Beautifully Destroyed (3 page)

Chapter Four

Jeb

              I was on the way out of the condo, but Barb stopped me. “So, baby, you have time for a quickie?”

“Actually, no, I don’t. I need to get to the hotel.”

She got pissed off and stomped toward the kitchen. “You are always making up excuses lately. Do I not turn you on anymore?”

I followed her into the kitchen and watched her pour herself a cup of coffee. “Of course you do. I am just under a lot of stress at work. We are down two housekeepers. Hey, why don’t you take the job?”

“Are you fucking serious? Really!”

“Yes, I am being serious. I really need the help.”

“Ha! No, I will not degrade myself like that. I come from money. What would people say when they see the great Barb Gray cleaning a room after someone? You need to stop and think before you come up with these ideas.”

God, I really hated that woman. The only reason why she came from money was my father. “Wow, Barb, can you sound any more stuck up? Also, Sean is coming up. He is getting married, so tomorrow I want you to play nice with his soon to be wife. I want to go out and have some guy time.”

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I will play the fiancée to the great Jeb Turner.”
I grabbed my keys and walked out of the condo. I really didn’t have time for her childish bullshit. I really didn’t want to marry her. I needed to find a way around the trust fund deal. So I could get it and not have to marry that bitch. I got in my car and headed toward my work. I really needed to find some help so I was not there every day. I pulled into my spot at work and got out.

“Good morning, Mr. Turner.”

I turned to see Vanessa. She was my hardest working housekeeper. She was cute in her own way. She was average height with long brown hair, and the bluest eyes.

“Vanessa, how are you this morning?”

“Good. I only came in to get my pay check. I am going to help my brother with a project.”

She giggled to herself. I found her a little awkward at times, as if I made her nervous. We started to walk to the elevator, to head to my office. When we stepped in, a thought entered my mind. “Hey, do you have any friends that need a job? I need two more housekeepers for the night shift.”

“Hmm, I really don’t have a lot of friends. I am going to meet a young lady today. I could ask her.”

“That would be wonderful.”

“If you need me to work extra shifts, I can. I love working here.”

“Can I ask you a personal question?” Her face turned like forty shades of red. “No, Vanessa, nothing bad.”

“Oh phew, good. Yeah, go ahead.”

The elevator stopped and we stepped off.

“Why don’t you go to college?”

“I tried to go, but I have a learning disability and it was hard for me to keep up with the work.”

I suddenly felt bad for asking her. “Oh. I am so sorry I asked you.”

“Oh, it’s okay. I learned to deal with it,” she said with a smile. “I will call you in a bit and let you know if that girl wants an interview.”

“Sounds good.”

We walked into my office and I handed over her check, and then watched her walk out the door. She was a wonderful person and I really hoped she could find me someone. I started to work on some paperwork when my cell rang.

“Hello, Father. How are things?”

“Good. Listen, your mother is driving me crazy with this wedding. Have you picked out a date yet?”

I sighed. “No, Father, I haven’t. Why are you in a rush for us to get married?”

“Because, Son, Mr. Gray is threatening to pull out on this investment and I really need this.”

“So you think he will pull out if I don’t marry his bitchy daughter.”

“Jeb, you knew what you were getting yourself into when I started this investment. This will give you over five million dollars when I die.”

“Why couldn’t Jake do this?”

“Because, Son, he was in a relationship at that time. Listen, you will only have to stay married to her until he signs the papers.”

I put the phone down and pinched the bridge of my nose. I picked up the phone and took a deep breath. “What if he doesn’t for years? I really don’t want to be with this woman that long. She is a monster, and she only wants my money.”

“Well, Son, I have it in the paperwork that Barb can’t touch that money. Not even a penny.”

I was shocked to hear this. “Does Joe know this?”

“Nope, I have a secret file with my attorney.”

This made me feel a little better. We talked for a few more minutes, and then said our goodbyes. Barb was not always a bitch. I did have feelings for her in the beginning. She was kind and sweet, until she knew I came from a lot of money. So she became scandalous and a bitch. I was pretty sure she was cheating on me. I just wanted this to be over with so I could move on with my life. In a couple of years, I would be thirty, and yet to have a wife or even children. I spun my chair so I was looking out of the windows. I really wanted a family, but not with Barb. My thoughts were interrupted by my cell phone.

“Sean, my man.”

“So tomorrow…are we on?”

“Yep, meet me at my office when you get in town. Tell Maddie that Barb will be hanging with them. I seriously need a break from her.”

“Gotcha, man. Okay, I will see you tomorrow.”

We said our goodbyes, and then I dove into my daily work.

Chapter Five

Toria

Tony had fed us a wonderful breakfast of eggs, bacon, French toast, and biscuits. I hadn’t had a meal like that in years. After we ate, I demanded that I clean. I was not going to eat free food and not do something to pay for it. After I cleaned the kitchen, I walked into the living room where Mitch and Tony were watching television.

I was about to ask where the bathroom was when the front door opened and a beautiful girl walked in. She stood a little shorter than me, her brown hair tied up in a tight bun. Her eyes were stunning, almost cat like and big. From where I stood, they looked hazel. She had her hands full with bags so I ran over to help her.

“Here, I can help you with them.”

“Why, thank you, sweetie. Yeah, I see my brother is too lazy to help his sister.”

I giggled. “Wow, this is a lot of stuff.”

“Nah, not really, but I wanted to make sure you had the things you need. I am a girl, and I know we have our needs.”

I was overwhelmed. My heart started to pound and I had the urge for another pill. I would have to ask Mitch for another one. “Well, I really appreciate this. Will it be okay if I take these to the bathroom? I really want to take a shower.”

“Of course, sweets. You need any help?”

I started to grab up all the bags.

“No, but thank you. Can you tell me where the bathroom is?”

She pointed where it was, and I took all the bags into the bathroom. When I walked in, my mouth dropped. It was a huge bathroom for this trailer. It looked as if it was recently remodeled. The counter was a deep brown tile, and the floor was a matching color. The walls were a light brown, too. It was breath-taking.

I sat the bags on the ground and I walked over to the cabinet, and I found two towels. After I opened the shower curtain and turned on the water, I went to search the bags for any razors and soap. I opened the first bag and there was some shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, and a scrubby. I grabbed them all and placed them on the ledge of the shower.

I got undressed and glanced at myself in the mirror. My ribs were showing, and my arms looked so skinny. I looked so anorexic. I looked away and got in the shower. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a warm shower. I ducked my hair under the water and watched the water turn a gray color. I watched the filth go down the drain, wishing it were that easy for the negatives in my life to not exist. I grabbed the shampoo and scrubbed my hair. It felt so good to scrub my hair. After rinsing out the shampoo, I added the conditioner, and decided that I would shave while the conditioner sat in my hair. After I shaved, I scrubbed my body with the pomegranate scented body-wash. After I rinsed out the conditioner, I turned off the water and wrapped my hair and body up with the towels.

I sat on the floor to go through the bags. I was so overwhelmed with how nice Vanessa was, I started to sob. I pulled out dresses, jeans, t-shirts, new under garments, socks, and a nice pair of tennis shoes. There was a note on the shoe box, so I unfolded it and began to read.

Hey,

I just went off what my brother told me. I hope these are the right sizes. If not, let me know and I can return them. So glad to meet you. Oh, and you better not try to pay me back. This is me doing my good deed for the year. Enjoy your new things.

Vanessa

The shoes were the correct size, and so were all the clothes. I wondered if Mitch told them my sizes. I decided I would wear a pair of jeans and a yellow tank top. After I got dressed, I searched the bag for a brush. I found that along with a full make-up bag. There was also a hair dryer and a flat iron. I plugged them both in as I attacked my hair with the brush. After getting all the tangles out, I blow dried my hair. The first time since the day I was kicked out of my house, I had the luxury of blowing drying my soft tendrils, and I took full advantage of it. After that, I ran the flat iron through my hair. When I was done, I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair had grown so much over the past years. It was all the way down my back. I decided I would leave it down. After I did my make-up, I put on my shoes and socks, and grabbed up all the bags and headed out of the bathroom.

“Wow, Toria, you’re beautiful.”

I felt my face heat up. “Thank you, Vanessa. Where are Tony and Mitch?”

“Tony finally convinced Mitch to go shopping for new clothes. It took so long. Your friend is a stubborn man.”

I laughed. “Thank you for the stuff. I hope no one steals them under the bridge.”

“You really think I will let you go back on the streets?”

I looked at her, confused. “What do you mean?”

“You are going to stay with me,” she said with the biggest smile on her face.

“Oh no, you don’t have to do that. You barely know me.”

“Please, girl, you are not going back on the streets. It’s dangerous out there.”

“I just don’t want you to think I am taking advantage of you.”

She got off the couch and went to the kitchen, and she came back with two cokes. She handed me one. “I don’t think that. It was my idea.”

Then I started to think about Mitch. “I can’t leave Mitch out there, alone.”

“Do you really think my brother would leave him out there? Hell no. My brother is falling in love with him. Mitch agreed he would stay here, if you agreed to stay with me.”

The tears started to well up. “I am so glad we met you guys. But listen, I will get a job and I will start pulling my weight. I promise.”

“I’m not worried. Oh, speaking of jobs, I might have one for you.”

I was taken aback by that statement. “Wow, you work fast.”

She laughed. “It’s housekeeping at the
Turner Hotel
.”

“I can so do that.”

“Good, let me call my boss. Be right back.”

She walked outside, and I sat there on the couch just looking around. I started to wonder what Vanessa’s place looked like. I was pulled out of my thoughts by Mitch and Tony laughing. They walked in and Tony gasped.

“Wow, sweets, you look hot.”

I smiled and felt my face heat up again. “Thank you, and thank you so much for everything. I have agreed to stay with Vanessa.”

Mitch came and sat beside me. “Good, I will stay here then. But we will have to see each other every day.”

“Yes.” We watched Tony walk to the back of the trailer. Mitch put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a handful of pills. “Here, hurry up and put them in your pocket. That should get you through until I see Jason again.”

I put them in my pocket just in the nick of time, as Vanessa walked in with a big smile on her face. “So, Mr. Turner has agreed to see you tomorrow at one.”

“Wow, thank you so much.”

“Are you ready to go to my place?”

I looked at Mitch, and sadness filled me. This would be the first time I didn’t spend the night with him. I leaned over and gave him a huge hug. “I love you. If you need me, please get hold of me. We will stop by after my interview tomorrow.”

“Okay, baby girl. You go have fun.”

I got up, and Vanessa helped me with the bags. We walked out into the warm sun, and we loaded up the car and headed into town. I watched the people and thought to myself how things were looking up for me. I couldn’t be any happier.

Chapter Six

Jeb

             
After hanging up the phone with Vanessa, I got out the necessary paperwork that the new girl would need. I stopped to think. I really hoped this person worked out, because we were so short on help. After getting the last bit of paperwork out, Barb bust through the door as if there was a fire. 

“I need five grand for this dress.”

I hung my head and shook it. “Why do you need this dress? And why don’t you ask your daddy?

She rolled her eyes. “He cut me off months ago. I am going to be your wife, so you have to support me.”

“Listen, Barb, I will not give you the money. I’m sorry, but really? Five grand for a dress you will only wear once?”

She dropped down into the chair across from my desk. “What am I going to wear to the gala tonight then?”

Shit, I forgot about my mother’s gala that night. My mother sold art for a living, and I promised her that Barb and I would show up to support her. I got my wallet out and gave her my credit card. I cringed when she smiled up at me. “Here, but please don’t go over five grand.”

“Thank you, baby. Now, go home and shave and get ready. We need to leave by six.”

After she left the office, I slammed my head down on the desk. Wincing at the slight pain radiated through my head, I cringed at the abuse my credit card would receive. I knew she was going to go over the amount I told her, and that pissed me off.

I finished up the little bit of paperwork and headed home. Once I got there, I went to get a nice, random suit out of the closet, not caring one way or the other. I jumped in the shower. Once I was shaved and showered, I went to the kitchen and I noticed my guitar out of the corner of my eye. I had the urge to play, so I walked over to it and lifted the lacquered wood into my hands. Raising my foot to rest on the coffee table, I balanced the instrument against my thigh and placed my fingertips on the strings. It felt good to hold the guitar, and I strummed the strings with my other hand. I smiled as the harmonious sound emanated throughout the room.

But, as I was about to strum the strings once more, a voice interrupted and I cringed. “Baby you should write me a song.”

I turned to see Barb dressed and ready to go. She was wearing a silver cocktail dress, that was really low cut, and I swore her boobs were going to pop out. How had she found that attractive? Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a tight bun, making it look like she was trying to create a slutty-nurse motif. “Yeah, maybe.”

She walked over to me and put a hand on my arm. “Well, you can write me a song for our wedding.”

The thought of marrying her made me sad. I just wished this business deal would hurry up. I really didn’t want to waste any more time with her. “We aren’t getting married for a long time.”

“Oh Jeb, we will be getting married before you know it. If you don’t marry me, my father won’t go in with that business deal with your father.”

“Jesus, Barb, do you really need to keep throwing that in my face? As a matter of fact, the only reason you want to marry me is because you will get money.” I got up and walked around the living room. “You know what? I don’t have time to argue with you. Let’s just go to this damn gala to get it over with.”

She had a smirk on her face, and I only wished I could smack it off. Though, truth be told, I probably wouldn’t be able to go through with it. I didn’t believe in hitting women, even if they
were
the most irritating bitch on the planet. We walked to the car in silence. I was so ready to have a guys’ night, and couldn’t wait for Sean to arrive.

Once we got to the gala, the valet took the car and we walked in. The first person I saw was my mother. I smiled and walked toward her. She looked stunning. Her red hair was in a high bun, and she was wearing a blue cocktail dress that drooped in a U-shape between her breasts, but in a modest way that adding dimension to the gown.

I gave her a hug. “Mother, you look stunning tonight.”

She kissed my cheek and pulled out of the hug. “My son. Where is the bride to be?”

I rolled my eyes. “Who cares where she is.”

“Jeb Marcus Turner, don’t speak about her that way.”

“Mom, I swear she is the devil, and she only wants the money.”

She sighed. “I know, sweetheart, but just think, once this deal is over with you can release her.”

“Yeah, but she will get half of everything. Maybe more if she has it her way.”

“We won’t let that happen. So, do tell me how are things at work?”

“Very well. I am meeting a potential employee tomorrow. We are short staff in the housekeeping department. Oh, and guess who is coming up for the weekend? Sean.”

“Yes, I heard that. He is getting married.” Wow, word got to her fast about the wedding. I wondered if Sean had called her. My mom always loved Sean as if he was her son. Knowing Sean, he had probably called her first.

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. “He’s a lucky bastard. Marrying a girl he loves.”

“Stop now. Let us walk and greet the other guests.”

I walked with my mother for the entire night. Barb was off doing only God knew what. But I didn’t care, as long as she stayed away from me. The night went by very fast and it was fun to meet new people, and my mother looked very happy. But when we got home, Barb started in on me again.

“I have a date set; you have two weeks to marry me.” She started to walk away, but stopped and turned around. “Oh, and your father helped me with that date. Now come have sex with me.”

I closed my eyes and followed her into the room. That night, I had sex with her, but it wasn’t her face I was picturing. It was my mystery girl. My goal was to find the angel before I married the devil.