“Baby, please try to understand. I love you too much to lose you.”
“Then, sweetheart, do the right thing. Handle your business.”
They lay there in silence for what seemed an eternity. Alicia finally asked him a question.
“So have you decided on a location for your restaurant?”
“Yeah, I think so. It’s about five miles north of Mitchell’s city limits, so I’ll also be looking for another house to rent. Something closer to there.”
Alicia had been hoping he wouldn’t complain about her changing the subject, and she was glad to move on to a better conversation. Levi was excited about opening his new establishment, though, so he never minded talking about it.
“I can’t wait to see it.”
“It’s very nice and spacious, which is what I need. I’ve also interviewed three different chefs from the Chicago area, because in addition to great customer service, great food is the key to a successful restaurant. You can’t have just a few delicious items. Everything on the menu has to be perfect.”
“Very true.”
“To get a top chef with experience, I’ll have to pay them very well, but it’ll be worth it,” he said, pulling his cell phone from the nightstand when he heard it ringing. “Hmmm, I wonder what D.C. wants.”
Alicia sat straight up, staring at him. Levi had assured her he wouldn’t tell anyone about them, but just the fact that D.C. knew her father made her nervous.
“Hey, man, what’s up?” Levi said. “…Not much, just chillin’ at the house…Really? Why?…Is that right? Well, I can’t help you with that one…wish I could, but you know the deal…No problem, man, and let’s try to hook up in the next couple of days. Grab a bite or somethin’…Tomorrow’s good for me, too…I’ll just drive over to Mitchell and we can decide when I get there…See you then…Be safe, man.”
Levi set his phone down, and Alicia breathed freely. Thank goodness D.C. hadn’t been calling about her.
Levi looked at her. “I hate to tell you this, but your dad is looking for you.”
“What? D.C. told you that? What did he say?”
“That your dad asked him to call me to see if I knew where you were.”
“This is crazy. What else did he say?”
“Not much. When I told him I couldn’t help him with that, he was through with it. I will tell you this, though. D.C. is a good friend, and I don’t like lying to him. Not telling him something is one thing, but lying to him is something different.”
“But you know we have to keep this between us.”
“For how long?”
“For as long as we need to,” she said, looking at the clock on the nightstand. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I really have to get going.”
Levi picked up the remote and turned on the television.
“Did you hear me?” she said, wondering why he hadn’t pulled her closer and kissed her the way he normally did. There had never been a time when she’d told him she was getting ready to leave that he hadn’t stopped her and made love to her again. But now, he barely looked at her.
Alicia lay back down, kissing him until he pushed her away.
“I don’t like this,” he said.
Alicia sat up again. “What are you talking about?”
Levi sat up, too, stacking two pillows behind him. “You and I spending a few hours together whenever we can and you running back home to a husband you don’t love.”
“What changed since yesterday?”
“I told you, I thought you’d made up your mind to tell Phillip the truth.”
“At some point I will, but I can’t say when. It’s gonna take some time.”
“Baby, that’s all fine and well, but I won’t keep doing this forever. You’re going to have to make a choice, and I’m giving you a month. Either divorce your husband and marry me, or forget about us altogether.”
“Oh, so all that talk about how you were never going to give up on being with me and how you didn’t want to live your life without me…what was that?”
“I meant it. I didn’t give up on trying to see you, which is why we finally saw each other yesterday. I also don’t want to live my life without you, but I will if I have to.”
Alicia swung her legs over the side of the bed and got up. She wrapped the silk robe around her body, the one Levi had surprised her with, and tied it. “Well, isn’t this an interesting turn of events. You knew what my situation was, so if you couldn’t deal with it, why didn’t you just leave me alone?”
“Because we’re in love with each other. You wanted me to find you, and that’s why you’re here.”
“You’re wrong for this.”
“No, we’re both wrong. So you need to leave your husband or we have to end things.”
Alicia’s heart ached already. Why was Levi doing this?
She walked around to his side of the bed and sat facing him. “Baby, why can’t we just—”
Levi interrupted her. “I meant what I said. I love you, but if you don’t take care of this, I’m done. I won’t continue doing to another man what I don’t want done to myself.”
They gazed into each other’s eyes. Alicia had never heard him speak with so much conviction. She could tell he’d never been more serious about anything—at least not with her, and his words struck her greatly. She tried not to cry in front of him, but when she did, he pulled her close and held her. As always, she felt loved and protected, and she didn’t want to leave him. But sadly, she didn’t have a choice. Regrettably, her home was with Phillip.
Chapter 36
Alicia pressed the power button on her phone more than once, making sure her battery was dead. She’d just pulled into the garage, but before she’d left Levi’s, she’d turned on her phone and seen two missed calls from Phillip and two from her dad. She’d also seen that her battery was still at 70 percent. So, for a few minutes, she’d sat in Levi’s driveway, browsing her Facebook newsfeed and reading various articles on Twitter. By the time she’d started up her car, her battery had drained to 60 percent. This was when she’d clicked open her iHeartRadio app, found a great R & B station, and played it the whole way back to Mitchell. She hadn’t been sure her plan would work, but thankfully, by the time she’d stopped at the mall and purchased a few items—to prove she’d been shopping—she’d successfully run down her battery and driven home.
Alicia had also taken a shower at Levi’s, washed her face, held a cold towel across her eyes, and reapplied her makeup. That way Phillip wouldn’t be able to tell she’d been crying. It was good, too, that she’d known so many of the songs she’d heard on iHeartRadio, she’d sung her way out of sadness.
Now all she had to do was put on a happy face and prepare herself for all the questions Phillip would be asking as soon as he saw her.
She grabbed four shopping bags, walked up to the door leading to the kitchen, turned the key, and went inside.
Phillip stood there waiting for her. “Where in the world have you been? Didn’t you get my messages?”
“No, baby, I’m sorry. My phone has been dead for hours.”
“What about the charger in your car?”
“I couldn’t find it. I never have to use it, so I must have misplaced it.”
“Where have you been?” he asked in a louder voice.
She set her bags down for effect. “Baby, please don’t be upset…but I went shopping again. I went to see Melanie, she and I got into it, and the next thing I knew I was over at Woodfield.”
“For nine hours? Because it sounds like you left Melanie’s around two o’clock.”
Alicia wanted to ask why Melanie had told him anything at all, but she didn’t want to take a chance on making him more furious.
“I got caught up, and I’m sorry. I know I said I wouldn’t do this again, but Melanie really upset me.”
“Well, while you were MIA, Brad was in a serious car accident and a child died. Her mother was drunk driving and ran a red light.”
“O
h no,” she said, leaning against the counter. “Is Brad okay?”
“No. He has a concussion and brain swelling, so they have him heavily sedated.”
“Dear God. And that poor child.”
“That’s why I kept calling you. That’s why I left you those messages, but some good that did.”
“I’m really sorry.”
“What’s wrong with you? Why are you all of a sudden shopping again?”
“I told you, Melanie and I got into it. I should’ve just come home.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what you should’ve done.”
Alicia hated having to defend herself about shopping, but it was better for him to believe she’d been at the mall for hours than to suspect the truth.
“Did you just leave the hospital?” she asked.
“About an hour ago, but you really need to call Melanie. And why did the two of you fall out? Because she never said a word to me about it.”
“Remember, I told you Brad wanted me to talk to her about all the weight she’s losing. I brought it up, and one thing led to another.”
“Well, you need to check on her. Not tomorrow but now.”
Phillip was angrier than Alicia had seen him in years. Their quarrel tonight reminded her of all the horrible arguments they’d had the first time they were married.
“Can I use your phone? Mine is still dead.”
“Your charger is right over there,” he said, glancing toward the electrical outlet near the toaster.
Alicia pulled her phone from her tote and plugged it in. When it came on, she dialed Melanie, but she didn’t answer. It wasn’t as though Alicia expected her to, anyway, not with the way they’d spoken to each other earlier.
“I’ll just have to try her later.”
“Your best friend’s husband could have died today, and you’re not going to the hospital? Not to mention Brad’s my best friend who I love like a brother.”
“Visiting hours are over.”
“Not for emergencies.”
“Melanie won’t want me there.”
“Well, I’m going back, but you do what you want,” he said, walking away from her and going upstairs.
Alicia was staying home, and she was glad Phillip had left the kitchen for the time being. He seemed so through with her, but she would explain and apologize for the next week if that’s what it took for him to get over this.
She dialed into her voice mail system and listened to the messages her dad and Phillip had left her. She’d purposely not played them when she’d first discovered them, because she’d wanted her plan to seem as genuine as possible. That way, if, for instance, Phillip walked back into the kitchen without warning, he’d see her checking her messages the same as anyone would do as soon as they realized they’d missed a few calls. But when she heard the last one from her dad, she deleted it. His tone was stern and terse, and he sounded as though he was expecting the worst. There was no way she was calling him back tonight. She would just wait and see him at church in the morning. Her dad wasn’t always tactful, but he would never question or accuse her of anything in front of others. She knew she’d have to talk to him at some point, but it would be on her own terms and not until she was ready. It wouldn’t be a second before that.
Chapter 37
Normally, the eight o’clock service wasn’t as full as the one at eleven, but today, a lot of Deliverance Outreach members had gotten up early. Although, Alicia was sure it had something to do with her dad announcing last week at both services that “my son-in-law will be delivering the eight a.m. message next Sunday, and I’m asking that you all come out to support him.” This didn’t happen at every church, but whenever her dad asked his congregation to do something, they were usually in agreement.
Service wouldn’t be starting for another twenty minutes, so while Alicia, Charlotte, and most everyone else had taken their seats, many parishioners quietly chattered amongst themselves.
“It’s great that so many people came out this morning,” Charlotte said, crossing her legs and pulling her black knit skirt closer to her knees.
Alicia nodded. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
“Phillip always gives such a great teaching sermon, and everyone loves him.”
“I know. He’s definitely a wonderful speaker.”
“So, how’s Brad? Did you make it out to the hospital last night?”
“No, I didn’t, and I haven’t spoken to Melanie yet, either.”
“Why, what’s wrong?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it later.”
“We were out there for a while yesterday evening, so I hope he’s doing better.”
“Me, too,” Alicia said. “And I’ve been praying for him.”
“And that poor baby that died. It’s so hard to believe a mother would drink and then subject her child to so much danger.”
“It’s very sad.”
Alicia looked up when one of the male ushers walked toward them.
“Sister Sullivan,” he said to her. “Your dad would like to see you in his office.”
Alicia wanted him to go away, but he stood there waiting.
“Thanks,” she said.
“You’re welcome,” the man said, finally leaving.
Charlotte looked at her. “Is everything okay?”
“I guess.”
“Something’s wrong. What is it?”
Alicia wanted to tell Charlotte everything, but she couldn’t. If anyone would understand what she was going through, it would be her stepmother. However, Alicia was too ashamed to tell her about Levi. “Nothing, but I’d better go see what Daddy wants.”
Alicia got up, walked across the front of the sanctuary, and went into the hallway leading to her father’s office. As it was, Phillip hadn’t said a word to her since returning from the hospital late last night, and he had driven to church without her, so there was no telling what her dad was preparing to say or do. Especially since he’d already left her a not-so-nice message yesterday.
She knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Curtis said.
Alicia opened it and went in. “You wanted to talk to me?”
“I do. Please close the door and have a seat.”
Alicia did what he asked.
Curtis leaned forward, locking his hands together and resting them on his desk. “So, after all that I tried to tell you back in June. After I reminded you about the dangers of temptation, you still went out and did whatever you wanted. Even knowing what happened the last time you had an affair with Levi.”
Alicia swallowed and looked him straight in the eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Alicia, you and I both know that you’re lying. We also know that your phone wasn’t off yesterday for no reason.”
“There actually was a reason. My battery was dead.”
Curtis leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with disappointment. “You were with him Friday night, too, weren’t you?”
“Daddy, I’m not seeing Levi, so I’m not sure what else you want me to say.”
“You’re lying, and I know you’re lying. As soon as I called Phillip Friday night, and he told me you’d been shopping over in Oak Brook since noontime, I knew what you were up to. Poor Phillip joked about it, saying he hoped you hadn’t returned to your old ways and was spending every dime you had. But my thoughts immediately shifted to Levi. Then, when you wouldn’t answer your phone last night, I knew what you were doing. You were with Levi both days, weren’t you?”
Alicia rarely got upset with her father, but he was starting to annoy her. “I’m really offended by all these accusations.”
“Why won’t you just answer the question? Were you with him or not? I already know you were, but I wanna hear you say it.”
Alicia stood up. “Daddy, you know what? I’m a grown woman, and I don’t have to lie about anything.”
“Then why are you?”
&nb
sp; She pushed the chair she’d been sitting in closer to his desk. “Is that all you wanted? Because I need to get back to my seat.”
“I just have one last thing to say. Whatever you’re not doing, you need to stop doing for good. Shut it down before you’re sorrier than you were the last time. Nip this craziness in the bud before somebody gets hurt.”
She hated when her father spoke sarcastically and acted as though he’d never committed a sin in his life. Yes, he’d changed for the better, and yes, he was now faithful to his wife, but he had a past and he wasn’t perfect. She also didn’t like the fact that he’d summoned her to his office as if she were a child. He had no right doing that, but she wouldn’t let her father’s interrogation ruin her Sunday. She would enjoy her husband’s sermon and look forward to seeing her mom and stepdad for dinner.
After Alicia returned to the sanctuary and praise and worship service ended, Phillip got up and walked into the pulpit. Normally, before he gave any sermon, he squeezed Alicia’s hand, touched her in some kind of way, or just smiled at her. But today, he acted as though she didn’t exist. She wasn’t sure what it would take to soften his rage, but she had to figure it out before the day was over.
Phillip scanned through his electronic tablet and glanced at Alicia. There was still no smile on his face, and if anything, he seemed irritated and as though he didn’t want to be there.
“A few months ago during Bible study, my father-in-law taught a lesson entitled Temptation and the Tricks of the Devil. I was really touched by it, and while my original topic for today was The Joy of Forgiveness, I realized last night that God had something else He wanted me to talk about. So, if you would, please turn in your Bibles to Romans six, twenty-three.”
Alicia knew exactly what scripture that was, and she wondered why Phillip had suddenly changed his sermon.
The Ultimate Betrayal Page 18