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CHAPTER 29
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2024-10-29 19:42:56“Forgive you? I'm the one who should beg for your forgiveness. I should never have let the bitch into this room, or given her the slightest opportunity to hurt you like that. I knew what she was like. What a selfish bitch she could be. But I wanted the chance to tell her what I really thought of her.”
“What happened, Nix?” Genie asked.
His shudder showed true revulsion.
“I still can't believe what she did. She’s just sick…”
He shook his head in disbelief.
“How did she get into the room with you? How did she know I wouldn't be here?”
“She must’ve overheard you and Ann at breakfast this morning, discussing and planned to go out. When we came out for a break from the conference, I got a message from her. It said she needed to see me urgently and that she was waitin
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She looked at him like she was about to strangle her brother. All her pep talk from earlier served to nothing. He was still against going to Los Angeles. He wasn’t willing to participate in the most important medical conference of the year!“What do you mean, you're not going? Phoenix, you promised you would go! It’s for the best of this clinic! You've been working non-stop for nearly one year and a half without taking a break, without enjoying Christmas or Easter. You worked even on the 4th of July... If you don't take a few days off, you'll end up in a hospital bed!”“A few days off… Really, Nicky? Surely you must know that what you’re asking me to do is to attend a medical conference, not a spa,” Phoenix replied.“Ok, it might be all work and no play for the first half of each day. But then I expect you to come out of your boredom-induced coma and
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 2
Genie knew that tone of voice. And clearly so did Nicole, who emerged from the room looking defeated. Closing the door distractedly behind her, she began walking slowly across the empty waiting room with a genuinely troubled look on her face. She seemed totally unaware of Genie's presence behind the desk, so deep in thought was she. Genie's clearing her throat brought her head up with a startled gasp.“Oh… Genie… I forgot you were still here.”“Would you like a cup of tea, Nicky?” she offered. “You seem a little... upset.”“No, thank you,” Nicole said sighing. “You're a sweet girl. I'd better go home and get dinner started. It's time you went home too, isn't it? It's after five.”“Dr. Beaumont hasn't finished dictating today's letters. I'll have to stay here until I've typed them up. You know how… meticulous he is about that.”“Unfortunately! Make sure you put down the overtime.”“Oh, I will,
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 3
Genie was just beginning the second letter when she remembered the other letter, the one she'd forgotten to give to Phoenix. All the mail had been delivered extra late that day after Dr. Beaumont had started seeing patients. Not that he ever opened the mail himself, unless it was marked 'Confidential' or 'Private'. Such an occurrence was extremely rare. Most letters sent to the clinic were either cheques for unpaid accounts, general inquiries from other doctors, or advertising mail from various pharmaceutical and medical companies. But there was one letter that Friday which Genie thought the doctor might want to see personally. It was from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Los Angeles where the medical conference he and Nicky were arguing about was being held. It was a notice about a last-minute cha
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Her eyes got widened, and then she frowned. Genie stared at him while battling to control the simmering fury that was wrapping her entire being. The nerve of this guy! The arrogance in his voice while suggesting her to accept his money and pretend they were together… ‘What do I say?’ she thought looking straight at him, still appalled and mad by his callousness. ‘You never took the time of day to get your head out from your ass and look at me, maybe try to understand who I am, and now you ask me what do I say about your proposal? I would say not in a billion years, you pompous, patronizing bastard! I would say stick your proposal where the sun doesn’t shine. I'd say up yours, you arrogant prick! I wouldn't spend one hour alone with you, let alone three days and three nights! Not even if my life would depend on it!’“Dr. Beaumont, I'm sorry, but I absolutely c
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The old lady was brokenhearted. Genie was standing on the bed trying to comfort Miss Rowland. That weekend has been the absolute worst for Genie, for so many reasons. It all started with her quitting her waitressing job after her boss put his sleazy hand on her ass one time too many. Then, on that same Saturday night, some thug broke into Miss Rowland's room. The poor old lady was so distressed that Genie spent the whole Sunday trying to comfort her.“It's going to be alright, Miss Rowland,” Genie said while holding her hand after the police had finally left the house. They were sitting in Miss Rowland's room, which was the biggest and best in the ancient old boarding house, its large window overlooking the small flower garden. Unfortunately, it had been this same window that had given the thief easy entry into the downstairs room.&nb
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“Since I have nothing to do for the evening, let’s talk a little bit more about what I’m expecting for the money I’m paying you,” Phoenix continued abruptly. “First things first… Your clothes.”“My… clothes?” she repeated blankly, her mind still back on her disturbing weakness for the Doctor. “What about my clothes?”“I suppose that you do own something other than that black skirt and white blouse you wear every Friday, don't you?” Genie thought of all the designer clothes hanging up in her wardrobe in her father’s house. Such wonderful outfits, timeless classical styles. She didn't doubt they would still be where she left them. She would have no trouble getting them if she went during the day when her father was at the office.“Actually, I have quite an extensive wardrobe,” she replied coolly
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 7
The week, which usually dragged when she spent it searching unsuccessfully for a full-time job, had simply flown. Any spare minute had been taken up with alterations to her clothes. Hems had been taken up or down, and seams let out where possible.“Tell me again the name of the place you're off to, child?” Miss Rowland asked as she watched Genie packing the freshly washed and pressed outfits.“Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in Los Angeles,” she replied, smiling as the old lady maneuvered the chair closer just by pressing a button. In just two short days she'd become a real expert, whizzing up and down the hallway and rarely bumping into anyone anymore. Seeing Miss Rowland so happy made the sacrifice of the coming weekend worthwhile.'It's one of the most expensive hotels in the city.”“And what exactly is it you have to do there?”&
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The taxi driver let Genie in front of the clinic after taking almost all the money she had in her purse. She sighed, then glanced at her watch. She arrived there too early. Taking a deep, steadying breath, Genie picked up her suitcase and entered the clinic. Her stomach began to flutter as she made her way across the coolly tiled floor towards Phoenix’s office. When she found herself in the waiting room, Genie heard a little voice in her head. ‘Don't go,’ it said. ‘Run! Run now!’ Run? But how could she? She'd been paid, Phoenix knew her address, and she was almost broke. There was nowhere to run to… She took a deep breath to calm down. Genie couldn't help being a bit nervous about the weekend
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GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 29
“Forgive you? I'm the one who should beg for your forgiveness. I should never have let the bitch into this room, or given her the slightest opportunity to hurt you like that. I knew what she was like. What a selfish bitch she could be. But I wanted the chance to tell her what I really thought of her.”“What happened, Nix?” Genie asked. His shudder showed true revulsion.“I still can't believe what she did. She’s just sick…” He shook his head in disbelief.“How did she get into the room with you? How did she know I wouldn't be here?”“She must’ve overheard you and Ann at breakfast this morning, discussing and planned to go out. When we came out for a break from the conference, I got a message from her. It said she needed to see me urgently and that she was waitin
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 28
Ann dropped Genie off at the front of the hotel shortly after eleven. They hadn't spent nearly as long in the city as they'd intended, but that was alright by Genie. She still hadn't packed and was anxious not to do anything to delay their departure after lunch.“Thanks for the little brunch, Ann,” she said through the passenger window. “See you at lunch.” Ann drove off to park the car in the basement parking, while Genie was hurrying up the steps and into the hotel foyer. She moved quickly across the tiled floor and down the central hallway and was approaching the door which led out to the back when it opened abruptly and an incoming person collided with her.“Sorry,” she automatically apologized. Whitney seemed to take a moment to realize who she'd run into, while Genie could only stare at the woman. There was
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 27
She rolled over, an exasperated glare in place, only to find him grinning down at her, dancing teasing lights in his beautiful emerald eyes.“Why, you wicked, wicked man!' she squealed and began pummeling him in the chest and stomach. He laughed and grasped her wrists, whipping her over onto her back and holding her arms up on the pillows above her head. When he secured both in one iron hold and began touching her again, she groaned her total exasperation.“No, don't. I couldn't bear it again. I simply couldn't…” Genie twisted beneath him, trying to get away from that merciless grip, that harassing hand, and that prowling mouth. But his hold on her remained invincible, his ruthless attentions gradually achieving their aim.“Nix, you must stop now,” she cried in fury and frustration when
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 26
The golf course of the country club near the hotel was magnificent… green and lush, with each fairway bordered by rows of those same pines that encircled the tennis courts. Clearly, the unforgiven hot sun of LA hadn't affected it too much. “Who's going to partner whom?” Henry asked.“Oh, that’s an easy answer,” Phoenix said and smiled at Genie. “My woman is going to play with me…” ‘His woman’, ‘His love’… Those words were pure music from Heaven. She smiled back, her heart fairly bursting with happiness. It had been a marvelous day so far. It had been like this since the first moment she woke that morning and remembered what had happened the night before. It was as though a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders in telling Phoenix the truth, even better than when she'd told Miss Rowland. It
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 25
“Thank you… It’s very important for me that you just listen for now, without interrupting me… One sound from you and my courage would be all gone.” Phoenix nodded again and Genie continued her story about a very naïve version of herself in love with the most handsome and dangerous man. “When Jared first asked me for small loans, I simply gave him the money, telling him not to worry about repaying it. Just to save face, Jared always said he would but he never did, and soon he was spending more of my allowance, not to mention driving my car… Stupid little girl…” Genie shook her head and felt the rage, the embarrassment, the frustration coming back again, tormenting her like it happened all those endless days and nights in prison.“Every time he was using my car, he would say stuff like ‘babe, I have to go to Las Vegas for a business oppor
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 24
“I swear I didn’t do it,” Genie cried. “It wasn’t me… Nix, my love, you have to believe me… Oh, God, why don't you believe me? Why are you looking at me like that?”“Genie…”“It wasn’t me, Nix… I’m innocent!”“Genie… Sweetheart… Wake up…” Phoenix shook her by the shoulder.“Please, wake up. You're having a nightmare.” She sat bolt-upright in the bed, staring around her for a few confused seconds before she realized where she was, and that the real nightmare she'd once lived through wasn’t actually happening all over again. It was just a dream that came whenever she was upset. In it, she would be ba
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 23
Even so, Genie's natural curiosity still had her glancing around the ballroom. She didn't have to look around for long. Mrs. Webster had just made an entrance, dressed in the most outrageous red satin gown Genie had ever seen. Halter-necked, it had a V-neckline in front plunging to her waist, which was cinched with a wide jeweled belt. There was no back to speak of, and the skirt was extremely tight. Once again, Dr. Simon Webster was nowhere in sight, and his cheating wife was immediately claimed for a dance by a male admirer. She went into his arms as if she belonged there, a seductive smile on her full red lips.“At least she's wearing the right color for a cheater,” Genie said tartly.“True.” Phoenix's agreement sparked some hope in Genie that his ex-flame had shown
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 22
Genie poured herself another glass of wine, took a sip, then turned to walk over and peek through the drawn curtains at the setting sun.“Pull the curtain back, please. I want to see you better and that light doesn’t do you justice.” She did as Phoenix asked before glancing over her shoulder at him. He was lying on the rumpled bed, a sheet dragged across his lower half, his head and shoulders propped up against a mountain of pillows. He was sipping scotch on the rocks and was also staring at her, his intense green eyes glittering with a decidedly primitive desire. Everything was so… wonderfully surprising. Genie couldn’t believe how quickly Phoenix had stripped her of all inhibition. She'd never been this comfortable before, walking around naked. Now she not only did so without shyness, but she a
GENIE IN A BOTTLE CHAPTER 21
Fifteen minutes after the first round with lady Vamp, Genie was standing in the bathroom, biting her bottom lip as she grimaced at her reflection in the mirror. She had been staring at herself in horror for some time. The black bikini was more outrageous than ever. She seemed to be spilling out everywhere. Everything was so out of place! Sighing, Genie opened the bathroom door and backed up a bit, standing on tiptoe to get a longer view of her hips and legs in the mirror. Gritting her teeth, she half turned and glanced over her shoulders at her behind. It was appalling.“I could never wear this in public,” she muttered dispiritedly. For a second, she thought she could beat Whitney by prancing around the pool in front of Phoenix in this.“I agree.”
