From Grace to Grave
1094 Words
The floorboards in Jared Payne’s house vibrated from the thunderous rumble of engines.
“What the hell is going on?” He peered out of his front window to see a convoy of sleep, black foreign cars roll to a stop right in front of his house. Seeing the luxurious cars parked out front made him giddy with nervousness. Who could that be? he wondered. Could Celine be responsible for this?
Diane and Maggie rushed to his side, staring at the column of cars. They started to get excited. They didn’t know who it was but it was definitely someone rich. Pride filled their hearts knowing all their neighbors were burning with jealousy.
The first car’s door opened and Trina stepped out. Jared’s stomach lurched. “Trina Cortez?” What could the infamous right-hand woman of one of Langfords largest business empires be doing at his house? Although he had been submitting business proposals, they had never gotten back to him or acted like he even existed. Had they finally considered him worthy? His heart pounded with excitement at the possibility.
“Who is she?” Maggie asked.
“You know Silas Duhamel, right? She’s his personal aide,” Jared answered.
“What is she doing here?” Diane asked.
Distracted, Jared didn’t answer and went to the door.
Trina approached the front door but before she could knock, the door swung open.
“Ms. Cortez, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He beamed, extending a hand to her.
Trina flashed a smile but didn’t take his hand. “I’d like to have a word with your daughter.”
Hearing this, Diane and Maggie got excited. This was their big break. Silas Duhamel wanted her as his wife! They squealed and cheered under their breaths, dancing with joy.
“My daughter?” Jared asked. “Which one?”
Trina raised an eyebrow. “How many do you have?”
Celine was gone. Even if she wasn’t he knew she would ruin things for him anyway so it was for the best. “Just one. Right this way.”
He led her inside, shocked to see that Diane had changed into a flowery summer dress that accentuated her beauty. He smiled. What a smart girl! Celine would never have done that.
“Miss Payne, I presume?” Trina asked.
“Yes,” Diane perked, smiling from ear to ear.
“Well, Miss Payne, it’s your lucky day. My boss has taken a liking to you and he’d love to share your company.”
“Oh,” Diane’s heart fluttered. “Your boss? The owner of all those cars outside?”
Trina fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Yes. But please don't insult my boss. You speak of these cars as if they are anything special. My boss can buy every car in the country if he desires. If you get with him, you will be provided for for the rest of your life.”
Diane couldn't believe her luck. How did this even happen? She knew it! All along, Celine had been stealing her good luck! Now that the bastard was gone, her life was finally getting better! “And he likes me? Who am I to keep such a man waiting,” she giggled. “Let's go!”
Trina smiled. What an i***t. “Wait, there's something I need from you first. You know the story of Cinderella?”
Diane's smile grew wider. “Yes of course. And it's finally happening to me!”
Trina chuckled at how easy it was to fool this girl. “Yes, but she lost her slipper. And it was that slipper that the prince used to find her. I also need that slipper to verify that you are who you are.”
Diane got confused. “Slipper? I don't have any slippers.”
Trina’s smile grew predatory. “No, but you have a phone.”
Diane was stunned. That phone? How the hell did Celine get her hands on such an important man's phone? Not that it mattered. Celine wasn’t there to ruin her moment. She would take all the glory. “Yes! I'll get it right away.”
Jared and Maggie gave each other questioning looks. It was unexpected but to be associated with such a man was a prestige most citizens in Langford could only dream about. Diane better not mess it up!
Diane rushed back with the phone with the biggest smile on her face.
Trina collected it with a forced smile. She could hardly believe it. This was the thing that had given her so much anxiety for the past few weeks. It took all she had to resist breaking Diane's hand. She chuckled. “I thought you were just gullible but you're also foolish too?”
The air in the room suddenly got heavy. Diane felt chills run down her spine, seeing the icy glare the woman gave her. Why the sudden change in demeanor?
“What are you talking about?” Jared asked nervously.
“Well, Mr. Payne. This phone belongs to my boss. Did you ever stop to ask why your daughter has such an important thing in her possession?”
Jared was stumped. It could only have been stolen. Was Diane a thief? Wait could she have been lying about… before he could finish his thought, Maggie chimed in. “No, that's not possible. My daughter is not a thief, there must be a mistake somewhere.”
“Mrs. Payne, I don't want to insult your intelligence but we have been searching for this phone with sensitive information for over a week and your daughter just brought it down from her room. What mistake are we making exactly?”
Diane started to sweat. “No, I didn't steal it. I… it was Celine, my sister. She was the one who gave it to me.”
“Men!” Trina called. Five hefty men barged into the house. “We're leaving with her.” She pointed at Diane. “You're also a liar. Your father already told me you're his only daughter.”
Jared tried to block the men but it took one man with navy seal training to knock the older man out. Maggie cried, begging Trina to not take her daughter. “Please, she didn't steal. She's a good girl. Please!”
“She’ll have plenty of time to explain herself to my boss.” She turned to face Maggie, an ominous look on her face. “Better pray he’s in a good mood.”
- Writer
