Chapter 34: Elaine
Liz
We grab two bottles of water and head to the back of the house where the gym is. It’s right by the pool, so it’s perfect. It is equipped with weights, two treadmills, two spinning bikes, a boxing bag and enough floor space for whatever you want to do. And the view of the pool areal
sets the mood.
“We will start with stretching and then a bit of walking today. You need to ease into it,” he says, and I nod. More than an hour later, I was sweaty and tired, but Zander assured me I would feel better after a week or two. My body just needs time to adjust. We both took a shower, while he massaged my calves and back, before we had breakfast.
Zander got an urgent call so he had to leave earlier, so I busied myself with some more studying. I want to be ready to take the bar exam after we get back from our trip. I am very excited about this vacation he planned. He didn’t want to tell me anything about it, but he assured me I would love it. He is so sweet and thoughtful.
After lunchtime, I got a call from a number I didn’t recognize. I answered immediately hoping it would be Mary. “Hello Liz, it’s your aunt Elaine. How are you my dear,” Elaine says, and I roll my eyes. “How am I? Let me see… Well, I am alive. Even though your daughter tried to kill me,”
I said.
“Yes, that was most unfortunate. Listen, I want to make amends and repair bridges, as they say. I miss my niece and would love for you to have dinner with me at my place,” she says. No, thank you, I am busy.” I say. “I didn’t even tell you when.” she says. “I will be busy for the
foreseeable future.” I say.
“Don’t be a brat. I am trying to make things right,” she says. “No, you don’t care about me. You found out that I now have money, and that is why you called. Let me make this perfectly clear in words you will understand. You are not getting a penny from me. Not now, not ever.” I said.
“You ungrateful little b…” she says, but I hang up and immediately block her number. The nerve of that woman. Did she think I would be stupid enough to fall for her lies? I knew she would call eventually, but where did she get my new number from?
I bet she had something horrible planned. There is just something about my aunt that scares me. I can’t articulate it, it’s just a feeling. My phone rang again, and I got such a fright. I looked at the caller ID and saw it’s Zander. I smile and answer immediately. “Missing me already?” I
ask when I answer.
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Chapter 34: Elaine
“Whenever I am not with you. But I did call for a reason. I have a fundraiser I have to attend,
and I was hoping you would accompany me. I completely forgot about it, so I will understand. if you don’t want to go,” he says. “I would love to go with you. What should I wear?” I asked.
“It’s a cocktail party, so a cocktail dress is fine. It doesn’t actually matter to me. You look. beautiful in anything you wear.” He says and I chuckle. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Caine.” I say and he chuckles. “Will it get me in your panties later?” he asks. “Do you need.
permission?” I ask.
“I would hope not,” he answers and we both laugh. “I will be home by 6pm then we can get ready together.” He says. “Okay, see you then.” I say. “Later, my Liz.” He says and ends the call. I smile and get up and go see what I can wear tonight. I met Rosa in the hallway and tell her
our plans.
ups
“Okay Liz, what are you going to wear?” she asks me. “I was just about to check. Will you help me?” I ask. “Sure, I already have a dress in mind.” She says and winks at me and I chuckle. She leads me to a different room with a massive walk–in closet.
We go inside and I look around wide–eyed. “Whose dresses are these?” I ask and she smiles.” They all belonged to Zander’s mother. She was a very elegant woman, and she loved to dress up.” Rosa says. “I don’t think I should be here. What if Zander gets upset?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about that, here try this one.” She says, handing me a beautiful black dress with tiny beading over the breast and side of the dress. This should end just above my knee. “It’s beautiful, but maybe I should ask Zander first.” I said. I don’t want him to think I am forward.
“If you insist,” She says and takes out her phone and makes a call. “Zander, Liz and I are dress. shopping in your mom’s closet for tonight. Is it okay?” she asks. “Thanks Zander,” she says: and hangs up. “He said he doesn’t mind at all. Go, try it on.” She says, and I chuckle and go fit
the dress on.
When I am done, I look in the mirror and smile. She is right, this dress is stunning, and fits me perfectly. The black heels that Zander bought me will go perfectly with this dress. I walked back out and showed Rosa and she smiled.
“That’s the one. You look beautiful Liz.” she says, and I twirl and give her a curtsey and she chuckles. “Wear those strappy black heels, they will go perfect with the dress.” she says. “I was thinking the same thing.” I say and we both giggle. I take the dress and hang it in our
room.
There is still an hour before Zander gets home, so I think I will go for a swim. I have been meaning to try out the indoor pool since we got here. I put on a bikini and went straight there.
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Chapter 34 Flaine
A few laps will do me good. I still feel a bit rattled by that call from my aunt. I don’t know why
she upsets me so much.
After I swam a bit, I stayed in the water at one edge. I was so lost in my thoughts that
screamed when Zander touched my arm. “Its just me. Are you okay?” he asks. “Sorry, I didn’t
hear you come in.” I say. “Yes, you were deep in thought. What’s on your mind?” he asks.
I get out, and he puts a towel around me. “I got a call from my aunt Elaine earlier I say. “What did she want?” he asks, and I tell him exactly what she said and what I said. “I know it’s just a ploy to get me there. She clearly wants money. I don’t know how to explain this Zander, but I
have always been afraid of her.
There is just something about her. I have a feeling that she wanted to do something to me.” say. “Has she ever tried to hurt you?” he asks. “Not that I know of. It’s just a feeling I always have around her. I’m sorry, I can’t explain better.” I say, and he pulls me into his arms.
།
“I do understand. I believe that she did try to harm you and that’s what your parents were arguing about the day of the accident.” Zander says. “But that was just a dream.” I say. “I really think it’s a repressed memory. I don’t mean to overstep Liz, but I spoke to Dr. Willis.
He referred us to a friend of his that specializes in recovered memory therapy. He has had good results and Dr. Willis believes that he can help you. He also agrees with me that your dream is your mind trying to remember,” Zander says.
“I will try it. I don’t like the way I feel when I am near her or talking to her.” I say and he nods. “I will make the appointment. We can go before our trip.” He says and I smile. “I can’t wait for our vacation,” I say and he smiles. “Me too. Some sun, the beach, you in a bikini, what more could I ask for?” He says and I chuckle.
“Let’s go get ready for your function. I hope you like the dress I chose.” I said, and he took my hand, and we went to our room. I showed him the dress and he smiled. “That is perfect, I am
will look lovely in it,” he said. “Are you sure you don’t mind?” I asked him.
sure you
“I don’t mind Liz. I was going to give everything away. I just never made the time to go through their things. You can have it all if you like. My mom loved to dress up. She would even dress up for dinner at home with us.” He
sounds like she was fun.
cays and chuckles. I would’ve really liked to meet her. She
We shower, and I do my hair while he gets
box. I open it and see
dressed. When I am dressed, he hands me a velvet a beautiful diamond necklace and matching earrings. “That goes.
perfectly with your outfit.” He says. “Where did you get these? I can just wear my Christmas gift,” I said.
Chapter 34: Elaine
“It’s part of my
my mom’s jewelry collection. They are all yours now. I don’t have a sister, and she
would’ve wanted the woman I love to have them.” He says. I kissed his cheek and smiled.
Thank you, Zander,” I said, and he smiled and helped me put the necklace on.
“There, you look absolutely stunning. I think we should go, because I am really getting the urge to undress you again.” He says and I chuckle and shake my head. “Fiend,” I say, putting on my shoes. He just chuckles and slaps my ass. We head out and he actually drives.
“Not planning on drinking tonight?” I ask. “No, not really.” He says and I nod. When we reach
the venue.
the place is already packed. “Where are we?” I ask, and he smiles when he looks at me. “It’s a fundraiser for the Sunflower fund. I thought you might like it. They were at the top of your list. This way you get to see firsthand what they do.” He says, and I smile.
Everything he does is so thoughtful. He really listens to everything I say. “Thank you, Zander, this is actually perfect.” I say and kiss his cheek. We went inside, and I was blown away by everything I had seen and heard. Many of the kids the foundation supports were also there, and I got to meet a few of them.
They are so brave, and I am in awe of their strength. They shared their hopes and dreams with us, and I was hooked. I had such a great time, until Keira showed up. She is just everywhere, isn’t she? And it seems mamma bear is in it to help her too.
Nats
