by J. S. Brent
“Katty, what is this about?” He argued. “Didn’t you hear what I said? He cautioned in a semi stern tone.
“Off course I did hear what you said, you don’t have to repeat yourself” She continued, plugging her diamond earring to one side of her ear, it was fancy and the sparkling flickers shimmered as she moved about in angry and agitated steps.
“Then what’s this about?” Adam confronted though she concentrated on grabbing her stuff and getting out of his sight.
“At least you should have saved me the trouble of worrying and missing you over the past one month, by telling me your wife to be was back.” She added gruffly.
“For Christ sake, I‘ve been busy, taking care of business.” He retaliated. “What the hell are you talking about?” He demanded fiercely in a stern gaze, to call the woman to order.
“I’m talking about the fact that you have to keep lying to me how busy you are with business, when you are actually busy with Paula” She added and headed for the door.
“You know what?” He demanded in a firm grip with a penetrating gaze that released a film of tears from his eyes, to totally redeem himself from the allegation she was heaping on him. If only she knew how much he was going through because of his rebuttal towards the proposed union, she will trust him even a little. “I can’t believe you don’t trust me” He insisted.
“Let go of me,” She demanded in a scornful grimace “You disgust me.” She broke off his tempting grip and her anguish and rushing steps faded after a thunderous slam of the door.
“Baby …come back…it’s not what you think.” The words echoed from behind the closed door.
Chapter 2
“Where are you headed, honey?” Stewart demanded in a huge base from the elaborate porch were he stood, admiring the confines of his huge mansion. The house was a blend of Indian and American décor that exposed this level of class and aristocracy.
“Oh dad, you’re awake, I didn’t see much of you yesterday.” Paula leapt with a stiff neck under her green sapphire eyes that dazzled as she continually struggled with her hair to fit underneath the face cap she’d worn.
“I was out of town, we’ve begun campaigns for the governorship position” He added, with a gentle smile that swept across his wrinkled blonde face underneath a bald mass, designed by curly beards. “Too many busy schedules he added, less I forget my love, and I was with Kingsley. He continued with a partial smile as to alert his daughter the point he was trying to make.
“Kingsley?” She asked in a curious thought that could be read from her face. “You mean Adam’s ...” She emitted a half smile looking occasionally at his father whom she’d probably considered a crook at the impulse of his words.
“Yeah…his dad,” he cut in in a fake smile to mask his boyish tendency which Paula quickly sensed.
“Oh! Right!” She tossed her shoe laces to fit tightly. “I’m going jogging dad.”She added, diverting the discussion regarding Adam, as though there was a hidden agenda or probably because things had moved to another level and she didn’t want to initiate talks of such caliber with her dad-it was rather more of a girlfriend sort of chit chat.
She rushed slowly towards the expansive gate in mild giggles while his father’s lashing and curious stares patted her from behind. The white pair of pants held tightly to her pear shaped butt while a small towel hung from her shoulder.
“By the way honey,” he insisted at the impulse of her nonchalance. “He says Adam is free all this while, maybe you should give him a call.” His voice echoed the walls of the building while Paula chuckled in mild jogs.
“Will see about that dad” She added in a slight wave of her hand. Stewart sat on the gigantic wooden chair with a fabulous Indian design. It was made from high quality wood and his weird eyebrows spread over his forehead but he was very confident about his appearance and exuded the level of pride, would a young man with the most appealing looks amongst his peers. He’d always jested, though in a somewhat determined manner, that his daughter begot her beauty from him. It had always come up for discussion, when the issue of beauty and brains was raised in his house.
She reminded him of everything that was beautiful and he was going to make sure she had the best out of life. He seeped from a black mug and placed the semi hot cup on a circular dining table that matched the chairs surrounding it. The maids moved in and out, to put everything in other for the grand night. He’d acquired so much as far as politics was concerned, aside his growing grapevines that flourished beyond bounds.
Most of his business acolytes were ready to do whatever it took to win the heart of his invaluable jewel, he’d wanted her to study business administration in Milan, to enable her run the family business, but as obstinate and intelligent as she was, she’d stopped at nothing, to make sure her dream of becoming a model didn’t die with his stereotyped version Stewart had made of her.
His love for his daughter was far too great to be compromised by something minor as dissuading her, from her dream. Whatever made her happy was his priority. The same reason he’d agreed to Mac Kingsley’s plan of his daughter being married off to his son, for the sake of their financial and political dynasties.
Adam had been a good kid and seeing how much Paula liked him, made Stewart agree to the proposed union, as he was what Kingsley needed to climb to higher heights in his political career. He was willing to offer his daughter a life time of happiness for a slice of the cake.
“Honey!” Victoria, approached from the main building. “I heard you speaking to someone.” She nestled on a seat beside her husband. Her brown hair masked one side of her face, exposing her cute lips while she seeped from a similar black mug as Stewart, but probably a smaller one.
“It was Paula, she stepped out for her regular workout” Stewart flipped the huge newspaper pages almost impatiently without looking at Victoria, whose heaped glaring stares at him occasionally .
“She’s changed a lot, hasn’t she?” She inquired with an exquisite smile that brought out her once upon a time enchanting beauty. She was the envy of her youth, she was a brunette worth every bachelor’s while, perhaps that was the reason she’d ended up with the most prominent one in the city. She blossomed like the lilies and it took Stewart almost a lifetime to entice her with his antics. Though he was rich and famous, he’d always said, the greatest challenge he had face his entire life, was conquering the woman in his wife. She’d had an animosity for men, beyond imagination.
Her friends always thought of her as weird, but Stewart always insisted that she was the very picture of elegance and confidence. She was exactly the kind of woman he’d desired to help him build the business empire he’d dreamed of, which had become a reality.
“The elections for governorship will be tough this time,” He thought aloud engrossed in the headlines, so much so that he could barely hear what she’d uttered.
“Did you say something? He inquired in a jaunty smile, perhaps at the thought of how much plans he had for the elections. His relationship with the president had been like that of a man’s hands and his fingers. He was certain that the post of the governorship of his district will entirely rest in his hands.
“Paula, she’s a woman now….” She continued in a stretching smile that caught his gaze while he navigated from the newspaper, to entertain the aura of conversation she’d sort to induce.
“Yeah Atlanta has made my little girl a woman I‘d always dreamed of her to be, confident and resilient.” He argued with a concurring nod perhaps assuring her, that they made the best decision for Paula, after all.
“Look who is talking?” Victoria jested in a girlish manner, “The last time I checked, you wanted your daughter to stay right here and manage the wineries.” She managed under an exciting note. Her tenacity could be spelt miles away, this probably was an innate attribute they’d both induced in their daughter, that made her carry herself in an air of aristocracy. “I practically cried that night, before you could reconsider her decision.” She recou
nted in dashing circles of smiles that induced a pretentious one from his end, probably assertive of the fact that she was honest to mention that she did cry.
“Yeah, and I’m happy you cried, it was for a good course.” He pranked in mild chuckles and they both shared a hearty moment of laughter.
***
Kate was too lazy to pull out her working apparel as her mind drifted back to her date with Adam, she was dead tired from the day’s commitment although she’d lost focused the entire time. It was easier walking out on Adam than getting him off her mind, she sighed. She’d stormed out without giving him the chance to explain.
She swept vividly over her ears in a weariness, to kill the flies that hovered about her, as a result of her sweaty shirt, it had been a hot day at the factory and she’d been exposed to the sun, it had caused her to have a headache.
“What if he’d just been busy with work?” She thought in an involuntary yawn masked with frustration that was eminent in her soft tire d eyes. Maybe she’d overreacted by not returning all of his calls. Their relationship had always been one sided, with Adam dictating the rules, the recent times had brought a revolution and she’d dreaded the change, as he was giving her a lot of consideration.
She was throwing everything she’d always hoped for in their relationship into the wind. She sprang to her feet sluggishly, letting out another yawn, this time, it was certain that she was hungry. She’d left earlier than usual before her mother could fix something for her. She’d sought time to reflect about her travails, though it only heightened her frustration the more. Adam’s sudden change of habitual tendencies and the return of Paula were rather coincidental that she couldn’t shake off the feeling, no matter how hard she tried. Though it was a call for concern, she will sort out things with Adam. She nodded vividly, refuting the level of paranoia she was engaging in.
She will find Adam and talk to him, possibly tell him that she trusts him. Her footsteps ravaged the unkempt room while she ransacked her entire wardrobe that hinged to a tight corner of their box apartment. She had completely forgotten about the party Karen mentioned to her. Karen had insisted that she came along, though it was for the rich and mighty.
She’d turn her down, though Karen had insisted and she didn’t like to get on her bad side, as she was one of the most influential friends she’d made in the neighborhood, aside Adam. She’d been her confidant, though she always sounded weird when issues about Adam were on table for discussions.
“Mom what do you think.” Kate paraded in front of her mother, trying to mimic models she’d seen on the runways on live TV shows. “Do you think this looks good on me?” She insisted with crouching eyes for her mother to get her eyes off her sewing machine and say something about the best dress she had in her in her closet. It was a Lime green chiffon spreading gown, Adam had bought for her on her twenty second birthday anniversary. He had taken her to the lake and they had a picnic together.
She hoped to impress Adam at the party, though she quavered at the thought of the intimidating and badmouthing stares of the rich people. She would be lost in a place like that, but she was going purposely for Adam.
“You look like a goddess in that dress baby.” Emily emerged from a chair that was placed opposite a sewing machine, dropping the materials which lay over her laps to the ground, to give her daughter the attention deserving of the moment. Her athletic build was now partly worn out but her feminine charms were intense and she’d managed a partial smile that didn’t cross her cheek. She was happy for her daughter who hoped to pursue the love of her life. She’d had her own share of experiences with the matters of the heart with Jack, before they finally tied the knot. In a generation like theirs, the rich mingled with the rich, while the poor with their kind.
“I’m sure you won’t feel out of place my love.” Emily added helping her out with her zip, her reflection from behind on the huge mirror, where most of her clients used, was slightly unhappy but she managed a dying smile that left Kate clueless of what her worries may have stemmed from. Kate brushed her hair into a neat bunch and attached an apple shape red rose, to match her purse.
***
“Everyone is talking about you, Paula,” Karen cut in while she trailed behind Paula who was in a $1000 robe with a plunging neckline, she’d purchased during the New York fashion week.
“She’s the picture of elegance and class.” A female voice echoed from behind and rushing steps, to meet with the elegant hostess.
“Paula darling” Katherine said, with a vivid inspection of her classy outfit, “You look dashing tonight” She smiled, resting a hand on Paula’s shoulders, marveled by her elegance and sense of style. Katherine had always loved Paula as a little girl and she was amazed at how stunning she’d turned out to be, as she threw a vivid glance over her shoulder, blocking Adam’s gaze at a far corner to notice how magnificent Paula’s charms were.
“I know right?’ Paula added in an air of confidence.
“By the way, have you seen Adam?” Katherine asked in a girlish smile with a hand pointing to Adam’s direction, while he immediately looked away to dismiss any sort of importance Paula may initiate on his regards.
“No, not yet, we have the whole night to pick up from where we stopped.”Paula blushed confidently, sending a licentious eyeballing wince to Adam, who pretended to talk to Richie who’d left without his notice. Adam played a half smile that didn’t cross his eyes, he’d been caught lusting, but he managed to keep his act masked. He’d thrown occasional glances at the vent that exposed her long creamy thighs and the lustful look in his eyes was that of a man who was on heat.
Karen in a knee level tiger robe, had her eyes fixed to her prey, his white British suit was no match with either of the gentlemen that streamed the hall. She’d wanted to have an intimate moment with him, but Kate always got in her way. She was hoping Kate will not show up and she will use her innermost charms to seduce him.
Unaware of the alliance between Adam and her longtime friend Paula, she walked straight to Adam who entertained her advances with a warm returning smile. He was hoping to find out about Kate as he hadn’t spoken with her in days. He had wished to invite her to the party, but she’d refused to take his calls and it put him off.
“Hey Adam!”“Good to see you!” Karen dotted a French kiss on both sides of his cheek in a licentious manner that rolled her tongue at Adam’s watch, though he paid little or no attention to her ridiculous escapade. “You look absolutely yummy tonight” She teased a casual smile. “Oh don’t mind me, she continued sensing the air of embarrassment she’d emitted at Richie’s watch. “You look great.” She continued with a concealed disdain towards Richie who managed a fake smile and snatched a glass of martini from a passing tray.
“How is Kate, I haven’t seen her all night?” Adam inquired in a sad smile that narrowed his eyebrows.
“I don’t think she’ll fit in here.” Karen chuckled in scorn.
“I take it you don’t know her whereabouts?” Adam asked, ignoring her sarcasm to the very minimum.
“No offense Adam, it’s just she doesn’t fit here, besides,” looking around, “I don’t see any factory workers here.” She mocked under a loud tone. “C’mon Adam, don’t get too uptight, I am the one who’s here, hello?” She let out a condescending yell with rolling eyes, “not some Kate”. Her tone was gruff and in dawn on Adam there was more she wanted from him and he was going to get away from the temptation and fast too.
She grabbed him by the wrist before he could narrowly escape her claws. “What is it about the factory worker, she is no match for your portfolio, and can’t you get it?” She insisted. Her gaze fell on Adam, over her shoulders; he suddenly stood mute as though he’d seen a ghost. “What’s the matter? She managed under a dying voice as though she was aware of the danger that plagued from behind. She spun vividly and let out a sigh of disgust at the impulse of what fell on her gaze.
“Karen?” She spook from her gut, disbelieved by how lowly she regarded
her and how openly she flirted with Adam, knowing they had a relationship together.
“Oh look who we have here, a factory worker.” She emitted chuckles that drew attention from a few people out of the hall, Paula streamed towards the door and was dismayed by the charade she’d been missing.
“I didn’t know servants, feasted on the same table as their masters” She blabbed while a small crowd of rich girls laughed in union.
Kate stood dump founded, disconcerted about her coming to the party in the first instance, Karen had big eyes for her man, no wonder she had always discouraged the affair, though she’d used the fact that it was secret, as a good excuse which Kate had vehemently ignored.
The flashy penumbra lights revealed her red lips that shimmered and Adam saw that pain, he hated in her eyes. Once again he was the source of her pain. Her eyes soaked with the dribbles of tears that streamed down, disconcertion, written all over her as she faded into the night, with Adam on her trail.
“Son, let her go.” Katherine called him to order in a stern grin, trying to avoid a scandal that will be flying in the media, the next day.
Chapter 3
“Wow” Paula cried out in applause, “I must commend your brilliant performance, Karen”. She glared angrily “that was a good show you put up there.” She continued encircling the one she considered her rival. “Old habits die hard, that saying applies perfectly to you.” She confronted her sternly, she had always imagined that Karen was attracted to Adam, but she didn’t imagine she will attempt to flirt with him right before her very eyes, more or less at her party.
They’d been friends as teens, but Karen’s depraved tendencies had put them apart and there she was thinking she’d changed after so much time. It dawn on her why she’d insisted on attending the party after they met on the road in the morning. She had pretended to miss her, but as usual, she just needed a forum to flirt.