Chapter 104
Sure,she knew them,buttheydidn’tknowherfromacanofpaint.
WhenLizettathoughtaboutRemington splashingoutbigbucksforEvelina’smusic,she
didn’tfeelitstrange.
“Probably,yeah.”
“Pfft,with Evelina’sviolin skills,tryingto hit it big in the art sceneisadead end. Nowonder she’sshellingoutfortunes.She’sgot her sights setonusing her violinist gig as asteppingstonebefore diving headfirstintoshowbiz.”
Yolandaclickedher tongue, clearly unimpressed.
Lizettakept mum. Remington was laying down the red carpet for Evelina, spoon–feeding her opportunities, even stooping to wine and dine with her. Talked about bending over backward.
JustthinkingaboutEvelina’sFacebookpostaboutchanging thedressingmadeLizettawannahurl.
WhenRemington’sgaze floatedover, Lizettaquicklylooked down,scaldedthecurrywithhotwater,andplaced theminfrontofYolandaand Hogan.
“Remi!Areyoujustgonnastandthereand watchthempick on me?”Shirley whinedforages,butRemingtondidn’tevenbat aneyelid,which really ticked her off.
Remington’seyes werestillonLizetta, noticing how her smile vanished into thin air the moment she saw him, and how she fussed over some other dude.
Theman’shandsome face turned a shade darker as he withdrew his gaze.
“What do you mean, ‘picking on you“?”
“Iwentover to say ‘hi‘ to Hogan and Lizetta, all excited, and her friend comes at me with water to throw in my face! Lizetta doesn’t even take my side and starts mocking me,sayingI’mcheap.”
Shirley made up a sob story, looking all wronged.
Lizetta stood up and strutted over, chin up, her gaze at Remington dripping with sarcasm, “Remington, why are you hanging out with these two?”
Evelina’s eyes welled up, “Sis, are you mad?”
“Not at all,” Lizetta said, the picture of innocence.
“Then why’d you talk to Remington like that? You must’ve gotten it wrong.”
Shirley felt like she’d heard Lizetta’s words before. Realizing what was happening, she quickly tugged at Evelina.
Evelinaturned, seeing Shirley looking all panicky. She was confused, but Shirley wasmentallycursing her for being such a lousy wingman today.
Lizettasmirked, “You got it wrong. I was just saying ‘hi‘ to you guys, exactly like Ms.ShirleyDashiell didjustnow!
Evelinawas mortified, and Shirley was on the verge of actual tears.
Remington cast acoldglanceather,“You call that a happy greeting?”
Shirleyfelt embarrassed and wronged. Evelina opened her mouthtodefendher,butshe wastheone who had justaccusedLizetta of havinganattitude.
“Apologize!” Remington commandedShirleycoldly.
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Shirleybitherlip,stubborn as ever.Lizettascoffedandwaveditoff,“Forgetit,it’s morethanyoucanhandle.Justdon’tdisturbour meal,okay?”
Sheturned toleave, butRemingtongrabbedherwrist.
“Shirley,”he said,hisvoicecalmbut clearlydispleased.
Shirleylookedup,eyes red,“I’msorry.”
“Sorrytowhom?”Remington’s patience was wearingthin.
Shirley’stears startedtofall;thistime her apology seemed a lot more genuine, at least onthesurface.
“Lizetta,I’msorryfor disturbing your meal.”
Lizetta nodded coolly and struggled to signal Remington to let go. Remington looked at Yolanda and Hogan, “Since we’ve bumped into each other, let’s all head to the private
room.”
Lizetta pulled her hand away, “No need, we’ve already ordered.”
Evelina said with a smile, “They can bring the dishes to the private room; come on sis, it’s been ages since we had a meal together after I came back.”
She tried to link arms with Lizetta, who dodged with a raised hand, fed up, “No, thanks.”
Evelina bit her lip, “Sis, are you still mad at me?”
Yolanda walked over and put her arm around Lizetta’s shoulders, “Ms. Hawthorne, you always have so much on your mind. I get social anxiety, I get indigestion around strangers, and of course, Liz needs to consider that.”
She walked off with Lizetta, while Remington’s gaze lingered on Hogan for a moment before leading the others away.
Lizetta sat back down, and Yolanda gave her a thumbs up.
“Liz, your acting’s not bad either; you nailed that Shrew Shirley!”
“Shrew Shirley?”
Hogan explained, “She’s like some woman who always stay with nostrils in the air, stinking to high heaven,and is practically a rat.”
She turned to Hogan, “Hogan, you know Shirley?”
Hogan simply said, “Met a few times, not close.”
“But Ms. Shirley Dashiell seems to have a huge crush on you, Dr. White,” Yolanda teased, her eyeslikealove radar.
Hogan’s smile grew slowly,“But I’ve already got someone I haveacrushon, and it’s not
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Ms. Shirley Dashiell.”
Hisgazeunintentionallyfell on Lizetta, who caughttheoverly tender look behindhisglasses and paused, her mind elsewhere.
Shirleyhad got her nose in the air,and Hogan was clearly from a notable family. But Lizettahadn’theard Hogan talk about it, nor had she seen him in the usual circles;shealwaysthought Hogan was just a regular doctor.
“Evelina’s planning to break into showbiz? The folks she was with are big names in theindustry,” Yolanda mentioned, as she was from a film academy and, though she hadn’t landedarole yet, she’d been on movie sets doing stunts, so she knew her showbiz folks.
way around
1
Then the waiter brought the dishes, and Yolanda, not wanting to make Lizetta feel awkward,dropped the subject.
But no sooner than the food hit the table, Hogan’s phone buzzed. Picking up, he frowned after a few words.
“What’s up, Hogan?”
“Got an emergency. I need to dash back for a ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. Sorry, afraid I can’t give you a ride later.”
He stood up, and Lizetta quickly waved him off, “Go!”
Hogan gave an apologetic smile and made a beeline for the exit.
“Man, being a doc is no cakewalk. Can’t even enjoy a good meal.”
Yolanda sighed and was about to dig in when she realized she was about to chow down on some sliced beef. Her utensil quivered, and the beef plunged back into her plate.
Lizetta couldn’t help but snicker at her startled reaction.
The restaurant was decked out in traditional style. Hogan stepped out and paused in the courtyard, looking up at the second floor.
Gingko leaves tinged with autumn hues, the carved windows open to the east, a man in ablacksuitstood at the window, the midday sun dancing across his sharp brow, not softening his aura of aloof solitude one bit.
Itwas Remington,a man green with jealousy.
Themoment Hogan got the call from the hospital, he knew this wasn’t just a coincidence.
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Remington’shandwasalloverit.
Eyeslocked,Hogan’sexpressionstayedput,giving a cordialnodbeforestridingaway. He was adoctor,afterall.Whetherthesurgerywaslegit or not,hecouldn’taffordtowastetime.
Lizettahad2smallappetite. Even though she was eating fortwonow, bythetime shewasfuli,Yolandawasjustgettingintotheswing of things.
Goodthing that girlworked off herfoodwithallthe exercises she did. Lizetta told her totakeher timeandheaded for the restroom.
Whilewashing herhands, voices started up outside.
“Eve,I’msojealous of you. Remi loves you so much, thinking of everything for you. With Remipavingthe way, you’ll be A–list this time next year!”
“Youtoo, let’s give it our all.”
Shirleyand Evelina came in all lovey–dovey, not a hint of surprise on Lizetta’s face.
Shirley wanted to savor Lizetta’s green–eyed misery, but Lizetta’s face gave away nothing. She barely glanced at them before making a beeline for the door.
Evelin
stepped forward, and Lizetta hastily retreated, moving so quickly it nearly gave Shirley a fright.
“What’s your deal? Jumping at shadows!” Shirley snapped.
Lizetta smirked, “Gotta watch out for scammers, right? If she takes a tumble and blames me for hurting her little golden nugget, who am I gonna argue with?”
Lizetta grabbed her phone, hit record, and faced Shirley and Evelina as she walked away.
Shirley, fuming,grabbed Lizetta, mindful of the recording, and changed her tune.
“Sorry about that, Lizetta. We didn’t realize you were here. Remi’s setting up a showbiz company for Eve, making her a star. You heard all about it, right? The folks we dined with today are big–name directors and producers. You don’t mind, do you?
By the way, Remi dropped 200 grand just so Eve could play her idol’s tune once. Bet you never guessed Remi had such a romantic side, huh?”
Lizetta raised an eyebrow. She knew alright. Remington wasn’t being romantic; he wasbeingplayed for a sucker.
Evelina’s smile was radiant, “Sis, you’re so pretty; why not join us in showbiz? Don’t worry; I’ll talk to Remington for you.”
Shirleyimmediately chimed in, “Eve, you’re too kind. Showbiz is all about being loved. You need good connections to make it. What hope does Lizetta have?”
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Theinsinuation was clear: Lizetta was the type people loved to hate,
Lizettacouldn’t stand their bragging and boasting, She nodded, her gaze landing on Evelina’s belly.
“No offense, but I’ve never seen a baby bump debut. But hey, you’re a special case, Who knows, maybe you’ll make it big riding on that bump, Good luck.”
She shook off Shirley’s grasp and walked away, leaving behind a trail of Shirley’s indignant
curses.
Heading back to the main hall, Lizetta didn’t expecttobe swept up by a strong arm around her waist and pushed against the wall just as she rounded the corner.