Neither of her sisters acknowledged her apology.
“Sofia, I like that new hairstyle of yours. It’s really cute.”
“Thanks.”
Lourdes looked at Isabella’s flat locks. Not finding anything to positive to say she just flashed Isabella a smile.
Sofia decided she would try and make nice with her sister and give her a compliment as well.
“That’s such a pretty halter dress you have on.” She couldn’t help but notice that she and her sister only had compliments about the other’s appearance for pleasant conversation.
“This old thing? This is like the third time I’ve worn it. I’m about to toss it.”
Sofia held her tongue but couldn’t resist sneaking a tap on Isabella’s leg.
“Well, regardless, it’s very pretty. Where did you get it?”
“It’s Armani. Oh, but they only go up to a size twelve. What are you an eighteen or twenty?”
Olivia silently cursed Lourdes. It was not that she cared about her making remarks about Sofia’s size but just didn’t want her to do it now.
Sofia took a deep breath and smiled at Lourdes.
“I wasn’t asking because I intended to buy one like it. Though I could since I’m a size twelve I get in just under the gun. Anyway, the cornflower blue color is a perfect match for your blue eyes. Speaking of which, where did you get those? Are they from Armani as well?”
Lourdes smiled widely and spoke through her perfectly bleached and veneered teeth.
“No, sister dear. These are courtesy of Bausch and Lomb if you must know.”
“With the blue contacts and newly blonde hair, you could be a clone of Paris Hilton. All you need is a little dog and the paparazzi following you,” said Sofia.
“I love my new look and I think it suits me just fine.”
“It does, you just look different from the last time I saw you. Thank goodness you still have the same smug look on your face or else I wouldn’t have recognized you.” Sofia returned her sister’s false smile.
Olivia cleared her throat as she stared down at the menu. “I think I’ll start off with the Cocoa Bean Soup. And for the main course the Seared Veal Loin with Wilted Spinach looks delish.” She glanced up from the menu. “Come on, decide what you’re going to get. Mother’s starving.”
“I need a drink,” replied Sofia. “I think I’ll have a glass of Pinot Blanc.” Cutting her eyes to Lourdes, “I might have to move on to something harder after that.”
“I’m in the mood for a nice Èchezeaux,” announced Isabella.
Lourdes turned to Isabella.
“It’s pronounced, ay shay zo, not ek zo. Father was quite the wine connoisseur so one would think you’d know that. Jesus, Bella Boop.”
Isabella turned a beet red. She hated that her sister always made her feel so unsophisticated. Sofia was about to give Lourdes a verbal swipe on Isabella’s behalf but decided not to. It was time her sister learned to speak up for herself.
Just as the women were starting dessert, Sofia happened to look up and see a familiar face walking toward their table. She turned to Isabella.
“You have company,” she informed her dryly.
Isabella looked up and smiled at the young man. She stood and gave him a quick kiss.
“Mother, I hope you don’t mind but I invited Jeremy to join us. I wanted you to meet him. Jeremy Walton this is my mother Olivia Von Hausmann.”
Jeremy reached over and shook Olivia’s hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Von Hausmann.”
“Same here. And please, call me Olivia.” She beamed at the young man. She could tell right away he had good breeding and the smell of old money practically oozed from his pores.
“Oh, and this is my sister Lourdes.”
Jeremy shook her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Lourdes stared at Jeremy wondering what in God’s name was he doing with Isabella. She assumed they were only friends. She couldn’t imagine a man like him being romantically involved with her mousy sister.
The hostess brought a chair for Jeremy and he sat down between Sofia and Isabella.
“And how are you doing tonight?” he asked Sofia.
“I’m just fine, Jeremy.” She went back to her dessert before she said what was on her mind. She was so disappointed with Isabella.
“Aren’t you going to fill me in, Isabella?” asked Olivia. “Tell me about your friend. Or are you two more than that? Are you dating?”
Isabella and Jeremy exchanged smiles.
“Yes, we are dating,” acknowledged Isabella. “We’ve been going out for about three months now.”
“Why didn’t you mention this to me last we talked?”
“Mom, I didn’t want to jinx anything.”
“What happened to your other little boyfriend, Bella Boop? What’s his name–Ethan?”
“Lourdes,” Olivia chastised. “Don’t be impolite.”
“I thought I told you I don’t like that nickname.” She looked away from Lourdes to her mother. “We decided to just be friends. Jeremy’s family owns the Walton First Banks, Mom.”
Olivia’s eyes lit up. “Really? Those banks have been around since the before the turn of the century, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am. It goes back over five generations.”
“And you two are dating?” asked a dumbstruck Lourdes. She still couldn’t believe it.
“Yes!” Isabella answered testily. “I just said we were.”
Jeremy put an arm around Isabella. “I’m quite taken with your sister.”
Sofia smirked.
“I noticed the silver band on your finger,” said Olivia. “Is that from you Jeremy?”
“Oh, uh, yes it is, Mom,” Isabella said. “It’s just a friendship ring though.”
“I can’t wait to see an engagement ring in its place, dear.”
“Mom, we don’t want to rush things.”
“I’m sure you don’t,” snorted Lourdes.
“Who are you dating, Lourdes?” Isabella asked.
“I’m dating a dashing young man named Christophe. He’s back in France and missing me terribly I’m sure.”
“I’m sure,” Sofia mocked softly.
“Excuse me?” Lourdes asked.
“Nothing.”
“You know I saw the new video by James this morning. Or I guess JB as he’s called now. Are you two still in touch?”
Sofia’s cheeks burned with fury. She threw her napkin down and got up.
“I’m going to the ladies room.”
She stalked out of the restaurant and to the lobby where she took a seat. She crossed her legs and furiously drummed her fingers on the arms of the chair. She wished she’d stayed home. Then she wouldn’t have to put up with her fake mother, a bitchy sister and another sister with her pretend boyfriend that she’s using to gain favor and approval from said fake mother. Jesus! And for Lourdes to bring up her ex-boyfriend James…At that moment Sofia noticed someone had taken a place in the chair next to hers. She looked over and saw one of the most handsome men she’d ever laid eyes on. He appeared to be of Latino descent, with a tanned complexion, short black wavy hair, and sexy brown bedroom eyes that were rimmed with long lashes. His jaw was strong and angular. He was wearing a well-tailored business suit, Italian loafers and there was a briefcase at his feet.
“Hello,” he greeted her.
“Hi.” Her voice sounded breathless to her ears.
“I was leaving a meeting and on my way out to my car when I saw you sitting here. I had to walk over and find out why a beautiful young woman would have such a frown on her face.”
Sofia felt the warmth of embarrassment inflame her face.
“My name is Javier Torres.” He reached out his hand to her.
Sofia’s hand became lost inside his big one. “I’m Sofia Valente.”
“Mrs. or Miss?”
“Miss.”
“Miss Valente, may I ask what has you over
here looking like you want to commit a capital offense against someone?” Reluctantly, he let go of her hand.
“Aren’t you inquisitive?” she teased. “I’m here having dinner with my family and I had to get away for a minute before I, as you said, commit a capital offense against someone.”
“No further explanation needed. I love my family dearly but I too have had those moments.”
“You say you were here for a meeting. What kind of meeting?”
“I can tell I’m not the only inquisitive person in this lobby.” He gave her another engaging smile. “I’m an attorney and I had a meeting here with one of my clients.”
“What type of law do you practice?”
“Business Law. What about you?”
“Oh, I don’t practice law.”
“Very funny,” he responded with a chuckle.
“Perhaps I should’ve warned you that I’m a bit of a smart aleck.”
“No warning needed. I like that.”
“I run a spa with my friend. It’s called Bonança Bay. It’s over in North Atlanta.”
“Now how about that? Who knows, you may need my services one day.”
“I guess we’ll have to find out.”
“I guess so. You know, you probably should get back to your dinner before they begin hunting for you.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me already? After only a minute?”
“Definitely not.”
“Better not.”
Javier’s interest in the young lady was even more piqued. He was drawn to women with strong personalities and a quick wit. He had to get to know her.
“May I call you sometime?”
“Yes, of course.” Sofia was relieved. She hoped he would be interested enough to ask for her number. She looked down at her lap and then at her feet and realized she left her purse at the table. “I’m sorry. I don’t have my purse with me and my cards are inside it.”
He slid a card out from inside his jacket and handed it to her.
“You promise to call?”
“Yes.”
As he rose from his seat, Sofia followed suit.
“I’m not going to have to look up Bonança Bay in the Yellow Pages and make an appointment just to see you again will I? Not that I’d want to be caught in a spa.”
“Hey! Men come to our spa too.”
“They do?”
“Absolutely. But no, you won’t have to do that. I will call you.”
“I look forward to hearing from you.”
Sofia shook his hand again and walked back toward the restaurant. As she walked away, Javier’s eyes wandered over her round posterior that swayed seductively with each step. He could not wait to find out more about Sofia Valente.
Sofia took her place back at the table and without a word to anyone, slipped Javier’s card into her purse and finished up her Sachertorte dessert.
“What’s up with you?” inquired Lourdes.
“Hmm?”
“You went off in a huff and now you’re back with a cat that swallowed the canary look on your face.”
“Oh, no reason.”
Olivia turned to her. “Jeremy and Isabella are coming over to the house for dinner next week. You’re more than welcome to join us.”
“Who’s going to cook?”
Olivia glanced over at Lourdes and chuckled.
“Certainly neither of us. An old friend of mine recommended a personal chef for us during our stay now that our old cook here has retired.”
“Things are pretty busy at the spa. I’ll let you know.” She already knew full well she wasn’t going to show.
“Speaking of your little spa,” Lourdes interjected. “I’m going to stop by tomorrow around three for some treatments, if that’s okay.”
“Sure,” Sofia replied with no enthusiasm. “Mother, are you going to stop by our ‘little spa’ also?”
“Some other time, dear, I have appointments tomorrow.” She’d scheduled consultations with two plastic surgeons.
Sofia was glad Isabella had followed her to the restaurant in her own vehicle because she didn’t have to put up with the awkwardness of the ride home together. Yet again Isabella was jeopardizing her relationship by flaunting to their mother a young man she knew would meet with her approval. Sofia liked Jeremy a lot but she wasn’t pleased with him going along with the ruse. But he was just being a friend to Isabella.
Chapter 46
Sofia nestled comfortably under her covers and shut off the bedside lamp. Her mind then switched to Lourdes’s comment about James.
James Brooks Marston had been her boyfriend for a year and half. They met when Sofia had just started to come to grips with her father’s death and reenter the world. For almost six months after his passing from a brain aneurysm she practically became a hermit and rarely went out or communicated with anyone other than Isabella and Grace. Meeting James was just what she needed to help her further get back into the swing of things.
He was an aspiring singer in the blue-eyed soul vein. When they met he was still shopping for a record deal but had already garnered many fans on the urban club circuit. His mainly African-American audience never ceased to be amazed at the sight of the cute young White man with curly blonde hair and thin build get up on the stage, open his mouth and hear a voice reminiscent of soul singer Teddy Pendergrass come out. Sofia was the recipient of many soulful serenades that helped propel her even more into love.
James not having an actual record deal didn’t stop him from having groupies. At first it was difficult for Sofia to deal with, particularly when many of the women would look right past her and boldly make moves on him. She never quite got over that discomfort but James went out of his way to let her know he only had eyes for her. When women would come on to him in front of her, he’d make a point of introducing her as his girlfriend. A few times that did nothing to deter his most ardent admirers and he would have to tell them point blank that he didn’t appreciate them disrespecting his girlfriend. That helped build Sofia’s trust in him.
Things were great between them until he got a new manager, George Mackey. George could see James’s potential to be a star and wasn’t going to let anyone—especially Sofia, stand in the way of that happening.
He didn’t think it was fitting for a burgeoning heartthrob to be tied to a steady girlfriend. One of the first things George did was to change James’s name. He christened him with the more hip moniker J.B. Mars. He also invested in James a new wardrobe to pep up his image. James’s curly locks were shorn and replaced with a sleek, straight style and he was paired with a fitness instructor to help him add muscles to his slim frame. He found a couple of talented local producers to work with James and redo his demo.
George’s effort paid off because he acquired a major record deal for James within months of becoming his manager. The record honchos were not only impressed with James’s voice but also that he was already aesthetically packaged and ready to present to the image-conscious public. A short time later James put out a single that introduced him to radio as he worked on his album. The single went straight to the top of the R&B charts and crossed over to the Pop charts. James, who struggled for seven years to make it, was pegged as an “overnight sensation”.
In the beginning James resisted George’s suggestion that he not have a girlfriend. But after seeing the results George got for him, Sofia noticed he began taking heed. He stopped holding her hand in public and practically ignored her backstage after shows, and focused only on his fans and his musicians. As hurt as Sofia was by his actions, she clung to the relationship and James’s word that he was only downplaying their relationship publicly for career reasons. When she would complain about his treatment of her in public, he countered that she was trying to sabotage what he was trying to build, so she voiced her hurt and concerns less and less.
She didn’t even say anything when he gave an interview proclaiming he was too busy for a relationship and was single. Grace tried talking to Sofia about h
ow James was treating her but she wouldn’t listen. When they were alone, everything was different. It was as if she were all that mattered to him. She clung to those times and put out of her head the way he was outside that.
However, James finally humiliated her to where she could not make excuses. It happened on Grammy night. She knew James was in Los Angeles recording his album with new producers, but when she asked him if he was going to the Grammys, he said he wasn’t. She watched the show every year and that year was no exception. She invited Grace and a few other girlfriends over to watch the telecast. They were all crowded in the theater room looking at the pre-show as all the celebrities arrived on the red carpet. They were doing their own critiques of the fashion victors and victims when one of the hosts pulled pop singer Amanda Bynton and her date in front of the camera.
Amanda’s date was James. After the host asked them the requisite “who are you wearing?” she inquired about the status of their relationship. As they stood there holding hands and giggling like teenagers, Amanda admitted they were dating but coyly added that was all she was willing to say.
There he was, the man Sofia was in love with, on television with another woman. Not only another woman but the exact kind of woman he always said he had no interest in. He proclaimed to hate superficial women with boob jobs, overly bleached hair and that were high maintenance—all of which described Amanda. Sofia wondered what happened to his maintaining a single image. She supposed as long as he was attached to someone who was more famous in the industry than him, he and his manager decided to make an exception.
After a few moments, she ran to seek refuge in her bedroom. Grace followed her and comforted her as she cried for almost an hour. Sofia couldn’t help but feel embarrassed at crying on the shoulder of the friend who tried to warn her about her boyfriend. But Grace never once said “I told you so”. She simply wasn’t the sort anyway. She did however hold her hand while Sofia called James and left a wrath-filled voice mail message. She also poured her feelings into an email.
She never got a response from James and the stubborn pride of hers that lay dormant during the time James was mistreating her, came back with a vengeance and wouldn’t allow her to call him ever again. For a long time she was hurt and bitter and lot of that was directed toward herself for allowing the situation with James to go on as long as it did. She thought she not only let herself down but her father also. He raised his daughters to be women who would not allow any man to behave towards them in a way he didn’t. He said he never raised a hand to them, berated or treated them in any way that wasn’t respectful or loving; therefore they shouldn’t expect any less from any man they became involved with. Sofia made a promise to herself that while James was the first man who didn’t live up to that, he would definitely be the last.
Blinding Mirror Page 17