Chapter 19: Confused

Georgina smiled that soft smile of hers as she looked over at Queenie. "I'll be expecting you tonight, darling. Enjoy your breakfast," she said, then turned to Jamal.

"I'll be taking my leave now."

And just like that, she walked away.

Queenie's eyes followed her until she disappeared around the corner. The moment Georgina was out of sight, Queenie whipped her head back to Jamal. The confusion was written all over her face - like someone had just told her two plus two equals fish.

"Jamal, do you care to explain what the hell that was about?" Her voice had this edge to it. "Have you forgotten about our agreement already? How could you just..." She trailed off, shaking her head.

"Relax, dear wife." Jamal's voice was calm, too calm. "I know what I'm doing. Just don't ask questions. Everything will make sense tonight."

Queenie stared at him like he'd grown a second head. "But she told me I'll be coming back tonight. What did she mean by that?"

"I know what she said." He muttered this while digging around in his pocket. Out came a black credit card - the kind that probably didn't have a limit. "Linda's gonna take you shopping today. She'll know what to get."

He set the card on the table between them.

"You need to prepare yourself, because tonight, you're making your first move against your stepmother."

Before Queenie could even open her mouth to respond, Jamal was already standing up. He walked out of the dining room without another word, leaving her sitting there with more questions than answers.

Queenie stared at the credit card like it might bite her. She picked it up slowly, turning it over in her hands.

"Jamal, what the hell are you planning?" she whispered to the empty room.

\---

VALE'S MANSION

"Mom, what's your problem?" Catalina was sprawled across the living room sofa, watching her mother pace around like she'd won the lottery. "You've been grinning like a crazy person ever since you came back from whatever you were doing."

Georgina couldn't stop smiling. It was one of those smiles that meant trouble for someone. "Lina, you worry too much. Haven't I always told you I've got everything under control? Well, today I just pulled off something big."

"Mom, stop talking in riddles and tell me what you did." Catalina sat up, suddenly interested. When her mom got like this, it usually meant good news for them and bad news for someone else.

Georgina looked at her daughter and that smile got even wider. "It was supposed to be a surprise, but since you're dying to know..." She paused for dramatic effect. "Queenie's coming home tonight."

Catalina's jaw dropped. "What do you mean by that? I thought she was... I mean, wasn't she..."

"Oh, sweet Catalina." Georgina waved her hand like she was swatting away a fly. "I told you, I always have my ways. There's absolutely no way in hell I'm letting that girl stay married to Jamal Deveraux. She doesn't deserve him."

Georgina started pacing again, her heels clicking on the marble floor. "I told him exactly what he needed to hear. And guess what? He said he's divorcing her today. She'll be back here tonight with her tail between her legs."

She stopped pacing and turned to face Catalina, her eyes practically gleaming. "Which means there's a chance for you to become the next Mrs. Deveraux."

Catalina's heart started beating faster. "Are you serious right now?"

"Dead serious. Once he divorces that worthless piece of trash, I'm going to make sure I play the perfect matchmaker. You deserve him, Lina. Not some nobody who doesn't even know how to dress properly."

Georgina sat down on the edge of the coffee table, leaning toward her daughter. "Think about it. Jamal Deveraux - handsome, rich, powerful. Everything we've ever wanted is within reach."

"But Mom," Catalina's voice got quiet, "what if he doesn't want to remarry right away? What if he's done with the whole marriage thing?"

Georgina laughed, and it wasn't a nice sound. "Men like Jamal always remarry. They need someone to show off at their fancy events, someone to run their household. And who better than you? You're beautiful, you come from a good family, and you actually understand his world."

She reached over and took Catalina's hands. "Unlike that little mouse he's stuck with now. Can you imagine Queenie at a business dinner? She'd probably use the salad fork for her main course."

Catalina couldn't help but smile at that image. "So what exactly did you tell him?"

"I simply reminded him of what everyone can see - that his current wife is completely unsuitable for a man of his position. I may have mentioned a few things about her past, her family situation, how she's clearly only interested in his money..."

"And he believed you?"

"Honey, I didn't tell him anything that wasn't true. The girl married him for his money - we all know it, he knows it, she knows it. I just helped him see that he deserves better."

Georgina stood up and smoothed down her dress. "Now, we need to start planning. When Queenie comes crawling back here tonight, we need to be ready. No gloating - at least not where she can see it. We'll be the picture of concerned family members."

"What about Dad?"

"Your father will do whatever I tell him to do. He always has." Georgina's voice had that steel edge it got when she talked about controlling situations. "The important thing is that we play this right. Jamal needs time to get over the divorce, but not too much time. Other women will start circling like vultures."

Catalina was getting excited now. She could picture it - herself on Jamal's arm at charity events, living in that beautiful house, having access to everything money could buy. No more being the stepdaughter of a moderately successful businessman. She'd be married to one of the most eligible bachelors in the city.

"How long do you think it'll take?" she asked.

"Give him a month or two to feel sorry for himself, then we start the subtle introduction. Maybe a chance meeting at the country club, or perhaps I'll invite him to dinner and you'll just happen to be there."

Georgina's phone buzzed. She glanced at it and her smile got even more satisfied. "Perfect timing. That was Linda - she's taking Queenie shopping as we speak. Probably buying her something nice to wear when she gets thrown out of her marriage."

"Do you think she knows what's coming?"

"I doubt it. That girl has never been very bright when it comes to reading people. She probably thinks she's going shopping for some romantic evening with her husband."

They both laughed at that.

"Mom, you're terrible," Catalina said, but she was still smiling.

"I'm practical, darling. In this world, you have to look out for yourself and your family. Queenie had her chance at happiness, and she wasted it by being herself."

Georgina picked up her purse from the side table. "I need to go make sure everything's ready for tonight. When she comes home, I want her room to be perfect - clean sheets, fresh flowers, like we've been hoping for her return."

"You really think of everything, don't you?"

"That's why I always win, sweetheart. While other people are reacting to situations, I'm three steps ahead, creating them."

As Georgina headed toward the door, she called back over her shoulder. "Oh, and Lina? Start thinking about what you want to wear to your first date with Jamal Deveraux."

Catalina sank back into the sofa, her mind racing with possibilities. Tonight, everything will change. And for once, it looked like the changes would be in her favor.