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“Daddy!” Jason was more than enthusiastic to see me. I approached him halfway and lifted him up.
“How’s your aunt treating you?” I asked, walking to the sofa with him in my arms.
“Don’t you dare lie young man!” Jason giggled at Selena’s warning.
“Aunt Lena is good. Cool gifts for me and you, Dad.” I sat in the armchair beside Selena. Jason used my thigh as a chair and watched his film. Selena watched me from the corner of her eye.
“Where’s Laura?” I asked, seeing as she was not around to pester me.
“She went God knows where. I still wonder why you let her in. Despite her claims she ought not to be in this house. You promised me that you were done with her.”
“And I am. I have something planned, and it will all work out. I’m glad you’re home. Things have just been a little crazy lately,” I responded, looking up at the ceiling.
“Oh, like you kissing my best friend in a parking lot? That’s a new one for you.” That caught my attention.
“I’m sorry, believe me; it all happened so quickly that day. Besides, you don’t have to worry about her. It was silly to ever imagine anything happening between us.” It troubled me how the conversation wound up being about her. I wanted to stop thinking about her today.
“Marie is someone dear to me, and I won’t stand to watch you play her like those other girls. Just stay away from her. Look at the media circling like vultures. If you had taken time to know more about my life and friends, you could have avoided this. Now, look at where we are.” I could see that she was angry. It made me wonder what Marie had told her.
“Not from you too, Lena. I get it, I’m a bad influence and whatnot. She’s free and far away from now on. You should let me be.” I had seen the news but wasn’t bothered by it. Before, I was excited about having a new chapter in my life. Not anymore though. I didn’t even want to see one more article dissecting our kiss again. It didn’t matter anymore.
Selena noted the sourness in my mood and stopped talking. I watched the cartoon without really paying attention. Finally, I left them in the sitting room and went to my study. I sat in the dark room with a glass of bourbon in hand. Though things with Marie had fallen through, I could still look into the situation with Laura and solve it. It was time to give it my full attention.
I fished out my phone from my pocket and called Norris, a private investigator I trusted. “Mr. Penfield, it’s a delight to receive your call. How may I be of help?”
“Norris, nice to hear from you. I want you to do a thorough background check on Laura Beckham. I want everything on her, including her recent movements and associations. If you notice anything suspicious, inform me immediately.”
“I can do that, sir. Anything else?” I could tell he was excited to start digging. “Finally, I’ll send you some sensitive materials. Give it to Doctor Williams; he’d know what to do.”
“Yes, sir.” I ended the call. Immediately, I called Rose to my study. The door opened and she entered. I didn’t mince my words. “Go to Laura’s room. Find her hairbrush and get her hair into a ziploc bag.” She listened intently and went to carry out my orders.
I closed my eyes for a while, then the door opened. Rose returned. “Sir, I’ve gotten all you’ve asked for.”
“Good. Leave it on the table, thank you.” She did as ordered and left. I rose from my seat and picked up the bag. Well, Laura, I’m coming close to your secret. She must know that I would order a DNA test, what she didn’t know was that she wouldn’t be aware of it. If it came back positive, no worries. If negative, she’d have to answer to me.
Chapter 9
MARIE
Istruggledtorememberwhen I had last cried this hard; it felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest. After our argument yesterday, I felt too sick to move or do anything. I went back home early and ever since; I’ve been in my room. I hated how I felt. Karl was right. I was the one who made the first move, and he had no obligation to tell me the truth. So, what if he was a cheater and had a girlfriend? It was none of my business. I should have been strong and impervious to my jealousy. Yet, I felt so weak.
Recalling the cold look on Karl’s face, I knew that I had destroyed my chance with him. Maybe if I had been softer and willing to listen, we could have moved past it. Still, he was hiding something from me, and I couldn’t stand that. My phone rang again for the third time this morning. It was Morrison, always checking up on me. I didn’t want to talk, so I sent a message.
I wasn’t in the right state of mind to go to work today. I knew if my brother heard of this, he’d be disappointed but he wasn’t here, and no one was going to tell him. Willing some strength into my body, I put my feet on the floor and stood. I steadied myself and walked to the window. Opening the curtain, soft natural light crept in illuminating my room. From my point of view, the sun looked sad.
My eyes felt itchy. When I touched my cheeks, I felt the dried tears. Sighing, I passed my bed and walk-in closet to enter the bathroom. I faced the mirror and saw my disheveled look. My eyes were red and puffy, the bags under them made them look droopy. “This is not you. Forget about him, he means nothing to you,” I whispered to myself, watching my lips move mechanically.
I didn’t believe what I said, but I had to. It frightened me how quickly I had fallen for him, but did he feel the same way? I didn’t ponder the question too long.
I went to the tub and submerged myself in the water, feeling it bring warmth into my body. My hair floated in the water like tentacles. I stayed like this for a while. Afterward, I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and returned to my bedroom. I got to the bed and sat with my bathrobe on. My hair was wrapped in a towel to absorb the water.
After my bath, I felt refreshed and tired in a good way. I moisturized my skin and slept naked, catching up on the sleep I had missed last night. I woke up some hours later, seeing the sun at its peak. I stretched, feeling better than before, but with a raw feeling in my chest. I decided I needed to talk to someone about this. I couldn’t let it eat me up this much. Selena was the one who came to mind. I picked my phone and called her. She picked up after a few rings.
“Marie, how are you?” Her tone was colder than before; my heart fell thinking about what she must have heard from Karl. I pushed on.
“Heartbreak issues. It ought not to hurt this much, considering that it was a short fling. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I didn’t know it was Karl, and I was blinded by my emotions. I’m losing my mind over this.” I rose from the bed and went to pick out something to wear.
“You needn’t apologize. Karl was wrong for hurting you this much.” Her voice was subdued.
