The main lights of the library were dimmed but she could see the outline of a figure sitting at the front desk. Was that the librarian? she wondered. If she was caught by the authorities, it could spell doom for her. Perhaps there was an alternative way in but how would she know? The only other time she had been in that library was to collect a mandatory college library card which she had never had cause to use.
"Hey, you! I see you. Over here," the person at the front desk called to her. Jacqueline stopped in her tracks. The voice sounded young and somewhat famuliar, like someone of her age but voices could be deceiving. Nevertheless, she made her way to the person, prepared for anything except the person she found in the chair: Camille Cage. Camille was like a doppelganger of Kristin, just less rich and famous. She was beautiful and yet so vain that she admonished everyone to call her CeCe (C.C) or so she had heard. She always had As and Bs but it had been generally assumed that she paid the lecturers in exchange of good grades. Seeing her in the library was somewhat anticlimactic.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Camille Cage. Funny seeing you here."
"I could say the same about you but unlike me, you are a real life, dull but rich bitch," Camille retorted, a rictus on her face. Suddenly, they both burst into laughter.
"Now that the awkward surprise frenzy has worn off, why are you here, Jacqs?"
"To use the college facilities, of course. There is a first time to everything," Jacqueline replied, in a fake snotty British accent. The youngsters giggled in unison. Jacqueline could not believe she was sharing a laugh with Camille Cage. She wasn't that bad as the others said. Either that or she was a pretty good actress.
"I don't see Ginny anywhere. Trouble in paradise?" Camille looked behind Jacqueline then all around herself. The latter was not ready to discuss the fault in her friendship.
"Just a little misunderstanding, that's all. Are you the night librarian or something? I'm behind in my studies and I need someone to point me in the right direction."
Camille dramatically swooned, forever the drama queen. "What am I, a wooden peg? I'll be your guide. I just need to see your reading list and I'll see what I can do."
Now Jacqueline was dumbfounded. Camille was ...nice. Unable to form even a smartass quip, she relinquished her list of recommended books to Camille, who quickly looked it over and handed it back to her.
"You are in luck. We both have similar reading texts, very easy to comprehend and assimilate. Give me a minute to grab them from the shelves." Camille slid off her stool and leapt to the task. Her absence gave Jacqueline some time to think. Everyone thought Camille was a bossy, control freak but it was not true. It seemed like her brilliance was what made people think ill of her and thinking about it, CeCe sounded kind of cool.
"Lost in thought already? Did I take too long?"
"No, no, I was just....Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot," Camille encouraged, settling back in her place on the stool. She arranged the books before her on her desk.
"Why do people only have horrible things to say about you? You are not like that yet the things they say...." She faded off but Camille got the message.
"I'm glad that you think I'm a good person but I wasn't always like this. When I first got here, I was like you: rash and badass and in the process, I stepped on the wrong toes. Now I have myself to blame for how people treat me. There you have it; that's my story. Are you reading this here or are you taking it back to your room?"
"Hmmm, I think I rather read it here. I can stay in a cubicle, right?"
"A secret nerd like myself? You are welcome here anywhere." She tossed a card in her direction and took down her name in a journal. "Have a nice time."
∆ ∆ ∆ ∆
It was almost 3:30am when Camille went round to wake up the sleeping readers and alert everyone that it was time to leave the library. Jacqueline had fallen asleep once or twice but at least, she had gotten the meat of the book she had been reading. History was not boring just as Camille wasn't rude, just a misunderstood pair.
"Ready to go?" Camille asked, bringing her head only through the door.
"Sure. Let me grab my things." They both exited the library together, making small talk.
"So how was your reading?"
Jacqueline coughed out a laugh. "Let's just say that I heard a very valuable lesson today."
"What's that?" Camille was curious.
"To never judge a book by its cover." Her words bore ambiguous meanings and they remained silent for a while, pondering.
"Hey, you want to study with me later today? The test is speedily approaching and I want to be at my very best." When Jacqueline said nothing, Camille felt stupid. Why would Jacqueline Torres want to hang out with her anyways?
"Or not, if you don't want to. I'm sorry if I sounded too forward."
Jacqueline quickly realized what message her silence had convened and tried to make amends.
"No, it's not like that. Sure, we can study together. I actually look forward to picking your brain on some courses. I'm academically hopeless," she exaggerated, making Camille laugh.
"Don't worry. You are in safe hands."
On getting to the hostel, they said their goodbyes and went separate ways. Jacqueline checked her phone for any messages and she had just one from her mother:
Hi, princess. Hope you got to school safely? Sorry for not calling earlier. I had a few loose ends to settle. Enjoy yourself and make me proud.
Jacqueline read the message twice and smiled. It wasn't a phone call but she had made some effort. Nevertheless why would a family friend call and her own family won't? Suddenly, her mind was filled with thoughts of Mr Rossi. She wondered what he was doing and where he was. Piqued with unusual curiosity, sleep departed from her and she was eager to satisfy her curiosity. She took out her Notepad and typed in: Richard Rossi. Unfortunately, there were millions of Richard Rossi on the Internet. She erased her input and retyped: Richard Rossi, Petal billionaire and there it was.
Pictures of Richard filled her screen, his arms around different models. He was never seen without a woman at his arm. Jacqueline ached with the knowledge and browsed on some of the women she saw him with. Most of them were either in their late twenties or early thirties.
"Not people like me," she whispered, shutting down the notepad and stared at the ceiling. She didn't know how she felt about seeing him with other women but she could no longer lie to herself. It was time overdue to move on and forget about Richard Rossi, for good this time.
Sorry for the late update I've been spending time at the theater lately 😮💨
Leroy Gamble tapped lightly on his laptop, searching for information. He had been up all night. The lawyer whom Peter had created that document with had been hard to get hold of. It seemed like the man was trying not to be found. He had asked Rossi for the lawyer's phone number but Rossi didn't have it. In fact, Richard had barely participated in the contract; he was just a witness. It had all been Peter's idea, Peter's whole drama put together. "Luke Martinez," Leroy recited repeatedly as he scrolled down with his mouse. The search engine gave over a million individuals going by that moniker, only adding to Leroy's headache. He was an intelligent man though and had studied Law and Criminology as his minor. He tried to recollect everything Rossi had told him about this mysterious lawyer: "Peter met with me a year ago in Omar during vacation...we had a lawyer write up the documents contained in that binder...." Omar.... Quickly, Leroy erased his search log and retyped: Luke Martinez
Donovan slowed down as he got into the gates of Petals Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics. Throughout the short journey, he had kept stealing glances at his mistress. She seemed too serene that it was scary. For days, she had refused to see anyone and now all of a sudden, she wanted to visit Petals? Very suspicious indeed "We are here," he said, for lack of words. "I can see that," she lightly rebutted, "Wait here till I return. I won't be long." Donovan scrambled out of the car to open her door but she beat him to it, pushing open the side door of the Lamborghini. He felt embarrassed at his incompetence and hung his head in shame. She barely took notice, walking past him to the great doors of Petals. The security at the gate had let her in out of familiarity but she did not know the doorman. "Aren't you going to let me in....Steve?" She inquired, reading from his worker's ID card. "Good day, Mrs Torres. I am deeply sorry to tell you this, ma'am but you can't come in without a worker'
The flight to Alaska was delayed at the airport for a few hours due to an unforeseen stormy weather. Leroy was frustrated and mopped at the sweat running down his chin with a scented handkerchief. He had called his contact, Foss, who had assured him that Luke Martinez was home at his apartment in Alaska. He had decided not to call him previously so as not to scare him away but as the weather worsened, he had no other alternative. He couldn't let him get away but something still troubled him. Luke Martinez was a registered state attorney so why was he trying not to be found? Who was he hiding from? Leroy had thought about it all week but could not come up with anything solid. Obviously, someone was either blackmailing him or perhaps his life was under threat. He took out his phone but there was no reception where he stood. "Stupid signal, stupid storm!" he cursed and tried to move around but he still had a flat bar. He glanced behind him, where equally frustrated passengers stood, r
Richard watched the news from the safety of his office. His office, he mused, almost hilariously. About a year ago, he was in the beachy wonderland of Hawaii, exploring the land, flirting with natives and trying new recipes. Now he was sitting in a mammoth office, stamping and signing file after file. The rain had begun a while ago and since he hated driving in the rain, he could not go home either. Home? Where was home? He had been a nomad for too long, never staying in a place long enough to develop any roots or relationships that would keep him in a place. Jacqueline had been right: he was a hopeless playboy with just enough money to back himself up. He and Peter had emerged from wealthy families and the best schools but choosing to be independent, Petals was born. It was just like yesterday when he and Peter had cracked open bottles in honour of their new venture. Regina was pregnant with Jacqueline then and bitter as ever, courtesy of her erratic hormones. When Jacqueli
Leroy Gamble sat in his Camaro, wondering how it all went wrong. Luke's cell wasn't going through anymore and the signal was still shitty."I had him, by God, I had him, exactly where I wanted him! Only for the flight to take off without me. Shit! Shit, shit, shit!" He banged his fist repeatedly against his steering wheel angrily. There was nothing for him to do now except to go home and raid his beer cellar. Maybe he would finally smoke that joint he had saving for rainy days. Even lawyers needed a good high once in a while. His car felt stuffy and he felt like taking his frustration out on something or someone. He pushed open his car door and stumbled outside. His reckless movement sent pangs of pain to his knees, reminding him of his age. Once in a while, his 48 years of age popped out of its hiding place, punishing him for overexerting his body. Evie would have to put up with his cramps all night long.Suddenly, his phone rang. He was reluctant to pick up, assuming it to be F
It was their annual company summer party and the hall was packed with people from all walks of life. It was not supposed to be a formal party as the theme was Legends and Myths but white collar people could make things seem uptight all the time. The co-owners of Petals Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals were the chief hosts of the get-together though the public face of the company, Mr Peter Torres, was more appreciated. His partner was barely known to any, as he spent most of his time on the road, traveling the world. "Mr Torres, may I just say how lovely this party is? Everything looks well put together. You must give me the contacts of your event planner," Lady Carletta praised, looking here and there. "She probably wants everyone to notice her new diamond necklace," Regina, Peter's wife whispered to her eldest daughter, who tittered into her palm. "Thank you, Carletta but it was my darling Gina who did all the planning. Maybe you should talk to her about it. I'll give you ladies s
Amidst the welcome hugs and handshakes, Richard managed to get away for a while. He craved a cigarette and acting all nice took a great toll on him. He made his way up to the roof after giving Lauren up to good company. It was good to be back, yes, but he ached to be back on the road. He was technically a nomad with no roots, no attachments to anyone. He flipped open his lighter. "That thing will rot your lungs and you don't want that," a voice warned from a corner of the roof. He snapped the lighter close and chuckled. This was a saucy one; he had to be careful with them. "And what if I do?" An elegant shoulder shrugged nonchalantly. "It's your funeral. Go ahead." The voice had a smoky undertone to it that reeled him in. She was not facing him but he wanted to see her face badly. She had a curvy body and a tiny waist from what the jean overalls would let him see. "Don't come any closer. I know very good jiu-jitsu and the fall down here leads a slow but painful death," she col
"Jacqueline! Come over; we want to take a picture," her mom called out and she nodded absently. She skulked over to where her sister and mother were standing among other family relatives and friends. Most of them resembled likenesses of vultures and crows in black and Jacqueline chuckled under her breath. These days, it was a blessing to laugh, even just a little. She thought of calling down her friends but gave up that thought immediately the camera went off. Moreover, she didn't want anyone lecturing her friends or her at this funeral. She was headed back for her rock when she heard his voice, wafting through the air: "Gina darling, I am so sorry I couldn't get here earlier. Traffic was terrible in the snow. How did it happen? My brain just can't process that Peter is gone." "He was in an highway accident on his way back from hiking," Regina's shaky voice informed. "He didn't get to say goodbye, Rich and that's what hurts me the most." Rich. Richard Rossi was here. Suddenly,