Black Lies White Lies (24 page)

I really didn’t know how I felt about this, but I wanted my friends to be happy. Lance and Brenda would make a lovely couple. “Brenda, you couldn’t have made a better choice, I wish you and Lance the best.”

“He has business here this weekend, so we’re getting together afterwards. Maybe we will see the
Color Purple
.”

“I’m sorry about that night, Brenda.”

“It’s ok, that’s a reason to see it again. What are you doing for lunch?”

“Ashton asked me to meet him at Giorgio’s. It’s where we had our first date of sorts.”

“That sounds romantic.”

“I’ll see you when I get back.”

As I headed to Giorgio’s, I thought about my conversation with Brenda. I still had some left over feelings for Lance. When the driver pulled up in front of Giorgio’s, I continued to sit there for a minute. It’s funny how life comes full circle.

I walked into Giorgio’s. To my surprise, there stood Ashton, surrounded by everyone from the office along with Sofia and Marbella. What was going on? Ashton walked over to me and got down on one knee, “Candice, I love you. Will you marry me?”

I was so happy in that moment, “You know I will.” He opened this little black box with the most stunning five carat pink diamond ring. It was the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. I just stood there and cried, Ashton kissed me, “I can’t wait for you to be my wife.”

“Congratulations!” yelled everyone. Ashton had set this whole thing up. It was as perfect as he was.

Marbella came over to us, “I’m so happy for you two. I hope all your dreams come true. Ashton, you’ve made a brilliant choice.”

“Thank you, Marbella,” he kissed her on the cheek.

Sofia kissed Ashton, “Son, you are truly happy.”

“Mother, I’m the happiest man in the world, and Candice is the reason for that.”

“Candice, my darling,” she kissed me with sweet venom, “Best wishes to you.” I could hear in her voice that she didn’t mean it.

“Thanks, Sofia. I know how much you mean it.”

“Mother, I asked Victor to come, but of course, he was too busy.”

“You know your brother, Ashton. If he says he’s busy, he is. Would you get me some champagne, Ashton?”

“Yes. Mother, My Wife to Be,” he smiled at me, “I will be right back.” I knew it was time for the snake to strike.

“Candice, I hope you haven’t filled my son’s head with a lot of nonsense.” I could see Marbella, watching from across the room. “You see, Candice, if you ever told Ashton he would never forgive you, and neither would I.”

“I would never hurt Ashton, but the truth about Victor will come out.”

“What truth? There is no truth in what you say.”

“You know it’s the truth, or why else would you be protecting him like this?”

Brenda chose that moment to walk up. “So this is Ashton’s mother? I’m happy to meet you.”

Sofia smiled at us with that icy glare, “Lovely to meet you,” and walked to the other side of the room.

“That’s one cold bitch, Candice. You better watch her.”

“Believe me, Brenda, she’s always in my focus.”

“This was nice of Ashton to give you a surprise engagement party.”

“He is one of a kind. Always up to something.”

“That ring says it all. That’s a lot of love, Candice. You picked yourself a winner.”

“Brenda, you also have a winner in Lance, you just wait and see. This is Mrs. Marbella, Brenda.”

“I’m glad to meet you, Mrs. Marbella.”

“Nice to meet you, and Marbella will be OK. Candice, is there going to be any way possible to meet with you later? I won’t be leaving New York until tomorrow. I’m staying at the Waldorf, suite1258. You can meet me there.”

“That was strange. What’s going on there, Candice?”

“Yeah, I agree, Brenda. I don’t know, but I’m sure going to find out.” Too many secrets in that family and where there are secrets there are lies. Maybe tonight would end some of them.

Ashton was talking to Maxwell, he waved me over. “Candice, Maxwell and I were talking. His house is up for sale and he thinks we should take a look.”

“Really, where?”

“It’s on Long Island, a truly great place. It’s on about five acres of the most beautiful land, it’s a must see. All our kids are grown and it’s just too large for me and the wife. She wants to move back to the city. Just let me know when and my realtor will make it happen. Congratulations on your engagement. I’ll see you two in the office tomorrow.”

“What do you think, Candice?”

“We will have to see it and then make up our minds.”

After everyone left, Ashton and I headed back to work. We didn’t have to stay, but I needed to close on my reports. I couldn’t stop looking at the ring on my finger. I was soon to be Mrs. Ashton Williams.

It was only four months until the wedding. I really needed to get busy planning. I wondered what was pressing Marbella. I would need to make my excuses to Ashton. I was growing tired of hiding things from Ashton.

I walked into the Waldorf. This was a beautiful place. I went to Marbella’s suite and knocked on the door. “Marbella, I got here as soon as possible.”

“Thanks for coming, Candice. Can I offer you something to drink?”

“I’d like some water please. Marbella, what’s going on?”

“Just have a seat. What I’m about to tell I should be telling Ashton.” And Marbella began to tell the story of how she and Sofia had become friends. And how Ashton was actually her son.

I couldn’t believe my ears. “Why haven’t you told Ashton that you’re his mother?”

“Like I explained, times were different back then and I wanted the best for Ashton.”

“So you thought it would be best for him to be with Sofia? She is an evil woman, Marbella.”

“She’s not evil, but she can be misunderstood.”

“That’s an understatement. She’s an over protective bitch.”

“I didn’t ask you to come down here to talk about Sofia. She doesn’t want Ashton to know that I’m his mother.”

“Marbella, we have to tell him.”

“I think Ashton knows something. We had a conversation about this not long ago, about how his father treats him and Victor differently. Alexander knows that Ashton is not his son, even though he raped me. Sofia didn’t bother telling him until after the adoption and soon after that, they divorced.”

“Marbella, why didn’t you tell Sofia about the rape?”

“Because she loved Alexander and she wouldn’t have believed me. Sofia is a demanding woman. She actually stripped Alexander of his manhood. I have forgiven Alex for what he did to me. And you should do the same with Victor. Not for him, but for yourself. Holding on to the hurt just makes you the victim and him the victor. I just wanted Ashton to know before something happens to me.”

“Are you sick, Marbella?”

“No, but I’m getting up in years, and I want him to know that I’m his mother.”

“What about his real father?”

“His father was a delightful man. He was killed by a drunk driver before Ashton was born.” I could see the sadness in her eyes when she spoke of him. “I know he would have wanted Ashton to have the best life had to offer.”

“Well who’s going to tell him? Don’t you think it should come from you, Marbella?”

“We’re never alone. Sofia is always an ear shot away. He loves you, Candice, and you could reason with him. I just want you to let him know I had no choice.”

“I will talk to him tonight, Marbella. Maybe you can talk to him before you leave tomorrow.”

“That would be my lifelong dream, Candice. If you could do this for me, I would always be in your debt.”

“You owe me no debt. Ashton needs to know who his mother is. I’ll leave now and talk to him. You’ll hear from him soon. I promise.” I hugged Marbella and headed home.

Ashton was waiting on the sofa, “Hey, Babe, have you eaten yet?”

“I haven’t had anything since lunchtime, I’m famished.”

“I’ll just order something from the Chinese place.”

“There is something I must tell you right now.”

“I’ll just order, and then we can talk.” I was a nervous wreck, walking back and forth. “What’s so urgent and where did you go?”

“I went to see, Marbella. Ashton, you might want sit down.”

“I’m ok, right here. Please, tell me what this is all about and why you went to see Marbella?”

“Ashton, Marbella is your mother, she told me tonight.”

I watched as Ashton turned white as a sheet. “What?! This is a this lie you’re telling! That’s a lie! Marbella is just my mother’s friend!”

“Ashton, she told me that Sofia adopted you when you were a baby.”

“Why would she tell you and not me? So who did she tell you my father is?”

“Your father was killed in an accident before you were born. I think she said his name was Nathaniel. Ashton, haven’t you ever noticed the difference between your brother and you?”

“What are you saying? That you believe this nonsense? Marbella is not my mother and I’m going to get to the bottom of this! If I find out this is the truth, somebody’s going to pay.” He left the apartment in a rage and I knew he was heading straight to his mother.

When Ashton hadn’t called, I figured things were intense over there. I decided to just leave well enough alone until he called me.

~~~

It had been two days since I’d told Ashton Marbella’s story. He hadn’t been at work and his phone just kept saying out of range. I was so worried. Why didn’t he at least call me or leave a text? Something. When I got off today, I was going to call Marbella. Even if it was bad news it would be better than no news.

I couldn’t concentrate on work, not knowing where Ashton was. I told Brenda to fax any papers that needed signing to me at home. As soon as I got home I called Marbella. “Marbella, I’m sorry to call you, can you talk?”

“Let me call you back in about ten minutes,” she hung up. Ten minutes seemed like ten hours, but maybe she had to get away from Sofia.

My phone finally rang, “Marbella, if you don’t tell me what’s going on with Ashton…”

“Sorry it took so long, Sofia was here. Ashton is here, he’s finally calmed down.”

“What happened and why hasn’t he called me?”

“Candice, this was a lot for him to take in. He was mad one minute, crying the next. Sofia was so mad at me. I thought this would end what was left of our friendship. But I was willing to take that chance because Ashton needed to know. I’ve loved him from afar for long enough. If only I hadn’t let my mother talk me into this he would have been with me.”

“Marbella, you can’t be too hard on yourself. You thought it was best for Ashton. I know how you feel. I have some family issues I have to deal with myself. Marbella, I do have some good news, you’re going to be a grandmother.”

“What? You’re pregnant? That’s the greatest news. Why didn’t you tell us the other day at the engagement party?”

“I wanted to keep it quiet until after the wedding.”

“Candice, this is too big to keep quiet, we need to celebrate.” I could hear her smile.

“Not now, Marbella. Let’s wait until things are better with Ashton.”

“You're right, but this is a hard secret to hold, I just want to burst. I’m sure Ashton is going to be alright Candice. He just needs some time. He talked a lot to his father this morning, I think things went ok with that because he’s flying in tonight. I haven’t seen Alexander in many years.”

“How are you going to handle that, seeing him?”

“Like I told you in the hotel, I forgave him years ago.”

“You’re a lot stronger than I would be, Marbella.”

“You have strength that you haven’t even tapped into, Candice.”

“I love Ashton and I’m going to pull on that strength to help him get through whatever.”

“He loves you. I have no doubt about that. Sofia tried every way she could to blame this all on you, but Ashton wasn’t having any of it.”

“Marbella, why does she hate me so much?”

“She doesn’t hate you as much she hates the fact that Ashton loves you. Candice, Sofia has always wanted her way when it came to her relationships. That’s why she loses the ones that genuinely matter. Don’t worry, Honey. Ashton will be home to you soon, to the woman he loves.”

“Thanks, Marbella, for everything.”

“I hope you and Ashton can have the relationship you deserve.”

I felt relieved after the conversation with Marbella. I hoped that he and his father could mend the rocky relationship. I was just going to let him do what it was he needed to do to get through this.

It took about a week for Ashton to come home, and then he was distant. I knew that with time he would come around.

Chapter 21

I needed to talk to Aunt Sally about her upcoming wedding plans. When I had talked to Sabrina, she and Sandra had already agreed to pay for it all. I wanted to contribute somehow. What did she need or want? What could I give her that would last? I had some money stored away for occasions such as this.