Heart
& Soul
Episode
16
By Allan Craig
“You
bitch!” Carrie could feel the throbbing pain in her face, “Don’t you ever touch
me again.”
“Threats, Carrie?” Diane turned and looked out the window, “You're hardly in the
position to threaten me.”
“Well I just did. You ever lay one finger
on me again and it’ll take more than botox to fix
your face.”
Wesley
sat reading the newspaper.
“Coffee?” asked Alex, standing at the
cooker.
“Yeah please,” Wesley’s eyes skimmed the
articles, “Milk-”
“No sugar yeah I still remember.” Alex
poured the coffee.
“What?” Gina tied back her hair.
“I just wanted to say that I’m sorry
about-” Pamela grew distracted by the ring on Gina’s finger, “Is that what I
think it is?”
“Don’t lecture me about how soon it is or anything Pamela, it’s happening, deal
with it. Oh, and I’m handing in my notice. Ben gets his degree in a few weeks
and then before long I’ll be the wife of Dr. Ben Jones. I wont be needing a
crummy little waitress job.”
“And this is all his idea, is it?”
“Exactly. Ben and I are in love, Pamela. Why wait a few more years. I love him
and he loves me, that’s all that matters.”
“Fine, I’m sure you’ve made the right decision. You're the only person who can
decide what’s best for you. I wont stand in your way.”
Megan
sat on the edge of her bed on the phone.
“So you’ll be able to make it for the
party? Good…then we can really kick her where it hurts. I can’t thank you
enough for this aunt Jackie…okay…I’ll see you soon…bye.”
Megan hung up the phone and walked out of
her bedroom.
Café
Piazza
Carrie
and Jessica sat sipping their cappuccinos.
“So, how are things at the mansion?” asked
Jessica.
“You don’t want to know,” Carrie bit on
her lip, “What about you? Is that romance heating up between you and Josh?”
“You could say that.”
“Describe.”
“A lady never kisses and tells.” Jessica
giggled.
“Go on.”
“Lucky for you I’m not a lady.”
Megan
sat at the airport bar as she watched a woman walk towards her. She got up from
her seat and hugged the woman.
“Megan!” the woman smiled.
“Aunt Jackie. I’m so glad you made it.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it in the world
darling.”
“I’ll
get the drinks.” Nick took his wallet out of his pocket.
“Thanks babe. I’ll have an espresso.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.” Nick got up
and walked over to the counter.
Ashley looked around the room. A well
build, dark featured male caught her attention. He smiled at her. She smiled
back.
The guy got up from his seat and walked
over.
“Is this seat reserved?” he asked.
“Not at all.”
The guy sat down and wrote something on a small piece of paper.
“I’m Carl. Call me, I’ll leave you to your
boyfriend.”
“Ashley, call me Ash. See you around.”
Ashley took the piece of paper and put it down her revealing black top.
Carl walked off just as Nick came over.
“One espresso for you.” Nick handed Ashley
the coffee.
Diane
walked in through the front door to see Megan chatting with a woman in the
lounge. The woman turned around and Diane recognized her as Jackie, John’s
sister.
“Jackie, it’s been a long time. What
brings you to this neck of the woods?” asked Diane, walking closer into the
lounge.
“A mix of business and pleasure,” Jackie
stood up, “You look awfully tired, Diane. Have you been sleeping well?” Jackie
sneered.
“I’m sleeping just fine thanks. Now can I help you with anything or are you
just catching up with my daughter?”
“Actually there is a small matter that we
need to discuss. May we go somewhere private?”
“The study. You still remember where it
is, don’t you? It’s been a long time since you visited any of your family.”
Diane stood aside to allow Jackie to get by.
Alexandra
walked in through the front door as Wesley sat at his desk on his laptop.
“Still working yourself into an early
grave Wes?” Alex joked.
“Still pestering on at me to take it easy
Alex?” Wesley laughed.
Alex walked into the kitchen carrying her
grocery bags. Wes stopped typing and thought back to old times.
“This could be it.” Wes thought.
Jackie and Diane sat down at opposite
sides of the desk.
“Well, what is this urgent matter you have
to discuss?” Diane leaned forward, resting on her hands.
“You’re in for a shock Diane.”
“Try me.”
“John paid me a visit shortly after you and he departed company. He told me he
knows the truth about Calinda Whitehead and what
really happened.” Jackie opened her bag and took out a set of papers, “He told
me he doesn’t want you getting your hands on everything he has worked so hard
for, everything that our family has worked so hard for, and so he’s signed
everything over to me.”
“What do you mean, everything?” Diane
gasped.
“Everything. The house, its contents, the
business, all of his property, even your wedding ring. Imagine it like John had
died and I am the sole beneficiary, except John is very much still alive. So, I
will be charging you $5,000 per week to stay under this roof, of course I am
able to evict you if ever I choose to do so.”
“You wont get away with this.”
“I already have. Now, as my brother informs me you recently sold your shares in
a restaurant called The Bungalow. You have obtained the money and placed it in
your own account. However, John paid for your shares, therefore, he is entitled
to the money, therefore, I am entitled to the money. Either you transfer the
money into my new account, formerly you and John’s joint account, or I will
proceed with legal action.”
“You’re a complete bitch, do you know
that?” Diane stood up angrily.
“Be careful what you say to me, Diane. I
hold all of the cards. Oh and I will only take cash payments for your rent. And
since you latched onto John at such a young age that you have no qualifications
or savings of your own, I suggest you quickly find yourself some employment.”
Diane walked out of the room, speechless.
TO BE CONTINUED…