Is It Revenge Or Love?

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~Monroe~

That conversation droned on for a while, and I wanted it to end. I noticed that Jaylene was no longer next to me at some point, but I figured she was off talking to someone or using the restroom. I listened halfheartedly to Walter and Benny drone on and on about business I had no interest in.

I sip my drink, not really looking to get inebriated tonight. I watch Georgia walk away and look at my watch. Jaylene’s been gone for a bit, but this is a pretty big room with many guests. I turn my attention back to Walter and Benny, adding a head nod and a noise here and there.

Georgia is back within about 10 minutes, and she looks flustered. She walks up to Benny’s right side and whispers in his ear when he bends to her level. I see her slightly lift her arm, and I see a familiar flash of color. Georgia is dressed in royal blue, and all her accessories are silver. Suddenly, she has something red with her that she didn’t have before. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she has Jaylene’s bag. I would ask if she’s okay, but the fact that Georgia’s whispering to her husband and casting glances at me makes me suspicious.

I clear my throat, and all eyes turn to me. “I have to make a call. If you would excuse me, it was great to talk to you all.” The men nod at me, and Georgia looks away. Yeah, not suspicious at all. I turn and walk toward the back wall. There are some dark pockets there that will hide me. I look around me as I walk, knowing that prick, Deon, is here. I see him on the other side of the room and make sure to keep my eye on him.

I dip behind a heavy curtain when I make it to the wall. It hides me, but I can clearly see my targets when I peep out. Deon is working the floor, talking to people here and there. The Mackeys have excused themselves and found a table to stand at. Lucky me, it’s a table that isn’t too far from me. I scan the crowd, but there’s no sign of Jaylene.

I pull my phone out and dial Jaylene’s number, my eyes trained on her parents. On the second ring, Georgia looks down and opens the red bag tucked under her arm. She looks inside and shows it to Benny. I assume they are looking at Jaylene’s phone and see I’m calling. Well, that’s assuming that I’m saved in her phone. Deon walks up to them, and they show him the inside of the bag. He smirks and I know that they know I’m calling.

The call ends, and I waste no time placing another call. “Sir?”

“I need you to find Jaylene.”

“Uh, I don’t know what you mean. I thought you two were at the party.”

“We are, but she’s disappeared.”

“I’ll track her phone.”

“You can’t. Her phone isn’t with her. I need to know where she is, and I need to know now!”

“Yes, sir.” The call disconnects, and I continue to watch the trio. They are talking, and Georgia looks visibly distressed. Benny physically calms her and nods at Deon. I may not know much about her family dynamics, but I for damn sure know that they all had some part in her disappearing from my side.

I wait for the longest five minutes of my life before my phone rings. I quickly answer the call. “Well?”

“We’ve located her. The team is about to enter the building and get her. If you meet them by the elevators, she will be in your arms in less than 30 minutes.” I hang up without replying. I always have security with me, but they keep their distance. When I’m at an event, security monitors outside, always close when I need them. I keep a tracker on me so they always know where I am. I can guarantee she wouldn’t have been taken if they had been inside.

I watch Deon leave the Mackeys and make his way to the center stage. He grabs the microphone and starts talking. I stand up straight and fix my suit. I plan to walk out of here quietly and get my date. Everyone turns to watch him, and I take that as my cue to head to the elevators.

~Jaylene~

I continue to bang on the door, but it’s doing no good. “PLEASE! YOU CAN’T KEEP ME HERE! IT ISN’T RIGHT!” I know that two men who were outside the door can hear me, but no one is responding.

I lean against the wall and let my body drop to the ground. My throat feels raw from all of the yelling I’ve been doing. My anger has given way to despair. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do, but I know that sticking around here isn’t an option. How the hell could he just take me like that? What would my parents say if they knew I was missing?

I imagine that my parents are feverishly looking for me along with Monroe. I bet Deon is joining in, even though he knows exactly where I am. I sigh and feel a tear roll down my face. I furiously wipe it off, angry that I’m giving in to my emotions.

I stand on my feet and approach the door again. I swear I will make them hear me or cause so much damage that management will kick me out. Either way, I don’t plan to stick around here. I raise my hand to pound on the door again when a thump stops me. I push my face up to the door, trying to hear what’s going on. I hear a few more thumps and shuffling, but nothing definitive.

The doorknob starts to jiggle, and I’m immediately on alert. I may have to fight my way out of here; if it comes to that, I need to be ready. I frantically look around and notice a glass paperweight on the table behind me. I quickly grab it and angle myself to swing on whoever enters the room. If it’s Deon, he has a nasty surprise coming.

The jiggling gets louder and more persistent. I stand ready, fear riddling my body. I ready myself, realizing I will only get one shot at this, so I have to make it count. The door flies open, and I rush forward with the paperweight in my hands. An arm is wrapped around my body, and I’m lifted off the floor. My hands are grabbed, and the paperweight is being pried away. I scream and try to break free. “MA’AM!” There’s an urgency in the voice that makes me pause. I stop and look at my captures, but they don’t look like the men who were there when I was brought here. “You’re safe. Please, can I put you down?” I look around to see a bunch of men from the Secret Service. They are dressed in black suits and have earpieces. I slowly nod and am put on my feet. “Are you okay?” I nod again, not trusting my voice. “Good. Mr. Jensen is waiting for you downstairs.” I straighten out my dress and raise my head, following behind the men.

When we step out into the lobby, I notice other men dragging bodies. Those must be the men who were standing guard out here. We enter the elevator, and I can feel my body draining. I ignore it because I won’t feel safe until I see Monroe.