"Here you are with these women, and you told us on the phone not long ago that you were doing a magazine shoot. Do you know them? Marlena's biggest enemy is Janet, and Isla is the
the cunning fox that took away her lover.
"Whom do you call deceitful? Take care your expression." answered the dog pretty angrily;
Janet reached out and gave Paige a little push.
Marlena stretched and tried to grab her friend, but not before taking a disgusted look at the cluster of women.
If she had known this was going to happen, she never would have came. But she couldn't help but feel like Cindy had truly done her wrong.
"Why you hanging with them so heavy, Cindy? You the one who know my history with Janet better than anybody else but it's different with Isla.
"Why?" Janet draped her arm around Cindy, a self-satisfied smile breaking across her face. Seriously, do you have to ask? Not only did you give up your right to our Cray family inheritance, but now you're staying in crappy budget motels. Cindy didn't need to be friends with someone like you. You're just a fallen phoenix and she's the world's newest vocal sensation! You don't matter."
Marlena locked eyes with Cindy. "I want to hear it from your mouth."
Cindy took off her sunglasses and gave Marlena a withering stare. "I'm sick of always saying no to you and I needed the space, so you just as well hit me now as any time," she replied, adding after a pause, "it's not my fault you don't know your place. Do I have to draw you a picture every fucking time?"
Marlena looked at the made-up face in front of her and felt defeated.
Grayson and Cindy had only been nice to her because she was the Cray family's next in line.
"Are you kidding me, Cindy?" Paige shouted. "Did you already forget how Janet used to treat you? And Cathy didn't make you help her with the music."
"Stop trying to use your past to blackmail me. I'm not of this world like her," Cindy hastily interrupted.
"Paige, listen to me. Some people will just bring you down and it's best if you stay away from those people."
"Shut up! Friends are suppose to help each other out with no strings attached. Don't you get it?" Paige's anger was easily detected in her voice.
"Just forget it, there's no reason to stoop to their level." Marlena had a blank look on her face and grabbed Paige's arm. "We're eating here. C'mon, lets go."
Cathy, is this woman crazy or what? she has seen you as nothing as a good friend. if it wasn't for you Cindy wouldn't be in the position she is now. did she ever forget how Janet used to dog her? i'm sorry it took me so long to see what type of person Cindy truly was.
Marlena looked down at the floor. Her pretty delicate face remained expressionless.
"Cathy, don't you get angry? Don't you want to scold her?"
"I do. But what good will it do?" There was a slight self-mocking twist at the corner of her mouth. A look of small sadness flickered in her eyes. But it's true. Grayson left me and my real parents hardly know me, even though they were my playmates. I'm homeless, jobless and friendless. Cindy is the least of my worries.
Angry and apologetic, Paige spun to look at her friend. "My dad really said that. I'm here in Summit Group for one reason, to be of assistance to Isla. If I don't want that destiny, then I can walk away from the company."
A sad smile formed on her lips. "I left because, obviously, I didn't want that."
Paige tried to cheer her up. Stop it. You'll be sure to get more recognition elsewhere with your talents.
A waiter came to them at the same time.
"Sorry, do you have a reservation miss?"
"Yes, I did speak to Manager Lorenz before." Paige indicated the manager who stood at a distance from the reception area.
Manager Lorenz strode towards them. I have booked a private room for you, Miss Keaton. Allow me to show you the way.
Janet's voice was heard in the same instant behind them.
'Supervisor Lorenz, today I bring a couple of friends. Any private rooms left?'
The manager was struck speechless. But among the women he spotted Cindy and his face brightened. "Could this be singer Cindy Orville?"
The latter smiled sweetly. "You sure have a way with that face of yours, Manager Lorenz. I just said to Cindy how fine the food is here." Janet grinned, "And her engagement book was open for tonight."
The situation was too much for Manager Lorenz. "I know Miss Orville's got a voice, and I like her." I'm sorry, but we're completely booked tonight."
"There was one you had reserved for them, wasn't there?" Janet asked Marlena from the side of her mouth.
Anger flamed up in Paige. "We booked the hotel and everything ahead of time. Get a booking if you want to eat here.
There was nothing Manager Lorenz could do. They were both Baird women, and they both came from the same rich Brighton family stock at that. He'd be foolish to rile them."
Janet pointed at Isla, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Supervisor Lorenz, I don't know why I should introduce you to Cindy," she said and motioned to the woman standing beside Cindy. "But you probably won't know this lady. Her father owns Summit Building Design Group, he's going to retire soon, and she'll inherit his company. As for Miss Keaton's friend here, well…" Janet shrugged dismissively before grinning. "…she's just this lady's gopher."
The Summit Group, one of the 300 wealthiest companies in the country, a name every resident of Brighton knew.
Also, Janet came from a well-off family. Paige and her friend looked like they were the lesser in comparison.
Paige snapped back. Less my ass. That lady over there is nothing but a damn thief who enjoys stealing people's stuff.
Isla's expression transformed slightly. Janet grinned, putting every ounce of focus on the man. "Manager Lorenz, do we have a room now?"
"Yes, certainly."
In a moment Manager Lorenz said. "Miss Keaton, I forgot that I was supposed to reserve Miss Spencer's room before you this time. You'll have to return."
Marlena narrowed her eyes at him in disbelief. "You are not serious, Manager Lorenz!"
Paige put on some sleeves. "You think you can intimidate me? With a quick call to my big brother and this place of yours will be shut down within seconds.
"No worries, manager Lorenz. We'll take total responsibility." Isla grinned.
The management was satisfied with her response. "I'm an employee, Miss Keaton. You can't order me around. Now, if you please, get out and stay out of our customer's way." "What if I don't? Will anyone get to eat here then?"
She reached over and broke a vase in her hand.
The manager's face turned instantly emotional. He said to the waiters next to us, "Please take them out."
A couple of burly men pushed Marlena and Paige out to the entranceway before she could object. She was manhandled by the bouncers. They knocked her off balance, and she tumbled to the pavement in her high-heeled shoes.
Still, she decided to leave and the wait staff pretended not to see her and hustled her out of the restaurant before she got up.
Marlena felt like a bag. Her knees were not hers nor were her arms.
"Let her go!"
The voice of some guy who couldn't care less echoed from somewhere behind them.
A beat skipped in her heart.
Could it be possible that…?