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“We really didn’t do much talking while we were together, but if you keep Chanel tonight it will give us a chance to talk about our relationship.” Grant was hoping Allie would agree.
“As much as I would like to help, I have plans for tonight. Maybe Mom will keep her for you if you say it is business.”Maybe,Grant thought as they left the study.
Grant and Katherine were the only ones that retired to the family room after desserts had been plated to serve. Allie left for her evening date, Chanel was in the kitchen with Mrs. Dandridge, and Grant Sr. was in his office, so that left him subject to his mother’s company. He knew what the conversation would be about his lack of a wife and mother for Chanel, but he would entertain this conversation tonight for the opportunity to be with Aubree alone tonight.
Thankfully, Katherine agreed to keep Chanel for the week since Grant Sr. had a business trip planned for the week. The business trip was news to Grant like everything else his father did regarding the business.
“Son…” Grant braced himself for what was next. “I know Beatrice has been out for a while and you hired a nanny for Chanel, her dance teacher. I know Chanel adores her because she talks about her all the time, but do you think Aubree living with you is the best for Chanel? The way she talks about her is like a child talking about her mother. I believe it is unhealthy for her to get attached to someone to only have her little heart broken and confused when Beatrice comes back, and Aubree has to leave.” Katherine peered at Grant as she spoke looking for any sign that would reveal his true intention.
“Mother, Aubree is not going anywhere. She is the first woman outside of family that as you said, Chanel adores. Aubree spends times with Chanel that is genuine and not under false pretenses to get in my bed. She cares about Chanel knowing how to set a table, what to wear to an afternoon tea, how to do a project presentation, and how to bake pastries. All the things you made sure Allie could do, Aubree does for Chanel. Aubree is not some project hood rat from the other side of town that doesn’t know a dessert wine from dinner wine. She has more class than most of the women you constantly parade around me because of their family name. But none of those women have an interest in by daughter. I need you to understand, Chanel is my first priority, and I will never subject her to another woman like Mariah.”
“It is not wise for Chanel to get so attached to the hired help is all I’m saying. Let her do the job you are paying her to do so there is no confusion when she leaves.”
“Now you are being a hypocrite! Allie and I were practically raised by “hired help” for the first 18 years of our lives. Your snobbish ways are showing, so I’m going to leave now before you say something else to offend the “hired help”.”
Grant was taken aback by his mother’s comments because he and Allie had very close relationships with the “hired help” and felt closer to them at times than their parents. There were plenty of times Mrs. Dandridge was present for them and missed something important with her own family.
“Chanel, I’m leaving, come say goodbye.” Grant waited in silence for Chanel to come to the family room.
“Grant, I just don’t think Aubree is the right woman for you or the best example of womanhood for Chanel. Aubree is going to turn out to be just like Mariah. Celeste would be the better choice because she understands our world. I love you, son, and I want what’s best for you and my granddaughter.” Grant hugged and kissed Chanel so she could go back to working with Mrs. Dandridge who was teaching Chanel to knit.
“Mother, what you feel is best may not be the best for us. Goodnight.” Grant walked out tired of the same fight with his mother. No one wanted their life controlled by what was best for the family or social circles to please other people. Grant just wanted a woman that wanted him and Chanel for no other reason but love.
Chapter 20
Two Months Later
Even though Mrs. B had returned, Grant and Aubree had fallen into a comfortable routine. After Aubree told Grant what happened with her Grandma Margrett that night, he suggested she stay with them, and she agreed. She spent late nights and early mornings with Grant in his bed before he left for work each day. When Chanel woke each morning Aubree was back in her room ready to help her prepare for school. Grant and Aubree hadn’t shared their relationship with anyone yet especially Chanel. They were waiting on the right time to tell everyone, but their friends figured it out. The relationship was so new they didn’t want the outside world of family and social circles to taint it before it could grow. Their relationship existed in the safety of the bubble they created while at Grant’s home that no one could enter unless they allowed.
Aubree functioned as the lady of the house making all important decisions for Grant and Chanel. Miss B. didn’t plan the meals nor the cleaning schedule without Aubree’s approval. Aubree made sure Grant and Chanel’s needs were met and they had not a single worry in the world. After Aubree dropped Chanel off in the mornings, she would spend time working on her grant proposals, finding locations for her performing arts center, or adding special design touches to the house. Some days she helped Nova atNova Moonor Ivy set up for an event withSheer Eleganceto pass the time before picking up Chanel from school. Once she picked up Chanel, they headed to one of her cheer coaching sessions or to the dance studio. By evening, Chanel and Aubree had dinner made and on the table for them to eat together. Grant made every effort to get home by dinner unless his father called for a department head staff meeting which Grant had to attend. Aubree and Grant made sure Chanel had her homework done, they would watch television, play a game, then get Chanel ready for bed. With Chanel in bed, their couple time began without any interruptions to their perfect blissful bubble. But even, in a blissful state, a dark presence threatened Aubree and Grant’s state of happiness.
The darkness appeared by messages she started getting on social media from some stranger with the handleCap Mill. After the first encounter with Mario and Tone, Aubree kept a low profile on all social media sites and refused to respond to anyone in her DM’s. Later in the week, Davis called for their weekly check in, and he told her about his run in with Shirley at the farmer’s market. Shirley’s favorite topic of conversation was faulting Aubree for Gerald’s problems. She said she had been trying to get in contact with Aubree, but Aubree wouldn’t answer the phone. After she hung up with Davis, she decided to call Shirley using her old phone. When she powered the phone on the chimes started going off instantly notifying her of missed messages. After listening to several messages from Shirley, Aubree called the number given in the messages.
Shirley answered after the first ring with sarcasm dripping from her words.
“Well, I guess you finally learned how to use the phone to call me back. It must have been me sending a message through to your diva friend for you to call me.”
“I didn’t think we had anything to talk about since I paid all the back rent that was due. I kept my promise to you, so what else is there to talk about?” Aubree tried to keep the attitude out of her voice, but Shirley worked her nerves.
“Well, we could’ve taken you to court, but at Gerald’s request we didn’t pursue charges against you. You ought to be thanking me.”
Aubree remained silent. There was no way in hell she was going to say thank you to Shirley. She wished Gerald would’ve told them to press charges, but he knew better. Gerald may have done a lot of things to hurt her, but trying to put her in jail meant he would have to go down too. Tired of the conversation, Aubree needed to know the real reason Shirley had been calling her, because whatever it was it was not good.
“Shirley, why did you call me? No need to play nice, just tell me what you want,” Aubree snapped.
“Who you yellin’ at little girl?! The only reason I called was because Gerald came back looking for you. He was so upset when he learned you had moved out of the house and you took all of his stuff. He was just frantic trying to locate all of his clothes, shoes, and a black bag with some personal items. The whole house was torn up when he got finished looking for that black bag. If you did something with his things, tell me now because the stress is really getting to him.”
“Are you serious right now?! First, you put me out. I did not leave, and all that was Gerald’s I left with you, so calling me has been a waste for both of us. The next time you feel the urge to contact me about Gerald, don’t. You have a nice rest of your day.”
Slamming the phone down Aubree wanted to punch something. The nerve of her to call taking about Gerald was frantic and stressed, and he needed to be because he was not getting the money back. She probably lied to Gerald about why Aubree left and not that she was put out by his family. Gerald wasn’t upset that Aubree left; he could care less about her whereabouts and what was happening with her. Aubree was glad she never told Shirley where she was going because she knew she would tell Gerald. His family believed he could do no wrong and everything was Aubree’s fault. When she started paying off all the debt, Shirley and Ray were the first people she paid back for the overdue rent to make sure they had nothing to hold over her. Gerald had to know that she found the bag; that’s why he sent Shirley to do his dirty work. Gerald had stolen too much from her, and there was no way she was giving that bag to him. The dark presence seemed to be growing with the appearance of growing evil.
Aubree needed to talk with Nova and Ivy about what was happening. They agreed to meet atNova Moonto discuss what had happened. Wednesdays were the perfect day to meet because Nova closed the boutique early so her staff could complete custom or tailor orders before the weekend. Nova ordered lunch so they could have the uninterrupted time without Ivy claiming hunger and starvation. Once Aubree and Ivy arrived, Nova asked the staff not to disturb them, turned off her office phone, and closed the door to her office. Aubree filled them in on everything that had happened with the social media messages and the conversation with Gerald’s Aunt Shirley.
Nova chewed on her bottom lip. “Aubree, I really think you need to talk to the police. These people are not going to disappear in thin air. You have to deal with this problem head on and not by yourself. We have to get the authorities involved for your safety.”
“Rarely do I agree with Nova, but I do this time. You have been dealing with this long enough. Maybe you could talk with Grant…”
“No!” Aubree cut Ivy off. “That is not an option! Grant can’t know about this at all. I don’t want to put his family in any danger. And he is a prominent businessman. Him helping in anyway could hurt his image or family life.” Aubree started pacing the floor.
