Chapter 108. A plan on the way
Georgina Vans
"You should look the other way," my father whispered as he leaned towards me. "You’re drawing attention." I glanced at him as he straightened up, then nodded. Isidora was chatting animatedly with the other guests at the table, while I was completely out of the conversation. I let out a long sigh and looked towards another table. I caught the man's eye, and he gave a brief nod. I discreetly responded in kind and then looked back at the table.
"Excuse me," I said, standing up. Isidora immediately asked where I was going.
"Do you need something, Georgina?" I shook my head.
"Just going to the restroom." They were serving dinner as I left the table. I reached the area where the man was waiting for me and gestured for him to step into the hallway so no one else would see us.
"Miss Vans," he said as we reached the side garden outside the hall. I checked to make sure no one else was around.
"Do you have what I asked for?" I inquired. He nodded.
"I'm in. I have the plan set, but it will take weeks to execute." I crossed my arms and thought quickly. The thing I hated most was waiting.
"Alright, how long?" I asked.
"Three months."
"Three months? That's too long. I need it done in two."
"If we rush it, it won't work."
"A million dollars if it's done in two months." He was surprised by my offer.
"Two million dollars." Now I was the one surprised, but I didn't show it.
"A million and a half, but in two months. And I want a big, big show. I want it to be the news of the moment, a huge scandal." He smiled.
"Perfect, then that's how it will be, Miss Vans."
I waited for the event to end. The dinner was delicious, the drinks and music were great, but the most boring part was the end—the moment when they gave gifts to the employees. Everyone was laughing, happy, and dancing until they announced the end, and I was grateful. I wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"Can you wipe that annoyed look off your face?" my father complained.
"I just want to go. Ask them to bring the car to the entrance." I looked over at Jackson's table. It was the first time since I’d known him that he looked like that, smiling at a woman. He had barely spoken to me on our one date, and in previous years, he had been cold and indifferent towards me. Isidora approached our table and thanked us for attending, inviting us all to breakfast at the club tomorrow morning. I sincerely declined. I couldn't bear to hear any more about how happy her two sons were now with their new girlfriends. We said our goodbyes and walked towards the exit. My father stayed to chat a moment with Jackson's father. I was growing more anxious and took my father's arm to signal him to hurry up so we could leave. I watched as Jackson and his girlfriend left the hall. I inspected every detail of her dress, frustrated to see that it really did look good on her. She had a nice figure, but she looked too simple next to him. Jackson needed a strong, powerful woman with presence. Like me.
"Alright, we're leaving now," my father announced to Jackson's father.
"Sure, I won't keep you any longer," said James. "Have a good night..." We said goodbye again and walked towards the hotel exit, stopping a few meters before descending the steps when I saw Jackson in the distance.
"Make the most of it while you can."
"Georgina, don't get into trouble," warned my father as we watched Jackson kiss Lilly before getting into the armored truck.
"She's the one who got into trouble when she set her sights on him."
"He seems to care about her."
"He's just dazzled, but it's not love. I just have to wait two more months..."
"Georgina, I don't recognize you. What are you planning to do?"
"What will I do? That's easy, I have a plan that will get her out of our lives. Soon enough, she'll be out the back door..."
"You're an adult, but if you think you can still win Jackson back and tie him down, you have my full support. It benefits us to be part of the Johnson family." We started descending the stairs to get to our car, which was waiting behind Jackson's. Lilly got in, and before he did, I hurried over.
"Jackson," he heard me and stopped before getting in. "Are you going to the club breakfast tomorrow?" He furrowed his brow.
"Breakfast?" I nodded.
"Your mother organized it."
"I don't think so, I'm heading out of town and..."
"Out of town? But she seemed excited about us all going. Are you going to disappoint her?"
"First, I don't think it's a disappointment if she hasn't informed me, and second, if she does, we won't be able to go."
"We?" He nodded.
"Of course, my girlfriend and I."
"Oh, yes, your girlfriend. Well, good night..." I gave him a smile, and he just looked back inside the car before getting in, ignoring me completely. "Keep it up, enjoy it, but in two months, you'll be begging to go out with me," I muttered under my breath.
"Georgina?" my father called. "Shall we go?" I nodded, walking towards him. Once we were in the car and in traffic, I looked out the window. "And what are your plans?" my father suddenly asked beside me. I adjusted myself to look at him.
"Jackson has trust issues, but with her, it's just started, and I need to break that trust." I smiled at my father, and he furrowed his brow.
"Yes, I remember everything his parents have said over the years, always with high walls around him, it was very difficult for anyone to get close to him. When you told me you were finally going on a date with him, I was surprised he agreed," he paused, "But... how are you going to break that bond?"
"I have someone inside his company." I could see the surprise on my father's face.
"You have to be very careful, if you fail, Jackson and his family won't sit idly by."
"That's the least of my concerns, father."
I was in my penthouse, sitting in my favorite chair, a glass of wine in my hand as I stared at the dancing flames in the fireplace. It was past three in the morning, and I wasn't sleepy since my mind tormented me with images of Jackson and Lilly, dancing, kissing, laughing, the way he looked at her, touched her discreetly, all of that, I wanted, and I would get it by any means necessary, I didn't care about stepping over others to achieve it...