Black Lies White Lies (13 page)

“Are you kidding me, Mother? I wouldn’t do that. At least not here.”

“I at least know that much, but the power of a woman…”

“That’s your little boy, right, Mother?” Victor shot back.

“Now’s not the time, Victor.”

“Ok. Ashton, what about a little polo today? I feel fantastic. I slept like a baby. I called some of the guys at the club and there’s a game.”

“Sorry, but I need to stay here with Candice if she’s not feeling well.”

“It’s ok, Ashton. I’ll be ok if you want to go.”

“No. I need to stay with you until you feel better.”

“Mother is here to keep an eye on her, right Mother.”

“Of course I will, Ashton. Go ahead and have fun.”

“If you’re sure you will be ok, Babe?”

“Go ahead. I’ll be alright. I just need to lie down.”

“Get your gear, Big Brother. I am going to put a beating on you and Camden.” Ashton kissed me on the cheek and left with his brother.

As soon as they left the room Sofia turned and stared at me with distaste. “What the hell was Victor doing leaving your room this morning? I could hear your moaning through the walls, you slut.”

I sat there as she scolded me, until I could listen no more. “Do you want to know?” I said with all my bitterness in my voice.

“He’s my son and father to my grandchildren.”

I looked her straight in the eye and it just came out. “The father of your grandchildren raped me. Yes. Your son raped me.”

“You are a liar and you know it. My son would never rape anyone. You listen here, Girl, I want you out of my house today. You pack your things and I will get you back to New York ASAP. Spreading these lies.”

“Don’t you worry. I’m leaving on my own.” I ran upstairs before I broke down in front of this old bitch. I needed to pack my things and leave before Ashton and Victor returned. I just stood there in the pretty bedroom and cried. The happiest time in my life had just become the saddest.

I heard the door opened and turned to see Marbella. “I overheard you and Sofia talking in the kitchen. I’m sorry, Candice, for what happened at the hands of Victor. But believe me. I do understand because I stood in your shoes thirty seven years ago.” I turned fully to look at her in shock. Victor had raped her? No way, Victor hadn’t raped this old lady. “His father raped me many years ago. I kept quiet about it, because I didn’t want to hurt Sofia. She couldn’t handle much more and she wanted her marriage to work. He did it more than once because I didn’t have the courage to tell anyone.” Why was she telling me all this? “I wanted you to know because Ashton is a decent man and you must find a way to tell him.”

“I just can’t tell him, Marbella. What would it do to him if he thought his brother was capable of rape?”

“I know, but find the strength to do so if you genuinely love him.” A fountain of tears started rolling down my face. “There is something I must tell you one day, but now is not the time. I trust that he will make the right decision and that he loves you more than anything. Believe it or not, love will conquer all.”

“I have to believe that, Marbella, if only for Ashton’s sake.”

“When he gets back from his polo match I will make your excuses, but remember you must tell him. Your car is downstairs. Remember, only the truth prevails.”

“Thank you, Marbella, I hope to see you again sometime.”

“You will, Sweetheart, on your wedding day.” She kissed me on the cheek and I walked out of the room.

I drove back to New York in a daze, not knowing what to think or do. What would Ashton think about my early departure? How was I going to face the man I’d promised not to lie to? I had to call it off. I couldn’t marry Ashton. His mother hated me and his brother had raped me. What a combination. Even though they didn’t matter to me, Ashton loved them both.

I returned to my apartment feeling low and disgusted with myself. I needed rest. I took a valium and passed out. I slowly woke to my phone buzzing like crazy. It was 4:00 in the morning. Who the hell would be blowing me up at this time of the morning? I glared at my phone. Ashton had left twenty messages. I just didn’t want to talk. I wondered what Marbella had told him.

I lay in my bed looking up at the ceiling, thinking of this nightmare. I wanted to wake up from this nightmare and have it all end. When I next woke, it was 6:00 in the evening. I was still feeling sick to my stomach. I hadn’t eaten anything since I left Sofia’s. Maybe I just needed to eat something.

My phone was ringing again. I looked at my phone, it was Brenda so I answered. “What’s up, Girl?”

“How were the Hamptons?”

“It was ok. Something dreadful has happened, Brenda,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

“Are you ok, Candice?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m coming over. Just give a few minutes to get uptown.”

“Ok, Brenda. Thank you. I need someone to talk to.” I went to the kitchen and opened a can of soup, trying to calm my stomach while I waited on Brenda. What was I going to do on Monday when I went back to work? Ashton would want to see me and want to know why I had left.

I would just keep it to myself until I figured out what to do. It was his brother who’d raped me after all. I was angry with the wrong person, but I didn’t know who to be angry with. Maybe I should be angry with myself. I did go to Ashton’s mother’s without knowing what type of brother he had. I’d put myself in harm’s way.

My doorbell rang. Expecting Brenda I opened the door without looking through the peep hole. There stood Ashton, bold as ever Ashton. “Candice, what’s wrong? Are you alright? I must have left you about thirty messages. When you didn’t answer your phone, I left.”

“Yes, I’m ok. I just needed to come home.”

“Why haven’t you answered your phone? Mother said she didn’t know you had left. Marbella said you needed a doctor here in New York. If you were that sick I would have brought you back.”

“I’ll be fine. I just needed to rest at home, not at your mother’s.”

“I’m sorry, Babe. I didn’t mean to agitate you any further. I was just worried.”

“It’s ok, Ashton. I’m not agitated. I’m just still tired.”

“Let me help you to bed. Have you called the doctor?”

“I don’t need the doctor. I think it might be the flu.”

“We’ll get some food in you and let you rest.” The doorbell rang, “Are you expecting company?”

“Yes, Brenda was coming over to help me out before I knew you would be here.”

“That’s ok. I will let her in and tell I’m here now.”

“No need for that. I will talk to her myself.”

“Alright, she is your friend not mine.”

“You are right again.” I couldn’t help snapping at him.

“Candice, have I done something wrong that I don’t know about? You’ve been kind of hateful with me since I got here.”

“I just want to talk to my friend.”

“Am I not your friend and soon to be husband? Tell me what’s going on here. Something isn’t right and I can feel it.”

“Let Brenda in and we can talk later.” Ashton opened the door. The shocked look on Brenda’s face told the story.

“What are you doing here?”

Ashton seemed surprised at her tone. “I’m here taking care of Candice, and you?”

“I’m here for the same reason, so you can leave if you’d like.”

“I need her to tell me that, if you don’t mind.”

“Ashton let me talk to Brenda alone for a few minutes and get into bed.”

“That sounds like a plan,” and he exited the room.

“Candice, what is going on and why is Ashton here?”

“I didn’t know he was coming over, that’s why I told you to come.”

“Tell me why you were so frantic on the phone, and what happened in the Hamptons.”

“I can’t tell you now because Ashton’s here.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No. I just can’t talk right now.”

“Candice, would you like me to leave? I came all the way uptown because you asked me to.”

“Look, Brenda, let me pay you for your time. I’m sorry for any inconvenience.”

“Pay me for my time? My inconvenience? I didn’t come here as your assistant. I came as your friend.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I am just not myself. I will explain it later. Please, Brenda, can we talk later? And I’m sorry for upsetting you.”

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t come here to upset you so I’m going to leave now.”

“Thanks, Girl, for coming. You are a true friend.” We hugged and she left.

Ashton walked back in, “I heard the door shut. Is Brenda gone? I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“I just need to lie down if you don’t mind. It’s been a long weekend.”

“I made up the bed and made you some chicken soup that Marbella taught me how to make. I’m going to stay the night, but I will sleep on the couch so you can rest.”

“That will work and thank you for the soup. I’m not going to work in the morning.”

“Don’t worry about work. I will let the necessary people know you are sick.”

“Thanks, Ashton. I’m going to try to sleep.” He kissed me on the forehead and left the room.  I laid there thinking about what Marbella had told me before I left.

Why had she told me things I certainly had no right to know? There were a lot of things going on in Ashton’s family, even he didn’t know about. I knew now that black or white, rich or poor, there would always be lies. Some people just hid them well. I didn’t want to think about anything anymore. I just wanted to sleep.

Ashton woke me the next morning with more of Marbella’s chicken soup. “I want you to get better, Sweetie, so eat up. This soup is a cure all.”

“Maybe, but right now it was making me sick to my stomach. Let me get to the bathroom first, then I will eat.” I ran into the bathroom. I threw up the chicken soup I’d had last night and everything else too. What was wrong with me? My body must have been traumatized from being raped. That had to be why I was so sick.

Ashton knocked on the door. “Are you all right in there? Candice, do I need to call a doctor.”

“Yes Ashton, just give me a minute. I will be alright. Just give me a second.” I rinsed my mouth, splashed some water on my face, feeling a little better.

Ashton was standing in the doorway. “Candice, please let me get you a doctor.”

“I’m going to be ok. I think it’s the flu or a stomach bug.”

“Well eat some more of this soup. It will make you feel better.”

“I don’t think so. It might be the soup that’s making me sick,” I replied, trying to be humorous. He didn’t seem amused at the comment. “I’m just joking, Ashton. Don’t take it serious.”

“I’m just trying to help you.”

“You know what you can do to help? Get out of here and go to work. I will just lie here and get some rest.”

“Alright I am leaving. Just call if you need anything.”

“Don’t worry, I will. You have a lovely day.” When he left I turned on the TV and let it put me to sleep. I woke feeling better so decided to get some work done from home. I looked like hammered hell. I took a shower and fixed my matted hair. I was finally starting to feel like my old self again. The bug must have passed. Thank God for that.

Ashton had left messages on my machine. I decided I would call him later. I just needed some me time. My phone started to ring and I decided to let the answering machine pick it up. “Candice, this is Lance. I’m in New York on business and would love to see you. Just give me a call when you get in.”

Lance. That was all I needed right now. I didn’t feel up to seeing Lance, but maybe seeing him would make me feel better. I lay around all day trying to decide if I would call Lance. I knew how he felt about me. Maybe this was just adding fuel to the flame.

I needed to make sure Ashton was working since I knew he wouldn’t understand. I decided to call him first and go from there. I called and his assistant picked up, “Ashton Williams’ office, Pam speaking.”

“Pam, this is Candice Robinson speaking. Is Ashton in?”

“Candic,e he is in a meeting with a prospective new client and it may take a while. I can have him call you as soon as he is free.”

“Thanks Pam, talk to you later.” That meeting could go on forever so I decided to call Lance and take my chances. Lance’s phone went straight to voice mail, “Lance, this is Candice. Give me a call when you’re free.” That was that.

I was so hungry. I needed something other than the chicken soup Ashton had made. I dialed my favorite Chinese takeout place, “Wong’s Spicy Wings. Can we help you?” That sounded yummy. I placed my order and waited, watching some America’s Next Top Model, until the doorbell rang.

“Wong’s Spicy Wings, I have your order.” I opened the door, paid for my wings, and ate till I thought I would burst. Everything was right with the world at this very minute. My phone rang. It was Ashton, “Hey Baby, how are you feeling? Better?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact I am. I just ate some wings from Wong’s and I’m watching TV.”

“Sounds like you have recovered well and that’s good. I’m going to be leaving here late. I will see you tomorrow. Are you coming in to work?”