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Chapter Forty-Six
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2021-04-04 10:48:03Jade clutched the railing and looked out over the marbled foyer. Her feet hesitated at the spectacle below. She leaned over, suspiciously murmuring to Miguel, "What's going on?" Every member of the staff was currently lined up, awaiting their arrival. In their livery, both the men and women stood at attention, forming four rows, with Yvonne stationed at the head of the congregation. Her beady eyes shifted to the top of the staircase, and a snooty smile spread across her cheeks.
Miguel placed a palm on the small of her back and gently nudged her to proceed, never answering. His face said that he wasn't sure either, but it wasn't about to stop him. They descended the stairway, their synchronal footfalls softly thudding against each tile. As they approached, Yvonne folded her hands in front of her, standing proud. "Ms. Meadows," Her voice now fabricated the most pleasant tone, "I would like to introduce the staff members of the Gladwyne estate."JadeRelated chapters
Rendezvous Chapter Forty-Seven
In the formal dining area, they sat at a long table across from one another. It could seat ten people, but the room was large enough that Jade imagined it could comfortably accommodate many more. Expensive curtains made of thick blue fabric hung over the windows, and oak chests filled with what she presumed was expensive crystal and china lined the walls. The waiter placed a cloth napkin over her lap and then lifted the dome cover, announcing that she was being served"Perch.""Oh," She peered down at the plate and then up at Miguel."Is something wrong?" He inquired as he picked up his fork and knife. The waiter paused as well, not daring to move before her complaint was addressed. Jade gulped, wondering if she should say anything. While she'd been researching pregnancy and what to expect of hers, she came across an article about foods she should avoid. Fish was one of them. He impatiently stared up at her, waiting for her to vocalize her thoughts. "Do you
Last Updated : 2021-04-04Rendezvous Chapter Forty-Eight
The next week passed without incident. Jade and Miguel quickly found a routine, leaving for work in the mornings and returning to each other in the evenings.Getting dressed for work each morning was like a treasure hunt. Jade's closet now resembled an upscale boutique. One tall pile of jeans became two and then three, four, five— until the generous cubby holes became a vertical rainbow of blues. Above those shelves were folded scarves, t-shirts, large sun hats, and purses that had spilled over from the rotating bag holder. She had an outfit for every occasion. The garment racks were filled and organized by color and style, and the shoes as well. They were displayed by the height of each heel: flats to four-inch stilettos. Even the jewelry cases displayed lovely pieces of silver and white gold.Given so many options, it now took her longer to dress in the mornings. After Cassandra had finished putting her hair up and applying a light touch of makeup, she'd
Last Updated : 2021-04-04Rendezvous Chapter Forty-Nine
The next day Jade found herself moping around the estate. Miguel had disappeared before dawn to embark on a fishing trip with his brother, Anthony, and he hadn't invited her along. She hadn't seen Anthony or his wife since the art exhibit, over a week ago. She could only speculate that Miguel had warned them not to stop by the house afterward, as they had intended to do. There was no need to involve them in their drama, and perhaps Miguel wasn't inclined to share the news with his family. Although, at the time, even he wasn't convinced therewasnews to share. Jade thought it would've been nice to have Vivan over for a visit while the men went on their excursion. Even though the woman was practically a stranger, it would've beat spending the day in an empty house.Before they'd gone to bed, Miguel had informed her that Sundays were the staff's day off. She could still order food from the kitchen, but otherwise, she shouldn't expect to see them around the ho
Last Updated : 2021-04-04Rendezvous Chapter Fifty
CASSANDRAThe bell jingled above the doorway as Cassandra stepped into the cafe. The atmosphere was warm and enticing, emerging her into the fragrance of roasted coffee beans and baked goods.The small restaurant was nearly packed. Families filled each booth, all dressed in their Sunday's best, just coming from a nearby church service. Whimsical giggles from children who bounced and wriggled across the cheap vinyl seats of the booths penetrated the air, followed by mothers chiding their behavior. Across the room, stools at the bar were occupied by brawny truck drivers just passing through town, all looking like they could use a good shower and shave.Cassandra tugged off her hat, letting her tresses tickle her neck as she freed her hair. She was thankful it was finally Sunday, the one day where she could let loose. This certainly wasn't where she would have preferred to spend the afternoon, but Nadia had insisted they meet today. The woma
Last Updated : 2021-04-04Rendezvous Chapter Fifty-One
A desirous smile extended across Jade's face, plumping her blushing cheeks as she was stirred awake. She had felt the tender grazes from his warm mouth advancing down her throat before she'd become mindful of what the sensation had been. Her eyes, still heavy and tired from the night before, opened to daylight spilling in through the slats of the window blinds; soft, yellow, and registering that it was early in the morning. Miguel gently kissed the crevice of her neck once more, letting his lips linger and graze. His hot breath awakened her core, although the rest of her had yet to catch up. She felt the blues of her eyes disappear behind a curtain of lashes again, but his persistence warded off any sleep.Inhaling the scent of clean, fragrant soap which permeated the air around them, she forced herself to move. It would do no good to fight the inevitable; she had to get up because of a doctor's appointment. Jade wound awrist over the back of his neck and swirled he
Last Updated : 2021-04-04Rendezvous Chapter Fifty-Two
Jade had only been situated on the tall examination chair for a moment before a knock came from behind the closed door. The long strip of hygienic paper beneath her bottom annoyingly crinkled as she attempted to adjust the thin medical gown she was wearing. No matter how much she tugged or arranged it, it seemed impossible to cover her exposed backside.The doctor entered the room, bringing the scent of sugar with her. It was overpowering and excessively sweet, causing the contents of Jade's stomach to churn. The woman, better-looking than her online photo depicted, gave her and then Miguel a welcoming grin before pushing aside the fringed bangs of her bleached hair, which had swayed across her forehead. The roots of it were dark, matching the shade of her penciled-in eyebrows. "Good morning, I'm Doctor Collins," she announced.The polite smile Jade wore had quickly dissolved after they shook hands. She had been forcing herself to breathe from her mouth but had
Last Updated : 2021-04-04Rendezvous Chapter Fifty-Three
In an environment that once felt chaotic: unfamiliar, uncertain, and crowded by strangers that seldomly ever acknowledge her, she had discovered order. The sound of her shoes squeaking across the tiled floor never brought recognition; not for any reason did she receive, in passing, a simple glance upward or a smile that said hello. The staff had been trained well, keeping their eyes low and their attention toward anything but her."They get paid to see as little as possible," Miguel's words would echo in her thoughts.It felt like she were just another statue in the corridor. Eventually, she stopped noticing the staff as well.She did have daily interactions with Cassandra, although, recently, even she seemed to keep a distance. Their morning conversations over a cup of coffee lasted for around fifteen minutes, consisting of mainly informational topics. Each morning, Cassandra had fixed her hair before work and then applied a light coat of makeup
Last Updated : 2021-04-04Rendezvous Chapter Fifty-Four
At 5:00 P.M. the tall door to the suite promptly cracked open. Jade hadn't heard the soft tapping coming from behind it because she'd been sitting in the dressing room at the time, applying the finishing touches of her makeup. Yvonne had informed her that they'd be traveling with some of Miguel's business associates, and she would need to make herself presentable."You'll sit at the rear of the plane,"the woman's voice mimicked in her thoughts, "You're to remain quiet but vigil. Don't sleep, don't slouch, and do not interrupt."The soft bristles of a powder brush swept across her stained rosy cheeks one last time before she tucked it away into a soft carrying case. She was more than happy to follow along with the rules if it meant she would get to spend Christmas with Miguel."Ms. Jade?"Her eyes darted up into the reflection of the vanity mirror, noticing the slim figure now standing in the doorway. "Cassandra," she smiled
Last Updated : 2021-04-04
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Rendezvous Chapter Eighty-Nine
Grace is the divine power that inspires virtue in humans and gives us the strength to endure difficult times. Grace Elizabeth Santos was born on June 29th at 3:17 pm. The first time Jade laid eyes on her, she believed her daughter was absolutely perfect in every sense. She never truly understood what love was until she laid her eyes on her daughter and cradled her tiny, pink body in her arms for the first time. It was the most magical moment she'd ever felt. Grace came out screaming, wide-eyed, and confused by the strange cold world, but the moment she heard the sound of her mother's voice, she froze and just blinked, listening for her. "I could lay here forever studying her features and adoring every little movement and noise she makes," Jade whispered as she softly hummed to Grace who was sleeping in her arms.&n
Rendezvous Chapter Eighty-Eight
"Time keeps slipping away from me," Jade thought to herself, sipping on a cup of morning tea as she gazed out the window. Her drink had already gone cold. Was her memory failing her? How many days had passed? Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset, she tried to count them all, but it was difficult—fuzzy like static on the television. At this point, nothing made sense. One moment it was two in the morning, and she was lying in bed next to Miguel, and the next, she was here, sitting in this chair, having a cup of tea. She didn't know what was real or which memories she could believe.She was losing her mind, just as her mother had.Miguel had to have known that there was something wrong with her, although she attempted to conceal it. There had been no way to explain to him how she ended up in the ocean, drenched from head to toe and nearly frozen to death. She couldn't explain it. She couldn't
Rendezvous Chapter Eighty-Seven
The following day, Jade had been medically cleared to leave the hospital. After signing a mountain of paperwork and receiving follow-up care instructions, she began getting dressed. The clothes alone brought a comfort she had greatly missed. Miguel had run out earlier that morning to grab her something to change into for the flight home. She couldn't exactly leave there in nothing but a thin hospital gown, and the clothes she had been wearing were now somewhere in an evidence bag. "One pair of black leggings, slippers, and an oversized t-shirt," Miguel beamed as he placed the shopping bag on the hospital bed, proud of himself. Even if there wasn't currently an assistant around to fulfill the task, he was determined to get them both out of that hospital room. After she was officially discharged, a nurse wheeled her down the elevator to
Rendezvous Chapter Eighty-Six
Their reunion had been long-awaited, but as Miguel sat diagonally from her in an armchair in the corner of the room, sorting through the emails on his cellphone, she couldn't help but feel like there was a rift between them. She turned the television on to watch the five o'clock news. Lieutenant Davidson had mentioned that he would be giving a statement to the press that evening, and he'd even stopped by to ask her if there was anything she would or wouldn't prefer him to mention. She'd decided to give him her own brief statement to read.The top of the screen read 'LIVE' in big, bold red letters. "Are they really outside right now?" Jade questioned, seeing the camera was angled at the front doors of the hospital. Her room was positioned somewhere in the north wing. She wondered how many people had driven all the way to Pittsburg just to film this.She turned the volume up as
Rendezvous Chapter Eighty-Five
Lieutenant Lyle Davidson leaned forward in his chair, rubbing over the scruff around his chin. He was heading into his second double shift, and the week had only started. He flipped the page, scanning over the investigative report one last time. It was unfathomable that this woman was good for it. Her demeanor definitely had him fooled. When one of his detectives had first sent over the file to him, he thought, for sure, the boyfriend had something to do with it. Shit, wasn't it always the boyfriend in cases like these? At the time, it had seemed cut and dry. Some arrogant rich guy gets a chick pregnant, and then she suddenly turns up missing? Babies born out of wedlock could bleed a man dry, and money was one hell of a motive. Hell, it wouldn't be the first time he'd had a case like this come across his desk.A smile crossed his face as he snapped the folder shut. Between the physical and forensic evidence collected at the crime scene and Jade Meadows' affidavit, he had
Rendezvous Chapter Eighty-Four
The sounds of the hospital were unmistakable, and Jade recognized them before she even came to. Machines continuously beeped around her, footsteps paraded in front of the doorway, and an elastic band that was tightly wrapped around her abdomen monitored the baby's heartbeat— swish, swish, swish.She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, glancing around the small room. The walls were painted a flat pale blue, and the miniblinds on the windows let in a beautiful stream of afternoon sunlight. The tables and windowsill were lined with dozens of flowers, cards, balloons, and teddy bears. They'd been pouring in, all sent to her from strangers.The doctors had transferred her from triage to a private suite earlier in the day. From the moment she'd uttered the word 'kidnapped,' it was like she'd set off an alarm throughout the building. It felt like a million p
Rendezvous Chapter Eighty-Three
Jade was startled awake by a thud. Lying on the tiny bathroom rug, she didn't dare move. She was frozen in fear, not exactly sure what or who was out there. She hadn't meant to fall asleep, but it had been the first time in months she'd been without the lock around her ankle. It was so relieving to know that she free from her chains, even if she was stuck in the bathroom. She wondered if Marianna was there. The woman didn't usually come back for several weeks at a time, but Jade thought that perhaps she'd called Eduardo, and when he didn't answer, she'd rushed back.She listened carefully to the surrounding silence, only hearing the vibration of her trembling breath. The house was silent; there was nothing. No footsteps or voices. Just her and the ghost of Eduardo. "Hello?" She finally called out. If it were Marianna, perhaps she would open the door, and then Jade could overpower her.
Rendezvous Chapter Eighty-Two
Jade already knew that he'd allow her upstairs after Nadia had left. They always fell back into their old routine, and as predicted, after breakfast, he unchained her. It made her feel twenty pounds lighter. She'd nearly forgotten about the scissors wedged against her breast and had to stop herself from reaching up and touching them to make sure they were still there. She glanced back at the mattress as they walked towards the stairs, him in front of her. The scissors hadn't fallen out. She thought about pulling the scissors out right then and there and stabbing him but then decided against it. Knowing her luck, he'd probably fall backward on top of her and she'd die under his weight.That's not why she couldn't do it, though; it was because fear had a way of paralyzing you. She'd been here for months and never screamed out to his family for help, never attempted to escape. Why? Because females tended to l
Rendezvous Chapter Eighty-One
Sometimes it was nice to be able to hear what's going on upstairs, and then there were days where Jade would rather shove sharpened pencils through her eardrums than listen to one more second of Nadia's neurotic voice. The lunatic had woken up bright and early that morning and had been raging ever since. Their voices carried through the walls depending on where they were standing, giving Jade little bits of their conversation. She surmised that Nadia doesn't like his cat. "Well, at least it's not me that she's going all schizo on."Their conversation waded in and out like a tide, "I'm not getting rid of her!" Eduardo declared as the keys jangled in the door. "Ahh! Breakfast, at last." Things never seemed to operate smoothly while Nadia was here. Jade liked that he had a routine. It made captivity easier, not having to question what was going to come next constantly.
