Deadly In Stilettos (18 page)

             
As the evening progressed, the conversation was lively and festive. The food was outstanding, and Demi was pleased that every time she glanced in Greg’s direction, he was conversing with an older man. L’Oreal was trying in vain to draw his attention to her. Demi also noticed that when L’Oreal wasn’t trying to ensnare Greg, she was making cow eyes at Enry. Laurel was too busy acting as hostess to notice what was going on. But Demi knew that somehow she was involved in this little fiasco.

             
The dinner was the perfect time for Demi to fulfill the reason she was in New York in the first place. Having done her research, she would slip something into Enry’s drink and the rest would be history. The small vile of homemade potion was resting inside her clutch. With the flash of an eye, she could have it in the glass of wine Enry was drinking. He was in for a real treat!

             
Demi excused herself to go freshen up in the powder room. She was surprised when Laurel got up too and grabbed her arm to accompany her. When they walked inside the powder room, Demi was truly in heaven. It was not like any bathroom she’d never seen in a private residence.

             
A circular pink sofa rested in the center of the room. On a shelf behind the sofa was an exquisite bouquet of various freshly cut flowers, the aroma was delightful. A huge pink rug covered the hardwood floor surrounding the plush sofa, giving a welcoming feel to the room. A few other women were sitting on the sofa chatting. At the back of the room were several enclosed stalls, opposite them were porcelain sinks. The pink was accented by a light shade of purple and olive green. Demi thought the combination was breathtaking. Whoever designed the room was a genius. Any woman would love to have a restroom like this in her own home.

             
An attendant was also there to assist or offer anything one could imagine: tissue, warm towels, sanitary napkins, aspirin, bottled water, or anything else. Another attendant was standing by to assist anyone with their makeup and hair touched up before rejoining the party. After the lovely meal, Demi decided she should get a fresh coat of lip gloss. The entire gesture was both thoughtful and amazing. She told Laurel just how much she enjoyed it all. Although she did not need any of this in her everyday life, it was still great to have the option when guests were invited over.

             
Laurel acted as nothing was wrong, until they were completely alone in the room. Then she led Demi to the sofa, while dismissing the staff. “We need to have a little talk, Sweetie,” Laurel said. When Demi nodded, she continued. “What is Enry up to? Why would he bring her here? More importantly, why is she seated next to your man?”

             
Demi did not have any answers. She still suspected Laurel had a hand in all of this. Laurel must have sensed that, because she said, “I have not spoken to Enry since that night when you called me and I busted him. L’Oreal and I have been seeing each other more and more lately though, but she is still hung up on him. He’s so pathetic. I want him dead!”

             
Demi coughed. “Excuse me?” she said, not sure she heard correctly.

             
“You heard me right the first time, my Dear. I want Enry dead. He is a sorry excuse for a man. Someone needs to teach him a lesson or two in manners and respect toward women. I know a guy who will put an end to his pathetic little life just as soon as I say the word. What do you say?”

             
Demi was speechless. Was Laurel asking her permission? Maybe she was on to Demi’s plan, or was testing her. Demi thought about the situation. What if she allowed Laurel to take care of it? Maybe then she wouldn’t have to do anything. No, Enry was her problem. He wouldn’t get off that easily. She had to complete her plan, and quickly. Laurel apparently was out for blood. Demi didn’t want the job done by anyone other than herself. She needed it as therapy. In that moment, she knew that her next move had to come soon. It was settled then. When she got back to the table, she would slip the poison into Enry’s drink. It was time for her to leave anyway. If she researched correctly, the amount she had inside her clutch was just enough. The effects would not start until after she left the party and Enry was home. That way no one would be able to pinpoint it back to her.

             
Earlier the next day, Demi had a scheduled meeting with a few other local designers. Afterwards, she would be on a plane heading to Memphis. Tonight had to be the night to get rid of Enry if her plan was to work. If not, she would have to return to New York, and she did not want to do that.

             
When Demi and Laurel left the powder room, they noticed that the dining room was clearing out. Enry was talking with two other gentlemen Demi did not know, and Greg was still chatting with the older man from before. Laurel asked everyone to retire to the salon so that after-dinner drinks could be served.

             
Greg caught up to Demi and kissed her on the lips. “I missed you,” he said. Her body responded for her, leaning closer as she gave him a kiss of her own. Laurel watched in admiration. She wanted someone to love her in public like that, but right now she was caught in a triangle
.
That will soon en
d
, she thought, smirking.

             
Demi and Greg made a perfect couple. She genuinely wished them all the best. Laurel no longer wanted Demi hurt or worse. Rather, she knew they would become great friends. A thought crossed her mind, and Laurel frowned. Suddenly, she felt lost, bitter, and confused. She did not want anyone happy other than her. Her whole life had been horrible. She was determined to make it better. If hurting someone in the process was the only way to do so, then Laurel would do it. Seeing how happy Demi and Greg were all over each other, made Laurel sick to her stomach. She rushed into the powder room before she made a fool of herself in front of everyone. Everything she just consumed at dinner erupted from her. She fought hard to stay quiet, but a slight knock on the stall let her know someone was there.

             
“Are you okay?” a woman asked. Her voice was sweet, gentle.

             
Laurel did not want to face the person standing on the outside of the door, but it could not be avoided. Wiping the sweat and vomit from her face and mouth with toilet paper, she emerged as if nothing had happened. “I’m fine. What are you doing in her? Go back to the party, to your date. I don’t need any help, especially from you.”

             
L’Oreal’s expression was pure sorrow. Laurel regretted being so harsh to her.

             
“I just saw you looking a bit pale,” L’Oreal said. “And when you rushed off to the powder room, I wanted to make sure you were okay. I’ll leave you alone now.” The sadness in L’Oreal’s voice tugged at Laurel’s heart. As she turned to walk away, Laurel grabbed her hand. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

             
L’Oreal smiled. They embraced. Before they knew what was happening, they kissed. It was slow, warm, enchanting. They melted into each other as if they belonged that way forever. Laurel pulled away first, leaving L’Oreal standing there with her mouth open and eyes closed.

             
“What was that?” Laurel said. “You need to go back to the party.”

             
L’Oreal moved closer to her. As they kissed again, they became engrossed in each other. Someone walked in. They jumped apart, moving away from each other in the nick of time. Laurel walked over to the mirror to reapply her red lipstick. L’Oreal joined her. “Meet me upstairs in five minutes,” Laurel whispered before leaving the room.

             
As she scanned the salon, Laurel smiled at a few guests before walking over to her mother. She was in a better mood now that she tasted the lips of a goddess like L’Oreal. They had become friends overnight, chatting on-line and shopping throughout the city. The first time they made love was magical. They connected on a level Laurel hadn’t connected with anyone ever before. She couldn’t wait to feel L’Oreal’s lips on hers again. Seeing her show up with Enry enraged her. Enry had once captured her heart that way, but he didn’t appreciate her, or pleasure her, the way L’Oreal did. Maybe she would let him slide.

             
Laurel got caught up in a few conversations, and several minutes passed before she remembered she was supposed to meet L’Oreal upstairs. As she walked toward the stairs, she realized she didn’t see Enry anywhere. She didn’t see L’Oreal either. She must have already gone upstairs, Laurel concluded, excited.

             
Laurel swiftly climbed the steps, wondering which room L’Oreal was in. Hearing sounds from behind one closed door, she slowly opened the door. Immediately she saw Enry and her mother engaged in a sex act neither of them would want broadcasted. Laurel pushed the door open farther and walked inside. Enry’s head was thrown back as he enjoyed her mother’s obvious skills. When he looked up and saw her, he froze. Her mother did not stop. Laurel took her cell phone out and snapped several pictures. Finished with her photo shoot, she walked back to the door, smiled at the two of them and left. A few short minutes later, Enry stormed out of the room. Her mother was only seconds behind him, but smiling as she reapplied her lipstick.

             
“Great job, Mother,” Laurel said sarcastically.

             
“Sweetheart, I told you I would get him for you. Do you have all you need? I must return to our guests. Wouldn’t want your father to worry, would we?”

             
Blinking at her mother, Laurel followed her.

             
How could her mother seduce Enry? Why would she do that? A dozen questions passed through Laurel’s mind as she considered what she just witnessed. It appeared that Enry and her mother were too comfortable with each other, more than strangers on their first encounter. Something was up with that, and she planned to find out what. But as Laurel followed her mother downstairs, she realized the answers to the questions she had asked Demi earlier. Her mother changed the seating arrangements, no doubt hoping to cause trouble.

             
Abruptly changing her mind, Laurel headed back upstairs to her childhood bedroom. She put her phone away in the secret safe in her room. Enry Williams would be ruined even beyond the grave. And her mother would soon be right behind him. Her plan was working better than she imagined, only her mother didn’t know she would spiral right along with Enry. If those pictures got into the wrong hands, her mother’s family would disown her.

             
Laurel heard someone walk into her room behind her. She turned and saw L’Oreal wearing only a pair of stilettos and a smile. Laurel forgot all about her mother, Enry, and anyone else. The only thing she could do was admire the beauty before her. They kissed and embraced feeling the intoxicating chemistry between them.

             
“I want you,” Laurel said.

             
Without saying a word L’Oreal walked over to her bed and lie back with her legs spread open wide. She used her hand to signal Laurel to her. Once she undressed, Laurel joined her lover. They pleasured each other for an hour before coming up for air. That night, Laurel knew that she would never be with another man again.

Chapter 12

             
DEMI WAS getting restless and wanted to leave the party. She just had one more thing to do. Excusing herself from the people she and Greg were talking to, she walked into the foyer to find Enry. She wanted to give him a chance to apologize. Maybe she would spare him. “Like that’ll ever happen”, she murmured as she scanned the room for him. In fact, he was even more disgusting than she remembered. When she found Enry, he was outside on the patio, cursing and sweating like a pig. Ignoring him for a moment, Demi stared up at the sky. The view was amazing. Under different circumstances, she would have invited Greg to join her outside to admire the beautiful nights’ sky. It was almost impossible to see stars in the city. Since Demi was a child, she loved gazing up at the stars at night, wishing on every shooting star she saw that her father would love her like she longed for. The Cordwrights had a great view of the stars every night, for that, she envied them.