"Alexis where are we....."
"Shhh shush. Do you want my grandmother to see us?"
"Remind me why we're sneaking out?" Marj murmured trying to crane her neck so she could see what Alexis was looking at. But she was so tiny and she wasn't wearing her heels today so that task proved to be difficult.
"Grandma brought home a wife for Jayden. Do you want me to remind her I'm the older one and that she should have thought of bringing a husband for me first?"
"No. But it's not like she did. Where would she find one now?"
"Oh I don't even want to think about it. I bet she has a string of women stashed somewhere so that if Jayden doesn't like this one, she'll parade the others until he chooses one." Marj nodded and they went back to spying, making sure no one would see them leave. They were standing at the landing on the stairs leading downstairs and from there, they could see almost every corner of the living room. Her parents were bent over an iPad probably deciding which color to use when they redecorated the house.
That had gone way better than she'd expected. Her father had berated her mother for not telling him about wanting to redecorate the house so they'd decided to do it together. They were so busy with everything that when she asked for the car and apartment again, she had gotten them without a single protest. She hadn't stopped hi-fiving herself since then. Now she needed to do one more thing before settling down. Well, two actually. But first she had to leave without her grandmother seeing her. Motioning for Marjorie to follow her, they tiptoed down the stairs careful not to trip. Two more steps down and Marjorie's phone had to ring with the horribly loud ringtone she'd chosen. Her parents looked up just as Lucinda walked out of the kitchen with a cup of tea in hand. Apparently she was too old to drink coffee.
"Alexis, going somewhere?" she asked.
"What gives?" she asked twirling her hair.
"I don't know, your outfit?" Hayley said with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, No. We're just going to the garden. Bye guys" turning to Marjorie she said "run" they heard Lucinda saying she wanted to talk to them but they were out before she could finish that sentence.
"Are you going to tell me where you're taking me? With all the instructions you gave me, I'm inclined to think you're up to something."
"Aren't you going to pick up your phone?"
"No. It's my dad calling and unlike yours, mine wants to marry me off so he doesn't have to worry about my whereabouts or what I'm doing. Come to think of it, I think he and your grandmother will get along just fine"
"Didn't you say you liked Henry?"
"Yeah. But not enough to marry him. Besides don't think I can't see what you're doing here"
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"Tell me where we're going and why we had to dress like this? You know I don't like flat shoes because they do nothing for my height. And ass"
"I'll tell you when we get there"
"No. I am so not falling for that. Come on tell me what's going on or I go back inside"
"Gee have a little faith in me bestie. I would never do anything to get you into trouble" Alexis rolled her eyes. She'd been doing that a lot lately and she feared one of these days she'd roll herself into another dimension.
"See that right there is what worries me. The fact that you mentioned bestie, get and trouble in one sentence."
"Stop being dramatic. If you don't want to come then go back inside. It's not like I'm forcing you"
"Which is why I'm definitely coming. Now I'm curious as to what this is all about" Marj said then shook her head in disapproval. "The fact that you called a cab is scary. Seriously though what are you up to Alexis?"
Sighing, Alexis decided to tell her the truth or she would never hear the end of it. Marj could be nagging when she wanted to. "Fine I'll tell you. But you have to promise me you'll keep it to yourself."
She raised both her hands quickly "I promise"
"If you break this promise I swear I'll light your ass on fire"
"Christ, not my ass. How will I seduce Henry?"
"Marjorie!"
"Okay, okay."
"I got Connor suspended from school."
"What? How?"
"Planted drugs on him and called the Dean. It was actually way too easy"
"Drugs? Where did you get them from?"
"You know Shree, Nick's wife? Well she has this guy named Richie who used to supply her with a few joints. Still does btw. I told Deirdre, their daughter, to copy the number for me and I'll get Gavin to buy her a bunch of flowers. Apparently she has a crush on him."
"And this Richie guy gave you the drugs?"
"Sold them to me actually."
"How did they get into Connor's bag or wherever you planted them?"
"Paid someone to do it and before you start, I took precaution."
"Oh yeah? How?"
"I found someone online, mailed the package to them, then mailed them the money after the job was done. Pretty clever, huh?"
"Yeah" Marjorie drawled out her response not really seeing the point. "How does getting him suspended from school revenge? That's like a slap on the wrist because he'll be allowed to go back to school after a few days or weeks"
"Which is why I'm moving to the second phase of my plan. Get him expelled"
"I still don't get it Alexis. It's school. This is like the most boring revenge plan ever" she flipped her hair over her shoulder for emphasis.
"What you don't know is that Connor can't afford his school tuition so he relies on the scholarship he was offered. If he's expelled, then the scholarship will be revoked and knowing him, he will be devastated. And come crawling back to me so I could help but I'll kick him to the curb. But first I'll let him grovel, give him hope, then when he's counting on me, I'll tell him to rot in hell."
"Yikes. That's brutal girlfriend. I am so not breaking that promise I made earlier btw. Just so you know"
"Good. Because I meant it when I said I'd light your ass on fire."
"Got it."
The Cab stopped in front of a restaurant in Brooklyn that looked old. The building seemed like it might fall apart any second judging from how old it was. Alexis shivered even though it was the middle of August and the sun was glaring down at them. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. They could turn back, get in the cab that was still waiting for them and go back home where they would be safe. The looks they received from other people only served to say that even in their jeans and T-shirts they still looked out of place. "Alexis are sure this is the place?"
"Yeah." she turned to the cab driver and said "Wait for us. We won't be long"
"It'll cost you more money" she raised her eyebrow as if to ask if he thought he needed to tell her that. The man shut up nodding that he got the message alright. They could buy his car and his friend's cars without batting an eyelash.
"Okay Marj. Keep your mouth shut and just listen." they walked in the restaurant and she almost turned back. The place was crawling with flies even though the tables were wiped clean. The few people that were there spared them a glance and went back to eating swatting the flies away every time they came near their food. A guy at the back raised his hand, signaling him over.
"Alexis....." Marjorie started but she cut her off.
"Shut up Marj or go back to the cab and wait for me"
"I hope you know what you're doing" she mumbled to herself but Alexis heard her. She also hoped Marj was right. This could turn sideways any minute which was the more reason why she was going to hurry it up. They approached the table where the guy was and sat opposite him. She made the mistake of leaning on the table and the stickiness made her want to throw up.
"Lex right?" he asked. His voice, the way he looked with the tattoos, piercings, dirty finger nails and yellow teeth all pointed to someone they shouldn't mess with. She'd asked Rich to recommend someone who would do what she wanted. This is not how she pictured that guy but she didn't have a choice. She could of course stop what she was planning but there was no way in hell she was going to chicken out. Connor had lied to her so he had to pay.
"Yes."
"So what can I do you for? Rich said you wanted someone good. I'm good with everything. Everything." he emphasised on the last word flexing his fingers.
"Good. I just need you to put this guy in a car full of drugs then call the police" Marj turned to face her but she kicked her under the table to shut her up.
"That is all well and good but where will I get the drugs from? And a car?"
"Rich will give you the drugs. I'll give you money to buy an old useless car." She reached into her pocket and took out a picture of Connor. She'd written all the info he'd need on the back. "This is him."
"Who's to say I won't run away with the money?"
"One I'll hunt you down. Two because compared to what I'm paying you, this is cheap change" the guy tried to hide it but she could see the dollar signs in his eyes.
"Okay mama. I'll call you when it's done"
"Don't. I'll know when it's done then send you your payment. I'll even add a bonus if I'm happy with your work"
"Yeah. Okay."
"Good. I never want to see your face again. Do your job, get paid and that's it. Pleasure doing business with you" Alexis turned to Marjorie and said "Let's go" they got up and left as quickly as they came. She didn't dare breathe until the cab sped away.
Then Marjorie exploded "What the fuck Alexis?"
"Still think it's boring?"
"I think it's crazy. Don't get me wrong, I want to break Connor's face but this? It'll ruin his life. Do you know how long he'll spend in jail?"
"Don't care. He deserves it"
"Six months. He won't just lose his scholarship, he'll lose everything."
"Since when are you lady justice?"
"Since we're ruining someone's life. Come on Alexis, you're not the first or last woman to be cheated on."
"If you don't like what I'm doing then fine. Just don't go blabbing it to anyone or I'll end our friendship."
"Are you threatening me now?"
"No. I'm saying be loyal. You are my friend but if you dare tell anyone about this, I won't like it. You know what happens when I don't like things"
Marjorie regarded her for a second then nodded. Alexis didn't understand her. Just the other day she couldn't wait to help her. Now she was being all high and mighty? Whatever. She didn't care. All she wanted was for Connor to pay. He'd probably call her the second he was arrested thinking she would help him. Which she totally would, Just not in the way he thought. He had it coming. Maybe this will teach him not to make false promises ever again.
Her second task was to see Vince. When they got there, Marjorie refused to get out of the cab claiming she was going home. Alexis shrugged and let her. Maybe she'd go back to being her best friend after a few hours of sulking.
"Alexis. What a pleasant surprise"
"Hey Jazz. Is Vince in?"
"Yeah. He's in the study"
"Okay. I'll go talk to him then we can catch up. I need some advice"
"Great. I'll go get my book" Jasmine said closing the door.
"What book?"
"My advice book. It contains everything. From fashion to relationship to bedroom advice. And from experience, I know it works because I've tried almost half of what is written in there"
Alexis scowled at her. "Jesus, you and mom think alike. If I didn't know you were related to dad, I'd say you're her relative"
She beamed "I'll take that as a compliment." then she rushed towards her bedroom to get the book. Shaking her head she went to see Vince.
"Knock knock"
Vince looked up from the papers he was reading. "Hey. Come in."
"I hope I'm not disturbing you"
"No honey. This can wait."
"Okay. So I need your help"
"Ask away as long as its not anything illegal"
Alexis scoffed "Like I would actually come to you when I want to break the law. What I need is your help in erasing the Rutherford Princess from the internet"
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"You basically own an IT company. The largest one in this country. I'm sure one of your guys can do that"
"True. But why do you want to do that?"
"Because I want to find a job" at that, he sat up and she knew what he was about to suggest so she rushed to say "And no. I'm not coming to work for you or dad."
"Why not?" he asked confusion marring his features.
"I want to know what it's like to have a real job. The hustle of finding one and working like every other employee out there without special treatment. The Rutherford Princess can't have that. People will trip over their own feet to please me. I don't want that Vince"
"You don't know how happy it makes me to hear that. I'll get someone on it but it might take a while to take down everything."
"Well you have a week"
*****************************************
Sometimes I don't know what to think of Alexis. Hot or Cold?