Hello. I'm thrilled to be here at Good Novel and excited you're reading "Deep Within A Dream." Enjoy, and I look forward to engaging with you! Happy Holidays and Stay Vigilant.
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
After my vacation, I returned home renewed. Knowing Monique was out of Tristan's life pleased me. She probably was obsessed like Alex and went to his base to see him and got killed. I stop by my office in the evening to check messages, and my floor is covered in letters from the mail slot. I've been requested to attend an executive meeting for The Black Corporation. They're hiring under new ownership, and via Tristan Black's recommendation, I should be hired in any area of design. Gloria Vasala has signed the letters, and upon checking my office voicemails, she's also left two messages. I was hesitant, but I left a message letting her know I was on vacation and to confirm I'll be at the meeting.Now home, I put my phone on speaker to hear my messages. Pastor Gene called looking for me last Sunday, Wednesday, and today. I stick my tongue out at the phone, hang it up, and get into bed. This meeting is on Tuesday, so I get pampered all day on Monday. Once again, I want to be flawless w
The driver's friendly but quiet. Nine of us are going on this trip, but we were individually driven to Black International's jet. We board, and it's announced Tristan will meet us in Brazil.Disappointed, I observed the nine passengers. I'm shocked to see six men and only three women. Everyone is dressed semi-casual, but some men look rugged. They must be military men. Gloria was one of the three women. The other woman was very exotic-looking. She wasn't beautiful, but her features made her uniquely pretty. Samantha is her name, but they call her Sam. Sam looks tough, so she's probably also from the military.No one smiled or conversed. Everyone seemed engrossed with whatever they were doing. None of these people looked familiar except Gloria. I guess I'm the only new employee required to travel.After two hours of silence, Gloria hands me a glass of wine. I wished she had a martini, but it'll do. "Thanks," I say."So you're a minister?" Gloria asks.Discerning this is a test, I sit m
"Shhh, listen to the peacefulness," Tristan whispers.We stand enjoying the waves for a few seconds, and then he dives into the water, causing me to scream. He stays underneath forever, it seems, then climbs aboard on the opposite side, laughing."Why'd you scream? What, you thought I couldn't swim?""The ocean isn't an ideal place just to dive into."Pulling me onto his wet body, he starts kissing me. I don't resist, I indulge in his passion. Grinning, he stops, then sits down, saying, "Join me."Now, sitting next to him, we kiss again."What have you done to my mother?" He laughs."I've done nothing to your mother. Sorry, but I think she's gone insane.""She's been insane. She told me you told the police I hurt you.""I never told the police anything. It was the military who arrested me and then questioned my relationship with you. They pretty much insulted me, then sent me home."Gazing into the ocean, he grunts, "Hmmm. Well, don't worry about that. I got that under control. ...So,
We enter the hotel to Gloria's embrace for Tristan, but a scowl for me from over his shoulder. Tristan pats her back, and then they walk away in deep conversation. I see the others gathering, so I sit in the conference room. Tristan's a very impressive speaker. There's no way possible Sam could've done this. Now, I wished she hadn't left. I would've loved to see her excite the crowd this way. Every client left fully persuaded they had invested in a very profitable company.After his presentation, I didn't lurk around Tristan. I went into the hall and decided to check my voicemail. I haven't thought of my phone since I've been here. I pulled it out, and I have seventeen texts and three messages. I see Pastor Gene's name, Janay's and Blake's names, and Leslie's called. As I went to read my texts, someone called my name."Ms. Warring!"Startled, I look up, saying, "Hi, Mr. Trout.""Mr. Black is ready to go to lunch.""Thanks."Ignoring my phone again, I head to Tristan's car. Once inside
Tristan's so used to running women away that he probably assumed I did as Sam had done and left due to his not returning to our suite. He probably lied about taking a morning run, too. I'm convinced he was out screwing someone, took a shortcut through the forest, then pretended he went jogging. He assumed he'd get home before I was awake. I head down to Detroit to meet Detective Johnson. He's tall, with broad shoulders and a stern face."Have a seat, Ms. Warring. You want coffee?""No, thank you, Detective Johnson. I grabbed some on my way down here.""So, how's it going in Deep Woods? The military still on duty?""Honestly, I don't know. I thought they had left last Summer, but I learned they were still there not too long ago.""Interesting."After a few minutes, Pastor Gene's lawyer entered to represent me. Although I don't need a lawyer, having one present is wise. Detective Johnson transitions from casual conversation, saying, "Well, start from the beginning for me."I tell him a
After church, the old crew went out, and we had a blast. Janay and Blake were comical as ever. Malika has made me her new best friend, I guess. Pastor Gene and Leslie went home after dinner, and the crew went to the show. After the show, we went to the lake and fellowshipped some more. It was a perfect Sunday. Finally, we all head home. Kicking off my shoes as I enter, I cut the lamp on, and Tristan is sitting on my couch. My throat's burning I scream so loud. He doesn't budge but sits there until I stop making a complete idiot of myself."Tristan, you're going to give me a heart attack. How'd you get in?""I'm fine. ...My flight went well. ...Business is going well."He stands, walks up to me, and starts kissing me, but I feel a little weird. Pecking his lips, I grab his hand, leading him to the couch. I sit in a dining chair next to it, but he avoids the couch and straddles me."Tristan, what are you doing?"Laughing, I try to push him off, but he stays on top of me, staring. Still