The Anonymous

Chapter 9: Part-Two "Escada"

JESSICA, Jérôme yelled standing up from the table. JESSICA. He yells again into the phone. JESSICA, from a less noisy part of the bar. He redialed her number but the phone went straight to voice mail, JESSICA. Overcome with adrenaline and panic,  Jérôme ran out of the bar and ran to his driver and ordered him to take him to NYU.

The driver quickly droved up to the school. Jérôme ran out of the car and tried to retrace Jessica's steps. He walked up to her car and saw that the car door was open. the phone was nowhere inside. Textbooks were spread out on the pavement. He returned to her car to inspect it further when he noticed, a white letter in the side of the front seat.

To Jérôme E. Westworth

Isn't it funny how the decisions that we make can lead us down perplexing paths? You have exactly three weeks to reevaluate your little arrangement to Kendal Neel. Sign the paper and your cousin goes free. But don't worry you will see her again.

Ps. we are everywhere

Signed

The Anonymous

I was in a state of shock, I can't believe he would do this... that monster. The rain began to pour down on me. I felt completely alone and helpless. Until the idea sparked in my head. I will consult with mother, she knows how deceptive father can be, he must have had a hand in this mess. She will surely understand, plus father has just departed on another one of his business trips out of the country. This is the perfect opportunity. The lengths that man will go to is unfathomable. That evil, wretched-bastard would have his own niece kidnapped, just because he knows how important Jessica is too me. There are only three women that I ever really cared for Ellen my grandmother, mother, and Jessica. I ran back to the driver " take me to Escada." 

Escada was the name of my mother's penthouse.  Whenever she stressed she'd often escape to her beautiful penthouse in the sky. It was her place of solidarity and tranquility as if metaphorically all her problems were beneath her--- and she was, untouchable.  Father always wanted her to sell it. It could actually go for millions but she could never part with the place. Which makes sense the place held sentimental value for mother.  She had it before she married her husband. In fact, her father bought it for her as a present for graduating from Yale Law School.

We finally arrived at Escada. It was a beautiful glass building very futuristic if you're into that kind of thing. The front desk woman was busy with a resident; he was complaining about the floors in his penthouse not being the right room temperature.  I walked passed them and proceed it to the elevator. I pushed the floor number and scanned my key. My mother always told me, what's hers is mine. I was always welcome to stay at Escada whenever I wanted.  I entered the apartment, the atmosphere was calm too calm. The place was dimly-lit and the air smelled like my mother's favorite "Diptyque" candle which she rarely lit.

As I walked slowly down the hallway towards the living room, I heard a mother talking in a low voice. I guess she was on the phone.

"I mean, in a way, I'm happy he didn't sign. It would have been a nightmare."  "I suppose now I have to get a------ "Mom," I said as I walked in the living room with a look of complete confusion on my face. I felt like I was in the fucking twilight zone. I was way too sober for this mess.

She was on the floor, naked, near the fireplace, barely-covered by the fur-blanket, cuddled up with Roger Neel (Kendal's father).

"Mom, what the fuck!." I burst out. They both scurried to collect their clothes.

"Jérôme, honey what are you doing here. She said as Roger held the blanket to cover them both."

--Jesus, I can't stand dad but I would have never wished this on him. I thought to myself as I turned around to protect my eyes.