“Really? Then what are your plans? Marrying her? Of course not,” he responds when I don’t answer him right away. The car stops in front of a famous Chicago hot dog restaurant, exactly what I was wanting before this conversation started.
“Cal, I am just trying to understand these new found feelings for her. Cora is the only other person I have felt this way about. Trust me, I understand the repercussions and am trying to figure out a solution on how nobody gets hurt.”
“That’s not life, Sean. Someone is going to get hurt and my bet is it will be Isla. And you will be the one who has to live with that on your conscience. If you even have one.” He pushes open the door and slams it shut with a loud bang.
And there goes the rest of my appetite.
13
Cora
I treat today as if I’m getting ready for one of my movie premieres. I start off at the hotel spa with a massage, manicure and pedicure. Afterwards, I head back to my room where I order room service for lunch, usually something that won’t cause me to bloat. I take a warm bath right before I get my hair and makeup done. Once that’s complete, it’s time to get dressed. I walk to the closet and pull out the silver metallic beaded gown. Even calling it a ‘gown’ is a huge stretch since it’s purely see-through with very little fabric. I slide my robe off, a nude thong the only clothing I have on underneath, and step into the dress. I pull the material up to my fake breasts and take the remaining fabric over my head and place around my neck. I walk to the mirror and smile in satisfaction.
The look of this dress is exactly what I was hoping for. The fashion world calls this type of dress a nude illusion design. The slinky design has detailed beading with a plunging neckline to my belly button, showcasing the insides of my breasts, a thigh-high slit in the front that shows off my fake tanned legs, and beaded detailing that ends around my hips. The rest of the dress is pure sheerness to my calves, not hiding the view of my ass in my thong.
Is it a bit much for an at-home birthday party?
Absolutely.
But I always go over the top, wanting everyone to be talking about me.
And I will be the talk of this party.
I slip on my silver metallic pointy heels, put on my emerald green earrings and bracelet and take one more look in the mirror.
Goddamn, I look good.
I give myself a wink and go to my purse for my last ritual of the evening before heading out the door. I take my square compact out of my bag and my rolled up one hundred dollar bill. I open up the secret compartment in my purse and pull out the small vile of magic white powder. I pour a little on the compact, make two lines with it, put the makeshift straw at the end of the line and snort it up my nose to oblivion. I stand up, lean my head back and take one last sniff. I wipe away any remnants, wash my hands, and go downstairs.
Now I am ready to conquer the world.
The car Danny rented is waiting for me as I exit the lobby of the hotel. The person he hired is a tall, middle-aged man in decent shape, wearing a black suit with a white button down shirt, no hat. Satisfied with his look, I nod at him as he opens the door for me to get in.
The highways are smooth for a Saturday with very little traffic. Twenty-five minutes later, we arrive at their gated community where I hand over my ID for the guard to check against the guest list he was provided. The gate opens and we drive to their street, where more security guards are outside of their personal gate checking IDs. I have to admit, it’s impressive the amount of security Jenna prepared for this evening. Sean definitely deserves, at minimum, a kiss for letting me be his plus one.
My driver pulls up to the front of the house. I don’t talk to him, so I have no idea where he plans on parking the vehicle in order to get photos of the party. Frankly, I don’t care. All that matters is that he takes the photos I need him to take. He opens the door for me, slips me his card with his cell phone number while taking my hand to help me out of the car. I watch him drive away and when he is out of sight, I look around to see if anyone was watching. When I see the coast is clear, I square my shoulders back, hold my head up high and walk into their house.
Right away I feel people’s eyes on me, starting with the catering staff to some of the guests. I plaster a smile on my face and walk toward their kitchen. I see Philip talking to Cal’s parents and sisters, which stops me in my tracks.
What in the hell are Cal’s family doing here all the way from England?
I wasn’t expecting to see them here, but I guess it’s not that surprising since it’s his birthday and he rarely ever gets to celebrate with them. I have met his mother before and this is not the type of dress that’s going to make her think you are worthy of her son. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I turn to detour somewhere else when I hear Philip calling my name. I take a deep breath before I turn around and head in their direction. Their reaction is exactly what I knew this dress would produce — mouths drop open, speechless. They all stare at me as I make my way to them.
“Cora…whoa…um, you remember Cal’s family, right?” He nervously laughs and looks between us, waiting for someone to react.
“Such a pleasure to see you all again.” I extend my hand toward his father but all I get in return is a disdained look.
“Miss Gregory, I do hope you don’t catch a chill this evening with your lack of attire,” his mother says. She looks me square in the eyes before turning to her husband. “Let’s go visit with the children. Nice to see you, Philip.” They all leave without saying another word to me and head out of the kitchen.
“Have you lost your mind, Cora?” Philip groans as he grabs my elbow and leads me outside. “What are you hoping to accomplish wearing THAT to Cal’s party?”
I remove my elbow from his grasp and innocently shrug my shoulders. “No one told me what the dress code was, Philip. How was I supposed to know what to properly wear?”
I look around at the outside scenery, taking in the whimsical decor with beautiful flowers, lanterns and lights hanging off trees and shrubs. Flooring has been placed on top of the pool to be used as the dance floor. There are ten round tables with large flower arrangements in the center of them surrounding both sides of the dance floor and a stage in back that has pipe and drape with a single microphone. A banner saying, “Happy Birthday, Cal” hangs off branches with flowers that decorate the top of the pipe and drape. A DJ is set up at the side of the stage, spinning dinner appropriate music. Buffet tables of food are off to the sides, creating a boxed in like set up around the whole area. Four open bars are stationed at each corner with lines of people chatting and laughing. There are mobile fire pits further onto the property with couches and chairs for people to sit on to chat. I see familiar faces of other people in the entertainment industry — actors, actresses, stunt doubles, directors, producers, stylists…people who Cal has worked closely with. Some recently, some ages ago. Sean must have helped Jenna with the guest list. I nod my acknowledgements to some of them, but most of them ignore me, jealousy and hatred radiating from their eyes.
“I think it might be best that you leave, Cora.” Philip stands in front of me, forcing me to look at him. “Your intentions for being here are not good.”
“Nonsense, Philip. I’m here to celebrate one of my best friends. Now if you will excuse me, I must go and pay my respects to the hostess.” Respect is the last thing I will be giving Jenna. All I really want to do is go inside the house to snoop around. I attempt to make my way through the increasing crowd when Jenna comes out from inside of the house and stands in the doorway.
“They are pulling into the neighborhood, everyone! The music is going to be turned off, so I need you to lower your voices to a whisper so Cal can’t hear you.” She’s wearing a simple black sheath dress that is wrapped around her waist. Her hair and makeup are professionally done, more sophisticated looking than her ugly dress. Some might think she looks beautiful, but to me, she will always look like a rat. She is smiling at the crowd when her eyes reach mine and proceed to move
up and down my body, checking out my attire. I make sure to give her a spiteful smile when her gaze reaches back to mine. Instead of looking shocked, she smiles brightly at me and moves forward.
“Cora, how wonderful to see you again!” She says loudly as she wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. I can smell the scent of her floral perfume as she leans in and whispers in my ear softly, ”How embarrassing it must be for you to have your stylist make you look so desperate in that dress.” My smile falters as her words echo throughout me. The bitch is smarter than I take her for, as it’s evident she’s doing this on purpose since everyone is watching us, preventing me from doing what I really want to do to her.
Choke her until every last breath leaves her body.
She pulls back, places her hands around my biceps and squeezes her nails into my flesh until I have to bite my lips from crying out in pain. That might even leave scars. “You look adorable! Thanks for coming tonight.” She finally releases me, motions everyone to be silent and walks to the door, which she closes after entering back into the house. We watch as she pulls the blinds over the windows so Cal can’t see out. People start crowding around me, sandwiching me into place as we wait in anticipation for our cue to yell “surprise” as soon as Cal appears.
Our wait is less than ten minutes when the door opens and the magnificent specimen that is Cal Harrington walks through it. He takes a step back from the shock of the surprise, but his eyes light up with happiness. He is wearing a black polo shirt that is pulled tightly against his muscled chest and arms, gray chino pants and black shoes. I can’t take my eyes off him; my love, my obsession. My view of him becomes obstructed when people’s hands go up in the air to wave and clap. When they finally lower their arms, he is holding his daughter with one arm and his other arm is wrapped around Jenna’s waist as she holds their son.
A picture-perfect looking family.
One that I can’t wait to destroy.
He puts Avery down and starts to greet his guests as they crowd around him. It is going to be awhile before I can get him alone, so I bide my time and scan the crowd for Sean. I see him in the corner in a heated discussion with Isla. I slowly make my way toward them, trying to read his lips in the process. Looks like he is pleading with her to believe him that he is not in love with me anymore.
We’ll see about that.
“Sean, darling, there you are!” I yell while quickening my pace. I practically throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He has to hold onto me in order for us not to topple backwards. He tries to pull away from me as soon as he regains his balance, but I grab his face and kiss him with all the passion I have from just seeing Cal, pretending it is his lips and not Sean’s. His lips open in surprise and I sweep my tongue through them. He tries to break free of my grasp, but I move my hands to his shoulders and squeeze tightly, making sure Isla sees every thrust of my tongue into his mouth. He tastes good. Real good and I can actually feel desire pooling in my core for him.
Not being able to withstand the force of his strength any longer, he pushes me away from him. “Enough, Cora! What in the hell do you think you are doing?” He roars, his breath coming out in gasps as he tries to regain his composure.
“I am sorry, darling, but I just missed you from last night.” I give him a coy look as I slip my arm around him and grope his ass. He slaps my hand away in anger and I can’t contain the smile on my face.
“You two disgust me!” Isla hisses as she tries to walk away. Sean reaches out to grab her wrist, but she manages to break free before he can get a firm grasp on it. “Don’t touch me!” She cries out and walks toward Jenna. She whispers something in Jenna’s ear, who nods, and goes with Isla and the children into the house.
“Awe, did I interrupt a lover’s spat with the nanny?” I tease before crying out in pain from the grip of Sean’s hand wrapped around my forearm as he drags me to a more remote area closer to the stage.
“What the fuck kind of game are you playing, Cora?” He pushes me away from him and I start to rub at the pain from his death grip. His eyes are blazing with rage, his hands fisted at his side. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sean this angry before.
For once, fear creeps into me.
“I’m sorry, Sean, but I did miss you. I have been thinking more and more about the idea of us together,” I plead as I try to reach for him, but he holds up his hands to stop me. “I think we should finally take that next step, Sean. We had so much fun making this last movie together and it made me realize that you have always been there for me, Sean. Always taking care of me, protecting me. It makes me realize that we have wasted so much time being apart. I’m ready to be yours.”
“No,” he growls in a low voice as he shakes his head. “I don’t believe you. Look at you,” he motions his hand up and down, gesturing towards my dress. ”You look like a high class whore!”
I gasp and put my hand over my heart, faking at how he has wounded my heart, when inside I am seething at his choice words. How dare he call me a whore! “Oh Sean, but I wore this for you! How can you say such hurtful things to me? I thought you would like this on me.”
He reaches up and grasps my jaw, making my teeth clench as his fingers dig into it. His eyes are hard and cruel as he inches closer to my face. “Such lies that come out of that beautiful, deceitful mouth of yours. I’m seeing clearly for once the venom that you spit out and I’m done with it.” He pushes my face away from his and releases me, causing me to stumble backwards. He turns his back on me and rakes both hands through his hair, before turning back around to face me. “I want you gone, now!”
He stalks toward me and takes my elbow to lead me away, but I manage to yank my arm free from his grasp. “No, Sean, you don’t mean that! I know you don’t really mean it! Besides, I cannot leave without saying hello to Cal.”
“Cal doesn’t even want you here!” He advances toward me again. He’s about to continue his verbal assault when we hear a loud tapping noise and turn to see Robert standing at the microphone.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, if you can quickly grab something to eat and drink and take it to your seats, we would like to start our celebration.” I look at Sean as he places his hand on my lower back, pushing me to the closest table for us to sit down at.
“As soon as the speeches are done, you are leaving,” he commands, his eyes scanning the crowd until it stops. I look to see him watching Robert escort Isla, the children, Jenna’s parents and Cal’s family to the two tables in front of us, closest to the stage. Jenna’s best friend, Layla and her fiancé, Chase, also sit down with them. Once they are all seated, Robert gets back up on stage to talk with the DJ before returning to the microphone.
“Do you know what’s happening?” I ask Sean, looking around for Cal, but not finding him. There are still people walking outside from the house, so he is probably still talking with guests.
“I was not privy to the schedule of events for the birthday party. Rightfully so since I made a horrible mistake inviting you here.”
I ignore Sean and focus my attention on Robert as he clinks a knife to his glass of champagne to get everyone’s attention. Obviously the flutes of champagne on the tables are for a toast to Cal, but I have zero hesitations downing my glass now and signaling the waiter for another one.
“Hello and welcome everyone! We’re so happy and honored that you could join us tonight in celebrating the birth of Cal Harrington. A big thank you to his parents for creating such a real life Adonis.” The crowd laughs and joins Robert in applauding the Harrington’s, who stand up out of their seats to wave, their cheeks flushed from embarrassment.
“Jenna and I have worked really hard on making sure this party was a surprise and we couldn’t have done it without you all, so give yourself a round of applause for being able to keep a secret!” I roll my eyes at everyone applauding themselves and continue looking around for Cal. Usually wherever Jenna is, Cal is, but I am not seeing either of them. Suspicion starts to kick in, making me wonder why R
obert is out here giving a speech without the guest of honor.
“When Cal told us what he wanted for his birthday, I laughed in his face and told him he needs to forget about it. So instead, Jenna and I schemed up the plan for a party. Good thing it’s also what we do for a living,” Robert jokes, the crowd laughing with him at his reference to his and Jenna’s event planning business. “But wishes do come true and Jenna decided to give Cal what he has been asking for. Ladies and Gentlemen, the surprise is actually on YOU, as I am beyond ecstatic to really welcome you to the surprise wedding between Cal and Jenna!”
“NO!” I gasp in horror, feeling as if the air is being sucked out of my lungs. Catering staff descend upon the stage, removing the banner and take down the pipe and drape, revealing two large walls filled from top to bottom with white, cream and pale pink peonies. The crowd murmurs their excitement and starts to cheer as Cal comes into view from the far right side of the backyard. He has changed into a slim-fit navy blue suit with a crisp white button down shirt underneath and black dress shoes on his feet. He comes onto the stage, hugs Robert, and waves to the crowd. My eyes are immediately drawn to the pale pink peony boutonniere that is fixed to his jacket lapel.
“Did you know about this?” I turn sharply to look at Sean, but notice the equally shocked expression on his face. Jenna and Cal were supposed to get married last fall, but she postponed it due to the arrival of Brooks. No rescheduled date was ever announced.
“I was completely left out of the dark on this one. Holy shit, I can’t believe they pulled this off. They are finally getting married!” He turns to look at me with a smile of excitement that quickly dissipates when he notices my look of disgust.
This has got to be some sort of cruel joke.
It’s supposed to be a birthday party, not a wedding!
I watch Cal as he blows kisses to his children and family and then stands on his marker on stage. He looks at the door to the house, staring at it with intense anticipation.
Edge of Desire: (Let Me In, Book 3) Page 9