Her Stepfather's Mistress

Jewel POPULAR SHOW HOST AND HEIRESS, SKYLAR DAVIES, TIES THE KNOT WITH BILLIONAIRE TECH MOGUL, REED GARDENSEN, TODAY IN A CLOSED CEREMONY. I start to scroll past the news, not interested in reading about two rich people getting married, but I stop just as quickly when the names sink in. Skylar Davies. Reed Gardensen. Skylar Davies?! s**t! I jump out of bed, rushing to my wardrobe for the box that holds everything I’ve gathered about my birth mother. My hands tremble as I dump the contents on the bed. Picking up my phone again, I click on the headline and hold my breath while it loads. The page opens, and I scroll down the article, skipping to the images. I pale when I see the first picture. It's Reed and his girlfriend. Shit. s**t. s**t. He married her?! Even after that night we shared at the club? Of course, he did! It was foolish of me to think there had been a real connection between us. It was a transaction. Silly, silly, silly Jewel. I drop down on the bed, my heart sinking as I stare at Skylar, trying to see any similarities between us. I immediately spot three. We share the same blonde hair, oval-shaped face, and bright blue eyes. How the f**k didn't I notice this when we first met?! How did I share not just a space but a full-length conversation with my birth mother, and didn't notice anything or perhaps feel something? Maybe because I never allowed myself to imagine that she might look like me. My sight blurs with tears as I dial Mark. I hold my breath until he picks up. “Hello?" His deep voice emanates from the speaker. “I think I found my mother, Mark," I say, pausing. "But I need to be sure.” He doesn't speak immediately, and I don't blame him. This isn't the first time I've called him to say I was half certain someone was my birth mother. "What information do you have?” He finally asks. “She married Reed today," I whisper, and Mark goes silent again. He doesn't have to ask who Reed is; I've been breathing his name ever since that night. Reed, the man I was dumb enough to fall for after being paid to seduce him. "Let me see what I can gather. I'll call you back." He says. I nod and end the call. Three hours later, Mark arrived at my apartment with a gloomy face. “She's the one," He mutters, slapping a manila folder on the table. I stare at it, but I don't move, too afraid to even deal with the reality. "This is really messed up, J. What are you going to do?” Mark asks. I glance at him, forcing a smile. He’s a good friend—one of the few bright spots in my messed-up life. Ironically, he and I only met and became friends after I hired him to find my birth mother. I swallow as I pick up the folder and open it. Several pictures of Skylar fall out, from her teenage years to the present. I stare at every picture with precision, trying to burn her face into my memory. We look alike, not strikingly, but close enough to see that there's a relationship. I wonder if she even noticed. Or if she's moved on and completely forgotten about me. Who would blame her, though? 22 years have passed since she gave birth to me. I remember my experience with her at the club, and my stomach dropped. She didn't seem like a good person. Scratch that, she was a b***h. “Do you want to meet up with her? I can help you set it up." Mark asks. I shake my head. I'm not ready, not yet. I need to be sure the side of her I experienced two months ago is not the only side there is. "No. Don't worry, I'll figure something out. How's school?” I change the subject, and he kindly allows me. * * * * * Following someone for six days in a row doesn't automatically make me a stalker, right? Pfft. Pulling my cap lower to cover my face, I anticipate Skylar’s exit. My palms are slick and my legs won't stop bouncing. I know what I'm doing isn't smart, but I can't bring myself to leave. I've managed to memorize her schedule in the past six days and learnt so much about her. She's a show host by dawn and a COO by day—Heiress to Davies Corp, daughter of Harold Davies Jr. Yes, big shocker, I'm the great-granddaughter of a decorated World War II engineer. Old man founded Davies Corp—the oldest and wealthiest war tech company in the state. I almost had an episode when I found out about that. But it's also why I've become more reluctant about approaching her; she will think I'm after her for the money. The security pushes the door open, and I straighten up from my position on the other side of the street. I watch her as she approaches her car: She's in a corporate gown, but somehow she still manages to be drop-dead gorgeous. Her assistant carries her bag to the backseat, keeping the door open as Skylar enters. As the car starts, I turn away, my heart heavy. She's going home now, to Reed and her great life. And I'm going to the club and my sad, miserable life, where my adopted mother continually uses my sister to milk me for money. Gosh, do I hate my life? Sighing, I holster my backpack higher on my shoulder, and I take a corner, deciding to walk instead of taking a cab. I still have an hour before my shift, plus I need to clear my head. The music blasting through my AirPods drowns the loud sounds of cars honking. Thirty minutes later, I reach the club, my clothes slightly damp with sweat. Inside the club, I spot Kelly, my roommate, who has already changed and is attending to the early customers. I wave at her before going into the dressing room. I waste no time showering and changing into my work clothes. I apply light makeup, style my long hair into a sleek ponytail, and throw gum in my mouth. I haven't had much to eat since I've been ‘stalking’ Skylar all afternoon. When I come back out, the club is already busy. I look around my tables, and I see the ones occupied are already served, except one. “Hey, your table 7 refused to let me serve her. She says she wants you." Another waitress says as she passes me to the bar. I nod at her, pasting a fake smile on my face as I walk towards the table. Good attitude equates to great tips. Most of the time, at least. “Good evening, welcome to…” I trail off, my mouth remaining open and my eyes widening as I see who the customer is. Skylar. She smirks at me. “Hello, Jewel. It seems we have a lot to discuss.” She says it with a sickeningly sweet smile that contrasts with the sinking feeling that just dropped into my belly. I'm going to faint.