Enlightened (Red Flags) (2 page)

"Hell, yeah--it's about time you eat.  I thought I was going to literally watch you waste away." 

I turned and playfully rolled my eyes at her as she turned and walked into the kitchen.  Looking in the mirror mounted to the wall, I realized that I looked exceedingly thin.  Having little to no appetite over the past week was starting to show itself in my frame.  I was unable to eat, sleep, or even think throughout the day without something concerning Jason infiltrating my mind.  I had spent the first couple of days crying relentlessly.  Food was an after-thought, and sleep only took me when I exhausted myself from crying so much, only to have it broken by salacious nightmares. 

I spent the next twenty minutes unpacking boxes and planning out my layout for my new bedroom.  My room in the condo was double the size of my room in our apartment.  Even though I had gotten a larger bed, I still had plenty of room to spare.  The condo was an impressive space, in a beautiful area of San Diego.  Chelsea had found it while we were still undergrads at SSDU, and luckily, I had landed the Sports Marketing Manager position at San Diego Sports Marketing or I wouldn't have been able to afford my rent. 

The circular entry way led to an open kitchen where no detail was sparred.  Bamboo floors flanked the space throughout, and while the appliances were all black, the marble countertops were a pristine shade of grey with maroon flecks splattered throughout.

I strolled down the stairs and passed through the living room that easily held our black leather sectional, a hand-me-down from Chelsea's parents.  In our apartment, this sofa would have swallowed the room, but here--it was just the right size, leaving us plenty of space to meander about. 

Chelsea had the TV blasting, some boring local news station blaring into her ears. After taking the stairs by twos, I made my way down into the kitchen area and stopped when I heard
Bradley Oil Company
come from the newscaster's mouth.  Chelsea grabbed the remote, attempting to change the channel when she turned right into me, and immediately froze.

"Uh… I was just going to change this," she stammered and I knew she was trying to shield me from whatever was being reported. 

I grabbed the remote and turned it up, curious as to what was being said.

Newscaster: It looks like the Bradley oil family is getting larger.  Reports are coming out of Texas that Mr. Jason Bradley, the youngest Bradley son, is expecting a baby with his long-time girlfriend, Stacey Miller.  Congratulations to the happy couple.

My mind went blank.  I'd heard it, but I wasn't sure if I'd heard it correctly.  Turning to look at Chelsea, her face was all I needed to see to know that my fears were alive and well.  She had the sad, pathetic stare that I had so desperately been trying to avoid. 

"Can't avoid it forever," I said, shrugging my shoulders. 

Chelsea pushed over my turkey bacon and egg white omelet.  I grabbed two glasses from the cupboards, poured us each a glass of orange juice, and sat down to eat. 

Chelsea kept eyeing me as she ate; like she thought taking her gaze away would be the second that I'd crumble in my seat.

"Why the hell is that in the news anyway?" she asked angrily chomping on her omelet, letting all her frustrations come out on her food.

"Because Bradley Oil Company is the largest oil company on the West Coast and Jason lives in La Jolla," I replied, shoving a forkful of food into my mouth.  I hadn't eaten in a week, but it felt more like a lifetime.

"Well, I'm sure that Stacey bitch was the one running to the press.  Cara, if I ever see her conniving little face again, I swear I will make her wish she'd never met you.  And besides, this sorry ass news station should get their facts straight; Stacey is not his long-time girlfriend, and he doesn't have a baby on the way."

I stopped my fork just before my lips.  I couldn't believe what I was hearing Chelsea say.

"Wait.  You don't think it's Jason's baby?"

"Don't get it twisted Cara.  This isn't me coming to the defense of Jason.  I just see that snake for what she is and I can't imagine her perfect little scenario playing out the way she and Jacob said it did." 

Shocked would have been an understatement.  I would never have thought that Chelsea would side with Jason, intentional or not. 

"Well, it doesn't matter.  There is more to my Jason problem than just Stacey," I said, trying to end the agonizing conversation that had taken over our breakfast table. 

"You're right. So when do you start your new job?" she asked, moving on to a more pleasant topic.

"Wednesday, I know, weird. But, they have me going to some new hires orientation for a few days.  At least I have the next few days to join you in the world of the living, and to get my living arrangements on par with the rest of our home."

"Come with me to Indulgence, tomorrow.  I have an appointment to get my hair trimmed and you could use some primping," she said, cleaning her plate of her breakfast.  I hurried and finished mine, then cleared the table.

"I can't--I have to finish around here and get ready to start my new job.  They probably won't have room for me anyway."  Truthfully, I just couldn't imagine setting foot in Indulgence Salon since it was in La Jolla.  No way was I ready to stroll back into that city.  True, Chelsea was from there, but the city was synonymous with Jason for me, and I wasn't ready to cross that bridge.

"I am helping you get your shit out of these boxes today, that’s taken care of.  And, I have been a long time client at Indulgence so--if I say I need another stylist, they will make it happen.  You
are
coming, whether you like it or not.  You need to look rejuvenated for your new job and this will do the trick."  She got up and pulled me by the hand, leading me back upstairs.

The whole way up I thought about what it would be like to run into Jason while in La Jolla.  Every scenario was cringe inducing.  I knew I was in the grips of a piranha and I couldn't get away without being bitten, badly. 

Chapter 2

Rolling through the streets of San Diego, then onto the freeway, I harbored an empty feeling.  Chelsea was blasting music in her sharp Infinity, and normally I'd be singing along with her, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.  I had let her talk me into going to Indulgence, but honestly, I just wasn't ready to venture back into Jason's neck of the woods.  The odds of running into him at a women's hair salon were near impossible, but I felt a nagging tug at my stomach telling me to retreat.

We pulled into the parking lot of the upscale salon and stepped out of the car. I took in the breathtaking views of Indulgence tucked up against the lush mountainside of La Jolla.  Scanning the lot, I noticed Mila's car, and quickly saw her exit and bound to us.

"Hey, bitches!" she shrieked, but stopped and gave me a long, warm hug.  "Pinks, it's good to see you out and about."  Her eyes were sympathetic and she smiled in a loving way that was meant to prop up my fragile ego. 

"I'm fine Mila.  Really, but thanks." 

Chelsea grew impatient and loudly cleared her throat.  "I have an appointment with Jacques' beautiful hands and you sap birds are holding me up." 

We laughed and made our way into the salon where we were greeted by Lily, the pale, porcelain princess who worked the front desk.  She was impossibly tall and thin, her platinum blond hair pulled back into a long, sleek ponytail.  She smiled a bright smile and, if I didn't know any better, it could have been misconstrued as fake--until I heard her speak.

"Welcome to Indulgence, ladies.  How may I help you?"  Her voice was high-pitched and was laced with sunshine and butterflies.  It made me a little queasy, seeing as though I was still meandering around with a black cloud over my head. 

"Chelsea Peters.  Appointment at one with Jacques."

Lily looked down at the computer screen, tapped it a couple of times, then led us to the stylist area. 

Indulgence was a very posh place.  The walls were ice white and covered in pictures filled with turquoise and gold splatters.  All of the staff wore black pants and, white button up shirts, with turquoise shirts underneath. Gold accessories were worn by all employees, and everyone wore the same smile that Lily had plastered on her face at the front entrance.  A girl by the name of Nina greeted us, took our purses, then led us to our stylists, offering us glasses of champagne while we waited.  I took one, but secretly hoped that she had some Jack and Coke stocked away in the back room.

Jacques greeted Chelsea with prim and proper air kisses, and Chelsea laughed as she took her seat.  I was introduced to Amber, the fiery red head who was tasked with handling my mane. 

"So, Cara, what are we doing today?" Amber asked, in a deeper, but still disgustingly pleasant tone that matched Lily's. 

"I don't really know.  Chelsea dragged me in here," I dryly replied.  I hadn't even thought about what to have done because I'd been dreading this appointment since Chelsea mentioned it.

"Well, we can shampoo and condition and I can give you a slight trim.  Just to play it safe."

The word safe was like a dagger.  I decided that playing it safe was no longer of interest to me, so I began asking all sorts of questions and, with Amber's help, came up with a plan for my hair.  I just hoped that acting impulsively didn't leave me regretting my decision.

A few hours, and a few mindless conversations later, I was done and looking into the mirror with a pleasant smile.  Amber had talent, and I
was
thankful that I had reluctantly allowed Chelsea to drag my pathetic ass into Indulgence.  I felt like I was looking at a different person--a person that I was impressed by.

"Holy shit!" Mila squealed.  "Damn, Pinks, you look smokin' hot."

I couldn't hide the Cheshire cat grin that had invaded my face.  If I had to admit it myself, I
did
look smokin' hot and I was overly pleased with Amber's work.  Chelsea came walking up, her hair slightly shorter, but nothing too different.

"Wow!" she yelled.  "Is that my Cara sitting in that chair?"  She walked over and ran her fingers through my hair.  "It looks like her," she swiveled the chair around. "The smile looks like hers… I think my Cara is back!  You look hot, doll."

"Thanks, girls.  I have to thank Amber for this. She's a whiz."

"What did you have done?" Chelsea asked."

Amber took the opportunity to butt in.  After all, she was the magic behind the look.  "I gave her a Brazilian Blowout, and cut 12 inches.  I think she looks more sophisticated and ready to conquer the world."

"Damn right!  You are going to knock socks off, Pinks." Mila had a smile on her face that she couldn't seem to wipe away.

"Thanks, girls.  I just decided to go for it.  We're moving forward and embracing all things new, so why not go for a new look?"  I focused on myself in the mirror and really took in my transformation.  Instead of looking at an unruly mess of curls, I was now staring at bone straight hair that was cut shoulder length and layered to frame my face.  It felt good--and Amber was right--it did exude a much more sophisticated look, and if I was going to be a big girl as a Marketing Manager, then this look was a welcome change. I also knew that by shedding my old look, I was once again peeling another reminder of Jason away.  The more I kicked the remnants of him out of my life, the better off I would be.   

We made our way back up to Lily and paid our tabs. I couldn't help but run my hand through my hair because, the more I swished through it, the more I whiffed the decadent aroma of coconuts. 

I felt like a rumpled piece of paper on the way into the salon, but now, I felt like a flapping flag in the wind.  I felt uplifted, and excited.  In a way, I kind of felt as peppy as Lily.              
Yikes!

<>

Pulling into the lot for Plato's, a Greek café with a beautiful outdoor garden patio, I felt the urge to strut into the restaurant.  I had a newfound air about me that I was ready to proudly show off.  We walked in and quickly sat ourselves on the patio, nestled between plants and flowers that set a warm and inviting mood. 

"So when does the new job start, Pinks?" Mila asked, as the waiter sat lemon waters down for the three of us. 

"Wednesday.  I have orientation for three days, then I can get to work." 

"Well, I'm sure that will be a welcome distraction--" she stopped short of finishing her statement after Chelsea made a not so subtle noise in Mila's direction. 

"I don't mind, Chels.  It's not like I can go around with my head in the sand, hiding from the big elephant in the room."  I wanted to make sure that they knew they didn't have to prance around on egg shells for me.

"I know, but I'm sure you don't want to spend your time talking about Jason, either.  I know I sure as hell don't," Chelsea stated, matter-of-factly.

"Well--you know where I stand-- even if it's not what you guys want to hear.  I don't think Jason slept with Stacey.  In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if she slept with his jackass brother," Mila added. 

I turned towards Mila, mouth hung open.

The waiter returned to take our order.  After ordering a plate of Loukaniki for us to share, and Fig and Walnut salads for our meals, I dove right back in where Mila had left off. 

"Jacob is definitely a creep, but do you really think he would sleep with Stacey?  After all, he is married to her sister." 

"I wouldn't put anything past those bastards," Chelsea said in between sips of water. 

"I agree.  I never got to meet him, thank the heavens for that, but from what I've heard, he sounds like a slick willy.  You said he openly hit on you.  Why wouldn't he sleep with her?" Mila said, wrapping her long hair up in a bun.

That thought hadn't even crossed my mind.  I was so consumed with thoughts of Jason and Stacey sleeping together to help mend the hurt over Abby, that I hadn't allowed my mind to formulate any other scenarios.

"It doesn't matter.  That’s only part of the problem.  What about his infatuation with Heather?  The hair, the drinking--everything.  I am not about to play second fiddle to his fantasies," I said and dove into a piece of the Loukaniki that the waiter had dropped off.