Reckless (35 page)

I wake up surprised not to see him by my side. Leaving our room I wander silently and find him suspiciously sitting with his phone in his hand and a cigar lying on the table beside him. Within seconds his phone rings. “How did it go?” He answered quickly.

 
“That’s your greeting?” Ethan said over speaker.

“Ethan,” Sean said through his teeth.

“Break out your victory cigar little brother and light it with me,” Sean reaches over and tears open his cigar, lights it and leans back with an obnoxious smile.

“I’m lit how ‘bout you?” Sean said.

“Smoking this sweetness happily,” Ethan said relaxed and confident

“So everything went smoothly?” Sean asked.

“A few minor hiccups but nothing we couldn’t handle. All things considered it went better than we could have ever hoped for. Oh and Randy got the puppy too. You would not believe how excited he is, the guy who was scared to death of dogs now can’t live without one. At least now you don’t have to worry about him stealing Rondo and Prince from you.”

Seam laughs, “Thanks Ethan.”

“No thanks necessary, we all wanted this one, hard to say who wanted it more actually. Just make sure you take care of that family of yours and I will see you when you get back.” Sean picks up his phone and speaks softly. Briefly I wonder if he realizes I am behind him but when I touch his shoulder he jumps reassuring me that he isn’t purposely keeping something from me.

“Hey baby, I thought you were asleep,” Sean said pulling me into his lap. “Okay Ethan we can talk more when I get back, alright, thank you.”

“What was that all about?” I asked enjoying his bright smile.

“Ethan and I managed to succeed in a really nice deal today. Still waiting for the final details but the bulk of what we wanted has been … ummm … agreed to.” He said looking suspicious all over again.

“Are you lying to me?”

He laughs at me, “No, why?”

“It seems like you are hiding something from me.” I said holding his face still so he has to look at me.

He continues to smile and laugh at me, “You are so beautiful.” He said trying to kiss me.

“Oh now I know you are up to something. And what puppy did Randy get?” I asked as he sits back sighing.

Rebecca

As I pull into our new home in my new convertible, I can’t help but feel unstoppable. Joel and I are on top of the world now. A big beautiful home in the hills, a selection of luxury cars at our disposal, and servants for our every need. Joel’s renewed appreciation from his father has earned him his trust fund back, plus other accolades that I appreciate. My husband has finally managed to give me the lifestyle I sought when I first pursued him. Most days I drive around in my convertible, shop at the best places and eat at the best restaurants, just because I can. Always making sure to turn my nose up at anyone who had previously written me off. I have no time for those people who I once begged for opportunities, and now they want to befriend me again?
Let them beg.
I stroll into the house, discarding my things as I walk in the door, knowing someone will pick them up and put them away for me.

“Is that you baby?” Joel called out.

“Yes,” I walk into the large white living room and all its pristine glory…and stop. “What is that!” I yell, pointing with disgust.

Joel smiles up at me innocently, “A puppy.”

“I can see that Joel, why is it here.”

“I went and got him this morning, isn’t he great?”

“No.” I huffed, crossing my arms and stomping my foot.

“Oh come on, his blood lines are some of the best. He’s going to be way better than Sean’s.”

I roll my eyes, “Are you serious? Idiot! Sean does not live here or anywhere near, why the hell would he care? Why the hell would he care if he did live here?” I throw my hands up in frustration.

“He might not, but I do. I want to outdo him in every aspect and now that I have the money to do it, I am going to make damn sure I live his life, only better, and throw it in his face every chance I get.”

“Well, if you think I am going to produce some of those whiny little brats for you, then you better seek professional help.” I huff at him as I make myself a drink.

“Oh my beautiful girl, I wouldn’t dream of it … we can adopt.”

“No!”

“Why not?”

“Because then I will be expected to … deal with them or something.” Upon seeing his obnoxious smile I realize he wasn’t serious. “Real funny.”

“I thought so,” he said, returning to the whimpering puppy.

“So, you are still planning on screwing Sean over somehow?” I said, sinking down into my chair feeling only half-way interested in the topic.

“I don’t know, I still wish I could have gotten Ava to leave him, something, anything to push him over that edge.”

“Well, I am sure you will think of something, but right now I’m hungry. What are we doing for dinner?” I ask, falling into his lap and trying to take his attention off the puppy.

“I made a reservation at that new restaurant. They have an opening for tonight and only the best people will be there, so I knew that would be where you would want to be.” He says, smiling wide when I jump up shaking with excitement.

“What should I wear?” I contemplate for a few seconds. “Damn you, Joel!”

“Why?”

“Because, you should have told me earlier so I could have shopped for something today.” He rolls his eyes. I run to my room to start getting ready. “And you better make sure that mutt isn’t wandering the house while we are gone!”

I sit reviewing the invitations for tonight while Joel mindlessly looks out the window of our limo. “So how did you get these invitations?” I asked, admiring him in his new suit.

“I didn’t, they sent them to us by courier.”

“Really, why?”

“Sucking up to us, I’m sure. Face it my dear, we are sought after now,” he smiles.

I pull out my sunglasses as we drive up to the bright lights of the entrance. Joel steps out first, holding his hand out to me as I gracefully exit. Bulbs flash and I smile expectantly as we enter the restaurant. We are seated in one of the restaurants prime spots and order some of their finest wines. Just as Joel had said, it is the ‘who’s who’ of Hollywood here tonight. We drink our wine, toasting to our perfect life while I eye everything, covertly trying to judge possible opportunities to meet the right people for my career.

“Well, look who’s here,” I look up at the obnoxious smile of Mary Grant.

Joel and I both sigh. “How are you, Mary?” Joel asked halfheartedly.

“Oh wonderful, have you met my boyfriend Bobby?” She asked, gesturing to indicate the distinguished gentleman with her.

“No.” Joel tensed nervously as he nodded at the gentleman.

“He’s a doctor in Atlanta.”

“A psychiatric one I hope, for your sake,” I said harshly.

“Ahhh Rebecca, looking as desperate as always,” she said, smiling her sinister smile that I remember well from when I dated Sean years ago.

“Ahhh Mary, you look just as old and washed up as always. I bet your sons are proud.” I said with attitude.

“How sweet of you to ask about my boys.”

“I didn’t,” I said taking a drink, hoping to make her disappear one way or another.

“Well, either way you will be happy to know they are both doing wonderfully.”

I thought I could hear a growl come from Joel. “Really? Please sit and tell us all about it,” Joel mumbled. I assumed he was joking but she sits anyway. “You can let them know we are doing great as well.”

“Oh really? Rebecca’s corner picking up in business?”

I snarl at the wicked witch.

Joel clears his throat, “No, we have a new home in the hills, several expensive cars, and money coming in at will. And please let Sean know, I even grew to have his same affection for German Shepherds. I picked up a puppy this morning, best papers I have ever seen.”

“Is that so?” Mary asked, still possessing a wicked smile.

“It certainly is. Let him know he is welcome to come over any time since I am training him to attack on command. I use a picture of Sean as a training reference,” Joel snarled back at her.

I laugh and catch Mary’s evil glace, “I will be sure to let him know, although he and Ethan have been so busy lately working on their new deal.”

“A new deal?” Joel asked.

“Oh yes, it’s going to be huge. They both are so excited about it. It is a huge investment, but well worth the money apparently. A business magazine is expected to interview them both once the deal goes through. ‘Talented and brilliant’ they are calling them both for orchestrating the deal.”

“You don’t know anything about this so called big investment?” Joel huffed.

“Not much more than a name… HT Acquisitions, I believe it was. Really doesn’t matter, in a few days they will be in L.A. signing the final paperwork to take it over.”

“Well good luck to them,” Joel said with a forced smile.

“Thank you, I will be sure to tell them you said so.”

“Honestly, I really don’t care,” Joel said.

“No?” She eyes Joel more seriously. I straighten in my seat. “No, I guess you wouldn’t, considering what you did to Sean.”

“And what did I do to Sean?” Joel asked with a half a laugh.

“I know you’re the one that tampered with his breaks and I know your low-class wife harassed my daughter into a miscarriage.”

Joel leans back in his chair, “Well it sounds like you have it all figured out, Mary.”

“No, not completely. I am still unsure what your father will do when he finds out what you did.”

Joel laughs aloud, “No need to worry about that, he was the one encouraging it. Whatever makes him money - Sean doing the jump, Ava naked onscreen, and hell, if Sean had died during the making? Wow, would that increase ticket sales or what? But that’s all …
if
we had anything to do with any of it.”

“You really are a family of low-class losers, aren’t you?” Mary asked, pursing her lips.

Joel angers instantly, getting in her face, “Listen here you old bat, what you think of us is irrelevant to me. Your sons will be constantly chasing my shadow from now on.”

Her smile increases, “It’s sad that you think so, but no matter. You will be hearing about their huge success when they take control of their new company. And then sweetie, maybe if you beg they will toss some change in your direction after you fail miserably.” Mary and her silent escort get up, smiling as Mary tosses a quarter on the table at us. I eye it before looking back up at her departing figure.

“I hate her,” I said, gripping my glass harshly.

“Don’t worry baby, I have all I need to make sure to turn things around on them,” he said as I watch his eyes dance with gratifying determination.

Within a couple of days, Joel comes home screaming in excitement. I search for the maniac to see what is going on. “There you are,
victory
my dear!”

“Victory?” I ask him, searching for more answers to his obvious psychotic episode.

“I did it! I bought that company right out from under those losers.”

“You bought … the company Sean and Ethan were after?”

He picks me up, twirling me around and confirming my question. “Oh, it was so incredible. I wish you could have seen me. I wheeled and dealed like a pro. I wouldn’t let it go until they signed everything over to me. Now if those two fuckups want this company they have to go through me.”

“Wow, I can’t believe you pulled it off.”

Joel, finding his favorite drink to celebrate, looks at me in shock. “I can’t believe you would doubt me.”

“I didn’t doubt you. I didn’t even know what you were up too.”

His glorious smile is overwhelming as he crashes into the sofa, “It’s going to be so wonderful when those two show up tomorrow. I can’t wait to see their faces when they come face to face with me and I get to tell them they are too late. So sweet, sweeeeeet…!” He yelled.

“So how much money are we talking about here? I mean, are we really obscenely rich now?” I ask, trying to understand what is really important.

“Well, not yet. We haven’t earned from the company yet, plus I used everything we had available to buy the company.”

“You did what?” I snap.

“Calm down, it will pay off quickly. I was assured that we would make our money back three times over in the first few months.”