was in her position.

  “Of course girl. You want us to come pick you up or meet me at my place at a certain time?”

  As they sorted through the logistics, Janet found herself growing more and more excited about the party and wishing it would get arrive sooner than later.

  Just three more weeks.

  ***

  While getting ready for the party Janet had a feeling. She not only paid attention to it, but scrutinized it, trying to figure out what it was telling her.

  All she knew was that something big was going to happen at the Christmas party tonight—her hunch left no doubt about it.

  Fear didn’t quite accompany the feeling, so she convinced herself that whatever was going down was going to be good.

  She wondered if it was what she had been hoping for for at least the past month, or if she was honest with herself, since the moment Eric walked into her life by way of an elevator.

  Eric had been acting a bit odd lately, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on why that was either.

  She suddenly felt a surge of happiness.

  Perhaps he meant to propose?

  It made sense—the moments of nervousness he had around her these days, the look she caught in his eyes every now and then. The almost-fear, the joy, the love—an impending engagement had to be the culmination; it was only logical.

  Janet could barely contain her joy at the thought.

  She was certainly ready for him.

  ***

  Eric held the dark velvet box like it held the most precious thing in the world, and in a way it did.

  Tonight was the night.

  Tonight he would ask the fiercely independent Janet Renée Cooper to become Mrs. Eric Christopher Anderson.

  He was nervous but confident—there was no way she wouldn’t say yes.

  He couldn’t wait to hear the actual word leave her sensual lips and to slip the ring on her finger, claiming her to the world.

  Then later that night, he would slip her something else.

  Eric smiled to himself.

  He had never felt so happy in his entire life, all because of some minx he couldn’t wait to get down on one knee for.

  And boy would she love it.

  She’d probably smile wickedly at him, her eyes deliberately lingering on the image of him kneeling in front of her, pretending she had some kind of power over him again as he bent before her like she deserved. But who was he fooling? As much power as he knew he had over her, she held over him.

  Eric couldn’t wait to make her officially his.

  ***

  As she and Eric picked Liz up from her apartment and Liz went on and on about having trouble figuring out what to wear, Janet thought about what she’d say to her father whenever he showed up.

  Janet knew she wouldn’t have a chance to see him before the party, and she looked forward to seeing her dad even though they didn’t speak much—he was all she had left of her family, and she was ecstatic to have all her family under one roof for a night, two of them right there in the car with her.

  ***

  Eric had it all planned out.

  Once everyone was filled with food and alcohol and had been having a jolly good time for a while but it was still too early for anyone to leave, the band would suddenly stop playing dance music and ease into slow jams.

  He had instructed them to play one of Janet’s favorite love songs and when it started, he would ask her to dance.

  Still in a spell after their slow dance, he would make his way to the stage, dragging her along with him and the lead singer would hand him the mic.

  “May I have everyone’s attention,” he would say and he would get it.

  By now Janet would surely know what he was up to, yet probably still be in denial or disbelief. Her hands would probably be over her mouth like in those commercials.

  Then he would get down before her and produce the ring, holding its brilliance up to her.

  “Will you do me the honor of letting me be your husband? Will you marry me Janet Cooper?” he would ask or some variation of it, and she would of course say yes, eyes filling with tears.

  ***

  Now that formal dinner was out of the way and the open bar in full swing, the room had loosened up.

  The band was playing lively music and people started coupling off to dance.

  Janet saw that a few people had already had too much to drink as they giggled uncontrollably or stumbled on the dance floor.

  Her father had shown up as appetizers were being served, and now was the perfect time to pull him aside. Everyone was occupied by their own fun now instead of what others looked like and what they looked like to others.

  She kissed Eric on the cheek and left him to chat with Liz as she went over to properly greet her father.

  Janet couldn’t help grinning wide as she approached him.

  He smiled back at her.

  “Daddy!” she said, hugging him and enjoying the feel of his familiar soft, wide frame.

  He kissed her cheek, his mustache scraping her a bit.

  “How is my baby girl?” he asked, and she chuckled.

  She pulled him along a few feet, distancing themselves further from potential nosy ears. Because of the loud music, they didn’t have to go too far.

  “Your baby girl is in love. And for real this time daddy.”

  “I can see that,” he said, his voice taking on a warmer tone. “I just knew he’d be your type.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Janet asked.

  Her dad shrugged.

  “You know...”

  “No, I don’t dad, that’s why I asked. What, white? You think I only like white guys?”

  Her dad shrugged again.

  “All I’ve ever seen you with babe. Although not a surprise considering where you went to school and where we lived. Anyway, I’m not judging you baby, don’t worry. And it’s beyond his skin color—I just knew you two would...fit.”

  Janet realized he was talking about something else.

  “Wait—were you playing matchmaker? Did you send him here to get with me? Why would you do that?”

  “Listen, the company’s going public and I’ll remain as CEO. But you—I have something else in mind for you. George will be the new COO, Eric’s going to take over your position...”

  Janet’s mind was reeling.

  “Wait, you’re firing me?”

  “Calm down Janet—logic over emotions, remember? Now li
sten to my words: you are not being fired. You’re being transferred. There’s this new division I’d like you to head up...”

  But Janet had stopped listening as pieces began clicking into place.

  She had been a fool. A complete and utter fool.

  “My replacement,” she said quietly, “did he know about this all along? Did you all plan this whole thing to shut me out?”

  “Janet honey listen...”

  But Janet’s eyes were too busy searching the room for Eric.

  When she found him, she stormed over to him and grabbed him by the arm, dragging him out of the room.

  She didn’t care about all the pairs of eyes she felt on her as they left nor did she care about the confused look on his face.

  “How dare you!” she screamed when they got outside the room. “How dare you talk to me about honesty and lecture me about what love is and what it isn’t...how dare you? You’re a complete fraud! You don’t know anything about love you son-of-a-bitch. How could you? God I can’t believe I fell for all this again. I knew you were up to something...”

  “Janet what are you talking about?”

  “You know just what I mean Eric—dad just told me about his plan for the company, and how I’m essentially no longer a part of it. He told me all about his little matchmaking scheme. How could you do this to me? After everything...”

  Janet couldn’t stop the tears and gave into them freely as her heart broke.

  She sobbed as he gathered her into his arms and she pulled violently away.

  “Janet listen—this is a very important night and I’m not gonna let you ruin it. First of all—did you listen to what your father had to say? Did you even let him tell you what he wanted you to do? Do you know anything at all about the new division?”

  Janet said nothing, and knew her silence was enough of an answer.

  “Thought not. Well you know those little notes you’ve been making all these years about your ‘secret’ personal project? Well guess who went ahead and laid the groundwork for you. Your father worked to make your dream come to life for you Janet—everything he’s been doing, it’s for you.”

  “I don’t understand,” was all she could say, although it was a lie by the time it left her mouth.

  Could it be that the new division he mentioned had to do with fosterage and care-taking? That it involved disadvantaged, at-risk kids? How could her father have known?

  She realized she had made a terrible mistake.

  She saw a satisfied look come over Eric’s face.

  “Be mad at me all you want but go talk to your father Janet. You’re lucky you still have him.”

  CHAPTER TEN: RECONCILIATION

  Janet made her way back inside, her eyes peeled for her father, feeling terrible about her rash response.

  When she spotted him, she felt even worse when she saw a different look in his eyes this time when he saw her—they now looked sad instead of lighting up with joy.

  She went over and indicated she needed to talk to him in private.

  They left the room and began wandering the empty hall outside.

  “It seems I might have gotten ahead of myself—at least in your case,” she began.

  He said nothing in response.

  “I didn’t let you finish earlier. Can you tell me more about the new division?” she prodded.

  “It’s something I thought you always wanted,” he said softly, then went on to tell her about it.

  At the end of his explanation, she realized he was right, that Eric was right—the division was indeed exactly what she wanted. Her father had somehow managed to bring her vision to life.

  “How did you even know? Did you find my notebooks about it or...”

  “I know you Janet.”

  Janet couldn’t stop a skeptical huff from escaping.

  She again regretted her actions when she saw the look on his face.

  She began to explain herself.

  “I just never thought you did to be honest. You were always too busy, unavailable. I never thought you had time to pay attention.”

  Her father shook his head.

  “How could you think I don’t know you Janet? How could you think for one moment I don’t think about you? Everything I do is for you, and I’m sorry I haven’t expressed it any other way but all of this—” he gestured with his arms at the building in general—“I built for you. To ensure your security and protection. This is how men of my generation expressed their love and I thought you’d just understand that, but I guess I was wrong.”

  “But I needed you daddy—I preferred having you around...”

  “And I get that honey, but nothing makes a person feel more vulnerable than having a child depending on them. The moment you wrapped your tiny hand around mine not long after leaving your mother’s womb, I knew I would do everything in my power to give you a good life.” He hung his head. “And I thought I did.”

  “Daddy, of course you have. And I know all this takes time. I just...I guess you can’t have your cake and eat it too huh?”

  She smiled.

  “Look, while you were away for business, I wanted you to read me a story before bed. While you were fattening up my savings account, I looked for you at my dance recital. Sometimes I wondered if you loved me at all, if you stayed away because I...” Her voice broke. “Because I wasn’t Roland. Or DeAngelo.”

  She looked down, unable to meet his eyes as emotion welled up in her.

  She hadn’t spoken her dead brother’s name in a long while.

  Her father grabbed her in a hug.

  “You’re ridiculous,” he said. “Funny how our own insecurities can blind us, isn’t it? You were my world Janet, and even more so once your mother was gone. You say you didn’t feel like I knew you or paid attention but I’ll tell you this: I remember very clearly the six-year-old version of you who was only too happy to play house with your dolls—the mommy, the daddy, the kids. I remember the look on your face when I got you that Easy-Bake oven. I remember that stash of romance novels I found in your room when you were about thirteen, and I remember you telling me you couldn’t wait to grow up to have a relationship like me and your mom. I even remember how distraught you were when you came across an abandoned kitten with a broken foot. Janet, you haven’t really changed as far as I can tell—you’re still that caring, maternal child who tried to bandage my finger when I slammed it in a door. As far as I know you, what you want more than anything is to get married, and have some babies. And help people—especially children—however you can. Am I wrong?”

  Janet cried freely, like she imagined her dad must’ve seen her do hundreds of times in the early part of her life, and when his arms closed around her again, she let her father just hold her.

  “Sometimes I wondered who you were and what you did with that girl later,” he continued, “but then inevitably, I’d see a shadow of her in your smile and my heart feels like it’s about to burst. I’d do anything for that girl—for you Janet. Even if it means playing matchmaker to steer her toward her dreams. Now get back in there and forgive Eric for being a part of my scheme. I know he loves you to death and so do you.”

  ***

  When Janet got back in the room her eyes now searched it for Eric. When she spotted him, he looked like he had been waiting for her and immediately headed toward her.

  No more getting in my own way, she thought as she prepared to offer him an apology.

  “Come with me,” he said, grabbing her hand, “we don’t have much time.”

  Janet found herself being led right back toward the hall outside the room.

  “I need you to know something.”

  “I already know and it’s okay. I’m sorry I overreacted...”

  “No, not about that. How we got together isn’t important and I accept your apology. Look, I know you’re going to find this odd probably, and I don’t blame you if you do because it is. It’s just that, I don’t know what else to say to convince you that I want you, and that
you were all I ever wanted.”

  A quiet laugh escaped her.

  “Believe me, I know. You don’t have to explain anything Eric, seriously...”

  Eric took a breath, looking away for a moment. Then he looked back at her, his blue eyes burning with something she could not identify.

  “I want you to know this.” He took another breath. “I loved you immediately, and it was because you look like a woman I have loved for a long time.”

  Janet wasn’t sure what to make of his statement so she stayed silent.

  “It’s not just that you look like her,” he said, reaching his hand out to caress her face, “it’s like you are her. Just so you know, I never actually met her in real life until I ran into you in that elevator. I had dreamed of her when I was a teenager, imagined a whole life with her, and although I never met her, she looked like you. You are literally my dream girl, and all I want to do now, is make the rest of those dreams come true—the marriage, the babies...”

  Janet began crying again, unable to stop her tears, unable to believe what she was hearing.

  She wiped her face crudely on her arm, not sure if her voice would cooperate.

  She would have never believed it had she heard it from anyone else and she didn’t care if anyone believed them if they decided to ever tell anyone. All that mattered was that they knew they were made for each other.

  “Me too,” was all she could say. “You...me too.”

  He scooped her into a hug like no other.

  “We have to go back in there,” he reminded her after a few moments and waited while she composed herself as best as she could.

  He helped her clean up her face.

  As he led her back inside, she realized the band had stopped playing dance music, and what sounded like one of her all-time favorite love songs had begun.

  “Dance with me?” Eric asked, his eyes sparkling, and she knew there was no way she could ever tell him no.

  *If you enjoyed this story, feel free to review it here on Amazon! :)*

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Rose Francis likes reading—and writing—psychological fiction, particularly stories addressing difficult topics.