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The days came and went, while I continued my work with the tailoring department. Jules was so happy with the designs that she had instantly approved it. I was so busy that I'd completely forgotten about Jericho and his threats. On Friday night Jules invited me to join her at the club she frequents. She needed a drinking buddy, after the long week she had. In my opinion she deserves to drink and unwind. I did too, we ordered our respectful drinks.
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I, a glass of white wine, Jules ordered something strong that smells like vodka. I wasn't paying attention when she'd ordered it. I had never acquired the taste for it,vodka I mean.
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I've been nursing that one glass of wine, curious and enviously watching the couples dancing and gyrating on the raised platform meant for that particular purpose. And the occasional single men or women looking to hook up with someone for the night. I've never been much of a party girl, not even when I was in college. No, that wasn't entirely true.
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My first semester at the University of Chicago had been wild. Freshly out of high school and away from my overprotective parents. I was wild and adventurous, me Beth and Tess we'd had so much fun together partying all night. Drinking, that's them. I was still a lightweight and had low alcohol tolerance even then. But that hadn't stopped me.
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I'd had hot and heavy make out sessions with college boys at frat parties, drank my one glass and danced to my heart's content . Life was good and so much fun. Until I'd met and fallen in love with a hazel eyes monster, who was older and was in his final year at the University.
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Then I attended a party at his home. That was the last party I'd attended. Excluding Jules' Christmas party I attended last year. The party in Luke's home was certainly different and had ended badly for me and almost scarred me for life. So to see other people free and wild is a bit of a mystery to me. Picking up someone for a night, being naked and alone with them is a frightening prospect and something I would never ever do. My fears and paranoia ran deep. I don't trust anyone, much less a stranger I'd just met in a club. And it would definitely require a lot of trust for me to bare myself to any man.
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Not to mention even before that incident years ago I was more of an introvert. I enjoy curling up with a good book and hot chocolate or coffee in my free time rather than going out with friends to party. The freedom I'd had from my over protective parents and the outgoing friends I had who encouraged me was what spurred me then. Not that I didn't want to do all those things at the time. I was young, reckless and had my first taste of freedom. Now I'm not.
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I know now that life is unpredictable and your carefully crafted life could crash and fall all around you like a house of cards. Mine had been like that. Once I wasn't traumatized, I wasn't orphaned and I wasn't alone. Now I'm all of those things.
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“Andrea you good?” Jules' voice startled me out of my grim thoughts. She was looking at me strangely.
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“Yeah, I am.” I took a drink from my wine and swallowed the lump in my throat.
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“For a moment there, you look… lost,are you okay? ” I was. I am. Lost I mean. No, I'm not okay. But I didn't say that out loud, I smiled then replied.
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“What are you saying? It was nothing, I just remembered something.” She didn't believe me but she left it alone. My eyes sweep over the bar again.
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It's a ritzy trendy place with a gold, black and red theme to it. It wasn't crowded but busy. The patrons were all elegant and sophisticated people, not at all the rowdy crowds I sometimes see when I'd go for the occasional drink at the bars around my house. Jules had been drinking non stop while I'd gone down memory lane. And she's chugging down glass after glass of vodka.
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Hours later she begins to cry,her words slurry calling Nick's name.Cursing him on how he's destroyed whatever little trust she has of his gender. She's now completely drunk. The poor woman was heartbroken and would definitely have a massive headache in the morning.
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I'd tried to stop her from having more drinks, but she wouldn't take no, slapping my hand and calling me a party pooper. I had no choice but to let her drown all those negative feelings. When it's time to go I tried to pay for our drinks, but the bartender told me Jules already had a credit tap with them.
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I struggled with both my bag and Jules who was so drunk she couldn't walk properly on her own. I had to pull, drag and push her out of the damn bar, then maneuver her into the back seat. Huffing I wondered why she didn't come with her driver when she knew she'd plan to be this drunk. Then maybe that's why she invited me, so I can be her designated driver.
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Now I had to take her home,then call myself a cab. I sit in the driver seat of the Aston Martin Vantage after a few selfies with my phone camera. Then I drive the hottest and most expensive car I have ever, and will probably ever drive in my life. It took almost an hour to arrive at the Montgomery mansion. I've been here once, months ago during Christmas.
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I was spared the hassle of going through their security checking,I had suffered through the last time I'd come here. Their security almost rivals that of the white house. Almost being the keyword, they had guards all over their place. I was surprised Jules doesn't go around with a body guard on her heels. But knowing her she wouldn't want someone 24/7 hounding her.
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I wouldn't either, though I understand why her husband Nicklaus would hire guards to protect his family. with what happened to his sister and everything of course he wouldn't want a repeat. The guards didn't try to stop me. I'm sure it probably had something to do with me driving Jules' car, the giant electric ornate gates open to let me through, I was nervous, knowing I was being watched by men holding guns.
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With the help of their butler who opened the double doors of the foyer and that of the house maids we were able to take Jules up the spiral stairs to her room on the second floor. Just like the day I first saw the house, I'm probably sure my green eyes are wide, looking like the small town girl I claim not to be.
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I'm awed by the tastefully decorated mansion with its expensive interiors, marble floors and diamond chandeliers. But more than that, I'm impressed with the architecture. It was a sprawling two storey townhouse,or should I say mansion. With half a dozen bedrooms and equal full bathrooms. With three half baths and an indoor swimming pool on the terrace with cabanas. I remember all this from the tour I'd taken months ago.
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There's also an indoor garden and lushly carpeted greenery surrounding the town house on all sides. There are other beautiful houses around them. I guess they have other billionaires as neighbors. The houses probably belong to rich people that run in the same circle as the Montgomery's. Although truth be told the Montgomery's is grander and more opulent than the rest of the houses, it's a beautiful place. Only it doesn't have that warm feeling of a home. It was located at the outskirts of New York.
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I was on my way out, when a painting of a beautiful woman stopped me in my tracks,I cautiously turned my head to see If the butler or any of the maids was watching,I tightly held my purse to my body. When I was sure that I was alone, I moved closer until I stood before the tall painting. The artist had done a great job of making the picture look almost real. The beautiful woman looked ethereal, like you'd call her name and she'd answer. She was a beautiful blond with big dark blue eyes. I don't know why, but the portrait looks familiar. She must be someone Important If the Montgomery's have her painting on the wall of their home.
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“Who are you?”
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An authoritative stern voice boom that question all of sudden-which startle me out of my observation. I squeaked and turned abruptly then hit the big flower vase on the table near the painting with my purse, a vase that probably cost more than I earned in a year.
My eyes widened, my heart galloping in my chest, as I tried to save the expensive vase from tumbling down and shattering on the marble floor, and fortunately I did. I sigh with relief.
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“Whoops, saved It.” I smiled and placed It back in its previous position, then turned and saw the most intimidating woman I've ever seen. She's an older woman, probably in her late fifties or early sixties. Dress elegantly in an all white pantsuit. Her thick black hair is coiffed with a few gray strands here and there.
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There's a pearl necklace around her neck and a custom-made white walking stick in her hand. She's standing at the top of the spiral staircase, then she begins to descend down the stairs. She looked at me with narrowed electric blue eyes like I was a thief, who came to steal all their jewelry. Or like a queen looking down at a dirty peasant.
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“Um, hello. I saved It?” I said nervously,even to my ears it sounded like a question, I was uncomfortable with the glares directed at me.
“You wouldn't have had to save It. If you weren't snooping around then clumsily hit it when you were caught in the act.” She replied coldly. She made it sound like I was a thief. I take a step back from the painting and the vase. Then try to meet her gaze without fidgeting.
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“I wasn't snooping, I was just curious about the painting,then you startled me when I heard your voice.” I hurry to say.
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“Are you saying it's my fault?” Her eyes were hard and cold. I shake my head, my hands waving as I try to explain better.
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“No! No, I didn't mean that. I wasn't implying that you were at fault. I just mean I didn't know you were there so I was startled when you…” I shut up instantly when she shot me another disdainful look, there's no need to make things worse. I bite my lips and sigh. I'm at fault here, I have no excuse for snooping. Even if that wasn't what I intended, It was what I had ended up doing.
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“I'm sorry. I'm an employee from Mont's, I was here to drop off Mrs Montgomery. She had a few drinks. I was on my way out when I saw the portrait and stopped to admire It. I'm sorry I didn't think to ask anyone for permission.” I ended up lamely.
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“It's okay, you can leave now.” She said graciously and waved me away as If I was a fly. I had already turned and was walking. When I heard her curt regally voice called out.
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“Thompson.” She didn't even raise her voice, when the butler came around a corner from the side of the staircase.
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“Yes Mrs Montgomery.” He replied respectfully. I turned. She's also Mrs Montgomery?!
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“See to it that Jules' guest leave the property safely.” She said then ascended the stairs without a second glance in my direction, her walking stick making a soft thud on the carpeted stairs.
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Ouch!
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That really hurts. Some rich people can be really mean, what did she think I was going to do? Steal the painting or the vase? I didn't wait for Thompson the butler to escort me out, I hurriedly left. With the thought of who that woman might be. Is she Jules' mother in law? Nick's mom? She looks rich, so she might probably be a close relative. Maybe she's married to Nick's uncle or something.
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Or she could really be his mom, Mrs Montgomery senior, with her expensive clothes and jewelry and the way she carries herself with grace and elegance, it might actually be the case.
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