CHAPTER NINETY-ONE — We are being set up

“A gift from me?” Ainsley read the card as she picked up the packaged item. “From who?” she asked the man standing in front of her with so much curiosity. Taking the parcel, she turned it around. “Axel,” she breathed out, seeing his name signed under it.

The delivery man waited anxiously for her to sign so he could be on his merry way. He watched with interest the building. Then his eyes fell on the pretty lady turning over the parcel. She asked for the signing paper, which he gladly provided. As soon as she signed, he grabbed his hat, “Thank you.” he curtsied and went his way.

Ainsley watched him go before taking the parcel inside, and she stood beside it peering. What’s this now? It was almost time to meet with Axel, and the package had just arrived at her apartment. She had closed work early so she could have some time to dress up and get ready. Though she suspected it was just a casual meeting, something she was sure had to do with Jake. Still, she wanted to look good. Thankfully, she just had a change of look. Her stylist had given her curls some golden tint while dyeing the hair black. It made her face more beautiful. She had just showered and looked through her wardrobe for the right outfit. A suit, maybe. Indecisive, she sat by her mirror to apply some makeup. That was what she was doing when the doorbell rang.

She had opened the door to find the delivery man by the door. He handed her the package, and she signed it, wondering who it was from and why. Hopefully, not Damian. He would ruin her mood. As she unwrapped the gift, she was surprised it was from Axel. Then bringing out the dress inside, was appalled. “Why would Axel send me a dress?” she asked, loving the soft feel of the material despite her many questions. She quickly tried it on.

The silky gown snugs her body tightly, bringing out her curves. The sea blue color, contrasting her pale skin, made her look amazing. The entire look made her eyes pop out in a glitter that she loved. It was such a perfect fit for her. “I guess now we have an outfit to wear.” She smiled as she twirled around the room.

Suddenly, the wall clock chimed, and she realized she was running late already. She left her phone on the bed as she went back to redo her makeup. By the time she was through, she had spent an extra hour. Now, she was thirty minutes late. Damian called again, and she watched the phone ring. He had to wait. She was going to see him tomorrow. After this meeting, she would call to see him. She desperately wished she could tell him that. It can wait, she told herself. We have all the time in the world.

Checking put herself one last time, she adjusted her curls. Letting them fall over her should freely but pinned to one side. The look complimented her outfit. It was as if she was going on a proper date. Her phone rang again. It wasn’t with her, but she could hear it ring. Reluctantly, she hurried to the room to get it. The call ended before she could. “I’d better leave this here.” she said, dropping the phone. It looked like Damian was going to blow up her phone tonight. So, she left the phone on the bed and stepped out of her apartment. Almost running into her friends as she stepped out. “Hey, Nancy. Mabel?”

“Where are you going?” Mabel asked, seeing her all dressed up. “You look fabulous in that.” she complimented as she checked her out.

“Thank you.” she blushed prettily as she turned around so they could see.

“Did you make up with Damian already?” asked Nancy.

“Not exactly. Tonight, I think.” She replied, checking the time. She was running late but didn’t want to sound rude to the girls. “I…” she stopped seeing their suspicious look. “What?”

“Are you going out looking so hot for him?” teased Nancy.

Shaking her head, she scolded, “Ladies, I’m in a hurry here.” they took a menacing step towards her. Ainsley stepped back in feigned surrender. “I really cannot do this now.” she explained, “I have a meeting, and I’m late. Feel free to enjoy yourselves.”

“Don’t you dodge this, pretty lady.” Mabel cajoled? “We came here for some explanations.”

“About?” she asked, hurrying them up with a wave of her hand.

“She’s rushing us.” said Nancy to Mabel. They pretended she wasn’t there while they joked around. “Is she?”

“She must be feeling on top of the world with their bold and gorgeous hairdo.” Replied Mabel. The two laughed funnily, obviously trying to sound like Ainsley.

“First, I don’t sound like that.” she replied. “Secondly, I have to go. I’m meeting Axel.”

“Axel? Or Damian?”

“Axel. I told you guys, we haven’t made up.”

“Why the heck are you punishing this man?” asked a surprised Nancy. Jessica had filled them in on the situation of things. They had been upset as friends should about the pictures too. Then Jessica told them how the poor man had hurried over to explain himself. And though she heard everything, she wouldn’t forgive him. “Is there more to this than you are telling us?” they asked only because Jess had also added that she suspected something else made their friend upset. She was in love, and she was fighting the feeling. They didn’t blame her for that. Her love life was messed up when Jake walked out on her years back. But she had moved on.

“Even if there was, now isn’t a good time to talk about this. I have to go.”

“We will be back.” insisted Mabel. She showed Ainsley her two fingers, the index and middle. Pointing the fingers, first to her face, then to Ains, she said, “I’ve got my eyes on you.”

Snickering, Ainsley smiled at them, took some steps back, and walked away. They waited till she was out of sight before going the other way.

“I still don’t get why you’re making me go instead.” protested Damian as his father adjusted his new outfit. He had just been sent out of his mother’s room for some meeting he didn’t want to go to. He was happy staying here now with his family. Was that too hard to accept after being away for a long time? His mother was in her right mind for the first time in years. They had been here for a while, and she didn’t look lost. Most days when he visited, she looked like she couldn’t remember anything or anyone. But Axel’s presence seemed to have cured all that. She was her complete self. The loving way they held hands made him long for something like theirs. Something real. He had thought he found that already, with Ainsley. Now, he wasn’t sure since she refused to pick up his calls. Wasn’t love about forgiveness? Even if he did what she assumed he did, couldn’t she forgive him this once?

With quick raps of his fingers on the bed, he stopped himself from thinking about that right now. he could enjoy watching his parents make up for lost time forever. This memory was a treasure. While growing up as a kid, he knew how much they loved each other. Axel might look rough around the edges, but he becomes soft when it came to his mother. It was always fun to watch her boss him around the house. His mother could make him do anything. Anything! From fixing old pipes to repairing the laundry machine. A job most successful men like him would rather pay the help for. Not in their house. Mother made sure he did it. She believed it was the man’s job.

“Need something?” he had asked, seeing his father leave his mother’s side. And just like that, the moment was snatched away from him as he was being dragged away. Somehow, while he had been busy staring blankly at his parents, they had whispered something in each other’s ears. Because not even his mother protested that her only son was being dragged out. “Em, help.” he called out to his aunt. Perhaps she could help. But his aunt was nowhere at the moment. He felt disappointed as he was forced to dress up. “Why am I wearing a tuxedo?” he murmured, looking at his boyish look in the mirror. His father’s smug smile behind him made him give a cold icy stare. Was he having fun now? “I’m not a school kid.”

“Your fashion tastes need adjustment.” Axel teased while fixing his short tie. “I think you look okay.” He said, looking in the mirror. He patted his son’s back as he started to leave the room. He stopped by the door, where Emily and his wife were coming to see the effect.

Damian followed his father’s retreating steps. He was surprised to see Emily and his mom standing proudly, their eyes glittering. They looked like he was a schoolboy going for his first date. A boy about to get his first kiss. Shaking his head, he smiled warmly at them. “Mom, please tell Axel not to do this to me.”

“You look good in that.” said his mother, walking into the room in measured steps. Emily held her lightly so she wouldn’t fall. Axel, on the other hand, left the room for them. His work here, it would seem, was done. Mrs. Greggory ignored her son’s protest about not wanting to go to the party. Axel had hinted to her about what he planned. And she was as excited as expectant. Soon, she would have a daughter-in-law. That was something. She couldn’t bear to wait. “Go, and make me proud.” She said again, kissing his forehead.

Damian sighed heavily. Now that his mother had said that, he couldn’t protest anymore. Forcing a smile as he faced her, he hugged her tightly. “Mom.” he said, wanting to say so many things but short of words. He had questions. But they were questions that could affect them all. He wanted to know if she recalled that her husband left them? Does she remember Axel walking out on them? had she forgiven him already? So quickly? What was that? However, she looked so happy now. Who was he to interrupt that bliss? Pulling back, he pecked her instead.

“Take care of them.” he told his aunt. Then looking unapologetic as he added, “Don’t let him ditch her.”

“I heard that.” said Axel, hands in pocket, watching the scene.

“Good.” replied Damian. He gave his father a stern look, hugged his aunt, then started to walk away. James stood outside with a wide grin as he opened the door. He wondered what was wrong with everyone. Was he right about them all? It indeed looked like they were eager, maybe even happy to see him leave. Why? He couldn’t answer that question. Ainsley? Picking out his phone, he called her yet again. As always, her phone rang incessantly but wasn’t picked. Perhaps, after the meeting with Axel’s friend, he would stop by her house. It was time to cut to the chase. He had held out long enough to get her to come to terms with the recent event. He couldn’t hold out anymore. “Where to?” he asked his driver, knowing his father had filled them in.

“Litemont Reservations.” replied the man grimly.

He didn’t see the suspicious exchange between James and the man. He was busy dialing Ainsley’s number. “James, remind me to call my manager as soon as I’m done with this… this meeting.”

“Sure.” nodded James as he jotted that down.

That settled. He busied himself with his phone. And just when they got to the venue, he left a message for Ainsley. He was coming over tonight. She had better be home. Sighing, he leaned his head on the chair as the car drove on. It was tonight or not. He was done playing by her rules.