Bad s*x: His uncle's mistress

Chapter 9: Slap me? You're not eligible.

“f**k you, Mandy.” She said, the words coming out like sparks from a furnace. “How long has it been, huh? You and Jose, your secret ‘meetings’, how long!” She shouted the last few words through clenched teeth. 

Mandy momentarily recoiled. She had known that Alessa had discovered them. Jose had told her as much the day before. And good innocent Alessa would keep feigning ignorance, she’d thought, only she wasn’t… not anymore. Then remembering this was her house, her parents, and that she was the older one, she loomed upright and began fighting back. “At least I’m loved, Alessa. At least I’m wanted by him. Something you’ll never know, you leech. You are a parasite! You think he wants to marry you, so you can bleed him dry? Ha!” she barked. “You stupid girl.”

"What the hell is wrong with you? I really, really, don’t care. If you want to become Mandy Yontz and marry the i***t, be my guest. But I’m guessing he’s using you the same way he’s used me.” Alessa sighted, pity overtaking her. “He won’t marry you, Mandy. He just wanted to f**k something – anything – and you happened to be there.”

Mandy screeched like a harpy and lashed out, her hand smacking into the side of Alessa’s face. Dazed, Alessa blocked the second blow with her left arm and rammed Mandy up against the wall with all the strength she could muster.

"Slap me? You're not eligible." Alessa stared at her. 

“How dare you?” Mandy said, as her face twisted into an ugly snarl. And then, suddenly, tears begin to well in her eyes, and she sobbed. Alessa unpinned her from the wall and, her shoulders shaking with sobs, she ran upstairs and away from Alessa. 

Alessa watched her slam the door, feeling utterly alone and exhausted.

***

It’s almost Sunday. A knot had formed in Alessa's gut. The thought of having to go with Jose to his grandfather's birthday party… Well, it was more than she could bare. She found herself staring at her phone, waiting for Mr. Sterling to call, to say or do something to save her from this. But now, on the eve of the party, she at last decided to call him. The man’s mellow voice came over the phone: “Hello?”

She hardly knew him, she knew, but she felt a flood of relief upon hearing his voice.

"It's me," she said, “you haven’t forgotten me, have you, Mr. Sterling?”

“I remember.” He said.

"I need to know. I can’t stop worrying. How are you going to help me? The party is tomorrow and Jose won’t leave me alone and-“

“Go with him,” he interjected. Now Alessa wasn’t even sure if he wanted to help her. "Go with Jose and be the fiancee he wants you to be.” He commanded. “I know it’s hard but you have to trust me. I’ll take care of the rest."

“But how?”

“You’ll see.” He said.

"But... "

“Be a good girl,” he purred, “or how can I trust you to perform your part of our agreement?” His voice was low and husky. She had almost forgotten what came after this. What was expected of her?

He hung up the phone and she sighed. One step at a time, she told herself.

***

Downtown Los Angeles.

A tall, sapphire-green skyscraper strikes out like a shard of glass. The Stirling Group. Near the top was Mr. Stirling’s office. After talking to Alessa, Brian called in Garwood.

“Change of plan.” He said. “Cancel tomorrow's plans, I’m going to my father's birthday party.” 

Surprised, Garwood nodded and inwardly wondered what had changed his mind. Whatever it was, he concluded, it was probably a good thing. And then before he could leave, he got a call in his earpiece. “Sir, Mr. Yontz is here to see you. Should I turn him away on my way out?”

Brian rolled his eyes. “Let him in.”

Jose swaggered in, his jacket hooked over his shoulder. “Uncle," he nodded. “I thought I’d drop by and see if you had had any more thoughts on my investment plans?”

Brian’s icy gaze chilled the room. "Remind me. What happens if I don't agree?" He said, clenching his hands.

A wicked glint flashed in Jose’s eyes: “Brian, I don’t mean to be blunt but if you refuse to work with me, then… Well, I can't help what happens tomorrow.” He shrugged, running a hand through his oiled-back hair. “To be clear: If I haven’t received 100 million dollars before the end of grandfather's birthday tomorrow, then the affair between you and my fiancee Alessa will become public knowledge. And think what a surprise that would be for Grandad!” he grinned, pacing past Brain to look out the window. “After that,” he shrugged, “who’s to say what would happen to your position as president…”

"I wouldn’t worry.” Says Brian, gazing at the wall ahead. “I’ll make sure your demands are satisfied by the end of our family party, tomorrow,” Brian replied.

Jose felt joy spring up his throat and felt giddy “You promise?” He laughed and clapped Brian on the back. “Uncle! If you’d agreed earlier, none of this would have been necessary!”

Brain spun around and pushed Jose’s hand away. “Get out.” He said, his voice stern. 

Jose blinked, smiled, and nodded. He put on his jacket and left.

***

The next morning, Jose drove to the Schultz family house. The Schultz family; Alessa, Mandy, Patrick, and Betty, were lined outside, waiting for his arrival. Alessa wore a light blue summer dress with small white flowers on and had her silky hair loose about her shoulders. Nothing tarty, thought Jose, as he pulled alongside. Simple and pretty. That’ll please the family.

“You look nice,” he called out the car window.

They got in.

Alessa hated herself. She felt disgusted as she climbed into the black leather seat and wanted nothing more than to run away screaming. Beside her, Mandy’s face was dark and ominous, like a storm cloud about to burst. He didn’t say anything about how pretty Mandy looked, Alessa pitied. She’d spent hours dressing up, putting on her prettiest yellow dress and most expensive makeup. Alessa wanted to tell her that he wasn’t worth it – that she could have him soon enough if she really wanted – but in the backseat of the car, the silence was absolute.

Apparently oblivious, Jose smiled into his rear-view mirror and pulled away towards the Ritz. “It’s good weather,” he smiled, pointing up at the purple and pink sky.

Mandy agreed.

Alessa tried not to be sick.