Is It Revenge Or Love?

Plan Over?

~Jaylene~

The door closing echoes through the apartment. The loss of Monroe makes the room suddenly hollow. If I’m being honest, I’m confused, but I don’t want to speak it out loud. “Is there a reason Monroe left?” I whip around to find Amber leaning against a wall with her arms crossed in front of her.

“What do you mean?”

“Monroe as eager to get close to you, anxiously waiting for you to get home. Now, you’re yelling at him and he’s rushing out of the room.” I sigh and let myself slump to the floor.

“I don’t know, Amber. I don’t know what I’m doing right now.” Amber walks over and slumps next to me. She grabs my hands and pulls me closer.

“Talk.”

“I don’t know what to do with him. It’s been years since I saw him and when we were in high school, I liked him a lot.”

“Yeah, I know. I remember how much you would talk about him.”

“I thought he liked me too. I thought… I thought we could have something. He disappeared without a word. I still don’t even know where he went or why.”

“Okay, I’m following so far.”

“It’s just… I mean, remember all the guys who approached me, and we would find out they had ulterior motives? Remember how that happened in college as well? It’s hard to tell what people’s true intentions are. What if he’s just trying to fulfill some teenage fantasy where I’m the star? I don’t want that. I don’t want to falsely fall for someone without seeing who they truly are.” Amber lays her head on my shoulder.

“I’m sorry.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry for what you went through. I know this is based on what happened with Deon. I wish that jackass hadn’t done to you what he did. I’m sorry that the issues with him have made everything else so hard for you to decipher.” I feel movement on my face. I reach up and brush a tear away. I didn’t want this to be so emotional; I didn’t want to cry.

“What do I do?”

“I think the only thing you can do is trust your instincts. If it’s telling you to trust him, then do it. Personally, I see a man who’s completely enamored with you.” I wrap my arms around Amber and lean my head on hers. I’m not sure what the best thing to do is, but I know it will come to me eventually.

~Unknown~

“Is it him?” I pace back and forth, waiting to hear what I’ve been contemplating for days now. I happen to see his picture, well it was shown to me. I’ve been hearing him mentioned all over the place, but I hadn’t seen his face. I was interested; I mean, an up-and-coming entrepreneur; who would not be? One day, a picture was put with the name, and I was floored.

“It look like it, but the information is limited.” I plop in the nearest chair and lean forward with my elbows on my knees.

“It has to be, or else that’s a big-ass coincidence.”

“What do you want to do? Do you want to find out for sure?” I sigh and lean back in the chair.

“I think we have to confirm. If it’s him, we need to secure a few things, and if it isn’t, this could be a different opportunity.”

“I’m hungry.” I turn to the voice; irritation floods me from head to toe. I swear I wish I could take some things back. If only it were possible to go back in time.

“Go wait in the other room. I’m busy right now. I told you not to come out here. I told you I would come get you when I was ready to do so.” I don’t watch as the area is vacated, keeping my eyes forward.

“I know how we can find out for sure. I will call him and send him over.”

“Yeah, do that. We have to know for sure so we can plan our next moves.

~Monroe~

“Uh, sir? Did you hear me?” It’s been a week since I’ve seen Jaylene, and I haven’t heard from her since. I didn’t expect her to reach out, though deep down, I did hope it was possible.

“The numbers are looking good, but there’s a fear of a drop. I’m listening, Dixon.”

“I’m just checking, sir. You’ve been like this for a week and it’s concerning.” I sigh and let my pen drop from my fingers.

“I don’t know what to do about things.”

“Will you be abandoning the plan?” I lean back in my chair and lament on that being the question I’ve been asking all week. Maybe this isn’t worth the hassle, and it would be best to get out of it now before it goes too far.

I think that, and then I think back to that year that changed everything. Once I remember the past and feel the scar under my finger, my anger flares up, and I remember why I’m doing this. I remember why getting revenge for that teenage boy I once was was so important. “No, the plan remains. I just have to alter it to fit the situation.” Dixon nods and focuses on the tablet in his hand.

“Stardusky Inc. is having its annual party next week. Maybe that should be your target. Get her to go with you. It will strike a strong blow.” I was thinking the same thing. I figured I could make a good dent if I brought her to the party. The only issue is figuring out how to get her there.

“Well, I guess I have a week to figure it out, don’t I?”

“For now, you have interviews today for your new secretary.” I detest holding interviews, but I need a secretary more than I hate doing that.

“How many interviews do I have?” Dixon looks down at his tablet, tapping the screen.

“You had four strong candidates. They will be in this afternoon.” I nod and sit up straight. I need to prepare for these interviews, and then I can figure out how to get to Jaylene.