The Betrayal; Kelly gets retribution!
Kelly looked around the new apartment she had recently leased. Although it wasnât the home she had shared with Brent and the boys, it was a start. The one floor condo was nicely decorated, simple with modest furnishings. The second bedroom had allowed her to see the boys on weekends. Brent had finally relented, and she now had weekend visitation privileges. Brent even seemed to be softening a bit in his attitude towards her. They could almost talk to each other in a civil manner, for the times he was around. He never brought up the situation that had driven them apart, and at times even made attempts at humor with her.
She knew that he still carried a look of disinterest when she tried talking about what had happened, it seemed he was still not ready to cross that bridge with her yet. If she tried to bring it up, he would just get quiet and change the subject. She really wanted to explain her side to him, make him understand how she had been deceived. Yet, how could she explain to the man she had once shared a life with that, she needed more than he was willing to give? Not that he had ever really left her wanting! Just that she needed him to be more open, more willing to look at the world, and them in a different way.
Kelly knew that the road back to a normal life would take time, and a lot of patience. Every time she looked at Brent, she saw in his face only the life she had had, and was now shattered. He had every right to not trust her. She had lied, and hidden things from him for far to long, to gain back his trust this quickly. Yet, she could see that even Brent still had feelings for her, even if at the moment they were stretched beyond recognition. She still held hope, and for now, that would have to do.
Brent had told her about a birthday party that was being thrown for his sister Shannon. He extended the invitation to include her, if she wasnât busy. She felt a small rush of hope trickle itâs way into her mind. Maybe, just maybe, if she played her cards right, she could get back on friendlier terms with him! She accepted the invitation with a gracious smile. Brent she noticed had also seemed to relax when she accepted the invitation.
The party was held at a restaurant that Brent and her had gone to frequently. She knew it well. The little Italian place was one of her favorites, and a popular place for couples to frequent. She could remember all the times Brent had spent his money and time, trying to gain her favors by taking her there. She wondered if it still held the same memories for him that it did for her? She hoped this didnât get to uncomfortable for either of them.
The boys were waiting for her when she came in the door. She hugged them tightly and waved back, as Shannon motioned her in. Brent was even in a good mood, and pulled out the chair beside his for her to sit in. She quietly accepted the offer and sat down, the boys sitting across from her, sat grinning at them being together. She felt a little awkward at the way he just seemed to accepted her being there. It did feel good to not feel the ice that he had shown towards her for the past few months!
The evening went along great, everyone seemed to be in a good mood, and the conversations even bubbled with jokes and fun. Brent was the wise-ass he had always been, and even poked fun at Kelly a few times. She joked back, breaking the ice of her own silence, for the first time in a long time. It felt good to finally be on somewhat equal footing again. The tension they had lived with until now seemed to be temporarily alleviated. She wished that it could continue, even after they left the party!
She was just about to go for another round of drinks, Brent insisted on buying them, when she saw him! She was sure of it. The sight of Marcus, in this restaurant, on this particular night, was more than she could deal with. With badly shaking hands, she dropped back in her seat, horrified by his presence there! She felt her world begin to spin suddenly out of control. She felt her pulse race, and the nerves that so recently had been calm, now become worse than ever. She felt like throwing up.
He sat four tables down, in a booth with a stunning young brunette. The woman looked like she was trapped, like she wanted to be anywhere at the moment, but where she now was. Kelly could remember that trapped feeling with Marcus all to well! It seemed that he had found himself a new âslaveâ. She felt some pity for the woman, a kindred understanding for her suffering. No one deserved what that man had planned for her. She almost ran over to warn her!
She was so panicked that he might see her, that he might recognize his once prized âslutâ, that she didnât hear as Shannon asked, âKelly, whatâs wrong? You look like youâve seen a ghost! Are you OK sweetie?â Only as Shannonâs voice became urgent, did she realize she was slinking down in her chair to hide herself from him? She looked at Brent, and Shannon, and didnât know what to say. The fear she felt was to overpowering. She needed to run!
Kelly forced herself to sit up, calm herself enough to say, âIâm sorry, really, but I have to go! I just remembered that I have a report that needs to be finished by tomorrow. I really need to get home. I am really sorry Shannon, please forgive me?â She tried to sound natural, not as if the devil himself was in the room. Brent stared at her with a questioning look. He saw the stark fear that was in her eyes.
Brent got up and walked her to the door, his eyes scanning the room for any kind of trouble. He didnât know what Marcus looked like, so she was relieved as his gaze passed over the man. Marcus also didnât seem to have noticed her either. She quickly made her way out, before he did see her. Brent followed closely behind her, even blocking Marcusâ view of her, unknowingly. Shannon was also hot on their heals, as she made her way out to her car.
She fumbled for the keys in her purse, nearly dropping them as she tried unlocking the door. Shannon and Brent quickly caught up to her, just as she opened the door. Shannon asked in a concerned voice, âWhat the hell was that all about? I know you donât have any work to get home to tonight, so whatâs going on?â Her knowing look caused Kelly to glance at Brent, and then back again to Shannon. She knew that she had to tell someone, and now!
Kelly slid in behind the drivers seat, and then reached across, unlocking the passenger side. She sat staring numbly at her hands as Shannon slid into the empty seat beside her. Brent stood outside of her window, waiting for her to explain herself. Kelly simply said, âHeâs in there!â She sat waiting, as the realization of who âHeâ was, sank in to both Shannon and Brent.
Shannon looked like she was doing her best not to scream. Brent, however, had a look of pure murder written into his, now furious eyes. âSo, your âMasterâ is in there huh?â Brent sneered at her, dragging out the sound of the title. âWhatâs the matter, afraid we wonât like the son of a bitch?â The acid in Brentâs voice stung her like a slap in the face. After all she had put up with, this was too much.
âYou would think that, you self-righteous bastard!â she screamed back at him. âYou have no idea what the piece of shit did to me! You never once gave me the chance to tell you my side. You just stand there making judgments, like you were the only one that was hurt in all of this! How dare you think I could just throw away sixteen years of my life, and not regret every single second of what I did?â The tears were streaming down her face, as she finally let out the emotions that had been building up since that night. Brent moved back as if staggering from a blow.
Shannon was the first to bring the situation under control. âOK, lets all just calm down. This isnât going to do either of you any good, and the boys do not need to see either of you at each others necks, again!â she hissed at them both. âBrent, go tell Carl to take the boys to Moms for the night, and you two meet us at Kellyâs. Do it!â she pointed at Brent, who stood staring at Kelly, clenching his fists in fury. Without a second thought, he turned and headed back for the entrance of the restaurant.
âOK, now just who is this âpersonâ that is causing all this trouble, and why should either of us take your side in this Kelly?â Shannon asked more calmly. âI will not watch you, and my baby-brother throw away a lifetime of happiness without some kind of an explanation!â Shannonâs insistence on Kelly telling the truth, was more than she could refuse.
âPlease, can we just leave? I want to get as far away from here as I can. I donât want to ever see that manâs face again. Please?â Kelly begged Shannon. Shannonâs eyes focused and she could see the strain of holding on to her sanity slowly slipping from Kellyâs grasp.
âMove, Iâll drive!â Shannon said getting out and pulling her over to the passenger side.
Just as she was getting back into the car, she saw Kelly stiffen and her eyes go wide. She turned to see what had caused the reaction. Out of the door to the restaurant, came a group of people, led by a rather handsome man, who held a stunning looking woman tightly. She recognized the man, and instantly knew that he was the cause of Kellyâs torment.
She got behind the wheel, closing the door to extinguish the interior light. âHow do you know Marcus Fields?â Shannon asked. âThat is who youâre looking at right? Is that who your so afraid of Kelly?â She looked at her with real concern now.
Kelly numbly responded, âThatâs the man w-who ruined m-my life! Please Shannon, canât we just leave? Iâll tell you everything, just get me out of here, please!â Kelly began sobbing uncontrollably, and sank back in to the seat shaking horribly. Shannon shot one last look at the group moving towards the limo, and put the car into gear. She drove to Kellyâs in silence, respecting her privacy until she got her to a place she felt safe.
Within twenty minutes of arriving at her condo, Kelly heard the knock at the door. She tensed at the thought of what she knew she had to tell Brent! Brent was still smoldering mad, as he walked into the apartment. But a quick glare from Shannon, put Brent into silence. Shannon was a strong woman, stronger even than Brent. She and her, on again off again, fiancé Carl, were a compliment to each other.
Shannon worked at the Magistrates office, as a fact finder/background investigator. Carl was a guard at the State prison! They had been together, since Kelly could remember. She watched as they made their way in and sat down. Now, they sat waiting as Kelly steeled herself for what she knew was to come.