Chapter 18

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Chapter 18 

-The Pain of the Past

Kara drags one of her suitcases over to the bed and throws it on it.  It’s not zipped up and the clothes she still has in it go flying around the bed onto the floor.  Frustrated and angry she starts to pick them up having to crawl under the bed to grab a shoe. 

A maid has obviously been in the room.  Her bed is made and the blinds are open.  Braylin has already knocked on her door trying the lock.  

The vision of him standing in that doorway with that woman won’t leave her mind. Had he not stopped her from touching his face what she saw may have been more hurtful than it feels now. 

She’s sure she can get another buyer for her restaurant.  Does she want to sever all ties with his family and if she does can she handle never seeing him again.  

As Kara sets on the floor contemplating, the doorknob to her bedroom rattles and she hears a familiar voice. 

“Kara, are you in there?”  It’s Michelle.  “Kara please, let me in.  We’re concerned about you, we need to know that you are alright.  Braylin has gone to get the key.  Please let me talk to you.  I promise I won’t let him come in if you open the door.” 

Kara stands up to look at the sliding glass doors.  She hurries over to close the blinds.  Walking to the bedroom door she leans her forehead against it. 

“Michelle, she says softly the tears rolling down her cheeks.  “I messed up.”  She sniffles wiping the tears from her eyes. 

“Kara, I can’t understand what you’re saying, please open the door so we can talk.  I promise it will be just you and me.” Kara opens the door backing up allowing Michelle to enter then closing it.  

“So you’re going to run, eh?”  She walks over to the bed picking up the clothes spilled on the floor. 

“I didn’t think ladies like you did things like that.  Leave them.  I’ll put them all on the bed before I leave I won’t take anything paid for with his money.”  Kara replies. 

Michelle stares at her offending sad face.  “I’ll excuse the insult that I’m a snob but just for the record I come from a middle class background just like you. I know you’ve been too preoccupied to notice it but although we came up on the plane with some of the Hurst cousins we don’t stay at this house.  We have our own beach home not far from here.  It’s nothing like this place, but Cameron bought it because of me.  He tried to say it was because he didn’t want to make out with me at his grandmother’s house but I know the real reason is because some of his family will never accept me.  I’m not one of the rich girls they assumed he would marry. “ 

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you.  You’ve been nothing but kind to me.”  Kara responds. 

“Apology accepted, come here and sit down.”  Michelle commands.  She waits until Kara walks to the bed shoving the suitcase to the side she sits on it to listen.  

“Kara, they were born into money.  When you have the type of money they have its expected they will just marry more money to grow their power and financial status.” 

“The moment you were seen in the society pages with Braylin trust me the first thing that happened was your background was looked into.  These people knew more about you than you know about yourself.  You became a threat.” 

Kara holds her head down and Michelle tips it up.  “It’s the same old story, you saw the man you’re falling for in the arms of another woman.  Am I right?” 

Shaking her head Kara releases a deep sigh.  “Yeah, I don’t know who she is?  It kind of caught me off-guard.”  She scowls. 

Picking up one of the shoes laying on the bed that was in the suitcase Michelle raises a brow.  “I’d say it more than caught you off guard, you want to run like hell out of here.  Nod your head once for yes?”  She smirks. 

Kara grimaces not comfortable that Michelle can read her so well but does as she says nodding her head. 

“I thought you were falling for him?”  Michelle teases.   Kara’s face twist into a scowl, she replies.  “Tell me who the woman is.”   

“Her name is Lauren Mathews.  Her father and Braylin’s father were good friends. Her family owns a bunch of hotels.  She and Braylin started dating while in college.  Everybody thought they were going to marry eventually.  About a week after graduation she went out with some of her girlfriends on a Friday night and got drunk.  The following morning Cameron and Braylin went to one of Cameron’s college friend’s house to pick him up to go play some hoops.  His roommate let them in they went up to his bedroom to pull him out of bed only he wasn’t in it alone.” 

“So they broke up.”  Kara finishes.  

“Yeah, they broke up.”  Braylin left a few weeks later for London.  Then he went to Dubai from there.  He didn’t come home for about a year I think.  I wasn’t dating Cam at the time so I’m not exactly sure how long he was gone anyway, Lauren waited for him.”  Michelle shrugs her shoulders. 

“She would.”  Kara snickers rolling her eyes.   Michelle laughs heartily. 

“Yeah, that’s why you’re not attracted to him, right?”  She says sarcastically. 

“Smartass, so did they get back together?”  Kara inquires. 

“Are you kidding me?  To let Cameron tell it she stalked him until Braylin gave in.  Cam doesn’t like her, hates her in fact.  If you want to do her bodily harm he will be your accomplice.”  Michelle jokes.  

“Gee, tell him thanks only I suspect you’re not supposed to be telling me this.  How did crazy get in the picture?”  Kara scowls.   “You mean Elise?” Michelle questions with a grin. 

“Yes Elise.  Now she acts more like the stalker type.  What the hell Michelle.  These women act like they are desperate?” Kara shakes her head. 

“Let’s review the facts about this man you all have in common.  He’s a billionaire with a “B” incase that slipped your mind.  He’s a handsome shit and that body, well, a lot of women lust after men with great bodies, Braylin definitely takes care of his.  He can also be pretty damn charming when he wants to be.” 

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.  So tell me about Elise, how did he get hooked up with her?”  Kara says her name with disgust. 

“He tried with Lauren, they dated on and off for a couple more years.  By the end of their relationship I had started dating Cameron.  I think Braylin just felt he couldn’t trust her.   I haven’t seen her for a couple of years.  She had moved to Paris.  I didn’t know she was back in the States." 

"Braylin met Elise a couple of years ago.  She was always chasing him. They had an open house for a condo they had just completed last year.  Elise was there.  She made a move on him, they hooked up and she keeps coming back.” 

“I really don’t want any part of this.”  Kara gets off the bed she starts throwing her things in the suitcase. 

“Kara, wait.”  Michelle grabs her hands pulling them out of the suitcase.   “Come on Michelle, what do you expect me to do, stalk him to?”  She plops on the bed. 

“Of course not.  Kara just hang in there a little longer.  Go with the plan that you two started.  You can stay at the house with me and Cam if you don’t want to stay here but Braylin will have to come to.”  Michelle furrows her brow. 

“At least stay through the luncheon?  It’s coming up in a couple of hours.  You missed breakfast, aren’t you hungry.”  

“Starving……  Alright, I’ll stay but I’m not taking anybody’s shit I mean it, including Braylin’s.  Kara has a determined look on her face. 

“I know.”  Michelle stops talking when they both hear a knock at the door.  Michelle gets up to open it and it’s Cameron checking on them.  Kara can hear the concern in his voice.  

“Chelle, go.  Tell him I will be alright.  I’ll see you downstairs.  Where is the luncheon going to be held?” 

“In the backyard.  Are you sure you don’t want me and Cameron to wait on you?” 

“No, I think I can find my way.”    Kara gets up to hug her.  “Thanks for the talk.”  Kara tells her. 

“Ok, see you in a couple of hours.” 

It’s about forty minutes before she is supposed to be downstairs.  Her dress is lying on the bed along with her shoes.  She’s dressed in her berry color robe after her shower.  She paddles to the door in her bare feet hearing a rapid knock. 

“Kara, I know you’re in there.  We need to talk.”  His voice sounds rough. 

“I’m not ready yet Braylin.  I’ll meet you downstairs.”  She responds holding her hand against the door. 

“Kara, there’s too many people in the house.”  His voice sounds sterner. 

“Braylin, I’m not coming out until I’m ready.  We will talk, just not know. I’ll meet you downstairs.”   It’s very quiet for a few seconds she hears a thump like a fist against the wall and he’s gone.   

After calming her nerves Kara makes her way down the stairs. She gets a lot of looks her way.  Some admiring while others seem frosty.  Someone bumps into her. 

The blonde that pushed Aaron in the pool rolls her eyes at her.  “Hey You.  Watch where you’re going.” She’s looks her up and down turning her nose up at her.  There’s a another young woman that sniggers.  

“Why are you still here anyway? Braylin won’t be paying much attention to you.  Lauren will be with him.  You might as well pack up and go now.”  Comments the other shorter ombre haired woman with grey eyes. 

The blonde has a sort of high pitched tinkle laugh. Kara has already heard it to many times today and now she’s being forced to hear it again it grates her nerves.   

“Maybe she’s hanging around so she can work in the kitchen.  Nanna Rita is always looking for good help isn’t she Stassi?”  The blond sneers at Kara. 

“She probably couldn’t do that.  Come on let’s get changed before the luncheon starts.  I heard Alex is going to be at the charity tonight.  I need you to help me pick out my dress.”  They turn away from Kara dismissing her.   

“It was certainly nice to finally meet the both of you to.  I’ll be sure to tell you’re Nanna how welcoming you have been.”  Kara says sarcastically as they walk away.  

They come back to walk around Kara glaring at her in her short white summer dress with matching heels.  

“You know usually the women that date Hurst men stay out of our way.  You must have a screw loose or something.”  The blond tries to intimidate her. 

Kara isn’t afraid, she’s quick with her response.  “Maybe that’s because they don’t want the women they date tainted by your bitchiness.”   

The two women stare at each other open mouthed then look at Kara.  “Excuse me.”   The shorter one says full of bluster. 

“Oh I’m sorry, I don’t know your names, guess you’re not important enough to be introduced, but just so you know.  My name is Kara Santino, not hey you.”   Kara swings around away from them her cute little dress flouncing around her long legs as she walks down the hallway into the kitchen.  

Her stomach growls as soon as the food smells hit her nose.  It’s a beautiful kitchen she would love to cook in one like it someday.  Walking around it she feels comfortable here watching the people preparing the food. 

“Would you like a taste miss?  One of the chef’s ask smiling at her.  She smiles back at him looking at what he’s putting on the tray.  “What is it?”  She curiously ask as he hands her an appetizer. 

“It’s fried mozzarella, basil and nectarines with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.”  Taylor pushes the whole appetizer into her mouth.  Aside from the fact that she’s starving, it taste wonderful. 

“Mm, that’s so good.”  Her stomach growls and she looks at what else he is preparing.  “Hey, what’s that slider?”  She ask and he smiles. 

“It’s filet mignon and arugula.”  The chef hands her one and she tries it.   “I like it but did you do the fondue to go over it?  I’m a chef too.  I’ve done these before.  I like your seasoning.”  She compliments the chef getting a huge smile from him in return but unaware that she’s being watched. 

She grabs another slider this time the chef gives her some of the fondue to put on it and just as she bites into it the cheese drips down the side of her lip.  The man that is watching her is there in front of her with a napkin just in time for her to catch the spill before it drips on her dress. 

“Oh.  Thank you.”  She mumbles with a mouth full of food taking the napkin from him to wipe her mouth.  Her bracelets dangle on her wrist causing him to be startled when he notices them. 

“Glad to be of service anytime for a young lady that enjoys her food.”  His eyes crinkle at the edges as his smile gets bigger.  She looks familiar too him, reminding him a lot of his wife. 

Taylor blushes.  He’s an older man with gorgeous grey hair.  He’s at least six feet tall and handsome.  He has long slim fingers.  She can see the wedding band on his finger.  She has no idea who he is.  He’s dressed in a casual suit, no tie.  Maybe he’s one of the investor’s she’s been told about. There’s a look in his eyes she can’t figure out.  He waits for her to finish chewing her food. 

“I’m sorry, I don’t normally eat like this I promise you.”  She balls the napkin up looking around for a trashcan.  He points at the trashcan taking the dirty napkin from her he throws it away for her. 

“Now, tell me my dear what is your name.  I’m always interested in meeting people who aren’t ashamed to show they love food.”  He grins at her. 

Kara smiles broadly at him.  He seems harmless enough and she doesn’t feel like he’s really flirting with her.  He’s old enough to be her father.  She holds out her hand to shake his.  “Hi foodie, I’m Kara Santino and you would be?”  She casually ask. 

He stares, his face is flushed looking momentarily shook up.  Clearing his throat he pulls himself together. Kara doesn’t seem to notice she’s wiping her hands off with another napkin.  He can see the stark resemblance to her mother.  His clear blue eyes widen as he holds out his hand to squeeze and shake hers.   

“James Monroe, very pleased to meet you Kara if I can call you Kara.”  He still can’t believe she’s standing in front of him all grown up. 

“You sure can, please to meet you James or are you some big deal around here that I need to stick with calling you Mr. Monroe.”  Kara teases. 

“I assure you I’m only a big deal to my dogs and that’s because I feed them.  I’m actually here for an unexpected meeting with Rita."  James explains.   

“You mean Nana Hurst?”  Kara comments. 

“Yes, it seems I’ve been summoned by her.  Our families aren’t exactly on speaking terms so excuse me if I seem perplexed.” 

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, was it a bad business deal.”  Kara is curious.  She’s sure his company is the company she has an appointment with next week.  She finds it odd that he hasn’t asked her about it but they probably do deals with so many people he may not remember them all. 

Mr. Monroe realizes she has no idea of the bad blood between the Hurst and Monroe families.  He stopped paying attention to the society pages and the news a long time ago because he got tired of seeing negative stories in it about himself and his family so he doesn’t know the reason she is here.  

“I’m sorry, you’re obviously not a member of this family.  Are you here as a guest of someone?” 

 “That’s none of your business Monroe who she is here with.  She’s a part of this family, that’s all you need to know.”  Kara turns around to see Lester standing behind them listening to their conversation.  She can see that he’s angry.  She’s shocked by his tone. 

“Lester?  She says his name with reproach.  “You are being rude.  We were just talking.”  She informs him. 

“That’s how it starts, doesn’t it Monroe.  She’s off limits to you.”  Lester ignores Kara keeping an objectionable gaze on Mr. Monroe.  His voice when he speaks is full of contempt.   Kara is confounded by his words.  She looks from one angry face to the other not sure what is going on. 

“Alright, now you’re really taking it to far Lester.  I think I can take care of myself.”  She huffs.  “I’m sorry Mr. Monroe.  I don’t know what’s happening here….”  Kara is saying when Rita Hurst walks into the room with Braylin at her side. 

“Kara, what are you doing, get away from him.”  He walks in front of his grandmother to grab her hand pulling her to his side. 

“Braylin….wait…I….what’s going on?”  She shrugs away from him with a frown. 

“I don’t know what’s going on, but Monroe you know you are not welcome in this house.”  He turns to James Monroe to speak ignoring Kara. 

“Braylin.”  Nana Rita says his name without raising her voice.  “Lester, the both of you take Kara and go into the living room and cool down.  Mr. Monroe is here at my request.  Now, James if you’ll follow me we can talk privately in my study.  Come, I’ll fix us both a strong drink.” 

“Thank you Rita.  I think you’re going to have to make it a double.”  He takes their grandmother by the arm leaving a perplexed Kara with two upset men. 

Lester leaves the kitchen in a hurry headed for the front door.    Braylin wipes his hand across his face in frustration and follows Lester.  Kara doesn’t know what she just witnessed but she hurries after them following them out the front door.  They are standing in the driveway as Kara stands at the front door’s stoop.  She can see Cameron and Aaron come out of the garage area in a hurry to meet up with them. 

Kara can’t hear exactly what is being said between them although their voices are raised in anger.  Lester is yelling, there’s pacing back and forth, arms are flaying and there are many angry looks between them.  This man James Monroe has really upset them.   

“Is my brother out there?”  The ombre haired woman Kara had the run in with in the hallway walks up the foyer steps to the door looking nervous.  

Kara turns to face her.  “He’s over there.”  She steps to the side allowing the woman to see out the open doorway. 

Kara hears her sniffling.  “Why did my grandmother bring that man to this house?  She had to know it would upset him.”  The young woman holds her fingers over her mouth to mumble. 

Kara wants to ask her what’s going on but they haven’t started out on the best of terms.  “I think he will be alright.  I mean his cousins are with him. They’ll get him calmed down.”  Kara tries to reassure her although she hasn’t a clue why he’s so upset.   

“You don’t understand.   I just found out from one of the other guest that Nana Rita invited Mr. and Mrs. Monroe to the charity tonight.  That means Mr. Monroe’s son…..this is terrible.”  She stumbles away going up the stairway to her room with Kara coming back into the house behind her. 

Braylin walks through the door going past Kara.  “Wait just a minute.”  She runs around to stand in front of him her hands lying flat against his chest. 

“I know I don’t have a right to ask this but what the hell is going on?  Is your whole family crazy?”  She looks up at him desperate for an answer. 

“Kara?”  They hold each other by the forearms.  He releases her only to take her by the hand guiding her into the huge sunroom. 

“That man in there is out to destroy my family.”  He complains and Kara furrows her brow. 

“That’s it…..that’s all you’re going to say?”  Is her sardonic reply. 

He’s agitated unable to keep still he paces.  Kara follows him to the window he stops to look out.  Taking his hand holding it in both of hers she looks up into his eyes.  “Tell me.”  

His gaze is appreciative.  He caresses her bare

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