Betrayal (28 page)

“Thank you. The case was basically open and shut. We caught so many of the plaintiffs in lies, it wasn’t funny. After we exposed them, they only had two creditable witnesses, and that wasn’t nearly enough for a class action suit, so the judge dismissed the case. I’m so glad it’s over; now I can get back to Washington and deal with more important issues,” Ariel said.

“When are you going back?”

“This afternoon. Trey and I are catching the four o’clock train.”

“Excuse me? Did you say you and Trey?” Meri asked, with a lilt in her voice as if she were surprised.

“He had planned on going down earlier and having a talk with Michele, but there was some kind of emergency at the club, and he had to stay in New York and handle his business. Now that the trial is over, we’re going to D.C. together.”

“Oh, I see. That’s a long ride. Are you sure you can handle sitting next to your ex-lover for a few hours?” Meri asked, insinuating that Ariel still had feelings for Trey.

“Meri, what Trey and I had has long since been over.” Ariel thought about whether or not to tell Meri about her recent fantasies. They were not fantasies per se, but recollections of the past. “Well …”

“Yes … come on; get it out. I can tell you want to say something,” Meri prodded her.

“I must admit since coming back to New York, I’ve been reminiscing about me and Trey. I know it’s wrong, but I couldn’t help myself,” she confessed.

“You know what they say?”

“No. What do they say?” Ariel asked, halfheartedly, not really wanting to know.

“That lust is stronger than love. I realize that you love Preston, but the sex with Trey was probably the best you’ve ever had. Am I right?” she asked knowingly.

Ariel shook her head
yes
, even though her friend couldn’t see her reaction. “Meri, you have no idea how good it was. Ump,” she grunted. “That man had me doing things I’ve only fantasized about. I swear if we had met in another time and place,
and
he wasn’t related to Preston, we would probably still be together.”

“So you do think that what you guys experienced was more than lust?” Meri had had her share of dynamite sex and knew that good lovemaking could make a woman think that she was in love, when in actuality she was just in love with the dick.

Ariel thought for a moment. “I don’t know, Meri. Sometimes I think we had a deeper connection than just sex, and sometimes I think it was only sex. In either case, it really doesn’t matter because I’ll never know. I’m committed to my marriage, and pray that once Preston learns the truth, he’ll forgive me,” she said, with a twinge of sadness and regret in her voice.

“Don’t worry, daarling, everyone’s entitled to at least one mistake. And though yours was a doozy, you still deserve to be forgiven,” Meri said, spoken like a true friend.

“Thanks. I pray you’re right. I really want to start working on having a family. I truly believe that a baby will help us through this ordeal.”

“Maybe so, but I know you realize that babies never hold a relationship together. I’m not trying to shoot down your hopes. There’s a strong possibility that Preston will want a divorce, baby or no baby. Daarling, I don’t want you to disillusion yourself,” she added, trying to soften the blow.

Ariel was quiet for a moment, as if digesting Meri’s words. “You’re right, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed nonetheless. Well, let me run. I’m meeting Trey at the train station soon, and don’t want to be late.”

“Okay. Call me once the dust has settled, and let me know what happened.”

“You know I will. Pray for me,” Ariel said, before hanging up.

Penn Station was a flurry of activity. People were huddled underneath the big board waiting for gate assignments, and once the numbers ticked into place, they rushed off toward the designated gate. Vendors were hawking everything from jewelry to hot dogs to fake designer purses. There were local commuters going home to the suburbs, and long-distance travelers with luggage, on their way to destinations unknown.

Ariel had already gotten her ticket and was waiting for Trey near the big board, which was an unspoken meeting place. They had talked the day before regarding train schedules, but didn’t exactly set up a specific area to meet. She’d assumed he would know where to meet. Ariel looked at her watch; it was seven minutes to four, and he was nowhere in sight. She took her cell out of her purse and dialed his number.

“Are you calling me?” Trey asked, walking up from behind.

Ariel closed the phone. “Yes. I was. I hope you have your ticket. It’s almost time to board.”

“Yeah, I do,” he said, waving the pale blue ticket in the air. “We still have a few minutes; they haven’t assigned the train number yet,” he said, looking up at the big board. No sooner had he spoken than the numbers changed, their gate was assigned, and people started running. “Come on.” He grabbed her hand. “We’d better hurry if we want good seats.”

Ariel was speechless. She had gotten to the train station in plenty enough time to buy her ticket and walk to the gate like a civilized person, but now she was in a stampede with the masses. It was total pandemonium, and she felt like she was running with the bulls in Spain. They fought their way through the crowd and down the steps. When they reached the platform, people were nearly pushing their way onto the train.

“Come on; let’s go to the last car,” Trey said, running toward the end of the platform, with Ariel trotting closely behind.

The final bell sounded the second they stepped onto the train, and then the heavy metal doors closed. They had made their train with no time to spare. Trey led the way down the aisle, looking for two seats together, but there were only single seats scattered here and there. “Why don’t you sit there?” he said, pointing to an empty aisle seat.

Ariel put her tote in the overhead bin and sat down. She watched as Trey made his way down the aisle, and finally found a seat. In a way she was grateful they were not sitting together. At least now, she wouldn’t have to make small talk. She took a paperback novel out of her purse, turned to the bookmark, and began reading where she had left off. As the train made its way through the state of New Jersey, she continued reading and didn’t notice as passengers moved on and off the car.

“Excuse me. Is this seat taken?”

Ariel was so deep into the story that she was unaware that the seat next to her was now empty. “Uh … I guess not.”

Trey put his bag in the overhead bin. “I’m going to the club car; do you want a drink or something to eat?” he offered.

She wasn’t hungry. “Would you mind bringing me a glass of cranberry juice?”

“Cranberry juice?” he asked, wrinkling his brow. In his line of business, cranberry juice was used as a mixer, not the main drink. “Don’t you want a shot of vodka in it?”

“No thanks.”

“Uh, okay.”

Just as he was a quarter of the way down the aisle, Ariel called out to him. “Trey, on second thought, I will have some vodka with my juice.” Now that they would be sitting together, Ariel decided a cocktail would make the ride go a bit smoother. She put the novel away and took out her compact. She quickly powdered her face, taking the shine off of her nose and forehead. She put the makeup away, and ran her hand over her hair, smoothing down any loose ends. After the run through the station, she was a little disheveled, and needed sprucing up.

“I bought some chips to munch on,” Trey said, balancing the box of refreshments in his hand and easing past her to sit down.

“Thanks.”

“Here’s your drink. So, how did the trial turn out?”

Ariel filled him in on the details. “We would have won even if the judge hadn’t dismissed the case. There was just too much damaging information against their witnesses. We had legal binders full of all kinds of incriminating evidence.” Ariel was glad to talk about work, since it distracted her from thoughts of Trey. Meri was right; lust was stronger than love. As much as she tried to focus on work, and not think about that evening in her apartment with him, she couldn’t help it. The scene kept replaying over and over in her mind. “Trey.” She turned and looked him dead in the eyes. “Why did you run after Michele that day at my apartment instead of staying with me?” she asked, totally changing the subject.

Trey looked shocked. He wasn’t expecting that zinger. He was comfortable talking about anything else but their affair. So much time had passed that he thought they would never revisit that dreadful day. But he should have known it wasn’t dead in the water, and would resurface sooner or later. “Ump-hmm,” he cleared his throat. “Ariel, you know as well as I do that we could’ve never continued with our affair. When Michele busted us, the only recourse was damage control. If I hadn’t run after her, she would have gone straight to my father and told him everything.”

“What did it matter? We’re still in the same predicament,” she said, sounding forlorn.

“Well, at least it bought us some time. If she had told him then, I’m more than sure that I wouldn’t have a relationship with my dad, and I doubt very seriously if you’d be married.”

“I guess you’re right.”

Trey put his hand on her knee. “Ariel, for what it’s worth, that first night in the club when I didn’t know who you were, I felt a strong magnetic connection. And if you didn’t belong to my father, I think that we could have had something real, maybe a solid relationship.”

Ariel finally heard the words that she was secretly dying to hear for months. She had always wondered how Trey felt; now she knew. His confession eased the conflict within her, and clarified her doubts. “Trey, thanks for being so honest. At least now I know I wasn’t the only one feeling the attraction.”

“No, you didn’t imagine it; what we felt was real.” He took his hand off her knee. “Ariel, I hope we can continue to be friends,” he said with sincerity.

“Trey, I’d like that.” She smiled. Though Ariel and Trey could never revisit “Lover’s Lane,” having him in her life on a platonic basis was better than nothing, and she was content in their newfound roles. “Now what’s our game plan once we reach D.C.?” she asked, getting to the business at hand.

“When we get to the town house, we’ll go straight into his office and simply tell the truth. We won’t beat around the bush,” Trey said, sounding like he was plotting out some kind of business meeting.

“I think I should start talking first, since he is my husband, and I married him under false pretenses, knowing that he had a memory lapse.”

“You have a point, but I feel a sense of responsibility considering I own the club. And if it wasn’t for the Black Door, none of this would’ve happened. I truly feel bad that you could possibly lose your marriage over our indiscretion. You and my father have been together for so long that I would hate to see your relationship end over a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding
is an understatement.” She chuckled.

“True, but it’s not like we set out to deceive my father. The last thing I wanted to do was to hurt him,” he said, sounding like a little lost boy.

Ariel heard the pain in his voice. “Trey, don’t worry, blood is thicker than water. Preston has no choice but to forgive you. He might be pissed at first, but eventually he’ll have to come around.” This time it was Ariel’s turn to console Trey.

“Let’s hope you’re right. In any event, I’ll initiate the conversation.”

“Okay, but what if Michele’s there?”

“Then the three of us will tell him that we thought it was best to conceal the truth until after his confirmation. With Michele on our side, it’ll make our case stronger.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.” Ariel still had doubts about the girl.

For the rest of the train ride, they strategized. Ariel was glad that she and Trey were now friends. He was a good man, and only wanted the best outcome for them both. Though they had gotten caught up, their actions had not been malicious.

Before long, they were pulling into Washington’s Union Station. They gathered their belongings and headed for the taxi stand. Evening traffic was light, and fifteen minutes later, the cab was in front of the town house. Trey paid the driver, and they got out.

He looked at Ariel and noticed that the color was draining from her cheeks, turning them a pale ash. “Are you okay?” he asked as they walked toward the front door.

“My stomach is churning, my head is aching, and my palms are sweaty. Other than that, I’m just fine.” She chuckled nervously. Ariel took out her keys and opened the door. The moment she stepped into the foyer, she felt a coldness. Something was different. For the first time since moving into the town house, she suddenly felt like a stranger walking into her own home. She thought that she was being paranoid, and tried to shake it off, but the feeling lingered.

“Is it always this quiet in here?” Trey asked, putting his bag on the floor and looking around.

“Most of the time it is pretty quiet. It’s not like we have a bunch of kids running around the place,” she said, setting her tote on the bench near the front door.

“Have you guys talked about starting a family?” Trey wanted to know. Hearing the word
kid
reminded him that Ariel didn’t have any children. She was still relatively young, and he wondered how she felt about motherhood.

It was like Trey had been reading her mind. Ariel’s maternal clock had begun ticking, and now she wanted a baby more than anything else. “We haven’t talked about it, but I would love to have a baby. Once we get over this hurdle, maybe we can start trying.”

“Well, I wish you luck.”

“Thanks. Come on, let’s go get this over with,” she said, changing the subject. They were finally in D.C., and Ariel was ready for the dreaded confrontation.

“Michele’s desk is cleaned off,” Trey said, walking into the small outer office.

“Looks like Ms. Thang has gone for the day. I’m glad she’s not here. I think we can handle the situation better without her adding any snide comments.” Ariel went to Preston’s door and knocked. When she didn’t get an answer, she turned the knob and stuck her head inside. The office was empty and dark. “Maybe he’s upstairs,” she said, turning to Trey.

They went back to the front of the house, and Ariel offered Trey a seat in the living room, while she went upstairs to look for Preston. “He’s not here,” she said, once she came back downstairs.