I'm almost done with Tristan's home. It has been three weeks and he hasn't been here once. My feelings are mixed. I'm relieved yet disappointed. Knowing he wanted to meet me long before now was flattering, but learning of his wife tainted it. I had assumed he lied about being in the services too, but Blake confirmed that was true. Monique never offered any information on Tristan's whereabouts so I assumed they were top secret. She started anal but after three weeks I learned she was a sweetheart. Monique had a fiancée she was crazy about. She and Tristan were just friends.
"Oh my goodness Tristan is a born charmer. I met him in Paris during a runway show. Alex was the star. Everyone was so busy praising her that the rest of us felt useless. Tristan felt our pain and took every model out for dinner. He too wanted Alex's attention, so he won it by giving attention to us all!" She giggles.
"What happened with them?" I ask.
"My guess is they were too different. Alex was a bona fide diva. She loved Paris, Louis, Hermes, Prada, yada, yada. She loved being in the spotlight, but Tristan despised it. Then she loved the attention he'd attract, but she was too jealous. Despite her tantrums, Tristan was going to be Tristan. I think her jealousy became unbearable once she became jealous of his and my relationship. I've been with my fiancée since high school. We even have a baby together. I tried to get her to understand, but she just wouldn't. It was about eight of us from Paris that did everything together. However, none of us knew Tristan was in the Navy. Then one day he was called back to active duty."
"I thought he was in the Marines?"
"No, it's the Navy. I've seen him in uniform and everything. Anyway, once he was gone she flipped! We knew he'd break up with her soon and we were glad. Thankfully she was a highly sought out model or her career would've been over. She was missing major events seeking his location. By nothing less than a miracle she found him then a few weeks later they were married. We were all in disbelief. The week after their honeymoon I asked where'd she find him. Then I asked how'd she convince him to admit he loved her then marry her so fast?"
Alex answered, "Let's say I found him not following the captain's orders. Afterwards, he wanted and needed to make things right so he asked me to marry him."
"That's an odd proposal," I say.
"Well her explanation made more sense than his! Once she gave that bogus story I confronted Tristan."
Monique asked, "So why'd you marry Alex? I thought she didn't fit into your world."
"She doesn't, but I had to silence her threats."
"What kind of threats?"
"Detrimental ones," Tristan answers with a blank stare.
Monique then asks, "Is she blackmailing you? If so, why? What have you done?"
"Nothing in my eyes, but she disagrees with my lifestyle." He shrugs.
Monique teases, "What happened? You took her to a hotel with no spa?"
"I may be unreachable for a few weeks, but promise you won't abandon me. I'll need my friends soon. Until I can peaceably rid myself of her, I must submit to this relationship." Tristan answers, somber.
"I didn't comprehend him, but I agreed."
Monique's now deep in thought. She questioned Tristan asking where Alex found him. He told her in the wilderness. Monique asked why wasn't he on a Navy ship. Tristan explained he had several duties. After that explanation, she stopped questioning him and promised to stay close. Needless to say, I left that evening more confused than I came.
Today's work only requires my services. I drive up to Tristan's bright and early and the front door's wide open. As I walk in calling out for Monique, I notice muddy footprints tracking throughout the house. My beautiful living room is trashed! The dining room's curtains are ripped and muddy prints are on the table. Soon, I go from annoyed to afraid.
Soft, I call out Monique's name again then I hear knocking coming from upstairs. Taking a deep breath I then creep up the stairs. In the distance, I hear whispering then grunting. Too, this trail of mud is leading into Tristan's bedroom. I look inside and there's someone or somebodies under the covers. I've walked in on Tristan ravishing some woman. Silent and careful I go to sneak out, but now the woman sounds as if she's in pain.
She cries out, "Tristan you're hurting me!"
It's Monique's voice. So not to embarrass her I tip-toe down the stairs. Midway down Monique begins screaming for her life! I'm torn on what to do. Do I confront him or run and call the police? I decide to run but she's screaming in a high-pitched blood-curdling octave, "HELP ME PLEASE!"
Unable to leave her, I take out my handgun and snatch the covers off of them. Instantly, I'm frozen in horror! Monique is a bloody pulp of flesh and there's some huge, skinless, rabbit-looking demon devouring her! I'm now screaming for my life, then I wake up! Thank God it was only a nightmare! I'm drenched in sweat. My hair is soaked as if I had taken a shower.
Rushing into the kitchen, I get me a bottle of water and guzzle it down. My heart's pounding. After I calm myself I feel disgusting. I take a long shower then go out to the balcony. It's one in the morning and peaceful. The waves of the lake settle me. I ask God what on earth was that dream about? I know most dreams are meaningless. They come through anxiety and the busyness of the day, but some dreams stick. Most times you can't even remember your dreams right after you wake up, but I remember this dream in full detail. Each time I think of it I become afraid.
I wished I had Monique's number so I could call and check on her right now. Tomorrow, I'll get it. All of a sudden, I start to feel uncomfortable as if someone's lurking in the dark. Instantly I go inside, lock my storm doors, and shut the blinds.
I'm still sleepy, but before I return to bed I glance at my cellphone and see Tristan has called and he left a voice message.
"Hi, Jade. It's good to hear your voice even if it is a recording. Monique tells me the house is great, so thanks...I miss you. Let's start over. I'll show you I can be a gentleman. I should be back in town sooner than later. Don't call back I'll call you in a few days...Okay. Bye."
Tristan is overwhelming, but I must confess his phone call delighted my soul. Seems he is a backwoods brute who has been thrust into this bougie corporate world. He desires to be free to grow a scruffy beard, with dirty fingernails, and drive a F350 loaded with a deer he just hunted in the back. We love him groomed and beautiful, but it's apparent he hates having to live this lifestyle. It sounds heartless, but Alex didn't fit into his world.
Today is the real day I work alone. I pinch myself to make sure I'm not in a dream. Even though the coffee at Tristan's is the absolute best, I stop for coffee to confirm I'm awake. That nightmare was brutal.
As I pull up I notice Monique's car isn't out front. I ring the doorbell twice before I turn the doorknob, but it's locked. Whew! I'm relieved. After that dream, I don't think I could've entered anyway. I ring the doorbell once more then I walk over to the picture window to look inside. No one's inside from what I can see. However, I see stacks of boxes as if someone's been packing. I ring the bell one last time, then leave.
I'm at my office awaiting Tristan or Monique's call. Once afternoon hits I decide to text Tristan:
"Hi, Tristan. Sorry to bother you, but I haven't heard from Monique all day. Will you please forward her my number? Thx. Looking forward to seeing you soon."
It's nearing five in the evening, and I still haven't heard from Tristan or Monique. I closed and decided to go by his home one last time. I pull up and Monique's car still isn't here, but there's a for sale sign on the lawn. Is this for real? Immediately, I called Tristan. He doesn't answer and I refuse to leave a voice message. What is going on? I jump in the car and call Toni.
"Hey girlfriend?" she answers.
"Hey. Uh, I just left Tristan's and his home is for sale? Have you heard anything about this?"
"Yes. Malcolm told me a young woman came in yesterday and put it on the market via Tristan's request."
The children are having another Christmas play. After rehearsal, I'm rallying my kids to bundle up to leave. The parents drop their children off, but we return them home. Jordan is my absolute favorite. She's a beautiful seven-year-old full of personality and an old soul. The naivety of the other children annoys her. It's comical to observe her interacting with them. Tonight, she comforts another little girl named Chelsea. I walk over and kneel, asking, "Everything okay? What's wrong?""Chelsea saw a monster, Miss. Jade." Jordan answers."Where?""The night we slept in the tents." Chelsea pouts."Really? Did you tell your mom about it?""She did, but her mom doesn't believe her."Now hugging Chelsea, I say, "It must've been terrifying since you're still afraid. I can only imagine your fear.""Miss Jade, I see it all the time, not just that night at camp!" Chelsea cries."Where?" I ask."It lives in my backyard!"She begins weeping, but Jordan quickly kisses and embraces her, whisperin
Although he's not running his business, he looks and acts more like a businessman today—no joking or tactless conceited remarks. Shane just talked and talked as I discreetly watched Tristan. If only he knew how I've longed to find him all these months. I must've observed him for fifteen minutes, and he never cracked a smile. Where's my outdoor, fun-loving Tristan? Had the now yacht-owning billionaire overtaken him? I was curious to find out, and tomorrow evening couldn't come fast enough. We're now driving to drop me off at home. Shane had finally come off his Tristan high. Deep in thought, Shane asks, "I wonder what happened? Tristan was really into Monique. I hoped they'd make it despite everything." "Despite what?" I ask. "Oh, it's too complicated, and I don't want to reveal my friend's business without his approval. He's a great man. You're going to like him! You'll see!" Shane seemed nervous as he escorted me to my door. We kissed good night, and then he left. Wide-eyed, I gl
I'm in the office with a new client when Pastor Gene calls me. I thanked her and told her we'd meet next Tuesday."Hello, Pastor Gene, give me one second," I say as I lock my office for the day."Hey, Jade. I just wanted to check on you. We've been missing your after-service fellowship as of late. All is well?""I appreciate your call, Pastor Gene, and yes, all is very well. God has opened doors for me. I have four new clients that I'm simultaneously trying to accommodate. I've never had this much business since I started. I miss you all very much, too. Once I'm done, I plan to take a vacation. Hopefully, no major deals come along so that I can relax.""Well, we don't want to hope against your blessing!" He chuckles."You're right." I laugh."Well, you sound good. I'm glad. I needed to get in touch with you for Mrs. Connors as well. Her chastity seminar is in a week or two, will you have time to help? She's been incessantly requesting you since she met you on her son's yacht.""Really
This guest room runs circles around my hotel suite. It smells like lavender and vanilla, my favorite. The fireplace is burning, and the atmosphere is so peaceful. I put on the gown at the foot of the bed and fell asleep. Soon awakened, I looked at the clock at 3:54 a.m. After using the bathroom, I sit in front of the fireplace. Suddenly, I hear faint yelling. Tiptoeing to my room door, I crack it, and It's Mrs. Connors ordering someone to do something. I hear a dog growling, and she yells, "Get him out of here!"I'm terrified of big dogs, so I lock my door, and thankfully, I do. Seconds later, I heard the dog running up the stairs. He's barking and growling right outside my door. I am petrified!"Where's Tristan?" I hear a man ask. I assume it's Mr. Connors."Get him outta here!" Mrs. Connors screams.Seconds later, I heard all this tussle and bustle. I see shadows under my door. It's several men fighting to get this dog out of the house. They must've slammed against my door ten times
After Tristan drove off, I felt very uneasy, as if someone was watching me. I leave the lake, and as I approach my front door, I'm startled by Toni calling my name."AHHHH! Toni! You're going to give me a heart attack!""Sorry, but Pastor Gene needed me to deliver this immediately. It's from Mrs. Connors." Toni says, handing me an overnight envelope.I hear rustling in the bushes, so I suggest we go inside. I open the package, and it's a first-class round-trip ticket to New York. She wants me to visit her ASAP. Dropping the envelope, I plop down on my couch."I saw Tristan's white Porsche leaving here. You two fight?"Sighing, I answer, "I don't know what to call what we do. He and I can't accomplish going on a date, yet I have his mom inviting me over to vacation with her!""Is that a bad thing?" Toni squints."No, but it's not good either. Toni, Tristan isn't a good guy. I want him to be, but he just isn't. His mom wants me to tame him somehow, but I can't."I tell Toni of the mass
"Tristan wasn't home, but we refused to leave you hiding there alone. What's going on? Why are you in danger?" Pastor Gene asks. I tell him of the demonic visions I keep having that have come to pass. I then explain how I believe Tristan is symbolically represented within these nightmares. "Pastor Gene, I just discerned he would do something awful to me." "Then, you're right! We need to get you far away now." "Not until he's detained somehow! I can't leave. If he's free, I know he'll come for me." "Well, you'll just have to stay at my home." Pastor Gene lives in a gated community, so my evening ends peacefully, and now it's bedtime. While sleeping, I was awakened by Tristan's scent. Soon, I feel him touching me. Suddenly, I envision him entering my room. He's only wearing shorts as he walks very slowly towards me. I begin to undress. I'm now lying on my back nude. But once he starts undressing, I say no and start covering myself with the comforter. He snatches the comforter and
I feel silly at my Pastor's home after two days. Neither Tristan nor Mrs. Connors have called, so I tell my pastors I'm ready to return home. They tell me their door is always open for me to stay with them, so if I get home tonight and can't rest, return. They even give me a key. I thank them and then leave. I pull up to my condo, and Jason comes out to greet me."Hey, Jade! I was worried! Where'd you go?""Hey Jason, I was over to my pastor's home.""Everything okay?""Yes. I just overreacted to... nothing. How are you? You just missed me?" I grin."Let's go inside." He says, panning our surroundings.My home feels so peaceful. I left my oil warmer plugged in, so it smells great. I tell Jason to follow me into my bedroom, and then I plop face-first onto my bed. I lie there for a few seconds before rolling onto my back to face him. Jason looks stressed."You alright?" I ask as I sit up."Tristan came to visit me two mornings ago. Were you at his home?""Yes, why?""Did you know he's a
"Pastor Gene, I don't need that warning. With all due respect, sir, you're terribly mistaken! Someone needs to tell him to stay away from me, not for me to avoid him!"Almost tossing my chair, I storm out. Once I get in my car, I call Blake. He answers, "Hey, Jade.""Hey...Blake, has Pastor Gene talked to you about Tristan and me?""Briefly, why?""What did you tell him?""He asked me what kind of guy he was and to tell him what I knew of your relationship.""Tristan and I never established a relationship, so what did you say about me?""I said I didn't know if you were still with him, but last time I talked to you, you were.""Blake, when were he and I ever in a relationship? You know full well I had been with Shane!""Well, Shane said you left him for Tristan."People are idiots! I begin wailing from anger and hang up the phone on Blake. I'm so upset I was unaware my nose was bleeding. By the time I get home, I look like a vision from my nightmares. Blood has run down my mouth, down