Trouble In Paradise (24 page)

“
I can’t take one with you?” 

“
I need this one alone now get out.” 

He
closed the door. 

She looked at her face in the mirror.  Her skin was fla
wless.  Her hair was another story, it was almost unattainable she had to get it done over and fast.  She walked over to the bathtub and turned on the shower.  Their master bathroom was so big she could turn a full flip in it, she loved it.  Their shower had two shower heads; one on both sides, and you could fit about five people in it at a time.  They had his and hers dual bathroom where they would share nothing, they had their own sinks and toilets, it was great—it’s one of the things that sold her on this condo.  Steam started to fill the room and Victoria undressed pulling her shirt over her head and tossing it to the floor, her phone beeped. 

She went over to her purse while rem
oving the rest of her clothes and pulled her hair out of that ponytail.  The text messages were piling up. 

Is something wrong baby are you ok? 

The first one asked.  The next one said:

Hello?
 

The third one said:

Did I do something wrong please don’t ignore me.
 

Looks like he didn’t like being understanding
, she thought. 

By the time she read all his texts she’d come to the conclusion that he was about to put out a missing persons report if she didn’t text back.  She sent him a text:

About to take a shower, sorry it took so long to reply I’m tired so I’m going to crash but we can go for lunch tomorrow ok?
Do you still want to be understanding?

She couldn’t help herself she had to throw that in.  He replied,

Sorry baby I just wanted to hear from you and make sure everything was ok see you tomorrow get some rest.
 

She sent him back a message that read:
xoxo
. 

By now the bathroom was completely steamy.  She took her charger out of her purse and plugged it up next to her curling iron.  The screen lit up and a lightning bolt sign crossed the screen showing the phone was charging. 

When Victoria emerged from the shower, she wrapped a towel around her head, over at the mirror she wiped the steam off, it still looked hazy but she could see through a little.  There was a missed call from Shay.   She must have made it back that was quick. 

With a spring in her step Victoria
started to the bathroom door, opened it and stepped into the room. When her eyes adjusted a flash of the horrific scene came back to her like she was reliving it. 

Danielle was pointing the gun at her and saying something she couldn’t hear then she saw Shay attempt to move and Danielle hit her with the butt of her gun.  When Victoria stared back at Danielle she notice
d it looked like she was looking behind her.  Victoria turned to see what she was looking at and saw herself on her knees against the floor where Danielle had struck her down.  This was some sort of weird out of body experience, Victoria knew it wasn’t really happening and was trying to snap out of it. 

When She saw Danielle turn to the door, Victoria looked and Joshua was standing there saying something to Danielle, he moved in closer and she heard him say “I love you,” that same pain she felt the first time he’d said it hit her again.  She saw Danielle began to weaken and then Leon walk in the room, Danielle jumped.  Bang!  The gun went off and Joshua reached out for it.  Bang!  Victoria dro
pped to her knees and a piercing scream left her throat.  Joshua came running into the room and ran to her. 

“It’s ok,” he said grabbing her and wrapping her up in his arms.  She was on the floor in a heap crying hysterically, he wondered what had happened.  He tightened his grip as she continued to sob. 

“I’m so sorry,” he said holding her, “I’m so sorry.”

Chapter 28

Caroline was running uphill on her treadmill.  She had already run a mile and wanted to run another one.  Drenched in sweat her ponytail swung as she ran.  A light flickered on her security camera signaling someone had entered its range.  She looked at the security monitor and saw her husband enter the front door.  Finally he was home early; she wanted to have dinner ready for him by the time he got there.  He had been going, going, going lately like the Energizer bunny from one function to another.  Their lives were very busy with Caroline being Co-CEO of their business and her husband going to most of the events and charities.  They barely had time to see each other. 

Caroline
hit the end button on her treadmill and it started to slow little by little.  She hopped off and grabbed her towel to blot dry with and reached for her bottled water.  It went down nice and cold.  She thought he might come back looking for her but he probably didn’t know she was at home.  Caroline walked out of the fitness room and strode down the hallway, at the end she turned and went up a spiral staircase one level.  The marble floor across the foyer had a Mr. Clean glow.  Sticking her head into the living room there was no sign of him.  With her ears open she listened for his footsteps moving about but couldn’t hear him.  She walked to the steps. 

“Baby you up there?”
 

There was n
o answer.  She took to the steps two at a time.

“Baby,” she called out
.

But there was
no answer.  At the top of the stairs she went into the bedroom and noticed the door closed to the master bathroom.  He must be in there.  Caroline leaned up to the door and put her ear up to it.  He was in there; she could hear the shower running.  She removed her clothes until she was completely bare.  She turned the door knob and it was locked.  She frowned,

“Since when did we start locking doors?” she said
.

H
e heard her jiggled the door knob again.  He opened the door and looked at her.  Her arm was still stretched out like she was holding the door knob.  She jiggled her hand like the knob was still in it while looking at him she said,

“Baby did you know the door was locked?” 

He looked down at her hand jiggling and said,

“What are you doing?” 

She dropped her hand,

“I was attempting to come i
n and take a shower with my man.”

S
he walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck,

“B
ut I was stopped short because the door was locked.”  She continued to hug him for a second then stepped back.  “Dang what’s up with that baby, nobody’s going to get you but me.”

She kissed him on his cheek and let her nakedness rub up against him.  He put his
arms around her and kissed on her face, he was still wet and wanting to dry off. 

He gently slid her to the side,

“Do you want me to leave the water on so you can get right in or do you want to wait?” he asked. 

“You can leave it on,” she said, “I just came from the fi
tness room so I need to jump in.” 

“Ok,” he said. 

She went into the bathroom and he walked out.  Twenty minutes later Caroline stepped out of the shower.  It was quiet again.  Her phone rang.  She walked over to it.

“This is Caroline.”  

“Hey Caroline its Victoria, are you busy?” 

“Oh no I actually just got out of the shower and was thinking about making dinner if my husband is still here he’s been on the move lately but let me not act as if that’s something new.  We have to schedule time just to see each other.” She sighed. 

“Well,” Victoria
said, “want to meet me at Spoken Fever?” 

Caroline laughed, “Are you talking about that new poetry spot they just opened up downtown?” 

“Yes, that’s the spot I’m talking about.” 

“I don’t know.
”

Caroline was
feeling skeptical–she hadn’t been out in years she wasn’t an old maid but married life kept her out of it, with barely enough time to see her husband let alone go out, she wouldn’t mind it though. 

“Come on,”

Victoria pleaded,

“I
t’s not like it’s a nightclub.” 

“A
ctually it kind of is because when no one is on stage they play light jazz and that neo soul music.” 

“That hardly qualifies for the club type, it’s a poetry joint now come on, don’t be a prude.  Besides, I’m celebrating getting through my internship and becoming an official psychologist.” 

Caroline smiled, six months had passed and Victoria was ready to celebrate, she worked hard, was very attentive and had learned a formula for dealing with her clients that passed her evaluations.  Excitement covered her; she could also thank a couple of men she loved.  That was one of the reasons she wanted to get Caroline out the house because she needed someone to talk to and fast.  During the six months she had been busting her butt at work, she and Greg had grown very close.  They did just about everything under the sun with each other and he encouraged her to want to do better. 

I think I’m in love with him,
Victoria thought. 

“Oh alright,” Caroline said as if she could hear Victoria’s thoughts. 

“Good.  Now do you want me to come get you?” 

“I’ll drive to you and we’ll ride in my car,” Caroline said. 

“Fine by me, I’ll be drinking anyway.”

“
Ok girl, see in an hour,” Caroline hung up. 

She was now standing in the kitchen.  She had gone from upstairs to downstairs looking all over the hous
e and her husband was not there. She sighed, that was the only reason she agreed to go with Victoria.  She didn’t want to be in that house alone for another night.  When Caroline pulled up to Victoria’s she sent her a text message,
I’m outside
.  Caroline saw the curtains move then the front door opened and Victoria walked out.  Joshua leaned in to her and they began to kiss.  They said I love you and Victoria came walking down the driveway.  Caroline hit the unlock button on the doors and Victoria got in.  She had on a cranberry red dress that fit every curve just right, stopping above her knees.  Her cleavage showed just enough to tempt and it was sleeveless.  Her black cranberry red pumps and accessories were a fantastic pair.  

“Ouch, you too hot for me mama,” Caroline said.  “I’m ‘bout ready to go home and change.” 

Victoria started to laugh, “Don’t be ridiculous, you look gorgeous.” 

“No hot thang you look gorgeous,” Caroline said.

“Well thanks, I do try,” Victoria joked patting on herself.

  Her hair had been especially done up, long black and straight with a cut bang in the front.  She had to add extra extensions for that move but it was well worth it, she turned out looking like a number one diva.  Looking back to the porch Victoria noticed Joshua still standing there.  She rolled her window down and he waved bye.

“Don’t do nothing I wouldn’t do,” he said. 

She smirked,
that’s not saying a whole lot
she thought but wasn’t even going to go there.  Caroline pulled off dressed in a pin stripe pant suit she got from Neiman Marcus that she had yet to wear.  To accent her suit were some white pumps on her feet and white accessories she was fly too and she knew it but she had to give it to Victoria, she was too hot to handle. 

“So what’s new girl?” Caroline said. 

Victoria sat back, opened her phone and started to text.

  “Girl,” she said, “what’s been up besides work is I’m in love with two men and I don’t know what to do about it.” 

“Wow,” Caroline said.  “How did that happen?” 

“Well, let’s just say this other guy came along at a time when I was vulnerable, when I was going through all that mess when I first got down here.  Joshua was cheating on me and all that drama unfolded.  Then I’m still having an occasional nightmare about what happened in my bedroom.” 

Victoria chuckled.

“How in the world does a therapist need a therapist?”  Caroline looked at her sideways she made a left and sped up  wanting to get there early enough to get a good seat.  Victoria continued,

“But I guess things happen
.  The sessions are working because I don’t have the nightmares nowhere near as bad as I used to.” 

“Hey, maybe you should try moving out of that house,” Caroline said.  “It only makes sense, that’s where the tragedy happened and you’re sleeping there every night so of course you’re having nightmares.” 

“Well, unlike you Caroline I’m not rich we can’t just pack up, leave and buy a new condo.” 

“Yes you can, you’re a psychologist now a
nd you can buy whatever you want.” 

Victoria laughed,

“Yeah right, anyway I’ve been reduced to having one nightmare a week instead of five nightmares a week and I think that is a big improvement.” 

“You don’t say
,” Caroline said.  “Ok, so back to lover boy.” 

“Well,” Victoria started, “he’s absolutely wonderful, he spoils me to death, does ever
ything for me.  He’s caring and listens oh did I mention he loves me, pays attention to my needs and I’m amazed at this strong feelings for him.  He is wonderful.  How can I feel this way about him and feel the same way about Joshua?” 

“S
omeone will end up getting hurt,” Caroline said plainly. 

Victoria let out a sigh, “I thought we would just be a fling
it all happened so fast.” 

“Well you’ve got all the love in the world honey be glad, some people have no one.” 

Victoria focused in on her. 

“What’s wrong Carolin
e?  Spill it.”

“My house
hold is pretty lonely right now.”

S
he turned into the parking lot of Spoken Fever.

“M
y house is starting not to feel like a home because we are both constantly at work, we haven’t had the time to spend lately.”  

“Why don’t you take some time off, I’m sure you can.”

“Yeah I can,” Caroline said, “but I just hired a new intern and just finished with your internship, so I need to be around for a couple more weeks before I decide to take a vacation.  You’re right, it’s much needed.  We might go to the Bahamas or something for like two weeks.” 

“Well
I wish I could just go to the Bahamas.”

Caroline whipped into a parking spot and turned it off.  She looked at Victoria,

“You can
go; you get half off overseas trips with our company, girl you better look at all of those papers and brochures in that graduation package I gave you.  You get just about half off of everything working with our company.”

  Caroline flipped down the visor and checked her lips and face in the mirror.  Victoria did the same.  Five minutes later they stepped out of the car looking li
ke they just stepped off of Ebony Magazine with their curvaceous hips making a statement in the clothes that they wore.  But looks could be deceiving, even though the outfits looked sexy and tight they were quite comfortable.  They walked up to the line, showed their IDs and Victoria paid with her company card.  She had gotten used to that thing.  They walked in; the stage was set in the middle of the floor so people all over the club would have a view.  There were bars along the far walls of the club, chairs and tables occupied the area in between.  The place was huge.  They found a seat in the middle but close to the front.  As they sat down a waitress walked up and handed them two menus with food on one side and drinks on the other. 

In a Jamaican accent the waitress said,

“Hello, I’m Venus your server for tonight.  If you need anything let me know and I’ll be happy to get it for you.” 

“Actually I’ll take a Long Island Iced Tea,” Victoria said. 

“Make that two,” Caroline added. 

“Ok.  Would you like anything to eat?” 

Victoria looked at Caroline and Caroline looked at Venus, “We’ll get something to eat but let us look over the menu first.  Is that ok with you Victoria?” 

“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.” 

“Ok,” Venus said, “I’ll get your drinks.” 

She turned around and walked off to get their drinks.  There was light smoke in the room and a DJ in the far right corner was playing Jill Scott’s “Let’s Take a Long Walk.”  Victoria
turned her attention to her phone, she had sent a text but hadn’t received one back.  She scrolled threw her messages in more detail and noticed the message didn’t send instead it was sitting in the drafts folder. 
How did that happen?
She went into drafts and looked at the message it said:

Thinking of you and missing you wanting to be in your presence
.

  She sent the
message and crooned at the thought of him.  What was she going to do about this new love?  Caroline looked over at Victoria and noticed the faraway look in her eyes.