Chapter 138 Back to Reality
"Good for you! You are so much stronger than any of those idiots believe! You always have been!" Hailey nods.
"You are the best, Hailey. How do you always know what to say to make me feel better?" I chuckle through my tears.
"Life experience, Josie. One day, you'll be old and gray and dispensing advice to someone who needs it too. And your experiences will give you different knowledge than I have. And it will be no less important!" Haily stated, running her hands in slow calming circles on my back.
Then she hesitates. "Dear, you know I would never tell you to quit, but if any of this ever gets too much for you, just let me know! I don't want you to feel pressured into working with me. I could always get your sister Olivia to help, you know. It would be good for the little princess to get off her royal backside and see what it's like on the other side!" she rambles.
Actually, that's not a bad idea. The little brat really could use a lesson on hard work and earning her keep. Currently Rick is having her help Jeff with a little cleaning in the kitchen. But I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. She keeps flirting with him.
I chuckle. "Thanks Hailey. And if it ever does get too much, I will let you know. Rick was worried about me coming back today, but I convinced him I could handle it. I know I don't have to work anymore, but I love working in the flower shop. But you are right. If I quit, I will definitely have Liv start to work for you!" I insist.
She chuckles happily and then changes her the subject.
"You know my grandbaby is coming soon..." And off she goes talking about her happy news. She will make a great grandmother!
A tinkling of the bell over the door, and I lift my head to welcome the guest.
It's a couple of women who were bashing me and Rick before I got kidnapped.
They spot me immediately, and their eyes go right to my ring and sneer.
"Seems like she hasn't giving up this delusion," the blond whisper-yells to her companion.
"Yeah, she actually thinks she'll be keeping Richard Kingston's attention! What an idiot!" the brunette snickers.
"If you are not planning on buying anything, get out of my shop!" Hailey growls, marching toward the women.
"Fine, we'll take our business elsewhere," the blond snarked back.
"The service here can't be that great anyway!" the raven-haired woman put in with a shrug.
"Good luck with that! From my knowledge, the other florist in town will mark up their prices, but you go and do what you have to do!" Hailey insists, placing her hands on her hips.
She means business.
The women gape at Hailey in disbelief.
"I'm not kidding. Leave my shop or I'll call the cops and have you put away for harassment! I suggest you tell your friends to stay away as well! Only good people are welcome in Wild Blooms!" She practically growled at them.
She has no idea how much this means to me right now. I turn my face away so the bitches can't see the tears in my eyes. It's not them. Honestly, I don't give a damn. I'm the one having Rick's baby! But it's Hailey that has me all teary-eyed.
But that doesn't mean they won't use my tears against me.
I hear the curse under their breath as they leave Wild Blooms shop. I guess some things never change. Some women only know how to be bitchy.
It doesn't matter that my kidnapping and James's arrest was all over the news. It doesn't matter that they probably know about the rape.
They decided they don't like me and that's all that matters to them. Someday, I wish they would know exactly what it feels like to be put down like they were trying to do with me.
I place my hands over my belly and rub it gently. I'm glad we didn't make an announcement about our little one. I'm sure they would use the baby like a weapon or pretend it didn't exist.
Well, they can all go fuck themselves, because I really don't care! I've got a fiancé who has done everything in his power to protect me and our little family. They are just going to have to deal.
After a long day, I finally pull up into the drive, hoping for a nice peaceful evening.
But the moment I enter the door, Charlie is in tears, holding out a piece of paper with shaking hands.
"I'm so sorry, Jos! I couldn't do anything," she blubbers.
"Honey what happened?" I ask, pulling her into my arms.
"Look at the note," she whispers, filled with shame.
I pull back and look down and freeze.
It's a picture of Liv. She's passed out in a dark room.
The note read: If you want your sister alive come to the address alone.