Deadly In Stilettos (16 page)

             
“Deminis Bradshaw, is that you? You look amazing as always, girl.”

             
Enry was putting on his best performance for his date and hers, and Demi was furious. How dare he pretend with her? He was such a coward…a dick.

             
Turning to face Greg, Enry held out his hand, introducing himself as an old friend of hers.

             
“I already know who are you, dude,” Greg said.

             
In the awkward pause, the woman with Enry held out her hand to Demi and introduced herself as L’Oreal Donovan. She informed both Demi and Greg that she as a runway model, in town for fashion week. Demi noticed that Enry did not look pleased that she’d said anything about herself. Demi knew that it was too late in the year for fashion week. Who did the woman think she was? If there was one thing Demi knew about, it was fashion. But for whatever reason L’Oreal was there, it didn’t matter.

            
 
‘Laurel is going to love this bit of information’
,
Demi thought. Feeling Greg rub his strong yet soft hand over her bare leg, she turned her attention back to him. As she gazed into his eyes, she forgot Enry and his date were even standing there. When Enry saw that the attention was not on him anymore, he stormed off like a bitch, his date rushing behind him like a lost puppy.

             
“Some people are so arrogant,” Greg said.

             
“Tell me about it. I used to be in a relationship with him many years ago. That was the main reason we parted ways. He makes me sick to my stomach now. I truly feel sorry for the woman he’s with tonight, and the woman at home waiting for him.”

             
Seeing Greg was interested, Demi went on. “Remember I invited you to come to a dinner tomorrow night? Well, the woman who invited use is Enry’s girlfriend, only somebody obviously forgot to inform Enry of that bit of information. Her name is Laurel Cordwright. We’ve become acquaintances. I respect her deeply. She would be devastated if she found out he was here with another woman. In fact, she would probably pay a little visit to the establishment right now.”

             
Greg was intrigued. “Is that right?”

             
Demi laughed at the look of amusement in his eyes. “That’s right!”

             
She pulled out her cell phone, snapped a picture of Enry and his date, and sent it via text message to Laurel’s cell. Messy, but Demi just couldn’t help herself. Within a minute, he phone buzzed. It was Laurel. “Demi, where are you? How long has he been there? If he tries to leave, stall him. I’m on my way. And thanks, Demi, for the head’s up.”

             
When Demi put the phone back in her purse, she smiled at Greg. “Done! She’s on her way.”

             
Greg got his video option on his phone ready to record the show. This could possibly damage Enry’s credibility. Maybe whoever Laurel was would be willing to share some important information about Enry as well, he thought. He grew more excited about attending the dinner party at the Cordwright’s.

             
The evening could not have been better, Demi thought later. Greg was still laughing about it when they got inside the cab. Laurel arrived, dressed perfectly from head to toe. She walked in calm and collected, strolling directly over to Enry and his date’s table. Enry sat quietly like a little boy while Laurel conversed with L’Oreal.

             
Demi thought the two women seemed to know each other. They were very comfortable around each other, and Demi thought something was definitely up with that.

             
When Laurel and L’Oreal walked out together hand in hand, Enry slowly got up from the table and followed them like a puppy with its tail tucked between his legs. As they reached the door, Laurel said to him—her voice loud enough for everyone to her---that he was not man enough for his date, so she had called a real woman to come satisfy her. Laurel even kissed L’Oreal passionately in front of everyone.

             
Enry was so humiliated, he rushed toward Laurel, but the maître d’ and a waiter intercepted him. Many people had taken out their cell phones and captured the incident on video. Demi knew that tomorrow dozens of versions would be on YouTube and various Facebook pages, and on Twitter. Enry Williams’s career was about to take a turn for the worst. And that would not be soon enough. To add insult to injury, before Laurel left the restaurant, she walked over to Demi and gave her a high-five. Enry was even more furious. He left screaming and cursing the both of them. “You Bitches will never get away with this shit! All of you will pay!” So on top of the insult Laurel paid him he was also caught making threats to three beautiful women. Not a good look.

             
“Remind me never to get on your bad side,” Greg said when they reached the Plaza. “I do not want to end up like him. Did you see the look on his face?”

             
Demi laughed. She would never forget that look. Still, it was only the beginning for Enry as far as she was concerned. He still had a lot to pay for, for making her life a living hell once upon a time.

             
As she and Greg took the elevator up to her suite, she knew they wouldn’t be spending the night together. No matter how much she wanted him to. They would have time for that later, but not tonight. Surprisingly, he agreed, giving her a kiss that would make her regret the decision she’d made. Greg Stanley knew how to use his mouth, and he had the softest lips she ever kissed. One day, those lips would be hers to kiss forever. She hoped.

Chapter 11

             
DINNER AT the Cordwrights’ was in a few hours. Demi still had a lot to do before the car service arrived to pick her up. First, she called her boss to let him know all about the new designers she planned to bring on board for the upcoming season. Second, she called Tabitha for some insight on her new relationship with Greg. Tabi was excited about it, but still wanted her to remain cautious.

             
Tabitha gave Demi some of the best advice she ever received. She told her to simply follow her heart and let God do the rest. When they finally got off the phone, Demi felt better and happier about having someone like Greg in her corner for once. But, in the back of her mind, she still wondered if they were moving too fast. Although they only knew each other for a day, it seemed like a lifetime. She felt safe around him. The way his eyes smiled at her made her heart skip a beat. Could he be too good to be true? Did he have a hidden agenda? Was he going to take her heart and walk all over it, just like the others had done?

             
Trying to remain positive, Demi decided to take a hot shower. It was just what she needed to calm down. She also wanted to freshen up before dinner. It had been a day since she last received a phone call from whoever was threatening her, but the eerie feeling never left her. Whoever it was knew a lot about her and the things she had done. Demi needed answers quickly. Whoever it was, he or she was playing a dangerous game. When she found the person behind these threats, he or she would suffer dearly. No one would ever make her feel scared and afraid to live her life the way she intended to, not even the people she loved most. If that fact had been proven by her killing her own father, Demi knew no one was exempt from her wrath. She only hoped that Greg wasn’t a name she would have to place on the list.

             
After the shower, Demi felt relaxed. Her mind was clear. All she wanted to do was get the evening over with, so she and Greg could have some alone time. Although she had no intentions of sleeping with him this soon, Demi still wanted to be held in his arms. They still had a lot of learning to do about each other. In two days, she would be on a plane to Memphis to see another old friend. Time was of the essence.

             
She could not wait until her list was complete. Then her life could go on without any worries. All the painful memories could be buried finally, allowing a fresh start. Things were starting to look up for her when it came to love. Demi could not be more excited. Finally, she would be able to live her life completely, without any shadows lurking, taunting her. After all, hadn’t she suffered enough? Didn’t she truly deserve a chance to live a healthy, happy, and normal life? Well, if she had her say so, she would have all that and more.

             
Demi wanted to dress sexy and yet elegant for this dinner. She did not want to appear easy, unprofessional, or simple-minded to them, although she knew Laurel had told her parents much about her. The fact still remained that she was of a different race, and according to Laurel they didn’t do well with outsiders, as they referred to anyone outside their privileged circle. Laurel called earlier that afternoon to deliver that warning to Demi. She told Demi that her parents were very racist, but could not see it for themselves, especially, she added, since they did not care much about race when it came to money and power.

             
“They will love you,” Laurel went on. “I’ve talked about you constantly since the day we met. They know how successful you are in the fashion industry, and my mother wants to speak with you about possibly doing some business with her. She’s always talked about opening a few boutiques in the city, so maybe you can be the buyer for her.”

             
Demi was intrigued. One of her lifelong goals was to start a chain of sumptuous yet affordable boutiques, so that everyone could experience the finer fashions in life without breaking the bank. Once upon a time she had been the person shopping at Goodwill or other thrift stores for clothing. Not that she found anything wrong with thrifting, it was just something she no longer needed or chose to do. Demi wanted to make fashion accessible to all, no matter their income.

             
Still, she was careful and cautious with Laurel. She was enjoying getting to know her, but Tabi warned her about being too trustful too soon. It had gotten her hurt more times than she cared to remember, and Demi took Tabi’s advice to heart.

             
Opening the suite’s closet, Demi looked at all the new clothing and shoes she purchased just from being in New York a few short days. She also received many custom-made pieces from different designers, who hoped she would showcase them while in the city. Word of mouth carried further if all the fashion bloggers saw someone actually wearing their styles on the street. That simple gesture created more buzz than any media outlet. Some of the shoes were especially fabulous, and looking at them all, Demi felt like a child on Christmas morning.

             
The closet looked beautiful with all the designer labels staring back at her. “Who shall I wear tonight?” she said aloud. “Christian, Michael, Donna, Kate, Jimmy…?” She looked carefully, concentrating on putting together the perfect ensemble. The gold chiffon Christian Dior cocktail dress grabbed at her. She knew then that would be her final decision. It was just perfect. She could picture all the attention she was sure to receive while wearing it. The matching sling-back gold stilettos with studded jewels on each side were her final shoe choice. The five-inch heels would make her over six feet tall. Although she already stood five foot eleven, Demi loved to look taller. The shoes also made her legs look breathtakingly gorgeous. She was sure to make a perfect impression with the Cordwright’s, since her mother had been an internationally-known runway model when she was young, Demi especially wanted to dress her best. If a future business endeavor came about, then all the better, she thought. It would also give them something to talk about other than racial stereotypes and ignorance. There was nothing Demi despised more than prejudice. Growing up in the South taught her many lessons on racial differences.