A Second Chance at Love

They Left

Chapter 4

Nolan’s POV

“I'm sorry. I was just worried about Parker. She's been struggling a great deal since she lost her parents. This was the first time she had come out of the house since the funeral. I just wanted to make sure that she was okay. I admit that I panicked when we couldn’t find her, but she's my wife. It's my responsibility to take care of her. I couldn’t find Mr. Harrison or the Jacob's either. I was worried that she got overwhelmed and left, or Mr. Hamilton took her with him.” I tried to make a joke out of my earlier panic.

“Oh, they all left,” Parker replied.

“How did you know that?” I asked. “You've never even met any of them before.”

“Well, I was sitting over there, hidden behind the faucet stand, when I heard him speaking to a couple. I was staying out of the way, as this outfit is God-awful, when I overheard them. He was quite upset. He was complaining about how long you and Ms. Talbert had been gone. He was frustrated that it was taking you so long to find the house plans. He felt he was being disrespected, and the other couple agreed. I was going to come out and defend you to them, but by the time I snapped out of it and walked around the stand, they were already gone. I tried to find you so you could go after them, but I couldn’t find either of you in the showroom. The woman he was talking to mentioned something that upset me, and I wanted to correct her. So I guess it was for the best that they left before I could speak up. But you need to clarify things with her,” Parker replied.

This can’t be good. I knew from the expression on Parker's face that whatever Mrs. Jacobs said was going to be something I didn’t want to hear, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking. I knew I needed to know, so I could try to figure out a way to sweet-talk them back. Mrs. Jacobs is known to be a difficult client.

“What did Mrs. Jacobs say?” I asked.

“She implied that you and your secretary had something going on, Nolan. I was so distraught, I almost cried. That was the reason I didn’t make it out in time. I can’t imagine her saying something like that about you. It’s true that Ms. Talbert is an attractive woman, but she’s just not your type. Everything about her is fake, and she has a harsh demeanor. She falsely accused me the moment I arrived tonight. I’m co-owner of the company, Nolan. If she's willing insult me, who wouldn’t she insult? You’re clearly letting her get away with much more than you should around here for Mrs. Jacobs to say that. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had insulted Mrs. Jacobs. It was clear from her tone that she felt disrespected. How long were you gone for them to say such horrible things about the two of you?” Parker advised.

I couldn’t stop myself from tensing up at her words. Parker glanced up at me when she felt my reaction. Her hand was still on my arm, and she knew she had just hit a nerve. I knew Brandie was about to blow a gasket, but she couldn’t let loose right now. Who knows what she would admit in front of the room? Everything would be ruined. I gave Brandie a hard look, silently telling her to stay quiet, as I hugged Parker. I needed to comfort her, as Mrs. Jacobs had obviously noticed something between Brandie and me. I have to admit that in the last two months, Brandie has run wild here at the company. Forgetting she was my secretary and just an employee here. She was the one who insisted on throwing this party. She has been acting clingy and speaking out of turn. The other employees have also noticed, but Brandie wouldn’t stop, even after I'd repeatedly warned her.

She has always been jealous of any woman around me. No matter who they were, even an older woman like Mrs. Jacobs. I don’t need Brandie to go flying off the handle. This situation was bad enough, as we could have lost two potential clients. Sales that would have greatly helped to grow my business. Now, I'm concerned. If they complain to their friends about perceived ill treatment. I could lose even more potential sales. They know other wealthy people, and I was counting on them bringing in more clients. I just hope I can get them back. The home I designed for the Jacob’s, including the land, was valued at $ 1.2 million. I had personally ensured that every aspect of their home was perfect, and to her strict specifications. Losing that sale and the Jacob’s as clients wouldn’t just hurt my business; it could cripple it. All because Brandie got jealous. That was completely unacceptable.

Mr. Harrison’s home was eight hundred thousand. So, after it was all said and done, two million dollars in sales had walked out the door tonight. I have no idea whether I will be able to get them to return. I had gone upstairs, intending to get the designs, when Brandie entered my office and took off her dress. Things escalated quickly, and I can’t believe I let things get so out of hand. I’ve never been able to say no to her, but I never intended to sleep with her tonight, not in the middle of a party with Parker here. I set off alone, but Brandie slipped upstairs behind me. I admit I wanted to have her the moment I saw her in that dress. I don’t know what Brandie was trying to prove by coming upstairs after me, but it had been a huge mistake.

I guess that was why we couldn’t find them when we came downstairs. Brandie implied that they took one look at Parker in her dress and left, thinking the worst of my wife. Brandie has always been dismissive of Parker, but Parker has been an excellent wife. She was loving and supportive, and I have to admit that I liked taking all her firsts. I would have happily stayed with her, but Brandie kept showing up like a bad penny. Reminding me of our plans. Brandie knew the power she held over me. She was my first, and I could never get over her. She was the only woman that I’ve ever loved.

I care for Parker, but our relationship is different. I don’t love her, and I couldn’t stand her parents. I hadn’t wanted to hurt them, but it was either that or lose Parker's support. I couldn’t take a chance on losing her. We had this planned out from day one. I needed her financial support. Now that I’ve had a taste of being rich, I couldn’t go back to Mississippi with my tail tucked between my legs. There was no way I would use the money I received as a payout from her parents' life insurance policies. Parker was a hopeless romantic. She believed that what we had together was a wonderful love story to tell our children.

She had refused to listen to her parents' warnings about me. I have never been so relieved as I was the day we married, even with the prenup I had to sign in place. Parker always believed the best about me. My dreams became her dreams. All she wanted was for me to thrive, and that thought made my chest hurt. I hated having to use her, but she was my wife now. It was her duty to help me grow my business. I had been terrified when we came downstairs and couldn’t find Parker or my clients.

Brandie spoke to Ricky on her way upstairs and told him to keep anyone else from following us up. I felt a slight relief when he assured us both that he had been watching the stairs the whole time we were up there. I guess Parker went up after we came down. I had been filled with dread thinking that Parker would divorce me if she saw me with Brandie. I was glad that she seemed just fine when we finally found her in the restroom. She didn’t even get alarmed when Brandie slipped up about her being watched. I managed to play it off, but I can’t allow something like this to ever happen again. We were way too close to getting caught.

I never planned to hurt Parker; I just want the money I deserve. At first, all I wanted was to get my business to thrive, but I live in the real world. I knew without Parker that wasn’t going to happen. Killing her parents had never been part of the plan. I never thought Brandie would be so bold as to touch me like she did while they were here. There was no way to lie our way out of it, as we were caught in a ackward situation.

Brandie lived for the thrill. I have to admit I love how adventurous she was. We were caught by surprise that day. Brandie had no fear of getting caught. In fact, after she got her breast implants, it was like she wanted to get caught. She loved how jealous other women were of her body. She felt much more desirable these days. After I paid for them, it got her off my back for a while. Brandie knew that she still had me wrapped around her finger.

“Mrs. Jacobs was wrong, Parker. You know how much I adore you. I would never do anything to hurt you like that. Aren’t we trying for a baby? You know how much I want to start a family, Parker. Isn’t that proof of how much I care about you?” I asked, gently rubbing her back.

She loved it when I spoke to her like this, and she especially liked my back and neck massages. Hopefully, Brandie was smart enough to keep her damn mouth shut. Because I swear if she keeps ruining things, I will cut her loose. I can always stay with Parker, as she didn't know about the affair. My heart clenched at the thought of having to end Brandie, but I can’t have her getting back at me. She would not leave Parker or me alone if I chose my wife over her. She would go to the cops and tell them I killed the Reynolds. I won’t let her take me down like that. Brandie’s actions had gotten me into this mess. It doesn’t matter how much I love her; I won’t allow her to take everything away from me.

I remember when Brandie's cousin told us about Parker. I was going to the University of Memphis on a football scholarship. Things were tight for me, but I was determined to get away from the podunk town that I’d grown up in. I had the looks, and I studied hard. I might not be the smartest guy at school, but I was doing well. I knew what I needed to do, and I was going to make it happen, one way or another.

Brandie’s cousin had come to visit and noticed Parker at a local coffeehouse. She told us just how wealthy Parker’s family was. Brandie’s eyes lit up when she heard. I had smiled at Parker when she noticed me, and her whole face flushed. I have to admit I'd liked her reaction. Parker was different from the other girls I’ve been with. She listened when I spoke. She believed in me. She built me up, and look at what I had done to her. Shame filled me as I thought about what I had done.