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THE WINDING DRIVE UP to Gloriana Manor felt both familiar and unsettling. It had been days since I set foot on these grounds, days since I left a piece of my heart behind. My truck rumbled through the gate, the towering mansion slowly coming into view. I dreaded and looked forward to coming back here.
Amber met me in the driveway, her expression flustered and worn. She looked exhausted. There was a bead of sweat on her forehead, telling me she had been busting her ass. “Catherine, you shouldn’t be here,” she said with a shake of her head.
“What do you mean? I brought the antiques for you to use.”
It was a little offensive to think I was no longer allowed at the property I poured my heart and soul into. If Timothy was kicking me out, he was going to have to get the balls to tell me himself.
“Thanks. You can just leave them by my van and I’ll get them taken care of.” She looked around like she was expecting the bogeyman to jump out.
“Is something wrong?” I asked her.
“No.”
“Blink twice if there’s a crazy man in there,” I said.
Amber glanced around nervously. “There’s a woman here, claiming to be Mrs. Hastings. She’s been giving orders, taking over everything.”
“What?” I gasped. “Mrs. Hastings?”
She nodded. “I couldn’t handle it anymore. I quit. I do not get paid enough to deal with that bullshit.”
My heart sank at the mention of Mrs. Hastings. It had been days since I talked to Timothy. I didn’t think he would run off and get married overnight, but if he had a mistress or something else, maybe she was just preparing herself for when she was Mrs. Hastings.
“Where’s Timothy?” I asked.
“He’s supposed to be back from a business trip to New York today,” Amber said. “I tried to stay to tell him about this woman, but I can’t take it. I’m sorry, Catherine. Your efforts in finding antiques might be in vain.” The frustration explained the perspiration I saw on her face. Nothing ever got under Amber’s skin.
“What did he say?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she hissed. “I appreciate all the work I get, but I’m not working for anyone that vile. I don’t care how much money it costs me.”
I looked at the house, debating what to do. “I brought those lamps we talked about.”
“I’m sorry, but that woman is not going to want them. I’m taking a lot of the stuff back with me. Now, I’m stuck with inventory I couldn’t afford.”
“Timothy will pay,” I said.
“I don’t want to deal with it,” she said. “Trust me, get in your truck and drive away. Save yourself.”
Amber climbed into her van and drove away, leaving me standing alone in the driveway. I wasn’t one to quit anything, but neither was Amber and she was running scared. While I debated what to do, an elegant woman, poised and confident, appeared in the front door. She looked to be in her mid-forties and was very beautiful. She had the look of someone with money and a lot of it.
“There you are,” she said with a hint of disgust in her voice. “I want this floor in the foyer polished. I told you to get it done.”
I looked behind me to see if she was talking to someone else. “Me?” I asked.
“Well of course, you! Where is your uniform? I made it very clear all staff is to be in uniform at all times. I need to know who is in my house.”
It felt like I had fallen into the Twilight Zone. “Excuse me?” I said with confusion.
The woman stepped out of the doorway and marched toward me. “Don’t you ever speak to me in that tone again.”
“I don’t know who you are or what you are talking about,” I said as calmly as possible.
“You’re fired! Done! I will not tolerate insubordination.”
I had to keep from laughing. It felt like I was being set up for some practical joke. The way the woman was practically shooting flames out of her nostrils said she was very serious.
“I’m sorry, but I think you are mistaking me for someone else. I’m not the staff and I don’t work for you.”
“Who are you?” she snapped.
“Catherine,” I declared, refusing to bow to her presumed authority. “I’ve been working on this restoration project with Timothy. Where is he?”
She gestured vaguely. “Busy with his affairs. He should be back shortly.”
“I see,” I said. “I am the contractor. I’d like to follow up on some things.”
She looked me up and down and laughed. “Sure, contractor. Is that what he told you to say?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, barely containing my anger.
“And I don’t know who you are. No, you cannot look at anything or whatever. I’m the lady of the house and I’m telling you to get off my property.”
It all started to fall into place. This had to be Regina. Why she was claiming to be the lady of the house, I had no idea. The fact she was here and taking ownership could only mean one thing—Timothy had taken her back.
When? That was my only question. How long had they been together? Was there ever a divorce or had I fallen for another bullshitter that could spin some tall tales?
“Fine,” I said, not interested in arguing with the woman.
I walked back to my truck and was about to get in when a car pulled into the large, circular driveway. I watched as Timothy climbed out. Bennet got out of the other side. He looked from me to his wife.
“What is Regina still doing here?” Timothy demanded.
I didn’t know what the hell was going on but I was not interested in playing whatever game was unfolding.
“Catherine,” he said.
I looked at him, every ounce of pain I felt in that moment reflected in my eyes. The betrayal cut deep. I was afraid I would double over from the pain if I didn’t get out of there. Regina was standing in the driveway with her hands on her hips and a smug smile on her face.
I climbed into my truck and prayed the engine started on the first try. Thankfully, it did. I put it in drive and hit the gas.
“Catherine!” Timothy called out and walked after my truck.
I punched it, my tires squealing. I barely made it through the gate that was closing. Tears were burning the backs of my eyes. I refused to cry. I was so sick of crying over men that didn’t deserve my tears. Despite my attempts not to do it, the tears fell, blurring my vision and threatening to cause a wreck.
I pounded my hand against the steering wheel, cursing Timothy and his lies. Why me? That was the line that kept running through my head. What did I do to deserve Scott and then Timothy? I had never been anything but loyal and faithful. Why couldn’t I find a man that adhered to those same principles? Were there any good men left?
The tears became too much and I had to pull over to keep from causing an accident. I buried my face in my hands and let the sobs roll over me.
THE END
