Jeffrey

Randall thought he was done with me when he told me not to come back to his house. I knew he was upset about everything I had done, but I know he still has feelings for me. I just needed to get him alone so I could explain my actions. I decided to give Mari a call to see if Randall has spoken about me.

"Jeffrey? I didn't expect to hear from you this soon. Are you back home?"

"Yes I am, Ma'am. I came home early after I got word some shit went down with Randall." I mentioned it as if I didn't know.

"Oh yes, honey. You lit the wick and it exploded in his face. He is getting a divorce."

"I heard about that, how's he doing?"

"He's doing good from what I can tell. I mean it was bound to happen with him living a secret life and all."

"True."

"Hey, why did you and Randall break up anyway?" Mari asked. I hadn't told anyone what happened between Randall and I.

"Ooooo, I've never told anyone what happened between him and I. I knew Randall wouldn't tell because he wasn't out just yet, so I knew it would be safe with him."

"What'd you do? Cheat?" She blurted.

"Unfortunately, I did." I admitted. I heard Mari gasp over the phone.

"And Randall found out." Mari replied.

"Yeah, unfortunately. It was just a fling, a one-time thing, but someone tipped Randall off and he confronted me about it."

"Oh wow. Was it someone Randall knew?" she asked. I smiled because Randall knew of him; it wasn't until later that he met him, yet he still never knows.

"Ironically no, but he knows him - now. But yet, he doesn't know. You know?"

"No. No, I don't know. Jeffrey, you're speaking in riddles like Professor Dumbledore. Tell me like I'm stupid." She chuckled.

"Randall got caught with him at the resort by Marianna and Dion."

"Oh Shit!"

"Yeah, but Randall doesn't know."

"Wait?! Randall doesn't know the guy you cheated on him with is the same guy he was caught with?"

"Yes, he doesn't know." I admitted.

"Well damn! Everybody fucking messy."

"Yeah, pretty much." I wanted to find out if I had a chance with Randall at all. "Hey Mari, how's his relationship with Dion?"

"Pretty solid, I would assume. I mean, I got confused a bit when all of the shit came out, but apparently Dion forgave Randall and they are slowly working it out."

Working it out. Solid.

How solid?

"Really?" I thought maybe she could ask him for a moment of his time. "Mari, could you do me a favor?"

"Depends. What are you up to Jeffrey?"

"I just want to talk to him."

"To who? Randall?"

"Yes. I just want to explain."

"Honey, explain?! Explain what? That you told all of his business because you were jealous? Or still in love? I'm just saying, Jeffrey be real."

"I know but even if we don't get together, I still want to be at least a friend." I begged.

"I understand, y'all got history, but don't you think this is a little soon? Shit, he's been through a lot and he's trying to live a new, normal life. Besides, he's with Dion and he seems happy."

"I just need to close this chapter then. I need closure."

"I have a feeling I'll regret this, but I'll ask. I'm supposed to see him tonight at dinner. I'll ask him then and I'll let you know what he said."

"You will?" I got excited.

"Yeah, I'll let you know." Mari didn't sound too happy about it but she was going to help me out this one last time.

"I appreciate that, I really do."

§

Angela

The energy increased later on in the evening, as the sun went down and the guest started to arrive. Having everyone together enjoying themselves with friends and loved ones is something I've always wanted. Bryan and I had parties, events and gatherings but they hardly included family members and friends. They were mostly filled with co-workers, clients and their wives.

It had become a tradition for the wives who had to attend the cock-fest of men, to gather in the west wing of the mansion, locked away in the dining room playing poker and taking body shots off of naked men. The husbands never found out as they were too busy with whatever and whomever they were doing. The wives knew how their husbands were, I was sad that I had to become a member of the club. However, I learned a lot from my membership; we women could do exactly the same as the men, but just better.

Now that Bryan and I are separated, I can have the gathering of friends and family that I longed for. It's nice to be able to see the people whom you know and value in attendance enjoying themselves with others. It was a casual affair, no need to dress up, this wasn't a business deal. I watched Michael talking with a few coworkers, making sure everyone was having a good time. The kitchen was a buzz as I hired two local caterers to provide food options for everyone. Michael saw me admiring everyone and walked over to me.

.

"Hi beautiful," He kissed me softly on the lips. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel amazing." I exhaled. Michael grabbed two glasses of wine off of the tray of a waiter passing by. He handed one to me, we toasted and took a sip.

"You did a good job. So did Mari, there's a bunch of people here." We looked around the Lake House and people were conversing, enjoying the atmosphere as the music played softly in the background.

"I can't take credit for all of this. You know you had a hand in this. Thank you for helping me. The place looks fantastic." The decorations were just enough to be extravagant but not over the top. It was very elegant. I'm sure Vicki will be surprised.

"When are they going to arrive?" Michael looked at his watch.

"Mari texted me saying they were on the way. So I would say any minute. She said she would call me when they get on the property."

"Oh ok." He replied.

"Auntie Angie!" I turned around to see the only family member who addressed me as such - Natalie Worthington. She was Bryan's niece, from his brother, Gregory.

"Natalie," She hugged me tightly. "I'm so glad you could make it."

"I had to, my cousin Vicki is getting married to Jacobi! It's gonna be like a celebrity wedding!" She cheered.

There were only a select few members of the Worthington family that I cared to have around me and she was one of them. She was the product of infidelity as well, however her Father embraced and owned her fully. Gregory took care of her and her Mother and still do to this day. His wife, Evelyn, doesn't like it all or Natalie for that matter, but with Gregory being the head of the household and a male Worthington, she has no say in what he does.

"Awww, you've always been my favorite of the others, you've always loved making time for your cousins." She gave me another hug.

"Of course, y'all family." She chuckled. Suddenly a nice looking man came up behind Natalie, looking very familiar. He slid his arm around her waist and she smiled at him.

"Oh Auntie Angie, this is...." She started.

"Vince." I blurted. Both of them looked at me shocked. I knew exactly who he was. Vince just so happened to be her sister's husband.

"Yes, you remembered?" Natalie quipped.

"Yes. I was at the wedding." I looked at them both and smiled. "It's good to see you Vince. I see you finally got with the right one, huh?" I joked. Vince and Natalie smiled.

"Nice seeing you too Auntie Angie." Vince said, giving me a hug.

"You're okay with this?" Natalie asked, looking worried. She valued my opinion which made me smile.

"Sweetheart, are you happy?"

"Yes, yes we are."

"Then I'm happy. The heart wants whomever the heart wants." Just then Michael walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. Natalie and Vince smirked and bumped him as Michael quickly planted a kiss upon my lips.

"Auntie!" Natalie smiled, holding her mouth open.

"Like I said, the heart wants whomever the heart wants. Be happy and honest with yourself."

"I know that's right." Natalie uttered.

"This is Michael, my significant other. Michael, this is my niece, Natalie and her significant other, Vince." I introduced them. We all laughed at how life will not go according to how we plan but how it's destined to be.

We talked with them for a while and then I received the call from Mari that they had arrived at the Lake House. I was excited to surprise them and to show our love and support.

"Ok everyone," I yelled walking towards the door. "They're here!" We all rushed to take our places as I had the staff member open the door and lead them into where we were.

Vicki and Jacobi walked in and everyone screamed 'CONGRATULATIONS!' , throwing them off seeing everyone in attendance.

"Mother!" Vicki cried. She wasn't expecting all of this love as she was the one who needed it the most. "Thank you!" He held me close, wiping away tears from her cheeks.

"We got them good Mother!" Mari said excitedly. Jacobi shook hands and gave Michael a bro hug before walking over to me giving me a hug.

"Thank you Ms. Angela. We really appreciate this. We didn't expect none of this." He said looking around and seeing the CFE Group in attendance.

"Mother, you got the CFE group to come too!" She saw Jacobi hug Marcus and Franklin and a few other people in the group.

"That was Mari." I pointed at her sister standing next to her.

"You sneaky bitch! You told me it was a family dinner!"

"It is! We are all family up in here!" Mari yelled and everyone cheered and clapped.

As Vicki and Jacobi made their way around saying hello to everyone, Mari brought Bryan David over along with his Mother, Amanda Gaites. She walked over to me and we grabbed and held each other as if we were long lost sisters.

"I've waited for this moment, for such a long time." She whispered in my ear. I closed my eyes and felt her pain. I knew I wasn't crazy. She was my proof.

"So have I. I can't even imagine what you could have gone through." We parted, both of us teary eyed.

"It was hard, but I'm sure you've had it so much harder and I'm sorry." She said, looking at me. I held her hands and patted the back of them.

"No need for you to be sorry. It's all in the past. Life is too short to be without family." I told her, and she smiled and nodded. Bryan David smiled and kissed his Mother on the forehead. I was happy the kids had finally found their brother.

Shortly after Vicki and Jacobi arrived, Randall and Dion arrived with gifts in hand. Randall greeted Bryan David with the same bro hug, and then Michael while Dion came over to me and gave me a tight hug. I introduced Dion to Amanda as we stood chatting away. We were all here to celebrate, have fun and enjoy each other.

However, I couldn't shake the feeling that I've learned to never ignore - Someone was not happy.