Dan and Adele stared at him in shock. “But Dad-“ Dan began. He ignored him and walked to the front door. Adele ran after him. “Chris please you know how much that job means to him.” She said. “He should have thought of that before he quit.” “He didn’t mean it.” “And I don’t care. Don't worry about Jay, I will bring him home early.” He said and left. Adele watched him go, then went to join Dan in the living room. “I am sorry.” She said softly. “Maybe he will change his mind.” Dan shook his head. “No he won’t and he is right. I won’t know a good thing if I saw it. You are right to leave. You and Jay deserve better.” He stood up. “He would probably give the position to Zoey that’s what she has always wanted and I stupidly helped her get it." "What will you do?" She asked softly. "Start hunting for a job now.” He went to his study. Adele sat on the sofa and blinked back tears. This morning she had been anxious to leave but now she wasn’t so sure. Would Dan be alrig
Dan was lying on the floor. Adele could hear his funny breathing from the door. She rushed to him. The housekeeper who had heard her scream came in to see what was happening. “Call an ambulance! Quickly!” Adele told her and began feeling for a pulse. She smelt alcohol in his breath and was scared he had been poisoned. The ambulance came and she rode with him to the hospital. While the doctors worked on him, she called Chris and told him what had happened. He was there in less than ten minutes. He found her pacing in the waiting room. “What happened? Where is he?” Chris asked panicking. “Inside. I found him unconscious on the floor.” “Do they have any idea what is wrong with him?” She shook her head. As if to answer his question the doctor walked up to them. He told them Dan had taken a sleeping medication and alcohol. “This particular drug shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol. Thank goodness you found him on time, it could have been really bad.” The doctor concluded.
They turned to see Chris by the door. “Hey Dad.” Dan said smiling weakly. “The doctor told us you mixed stuff that wasn’t meant to be mixed, was it deliberate or an accident?” Chris asked as he walked into the room. “An accident, you know me better than that Dad.” “I know but you had me scared. I am sorry for letting your brother and sister try to come between us.” “I should apologize for being a jerk. I will make it up to all of you. I promise.” “Well going to rehab is a good start. Will you be an outpatient?” “Yeah.” “Good at least it won’t affect your job.” “I don’t hire a job, you fired me remember?” Dan grinned. “No I didn’t, you must have dreamt it.” Chris grinned. “You mean I still have my job?” Dan asked wide-eyed. “Yes and I expect you by your desk as soon as possible.” “Thanks Dad.” “Thanks.” Adele said. “Get well. And don’t worry about those jackass’s I will handle them.” Rachel came in with two cups of coffee. She handed one
“No! You can’t fire me!” She protested. “I can and I have! I don’t want you anywhere near this building. Box your stuff and get out!” “I am your daughter.” “That is why I have given you enough chances to change your stupid, evil ways but you won’t. I know all about your plotting against Adele, from the pool party, to the listening devices, to working with her stupid sister. I have known all along and kept silent but now I have had enough! Pack your stuff and get out. If you are still here after thirty minutes I will have security escort you out!” Zoey was too stunned to speak. She stood up and walked like a zombie back to her desk. Her dad had fired her again! What the fuck! She felt angry and humiliated. She packed her stuff carefully so her co workers won’t know what was happening and mock her. She managed to drive home, numb with shock and anger. She dragged herself into the house and went straight to the bar. She poured herself a drink and swallowed it down. She was to
“Hey Dan.” Karen said coming in. “I heard you were ill. I came to see how you were doing.” “What is your business with how I am doing. Shouldn’t you be somewhere plotting and planning with Zoey?” He snapped. She winced. “I am sorry about that, but it was Zoey’s fault she planned everything. I-“ “Let me help you finish it, ‘I didn’t know what I was doing.’ Please spare me the sob story and get out.” “Dan I am sorry. But I love you, that’s why I went along with it. I never wanted to hurt you, only Adele.” “Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it doesn’t. Please leave. I love Adele and we are happy together so go.” “But we were together first before she came along!” Karen said angrily. “No we weren’t. You kept forcing it but I wasn’t interested. I was crazy to even consider you.” “How can you say that?” “Because it is the truth. Please go before I send for hospital security.” “I am not giving up.” She said. “You will be wasting your time.” “We will see
Dan was discharged from the hospital the next day. Adele brought him home where Chris and Rachel were waiting to welcome them. Jay was in school and Brenda had the day off. “So are you strong enough to get back to work tomorrow? We still have a contract to work on.” Chris said as they sat having an early lunch. “Chris! He just got out of the hospital.” Rachel reminded him. “I am okay, honestly I can’t wait to get back to work.” Dan said. "Are you sure?" Adele asked. He nodded. “Good so how about tomorrow?" Chris suggested. "The earlier the better.” “Yeah I can start tomorrow. ” Dan hesitated. “I hear you fired Zoey, wasn’t that a bit harsh Dad?” “No she deserves it.” Chris said. “She deserves worse.” Rachel said. “So does Karen.” “Well now we know what they are capable of, they are harmless.” Adele put in. “You guys forget them and just concentrate on yourselves.” Chris said. They finished lunch and he stood up. "I have to get back to work. See you guys later."
Zoey sat at the dining table brooding over a cup of coffee. She was used to going to work every morning, being forced to stay at home was hell for her. She was really pissed and blamed Adele for her situation. Dad had humiliated her because of that rat. She won’t rest until Adele was disgraced and run out of town. Craig came in. He too was in a bad mood. He had spent all night thinking of was to reduce his spending. It made him mad to think he had to now manage money. He joined Zoey at the table and poured himself a cup of coffee. “What are you mad about?” She asked. “I have lost my job, I am the one who should be mad.” “The universe dosen’t revolve around you Zoey Richards.” Craig snapped. “You lost your job, too bad, the asshole froze my fucking credit card!” Her eyes widened. “He did? How? Why?” “Why do you think?” “How did he find out? I thought you were always careful.” She said mockingly. “Shut up!” He growled. “So how did it happen?” “He caught me on
“What are your plans for today?” Dan asked me as we walked to our cars. “The usual I guess. I am hoping to see my Dad and have a drink after work and talk about my mom. I can’t believe so much time has passed since she died.” I said sadly. “Would it be okay if I took you to dinner this evening and heard about your mother too?” Dan asked softly. “Yes. I will ask Brenda to watch Jay.” “Let’s meet here by closing time.” On my way to work I stopped by the cemetery to see my moms grave. There was a huge bouquet of roses on her grave, I knew they were from Chris. They were fresh and I guessed they had been put this morning. I put my own bouquet besides it and knelt beside her grave, remembering how months ago when I had wondered who was behind my troubles, and heard the name Karen whispered I had thought I was being ridiculous. But now I knew better. After staying for a few minutes I drove to work. “The guy representing the investors was here to see you.” My assistant said whe
Adele’s Pov “I am letting her go that’s what. What you are doing is crazy Tina! And I won’t support you.” Dad said. “You idiot! I am trying to help you solve a problem!” Tina yelled. “Just like I did with her useless mother.” “What?” I asked wide-eyed. “What do you mean? Did you have something to do with Claire’s death?” He asked. “Yes I did dumbass! What else was I suppose to do. You said you couldn’t be with me because you didn’t want to divorce her so I had to kill her. You mentioned she was going to Palo Alto to see her stupid friend so I waited on a quiet part of the road pretending I had engine trouble, when the fool stopped to help, I hit her on the back of the head and drove her car off a cliff. So your problems were solved.” “How could you be so evil Tina?” Dad asked shocked. “Shut up! I did it to help you. You should be thanking me! Now lock them up and stop being an idiot.” “Never! You have done enough. It ends now. I was an idiot to have had anything to do with you
Tina met Jason the same place she had met Adele. “What took you so long?” She asked suspiciously. “I went by a longer route. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t being followed.” He explained. “Okay, so you have everything?” “Yeah,” he said pointing to his case. “I heard you kidnapped Adele too?” “Yes to increase the ransom.” They began walking to the beach house. “She was the target, I used her son to get her. Tell me about Adele being Chris’ daughter, Claire cheated on you? I am not surprised. She was as useless as her daughter.” “There isn’t much to tell. Chris just told me she wasn’t my daughter, it explained a lot of things.” They got to the house and met Karen having lunch. “Dad! I was so happy when Mom said you were joining us. I hope you aren’t mad I didn’t tell you I was leaving?” “No. I wish you had though. Where is Adele and Jay?” “There.” Tina pointed to a door. “Let me see them.” Tina picked up a bunch of keys on the table and opened the door. Adele and Jay were s
“How could we be so stupid?” Dan groaned. He was pacing the living room very upset. “I was the idiot.” Chris said. “I should have known what Tina was up to when she didn’t want Adele around. In fact I should have had bodyguards here the minute this happened.” “It won’t have helped. From what the housekeeper said Tina didn’t rush in and kidnap her she lured her away.” Rachel said. “Jay and now Adele have been taken. What kind of an idiot am I not to have seen this?“ Chris asked helplessly. “Beating yourself up won’t help. We have to find a way to get them back.” Rachel said. “I am going to talk to Jason, he is going to tell me where his crazy wife is hiding.” Chris fumed. “I will come with you.” Dan said. “No. You two stay here and let me handle it.” Rachel said and left. Jason was staring at his dinner when Rachel walked in. “It is time to come clean Jason, where is Tina? Chris is right, you know where she is and you are hiding it from us.” She said. “I am not in t
The phone call had shaken Adele and Dan, but Rachel told them not to get upset. “Tina is trying to get to you guys, don’t let her win. You have to be strong.” She said. “I'm trying but it isn’t easy,” Adele cried. “Tina is crazy, what if she hurts him?” “She won't, she needs him to carry out whatever evil plan she has. Don’t worry, she will call again.” Two days later, Tina called Chris during lunch time. “Hey Chris, how are you? I'm calling you because you have what I need.” She said. “ You evil bitch! Where is Jay?” “The brat is fine don’t worry.” “If you harm him-“ “Why should I? I need him. I have no intention of hurting him. I just want to make a deal and I will let him go. Having him here is annoying.” “What do you want?” “Money.” “How much?” “I will tell you, but first call Dan and Rachel to your office by 4 pm. I want them to be there when I call. Do not call Adele.” “Why only Dan and Rachel? And why 4 pm? What are you up to?” He asked suspiciously.
Tina called Jason as he drove home. “Tina, what is going on? Is Karen with you?” He asked. “Calm down she is. I know you didn’t want her to know about our plan, but I couldn’t help contacting her. I hope you are not mad?” “Not really, although I wish you had told me first. Did she take Adele’s son?” “Yes, the brat is here.” “Tina that is kidnapping! She could be in big trouble! Why did you get her mixed up in this?” “Relax, no one is getting into trouble. We are going make money from this. I needed her help to pull it off.” “Money? How?” “From the ransom of course.” “Tina this is a bad idea.” “No it isn’t. Just calm down and leave it to me okay?” “Sure, take care of Karen, and please keep in touch.” When Jason got home he sank into a chair feeling tired and upset. He had guessed something was wrong when he tried to call Karen and couldn’t get through, then when he'd come home Marie had told him Karen had packed her bags to go on a camping trip. He had guessed s
Adele’s pov I couldn’t stop crying. Dan sat beside me trying to console me. Brenda was crying quietly in the armchair and Chris was on the phone, calling everyone he could think of to help find Jay. “This is all my fault,” Brenda said “No it is,” Dan said. “You didn’t get there on time because an accident delayed you, and I am very sure the accident was caused by Tina.” “It is my fault.” I cried. “I caused this. I brought Karen into our lives. You warned me Dan but I was stupid enough to trust her!” “Stop blaming yourself. It’s not your fault she turned out to be a witch, you couldn’t have known.” “Dan is right,” Chris said, None of you are to blame. We will find Jay, and arrest Karen and Tina, I promise.” The housekeeper led Dad into the room. “I got your message,” he said, “what’s going on? You said Karen kidnapped Jay? That’s impossible why would she do that?” “Because she is a psycho just like her mom and she needs to be stopped!” Chris fumed. ‘It is time to come
“Calm down Brenda, there must be some mistake,” Adele said trying to control her panic. “No! I got here and I couldn’t find him!” “Okay, I am on my way,” Adele said. She was trembling as she hung up and told Dan what had happened. “Calm down babe there must be a mistake somewhere. We will go to the school together.” He said. On the way to the elevator, Chris called him. “Dan I need to see you.” “Not now Dad-“ “It's urgent.” “I will wait in your car,” Adele said. Dan almost ran to Chris’ office. The man who had been with Karen was standing next to Chris. They were listening to a recording on a mobile phone on Chris’s desk. “Dad please make it snappy,” Dan said rushing in. “Listen to this.” Chris said. “I am in a hurry dad, tell me what it is.” “I found out where Zoey and her mom are living, somewhere across town. I sent one of my people to them to see what they were up to, and found out they were planning to hack into our company and steal millions, so I sent this guy to
She thought about the lunch and laughed, did the stupid Adele believe she was trying to be her friend?She is dumber than I imagined, Karen thought.She went to her room to wait for her mom’s call. It came an hour later.“Mom, I have been waiting.”“Sorry honey, I wanted to make sure you were back, how did it go?”“Better than I expected, I have the information.”“Meet at the usual place.”Karen hurriedly drove to the beach. Tina entered the car as soon as she stopped it.“I have everything Mom. I went to Adele and pretended I wanted to work with her, the fool believed my good girl act. I was able to get the info you wanted about her son.”“Smart girl! I knew I could rely on you. I have been gathering some information too and now have an idea of his routine.”“But why go through this stress, Mom? Can't we go straight to Adele?”“We can but it’s more difficult. Using her son to get to her is easier.”‘Okay, you said Dad is not to know about it?”“Not yet, till I'm sure he can be of hel
It was past dinner time when Karen came home.“You are late for dinner.” Her dad said.“Yeah I went for a walk. I have thought about what you said and you are right, Adele heading the company isn’t so bad. I want to work with her.”“I am glad you see things my way. I will call her tomorrow and tell her you are coming over.”“I hope we will be able to mend out relationship.” Karen smiled falsely.The next afternoon she walked into Adele’s office.“Dad told me you would be coming.” Adele said.“Yeah. I need a job. Sitting around waiting to hear from mom is driving me crazy.”“I am sorry about what happened. Chris has promised to help if she gives herself up.”“Dad told me. We are grateful. And I am sorry for all the awful stuff I did and said.” Karen said sounding remorseful.“Let’s move past that. I have a job for you in the media department, would you like that?”“Sure. I would love it.”“Okay, you can start tomorrow.”“How about you tell me a little about the job.” Karen said.“Sure.