บททั้งหมดของ Deep Within A Dream: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

When I say, 'My bed will comfort me, my couch will ease my complaint,' Then You scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions... Job 7:13-14 The rustling outside of our tent wakes me. Supposedly, there's no wild beast out here, but I check on my four girls. They're sound asleep. For a moment I sit listening, then as soon as I start to lie back down the rustling starts again. I call Malika. Groggy she answers, "Hey Jade. What's up?" I whisper, "Sorry to wake you, but do you hear anything moving outside your tent?" Yawning she answers, "No. You're probably just spooked because we're outside in the woods." "You're right. Good night. Sorry to wake you." "It's okay sis. Good night." As soon as I hang up from Malika, the rustling gets louder. Dear God protect us, I pray. It stops but I still feel uneasy. Quietly, I crawl to the tent's opening and unzip it. Is that a figure walking into the woods? Startled, I scoot backward but hurry and crawl back to my peephole to look out again.

The following Thursday I have Tristan's bill all completed. I leave a message on his voicemail asking him to call me before my office closes. He doesn't call. I'm assuming he's probably going to cancel altogether after I didn't accept his tasteless invitation. I'm now home preparing another presentation for a client I received yesterday. Of course, she doesn't own a newly built twenty thousand square foot mega mansion off the water, but it's a job. She wants to meet tomorrow evening so I'm up late trying to get the perfect ideas. It’s just after eleven at night and Tristan's calling. I don't answer. I want to see if he'll leave a message and to my surprise he does. "Hi, Jade. Sorry, I missed our appointment. Please may I reschedule? I'm still excited about you doing my home. Please call me as soon as you get this message. Thanks." He sounds winded as if he's been running. I don't want to return his call tonight, but this is a major monetary deal. I tell myself to call early in t

I'm almost done with Tristan's home. It has been three weeks and he hasn't been here once. My feelings are mixed. I'm relieved yet disappointed. Knowing he wanted to meet me long before now was flattering, but learning of his wife tainted it. I had assumed he lied about being in the services too, but Blake confirmed that was true. Monique never offered any information on Tristan's whereabouts so I assumed they were top secret. She started anal but after three weeks I learned she was a sweetheart. Monique had a fiancée she was crazy about. She and Tristan were just friends. "Oh my goodness Tristan is a born charmer. I met him in Paris during a runway show. Alex was the star. Everyone was so busy praising her that the rest of us felt useless. Tristan felt our pain and took every model out for dinner. He too wanted Alex's attention, so he won it by giving attention to us all!" She giggles. "What happened with them?" I ask. "My guess is they were too different. Alex was a bona fide div

Although he's not running his business, he looks and acts more like a businessman today—no joking or tactless conceited remarks. Shane just talked and talked as I discreetly watched Tristan. If only he knew how I've longed to find him all these months. I must've observed him for fifteen minutes, and he never cracked a smile. Where's my outdoor, fun-loving Tristan? Had the now yacht-owning billionaire overtaken him? I was curious to find out, and tomorrow evening couldn't come fast enough. We're now driving to drop me off at home. Shane had finally come off his Tristan high. Deep in thought, Shane asks, "I wonder what happened? Tristan was really into Monique. I hoped they'd make it despite everything." "Despite what?" I ask. "Oh, it's too complicated, and I don't want to reveal my friend's business without his approval. He's a great man. You're going to like him! You'll see!" Shane seemed nervous as he escorted me to my door. We kissed good night, and then he left. Wide-eyed, I gl

This guest room runs circles around my hotel suite. It smells like lavender and vanilla, my favorite. The fireplace is burning, and the atmosphere is so peaceful. I put on the gown at the foot of the bed and fell asleep. Soon awakened, I looked at the clock at 3:54 a.m. After using the bathroom, I sit in front of the fireplace. Suddenly, I hear faint yelling. Tiptoeing to my room door, I crack it, and It's Mrs. Connors ordering someone to do something. I hear a dog growling, and she yells, "Get him out of here!"I'm terrified of big dogs, so I lock my door, and thankfully, I do. Seconds later, I heard the dog running up the stairs. He's barking and growling right outside my door. I am petrified!"Where's Tristan?" I hear a man ask. I assume it's Mr. Connors."Get him outta here!" Mrs. Connors screams.Seconds later, I heard all this tussle and bustle. I see shadows under my door. It's several men fighting to get this dog out of the house. They must've slammed against my door ten times