Deadly In Stilettos (17 page)

             
When she was young, Demi promised that once she grew up, she would never let other people make her feel bad about the color of her skin. At dinner that night, she would do her best to stay away from the topic as much as possible. She had no intentions of getting into a major discussion about race with her hosts. “Be on you best behavior,” she told herself.

             
Demi was just finished getting ready when the phone rang. The front desk was calling to let her know her car was there. Excited, Demi paused to check her appearance once more. She felt amazing in the gold dress and shoes. She hoped Greg thought so too. She accessorized with gold stud earrings and a matching bracelet, just what the outfit needed. Simple yet elegant.

             
The natural look of her makeup was flawless, adding a soft, sensual glow to her caramel complexion. With her hair swept up into a French twist, she looked like she was ready for the runway. Although she wore her natural hair, she always found new ways to style it. Many people didn’t even know she wasn’t on the “creamy crack”, as perms were called, and she couldn’t care less. She took pride in being true to herself, and after seeing photos of her mother with her naturally curly hair. Demi knew she would never become a victim of the harsh chemicals so many women were addicted to.

             
Just as she grabbed her small clutch, her cell phone buzzed. She answered curtly.

             
“Well somebody sure sounds pissed,” the caller said.

             
Demi recognized the voice. It was her one time friend Anya Bankston, whom she had not spoken with in ages. She immediately wondered why she was calling, and so out of the blue. I red flag quickly went up.

“Oh Anya, I’m running out the do
or. Do you mind if I call you back later?”

             
“Demi, it is very important that we speak. I have some terrible news that I think you should hear. I will let you go for now, but please call me back tonight. I will wait up to hear from you. If you do not call me, I will call you back. This is a serious matter.”

             
Demi was tempted to hear Anya out, but someone knocked on her door. Had the hotel sent someone to escort her to her car? Or maybe it was Greg. They were going to go in separate cars, but perhaps he changed his mind. Knowing that he could possibly be on the other side of the door, sent butterflies soaring through her stomach, Demi felt like she was going to panic.

             
“Okay Anya, I will call you back tonight when I get in. I promise.”

             
‘
That was really strange
’
Demi thought as she walked over to the door. Just as she hoped, Greg greeted her with a smile that sent her into orbit. He handed her a bouquet of yellow roses. The man looked delicious. Demi immediately didn’t trust herself with him. She thought of the things she wanted to do to him, and arousal poured through her. She put the roses in a vase with water, and then they took the elevator down to the car. Several people they passed admired them. They were the perfect couple.

             
Anya Bankston was furious. Deminis Bradshaw had some nerve blowing her off again. The other calls seemed to get her attention, so if she did not hear from Demi before the night was over, she would go back to her original plan. She had been in the background of Demi’s life for years. Now she wanted to have her chance in the spotlight. Demi owed her that much, since she had covered for her so many times over the years when her aunt was about to catch her with Troy.

             
Anya always had a crush on Troy Dunbar, but never had the nerve to tell him. He and her brother were best friends. So were she and Demi. They were around each other all the time.

             
Demi and Troy met at Anya’s house, when Demi came over to spend time with her after school, and Troy was there with her older brother. They hit it off immediately. Soon after, they became a couple. Although Troy and her brother were in college at the time, that didn’t stop him from liking Demi, just like all the other boys, including her brother. She had that effect on people, without seeming to know that she did. Anya had been one of them when they first met.

             
Demi was shy with Troy at first, thinking of what her Aunt Charlotte would say or do to Troy if she found out about them. Anya helped push the issue without knowing she was doing so until it was too late. She helped Demi and Troy begin and end their short-lived teenage love affair. She shouldn’t have helped them, she thought. Anya would have let Troy ditch Demi and go on to the next girl, if she had known he would eventually take Demi away from her.

             
While Demi and Troy’s relationship became more and more exclusive, Anya plotted her revenge. She still hung out with Demi whenever she wasn’t with Troy, but it wasn’t the same as before. Troy and Demi always seemed to be together, doing any and everything. On several occasions when Demi’s aunt called Anya’s house looking for Demi, Anya covered for her. Then she called Demi to warn her. Anya got real tied of that routine and decided to confront Demi about it.

             
When she went over to Demi’s house to talk with her, she found Demi in tears because Troy had just finished beating her before he dropped her off. Demi made Anya promise never to say a word about what she knew. Anya promised, although deep down inside she was glad Demi was getting just what she deserved. In fact, she wished more horrible things on Demi at that moment. She wanted Demi to suffer for stealing her boyfriend away from her and then ignoring her as if she didn’t exist.

             
After that, their friendship got back to the way it used to be. When Demi’s aunt passed away, Anya and Sidney Kickass were the only people there to comfort her. Even Troy did not come to see how she was doing. A few weeks went by, and then suddenly, Troy popped back into the picture. Anya was determined not to lose her friend again, so she went to Troy and threatened him. She told him what she knew, making it clear that if he did not leave and let Demi be, she would destroy him. The next thing Anya knew, Demi ran off with Troy. The next time they spoke, Anya learned about all the nasty things Troy did to her, and that Demi was living somewhere in the desert. She was outraged. All she wanted to do was go find Demi and bring her back to Dallas, so that they could continue their friendship. She did want Demi to suffer more, but kept those words inside her heart. Demi never came back, though, and the next time she heard from her they both were attending Princeton. It was also before Anya’s nervous breakdown.

             
To this very day, Anya Bankston had not forgiven Deminis Bradshaw. How could someone who claimed to be a friend just walk out and never say good-bye? Anya would never let Demi forget what she done for her. Did Demi know that Anya knew all about her? In fact, she knew everything and everywhere Demi had been in the past ten years. At first, Anya just wanted to find Demi to tell her how much she missed her. When she found out Demi was having an affair with one of her Princeton professors, Anya lost respect for her. Whenever she saw Demi on campus, Anya made a U-turn.

             
Anya did not want to judge her, but how could she not? The Deminis Bradshaw she knew was dead to her. The fact that she wanted everything Demi had was one of the driving forces for why Anya wanted Demi to suffer. She had even gone to the professor Demi was seeing, threatening to go to the dean if he did not break it off with her. When that didn’t work, Anya threw herself at him, only to look like a fool. He even used her whenever he wasn’t able to be with Demi. He drugged and raped her, which led to her nervous breakdown and time spent in a mental hospital. That only fueled Anya’s anger toward Demi even more, but not any longer. Anya would get her revenge one way or another.

Demi wondered what was so important that Anya wanted her to call her back that night. They had been friends a long time ago, but when she left with Troy, they barely kept in touch. There was something really strange about Anya. Demi thought back to the day
she watched Anya leave Professor Stratton’s office. After that day, she never saw Anya around campus again. She did not even attend graduation, and they were in the same graduating class. Demi made a mental note to learn what happened that particular day.

             
When Demi left Dallas, she knew that Anya would be devastated, but when she started seeing Anya around everywhere, she got a bit concerned. What was Anya trying to do? Was she still upset about Demi’s relationship with Troy? Had she known that Anya liked Troy, she would have never dated him, and that would have saved her a lot of grief.

             
Demi shook off the memories, bringing herself back to the present. She would deal with Anya later. For now, she had a fine ass man sitting next to her in the back of a plush car, looking quite handsome. Everything was perfect from the moment she opened the door to him. He was still smiling from ear to ear and looking sexy in a black Versace suit. Demi was speechless. Her heart was beating so fast, she almost lost her balance. Greg Stanley knew fashion, and well. He cleaned up nicely Demi concluded scanning his body from head to toe.

             
Greg caught Demi’s arm and held her close, closer than necessary. He reminded her so much of Makei, it made Demi’s heart flutter. She missed Makei and the small gestures of kindness he always extended to her. She shook the thought out of her mind. Makei was dead. It wasn’t fair to Greg to be thinking of another man in his presence, but it was hard not to. Demi closed her eyes and breathed deeply trying not to cry. Her heart was still in mourning for Makei. But he was now a distant memory. She had to let him go once and for all. Opening her eyes again, she could see that Greg had taken the moment to check her out. Judging by his expression, he approved of her appearance.

             
“What,” she asked grinning.

             
“Wow! Damn, girl. You look stunning. Those shoes are tight!”

             
“Thank you. And thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful, and also my favorite. But we’re going to be late if we don’t leave now. Let’s go please.”

             
How did he remember her love for yellow roses? She mentioned that during their time together in the spa. She was impressed by Greg’s attention to detail. She also knew that when they talked, he truly listened, taking in her every word.

             
“You are very welcome,” Greg said. He leaned close and gave her a light kiss. The older couple in the elevator with them smiled at each other. Embarrassed, Demi blushed, smiling at the older couple. Greg apologized and held her closer to him. As the elevator descended, Demi glanced at the older couple and hoped that she and Greg would have what they seemed to still have for each other many years from now. Demi knew one thing for certain. She would work really hard on their relationship. It had taken her too long to find true love again, and now that Makei was gone, she would not let it go. If Greg was sincere, so would she be.

             
Traffic in the city was light. Demi and Greg reached their destination right on schedule. Some of the other dinner guests were just arriving as their car pulled into the circular driveway. Laurel and her mother Susan greeted them at the front door.

             
The Cordwright home was exquisite. The huge entryway led to a grand foyer that was bigger than most apartments. The mahogany wood floors gave a cozy feeling, while the winding staircase seemed to go on forever. The salon was just off the massive, formal dining room, and was filled with both antique and modern furniture that somehow complemented one another.

             
Huge Persian and Italian rugs covered the wood floors, so that all the rooms in the downstairs seemed to flow together. Demi was used to visiting places like this as part of her job, but the Cordwright’s home was truly on a different level of wealth. She already noticed that as they drove through acres of private land before even reaching the house. The ten-car garage was another indication as to what kind of people called this gorgeous work of art home. The dining room was breathtaking, filled with several bright color combinations that Demi would never have thought to put together. The blues with the reds, the yellows with the purples, worked great.

             
Place cards indicated where each guest would sit. Demi was surprised to see that she and Greg were not seated next to each other. She found that strange and would address that issue with Laurel as soon as she could. Greg looked disappointed too, but promised it was fine. As the guests took their seats, Demi saw Enry and L’Oreal walking into the dining room together
.
Oh boy
!
She thought.

             
To Demi’s disbelief, Enry was seated next to her. When she looked down the table at Greg, he appeared outraged. And L’Oreal was next to him
.
Laurel will hear about this
,
Demi thought as she eyedLaurel, smiling as she welcomed some late guests
.
What is she up to?

            
 
Greg could see the rising anger on Demi’s face, and he got her attention to signal her that she had nothing to worry about. On the other hand, Enry and Laurel better watch out. He was not into playing any games that night. They did not want to piss him off. All day long he looked forward to this evening. Demi was the only person in the house that he remotely cared about. The others could go straight to hell. If someone did anything to upset Demi, they would pay dearly. Greg smiled at her and immediately saw calm enter her eyes. He also saw that she was still furious. That was another thing he loved so much about her. She was passionate about everything she did, and would not be disrespected by anyone, no matter whom
.