Richard watched the news from the safety of his office. His office, he mused, almost hilariously. About a year ago, he was in the beachy wonderland of Hawaii, exploring the land, flirting with natives and trying new recipes.
Now he was sitting in a mammoth office, stamping and signing file after file. The rain had begun a while ago and since he hated driving in the rain, he could not go home either.
Home? Where was home?
He had been a nomad for too long, never staying in a place long enough to develop any roots or relationships that would keep him in a place. Jacqueline had been right: he was a hopeless playboy with just enough money to back himself up.
He and Peter had emerged from wealthy families and the best schools but choosing to be independent, Petals was born. It was just like yesterday when he and Peter had cracked open bottles in honour of their new venture. Regina was pregnant with Jacqueline then and bitter as ever, courtesy of her erratic hormones.
When Jacqueline had been born, Peter had wanted to name her Petals but Richard had kicked against it. The little cherub had been a rebel from birth, crying at unexpected hours of the night, bugging Regina and rousing her from her much needed rest for late night meals.
Petals was a too mild name for her and Richard had suggested Jacqueline, after the Asian movie star, the Kung-fu crooner, Jackie Chan. He wondered if Jackie knew this though it wasn't much of a big deal.
His media advisor had been talking to him about a mandatory press conference which was to be carried out in the nearest future. Silas, the media personnel had stressed that Peter had been the visible face of Petals and now that he was gone, it was important to reassure customers of their continuous effectiveness. Many knew Richard, not as a businessman but rather as an internet sensation, famous among the gossip tabloids.
"You would not be taken seriously, sir, if you don't assure the investors of your salesman capabilities," Silas had ominously warned.
Richard was aware of this chink in his armour but honestly, he didn't want to go through the whole rigmarole of a press conference alone. He had not yet informed Jacqueline of her equal company bragging rights because he wanted her to focus on her studies instead. However, he had not heard from her for a while. He was worried but did not want to seem overly inquisitive. Jacqueline was no longer a kid; she could take care of herself.
∆ ∆ ∆ ∆
"Is this your room?!" Camille exclaimed both in delight and disgust. Jacqueline's room was the biggest in the block but it was probably the dirtiest also. Shoes peeked out from underneath her bed, her bedding littered the floor and her laundry basket was a madhouse. Camille was fighting the urge to take a brush to the place when Jacqueline snapped her fingers before her eyes.
"Hey, hey, yeah, I know, I'm a dirty slob but I didn't invite you here to clean up my room or lecture me on my failing hygiene. Let's focus on our primary assignment, please," Jacqueline reminded her new friend.
Jacqueline had gone on a limb to ask Camille for a favor. She was not comfortable exposing her entire life though but if that was what it took, she was ready to pay the price.
Camille blinded in realization of what she had almost been compelled to do.
"Yeah, I haven't forgotten. You said you wanted a change. So could you start by changing your bedding? It looks like it has seen better days."
"Leave it. Sit. We don't have much time and there is a lot to talk about." Jacqueline pulled her into a chair first before picking up her multiple trophies lying haphazardly on the floor. She had been a favorite in the sports world. She still was but the frenzy had simmered down unlike when she was in high school.
She rolled her mattress into a lumpy ball and attempted a trick shot at her laundry basket but it only caused the already full container to topple over, sending its contents every which way. Jacqueline winced and eyed Camille with a side eye. The latter sighed exasperatedly and pointed to a chair. Her host sank into the plush chair with no plans of picking up after herself.
"Oh, I see the problem now. You think you are a guy, isn't it?" Camille quirked a brow at her friend who was already rolling her eyes in exaggeration. She hated and loved Camille for the same reason: she alone could call her out on her bullshit. Ginny and Ronnie would either agree with her so as not to hinder her from spending her allowance on them. It all dawned on her now: she had been their money horse, their pawn in the spending game.
"Shit, I've been an ass!" she suddenly ejaculated and snagged up her cup of coffee. She had neither understoood nor approved her mother's preference of green tea.
"I second that. Now that you are done badmouthing yourself, maybe we could delve more into why you invited me over."
An empty coffee cup sailed across the air and landed neatly in the trash can.
"Still got it," Jacqueline murmured with a flat smile.
"You are stalling," Camille poked her finger at her to second her accusation.
"Okay, okay, here goes. So I already told you about this guy I like but..."
"I wish you would tell me who he is. No fair. I'm working with an hypothesis and an imaginary guy," Camille whined and pouted like a kid. She got another eyeroll from Jacqueline as compensation for her complaint.
"He is not imaginary and you don't need to know who he is. That's not important. I just need to move on from him since it seems like he is not the one for me. I need a make over, a flair, something that says 'New me'. I don't want to be that little girl pining after him anymore. So, any ideas? Can you help me?"
Camille rubbed at her chin and tossed ideas around in her head. She scrolled down on her IPad mobile and inspected something on it. The suspense was killing the second occupant and owner of the room.
"I think I have just the thing for you but...we gonna do it my way, no questions asked."
Jacqueline thought within herself. Am I ready to be someone else, to change my personality, to forget about....him?
I'm back! Sorry for not updating for so long. I was dealing with some issues but now, I am here to stay.
Leroy Gamble sat in his Camaro, wondering how it all went wrong. Luke's cell wasn't going through anymore and the signal was still shitty."I had him, by God, I had him, exactly where I wanted him! Only for the flight to take off without me. Shit! Shit, shit, shit!" He banged his fist repeatedly against his steering wheel angrily. There was nothing for him to do now except to go home and raid his beer cellar. Maybe he would finally smoke that joint he had saving for rainy days. Even lawyers needed a good high once in a while. His car felt stuffy and he felt like taking his frustration out on something or someone. He pushed open his car door and stumbled outside. His reckless movement sent pangs of pain to his knees, reminding him of his age. Once in a while, his 48 years of age popped out of its hiding place, punishing him for overexerting his body. Evie would have to put up with his cramps all night long.Suddenly, his phone rang. He was reluctant to pick up, assuming it to be F
It was their annual company summer party and the hall was packed with people from all walks of life. It was not supposed to be a formal party as the theme was Legends and Myths but white collar people could make things seem uptight all the time. The co-owners of Petals Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals were the chief hosts of the get-together though the public face of the company, Mr Peter Torres, was more appreciated. His partner was barely known to any, as he spent most of his time on the road, traveling the world. "Mr Torres, may I just say how lovely this party is? Everything looks well put together. You must give me the contacts of your event planner," Lady Carletta praised, looking here and there. "She probably wants everyone to notice her new diamond necklace," Regina, Peter's wife whispered to her eldest daughter, who tittered into her palm. "Thank you, Carletta but it was my darling Gina who did all the planning. Maybe you should talk to her about it. I'll give you ladies s
Amidst the welcome hugs and handshakes, Richard managed to get away for a while. He craved a cigarette and acting all nice took a great toll on him. He made his way up to the roof after giving Lauren up to good company. It was good to be back, yes, but he ached to be back on the road. He was technically a nomad with no roots, no attachments to anyone. He flipped open his lighter. "That thing will rot your lungs and you don't want that," a voice warned from a corner of the roof. He snapped the lighter close and chuckled. This was a saucy one; he had to be careful with them. "And what if I do?" An elegant shoulder shrugged nonchalantly. "It's your funeral. Go ahead." The voice had a smoky undertone to it that reeled him in. She was not facing him but he wanted to see her face badly. She had a curvy body and a tiny waist from what the jean overalls would let him see. "Don't come any closer. I know very good jiu-jitsu and the fall down here leads a slow but painful death," she col
"Jacqueline! Come over; we want to take a picture," her mom called out and she nodded absently. She skulked over to where her sister and mother were standing among other family relatives and friends. Most of them resembled likenesses of vultures and crows in black and Jacqueline chuckled under her breath. These days, it was a blessing to laugh, even just a little. She thought of calling down her friends but gave up that thought immediately the camera went off. Moreover, she didn't want anyone lecturing her friends or her at this funeral. She was headed back for her rock when she heard his voice, wafting through the air: "Gina darling, I am so sorry I couldn't get here earlier. Traffic was terrible in the snow. How did it happen? My brain just can't process that Peter is gone." "He was in an highway accident on his way back from hiking," Regina's shaky voice informed. "He didn't get to say goodbye, Rich and that's what hurts me the most." Rich. Richard Rossi was here. Suddenly,
"So this is where you are hiding? Your mother is looking for you." Jackie froze, hearing the familiar bass echoing in the room. It was him, the best friend. "What do you want?" she asked, cocking her head slightly. She got up and thanked the gods above for her Amazon build but the mammoth man still towered over her. "I said your mother is looking for you. Weren't you listening?" Richard repeated, posing at the entrance, his ankle on his bent leg. How he could achieve that pose with his bulk was a mystery to Jackie. "Well, you can go tell her that I'm in here and I will be here for a while." After replying, she ignored his existence and sat back in place. Richard was conflicted: he had lied. Regina was too preoccupied with her guests and sympathizers to worry about the whereabouts of her youngest daughter. He just wanted her to leave so he could sit and think about all Petals' lawyers had said to him the night before: "Peter is dead and his funeral is tomorrow. Get down here for
Jacqueline was sitting on the laps of the strange boy and they were inhaling drugs from a multiple holed pipe. The boy's lips were stained with lipstick, meaning that they had been kissing and for some reason, that knowledge boiled the blood in Richard's ears. Another girl was lying shirtless on her bed, looking stoned. He had the element of surprise and unplugged the loud speakers with a quick tug on the cables. Suddenly, three pairs of eyes were all him. "What's the haps, man?" The boy asked, snaking his slim arm around Jackie's waist. Richard wanted to sever the joints in that arm. "Yeah, Ricky, what's the matter? A girl can't have fun at her own house anymore?" Jacqueline asked, wriggling her ass on the boy's laps. "Shut it, Jacqueline. Your mom is trying to host a get-together downstairs, one that you should be part of, not sitting here getting stoned. In the light of this, your punk friends have to leave right now." Jacqueline snorted and pulled Ronnie's hands off her. Her
"Jacqueline, are you ready to leave? Do you have everything you need? Car keys, wallet, credit cards?" Jackie rolled her eyes behind her mother's back. "Mom, chill out. You don't worry this much when Kristin goes back to college." Kristin popped out at the sound of her name. "That's because I rarely give Mother any cause to worry and I'm not a forgetful bug like you." "Hey, girls, play nice and Kristin? Don't call your sister a bug." "Yes, Mother. I can't wait for her to leave though. Everyone knows she is a nuisance anyways." "Kristy! She is your sister and she's standing right here!" Regina interjected, throwing her hands in the air. Jacqueline stopped packing and straightened up to full length. She was two heads taller than Kristin and the latter hated being reminded of that fact. "So it's okay if she says stuff like this but just as long as she doesn't say it to my hearing, Mom? And you, butt face, I don't know what your problem is but I'm not gonna make it easy for you to
Richard sat with their company's lawyers, uncomfortable even with the air conditioners blowing like hell from all angles in the conference room. His conscience was eating at him and he had picked up his phone to check up on Jackie multiple times before remembering that he didn't even have her digits. He didn't want to bother Regina for them and Kris was prepping for her flight come the following day. The stuffy lawyers had arrived late after all and the meeting had actually begun an hour later. He had sat for four hours, hating himself for refusing Jackie. He had not believed the excuse she had given; he had hurt her and she had cried. He was worried about her, what she could do when she was upset. She had paused with the drugs for a bit, at least from what he could tell when he was around but now that she was rolling with those junkies again.... "Mr Rossi, are you with you? This is the fourth time you are spacing out. Is anything the problem?" Leroy, their head lawyer wanted to know