Is It Revenge Or Love?

Details

We sit in my office, staring at each other. I’m sitting in an armchair next to my built-in bookcase, and Jaylene is sitting on the leather sofa I have in the room. I had poured myself a glass of bourbon when we settled in the room, but Jaylene refused anything I offered.

I clear my throat, still kicking myself for opening my big mouth. I have no idea what the hell I was thinking, and now I’ve backed myself into a corner. There’s no getting out of this now, and I have to figure out how to make this all make sense.

I guess if you really think about it, my suggestion isn’t that stupid. Deon is clearly trying to get her by his side through marriage and is willing to do anything to make it happen. Now, it looks like her parents are of the same mindset, threatening her livelihood to force her into the situation they want to see her in. If she were to marry me, she could avoid all of that. It wouldn’t completely make them go away, but at least they couldn’t force her hand. “Monroe?!” I look at Jaylene, taking in her concerned expression.

“Uh, yeah?”

“Did you have a mini stroke or something? I’ve been calling your name.” I take a sip, appreciating the burn as it flows down my throat.

“I’m sorry. I was thinking about things.” She nods, and I take another sip.

“Well, do you care to explain what you meant out there? How the hell would being married to you fix anything for me?” I place my glass on the coffee table and lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees.

“Look, clearly, Deon will stop at nothing to make you his. He’s shown that in a few ways, and he’s your biggest threat. First, he kidnaps you at a party and then he holds you hostage in your own home. The law clearly doesn’t affect him, so he’s a major threat to your safety.” I look at Jaylene and watch her close her eyes and nod. When she opens her eyes, the fear is almost overwhelming. “From the sound of that phone call, your parents are on his side as well. They seem determined to take your choices and your freedom away to get you to do what they want you to do. I have a lot of questions about that. I mean, why are they so hell-bent to have you with that douche anyway?” Jaylene shrugs, looking away. When I came back and decided to get revenge, I never thought I’d walk into something like this.

“Who are you?” I look at Jaylene, waiting for more. She slowly turns to look at me. “Who are you? When we were in school, you were Monroe Rivers. Since you’ve been back, I’ve heard you called Monroe Jensen. So who are you?” I sigh and close my eyes. I knew this would come up, but I always thought it would be the icing on my revenge cake. I wanted it to be the thing that I threw in her face once I got her back. It would be that ‘you tried to break me, but look at me now’ type of situation.

I open my eyes and lean back on the chair. My legs are spread wide, and I have an arm slung along the back. “I guess it’s only fair that you know everything.” Jaylene’s eyes bore into me as she waits for me to speak. “It’s true that I was Monroe Rivers in school. That’s the surname I was born with. I needed a fresh start when I left school, so I changed my name to Jensen. Now, I’m an important somebody, making a name for myself.” Jaylene looks around before setting her eyes back on me.

“That’s it? That’s the big explanation?!” I chuckle dryly.

“I don’t know what you were expecting, but that’s what it is. Sorry that the information wasn’t dramatic enough for your taste.” Jaylene sits back on the couch and crosses her legs.

“How would this marriage work? It isn’t like we love each other or anything.”

“That’s true, but people have gotten married for less.” Jaylene says nothing. “Look, we’d legally get married and you’d live here with me. You’d have protection all day, every day so no one will be able to get to you. You’d have access to my money so you can live your life.” Jaylene opens her mouth to protest, and I hold my hands up to stop her. “Look, I’m not expecting you to devote your life to me or anything of the sort. I have no issues with you working or with you working where you do now. I just think that your dad will make good on his threat and do after your job. If that happens, you will be able to live as you like because you will have access to my money.” Jaylene sighs and looks defeated.

“I’m going to have to quit.”

“Why’s that?”

“I think you’re right, he will come after my job. I can’t let that school or those kids to be disrupted or dragged into my mess. It would be best if I walk away before anything serious happens.” Jaylene makes a point, but I know it isn’t what she wants. A tear in the corner of her eye confirms my suspicion.

“You do what you feel is right. I will support your choice.” Jaylene abruptly stands, looking away from me.

“Can I think about it and get back to you?” I take in her posture, and I’m pretty sure she’s close to breaking.

“Take your time. Let me know what you decide.” She nods and walks out of my office, leaving the door ajar. It doesn’t take long for Dixon to walk in and close my door behind him.

“Do you want to explain what the hell you are thinking offering marriage to one of your tormentors?”