Randall

I tried to get in touch with Jeffrey, however it seemed as though he had blocked my number, which gave me the indication that I needed to prove he was the one to let Marianna know about he and I as well as Dion. Dion hadn't said anything about conversing with her, but I can't assume that he hadn't. All of this shit was happening at the wrong time, I didn't want to draw attention to myself with my Father already having the media after his ass, the last thing I needed was to have my marriage broadcast all over for the public to see.

Marianna had left for the day taking the kids to her parents while we cooled off for a while. I knew she was upset, especially since she had left the house, which is something she normally does not do. Fabian called me asking if I could come for a visit, as much as I wanted to, I decided to slow down a bit before things got over to Dion. I knew he would be dramatic if they did.

Dion was in a different mood when I arrived, he seemed more quiet than usual which worried me a bit as he is never quiet. I walked into the condo as he sat quietly on the couch, he didn't even acknowledge me as I walked in.

"Are you mad at me too?" I asked. I was at the point if I was going to get caught up, I might as well lay all of my cards out on the table.

"What do you mean, too?"

"Marianna is upset at me."

"About what?"

"What do you think? Did you tell her about us?" I spewed at him. He shot me a look; he was upset I accused him of doing such a thing.

"I could have a long time ago, Randall. Why would I wait until now to say something?"

"I figured you were mad at me because my Father was out with your Mother."

"We squashed that the last time we spoke, didn't we?"

"Yeah, but,"

"No, uh-uh. We ain't going there."

"Well she got the info from somewhere."

"Maybe Jeffrey?" He blurted.

"How do you know?" I asked, looking at him. He cut me a look that led me to believe he knew more than what he was saying.

"Jeffrey has been very talkative."

"How so?"

"So much so Marianna called me." I looked at Dion and examined his face to see if he was lying, but he wasn't. I had been with him long enough to know, he was telling me the truth.

"That bastard!" I yelled. I knew Jeffrey was behind all of this shit.

"Why didn't you tell me you were with Jeffrey before me?" Dion asked.

"Does it really matter?"

"Yes!" He yelled.

"How in the fuck does it matter? He was before you!" I raised my voice.

"It's nice to know if I have to compete with a jealous lover or not!" Dion snapped at me.

"He's not my lover! I never slept with him!" I screamed back.

"Then why are you being so secretive about him?" he asked.

"Because, he's jealous of you." I admitted.

"Of me?!" He was taken back.

"Yes. Jeffrey and I were in a relationship before I was ready to be in a relationship." I started. "I didn't want to admit that I had feelings for him but I admired his courage to be out and proud. But my Father would never allow me to be out and open like Jeffrey. So I ended our relationship before it really got started. We were never intimate with each other."

"You never slept with him?" He asked.

"No, I haven't. You're the first for me." I admitted sitting next to him and holding his hand. He smiled at me, blushing.

"Seriously?"

"Yes," I said, scooting closer to him and wrapping my arms around him. He leaned his head on my chest and it was welcoming. "You turned me out." I kissed his forehead.

"I see," Dion said, sitting up and turning towards me. "Then who is Fabian?"

My stomach instantly dropped.

§

Angela

As things were going on with Bryan, it was only a matter of time for something scandalous reared its ugly head and I had no intentions of being around when it happened. It may force him into retirement, which would lessen the blow, yet the damage would be done. Honestly, I think it's something that needs to happen, unfortunately I will be looked at with pity, yet I would never be pitiful. I would be living peacefully in the Lakehouse.

Michael has done something to me that has left me carefree and happier than I've ever been. I could tell he cared for me, helping me experience fascinating things and enjoying them with me. I could feel myself caring for him deeply. I wanted to make sure, whatever downfall Bryan is about to have won't affect Michael's advancement and growth. I might have not been allowed to work outside the home, but I have learned how to network and I know just the right people to talk to on behalf of Michael.

I decided I would take this opportunity to help Michael out as he has helped me out in so many ways. He needed contacts in order to start his business and I knew people he needed to know. Michael wanted to open his own consulting business and with my contacts which are basically people I have made personal connections with throughout the years, will be able to use Michael in a way that would be beneficial to them as well as Michael.

He catered to my every need when he was not fulfilling his duties to my husband. I had decided that I would contact a lawyer to discuss my upcoming separation arrangements. Unless Bryan is willing to give up half of his entire fortune, which I'm sure he will not, he should agree to me moving out of the house, me moving to the Lake house, I will graciously attend any event to give him the appearance that we are still married, however behind closed doors, he can be with whomever he wants to be with, in the mansion.

I decided to call a good friend of mine for a favor as I wanted to set Michael up ahead of time because once Bryan finds out that Michael and I are seeing each other I'm sure Bryan will fire him. I wanted him to be established a bit further along than he would think he could be, so he wouldn't have to worry about the logistics of the business and focus on his goal.

As I was just finishing up handling everything on Michael's behalf, I received a call from Vicki.

"Hello Vicki, how are you?"

"I'm good Mother, how are you?"

"I'm as well as I can be. I miss talking with you so much. What is going on that you called me today?"

"Well a lot has happened and I would love to tell you in person over the phone. Honestly, both Mari and I have a lot to discuss with you."

"That doesn't sound like a light subject if you'd rather speak in person."

"Well, there's a lot of stuff we need to unfold." She said, Vicki was my second child and may be the smartest of them all. Even though Randall was my first born he could never match Vicki, he always fell short.

"Understood. Well I'm not at the mansion, I'm at a hotel downtown." I confessed.

"Oh, okay. Well, send me the info and Mari and I will come to you."

"Good deal."

Vicki and Mari showed up at the hotel about an hour and a half after our call. They informed me they had someone I needed to meet therefore I tried to prepare myself for whomever, but that simply wasn't the case.

"Mother, I need you to meet someone." Vicki said as I stood at the hotel door.

"Ok, well bring them in." I said walking away from the door and into the living room area.

I watched the door as Vicki stepped in, followed by Mari and then a young man, around the same age of Randall - looking the spitting image of Bryan. I immediately held my hand to my chest and covered my mouth.

"Mother," Vicki said as she approached me. Mari came over to me holding my arm as I sat down on the couch. "We wanted to introduce you to,"

"Bryan David Gaites." I spoke softly, interrupting Vicki. Mari turned immediately towards me and Vicki's mouth hung open.

"Yes!" Both cried in tune. "How did you know?" Mari asked while Vicki put her hands on her hips.

"Hello Mrs. Worthington," He said as he walked over to me with his hand extended. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"I've always had a suspicion about you, but I could never prove it. I heard rumors but they are what they are, rumors until the evidence is shown." I said looking at him as he held my hand, shaking it slightly. "And here you are."

"Here I am," Bryan David said as he sat down in the chair closest to the couch. "Am I what you were expecting?"

"I really don't know what I expected, but I did expect someone to come forth. I'm glad you did. It clarifies so much for me and gives me so much to stand on going forward."

"Going forward, what are you talking about Mother? Are you going to tell Father?" Vicki asked.

"In due time, I will. Not just yet. Plans need to be made. But it brings a smile to my face that I wasn't crazy after all." I exhaled the rest of what I had left for Bryan. I was ready to move on and live the rest of my life the way I wanted to live it.

"Mother, you sound like you have something already in the works." Mari bumped me.

"You should always have a backup plan, for everything and everyone." I said smiling. "Does your Father know that you have found his son?"

"No, we haven't told anyone. You were the first." Mari stated.

"Good." I replied.

"Well Mother, we have some more news." Mari leaning, speaking softly. "

"Ok," I crossed my legs and sat back against the back of the couch. "Fill me in."

"Well, Mari won't be the only one getting married," Vicki squealed and held out her hand. "Jacobi proposed!" I was elated that she was getting married.

"Oh my goodness!!" I screamed loudly as my oldest daughter was getting married. "Oh Vicki, I'm so happy for you." I went over to her and wrapped my arms around her tightly.

"Thank you Mother, I knew you would be excited."

"Have you picked a date? Have you gotten your colors together? Have you decided on a venue?"

"Goodness Mother, you didn't do that with my engagement." Mari blurted from across the room.

"You are right, I didn't not. But would you have wanted me to be happy about you marrying a man that you don't love?" I asked.

"I suppose not. Since we're not telling Father about Bryan, can we not tell him something else?"

Everyone looked at Mari wondering what was about to fall out of her mouth.

"What?" Vicki and I said simultaneously.

"The wedding is off. Jeffrey is gone." She admitted.

"When did you find out? When did he leave?" Vicki asked. I was thrown as to why he would leave.

"He sent me a text the other day when we met Bryan."

"So Jeffrey left town." Bryan asked.

"It seems so."

"Wait, you know about Jeffrey as well?" I asked Bryan. He smiled and nodded.

"Yes Ma'am. I'm a private investigator." He answered.

"Mother, he knows all about us." Mari blurted.

"Your mother must have told you everything."

"She did, when I was old enough to understand." Bryan smiled.

"Smart woman." I admired her. Even though she had slept with Bryan, I no longer cared. She had to deal with raising a child, without input from his father. But with a father like Bryan, it may have been the best thing for him.

"She is most definitely. She admired your strength." I looked at him looking back at me; it was like looking at a younger version of my husband, yet not as there were slight differences but striking similarities.

"I admired hers as well. It was sad how everything was covered up to save your Father's image. I was naive back then, but not anymore." I smiled back.

Suddenly, the hotel door opened and Michael walked in the room carrying a dozen red, long stem roses and a bottle of champagne, along with his goodie bag.