BARBRA AND TESS

CHAPTER 8: BARBRA AND TESS

KIMBERLY:

Damien hurriedly finished up his food and turned to me. “I have to go. I have an appointment with some business associates. Take the keys. You can take the car. I will take a cab. This key opens the door of my apartment.

I nodded and took the keys from him. This was the first time he took me out and he has to abandon me in the restaurant?

I sighed as I watched him leave. Then I got up and left the restaurant. Then got into his car and drove to Carter's estate.

I pulled the car carefully into the garage, the engine purring to a soft stop. My hands gripped the steering wheel for a moment longer than necessary as I thought about the events of today.

In just one day, a lot has happened.

I stepped out of the car, and walked into the silent night.

It was dark but I could see Barbra Carter standing at the entrance. She crossed her arms and curled her lips into a sneer.

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders and started towards her. I barely made it halfway when Tess sauntered out from the shadows like some villain’s sidekick. She folded her arms and wore a smirk on her lips.

“So you have the nerve to show your face here?,” Barbra snapped the moment I was close enough to hear her

I stopped a respectful distance away, keeping my expression neutral. "Good evening, Aunt Barbra."

"Don't 'Aumt Barbra' me, you scheming little snake!" she barked, her voice making me feel like running away. "Was this your plan all along? To trap my son in prison and worm your way into Damien’s bed?"

I swallowed hard, feeling nervous as my palms began to sweat. "I never schemed against anyone. Roland’s actions put him where he is."

"You lying little tramp!" she hissed, stepping closer. "You think you can fool me? I know girls like you. Gold-diggers. If Roland isn’t released soon, I swear, you’ll regret ever stepping foot into this family."

Tess chuckled beside her, arms still crossed like she was enjoying a front-row seat to my humiliation.

"I have no control over the law, Mrs. Carter," I said calmly, even though my insides were boiling. "Roland made his choices. I made mine."

"Choices?" Barbra scoffed. "You kissed another man in public like a harlot! And now you're playing the innocent card?"

My fists crumpled at my sides, nails digging into my palms. "Your son cheated on me with Tess. I have proof."

Barbra’s eyes narrowed. "Proof? Are you still keeping that stupid video? For what purpose? If you know what is good for you, delete that video now.”

Tess smirked wider, lifting her chin proudly in triumph.

"Even if I delete the video, I saw them with my own eyes. Such memories are hard to forget.”

My voice trembled slightly despite my efforts to appear calm before these two.

“Oh shut up already, will you? You kissed a man in public and the picture is all over the internet. Isn't that shameful enough. Stop pretending to be the victim while you're the villain.”

“I'm not here to argue, Mrs. Carter. You can believe what you want."

"You arrogant little—" Barbra lunged a step closer, her perfectly manicured finger jabbing toward my chest. "If you don’t fix this, if Roland isn't released immediately, I will make this marriage hell for you. You hear me?"

"I’m not afraid of you," I said quietly, meeting her burning gaze. "And I won't take blames for things I didn’t do."

"You should be afraid," she sneered. "This family eats traitors alive."

Tess gasped theatricality, clutching her chest dramatically. "Oh my God, Kim, you're so in for a rough ride.”

I laughed bitterly. "You stink, Tess. You are the architect of this problem. Starting with stabbing me in the back."

“This is what you've always wanted, Kim. I only helped you facilitate your plans. Otherwise, why were you so quick to kiss Damien in public so shamelessly?”

Barbra glared at me with deadly intent.

“That's not true, Tess and you know it,” I had to defend myself.

“Shut up, will you,” Barbra barked. “You're such a bitch, Kimberly. When did you turn into such a scheming whore?”

I ignored her and turned to Tess. “Why are you here, Tess? Aren't you supposed to be with Roland in the police cell, comforting him? After all, he claims you seduced him and forced him to cheat on me.”

Before Tess could retort, a firm, commanding voice echoed from behind.

"What's the squabble about?"

We all turned to see Evelyn Carter, the Matriarch herself, emerging from the doorway. Her figure was majestic as she approached with confident steps. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she halted before us.

Barbra immediately dropped her arms to her sides and stepped back, but her glare toward me remained venomous.

"What is going on here?" Evelyn demanded, her sharp eyes darting between Barbra, Tess, and me.

"Mother," Barbra began sweetly, "I was merely telling Kimberly how her behavior has deeply hurt this family."

Evelyn’s gaze pinned her to the spot. "By berating her like a common street vendor?"

Barbra’s mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.

"Kimberly is now Damien’s wife. Which makes her a Carter. You will address her with the respect that title demands."

Tess scoffed under her breath, but one look from Evelyn shut her up.

"I understand your loyalty to your son," Evelyn continued, her tone ice-cold. "But Roland is responsible for his actions. Threatening Kimberly will not erase his mistakes."

Barbra looked ready to burst but said nothing. I stood there, my heart hammering, feeling like I'd just dodged a bullet.

Evelyn turned to Tess, “why are you here?”

Tess blinked. “Mrs Carter, I..I came to,.”

“Leave now!”

Tess glared at me and sauntered away.

As Evelyn turned to me, her gaze softened slightly. "Come, Kimberly. Let me show you to your husband's apartment."

“Yes, Mrs. Carter.”

“Don't call me Mrs Carter, call me Grandma.”

I nodded, blinking back unexpected tears. “Yes Grandma.”

As Evelyn turned and led the way into the house, I followed silently, leaving Barbra glaring daggers at my back.

"Mark my words, girl," Barbra hissed slowly as I passed her. "This is just the beginning of your nightmares here."

I didn’t even flinch. I nodded and walked on..

Evelyn led me to Damien's doorstep and faced me. "Are you alright?"

"I will be fine, Grandma," I said softly.

"You’ll need to be strong," she said, resting a hand on my shoulder. "Being a Carter requires a lot of resilience. Damien... he chose you, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to convince him to marry you. Always have that in mind."

Tears threatened again, but I blinked them away.

"Thank you, Grandma," I whispered.

Evelyn gave a rare, small smile. "Now go in there and have some rest. Tomorrow, we deal with everything else."

I nodded and unlocked the door with the keys Damien had given me.

As I stepped in and closed the door behind me, I heaved a sigh. I moved toward the bed and sank on the soft mattress, with my eyes tightly shut. I needed a bath but I didn't have my bath shower. I felt too tired to get my things from my car in the garage.

That would have to wait till tomorrow.

As I drifted off to sleep, I heard a sharp knock at the door.