Ending with Forever

by LLP, Lan

  Lil finally returns my call. As thrilled as I am to hear her bubbly voice, I answer with an unfluctuating tone, stressing my concern for her whereabouts. She needs to understand that a life with me is a life of endless risks. Danger is always lurking and never apparent, waiting for the most opportune time to strike. Vigilance is what keeps me and the people I love safe. This is something she and our children will have to adapt to, living in my world. I will never yield when it comes to their well-being.

  After speaking with Lil, my mood is much improved, knowing that she’s safe and heading over to my office in about fifteen minutes. I call Evelyn to have her cancel my afternoon appointments and to order a light salad with raspberry vinaigrette for Lillian who’ll be coming through my private elevator. It’s no longer necessary to be guarded around Evelyn. I think she’s been on to us since the beginning of our Lucy-Lillian charade.

  “Will that be all, Mr. Bradley?” she confirms.

  “Yes.”

  “Will you need me to order two lunches for the rest of the week?” she inquires.

  “That’s probably not a bad suggestion. Go ahead unless I call to cancel. Oh…one more thing. Can you call a florist and have a dozen white lilies delivered to my office within the next ten minutes?”

  “I…I don’t know if I can get someone to deliver them that quickly, sir,” she stutters nervously.

  “Tell whomever to charge whatever it takes to get them here in ten minutes and if they get here sooner than that, there’ll be a big tip for them.”

  “Okay. Let me see what I can do, sir.”

  “Thanks, Evelyn. I don’t know what I’d do without all your help.” She chuckles with delight from my random praise. Lil’s right. A simple compliment goes a long way.

  ~~~~

  Evelyn is extraordinary. In pumps, she raced breathlessly to a floral shop one block away when no one would guarantee flowers to BPC in ten minutes. My office smells delicately fresh with the sweet scent of twelve large Asiatic lily blooms in a large Erlenmeyer flask. Not even among the finest of all French perfumes could any come close to capturing this harmonious fragrance that propels your senses into a heavenly state of bliss. Lil won’t even remember my bossy demand when her nose and eyes feast on my beautiful bouquet by her delicious salad. At least that’s what I’m hoping to achieve with my scheme.

  “Mr. Bradley, Miss Ly is here to see you,” Evelyn announces over the speakerphone.

  “Please send her in and take the rest of the day off to spend at a spa of your choice. Bill it to me.”

  “Oh my. Thank you, sir. That’s extremely kind of you,” she replies excitedly in a rousing voice that I’ve never heard before today. She’s usually nervous and very soft spoken around me.

  “You’re welcome. You deserve it. Now go and enjoy yourself,” I tell her.

  My office door swings open as soon as I press the disconnect button. Lily slips past Evelyn and ambles into my office with a cheeky grin. “You have a special gift of pleasing women.” she kids. “Evelyn is all smiles and giggles.”

  “You have no idea how gifted I am, angel,” I trifle shamelessly, meeting her halfway. Evelyn is amused by our candid flirting, eyeing us suspiciously.

  “Oh really?” she smirks with an adoring gaze into my heart.

  “I’m very gifted,” I reply mischievously, leaning into Lil’s grinning lips and then award Evelyn’s gawking eyes a wink.

  “If you don’t need anything else, sir, I’ll be on my way,” Evelyn mumbles under her breath, appearing bashful seeing her boss’s frisky side.

  “I have everything I need here,” I tell Evelyn as I sweep Lil into my arms and lock her into my chest.

  “I can see that,” she chuckles. “To be honest with you both, I knew all along,” she admits.

  “How?” I ask, curious as hell to know what had tipped her off.

  “By the way you stare at Lillian-Lucy and the warm expressions you make whenever she’s by your side. The look of love is hard to disguise,” she answers openly. “I’ve never seen you behold anyone like that before.”

  “See how she’s broken me down? Now the entire world knows I love her,” I confess gaily.

  “Way to go, Lillian,” she cheers and shuts the door behind her.

  “I guess the cat’s out of the bag now, huh?” Lil snickers.

  “I guess so, especially when you become Mrs. Bradley.”

  “You mean when I become Mrs. Ly-Bradley?” she corrects me. Why am I not shocked by her tenacious suggestion?

  “If that’s what it takes to keep that stunning smile on your face then I accept.” She nods agreeably. “Ready for lunch?” I lead her to my desk and glide my leather chair out for her. “Sit. We’re going to trade places today. I’ll be you and you’ll be me.”

  “Why?” she asks while her hand cups one of the majestic blooms facing her. The sparkle in her admiring eyes tells me she appreciates them as the aroma penetrates her system.

  “So we can see how well we know each other and our quirks.”

  “Sounds like a fun game if you play fair.”

  “I’ll play fair even though dirty is more fun.” I smolder, “Do you want to start?”

  “No. It’s your game. You go first,” she insists.

  I clear my throat and lighten my tone before speaking. “Carson, why are you so demanding all the time?” I ask, mimicking her pouty face which I know is nowhere near as adorable as the real one.

  “Because I’m an only child and I always want my way,” she answers in a bass tone with her arms folded in front of her chest as she forges a stern expression with brows furrowed and eyes narrowed. She’s making it very difficult for me to resist the urge to laugh or smile.

  “You got that right,” I agree. “Can I expect some changes after we’re married?”

  “Of course. I’ll expect you to always say yes whenever I want to f…fuck you,” she tells me, still struggling with that f-word. “I own you and your body will be mine to do as I please,” she adds, stifling an emerging grin.

  “Excuse me. What era do you live in? It should be equal,” I state factually like she would. “I’m not your property. I’m your wife,” I emphasize and then lose my composure, hearing myself sound so much like Lillian. I laugh harder than I’ve ever laughed in all my life. Lil joins in my madness.

  “What’s the point of all this nonsense?” she pries after settling herself down and wiping her moist, laughing eyes. “I don’t get it.”

  “I know I can be a dick sometimes—like earlier today when I ordered you to come to my office. I wanted to see how ridiculous I sound from your perspective,” I explain.

  “I see. I like that you can admit your flaws. Only real men can be that gallant.” She winks. “So how was my impersonation of you?”

  “Flawless. Down to the ‘always say yes whenever I want to fuck you’,” I commend.

  “That should be part of our wedding vow,” she kids with a chuckle.

  “Done. Now come here,” I command her lips. “Kiss me and then I want you to eat your lunch.” She gives me a trivial taste and then withdraws her mouth from mine—what a tease.

  “Nice touch—lilies in an Erlenmeyer flask. Hmm…what does that symbolize?” she quizzes with a cockeyed grin. I shrug my shoulders innocently and smirk.

  “Impressive. You’re speaking my nerdy language. I’m so hard and turned on right now.”

  “Do something about it then,” she taunts me to meet her challenge. And I think to myself. Have I ever failed?

  Chapter 30

  Lillian Ly

  Carson and I have much to discuss in terms of baring our inconceivable lineage, but the opportunity keeps slipping from me. It’s already time for Andrew’s dinner party and I haven’t planted a small seed in his mind to prepare him for the tumultuous storm heading his way. He’s in the wine cellar selecting a few vintage bottles to bring with us. I use this free minute to call my mom again, but she doesn’t answer. She and I also have much to talk about as well.
Where do I begin with either one of them? It’s not every day you discover you’re adopted or related to two of the wealthiest and most powerful families.

  “Lil, are you ready?” Carson calls from the hallway about twenty minutes later.

  “Yes,” I answer and then sneak a quick glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. Andrew told me semi-formal for tonight’s occasion. I chose a classic, sleeveless, black dress similar to that of Audrey Hepburn’s in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and paired it with a short strand of chunky pearls and black leather pumps with sexy ankle straps. My wavy, brown hair flows past my shoulders, but it doesn’t conceal my healing cuts and bruises like I hope. Troubled, I rush back into the closet to find something to cover them. An ivory fitted blazer screams at me to select it and it’s a perfect match.

  “I thought you said yes?” Carson startles me in the closet from behind.

  “My bruises don’t compliment my dress,” I reply sadly, draping the blazer over my forearm.

  “I…didn’t mean to rush you, angel,” he apologizes with concern. I see a cloudy glint in his heavy eyes that reflects the lingering pain in his heart as they travel down the length of my discolored limbs. “Let me help you,” he offers, taking the blazer from my arm and holding it out for me. He kisses each visible bruise tenderly. “When these markings disappear so will the nightmares that haunt your nights,” he whispers into my ear.

  “They’re not as bad as they look. I’m here with you and that’s all that matters. No more sad faces. Okay?” I scold gently, mimicking his gloomy expression and then replace it with my silly lopsided smiley face.

  “Okay. No more sad faces,” he agrees, shaking his head at my ridiculous, toothy smile. “Ready to go, beautiful? You’re Andrew’s reason to party hard tonight. You better not be late.” I nod and he leads me down the hallway and into the elevator.

  ~~~~

  “Hey, guys,” Andrew greets at the door with cheek to cheek kisses. “Come in. Guests are trickling in slowly. You’re right on time.” He winks at Carson, knowing how anal he is about punctuality.

  “Hi, Andrew. Thanks for having this fabulous party for me. Are you expecting a lot of guests tonight?” I inquire as I appreciate his beautifully decorated place. It’s very modern; shabby-chic with plush sofas and chairs and solid, distressed wood tables. I see that he’s a fan of warm, earthy tones with accenting black and gray colors.

  “You’re welcome, cutie. I’m expecting eighteen to twenty people,” he replies. “Can I get you two a drink?” he offers.

  “Ah shit!” Carson grunts. “I forgot the wine.”

  “It’s my fault. I distracted you.” I absorb the blame. “I’ll go back and get them,” I volunteer.

  “No,” Carson objects. “You’re the guest of honor. I’m just your arm candy tonight. I’ll get them.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at his candy comment. It’s difficult to believe that he’s the same Carson Bradley I first met at the hospital. This man is much more approachable and likable.

  “It’s really not necessary,” Andrew insists. “We have plenty here.”

  “Carson took about twenty minutes to select the perfect choices for you, so let him indulge you and Stewart tonight,” I convince.

  “Alright. You twisted both my arms,” Andrew surrenders with a chortle.

  “I’ll be right back, babe,” Carson tells me and heads out the door. For the first time since we’ve met, he’s leaving me with easiness and a smile.

  “Lillian, what’s the scoop? Does Carson know anything yet?” Andrew seizes our small window of opportunity to pry.

  “No, not yet. I haven’t had a chance to…,”

  “Hold that thought, Lil,” Andrew interrupts with the chime of a bell. “Someone’s here.”

  Andrew runs to the door and opens it for Wes, Bridgette, Belle, and Hayden. I know they all didn’t drive here together. They must’ve run into each other in the elevator. It appears that black is the popular choice for this evening. Both the ladies are wearing sexy, figure-hugging dresses while the men are in charcoal suits. Their smiley greeting turns serious really quick as they hush each other to a whisper. I wonder what’s going on. Belle waves her arm at me as soon as her eyes locate my fretful face. I give her one of my come hither looks so she can fill me in. Instead of coming alone, she brings the huddle with her.

  “Hey, Lily,” they all say in unison. They’re acting very strangely.

  “Someone tell me what’s going on,” I urge. “I need the truth.”

  “It’s kind of a morbidly good thing,” Belle answers.

  “Okay. Then tell me already.”

  Andrew reaches for a remote control to turn on the flat screen in the dining room. He surfs the channels until he finds FOX 25 News. Bianca makes Boston’s breaking news—no surprise there. Her gorgeous face is staring at me through the screen, threatening my life all over again. Most of the fear that I’ve been trying to bury this past week materializes in seconds from just one haunting look.

  “Why am I watching this?” I complain. The clip is of her life and all her accomplishments. There’s even a picture of her with Carson.

  “Lil, Bianca’s dead. She killed herself this afternoon,” Bridgette bares. “It’s been all over the headlines.”

  My legs shake and buckle under me. I’m stunned and clouded from the news. I’m not sure if I want to cry because I’m happy she’s out of my life or because I feel empathy for her horrific ending. I can’t believe she’s really dead. To me, she doesn’t appear to be the suicidal type. It doesn’t make sense. Carson told me it was the only safe place for her to be…from him. Could he have something to do with it? No. Don’t even think that. In silence, I stand here with my friends and watch Bianca’s life unfold on the screen until it comes to her tragic conclusion. She wasn’t a cold-hearted demon according to the news. They portrayed her as a generous, kind, smart and fun loving woman who was ruined by a failed relationship. They never once mentioned her involvement with my kidnapping and attempted murder or Edison’s death.

  Andrew turns off the TV and protests, “What a bunch of rubbish. We all know what she was really like. Thank God the world’s rid of her cruelty. Let’s party for real.”

  “Woot! Woot!” Belle grabs my hand and lifts it toward the ceiling with hers. “Ding dong the witch is dead. The witch is dead,” Belle chants and sings. “Lil, she’s gone forever. She’ll never bother you and Carson again.”

  “Yay,” I add softly. I can’t understand why I don’t have the desire to party and celebrate anymore. I feel nauseous and light headed.

  “Lily, are you okay?” Hayden asks. “Your face is really pale.”

  “I feel shaky,” I admit.

  “Bring her to the sofa,” Stewart suggests from the kitchen. “I’ll bring her a cool towel.”

  “I’m fine,” I insist, but they still force me to take a seat on the most comfortable sofa ever. My body sinks willingly into the down cushions and I just want to close my eyes to rest, to shut Bianca out.

  “Here. Place this over your forehead,” Stewart offers me a cold compress.

  “Thanks, but I’m fine. Isn’t this supposed to be a party? Stop fussing over me.”

  Carson Bradley

  Until those damn scars and bruises on Lil’s body fade away for good, they’ll be a constant reminder for me of what my covetous position of wealth is capable of imposing on the people I love. Recently, it was the greedy Charles Montgomery and an ex-lover. Who knows what the future will hold for us? I still have many rivals who are anxious to take my place in the shark-eat-shark world of pharmaceutical drugs. My children will not be exempt from this kind of danger either. Is it time for me to hang up my hat and retire? I could dedicate the rest of my life to my wife and kids instead of fighting a disease that keeps reinventing itself and becoming more lethal with time. But is that what I want? Will I be content, allowing such a grotesque syndrome overpower innocent little children or adults and elderlies? I probably won’t be nor will Lillian allow me to be
. We share the same passion—heal the world of sicknesses and suffering. My mind debates as I encounter my longest wait for an elevator.

  ~~~~

  I can’t believe I left without the wine. Where’s my mind been lately? On Lil as always—that’s where. And now my damn phone is going off again. Why do people always call me at the most inopportune time? Reaching into my side pocket, I retrieve my phone to see that it’s Owen. He tells me he has the information I requested for Wesley Montgomery. Even though I have no time to spare, I ask him to give me a brief summary now and then email me the detailed report for later.

  “Wes is Charles and Mimi Montgomery’s adopted son,” Owen tells me. I already know this information from my own Google search.

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” I snip impatiently, being a smartass dick again. “I’m sorry, Owen. Go on,” I insist more politely.

  “His birth parents are Francine and Jacob Hanover. Mr. Hanover died two months after his sons were born.”

  “Did you say sons?” I confirm.

  “Yes. Wes is a twin. I don’t have any information on his brother’s whereabouts, but I’m sure I could get it for you if you need it.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” I mutter, taken aback, recalling the similarities of our appearance, voice, and maybe even our thoughts like those nightmares of Lil. My hands quiver slightly. I clench my fist and jaw to slow the panic coursing through my body. Everything I thought I knew is now uncertain. I don’t want Owen to confirm my speculation. I’m a Bradley. My parents are Katherine and Michael Bradley. I was born in Chicago at Rush Hospital.