“Where do you come from Rochelle?” He asks.
“Georgia, Sir,” she states, standing taller. Making me do the same. What I really want to do though, is haul her off somewhere private, keep her away from Edward’s interrogation, and finish what we started in the alcove.
Edward takes a sip of his scotch. “What part?” He grits out, his demeanor slightly relaxing now that he has had a drink.
“Savannah area, Sir. Tybee Island to be exact.”
Something dark flashes across the old man’s features, but he masks it by taking another sip of his drink. “Any family?”
“No, Sir. Just me and my Momma. We moved here when I was 15. We live in Orange County, on PCH.”
He takes a moment and digests all that she has just said. But if I know Edward like I think I do, the wheels in his head are spinning.
“What does your mother do for a living?” He questions, making Rochelle drop my hand and start to wring both of hers together in front of her.
“Well,” she begins, and I turn her way. Silently, my step-father and I wait for her to answer. I wouldn’t mind a few more answers to that question myself. “My mother doesn’t work, Sir.” I’m too focused on her to see Edward’s response, but from the way her face changes it can’t be good. Quickly, she tries to cover up any misunderstanding. “I take care of her. I have since we moved here. She is sick, and in and out of doctor’s offices weekly. With the little we had moving West, I had to quickly find work to help pay the bills, including the medical ones for Momma’s condition.”
“Which is?” Edward ask slightly angered. But I stay focused on Rochelle, to this new information that I am just now hearing thanks to the unrelenting man in front of us.
“She doesn’t talk about it much,” she whispers. “And the doctors are still trying to figure it out, to be honest.”
“So, you go to school?” Edward continues his questioning.
“Yes, Sir. I am enrolled in cosmetology school at GoldenWest.” She states, before shamefully glancing towards the floor. “It’s not much, but it’s a start. One day I would like to open my own shop.”
Glancing up at Edward, his look softens. “Hell this man knows all about that,” I laugh, trying to break up the tension in the room. “Edward is always bragging about how he came from nothing and made something of himself with my Dad. Isn’t that right, Old Man?”
Edward turns and looks at me and I swear I see fear flash in his eyes, something entirely not normal for the always put-together President of Fox. He quickly rises and makes his way towards the both of us, masking it well. “Do us both a favor, Rochelle,” he says. “Keep this one in check for me.” He nods in my direction. “Trust me, there will come a day when you realize he is more trouble than he is worth.”
She nervously laughs before whispering, “Yes, Sir. But I could never think that. Hunter has been nothing short of a God-send. He’s helped save me. He’s made me see things in myself, I’ve never seen before.”
Stunned, Edward glances my way. Rochelle looks up at me with that new beautiful, breathtaking confidence I love. Grinning, I tell her, “You too, Angel. Truth is, you’ll never know just how much you rescued me.”
“What did I miss?” Sylvia’s voice sounds from the doorway as she makes her way into the room. She eyes Rochelle curiously before she turns questioning eyes on Edward.
“Nothing, Sylvia,” he says, attempting to put her mind at ease. “This is Hunter’s friend, Rochelle.”
“Girlfriend,” I correct, which makes Sylvia falter slightly as she takes her place next to Edward. She looks at him curiously, having to be thrown by the fact that I never bring a girl home.
“Nice to meet you, Rochelle,” she says, ever the perfect hostess as she extends her hand to the woman at my side. “How long have you known our Hunter?”
“Long enough,” I interject before anyone else can say a word. Edward and Sylvia look at one another and an exchange of sorts is made between them that I can’t read.
“Well,” Sylvia says. “Has she met Victoria yet? Perhaps we should introduce her to Tiffany?”
Rochelle tenses at the mention of the viper and I shake my head causing Sylvia to stop. “She’s met them both. But I’d prefer it if Tiffany was the farthest person from her tonight.”
Sylvia eyes me curiously before giving me a knowing nod and glancing back at Rochelle. “Come,” she says, reaching out to grab my Angel’s hand. “Let me introduce you to a few people and show you around. I don’t know where Hunter’s manners are, but I will count on you to correct him later for his rude behavior and not getting you acquainted with your surroundings earlier.”
She shoots me a teasing look as she whisks Rochelle away and leaves me alone once again with Edward.
“That is trouble, Son.” Edward says behind me as we both watch the women we love take their exit. “More trouble than you know.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask angrily, turning around to meet his stare. But the look in his eyes, the one that has been haunting me since I showed up with Rochelle on my arm, startles me and I stop speaking. He looks as if he’s seen a ghost. Anxious. Nervous. Fearful.
My blood boils. He’s once again trying to put me in my place, and understand our name comes with certain responsibilities.
“She’s not trouble. You’re just mad I won’t stand up and take my spot next to you. News flash. I left the Hollywood scene a long time ago and I don’t plan on coming back.”
