Revengeful Deceptions

by Ursula Dukes

  “Your very welcome, but Dominique?”

  “Yeah?”

  “It’s all well and good that you’re thanking me for my advice my friend, but do me a favor and follow it will ya?” Pam said with sincerity in her voice.

  Dominique couldn’t help but smile hearing her friends reassuring voice, the voice of reason.

  “Will do Pam, will do.”

  Dominique felt a lot better once she had gotten off the phone with Pam. While getting ready for work, she went over all the previous days’ happenings. My first day on the job and I made a friend, tackled the work load, and met a guy who I had great sex with. Something’s gotta go wrong, she thought to herself as she headed out the door.

  Adam arrived at work early; he had to be in court in a few hours and needed to get a jump on some of his cases. Plus he was anxious to see Dominique, he felt awful leaving her last night especially with her being so upset but what could he do? She had asked him to leave and even though it was hard for him to do it, he respected her wishes and walked out the door. What are you so afraid of Dominique? He wondered to himself. He was trying very hard to play it cool, this being a new job for her and all but she was making it very difficult for him. He just couldn’t seem to get enough of her, especially after last night, and what were the chances that she would land a job at his father’s law firm. If he had never believed in fate before, he certainly did now.

  Adam’s father knocked on the door to his office.

  “You’re here early,” he said giving his son a weary smile.

  “Yeah, I’ve got to be in court today so I thought I’d get a head start.”

  “Son, I need to speak to you about the conversation we had yesterday,” he said, closing the door to his son’s office.

  “I don’t think there is anything else to talk about dad, do you?”

  “Son, I just wanted to say that I was wrong and you were right.”

  Adam could not believe that his father was giving up so easily. This was a first.

  “Wow dad, I have to say, this is the first time you have ever admitted defeat so quickly, what gives?”

  “Nothing gives son; I just thought about it and decided that you were right.”

  “Wait, did mom put you up to this?” Adam knew that anytime he and his father had disagreed, his mother was always the one who tried to make them reason with each other.

  “What? No, your mother doesn’t even know about our conversation son now listen, Dominique seems like a lovely woman and she certainly is very beautiful, but I want you to understand that the moment her work or yours for that matter starts slacking, I will have to put a stop to whatever it is that you and she have, is that understood son?”

  “Yes dad, but you don’t have to worry about that.”

  “What do you mean son?” Jonathan questioned.

  “Dominique has made it clear that she wants nothing to do with me, but I know there is something there and I’m not giving up, I know what I want and I want Dominique. And for the record dad, I worked my ass off to get where I am today and I think we both know that it wasn’t my idea to work in your firm, there were a lot of other offers from all over so maybe you should think about that before you assume that I am going to slack in my career. As a matter of fact, you’re having this conversation with the wrong son; Brandon is the one who you should be telling not to slack. Tell me dad, did he even get any work done yesterday? Did you even know that he was trying to hit on Dominique yesterday and I had to tell him to back off?”

  Adam had not wanted to mention that to his father but since his father had put him in a foul mood, he didn’t care.

  Jonathan turned and looked at his son.

  “What did Brandon do? He asked astounded that his first day on the job and he is flirting with the widow of the man he murdered. Of course Brandon had no way of knowing who Dominique was but still, he should know better.

  “He didn’t do anything but try to flirt with her dad. But my point is, is that you need to be having this conversation with him and not me.”

  Jonathan began to think that maybe getting Dominique hired at his firm was not the smartest thing he could have done.”

  “Goddammit, her first day here and already she’s got you two acting like a couple of bumbling idiots!” He said slamming his fist down on the desk.

  “Okay first of all, it’s not her fault, she did absolutely nothing wrong and second of all no one is acting like a bumbling idiot, least of all me so if you wouldn’t mind recanting your whole statement dad, that would be great. Because as far as I’m concerned, you’re blowing this whole thing out of proportion, I mean what is it? You know you’ve been acting strange ever since Brandon came back from Italy, what in the hell is going on dad? You got something against her because she’s not white? Or are you just jealous because your flirting days are over? Which is it dad?”

  Jonathan stood silent for a moment before moving closer to his son.

  “Adam, your mother and I love both you and your brother, and we raised you to respect all people, no matter what their color, religion or culture is. So if you ever say anything like that to me again, I will personally walk you to the door myself and you can get an early start accepting all those other offers you so adamantly turned down, are we clear son?”

  Adam swallowed hard before answering. “Yes.”

  “Good, now it’s getting late. I’ll see you in the morning meeting.”

  Dominique and Molly drove into the parking garage at the same time. Dominique was glad to see a familiar face. Even thought it was morning, there didn’t seem to be anyone around and after the incident with that creep last night that frightened her. Maybe I should start carrying my gun, she thought to herself as she got out of her car. While walking to work Dominique thought about telling Molly about her date with Adam last night but thought better of it as she wasn’t sure if she could trust Molly yet. I think I should get to know her a little better, thought Dominique.

  Dominique and Molly found the conference room much emptier than it had been the previous day. When Dominique asked her why, Molly had told her that most of the attorneys were due in court and that Mondays were the only days that the room would be full. Dominique frowned as she thought that Adam would be one of the missing attorneys. She knew she should swear him off and be done with him but after her conversation with Pam this morning, she was beginning to have second thoughts. Goddammit! She swore to herself. Why can't I turn it off and on like so many men and women do? She thought to herself. I want him and I want him bad. She sighed; she had not yet seen him walk in.

  Adam smiled and said good morning to everyone as he sat down next to Dominique. He was going to fore go the morning meeting all together but then remembered that this might be his only chance to see Dominique today and since he did tell her that he wasn't giving up, he decided to make a brief appearance. Once he sat down next to her, he could feel the warmth of her body and he knew that he was going to stay the entire length of the meeting. By the time his father had walked in and started the meeting, Adam had completely forgotten about the harsh words they had exchanged only moments ago. Surely seeing Dominique had something to do with that. As he father talked of litigation, Adam tried hard to concentrate, but he just wanted to touch her just for a moment. As if she knew what he was thinking, Dominique smiled at him as he casually reached over and touched her hands as they lie in her lap. They interlocked fingers for a moment before letting go.

  Towards the end of the meeting, Adam couldn’t help but notice that his brother Brandon wasn’t there, knowing him he probably had a late night and is still sleeping he said to himself. Once the meeting concluded Adam thought of calling his brother but changed his mind. Brandon’s a big boy; he knows that he’s supposed to be here. And as if by cue, Brandon stumbled into the conference room, making a bee line towards Dominique. Immediately Adam and Jonathan reached for him as he tripped over a chair and almost fell. Adam wanted him nowhere near Dominique.

  “Meeting
s over everybody, let’s get to work.” Dominique could hear the anger rising in his voice.

  “Adam, help me get your brother into my office, now please.”

  “Sure dad. Come on Brandon, let’s go.”

  Adams foul mood returned as he took hold of his brother and dragged him into their father’s office.

  Jonathan slammed the door before he spoke.

  “Just what the hell are you thinking coming in here drunk and god knows what else Brandon?” yelled his father.

  Brandon fought hard not to slur his words.

  “What’s the big deal, I’m here aren’t I?”

  “Yeah, you’re here alright Brandon, you’re here and you’re still drunk. I know you didn’t come home last night. Your mother is worried sick, go home Brandon, and stay there. I’ll speak to you when I get home tonight.”

  “You know I’m not a child! He shouted as he stormed out of the office.

  “Now that’s the second time today I heard that and it’s not even lunch time.” His father groaned, “Maybe I should cut ties with both you boys.” He said looking sternly at his remaining son.

  “Oh come on dad, you’d be lost without us.” Adam said with a slight grin, look, talk to him tonight and try and find out what’s going on and if you need my help dad, just give me a call, but for now I’ve gotta make a quick stop before heading over to court, I’ll talk to you later dad.”

  “I suppose seeing Dominique would be the quick stop that you’re referring to son? “

  “Dad, can we please drop it?” Adam did not want to become indignant towards his father again.

  “Son, just be careful, that’s all I’m saying.”

  “I will dad, don’t worry.”

  Adam stepped out of his father’s office and headed down to see Dominique.

  Chapter Ten

  During the next few weeks, as Dominique became accustomed to her job, she also couldn't resist seeing Adam more and more. At first she tried refusing his invitations, but after he told her that he wasn’t a man who would give up easily, she caved. She knew it was the wrong thing to do, that she needed to stick to her plan but she had to admit, she enjoyed spending time with him and before long found herself spending every evening with him. But Dominique knew that the anniversary of her husband and son’s death was coming up and each year around that time she would get depressed and want to spend that time alone. She still hadn’t told anyone about it. “You really should tell those close to you Dominique, especially Adam and your new friend Molly. You’re going to need people around you Dom; you don’t have to go through this alone.”

  Pam had told her one night while on the phone.

  “I know Pam, you're right, I should tell them and I have every intention to it’s just that… I don’t know, I just feel like they won’t understand, they won’t understand what I’m going through and it will all seem silly to them that I am still mourning so severely after two years.”

  “Dominique you’re never going to stop mourning, but you are going to learn to move on and with each anniversary you will learn to not be so focused on the accident itself, but on the wonderful time that you shared with Stephen and Teddy. Rob and I wish we could be there for you, especially on that day but we can’t so let Adam and Molly be there for you Dom, let them help you through it. If what you tell me about them is true then I can only imagine that they would be more than willing to be there for you.”

  “Yes they would Pam, I’ll tell them, I just don’t know when, it may not be today or tomorrow but I’ll tell them eventually. But I think I’m gonna go through this anniversary by myself, I just want to be alone with my thoughts, to think about them, talk to them, and hopefully dream about them.” Dominique said with a heavy sigh.

  “Well you do what you need to do to get through it Dom, but if you need anything or just want to talk, I’m here and so are Adam and Molly I’m sure.”

  After hanging up with Dominique, Pam knew that her friend was going to have a tough time getting through the anniversary. Not only has it been two years but it was the first anniversary since Dominique moved to Boston and therefore it was the first year that she would not be visiting their graves.

  Dominique did not know that there was someone at the firm who knew all too well that the anniversary of her husband and son’s death was coming up. Jonathan Caruso had been counting the days, he expected Dominique to request some time off or at least call out of work sick, but so far she had not. He wondered if she had told Adam of her terrible loss. If she did tell him then things were going to get incredibly complicated and he was going to have to step things up a bit, but if she did not, then he’d be able to keep his family safe, for the time being at least. Either way, Jonathan thought to himself, I’ve got to make sure this never gets out, never because if it does, all our lives will be ruined. At that moment, Jonathan Caruso wished he had never answered his son’s call that horrible night.

  Dominique was proud of herself, so far so good, she told herself as she got ready for work. It was October 25, the two year anniversary of her husband and son’s death. Pam and Rob had called to check up on her and see how she was holding up. “I’ll be fine,” she told them. And she would be, just let me make it through my day, let me do what needs to be done, she silently prayed. As Dominique made her way into work she was glad that the day was cool and brisk. She wanted to breathe in as much of it as she could before going into the office. She was happy about one thing, it was Friday and that meant that she would have the whole weekend to think about her boys.

  Even though Dominique smiled warmly at Adam when he walked into the conference room, he could sense something was wrong. Her face was as beautiful as ever but her eyes told a different story, her eyes had so much sorrow in them, particularly today and he wondered why.

  “Dominique is everything Okay? Adam asked her when they were alone in her office.

  Dominique did not want to break down at any time but she especially not at the beginning of her day.

  Choking back her tears Dominique told him that everything was fine. “I think I’m coming down with something,” she told him.

  Adam knew the moment she avoided eye contact with him that she was lying.

  “Dominique I know there is something going on, I wish you would talk to me about it, and let me help you.

  “Adam I’ll be fine really. I just need a bit of space and I need to get to work so if you wouldn’t mind.” Dominique did not mean to shut him out but she knew that if he continued to press her she would crumble right in front of him.

  “Dominique, the last few weeks that we’ve spent together have been amazing, I’ve never met anyone like you. I just want you to open up to me, tell me what’s going on?”

  “Oh god Adam, I just need this one day please stop questioning me about it, if you really care about me, you’ll leave me alone today please.”

  Adam could not hide the hurt look in his eyes as he walked out of her office.

  Dominique laid her head down on the smooth wooden desk and took a couple deep breaths; this is going to be harder than I thought, she told herself as she swallowed back tears.

  Dominique was grateful once again, she had been given an easy day and found very few requests for files and she was glad of that. She had wanted to keep busy but an overflow would have been too much. But she handled the few e-mails that came in and soon it was five o’clock.

  “You sure you’re okay Dominique?” Molly asked as they walked to the parking garage.

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine Molly, but thanks for your concern, you’re a good friend.”

  “Of course Dominique, if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

  “I know Molly, thank you, I am going to take you up on that, but just not today, I’m too exhausted.”

  “Sure Dominique, no problem, go home, and get some rest and try to have a nice weekend, call me if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, you too Molly, I’ll see you Monday.”

  Dominique breathed a
sigh of relief once she was alone and in her car. She was determined to shut out the world and spend the entire weekend inside with several bottles of wine. Once she had parked her car and headed towards the brownstone she began to feel better. That is until she saw Adam sitting on her steps. He looked good wearing a black cashmere sweater and light denim jeans.

  “Adam what are you doing here? You must be freezing,” Dominique said as she unlocked the door.

  “Dominique, I know you don’t want to see me but I had to come, I wanted to make sure you were alright.”

  Dominique could not help but smile at the way Adam was so incredibly attentive towards her. He reminded her of Stephen in so many ways. Maybe that's why I find myself so attracted to him.

  “Oh Adam, what am I going to do with you?” Dominique sighed looking into his eyes.

  “I could think of a lot of things,” he said with an encouraging look.

  I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you.” She said aloud as she sat him down.

  Adam became nervous. “Tell me what Dominique?”

  Sitting down next to him and taking his hands in hers, Dominique proceeded to tell Adam what it was that was making her so emotional. At the end of her story, she also shared with him the fact that the police had stopped investigating a long time ago and this infuriated her. “The mere fact that someone could kill two people and get away with it is something I cannot even fathom Adam. What are your feelings about that Adam?” She asked inquisitively. Deep down she knew; she hoped that Adam knew nothing of his brother's involvement in the deaths of her boys.

  Adam sat speechless as he let his mind absorb everything Dominique had just told him.

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but I could sure use a drink,” she said getting up from the sofa.

  She wondered what was going through his head and why he hadn’t answered her question. Dominique didn’t have to wait long as Adam got up from the sofa and coming into the kitchen held her tight in his arms.

  Dominique took advantage of his hold on her and let the tears flow like torrents from her eyes. She hoped that telling him was the right thing to do; she could tell that Adam was nothing like his brother. It was as if they weren’t even related. But even still, she couldn’t tell him everything.