Chapter 22
“KEN, did you notice it too?” his mother asked. “I know you did. It’s hard not to notice.”
Ken sat on the couch of his condo unit, deep in thought, as he conversed with his mother. She was curious about Janine and Paulo’s growing closeness and wondered how they had become so friendly. His mother’s intuition sensed that Paulo had developed feelings for Janine, and she voiced her observation to Ken.
“I’ve noticed how close Paulo and Janine have become, Ken,” his mother remarked, a hint of concern in her voice. “Do you think he has feelings for her?”
Ken’s gaze shifted, his brows furrowing slightly. He couldn’t deny the truth behind his mother’s words, but the thought of Paulo pursuing Janine further unsettled him. Deep down, he knew his brother’s determination and understood the threat it posed to his desires.
“I can’t say for certain, Mom,” Ken replied. “But it wouldn’t surprise me if Paulo did have feelings for Janine.”
His mother’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying Ken’s face intently. Sensing her probing, he remained silent, his mind overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. He couldn’t shake the feeling of being threatened by his own brother, knowing Paulo’s persistence when it came to matters of the heart.
When his mother went to the kitchen, Ken felt relieved. He’s uncomfortable talking about his failed relationship with Janine to his mother. These two women were the most influential people in his life.
His mother’s voice cut through the tension, her words piercing his thoughts. “Ken, I also heard about your plan to make Janine jealous of Charisse. She mentioned it to me.”
Ken’s eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and resignation flickering in his gaze. He hadn’t expected Charisse to disclose their arrangement to his mother. He was accustomed to hiding his private affairs from her, including the truth behind his failed marriage with Janine.
Quietly, Ken confessed, “Yes. But it seems she wants me out of her life for good.”
His mother’s gaze softened as she studied him, searching for answers. “Why did Janine divorce you, Ken? What went wrong? Is it because she couldn’t accept your flaws?”
Ken’s heart skipped a beat, his eyes darting away from his mother’s gaze. The truth was far more complex than his mother could ever imagine. Janine’s departure from his life resulted from his inner demons, his twisted desires that had left their relationship irreparably damaged.
He hesitated to answer. He looked out the window and thought of Janine’s last glance at him on their final divorce hearing. Ken was shattered that day.
“Does Janine know about your condition?” his mother persisted.
Ken’s voice tinged with sorrow when he answered, “There were many reasons, Mom. It’s not just about my flaws. It’s more complicated than that.”
His mother’s concerned expression deepened, her hand touching his arm gently. “Ken, my dear son, you must find a way to confront your demons and come to terms with your past. Only then can you hope to find happiness, whether it be with Janine or someone else?”
Ken’s heart weighed heavy as he absorbed his mother’s words. The truth in her advice resonated within him, even if the path to redemption seemed treacherous and uncertain. But deep down, he knew that if he genuinely wanted a chance at happiness, he would have to confront his flaws and the consequences of his actions.
***
“SO, Janine, why aren’t you accompanying Paulo to his modeling projects? You’re missing out on all the excitement!” Always eager for the latest gossip, Adelle leaned in closer and asked.
Janine and Adelle sat in a bustling salon to pamper themselves while catching up on each other’s lives. She sighed, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of her blouse. She hadn’t told Adelle about quitting her job as Paulo’s makeup artist, hesitant to share the real reason behind her decision. Gathering her courage, she decided it was time to reveal the truth.
“Adelle, I actually quit my job as Paulo’s makeup artist,” Janine confessed. “There were some personal reasons behind it, and I felt it was the right decision for me.”
Adelle’s eyes widened in surprise, disappointment flickering across her face. “What? Janine, you’re letting go of such a great opportunity! Paulo is handsome, successful, and total boyfriend material. You could have had it all!”
Janine felt a pang of guilt as Adelle voiced her disapproval. She understood her friend’s perspective, but she couldn’t ignore the inner turmoil she had been experiencing. She took a deep breath, preparing to explain her decision, when their conversation was abruptly interrupted.
A young lady approached Janine, her face flushed with anger. “Are you Janine? Are you Paulo’s girlfriend?” the girl demanded, her voice laced with accusation. “How could you snatch him away from us? We were hoping he’d be ours!”
Janine’s heart skipped a beat as she realized the girl must have seen the pictures of her and Paulo together at the coffee shop, now circulating online. The rumor mill was already churning, and it seemed like the girl had been caught up in a frenzy.
“You’re not even pretty!”
“Hey, kid, watch your mouth!” Adelle shouted at the girl. “Who are you? Where are your parents?”
Janine was taken aback, her mind racing to find the right words to diffuse the situation. She raised her hands placatingly, her voice calm but firm. “I’m sorry, but I’m not Paulo’s girlfriend. We’re just friends. There’s been a misunderstanding.”
The girl’s anger seemed to dissipate slightly, her expression softening as she processed Janine’s response. “But the pictures... They made it seem like you were more than friends.”
Janine sighed, realizing the power of the internet and its ability to misconstruct situations. She explained, “The pictures were taken out of context. Paulo and I were simply having a conversation over coffee. There’s nothing romantic between us.”
Adelle chimed in as Janine tried to navigate the situation, coming to her friend’s defense. “Yes, it’s all a misunderstanding. Janine and Paulo are just friends, nothing more. Please, don’t be angry with her.”
“That’s not true!” another girl shouted. “We saw you and Paulo went to your house!” she said and grabbed the other girl’s lemonade and attempted to throw it at her, but the girl’s hand was stopped by a newcomer.