The next night . . . Derek had called his mother that morning to inform her he was coming over for dinner and he was bringing a guest. “That’s fine, darling. In that case, we’ll have cocktails before dinner instead of after. Bring your . . . guest over at seven,” her mother had said. When the Dawsons had guests for dinner, they always had before dinner cocktails for socializing. Derek had picked up Chelsea at the estate. Considering what happened last night, he just waited for her in his yellow Ferrari. They rode in silence until they got on the interstate. “So, has the news settled in the Van Dyke household?” Derek asked. “Not really. Daddy wouldn’t come down for breakfast. He just left for the office without saying goodbye to anyone. Chastity . . . Well, she had said she knew I did something stupid in New Orleans and walked away. Caitlin and Mother are trying to be supportive, though.”
The next day . . . Chelsea took Chastity and Caitlin to her new home Derek bought for her before they rode into the city for lunch. “Isn’t it the most romantic gift a man has ever given a woman?” Chelsea fake swooned. In reality it was the most asinine and alienating gift a man has ever given to a woman. What man would by his wife a house for her to live in it alone? Despite the circumstances of the union. “It’s very nice,” Caitlin said as she looked around at the vaulted ceilings in the living room. “Hmm. Yes. It is a lovely house,” Chastity said thoughtfully. She actually sounded like she meant it. “I admit I have an ulterior motive in bringing you here – Caitlin,” Chelsea admitted. “I was wondering if you would help me decorate it?” “Really?” Caitlin said as her eyebrows rose. “This is a gift of love from your husband. Surely you don’t want me tampering with it.” “Well, I don’t want you
Chelsea finally broke. She was sick and tired of Catherine pestering the hell out of her about the damn prenup. So, she got her copy of the prenup out of her safety deposit box and went to Catherine’s law firm. If Catherine is willing to help me out, maybe Daddy will speak to me again and attend the reception. Catherine’s secretary escorted Chelsea into her sister’s office. Catherine’s desk to was clear glass and the legs were gray steel. A large backed white leather chair was behind it. The carpet was a faded pink. The office also had a sitting area with a dark pink sofa and two white arm chairs. “Sister,” Catherine greeted with a nod. “Is that it?” she asked as she gestured to the manila envelope under Chelsea’s arm. “Yes, but . . . we have to settle something first.” “Which is?” Catherine asked with one eyebrow cocked. Chelsea did what she had learned from her big sister. She pulled a dollar out. “I
Mr. and Mrs. Carlton T. Van Dyke invites you to a celebration where a special announcement will be made. Join us for the formal black-tie event at six p.m. on July 31st at the Van Dyke EstateThey had invited a little over a hundred people. And most of them actually showed up to Chelsea’s surprise. The party was at such short notice she thought most of the guests would have prior plans.“Any sign of Daddy?” Chelsea whispered.“I’m afraid not,” Chastity said as she looked around the crowded living room. Her twin’s hair was in a tightly pulled bun. She wore a pink gown with sleeves.Chelsea blew out. Her blonde curls were pulled back in a cascading curls updo. She wore a long form-fitting ivory tube dress. Ruching made up the bodice. A matching shawl hung on her elbows. “Georgie isn’t here either.”“Well, consid
Extra! Extra! Read All About! By: Judy Budd This weekend, this reporter had the pleasure and honor to attend a surprise wedding reception hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Van Dyke. They announced the marriage of their daughter, Chelsea, to New York’s now former playboy, Derek Dawson! It was only two months ago when Derek was discovered playing the eighteenth hole with three Dandridge granddaughters. Now, he’s married! Has the playboy truly hung up his black book once and for all? All we can do is wait and see.
The Fox Hole Derek pulled his black Jaguar up to the door. Chelsea was glad to see the club had a valet. It was obviously pretty exclusive like Derek had said. Chelsea swung her legs out the car when the valet opened the door. She wore a black and yellow leopard print dress with spaghetti straps. It had a sweetheart neck-line that showed a good amount of cleavage. Derek tipped the valet and gave him the keys. They waited for the parking voucher. Derek wore a dark purple shirt and black slacks. He wore the diamond earring tonight and black Italian shoes. The valet gave Derek the voucher. “You two enjoy your night.” “Don’t worry we will,” Derek said with a big grin. He offered Chelsea his arm. She took it. Wow. It’s like we’re on a real date. They walked in to see a hostess wearing a black dress up front. She had platinum blonde hair. “Derek, hi,” the host
They were both annoyed and pissed. Derek ascended onto the highway. And for some reason it seemed like Cat was mad at him when Chelsea demanded he take her home. “Okay, I didn’t come out and tell you it was a swingers club. I thought you’d figure that out on your own. You didn’t see those two girls kissing in the bar room?” “Of course, I did, Derek,” Chelsea said with heat. “I just assumed they were just regular lesbians who were a couple. Nowadays, gays are not in the closet.” “All right, but . . . I don’t understand why we had to leave. You’re a sophisticated newly college grad. I can’t believe you didn’t just go with it.” “What? Were you born an ass or did you take lessons to get this way?” she nearly shouted “There’s no reason to insult me, Chelsea,” Derek snapped. “I just don’t understand what the problem is, okay?” Chelsea turned her body in the seat with ease under the seatbelt. “All right. I’ll
Two and a half weeks later . . . Derek had only texted Chelsea four times in two weeks to just say hi. Perhaps she was a little too harsh with him the last time she saw him. Telling him she’d be on her cycle for two weeks was a bit over the top. But at the time Chelsea had been beyond frustrated. The marriage wasn’t going the way she had planned or dreamed at all. Of course, she knew he had to work and they weren’t going to be in each other’s pockets at every waking moment, but she had thought being married to Derek would be better than this. After all, she had saved herself for the man. She had wanted him to be her first and only lover. But in the meantime, Chelsea and Caitlin had been able to shop for furniture for the new house. Luckily, they were able to find some painters who were looking for work to paint the master bedroom. Normally, it would have been difficult to find painters available during the summer at such short notice. T
Three months later . . . Walter Lee Dawson’s estate had finally been settled in the court’s eyes. Violet Dawson was being seen around the city here and there with a distinguished hotel chain owner she had known for years. Deidre was the hottest new heiress in New York Society. Men, most of them a little too old for her, were beating the door down to take her out on a date. Derek was officially head of Dawson Inc. Businessmen stood in line to shake his hand and propose deals. Most of them weren’t good or too high risk. Derek figured some of them thought they could get away with taking advantage of him. What they didn’t know – and learned later was Derek had been doing business most of his life – it just wasn’t always for Dawson. He knew when something didn’t smell right. Derek was at home, at Hilltop House, listening to his cousin rant and rave over the phone. But he managed to get a word in. “When did Amanda leave you?”
A few hours later . . . It was early evening when Derek had arrived at Hilltop House. He took his coat off as he and Chelsea walked into the living room. Chelsea had changed out of her outfit from earlier into a pair of blue jeans and a red cashmere sweater. She had on black socks – no shoes. Her blonde hair flowed around her. Derek had changed clothes from this morning, too. He had put on a pair of black jeans and a black and white polo shirt. “Would you like something to drink?” Chelsea asked. “No, thank you. I thought we could . . . talk.” Chelsea walked to the sofa. “Talk about what?” She sat down. “You know what. Us.” “Oh, you want to have that talk,” she said timidly. “Yes, I think it’s high time we do,” he said as he remained standing. “You’re about four months pregnant now. I think we need to iron things out and where we stand before the baby comes, don’t you
Everyone had left Francis Chadwick and Derek alone in the sitting room. Francis walked over to the couch Derek was sitting on as he reached into his inner suit jacket pocket. He stopped in front of him and offered him a white legal sized envelope. “What’s this?” Derek asked as he gently took the envelope. For some reason he was suspicious of it. “It contains the codicil that was attached to Walt’s will. The one in regards to your inheritance if you didn’t marry – the codicil that is now null in void.” Derek’s head rocked back with relief. Thank god. I was afraid Dad had slipped something in that required me to jump through another hoop. “My instructions were to give you a copy – the only copy of the codicil upon your father’s will reading – if you had met the terms, of course. Since you have, you can do whatever you wish with it. The flash drive that the codicil is on is in the envelope as well.” I’m burning this
The next day . . . As promised, Derek had called Chelsea last night. It was almost midnight; therefore, it wasn’t a long conversation. “I just needed to tell you I love you,” Derek had said huskily. “And to hear your voice before I fell asleep. “Oh . . . I see.” “You’re not going to say it back?” She had thought for a moment. “No,” she had whispered. “Why not? You know you do.” Chelsea exhaled. “Are you trying to play hard to get?” “No.” “Then say it, angel.” “I love you.” “That’s my girl. I’ll see you tomorrow at Francis Chadwick’s office for the will reading. We have to be there by nine a.m.” “I’ll be there.” Mr. Chadwick’s secretary escorted Chelsea down the hall. They didn’t speak. She stopped at a door and reached for the knob. When she opened the door, Chelsea was surprised She had thought they would b
That evening . . . It was strangely coincidental that Derek was going to see both Bartholomew women on the same day. But he assumed the cosmos were trying to help him get his life in order. He had his former maid from the penthouse to come over and clean up his father’s Jersey penthouse. Derek wasn’t planning on being in it long, but he didn’t want the remnants of his father’s last visit lingering about. The buzzer went off. His guest had arrived. Derek had taken off his suit jacket and tie when he had first arrived. He had unbuttoned his light blue dress shirt. He opened the door to who he was expecting. Whitney Bartholomew. She hugged a mink stole around her body. “Darling boy,” she cooed as she crossed the threshold. She kissed his cheek so quick he didn’t have a chance to back away. Then she walked into the living space. Derek closed the door. He turned to see Whitney taking off the mink and drapin
New York Society’s Loss By: Judy Budd Yesterday Walter Lee Dawson, CEO and president of Dawson Incorporated was laid to rest at Green-Wood Cemetery. Anyone who is anyone in NYC society was there, including Walter’s son’s estranged wife Chelsea Van Dyke-Dawson and the rest of the New York Van Dykes. I’m not sure if Derek and Chelsea are back together but she was standing by her man yesterday. Walt Dawson was more than a billionaire businessman. He was a pren
The next morning . . . Deidre Dawson slipped her feet into Rene Caovilla designer shoes. She was wearing the same clothes she had worn yesterday to her father’s funeral. Then again, most women had to put on what they had worn the night before when they stay out all night at a man’s condo. She stood and turned around to look at the man who she had spent the night with. Quinton Johnson, aka, Q, was resting his back against two red satin pillows. His lower half was covered by a black comforter. Deidre had ended up at his place yesterday as the sun was setting. It was a miracle she had remembered where he lived. The one time she had been at his home was four years ago when he had thrown himself a birthday party. He had invited her because she was his best friend’s sister, nothing more. Now. . . “I still can’t believe I did this,” Q muttered. “Believe it, big boy.” And I do mean big. Q was the b
After the repast, the Dawsons went back to their townhouse with Chelsea in toe. Ms. Violet had asked Chelsea to have a quiet drink with her in the den. Chelsea suspected she had wanted Deidre to sit with her instead, but Deidre had said she needed to be alone for a while. Everyone just let her be – along with Derek. He had said the same thing and slowly wandered somewhere else in the townhouse. Deidre had left all together. Everyone had been riveted by Violet Dawson’s speech at the repast, including Chelsea and her sisters. Apparently, she had more in common with her mother-in-law than she had thought and she told Ms. Violet that. Ms. Violet smiled at her as she held her brandy. “Hmm. You think so?” Chelsea was drinking club soda. Alcohol was bad for her beloved baby. “Yes. We . . . both were determined to marry Dawson men,” Chelsea admitted. “You . . . were?” she said with intrigue. Chelsea could feel the simmeri
Derek was still trying to make his way back to Q. He kept getting stopped by people who wanted to give their condolences. Some chatted him up a bit about when he will officially be taking over Dawson Inc. They had deals in the works and wanted to see if he wanted to get involved. It was becoming a little too much. Can’t these people let him grieve in peace?Once he was able to take a breather, someone else came along. Deidre. Derek was slightly alarmed because she looked rather pale. “What is it?”“It’s him,” Deidre hissed as she encircled her arm around his.“Who?”She stood on her toes to whisper in his ear. “The man I told you about a few months ago. The one who I thought had an affair with Mother.”Derek’s body jerked. “Ugh, god. Why is he here?” Then he realized how dumb his question was. His father wasn’t cold in the grave yet and the vultures were already circling around a wealthy, still good looking for her age widow. “Never mind. I just answered my own question.”Deidre put