A Life More Complete

---Chapter 37---

I’m having so much fun with Bob at the party I hardly notice the time. It’s Bob that brings it to my attention making me wrinkle my nose in disgust. I don’t want to leave. It’s nice to spend time with people who enjoy my sense of humor and have no predetermined ideas of how I should behave.

I look down at my costume and suddenly I feel foolish. I’m about to meet Tyler at a party thrown by someone he does business with, who happens to own a beach house in Malibu and something tells me it isn’t the kind I’m picturing in my head, all the while dressed as a woman carrying the spawn of Satan. What the hell am I thinking?

Bob walks me out front his arm draped over my shoulders and my head resting against him. I’m exhausted just thinking about having to spend the rest of my evening with Tyler. A black Mercedes SUV pulls up in front and Bob motions toward the SUV. I give him a questioning look.

“Did you really think I was going to let you take a taxi to Malibu? Not a chance, sweetie. You and your precious cargo will be riding with Edward.” Bob waves a hand at the vehicle and like magic a large, burley man in his late thirties exits the driver’s side. His hair is cropped close and his face impassable. “Krissy, this is Edward, my father’s driver and since my father is old and rich he’s already in bed asleep. Probably has been for at least two hours,” Bob says as Edward tips his head slightly. “So you are the lucky recipient of a chauffeured ride to Malibu.”

I lean into Bob, my body heavy as I wrap my arms around his waist. He pulls me closer and gives me a quick kiss on the forehead. “You didn’t have to do this. You are so good to me,” I say as he slaps my butt.

“There’s not a chance in hell I’m letting your cute little pregnant ass get in a cab. I love you far too much for that. Get moving. You don’t want to be late to meet your prince charming.”

“I wish,” I mumble as I climb into the back seat. “Enjoy the rest of your night and again, thank you.” My eyes begin to well with tears. Bob cares far more than Tyler ever will.

“Have fun, love. I’ll miss you,” he says as he blows me a kiss and closes the door.

I hand Edward the address and lean back into the soft leather of the captain’s chair in the second row. The hum of the engine is relaxing and the smell of leather calms my nerves. I can’t remember a time when I was chauffeured around in an expensive car when I wasn’t with a client. The darkened windows and quiet stillness block out any offending thoughts as we ride through the night. The quiet begins to bother me when Bob’s voice comes over a speaker in the car.

“Hi, love. I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay. Edward tells me you’re nearing your destination, but that you look tired. If you’re too tired please have Edward bring you home.” I smile at his kindness and also wonder how in the world I didn’t hear his conversation with Edward.

“I’m fine, Bob. Tired, but I’ll be all right. How did I not hear you talking to Edward?”

“He has an ear piece and he is very discrete.” I know he is smiling. I can hear it in his voice. “I’ll check on you tomorrow. Seriously, though, if you’re tired go home. I don’t want you exhausting yourself, especially not for Tyler and his pompous work friends.”

“Blah, blah, blah. I know. Love you,” I say, leaning my head back against the seat and even I can hear the exhaustion in my voice.

“Love you, too.”

A few minutes pass and the car comes to a stop in front of a large wrought iron gate. The gate swings open as a man approaches the vehicle. Edward speaks to him in a low tone and the man flags us on. We pull up in front of a house that resembles a high-end oceanfront hotel. Beautiful sweeping balconies, flagstone driveway and fountains grace the entryway as the car rolls to a stop.

“Edward? Are you sure this is the place?” I ask, panicking.

“Yes, ma’am. This is the address you gave me. You’re on the guest list. Do you know the owner?”

“No. I’m supposed to meet my husband here.”

“Well, it’s Phillip Dubois. He is the owner of the well-known investment firm Dubois Industries.”

“You know the owner?” I ask, appalled. “How?”

“Yes, ma’am, I do. I’ve been doing this job for a while now and I know pretty much everyone Mr. Sonfeld does business with. That being the elder Sonfeld.” His tone is clipped but not in a cruel way. For some reason I like Edward. He makes me feel safe.

“Um, so do I just get out here?” I ask not knowing what to do. I figure that Edward might have a clue since he’s more accustom to this lifestyle.

“Yes, ma’am. There will be someone to greet you at the front door.”

“Okay,” I respond, but I stay firmly seated in the back of the car where I’m comfortable. “Ma’am?” I hear Edward ask quietly.

“Edward, please stop calling me ma’am. You’re making me uncomfortable,” I snap.

“My apologies,” he says, glancing over his shoulder. “But I don’t think it’s me making you uncomfortable. Would you like me to escort you to the door? I’d be happy to do so.”

“No,” I reply, slightly indignantly. I’m not a child although right now I certainly feel like one. I’m completely mortified to enter this spectacular house with absolutely no frame of reference as to where I might be able to locate Tyler. I send him a quick text from the comfort of the fancy, protective SUV. I wait a few seconds for a response, but I get nothing. I can tell that Edward is waiting for me to make a move and I’m sure he’d like to enjoy what’s left of his night off, so I exit.

“Good night, Edward. Thank you.” I pause and lean back into the car, stupidly I ask, “So do I tip you?”

For the first time this evening I see a faint smile cross Edwards lips, “No Miss Mullins, but thank you for the offer. Enjoy your evening.”

I close the car door and slap myself in the forehead. Sometimes I even shock myself. I repeat it in my head as I walk slowly to the front door. Don’t say anything stupid. Don’t say anything stupid. The independently wealthy make me nervous and apparently so do their help. Strange since my professional life is surrounded with them. It’s the personal situations that draw the uneasiness.

A man wearing a really unfortunate baby blue tuxedo with tails opens the door before I can ring the bell. I can’t tell if it’s a costume or part of a uniform. He asks for my name and directs me down a long marble hallway. I secretly find the tuxedo intriguing, so I quietly snap a picture and text it to Bob knowing he will find it as entertaining as I do.

I’m left standing in front of floor to ceiling windows that over look a spectacular pool with views of the ocean mixed in. There’s a large crowd of people gathered on the deck and surrounding the pool. I search the guests, looking for Tyler before I make my way through the crowd. When I don’t find him I move into the crowd and get lost for a moment. I turn around and spot him several feet way in a large group. I smile and then my smile drops instantaneously. As a sick feeling moves through me and my exhaustion becomes extreme, to the point that I’m not sure I can stand on my own. The overtly loud music begins to over stimulate me and my head throbs, my pulse races, perspiration builds and I think I may seriously barf.

I watch Tyler’s arm slip around a skinny blonde girl’s waist. He pulls her tightly to the side of his body and she leans into him. Her hand slides up his back and slips it into his hair. Resting her head on his shoulder he runs his hand down to the small of her back eventually coming to rest on her ass. When she turns her body to face him I almost vomit on the spot. She presses her lips to his mouth while both of his hands grope her ass without caring about who is watching. I’m bordering on a near breakdown as I stumble back down the marble hallway.

“Can I help you ma’am?” Baby Blue asks as I shake my head and bolt out the front door. The valet stops me and asks if he can get my car, again I shake my head. I can’t seem to form a coherent thought. I pull my phone from my purse as I waddle down the brick paved driveway to the gate. I call Bob because at this moment I can’t think of anyone else.

“Oh my God! Blue tuxedo! Love it!” he yells over the music playing in the background.

“Bob,” just saying his name causes me to lose it. I’m crying and I can’t get a word out.

“Krissy? What the hell is going on? Where are you? Why are you crying?” The panic in his voice is evident and I’m not helping to subside it by not speaking.

Shakily I get the words out, “Can you come get me?”

“Where are you? At the party?”

“Yes.”

“Let me call Edward. He couldn’t have gotten very far. I’ll call you back in a minute. Hold tight, honey.”

“Okay,” I say trying to control myself. The gate attendant is eyeing me warily when I sit down in the grass out front of the obscene house. It feels like hours pass before I hear back from Bob, but when I look at my phone it has only been three minutes.

“Edward is coming, baby. He’ll be there soon. Hang in there. I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure it has to do with Tyler.”

“Bob,” I sob. Luckily Edward comes barreling down the street and sidles up to the curb in record time. “Edward’s here,” I choke out before I hang up.

I open the door and climb in before Edward can assist me. Attempting to stifle the sobs that have me near hysteria, I hold my breath.

“Thank you, Edward,” I mumble.

“You’re very welcome, Miss Mullins. Mr. Sonfeld has asked me to inform you that he’ll be meeting you at your house shortly.”

I thank him again as my words get caught in my throat coming out in a hoarse whisper. This is all so surreal. The mental images are worse than the actuality of it. They are disgusting and bold, far too detailed. They play with my emotions until I’m hysterical again. In place of what should be jealous fury, I can only feel humiliation.

I leave the car without saying good-bye or thank you to Edward. I can only think about the safety of my house and crawling into my bed. Bob’s arms are waiting when I cross the threshold, embracing me, holding me close, making me feel a small amount of comfort.

“Do you want to tell me what happened?” he whispers.

“No.”

“When you’re ready I’ll be here.” Bob leads me over to the couch and I lay down with my head resting in his lap. He pulls the wig off and begins to unpin my hair, running his fingers through it. My breathing settles down and my eyes are heavy. I fall asleep quickly. I feel the couch shift as Bob gets up, but I’m back asleep within seconds.

Sometime later I hear the front door close and I hear Tyler’s voice. Just the sound of it churns my stomach.

“Hey Bob,” Tyler says with a bit too much force. The legs of a kitchen chair scrape across the floor.

“What happened tonight?” I hear Bob ask, his tone accusing.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tyler responds and any trace of levity is gone.

“Cut the bullshit, Tyler. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Bob loves me, but he is beginning to tire of my continuous drama with Tyler. The confrontation has been a long time coming, but it still doesn’t make it any easier to hear. Even from a room away I wince at the tone in their voices.

“Listen, Sonfeld, I don’t know where you get off coming into my home and accusing me of things I know nothing about. But I’m guessing this has something to do with Krissy.” I inch my way closer but still staying out of view.

“You’re damn right,” Bob practically shouts. “All I know is I got a call from her asking me to pick her up in Malibu. She’s been a wreck ever since.”

“How the f*ck should I know what’s wrong with her? I got a text saying she was at the party, but I never hooked up with her.”

“And it never occurred to you to look for her? You just thought it was cool when she didn’t find you at the party? What the f*ck is wrong with you?”

“She’s always looking for attention. That should be obvious to you. She’s all about the drama. Always crying about something. It’s growing old.” Bob interrupts Tyler before he can go on.

“You’re wrong. She’s not like that. You’ve made her this way. She’s insecure and vulnerable. You’ve broken her down and made her into someone she’s not. You don’t see it because this is your game. You f*ck with her for fun. Mark my words you’re gonna break her and when you do you’re going to have to deal with me.”

“Is that a threat, Sonfeld?”

“No, bro. It’s a promise.”

“Bring it on a*shole. I’m not afraid of you.” By now I’m standing behind Bob and I clench my eyes shut and cringe at his words. Tyler’s boldness and total disregard still never ceases to shock me.

Addressing me without turning around Bob says, “Sweetheart, you know I love you, but that should be enough right there.” He pushes past Tyler and leaves through the front door without saying another word.

We are standing there staring at each other. The tension in the room so high that I feel like I might burst. I’m filled with apprehension and his posture is already defensive. I can’t bring myself to confront him.

“I don’t appreciate being berated in my own home by your a*shole friend. That was totally uncalled for and completely brought on by your idiotic behavior.” I’m staring at him, completely shocked. I guess I was hoping for a confession, but I should know better. He’d never admit to doing anything wrong especially if it involves an admission to hurting me. “What do you want me to say?” he snaps when I don’t respond.

My voice comes out loud, near a shout, “I want you tell me that you love me! I want you to tell me that you couldn’t be happier and that becoming a father is going to be amazing! That’s what I want you to say! I’ve wanted you to say it for months, but you won’t!”

“You want me to lie?” he screams back. “I don’t want any of this. I don’t want to be a father, but you keep pushing me. I never wanted this.”

My voice grows quiet and I ask, “Would you be here right now if I hadn’t gotten pregnant?”

He stares at me and his lack of response is the only answer I need. He pulls his hand through his hair and storms out of the house leaving me stunned and silent.