Chapter 5: Bad Romance – Monroes Story

Previously on Monroes…

Marvin sends Rea on a suspiciously easy mission to sabotage a company.

Don doesn’t handle Rea’s absence too well.

Rea is coming home with a new friend.

Chapter 5: Bad Romance

The Monroe Mansion

It was around sunset when Rea returned home with Azwall by her side. Rea started calling Malibu’s name from the driveway, all the way into the house.

“Are you sure that your Malibu is my mother?” Azwall nervously asked. She was beginning to feel very embarrassed about being in a strange house with Rea shouting like a mad woman.

“Yes, I’m sure! Malibu? Malibu, come to the front door!” Rea continued.

Malibu came running down the stairs. Her hands were still wet from whatever she had been cleaning.

It was Azwall who noticed Malibu first, from far across the hallway.

“Ma…” Azwall whispered in disbelief.

Malibu tearfully approached Azwall, who was too stunned to move, and hugged her tightly. Suddenly all their time spent apart vanished it was only the wonderful present that existed. It was truly a touching moment for everyone.

“Azzi, how did you get here?” Malibu asked.

“Rea.” Was all her daughter could say.

“Can I hug you too?” Malibu asked. Rea nodded and so she did, thanking her the whole time.

“Malibu, I’ll let you leave early today. I’m sure you two have a lot of catching up to do. Azwall’s luggage is in the red car.” Rea informed Malibu. She felt great about reuniting Azwall with her mother but what made Rea most happy was in knowing that the young lady wouldn’t have to work for Marvin ever again.

Malibu and Azwall began to leave and Rea realized that it was time to attend to her own life. She didn’t think Don would care where she went and so all that she was concerned about was getting her phone back from Marvin.

She was just about to go upstairs to her bedroom when Azwall came back running.

“Rea, there’s something you need to know,” Azwall began, “It’s about Marvin.”

Rea’s heart began to race, fearing the worst.

“What about Marvin?”

Azwall shook her head several times, “I feel so bad about being involved in this. Do you recall how easy it was to go through with Marvin’s task? I was supposed to do it but Marvin asked specifically for you and only you.”

“Azwall, you’re starting to scare me. What are you trying to tell me?”

Azwall was hesitating to go on.

“I shouldn’t have brought this up. It’s just that you’ve been so kind to me even though I was a total jerk from day one.” Azwall mumbled.

“Tell me, please tell me.” Rea begged.

“Okay, fine. Marvin said… He said he needed to get you away from here for a few days for another plan of his, which he wouldn’t tell me.”

It didn’t take long for Rea to piece together why Marvin would want that. Suddenly, the whole idea of seeing Don made Rea feel immensely uneasy.

She thanked Azwall for telling her, said goodbye and then remained in the foyer for a long time, not knowing where to go.

Eventually, she made up her mind and dragged herself to the semi-outdoor bar by the pool area. Her hands were shaky as she fixed herself a drink.

“Rea, this is stupid. There is nothing to be worried about.” she said out loud.

Ash’s voice came crashing into her thoughts, “Worried about what?”

He was standing by the door, observing her.

Rea sighed in relief when she saw it was just him, “You startled me, Ash.”

“Sorry,” Ash apologized, “Can I join you? I haven’t had a drink since… I might as well not go at it alone this time.”

Rea nodded understandingly. They sat on a bench together facing the pool area, looking at nothing in particular as they had a few drinks.

“So, what are you worried about?” Ash asked again. Seeing that Ash was so keen to listen, she figured she might as well test out the story she was going to say to Don.

“It’s really stupid, Ash.” Rea began, “The thing is, I went to see a fashion show all the way in Western Espansy but when I arrived there, I realized that I didn’t have my cellphone. I don’t know if I left it at home or lost it. I’m worried that Don is going to make wrong assumptions about me, as he often does.” Rea explained, carefully noting Ash’s reaction.

“That is stupid,” Ash said with a hearty laugh, “Is that why you were gone all these days? Oh man, Don has been freaking out for nothing.”

“He has?” Rea anxiously asked.

“Yeah, but I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Just focus on finding your phone and if you don’t, no big deal.” he kindly comforted her, “Hey, you should probably go see Don before he gets even more cranky than he already is.” Ash suggested.

“Yes, good idea. Thanks for the advice, Ash.” Rea said. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before heading for the upstairs, leaving Ash with a blushing smile.

Upstairs, Rea checked the home office first. Oddly, Don wasn’t there. Then she went to their bedroom but no one was there, or so she thought.

She caught a glimpse of herself in the wall mirror near the wardrobes and couldn’t resist the urge to check out herself. That’s when Don suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Frightfully, she turned around to face him. When she was at the pool area with Ash, she had all the words she was going to say but after seeing him in person, so visibly angry, Rea was confused.

“Where have you been?” Don demanded to know.

“Since when do you care where I am?” Rea responded without thinking before realizing that being defensive would only cause more problems, “I was at a fashion show in Western Espansy and I misplaced my phone. Ash told me that you were worried about me. So, you do care about me after all.” Rea teased.

She could tell that Don was furious but she couldn’t tell if he bought her story or not.

“I wanted to tell you about the event that’s happening in a few days here at home.” Don corrected her, “I’m hosting a formal party for my company. It won’t look good if you aren’t there. I can’t have you disappearing at this important time, that’s why I was looking for you.”

Don didn’t bother asking about the man who answered her phone. He assumed that she would just bring up her “I misplaced my phone” story and that would get him nowhere.

“Oh, so in other words, you want me to act as your loving wife at the event? Of course I will. You know how I love your pretentious little parties.” Rea said, laughing all the way to the room’s bathroom.

In front of Don, Rea seemed to have it all together but behind the closed door of the bathroom, she was freaking out.

The next few days in the Monroe house were filled with the hustle and bustle of workers preparing the ballroom for upcoming party.

Don didn’t ask about Rea’s disappearance again. In fact, he went back to his usual ignore-Rea-mode, which she was very pleased about for once but still, she couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling she had about Marvin Donnefeild. She met up with him in the cabin to return the bag and get her cellphone back.

When she walked into the cabin, he wasn’t at the fireplace as she imagined he would be. Instead, he was in the kitchen making a heap of sandwiches, shirtless.

Rea stood at the kitchen door and cleared her throat loudly to get his attention. He noticed her and walked up to her, leaving very little room between them.

“Missed me?” Marvin charmingly asked.

Rea was more annoyed than before she arrived, “I came here to get my phone back and return the bag, not because I missed you or anything. And put a shirt on!” she angrily said, stepping away from him. Marvin was undeniably attractive, with and without clothes. He knew it and used that little fact whenever possible.

“I don’t know where she threw it. You see, I had a guest: my feisty little lady… Alma.” Marvin cheekily replied. “I’m kidding!” he quickly said after Rea attempted to slap him but missed.

“Geez, you Monroes really don’t take humor too well-”

“Why did you want me away from home? Did you do something while I was away?” Rea interrupted. She knew that if she spent any more time near him, she might be tempted to grab a knife from one of the kitchen drawers and stab him to death.

Marvin began to laugh at her little outburst, “I just wanted to have a little fun. While you were away, my old buddy Don actually phoned you and I was so excited to answer on your behalf.”

“What the hell did you say to him?” Rea asked with frustration. Marvin shook his head childishly and returned to preparing his food.

“Your phone is in the cupboard above the fireplace. See you at the party, Rea.” Marvin said with his back turned to her.

Rea didn’t try to argue. She knew that it was stupid to demand answers from Marvin Donnefeild so she went and got her phone from the cupboard and began to leave, stopping at the kitchen one last time.

“I wonder what your wife would think about this little love nest of yours.” She said, looking around the cabin with disgust. Marvin stopped what he was doing and stood up close to her again.

“I don’t care what Maritza thinks and besides, I’ve got nothing to lose. You, on the other hand, could lose everything if Don were to know about our little love nest. What have you honestly done with your life? I know your modeling career is dead and as for art, you’ve never sold a single painting.” Marvin spitefully reminded her of her failures.

She could think of nothing to say in that moment because everything he said was true.

“I know you, Rea, better than Don or anyone else ever could. Why do you try so hard to fight the truth? I can give you everything you want, make all your fears, doubts and mishaps go away. All you have to do is ask. Remember how perfect we were together?”

Marvin was now inches from her face. He could feel her warm breath on his skin as he brought his lips towards hers.

He slid a hand on her hips and she didn’t back away so he took it as an invitation to go on. She closed her eyes and let the moment run its course.

All of a sudden, she pushed him away and went running out the door.

“Well, it worked the first time.” Marvin said with a victorious grin, long after she was gone.

After the incident with Marvin, Rea went home and took comfort at the bar by the pool area.

“It was just one kiss.” Rea kept saying to herself but even that and a dozen empty glasses later weren’t enough to drown the fact that she let herself be weak again with Marvin.

“I guess everyone has their kryptonite. Why does it have to be you?”

She felt as if her thoughts were written all over her face so she spent the days after that avoiding everyone she knew until the evening of the party.

The evening of the party finally came around and Don made sure that not a single detail was missed. On the guest list were most of Don’s high profile clients, some journalists, a few high level employees of Guard and some friends.

The party was confined to the ballroom where Malibu and Azwall had prepared many delicious meals and drinks. The only thing missing was a smile from Azwall. She seemed to have retreated back to her grumpy ways.

On one side of the room, a small stage with a grand piano and microphone were set up for Charlie Leighs to perform later that evening.

The superstar was trying to make the transition from his teen pop-band days onto more “serious” business and Marvin thought a formal party would be a good way to start.

Marvin Donnefeild was dressed to perfection, as expected, alongside his beautiful wife Maritza who was several years younger than him. Chatting with Marvin was Fayzee Peppa. Fayzee’s wife was fixated on Hunter, having had only daughters in her life. Also, she wasn’t interested in socializing with Maritza. The lady was already giving her a death glare for wearing the same dress as her but in a different color.

The host Don kept his distance from Marvin. He was noticeably trying to get Don’s attention with annoying little gestures and frequent eye contact.

Later on, Rea entered the ballroom, dressed in a show-stopping galaxy print dress that caught the attention of all. She too made it a point to avoid Marvin. The man was already ogling her right in front of his wife. Rea spotted Shannon and rushed to her side for safety.

Ash and Bailey were standing in one corner aside from all the other guests. They looked very out of place, mainly because Ash decided to wear a beanie instead of making an effort to wash and comb his hair. He didn’t put much effort into his clothes either. Bailey felt really embarrassed and kept moving aside every time he stood too close to her.

The party had just begun, peacefully so. No one could have guessed what trouble lied ahead that night.