Ribbon of Fate: Love or lust? Read online

  The night goes off without a hitch and I am elated when Melanie finds me to congratulate me on a successful event.

  It is nearly 1:00 in the morning when the warehouse has finally cleared out. Just a few stragglers, those who had a bit too much to drink and the gossip queens. Takedown starts at 6:00AM but I want to get a head start on my check list. It's funny how many things come up missing after these events. I grab my tablet from my bag in the employee locker room and head to inventory the décor.

  Suddenly I feel something pulling at my foot, like the monster under the bed. Somehow a long sheer red ribbon had managed to wrap itself around the heel of my shoe and ankle. I look to see where the tugging was coming from and see a man in a shimmering black suit jacket bent down unwrapping the other end of the ribbon from his own ankle.

  Even without seeing his face he is breathtaking. Dark brown, almost black hair buzzed almost to the scalp on the sides and back, the top long and slicked back. Tattoos peeking from the collar of his white shirt up his neck and onto the shaved part of his head. More ink creeps under his neck almost up to his jaw line. God such a strong jaw.

  My eyes trace his slumped over form to his hands where they work to unwind the red ribbon. Ink seeps out from the cuffs of his sleeves and onto his large hands, down his fingers. I wonder if there is any part of his body that has not become art. Suddenly I find myself blushing and I have to look away. I bend down to untangle myself and hide the flushed cheeks I am now sporting.

  High heels and I don’t always see eye to eye and now is one of those times the heels are definitely winning the battle. I almost topple over, but stop short of hitting the ground. This beast of a man has caught me and I am now pressed to his chest. He smells sweet and salty, like the wind on the open ocean and watermelon.

  He steady’s me and then bends down to remove the ribbon from my ankle. His hands are surprisingly soft and gentle as I feel this spark ignite from his touch. I can’t help but stare at him. He is the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on. His deep emerald green eyes looking out form dark olive toned skin, full lips and that perfect smile; it is enough to send me over the edge. As he stands and hands me the ribbon he introduces himself.

  “Hello, I’m Jonas.” his unique accent surprises me and kind of turns me on. He shakes my hand and sparks fly again. Is it hot in here or is it just me?

  “Ember.” is all I manage to get out, still flushed and just hoping I’m not drooling.

  “That’s a beautiful name, does it have a special meaning?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “My mother said I was like a smoldering ember sucking the life out of her while she was pregnant.” I regret the comment as soon as it is out of my mouth, must be my distaste for her seeping out again. I press my lips thin and try not to laugh.

  He gave a hardy chuckle. “Well you two must be so close.” he says with raised eyebrow. We both laughed for a moment. He makes such a beautiful sound. His voice is like velvet, deep and sexy.

  I am pulled from my thoughts. “Em, have you finished? Your mother is driving me insane with this wedding planning fight you two are having. You need to apologize to her and get back to planning it. You can call her from the car.” Kade stops as he looks up from his phone.

  “Kade this is Jonas, Jonas this is Kade.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Jonas extends his hand in a genuinely friendly manner.

  Kade looks him up and down and avoids his handshake. “Sure, it is.” Then looks at me. “Let’s go.” he guides me with his hand on my back toward the door.

  I turn to see Jonas running his hand through his hair with an all to familiar smile. Somehow on him it is not so much an insult as an invitation. That ‘bring it on, I can take more than you can dish’ kind of way. When he catches me looking he smiles sweetly and waves his fingers in a ‘good luck’ gesture.

  As we get into the car Kade starts his rant “What the hell were you doing? Who is that guy? Do you know him? Who would want to do that to themselves. Tattoos all over, even on his head. That is the kind of scum that is dragging this city down…” he droned on the entire way to my apartment. I tuned him out, all I could think of was how five minutes with Jonas held more interest and desire than my entire relationship with Kade.

  I know I am wasting my time with him, but it seems to be the lesser evil. Every time I have tried to break it off my mother would give me the speech- ‘Your father would be so proud of you, he is such a catch.’ Or ‘Do you really think you could ever do better, or even close to? Let's be realistic here, Em.’ And of course my favorite. ‘What woman in her right mind would give up on a perfectly good relationship just because she is unhappy?’ It became easier to give her what she wants than to fight her and have her try to use my dad to guilt me into it.

  The door opens and I realize we have made the 40-minute drive in what seems like the blink of an eye. The driver holds his hand out and helps me from the car. I look back to Kade, he is still going on about who knows what. I don’t even think he knew I was out of the car. He must be so interesting to himself.

  I thank the driver and walk up the steps to my apartment building. I let myself in the main door, then walk up the stairs and down the hall. I stand at my door for a moment, I just can’t get him out of my head. I didn’t even get his last name so I can’t cyber stalk him, though that won’t stop me from trying.

  Once I get out of my dress I pull my laptop from under my bed and begin my search. Jonas Brothers is all that filled my search, not that I mind an eye full of them. I try to go through the guest list to find his last name, but no luck. The last-minute ticket holders were only added to the door man’s roster this morning, so I assume he must be on that list. Maybe I will check it in the morning.

  After a while of searching I look at the clock and it is after 4am. No use trying to sleep now. I head for the shower and then get ready to head back to the warehouse for cleanup. At least I will get my workout in with the teardown.

  Chapter 3

  Ember

  My mother has been calling non-stop for the past three days. I still don’t want to talk to her, but I know she will just show up at my door kicking and screaming. Reluctantly I pick up the phone and answer.

  “What do you want, mother?” I ask as soon as I put the phone to my ear. I know I should not hold on to this anger but it is so hard to let go of. She makes it really easy to stay mad.

  “Is that any way to talk to your mother? Don’t be rude Em. I know better than to expect an apology from you, but I am still your mother, I made you. So, you owe me.”

  Owe her? What the hell is this crazy woman on. Owe her? Did she really just say that? “What exactly is it that you think I owe you?” I say as a dark laugh escapes. I can already feel a headache coming on.

  “Marcus is really looking forward to the wedding and you have left me to do everything myself. This is the most stressful thing I have ever had to do in my life.” I can just picture her in that damsel in distress pose. Her head turned to the side with her hand and arm shielding her face, fake tears running down her cheeks. She is so dramatic and theatrical. I’m surprised her and Spencer don’t get along better.

  “You said you could do it yourself. So, do it yourself.” I hang up the phone and toss it on the sofa.

  I know I shouldn’t drag it out like this, I’m just so sick of being treated like I am less. Like I don’t deserve to be her daughter, like I’m not good enough. It used to hurt a lot more, but a few years ago I just stopped caring. It's like all the effort I have ever put into having any kind of relationship with her was never good enough for her. Now I only try when she tries, and this is not her trying.

  I decide to go for a walk to clear my mind, and I don’t want to be here if she does decide to come through a temper tantrum. There is this trail not too far from my work that I have been meaning to check out. It has a bunch of trails that branch off with different activity levels. I get dressed in my navy workout leggings and matching tank top and grab a
light jacket from the hall closet. After I tie my shoes, I grab my keys and get on the road.

  It is actually a really nice day, spring is just around the corner and the birds know it. It's peaceful here with nature. Cool crisp air with a slight breeze makes it even better.

  I start on the trail and when it forkes I take the right, and the same at the next fork. Ten minutes into my walk I realize that I really should have read the sign before I chose my route because this is more than just a walking trail. Shit I am so out of shape.

  I hike up the hill and see a large rock formation where the trail continues at a steep angle. Am I supposed to climb this thing? Every time I think that was the worst of the trail, I am proven wrong. I’m too damn stubborn to go back the way I came, so I push myself up after each fall, I breath fire after every hill, I will myself to keep going. It’s hell.

  By the time I make it back to my Jeep I am dying, covered in sweat and filthy. I fell so many times and skinned my hands and knees up pretty good, ruining my leggings in the process. I have twigs in my hair from the attacking trees, and who knows what is poking me from inside my bra. I’m still trying to catch my breath as I try to find the pokey culprit. Never making that mistake again.

  As I open the door to get into my Jeep, I see this beautiful man exiting the coffee shop on the corner across the street. He looks just as delicious as he did the first time I saw him. His hair slicked back, white button up with rolled up sleeves showing off all those colorful tattoos and black dress pants. He must be a God, there is no other explanation. No mortal man could be that…I can’t even think of a word to describe his beauty.

  He is with a few other men in suits, looks like a business meeting. I would like to have a business meeting with him. Oh, jeez Em control yourself. I watch as they shake hands and part ways. One of the men get into the black Range Rover parked just in front of them, the others walk around the corner, but Jonas crosses the street to the parking lot that I, for some stupid reason, am still standing in.

  I quickly get in and duck down across the center console attempting to look like I dropped my phone or something. Anything to hide myself from him, I can’t let him see me like this. I know he is way out of my league, but if he saw me now he would probably point and laugh.

  He is parked just two cars down, I risk a peek. The benefit of having a higher vehicle is I can see over all the small sports cars in this city. He gets into a shiny new burgundy Bentley convertible. I have never been one to like the flashy things but damn that is a sexy car. Again I peek just over the door enough to see that strongly defined jawline, like as super sexy Bruce Wayne.

  Once he is gone I sink down into my seat and try to remember what that spark felt like, when he touched me, setting my skin on fire in the best way. Is it hot in here? Nope it’s just me.

  My phone rings scaring me out of my daydream. It's Kade.

  “Hey.”

  “Where are you?” well he sounds angry, this should be fun.

  “I just got back to my car from a walk.” I laugh at the word ‘walk’, that was more like a freaking obstacle course.

  “I have been calling you all morning, and don’t try to tell me you didn’t take your phone with you. I know you would never have gone without your awful music.”

  He’s right, that would never happen. I just didn’t want to talk to him, but I probably shouldn’t tell him that. “It was on silent, I didn’t want to disturb nature.” yeah that sounds logical, right?

  He was quiet for a moment. “Are you coming home? I am waiting for you.”

  “Did we have plans?” shit did I forget something? I’ll never hear the end of it.

  “No.”

  “Okay…so what are you doing there?”

  I know he is irritated with me now. “Do I need a reason to want to see my girlfriend? Do I need to make reservations for your time? Do you have someone else you would rather be off doing who knows what with?”

  Well yes, I do, but giving him a truthful answer will only end up in an unnecessary argument. “Kade, I’m on my way, chill the fuck out.” I say as I hang up on him. He is such a dick.

  My phone vibrates and I see a text from my roommate.

  Spence: Beware he brought Lady Tremaine

  Crap. I don’t want to deal with that woman.

  Me: How long have they been there?

  Spence: About ten minutes. But she is in a mood, so I suggest you get here quickly.

  Me: You just don't want to be alone with them.

  Spence: Exactly. Now hurry up

  Me: Fine

  I drive as slow as I possibly can, hoping they will be gone when I get there. No such luck, I see Kade’s Porsche parked on the street.

  Why would he bring her? She could have come on her own. Is she trying to use him against me? Probably.

  I take my time getting out of my Jeep and making my way to my apartment. I know the first thing the vile woman is going to say will have something to do with my appearance. I look like I got into a fight with bigfoot. I peak my head in hoping I can get to the bathroom before she sees me.

  “Well it’s about time. I have been waiting here for over an…What is that?” she says interrupting herself. “How were you out in public looking like that? What if you would have been seen by one of my friends? Or one of Marcus’s associates? You are such an embarrassment. What is in your hair? Are you living in the woods like an animal now?”

  Ladies and gentlemen may I present my mother. Calla Beauvoir-Thompson -Simmons and soon to add Forte. That's not even including her maiden name. Since my dad died ten years ago she has been through many men, only the richest making it to the title of husband. Money and power. That is all she cares about, family or love dont matter to her, not sure they ever did.

  “Hello to you too, mother.” I say as I make my way past her to take a shower.

  “Where do you think you are going? Don’t you dare walk away from me when I am talking to you, you selfish child.” she doesn't even move from her spot on the sofa.

  Kade and Spencer seem to have become best buds in the kitchen at this moment. Doing anything and everything to avoid the wrath of my mother. I roll my eyes at them.

  “I’m going to shower.” I say to her as she stares at me like I have offended her. “Look, I did not ask you to come here, you just showed up. I don’t want you here, and you obviously don’t want to be here so just say what you came to say and get the fuck out of my apartment.”

  I can feel the heat coming off my body at this point. I think this is the first time I have really stood my ground with her since my dad died. I’m so sick of her treating me like this. I feel all this hate and resentment in me just bubbling up ready to spill over at any minute.

  “What did you just say to me?” she stood to assert her dominance over me. “I brought you into this world Ember, and I will not be treated like a burden.”

  At this point there is no holding back. I walk up to her now standing toe-to-toe.

  “You may have carried me for nine months and given birth to me, but you have never been a mother to me. I tried for years to be the daughter you wanted, to gain your approval and your love, but you have none to give. The only thing you care about is yourself, how you can gain more, who you can screw or screw over to get what you want. You are a horrible vile person, and an even worse mother. You say I treat you like you are a burden, well now you know how you have made me feel my entire life. I am done. You are no longer welcome in my life and I hope Marcus sees you for what you really are before he is permanently stuck in your trap.”

  I turn to see Spencer and Kade both looking like deer stuck in headlights. “Kade, get this woman out of my apartment, and don’t you ever think of helping her again or so help me God, I will throw you out of my life just the same.” with that I walk to the bathroom.

  ∞∞∞

  “Emmey?” I hear Spencer outside my bedroom door.

  “You can come in, Spence.”

  “Hey, I thought I should give y
ou time to cool off. So? How ya feeling?... That was, um… intense.” he says carefully. “I just want to make sure you are ok.” he walks into my room and around my bed to stand in front of me.

  I give him a small sad smile. “Thanks. I know I may have gone a bit overboard, but it felt good. Does that make me a bad person?”

  He tilts his head back and lets out a laugh. “Are you kidding me? Sugar, I don’t know how you managed to keep all that bottled up so long. You are by far one of the strongest women I have ever met, and that bitch should feel blessed to have you as a daughter. Look I know you are stressed and feel bad for finally speaking the truth to her, but she needed to hear it.”

  I pull my legs up to my chest making room for Spence to sit. “I really didn’t mean for it to all come out. I mean, I meant every word of it, and it feels really good to have finally said it out loud. I just think I would be disappointing my dad by disrespecting her like that. He was always so big on respect and treating people fairly.”

  He laughs again, which surprises me. “Emmey, do you really think that in this situation he would be siding with her? I know I never met the man, but from everything you have told me he was a good fair man. He would have put your mother in her place long before you would have had the need or opportunity to.”

  I nod. Yes, he would have. “I really am done with her Spence. I can’t keep letting her drag me down and use me, it’s draining the life out of me. I just don't have it in me to care about saving that relationship anymore.”

  “I know baby girl, I’m sorry that you got stuck with such a shit mom. Just know that I am so proud of you Emmey. I know it will be hard, but you know I will always be here for you. Always as in forever. You get me?”

  I nod. He slides over to sit next to me with his back against the headboard and puts his arm around me, pulling me into a hug.

  “How did I get so lucky to have you as a best friend?” I ask as I bury my face in his chest.

  “Well, I guess when you lost your dad the universe decided you needed someone who would love you just as much, but …unfortunately you got stuck with me.” he says playfully, and I feel his laugh vibrating through his chest.