The Ultimate Betrayal

by Annette Mori

  “Nonsense. I know a lot of friends at work that go to the islands to just hang out and relax. I heard Rosario has an amazing spa. Hey listen, I gotta go, Joy is going to be here any minute now. Don’t work too hard, baby. Love ya, bye.” Rachel pressed the end button before Lara had a chance to respond and offer another counter argument.

  Joy rolled in the bed in a fit of giggles. “I’ll bet she’s looking for a way to get to Victoria as soon as they wake up tomorrow.”

  “Right about now she’s pacing and trying to decide whether it’s in her best interest to call me back and try to convince me to cancel, or to make other arrangements for her romantic getaway with Sophia. I sure wish I were a fly on the wall to witness her angst. Just in case she makes an attempt to call, I’m turning off my phone. Let her wonder what we’re doing tonight,” Rachel stated.

  “Do you think she’ll check to see if you made the reservations?” Joy asked.

  “No, she wouldn’t have any reason to believe I didn’t.”

  “You know, I’m kinda glad we’re going to Victoria tomorrow instead. I really have wanted to make a trip there. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the city. Although, Rosario sounds like a lot of fun, as well. Maybe another time. Are you interested in heading to the Wild Rose tonight?” Joy asked.

  “No, I want to get a good night’s rest. This tormenting thing is exhausting.” Rachel giggled.

  “Maybe I’ll give Bonnie a call. She was a lot of fun.”

  “Go right ahead, but make sure you’re ready to go at ten tomorrow and I’m not responsible for whatever state you’re in. However, if you hurl in that floatplane, I’ll kick your ass when we touch down. They’re nothing more than a tiny little sardine can with wings and the smell will cause a sympathy response from me. I refuse to puke right along with you when I haven’t been out carousing the night before,” Rachel warned.

  “Spoilsport. Fine, I’ll limit my alcohol intake to two drinks. I don’t need alcohol to have a good time. Sex, yes. Alcohol, no.” Joy smirked.

  “Ten o’clock, Joy and you better be ready to go.”

  “I seem to recall that you are the chronically late type, not me,” Joy retorted.

  “Good point. I better set my alarm for an hour earlier. Call me at eight to make sure I’m up.”

  “Oh, honey, if I’m up at eight, I’ll be too pre-occupied to call you. Bonnie works the night shift, so morning is likely to be a particularly active time for us. If I remember correctly, she wears that sexy just fucked look in the morning quite well. That’s a bit too hard for me to resist.” Joy smirked.

  “I guess I’ll have to set my watch, phone, and tablet. I’ll put them each in a different place so I won’t be tempted to just go back to sleep after I turn one off.” Rachel stood up and waved at Joy as she left the suite. “See you tomorrow, sexapotamus.”

  †

  Lara paced on the deck as Sophia slept. Immediately after Rachel ended the call, Lara considered her options. If she called Rachel back, she might piss her off and add to her problem. Lara wondered about the uncanny timing of Rachel’s call. Leaving so shortly after just arriving at Rosario would be difficult. How would she explain to Sophia why they were leaving so soon? She needed to come up with something quick. Think, think, think.

  She looked in at her wife who had just rolled to face the opposite side. It seemed like she was having a hard time getting to sleep. Was it possible she’d heard her on the phone just now? Lara discarded that notion. The glass door separating her from the room was heavy and Lara was speaking in a low tone. Maybe her pacing was disruptive. Lara sat down in one of the chairs to ponder her dilemma.

  Lara snapped her fingers. A mix up with one of the rooms—that would be a good reason. The luxurious honeymoon suite had been double booked. If they insisted on staying, they would most likely ruin the young couple’s wedding. Lara would explain to Sophia that she didn’t have the heart to do that to them, so she made alternate arrangements for them to visit Victoria several days earlier than the original plans. She would tell Sophia that they could come back after the young couple left.

  Lara sneaked into the room and exited to find a private location to make the alternate arrangements for the rest of their romantic getaway. She didn’t want to take the chance that Sophia would wake up while she was on the phone. Besides she needed the excuse that while she was out making arrangements for dinner and a visit to the spa, she had learned about the resort’s dilemma.

  It’s a good thing I have my travel agent on speed dial.

  Lara walked outside and found a private spot on the grounds. A young male deer walked close to her, seeking a tasty treat. She’d heard that the deer were so tame they’d take a slice of apple out of your hand or even from your mouth if you strategically placed it there for them to nibble it away—not that she could ever see herself kneeling on the ground with an apple slice in her mouth waiting for the deer to approach. Rachel might, she thought. Sophia might even do that because she loved animals. Maybe she would take Sophia here again, just to see her joy while interacting with the deer.

  “Sorry little one, you picked the wrong person to beg from.”

  She turned away and selected the button on her phone to connect with her travel agent.

  “Hello Marlo, I need your assistance. No, the accommodations at Rosario are fine, but I’d like to get a flight out first thing tomorrow morning for Victoria. Please make arrangements for a suite at the Empress. Perhaps we can make it in time for high tea. We’ll stay in Victoria for the rest of the time and keep our flight back the same. Thanks, Marlo, you’re a doll.”

  With the new travel plans set, Lara relaxed and began to enjoy her walk around the grounds. She planned to arrange a private dinner in the suite, make love to her wife, and then head out first thing tomorrow to continue the quick vacation without any possible drama. Life was good again. Problem solved. Every problem in Lara’s mind had a simple solution. The trick was not to panic and find that solution every time. She was a natural problem solver.

  †

  Sophia strained to hear Lara talking to Rachel. She began to smile as it appeared as though their plan was right on track. She couldn’t let Sophia see her grinning from ear to ear, so she’d turned away. Lara had been pacing, which was a sure sign of agitation. Sophia wondered what lie she would tell to get them away from Rosario and heading to Victoria a few days early.

  She really needed to sleep a little bit. Despite the knowledge that everything had gone just as planned, her emotions were raw and sleep evaded her. Concentrating on slowing her breathing and taking deep even breaths, she finally fell into a light sleep.

  Sophia heard the door open and realized that she had managed to get a few hours rest. She turned to look at her wife and noticed the smug look on her face.

  “Well, good morning, sleepy head? Did you have a nice nap?” Lara asked.

  “I did. Thanks for letting me sleep. Sorry to leave you on your own. Did you explore the resort and make dinner or spa reservations for us? I could use a nice massage.”

  Lara approached and sat on the edge of the bed. “I know this isn’t going to be the best news, but I just couldn’t ruin that young couple’s wedding. Unfortunately, the resort double booked this room and they don’t have anything else available. I hope you don’t mind going to Victoria a few days early. The resort has a nice atmosphere and we could have had some relaxing spa treatments and enjoyed walking around the grounds, but Victoria will have a lot more to offer us anyway. You’re not disappointed, are you?” Lara asked.

  Sophia sat up in bed. “Well, I could have used a few more days of rest and relaxation, but if I understand correctly, this room was booked to newlyweds. I agree, we shouldn’t disturb their honeymoon. Marriages should always start out without any hiccups. Too often, they come later without warning. You owe me a spa day in Victoria, though.”

  “Deal. I’ve arranged for the chef to prepare a special meal for us—to be delivered and served right in our s
uite. I plan on doting on you for the next ten days until you have to return to New York.” Lara stroked the side of Sophia’s face. “You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I love you.”

  “Oh, you sweet talker. I still feel bad about leaving Joy all alone. I did drag her across the country to keep me company while you were working. Maybe I should call her up and have her meet us in Victoria. Knowing her, she’ll have convinced that married woman to come along. Joy can be very persuasive when she turns on the charm. I’ll try not to judge her too harshly or the married woman. I know I don’t ever have all the details. Maybe this woman is preparing to get divorced or something.”

  Lara frowned. “I wouldn’t encourage her or support her carousing with a married woman. Someone always gets hurt in that scenario. Let’s not talk about Joy and her oversexed libido,” Lara snapped.

  “You seem tense, hon. Joy’s escapades have never bothered you in the past. I know you’ve seen her flirt with married women before and it never seemed to concern you. What’s going on?” Sophia asked.

  “I just think that marriage is sacrosanct and should always be revered as something special.”

  Oh, that’s rich. Sophia did everything in her power to remain neutral with her response. “Mmm hmm. I suppose you’re right.”

  Sophia pulled the covers away and slipped out of bed.

  “Hey, where are you going?” Lara asked.

  “Just because we’re having dinner in the suite doesn’t mean I shouldn’t get dressed up in some sexy evening wear. Let me take a shower and get ready. I promise you won’t be disappointed,” Sophia vowed.

  “I never am,” Lara responded.

  Sophia made a hasty retreat into the bathroom. She needed to collect herself and avoid revealing the revulsion she felt toward her wife at this moment. If they were giving out Oscars for her performance as the loving, faithful, wife, Lara would win hands down. The bile in her throat threatened to make an appearance all over the lovely marble tiled bathroom vanity.

  Sophia thought losing it again might solve her present dilemma. She could feign having a twenty-four hour flu bug and that would surely get her out of a romantic evening with her wife. However, that might also wreck the plans to meet up with Rachel and Joy in Victoria. She’d have to think of something else.

  Maybe it was time for one of her infrequent migraines to appear. That would be a plausible reason to end the evening without too much intimacy. She would still have to endure Lara’s arms wrapped around her body in a protective, loving gesture. As much as she hated Lara right now, she was always very sweet and caring whenever Sophia got one of her debilitating migraines.

  She’d work that out later. Right now, she would get dressed and leave Lara with a final remembrance of just what she lost, because by this time tomorrow their marriage would have already taken its last breath and died a dramatic death.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Rachel tossed and turned all night. She couldn’t get the vision of Lara and Sophia making love out of her head. She knew that a romantic getaway to Rosario Resort would probably mean that Sophia really didn’t have a choice if she didn’t want to ruin their plans to make Lara squirm before slapping her with the multitude of unpleasant documents.

  Rachel didn’t know what bothered her more, the realization that Lara would be making love to Sophia or that Sophia would have to endure the intimacy that was clearly repulsive to her.

  She finally admitted to herself that she cared about Sophia and didn’t want her to feel any more pain than she’d already clearly suffered.

  Rachel began to second-guess the plan. Perhaps they should have just confronted Lara straight away. It had been her idea to prolong the agony and make Lara uncomfortable. They could have gotten the legal documents written up without sending Lara on a wild goose chase in an effort to keep Rachel and Sophia apart. Too late now, but the guilt began to nibble at her subconscious.

  Rachel vowed to make it up to Sophia. She would whisk her away to get some much needed rest and relaxation. Would going back to Rosario be a painful memory? she wondered. Maybe they could stay in Victoria and enjoy the city for the remainder of her visit to the Pacific Northwest.

  Rachel felt a spasm of pain at the realization that Sophia would be returning to New York. She would have liked to get to know her better. She already felt somewhat connected to her. A long distance friendship could work. She had a feeling that Sophia would make a good friend. Rachel had many acquaintances, but no one she could call a friend. She could use a confidant right about now. Rachel didn’t think her family would let her live this down. They already hated the fact that she’d married a woman and now that the marriage wasn’t even legal—well, that would be the cherry to push the cream over the top. She might as well find a private island to hide away on. Her life would suck now. An endless string of phone calls from her oh, so helpful, family would consume her life for the next several months. The I told you so would come in various forms—directly from her mother and indirectly from everyone else.

  Rachel shook away her negative thoughts and headed off to the shower. For once, she would be on time. Just in case, she’d carefully rolled clothes that would last for at least two weeks into her trusty backpack. Rachel never liked the fancy luggage Lara bought for her—always preferring her comfortable pack.

  Getting time off from work was a piece of cake since she had a boatload of vacation accrued. Convincing Sophia to stay and join her on a little rest and relaxation journey was an entirely different ball of wax.

  Espresso was lounging on the bed when she came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her body. He placed a paw on her arm.

  “Sorry, little bad boy, I have to go out of town for a little while. Damn, I know that you love your other mommy, too, but you are coming with me no matter what. Shit, it’s always the kids that get hurt the worst in adult transgressions.” Rachel stroked his soft fur as he stretched and then placed his paws over her shoulders in a kitty version of a hug. He began to lick the water drops on her neck as she giggled.

  “Stop it you lickapotamis. I swear you have some kind of oral fixation. Probably weaned too early from your mom. You can give your aunty all the kisses you want. She likes it. Now, be a good boy for her, okay?”

  “Meow.”

  Rachel pushed Espresso off her shoulders and continued to get ready. She’d already picked out a comfortable pullover and her soft worn out jeans. She wanted to be comfortable in the floatplane.

  Lara always preferred her in the fancier casual clothing she’d purchased for her when they first starting dating. It never felt completely right to her, but it was a small compromise if it made Lara happy. Well, now she would dress however she bloody well pleased. To hell with what Lara preferred. The more she thought about it, the more she felt like she’d been losing that part of herself that made her who she was. She felt like she’d somehow managed to change into something she was never entirely comfortable with. It was somewhat freeing to go back to her comfort zone again.

  Rachel glanced at her watch. Perfect timing. She couldn’t believe that she was right on time. She grabbed her keys, threw the backpack over both shoulders, and walked out the door to pick up Joy. They would have time to spare.

  †

  Lara rolled and reached out for Sophia, but the space was empty. She opened her eyes and spied Sophia looking out the glass doors leading to the deck.

  “Morning, honey. Are you feeling better?” Lara asked.

  “Mmm hmmm,” Sophia responded without turning around.

  “Listen, something seems to be off about your health lately. I think you ought to make an appointment with the doctor to check you out when you return to New York. I can’t put my finger on it, but I’m concerned.”

  Sophia waved her hand. “Pssh. It was just a migraine. You know I get them on occasion.” She smiled. “I’m really looking forward to our trip to Victoria. I just have this feeling that everything is going to turn out perfectly.”r />
  “I’m so glad you aren’t disappointed that we had to make a course correction mid-vacation. We can come back here another time,” Lara offered.

  Lara kept feeling like something was slightly off-kilter, but now that she looked upon her wife’s smiling face, she decided she was probably imagining things or projecting her own stress as a result of the situation with Joy and Rachel. One problem at a time. First, she would wine and dine Sophia. Then, she would send her packing back to New York. After Sophia returned to New York, she would put things back on track with Rachel. It was a simple task of putting puzzle pieces into place to complete the picture the way she wanted it.

  “It’s a good thing we didn’t fully unpack when we first got to the room. We should have plenty of time to have a nice breakfast and make it to the seaplane dock in time for our flight to Victoria. Unless….” Lara wiggled her eyebrows. “I suppose there are other things we could do to occupy our time.”

  “You don’t mind if we have a nice big breakfast, do you. I didn’t eat much last night because my migraine made an early appearance, so I’m really starving right now.”

  Lara tried not to sound too disappointed as she answered her wife. “No, of course I don’t mind. Would you rather eat here or go to the restaurant?”

  “Let’s hit the restaurant. I heard they have a spectacular brunch. Do you mind if I shower first?”

  Lara heard her phone buzz on the dresser and scrambled to retrieve the text message that she knew was from Rachel.

  “No, go ahead. I’ll answer my text and try to get my staff to limit their communication with me. Sorry about that.”

  Sophia waved her hand and walked into the bathroom.

  Lara turned her phone and stared at the cryptic message.