JessicaAfter thinking about it, I decide not to tell Damon about the envelope. If he ever brings it up, I will tell him the truth, but there is no reason to share this pain with him if he doesn't know. I place the envelope in my panty dresser drawer at the very bottom. Julie nor Jackson would ever go digging through there, and that is the safest place to keep it. I wonder if my dad knew about the affair or if there were signs? I mean, there must have been.Did she act strange? I almost feel guilty for being away at college- I bet I would have figured it out. I sigh as I lie back down, but hours pass, and I still can’t sleep. Whoever sent this did it for a reason, and I need to figure out who. I think there is more to this than just the envelope, and I need to know what.I throw the covers off quickly and begin canvassing my neighbors, asking if any of them saw something or someone out of the ordinary, but I am very disappointed when none of them have, or they aren’t home. How wil
DamonI race home as fast as I can, but when I get to the gates, the guards still stand on every part of the wall as they are supposed to. I let out a deep breath in relief as the gate opens, but if this wasn’t the emergency, then what was?I park my car quickly and run to the front door, walking inside, “Dad, where are you?” I yell, and I hear him yell from above me.“Damon! Come upstairs to our room,” he shouts. My eyebrows raise- what the hell is going on? Did he and Mom get in a fight? I haven’t heard her voice…“Mom!” I scream, running up the stairs, and my dad meets me in the hallway, blocking the bedroom door. “Damon, she’s okay, but she overdosed on pills and alcohol,” He says, his voice grim, but I push him out of the way. Tabby is inside the room, and my mother is lying in bed. She has IVs and machines hooked up to her, and my heart pounds as I stare at her- what the hell? Overdosed?“I don’t understand…. what happened?” I ask as I walk slowly toward her. She has tubes in h
Jessica ~~~~Trigger warning~~~ Violence~~~ Rivals~~~Everything happened so quickly…. I don’t understand it. One minute I was in the locker room, and the next, there were gunshots and screaming. My knees buckled beneath me, and I hid behind the locker room door, only for it to slam open on me, causing me to scream, and a man in a mask to find me.“Get up whore!” He angrily growled at me, grabbing me by the arm and forcing his fingertips into my skin, dragging me out of the safety I thought I may have found. I didn’t mean to be a coward, but I was so scared….“Please, no!!” I whimpered as tears began to run down my face. Unsure of who this man was or what he wanted, but as he brought me into the middle of the club, I looked around, seeing all of my co-workers and the patrons in the middle of the floor with their faces down. I noticed no one had been injured or hurt… at least, not yet. “Are there any more back there?” Another man asked as his eyes glanced at me, and I quickly reverted
DamonJessica’s voice keeps running through my head as I race toward the hospital, “Damon, he saved us. He saved us all. Mikey, wake up!!” Tears fill my eyes as I pull into the hospital, park abruptly and run inside. Mikey is that type of person…I know he would give his life for any of them…Time seems to stand still as I approach the nurse’s station, “Mikey- I mean, Mike Clody! Where is he?” I ask, my voice frantic as my heart pounds erratically.“Sir, you need to calm down,” The elderly nurse says as she stands, and I shake my head.“No, you don’t understand! Mike Clody! He’s my best friend, and he was shot tonight! Please, I need to know if he’s alive!”“Damon?” Jessica’s voice is faint, and I turn toward her, her eyes meeting mine. Her face is puffy, wet, and red from crying, and worst of all, blood is covering her clothes- I know it’s his.“Jessica!” I gasp as I run toward her. I engulf her with my arms, hugging her tightly, and she cries into my chest.“It happened so quickly, D
JessicaMy whole body feels numb. My mind, heart, and soul are hanging by a thread, and even know I Damon is saying things to me, I am only half listening….my mind is in other places.Is Mike going to Die? How can this be possible?Damon opens the passenger side of his car, and I climb in, “Did you text Ms. Kush to stay longer?” he asks, and I nod as I stare at my cell phone screen blankly. She was just as surprised as me that Mike’s life hangs in the balance and that mine could have, too, if he had not stopped them.“Yes, she agreed to stay. She understands what Mike means to me, Julie, and Jackson,” I say softly. Realizing that if Mike does die, it will also hurt them. “She said it was no problem, especially since today is Saturday.” Damon nods, and his car begins driving toward the hotel. We pull into the front and get out as the valet takes the keys from Damon.“Mr. Ricci?” A woman’s voice comes from the parking lot, and Damon turns around.“Thank you, Jackie, for bringing the clo
Damon I watch Jessica breathe from her bed from across the room. Her face is still puffy from crying, but I am sure mine is too. I have rarely cried in my life. In fact, I can count on one hand how many times I have. The first one was when I was six, and my puppy contracted parvovirus and died. He was my best friend in the entire world, but I couldn’t watch him suffer. We tried all the treatments- nothing worked. That was one of the reasons I didn’t mind exposing the pet store; animals have a special place in my heart. The second time was when I found out Jessica’s parents had died, which was my fault. I took something precious from her and her siblings. Something I can never make up for, but I can only help ease the burden. And this is the third. The day my best friend was shot because of me. Mikey knows who I am, and there was always a chance of him getting hurt or being killed, but I vowed never to let that happen. Too bad I have been distracted lately with everything going on.
JessicaWhile waiting for Damon to finish up in the bathroom, I sit on the bed and pull out my cell phone to dial Ms. Kush. She answers the phone right away, her voice soft, “Hi, Jessica, Dear. How are you doing? Any news?”I sigh, playing with the hotel pillow, “No, but the twelve-hour mark will be over soon, and then hopefully, we will be able to visit him.”Ms. Kush clears her throat, “Good. I am sorry this has happened to you, Jessica, and to Mike. He’s such a good boy. It’s a cold world,” she says sadly.I nod in agreement as I hold back my tears, “How are Julie and Jackson doing?”“They are good. Fighting over what movie we watch next. They are so glad you are okay but worried for Mike,” Her voice grows quieter, “I know this must be a lot for all of you after what happened to your parents. I heard Julie crying last night after I told her, but she hasn’t said anything to me.”A tear falls down my cheek, and I wipe it quickly, “Can I talk to her?”“Of course, here. Hold on.” I wai
Damon“They are bookies, Jessica!” The words explode out of my mouth quicker than I can think them over like word vomit.Bookies?! Is she even going to believe me? I am a billionaire. Why would I owe anyone money? This is not good!“Bookies?” The words slide off her tongue, confused, and I don’t blame her- It makes no sense, but it was the only thing I could come up with that was far from the truth.“Yes, bookies! My father owes them money!” More lies, but they could be true. Jessica doesn’t trust my father. I can tell by how her eyes dart whenever I bring him up, but who could blame her? He is a shifty guy. “They wanted me. I am the leverage. Don’t you see?” I say, stepping closer to her.I have lied already so much to her; I can’t stop now.“But your billionaires…” She says, almost in a whisper, her eyes slowly meeting mine as she tries to understand.“I know, but it’s complicated,” I say softly. “You would do anything to keep your parents safe, wouldn’t you?” I ask, my eyes serious
EricI can’t believe it’s been five years since I have seen her, but as she opens the exam room door, my entire world is made right once again. She looks the same but even more beautiful- if that’s even possible.She wraps her arms around me and hugs me tight as she sobs into my shoulder, “I thought you were out tomorrow,” she whispers, her tears wetting my shoulder, and I smile, holding her tighter.“He let me go a day early,” I respond, looking back into her eyes.These last five years have been hard, but I knew they would be worth it once this moment came. It felt like the years went by too slowly, but now that this day has arrived, I know it was all worth it.Turning on Marcus was difficult. His goons even came after me, but they failed to kill me. Agent Latter agreed he would leave my family alone if I did this, but really, I knew he had no evidence to prosecute them. We always ensured we were careful where Marcus liked to throw his power around like a drunk emperor.Saying goodb
JessicaMy whole body shakes as I sit in an interrogation room; what the hell is happening? I was only able to hug Damo briefly before they put us in separate cars and took us here. Even after everything Marcus has told me, I still want to be with Damon.I want to hear his side; I want to know what truly happened.The door finally opens, and Agent Latter appears; he has a can of soda with him and a sandwich. I watch as he walks inside the room and places them down on the table in front of me, “Please, eat and have a drink. We have a lot to talk about.”I shake my head, my stomach still in knots, and he sighs before I speak, “You knew my parents?” I ask, and he nods, sitting up straighter.“Yes, I was in charge of them,” he states, now sitting back. “Your parents were in a lot of debt, and I had made a deal with them.”My eyebrows raise, “A deal?”“Yes, if they could gather info on Macrus Lovoto and testify against him in court, then your family would go into witness protection, and yo
JessicaTonight has been like a weird dream, but the kind you don’t want to wake up from. I am finally with Damon, and it feels right. The way he was so gentle with me when we made love. The way he knew it was a big deal to me but also didn’t push it or made sure it was truly what I wanted was everything.He is mine.My heart flutters at every glance he gives me as we clean up the club, and I can’t wait to go to breakfast with him; I can’t wait to see what this will become.End game.He said the words, not me. He means those words, and I agree. I know it seems quick, and I know it seems crazy, but our future is bright- I just know it.I grab the last trash bag and tie it, sneaking glances at Damon while my heart flutters with anticipation…. I have fallen in love with him. Everything has led me here…to him. I wave at Damon as I open the back door and walk outside toward the large dumpster with a smile on my face. After this, it will be just the two of us, and we can talk and begin to t
DamonHer hands wrap around my neck, and my heart instantly races. Things have been so weird between us since the funeral, but I am not giving up on us- not yet.She pulls back from me, her eyes meeting mine, and I can’t help but see just how beautiful she truly is. My hand goes to her cheek, and I touch her soft skin as she stares at me, my head coming closer to hers as my lips push against hers. I can feel her stiffen momentarily, but she doesn’t pull away. She returns the kiss, and my whole being shudders with pure delight- this has been what I have always wanted, but why did I try to deny it for so long?She pulls back away from me, her eyes showing fear. My fingers trace her soft lips, the essence of what she tastes like still on my tongue. She tries to get up, but I pull her back to me, “Jessica,” I say as I look deeply into her eyes, “This,” I pause, “This what was always meant to be,” I say softly, though I am pleading as I speak the truth.This has been a nonstop dance for b
JessicaIt’s been two weeks since Mike’s funeral, and it still doesn’t feel real. I took an Uber here to work tonight, but Mindy has been picking me up. I cried the entire way here; I miss him so much. Nothing will ever be the same again. Damon offered me a ride, but he isn’t in the suitable head space right now, and I couldn’t allow it. He is hanging onto me as a link to Mike. He thinks I don’t see it, but I do.There was always that tension between us, but how can I just throw myself into him now? It wouldn’t be right or fair to Mike.“Jessica, table six needs more shots,” Mindy smiles, and I nod, walking to the bar.“No problem, we only have three tables tonight; I am on it,” I giggle, and she nods, walking to the other. The club has been pretty much dead since we re-opened; people are afraid to come here…. not that I blame them.What happened here still haunts my dreams, but the evidence no longer remains of what happened to Mike at this club, thankfully. Damon made sure to redo
TabbyEverything comes down to this moment, this exact one that I am, but it didn’t have to. If only Damon hadn’t tried to play me as a fool. If only he hadn’t treated me so poorly…maybe I wouldn’t be destroying his family…. or her.When I dropped off that envelope to Jessica, I did it because I hated the way they looked at one another. The way he looked at her was the way I wished he would always look at me, but he never noticed me. He never wanted me, not like that.He looks at Jessica like she’s made of some sort of fragile, expensive glass. He acts like he’s afraid to break her, but I see the desire in both their eyes and the way they long for one another.I thought that by asking him to be my fake boyfriend, he would finally see my value. See me more than just a plaything or something he fucked, but that couldn’t happen, not with her around.The pictures were supposed to tell her to back off. I was hoping she would hate that Damon’s dad slept with her mother. I was hoping that sh
DamonThe service was nice, and even though that speech was hard to make, it was what Mikey deserved. Everything I said about him was true. Each story that every person shared was a beautiful reminder of who he truly was.Jackson’s story was the one that surprised me the most, though. I know it can’t be easy going to two funerals in such a short amount of time. Mikey had only been in Jessica’s sibling’s life for such a short time, but he made a mark and a positive impact on them- that’s just what he did.I sit on the couch at Clody’s house, and there is still crying but also laughter as everyone talks about him. More memories are shared, but I sit there in a daze. - how can this be real?“Damon, would you like a slice of cake?” Mindy asks me, and I shake my head.“No, I am not really hungry,” I sigh as I look up at her, but she hands me the plate anyway.“It’s marble…his favorite. Have a slice for him at least,” she pauses, “Plus, I haven’t seen you eat a single thing today. You might
JessicaI can’t believe how many people are here. Mike was popular in high school, but I went away to college. I had no idea he was this popular in the entire town. I see some of our old peers from high school standing among the large group, but I also see cashiers from the grocery store and even restaurant owners along with their staff. So many people have shown up today because Mike was that type of person; he was loved. The crowd is so diverse, showing that, and my heart aches…..“Now, Damon Ricci, Mikey’s best friend, would like to make a speech.” The preacher announces, and I hear Damon inhale deeply beside me. My eyes widen as Damon stands- I am unsure if he is in any condition to make a speech, but if anyone should, it should be him. He and Mike have been friends for many years now; BEST FRIENDS.Damon carefully watches his footing as he walks toward the podium where the preacher stood. His eyes stay on the ground till he arrives at the wood stand. He then turns around slowly
DamonMy whole world was shattered in one moment. One minute Mikey was talking to me, and the next, he was flatlining. It still doesn’t feel real, and sometimes I even forget he is gone. I have even tried to call him a few times before I remember he will never answer.My heart hurts so much sometimes that I don’t know how to breathe. He made me promise I would take care of Jessica and her siblings, but right now, I can barely take care of myself. Mindy has been making sure I eat and bathe. She has been staying with me at night while I have my breakdowns; she is a true best friend…but she can never replace him.My father hasn’t let me near Marcus since he found out Mikey died. He says that Marcus needs to suffer, and if he lets me near him, I’ll kill him in a fit of rage. He isn’t wrong- I would probably kill him as soon as my eyes saw him.He doesn’t deserve mercy, and that’s what a swift death would be.I will say his screams coming from the basement have given me some relief…. he de