Chapter Three
Connie Simms was a 19 year old college student who lived with her mother, brother and stepfather. Her 42 year old mother Lora Simms moved-in with 47 year old James Bradwell three years ago almost five years after the death of her father. James was like a hero who rescued them from the almost destitute life they were living.
Their life of luxury took a downhill turn soon after the death of her father forcing her beautiful mother who was used to a comfortable life to end up working in a diner to support her kids. The money she earned was just enough to keep them from living in the streets and for clothing, as for food, she would make sure every night to bring leftovers from the diner.
It was while she was working at the diner that she met the middle aged fair looking James Bradwell who had been divorced a few years back and had no kids. James immediately swept her off her feet and they both agreed to live together before tying the knot a move that infuriated Lora’s family. James totally changed their life that Lora had to quit working at the diner and almost started living the life she was used to. Connie and her brother got enrolled at better schools.
‘What time is it young lady?’ James Bradwell barked from the living room
Connie’s relief was short lived as she recognized the voice talking to her. She was already half way up the stairs so she just froze on the spot.
When he switched on the light, Connie was horrified when she noticed a beer bottle in his hand and it was obviously he had drunken himself to stupor waiting for her and she knew better to stay away from his path whenever he was in that state.
‘I…I, I didn’t realize that it was this late and we had a bit of a transport problem, I am sorry dad, I won’t repeat it again.’ Connie stammered in a soft voice afraid to face him in the living room and deep down she was silently hoping that her apology will get through his now thick heart.
‘Shut up you lier! You think I don’t know what you young girls are usually up to at this hour. I don’t know where you get the nerve to disrespect me in my own house but I will not tolerate it. I have set the rules here that must be obeyed, if you can’t abide by them, better move out or go stay at that graveside where your father is buried. Next time if you are past your curfew time don’t bother coming back home’ James shouted as he walked from the living room to where Connie stood and he pointed a finger in Connie’s face.
For a moment Connie’s heart began beating fast she was afraid that he was going to slap her and she could feel her legs tremble but instead James staggered past her as he continued upstairs. Hurt by his words Connie sat at the base of the stairs all strength gone from her. She began to weep uncontrollably. Things were better when her dad was around but unfortunately his untimely death affected them financially, he left so much debt that they ended up losing everything he had ever worked for, the house, the car and most of his savings.
Too tired to do anything else, she headed upstairs her mind filled with thoughts of running away. Just then her phone began to ring and she was annoyed when she realized it was Trish but picked it up anyway and they were both tired so their call was brief.
As soon as she hung up, there was a light knock on her bedroom door and Connie knew from the sound it was her mom but now was not the best time to talk to her. Lora Simms was a loving parent but to Connie she had taken a more supportive and defensive side for James choosing to overlook whatever he does wrong.
Whenever a situation came up and Connie tries to bring up her grievances against her step-dad, Lora would have none of it she always makes it a point to remind Connie of their life before James and where they where today because of James. No matter how she tried to tell her mum how she feels, her mother always sided with her man.
“Connie darling can we have a small chat if you are still awake’ Lora whispered from the door. She was awakened by James loud voice earlier and out of concern she had come to check on her daughter.
‘Mom, please I am already in bed. Can we chat later when its daybreak? Connie asked in a calm voice.
‘Ok, I thought I heard you talking on the phone earlier but that’s okay, have a goodnight then’. Lora said as she started walking towards her own bedroom.
Glad that her mother was gone, she ran herself a quick bath and went straight to bed and just as she was about to turn off the light her phone began to ring, she had completely forgotten to switch it off like she usually does every night. Trish had already called so she suspected it had to be Emma they were her only possible callers at that hour. After the way she treated her at the club a part of her thought of just ignoring it but on second thoughts she dragged herself out of bed to where she had thrown her phone. Her heart skipped a bit, it was an unknown number calling her.
‘Hello,’ Connie murmured.
‘Surprise! Didn’t I tell you I will find you?’ Nick barked into the receiver
Connie drew a sharp breath, fear crippled her voice. How the hell did he find my number she thought to herself.
‘I am one guy who don’t tolerate people who lie to my face so I called to tell you that we have to talk,’ he growled
Connie felt her anger rise and she said ‘About what? I have no wish to speak with you any further and don’t dare come near me again.’
‘Or what..Huh? Tell me what will you do? You know damn well what I want, so stop insulting my intelligence by denying it further.’ Nick spoke in an icy tone. He was getting infuriated by her hypocrisy.
‘I don’t think I have to listen to anything you have to say.’ Connie snapped. She was getting tired of his insults
‘Why are you so unreasonable?’ Nick demanded ‘Now, you listen to me on Sunday you will show up for lunch at the place and time I will send you.’ His words sounded more like a command than a request which made Connie more furious.
This guy has some nerve, whatever makes him think I want to see him again. There is no way I am going to spend another minute in the company of this stubborn and arrogant guy. He has an audacity to show up from nowhere raining accusations on me and now he is commanding me to lunch with him, that is not going to happen,’ she thought to herself.
Not wanting to tolerate this conversation further Connie snapped ‘What if I don’t, what will you do?’
‘You either show up or face the consequences,’ He stated flatly before he hung up the phone.
Connie was left staring at her phone that felt heavy in her hands. Switching it off she lightly placed it on her bedside table. She didn’t know what to make of what was happening to her and the worst part was she had no idea who this Bruce was and whether or not he was dead. The thought of him dead terrified her.
Her whole body felt tired and slumping on her bed she tried to sleep but even sleep was hard to come by but after some time she eventually drifted to dreamland.
Chapter Four The smell of eggs woke her up from her dream she felt she had slept for a few minutes. When she fully opened her eyes gazing at her bedside clock she realized that it was already morning and the time was already after 09:00am. Jumping out of bed she headed downstairs. ‘Good morning mum and dad!’ Trish called out from the doorway as she made her way into the kitchen giving her parents each a kiss on the cheek. Last night was well spent and she was in a happy mood. “Good morning to you too! You seem to be happy this morning, you must have woken up from a wonderful dream’ Her dad commented with a huge smile. ‘I was about to say the same too, the only thing she forgot to do was to brush her teeth first.’ Her mother said teasingly. ‘Mom, really! Did you have to embarrass me like that in front of dad?’ Trish made a face as she tried to smell her own breath in
Chapter Five There was a knock on the door that woke her up, glancing at her bedside clock it was already close to 10 in the morning. After yesterday’s ordeal Connie was hoping to stay in bed for a little while longer. She wished she had not locked the door this morning she didn’t want to leave her bed. The knock persisted and dragging herself off the bed, Connie went to unlock her bedroom door expecting to see her mom. She murmured as she opened the door ‘Mom couldn’t you…….’ She never got the chance to finish because standing at the doorway was her mother and stepdad. She was not expecting to see both of them at her door so she had not bothered to cover up, wearing only her panties and vest that did nothing to hide the outline of her round firm breasts Connie froze with embarrassment. ‘Honey, next time wear something descent when you are answering the door. Sorry if we woke you up there is something we need to ask you urgently can you come downstairs
Seeing his wife storming away from him like that James decided it was best to make amends. He quickly followed her and he caught up with her before she was out of the living room. He reached for her hand but she snatched it away as she kept on walking angry, not to be dissuaded he tried again and this time she stopped and he could feel her body slightly trembling but he forced her to turn to face him.With a sheepish look he slowly pulled her close to him, cupping her face in his hands he murmured apologetically ‘Lora, I must admit maybe in my speech I was out of line and I am really sorry. I hope you can see from Connie’s expression that she is not telling us the whole truth, there is something she is holding back. Let us not forget that these teenage girls are at a stage they want to experiment. Now that she has mentioned a guy let us not rule out the possibility that they met up with guys and probably her friend decided to go and shake up so
Chapter Seven‘Hello’‘Hi, you took so long to pick your phone, I was about to hang up is everything ok that side? Connie asked curiously trying to sound as normal as she could.‘Sorry about that Connie, we are in the middle of breakfast and my phone was on the couch. If you can hold on for a second, let me excuse myself.’ Trish said as she rose up from the table munching on her sandwich.Her mother gave her a disapproving look and she just shrugged her shoulders apologetically. Trish knew that her action was going to get her into trouble, even before she was out of earshot her mother was already complaining.‘Ben, you see what I am always talking about, your daughter knows the rules of the table yet she brought her phone to the table setting a bad example to her younger siblings.’ Annie grimaced.‘Annie, please let us enjoy this wonderful breakfast in peace.&r
Two hours later, Connie was sitting in Trish’s car as they drove to Fica club which was located on the outskirts of the city about fifteen minutes drive from the park. They stopped for some takeaways as both the girls had not had a proper breakfast that morning, they tried Emma’s phone again to no avail. With it being a weekend afternoon, they had a bit of trouble finding a parking slot when they got to the place. Trish eventually parked near the far end of the street.Walking back to the club, they noticed how different the club looked during the day without all the blazing lights on the neon signs. There was dead silence coming from the club and on closer inspection they noticed that the front entrance was also locked. Disappointed, they decided to walk around the building and just as they turned the corner the double doors in the alley suddenly opened and one drunken looking guy came out staggering.Quickly the girls walked towa
It was almost thirty minutes later when Pete finally emerged holding two large black bags. The big guy looked dangerous with his broad shoulders and muscled arms that made Connie react with fear when she saw him coming but Trish’s face was lit with excitement.‘Finally you are here, for a moment I was beginning to think you had forgotten about us.’ Trish said with a huge grin on her face.Dropping the garbage bags to unlock the door Pete barked, ‘Shut up young lady! Do not mistake my kindness for sympathy I am not your friend. Now get out of here and don’t ever show your faces in this place in the afternoon again or you will live to regret it.’ he spoke as he half shoved the two girls out.Connie looked at Trish’s stunned face and without another word she began to run and Trish followed close behind her, out of breath the two girls only stopped when they reached the car. Letting out a huge sigh of relief Connie beg
Emma turned to Connie with a surprised look on her face hoping for some intervention but Connie just shrugged her shoulders with a questioning look on her face.‘That’s enough! Are you guys ganging up on me now? Fine, you can kiss my ass goodbye for all I care.’ Emma scowled as she started walking away.‘Hahaha….there she goes without even apologizing. Go on go who cares’ Trish scoffed.Emma stopped suddenly Trish’s words infuriated her. She walked back and stood in front of her.‘You are very funny do you know that? If there is someone who is supposed to be angry it has to be me. You girls excluded me in your today’s plan but now you are acting as if I am the one who did something wrong. Look here Trish, since when have you ever been concerned about where I spend my night Trish? Emma glared‘Since the day you brought your mother here and caused havoc for Connie.&r
Chapter ElevenTrish woke up feeling grumpy, yesterday she ended up cancelling her plans to go to the club. Their conversation with the girls dragged on into the night and by the time it was over it was around 9.00pm in the evening. Her mother was furious because not only had she missed dinner but it was her second night in a row coming home late. She decided to go jogging it always made her feel better afterwards.‘You should have seen the way Stuart kept looking at her, too bad she is older than you,’ Lora chuckled.Connie began to laugh looking at her brotherThe four of them were sitting on the breakfast table having breakfast.‘Come on mum, I was looking at her for other reasons than what you are implying,’ Stuart pointed out obviously offended.‘Son, it is perfectly ok to look at beautiful women and desire them. That young lady is beautiful and if I were you I would go for her forget about the