The Gossip Web (29 page)

             
“Dad,” I began smoothly, drawing in a deep breath. “I know you’re upset about Erika, but it’s better this way. She wasn’t right for you.”

             
“No, Jade!” My father retorted. “She was perfect for me. Erika was everything I was looking for in a woman. There wasn’t one characteristic she lacked.”

             
“She wasn’t perfect!” I replied angrily. “Jesus! You are so blind when it comes to her!”

             
“Jade, that’s enough! I will not sit here and listen to you bad mouth Erika! She has been nothing but kind to you.”

             
I laughed. “Oh really? And why do you think she acts so interested in me all the time, Dad?”

             
He frowned at me. “What is that supposed to mean?”

             
I sighed and replied, “Dad, Erika only wanted to get on your good side because it benefited her. It had nothing to do with me.”

             
“How so?”

             
The anger at my father melted away when I realized how much the truth would upset him. I didn’t want to inform him of the type of woman Erika really was, and what her intentions had been. It would crush him. But if I didn’t tell him now, then he wouldn’t get over her…and that’s exactly what he needed to.

             
After taking in a deep breath, I found the courage to say, “Dad, Erika was only dating you for your money.” 

             
My father did a double take. His jaw dropped at my remark and he mumbled, “What are you talking about, Jade?”

             
I shrugged and added, “I’m really sorry, Dad. I didn’t want you to find out this way, but the sooner you hear truth about her the better.”

             
He furrowed his brows, the corners of his lips twitching as he stared me down from the other end of the table. Suddenly, his face lost all expression before it flared with rage. I watched my father slam his fists down onto the table again, startling me into recoil.

             
“That is enough! Erika is a kind and decent woman! She is not the kind of person you think she is, Jade.”

             
I rolled my eyes, figuring he wouldn’t believe me. Why would he? Erika had him wrapped around her finger for so long.

             
“Right, Dad. That’s why she has all the free time in the world? To lounge around, or to go shopping? When does she work, huh?”

             
My Dad froze, eyeing me closely. “Wait a second…you think Erika doesn’t have a job?”

             
“She doesn’t! That’s why she’s after your money, Dad!”

             
Then, my father did something odd. He laughed. And laughed, and laughed, and laughed…making me feel stupid.

             
“Would you stop laughing at me!” I shouted angrily, crossing my arms.

             
My father obeyed me and his laughter ceased. He formed his mouth into a thin line and the amusement in his eyes melted away. “Jade, I want you to listen to me very carefully. Erika is not after my money. She has enough money to last her a lifetime, let alone a few shopping trips.”

             
I frowned, confused. “I don’t understand what you mean?”

             
He smiled once more and shook his head . “Erika is the CEO of her own company, Jade. She owns a marketing firm in Baywood.”

             
My jaw dropped, and I was stunned. Erika, a CEO? I was not expecting that. “Since when?” I asked him promptly, wondering why no one had told me. “Why didn’t Erika ever mention her job to me? Was it a secret or something?”

             
“Of course not, Jade!” My father snapped. “Erika never told you about it because she felt compelled to keep her business separate from her personal life. She did not want you to treat her differently because she had money.”

             
“I wouldn’t have!” I objected, feeling somewhat insulted. “It wouldn’t have affected my opinion of her one bit.”

             
“You say that now, but you don’t understand just how much money Erika possesses.”

             
I rose my brows, intrigued by my father’s comment, and I wondered just how much she was worth. “Well? How much are we talking about here, Dad? Is that why you were interested in her?”

             
He frowned at me and replied, “No, Jade. Erika’s money has nothing to do with how I feel about her. She’s a wonderful woman---kind and generous.” He paused to gaze steadily at me. “Who do you think paid for your Prom dress and accessories? The bill at the salon?”

             
My stomach lurched with shame, and I was forced to glance down at the table. “She did? But I thought you---”

             
“Erika wanted to pay for it, Jade,” he interrupted. “I told her she didn’t have to do that, but she insisted. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

             
I sighed, disgusted with myself for treating Erika so poorly. I had misjudged her, with no evidence to back up my suspicions. Why didn’t I ever just try to get to know her? Why had I always blamed her for trying to take my mother’s place when all she had really tried to do was be my friend? But the real question was, how could I act so cruel to the one person who had always acted genuinely interested in my well-being?

             
“I wish you would have told me, Dad. Maybe then---” My voice cracked and I closed my eyes, ashamed by the look my father sent me.

             
“Maybe you would have given her a chance?” He finished my sentence for me and I blushed, hating myself for acting so spiteful.

             
I nodded and added, “I’m really sorry, Dad. I shouldn’t have mistreated Erika. She didn’t deserve any of it.”

             
My father seemed saddened by my apology, and I hoped he knew that I was being sincere. “It doesn’t matter now, Jade. Our relationship is over. She won’t return my calls or texts. There’s nothing more I can do.” He sighed, glancing down at the table. “She’s gone.” I heard the sorrow in his voice and noticed how glassy his eyes had become. He was really suffering from losing her.

             
“Don’t say that, Dad! There has to be some way to get her back!” I urged him.

             
“Jade, she doesn’t want to upset your life any further---She’s made that perfectly clear to me. There’s nothing I can say or do to change her mind. What’s done is done.” He rose from the table then, taking the letter as he went.

             
“I have to get ready for work,” he stated, and I knew our discussion was over. “There’s left-over pizza in the fridge from last night. I hope that’ll be alright for breakfast.”

             
“It’s fine,” I whispered, not caring about food at that moment. I watched him exit the room with a heavy heart, knowing full well that this was all my fault. How could I have destroyed him this way? He wasn’t going to get over Erika, I was sure of that. He shouldn’t have to! They belonged together and I wasn’t going to stand in their way any longer. Besides, I had no reason to hate her. Apparently I never did.

             
No, I had to find a way to get Erika to take my father back, even if it meant I had to beg her on my hands and knees. Standing from the table, I went over to the refrigerator and pulled out the pizza my father had mentioned. I placed two pieces on a paper plate and popped them into the microwave, setting the time for thirty seconds. I stared at them, realizing how distraught my father really was. Under normal circumstances, he would have never allowed pizza for breakfast.

             
As I watched the pizza turn round and round, I came up with an idea to save my father’s relationship. It had to work, because if it didn’t and they never got back together, I would never forgive myself for breaking them up. When the microwave’s timer beeped, I prayed for the strength to save them, even if I didn’t have the power to save myself.

34

             
I WAS A COMPLETE MESS AT SCHOOL
. I couldn’t concentrate; all I thought about was Erika and how poorly I had misjudged her. What was wrong with me? Just because she was pretty I had treated her like garbage---placed her in the same category as Gloria and her drones. I never got the chance to know who Erika really was, and I couldn’t believe how easily envy could warp my mind. I thought about Trace too, feeling lonesome when he didn’t wait for me before class. Even though I was angry at him, I couldn’t deny the fact that I missed him.

             
After lunch I texted Heidi to meet me at our locker, eager to tell her of what happened the night before. Between ending it with Trace and destroying my father’s relationship, my heart was rushing with so many emotions. I needed to tell someone and get it all off my chest before I imploded. She was the only person I could confide in, and I prayed that after I told her I would feel better.

             
Thankfully, Heidi received my text right after class and met me as soon as she possibly could. Five minutes passed by before I spotted her honey head. She was almost running down the hall, brushing past students left and right as she hurried towards our locker. I noticed the anxious expression on her face and brightened at the thought of her worrying about me. It felt good to be worried about.

             
“Jade, are you okay?” Heidi asked hastily, after joining me at our locker. “Your text said it was urgent? What happened?”

             
I couldn’t hold it in any longer. As I attempted to answer Heidi’s question I started to cry. My face crumpled up and I covered my eyes, bawling as I slumped against the locker door. I struggled with my emotions, not having the strength to speak. All I could do was cry.

             
“Jade?” Heidi whispered my name sympathetically before I felt her arms curl around me protectively. She brought my head against her shoulder and stroked my hair kindly, providing just the comfort I needed.

             
“What’s wrong, huh?” She asked. “Why are you crying?”

             
“I’ve ruined everything, Heidi! Trace is gone, and I broke up my father’s relationship…everything is all my fault!” I sighed and wiped at my eyes. “I don’t know who I am anymore.”

             
“What are you talking about?” Heidi asked me worriedly. “What happened with Trace?”

             
I didn’t get the chance to answer her question. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, I spotted Gloria and Camille on the opposite end of the hall making an obvious beeline for me. With a loud groan, I pulled out of Heidi’s embrace just as the evil girls approached us. They intruded on our conversation without an invitation, smirking arrogantly as they both gave us the once-over.

             
Gloria studied me very closely, and her blue eyes darkened before she asked, “What’s wrong, Jade? Did Trace finally kick you to the curb?”

             
“Awh, poor little Jade…” Camille giggled nastily and crossed her arms.

             
“Yeah, how sad.” The corners of Gloria’s pretty mouth lifted into a smile as she added, “It’s about time Trace opened his eyes and dumped you.”

             
“Back off, Gloria!” Heidi spat, trying to edge her body in front of mine. “You two leave Jade alone. Or else.”

             
“Or else what?” Camille asked arrogantly. “What are you going to do, Heidi?”

             
Heidi grinned and set her bag on the floor near the wall of lockers. She approached Camille menacingly and said, “I’ll tear out all that beautiful hair you’ve got, Camille. When I’m through with you, you’ll be as bald as a cue-ball. I hope you’ve got some wigs on hand.”

             
Camille frowned and took a step back, eyeing Heidi fearfully. “Don’t you dare touch my hair!”

             
Gloria smirked at her friend’s terror. “Oh, Camille, don’t be such a pussy! She won’t do it. She doesn’t have the guts!”

             
Heidi smiled at her and replied, “You wanna bet, Gloria? I would love to scratch up that pretty little face of yours.”

             
“Touchy, touchy.” After rolling her eyes at Heidi, Gloria laughed. She ignored her threat and gazed back at me once more. “Jade, have you been crying?” She asked me with a smile. “Your eyes are all red and swollen.”

             
“It must be true then,” Camille spoke up and edged out of Heidi’s reach. Flipping her brown hair anxiously, she added, “I knew Trace would never pick her over you, Gloria!”

             
“Of course he wouldn’t,” Gloria stated wickedly. “He’s a smart guy…” She gave me a wink before whispering, “He wouldn’t waste his time on someone as pathetic as her. ”