Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
They showed video of him and her in the regal carriage, smiling, holding hands. I started shaking so hard my knees knocked together. I felt like my head was floating above my shoulders.
There was no hope for it, it was over, done, I’d lost…
“The young bride, the beautiful and talented Sian Saunders nee Claiborne herself hails from another prominent business family of notable mention, the Claibornes of Claiborne Inc.”
“With these two coming together in wedded bliss, I for one am more than excited to see what this new generation has in store for us. Stay tuned later for an exclusive interview with the bride and groom…”
I turned off the TV and flung the remote across the bedroom, slamming it into the wall. My pulse raced and my breathing escalated as fury swept through the blood in my veins.
“That was supposed to be me.” The phone rang again and I don’t know why I rushed to answer as tears started rolling down my face. “What?”
“Did you watch? What happened to you and Jace getting back together?”
“You bitch Kelly you’d better never let me see your face again.” Her laugh grated on my nerves and made me feel small, something I haven’t felt since I learned how to look out for myself.
“You don’t scare me, I’m not Liz. Oh, and she knows you fucked her dad so don’t expect her to do you any more favors. In fact, if I were you, I’d start trying to remember what secrets she knows that can get you arrested.”
Again she hung up, but this time leaving me with something else to think about. What’s happening? How can this be happening? I looked around the room feeling trapped.
“My money.” Every time something goes wrong all I have to do is see my money and I’d start feeling better again. No matter how horrible things got, as long as I had that cash I knew I was going to be fine.
I used the App on my phone to get into my account and breathed a little easier. But just as I started to relax it changed right before my eyes. “No-no-no-no.” My fingers trembled as I punched in the twenty-four hour preferred members number at the bank.
I went through the whole ordeal of verification before a live body came on the phone and I was able to explain what had just happened. Only this person wasn’t saying what was expected.
“It’s fraud, I did not take that money out.”
“I’m sorry Miss. My hands are tied. If you wait until Monday…”
“I can’t wait until Monday, you’re supposed to give me my money back….”
“I’m sorry but that’s quite a lot of money and I’m not authorized…”
“Well get someone who is. I want my money…”
“Ma’am as I’ve said before, nothing can be done until Monday. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“You can fuck off. Arggggggghhhhhh.” I threw the phone across the room before running after it. It was my only protection right now. All my contacts, all my info. Think Mandy, who can you call?
For some reason I was afraid to go into my little black book and call someone. It was all because of that Track. It was as if I could feel his eyes, they were everywhere.
I know, I know. I rushed into the bathroom to look in the mirror. My eyes were a little red and crazed looking but not too bad. I pulled a brush through my hair and sprayed some perfume, I don’t know which one, I just grabbed a bottle.
I changed out of the pajama bottoms and tank I had on and put on one of my school girl outfits. Those have never failed me. I found a half bottle of vodka in my nightstand drawer and took a healthy swig before gargling in the bathroom.
With one last look at myself, I headed down the stairs. I wasn’t thinking straight and knew now was probably not the best time to act, that I should probably wait, but common sense had no place here. I needed to act and act now.
“Where is he? Where is he?” I found him in his study. My knees were shaking so hard I had to rub them together as I stood in the doorway before closing the door behind me.
“Hi, what’re you doing?” Did my voice sound okay? I didn’t want to give myself away. My heart was beating too hard for me to hear myself speak, but I couldn’t turn back now. I was drowning and he was my only lifeline.
17
Mandy
* * *
Can he hear my bones shake? Are my eyes as wild as they feel? I made myself move away from the door and walked towards him on shaky legs. My smile felt brittle and for the first time since my sexual awakening, I was at a loss as to what to do next.