AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Focus, Ella. Focus.
“Okay, enough stroking my ego and fawning over your work. You’re going to get me all flustered, and my new face will melt off.”
They chuckled and continued packing up their things.
“Where is your dress?” May bustled in. “Do you need help?”
“It’s being brought up by the shop. It’s something I can get in and out of on my own.” I couldn’t help the big ass smile on my face.
“Someone is up to something,” Roxanne teased.
“Nah, I just want it to be a surprise.”
“Okay, sweetheart. If you need help, holler. Shannon and I are at the end of the hall.”
“Thanks, May!”
When my room was once again empty, I went to look out of the window. We were so high. The city below looked like a sea of lights. With a sigh, I pressed a hand to the window. The coolness was calming.
I stood there, letting the plan for tonight roll through my mind. I had, according to Shannon, an unlimited budget to bid on Rudy. I wasn’t going to take advantage of that. I was going to play this like a poker game. Save my big bet for the last second. Rudy knew I was going to do this. He agreed it would be a sure-fire way to step up the game. He, too, assured me to do whatever I had to.
He was panicking that someone would grab him up and he would be stuck with either a woman wanting in his pants or one wanting in his wallet. Either way, it wouldn’t be fun for him. Or me. I loved that big hunk of man. And with everything that came up with his ex and her need to send dead flowers…her creep factor was making me stabby. I could cut a bitch for messing with my man.
A sudden knock on the door had me jumping. Laughing at myself, I moved to it and said, “Who is it?”
“Ms. Edwards, it’s?—”
“I have your dress, ma’am.”
I reached for the handle but stopped. Was that two different voices? I let out a long breath and shook it off. I was losing my mind. I opened the door to find a woman holding up the dress.
“Come on in, honey.” I turned to grab my wallet. I had a tip for her. “Thank you for?—”
Suddenly, I was falling into darkness.
Rudy
“I don’t see Ella in the crowd. Mum and the others are at the table in the corner.”
“She’s around, no worries, pal. She’s my ace in the hole,” I assured Dorian.
We were lined up, ready to be paraded around like the prime rib at a five-star restaurant.
“Good evening, ladies and gents. My name is Kandyce MacIntyre; some of you know me, some do not, but let me tell you why we are here in this beautiful setting tonight. Firstly, we appreciate you all coming to fund this great cause of ours. The MacIntyre Foundation is a heart project of mine and the MacIntyre Family. Every day, women, men, and children are having to stay in situations that are not ideal. May that be an abusive partner, parent, brother—abuse has no real face. It could come from anyone, at any time.
“We all know someone, sometimes multiple people, that are or have been in this situation. It’s silent. Most of the time, it’s unseen. It can be not only physical abuse, but mentally draining. You and I are lucky enough to not be in that situation. Though, I have someone here to tell you her story.
“Dorcus MacIntyre, everyone.”
I listened along without the others to the story unfolding on that stage. My heart hurt for her. No one deserved that. Thankfully, she had a family that was willing to fight for her. When Dorcus was done, she went and sat at the table in the back.
Kandyce once again took to the podium.
“Thank you, Dorcus.” She gave the other woman a sweet smile. “It’s women like Dorcus that this foundation is for. Unlike Dorcus, who had a family to run to, and means to do so, there are many who lack the knowledge of what they can do. Lack the funds to do so as many are controlled by their abuser. They’re cut off from resources, family, and friends. Putting their abuser in the driver seat of their life.
“Tonight, with your help, we will be raising money to help them find new housing, jobs, vehicles; anything they need to restart a better life. Tonight embarks this foundation’s promise to help anyone in need. No one will be turned away.”
I shook out my hands as I listened to Kandyce. Dorian was all grins as he watched his wife.
