Is It Revenge Or Love?

Defiance

~Jaylene~

“Are you sure you want to go to this party? Last time we talked, you were very confused.” I step out of my closet and look at Amber. She’s sitting on my bed among a slew of dresses. I’ve been combing through my closet for a while now, trying to find the right dress for this date with Monroe.

“It was our talk that got me to this point, if I’m being honest. I needed to clear my head and figure out what it was that I wanted. I have to thank you for that. You really helped me figure things out.” Amber smiles, and I go back into the closet to try to find a dress.

“Well, I guess the next thing is to find you a dress.” I huff out and shift through my clothing.

“I have all of these dresses, but none of them feel good enough.”

“Whose party is it anyway?” I poke my head out of the closet.

“I don’t know, Monroe didn’t say.” My phone rings, and I hear Amber answer it.

“Uh, it’s your mom. You may want to take this.” I roll my eyes, not wanting to deal with her right now.

“Put it on speaker.” I walk out of the closet and to the bed where Amber sits. She has the phone raised in her hand. Amber connects the call.

“Hello.”

“Since when do you allow others to answer your phone?”

“I’m sure that’s not why you’re calling me, so let’s get to the point.” My mom sighs on the phone, and I wait for her to speak.

“There’s a party on Saturday that you need to attend.”

“Sorry, I can’t. I have plans for Saturday.”

“I’m not asking you, Lele. I’m telling you that you need to accompany your father and me.” Amber rolls her eyes, and I struggle to hold in my chuckle.

“I said I have plans already, and I won’t be canceling them for anything.”

“You’ve become such an insolent child. It’s becoming tiresome to deal with your rebellious ways.” I clear my throat, gathering all of the strength that I can muster.

“I’m not a child anymore; I haven’t been a child in a while. You and Daddy don’t run my life anymore. I won’t be attending any party with you two.” I let my words hang in the air, hoping they penetrate. “Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?”

“You will go to the party with us! Be at the house at 7 p.m.!” I disconnect the call and shake my head.

“What exactly do you think they will do if you don’t go with them?” I look at Amber, feeling amused.

“What can they do? Cut me off? I don’t rely on them for anything. I won’t be manipulated or bullied into do what they want me to do.” I look around my bed, a frown on my face. “I really need a dress.” Amber stands and pulls my arm for me to follow.

“I have two dressed that will have every man after you. Let’s go find out which on you will wear.” I laugh as Amber pulls me behind her. I guess it couldn’t hurt to see the dresses that she has. It’s not like anything in my closet is crying out to me. I’m sure she has something that will do me justice.

~Georgia~

I stare at the phone, my mouth hanging open. What the hell has gotten into that girl? She’s usually difficult, but this is much different. I have no words and no idea how to fix this problem.

Footsteps on the marble floor break me out of my shock. His cologne wraps around me, settling me a bit as it always does. “Well, what did she say?” I slowly bring the phone down and let it rest on my lap. This isn’t going to be received well.

“She’s refused to attend. I told her to be at the house at 7 p.m., but she hung up.” I look up and stare into Benny’s eyes. “Lele hung up on me.” Benny sighs and sits next to me. He takes my hand into his and starts to caress my fingers.

“It’s okay, love. We will figure this out.”

“How? It isn’t like we can threaten to cut her off or anything. She doesn’t rely on us anymore, so we have no leverage. How do we get her to Deon as promised? We can’t afford for her to not comply.” Benny wraps his arms around me, and I snuggle into his chest.

“I don’t know yet, but I will figure something out. I don’t want you to worry about any of that right now.” I let out a sigh and try to shut my mind off. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but the way things are going right now, nothing good will come of it. I can only hope we figure it out sooner rather than later.

~Monroe~

I take one more look in the mirror, making sure there’s no extra lint or wayward hair on my suit. It’s time to pick up Jaylene, and I have to say that I’m kind of nervous. I don’t know why I should be nervous since I have specific plans for her, but I kind of am.

I waste no time getting into the back of the limo. I look at the text I just received confirming that everything is in place. Even though it’s Deon’s family company hosting the party, I needed to confirm that he would be there. Luckily, he’s already there, making sure everything is set up.

It doesn’t take long to make it to Jaylene's apartment complex. I exit the limo and head upstairs to her door. I knock on the door and wait for it to open. I don’t have to wait long, and what I see floors me.

Now, I know absolutely nothing about women's fashion, so my description is going to be basic at best. I watch Jaylene turn away from me to grab a clutch. Her red dress is a halter but with a high neck. Her back is exposed, and just looking at her flawless skin is doing something to me. The dress goes to the ground, but she has split that so high that I can see the very top of her thigh. My body is responding to hers as if that’s what it was made for. “Are you okay?” I pull myself together and hold my hand out to her.

“I’m great, and you are gorgeous.” A smile spreads across her face as she grabs my hand.

“Thank you. Are you ready?” I nod and stand to the side so she can walk out of her apartment. Amber appears out of nowhere and starts to close the door behind us.

“Have fun you two. Do everything I wouldn’t do.”