Double Trouble

Chapter Fourteen

I finally returned home after spending a couple of days with Jalissa. I lied to Clara and Marcus, saying Jalissa was going through some things. Jalissa played her role brilliantly, making them believe it, so I was off the hook. The morning after I had talked to Jason, Jalissa wouldn't let me hold anything inside. I broke down and told her everything. When I say that my bestie was pissed, it is an understatement. She was ready to burn the world to ashes around us when she found out. I loved her.

She kept it together for me, though, since I was the most distressed. I cried a lot in the days I spent with her, but it helped me come to grips with my new reality. She was even kind enough to let Jason come over to her crib while we discussed everything. She still hated his guts for me, but she understood that he was just as much of a victim as I was, maybe more, considering everything.

I guess the overall love for me and the need to making sure that this was finally over made it possible for the three of us to work together. Jason was probably the most paranoid. He wouldn't even come to Jalissa's in his car, borrowing a friend just so his noticeable Cadillac wasn't seen. I thought it was over the top, but then Jalissa and Jason were the last people I'd think to see together, so I guess it made sense.

Ashley joined us with some things, although she wasn't privy to the whole thing. I had to give it to her. She sat here listening to all this crazy shit, and it still didn't turn her away from Jalissa. She really was good for her.

The hurt that came with every plan, every thought, each time I pictured the two people I loved, and my heart broke. Considering all things, I was handling it pretty well. Jalissa and Jason handled me with kid gloves as if I would break into pieces at any moment. Hell, maybe I was. I varied between emotions so often; who knew what I was really feeling?

That weekend I went and visited my parents, and that was harder still. It was just me, as Clara was still working. Being with my parents was wonderful, and I felt so much love and care, but sitting there looking in their faces, I couldn't help but think that I failed them. They had two daughters they loved dearly, and if they'd known the state of those daughters' relationship, they would have been devastated. Would they even believe that this was their daughter? Would they be able to handle it? Hell, I barely was.

When I returned home, it was easy to avoid Clara. We worked full-time schedules, and hers varied due to the hospital. We talked, and I think I put on one hell of a show. Clara also wasn't the most observant person when it came to anything outside of her goals, so I shouldn't take all the credit. Besides, she was the final act, but the penultimate show was happening this Friday.

Jason and I had already realized that I would have to confront Marcus. He was the missing link, and honestly, I needed to get rid of him for nothing but my own peace of mind. Jalissa was worried, constantly asking me if I would be OK, and I told her I would be fine, but honestly, I wasn't sure. I genuinely loved this man. At least, who I believed to be this man; how was I going to confront him with such accusations? Regardless though, I had to do it.

Friday night came, and I was dressed to kill. Looking in the mirror, I couldn't deny that no matter what I felt on the inside, the outside, I was fine as hell. I really didn't need to put in the type of effort I put in this night, but I wanted Marcus to eat his fucking heart out and realize that he chose the wrong bitch to screw over, and I had to admit this was the way to do it. I was wearing a little black dress, emphasis on little. The material was a satin material, soft, and had a slightly shiny look to it. It was a halter tied around my neck, the back completely out the material coming down just below my ass. The front had a plunging neckline down to my rib cage and was definitely short. I rocked it with black stiletto heels, silver accents, and matching silver jewelry. My hair was blown out silky straight with a middle part. Thanks to Jalissa, my makeup was done to perfection. She had left not long before Marcus was there to pick me up.