This chapter gives you a bit of insight as to why Mercy is the way she is with Sam and it introduces you to a couple of more people. My story has some dark pieces and will explore different sides of them that you normally wouldn't see. Hope you enjoy the journey inside my mind. I was listening to M83's song Solitude when I wrote the 1st part of the chapter.

Mercy was smiling ear to ear when she got out of her car, she was meeting up for drinks with her middle sis Santana to discuss the final details of the big surprise they had for their little sister Marley.

She had arrived back at her condo around 3:20 so she only had a couple of hours before the driver would be there at 6:30. She made her way to her master bedroom her border terrier Chewie following right behind as she checked her emails on her Galaxy Note. Sugar was off for the evening and had her Blackberry.

Mercy would never let the poor girl know that she had her phones linked to be able to check her emails anyway. Try as she may, Sugar was a little bit lost at times and if Mercy did not stay on top of her own emails she would miss out on allot of important information.

"Come on Chew, you gonna stand guard while mommy gets her rub-a-dub on in this tub?"

As she was removing her jeans her phone started ringing "If I Were a Boooy, I think You would understaaaaand" "{sigh} Hello Matt…"

Matt Rutherford was a handsome successful Wall Street shark that looked good on paper and in person for that matter. Don't get her twisted he was one FINE brother, there was just ONE small problem..

"Hey honey bunches of oats, how is my gorgeous amazing wonderful girlfriend doing today?" Matt replied with mock sweetness.

"Matt, cut the crap, what the hell do you NEED now? I mean it's not like you actually care how I am or what I am doing for that matter."

He laughed darkly on the line " IF you know me so well, then you know good and well why I am calling love, you didn't meet the required public image quota this week. You know we can't have people questioning the validity of our relationship until this deal is completed."

Mercy was sick and tired of this farce and it's requirements, she had no life of her own and no one knew it but a very select few.

"It is not my fault you can't control your addictions, no one told you to get caught in a very open conference room."

"Oh sweet Mercy, let us not discuss addictions, isn't that how you got roped into this in the 1st place?"

"Shut it Matt!" She hissed

"Well, my darling, until this mess blows over, the merger is complete, and we are sure our images are clean, YOU are mine. So, WE are going to the Evans estate dinner tonight to show our rock solid relationship to the elites. I will pick you up at 7:45, be ready when the driver pulls up, and wear that red dress that makes you look fabulously delicious." Matt ordered in a non negotiable tone.

Mercy took the phone from her face and looked at it like it stunk. "Oh HELL to the no.. you will not #1, tell me what to do, and #2 commandeer my night off." she sassed

"What? Like you had important plans, pssshhh, get over yourself, get dolled up, and be ready at 7:45 unless you want to loose dear old Daddy Jones millions and tarnish the family name?" Matt taunted into the phone

"I know your net worth Mercy and don't think for one damn second you can afford to buy us out, keep your family afloat without a scandal or go bankrupt in the process. Do NOT test me. I will make your life a living hell and obliterate the Jones name right along with your blossoming career." Matt spat out.

Mercy did all she could to keep her emotions in check. "{sigh} FINE Matt, let me make some calls and move some things around. I will be ready around 8." she managed thru clenched teeth

"I will be there at 7:44 sharp don't make me have to come in after you, you know how I get when I am late MJ. Now..., don't you have things to do?"

"See what you are not going to do is rush me you sorry mothaf..{click}." Seriously? did this bastard hang up on me Chewie?! It's this crap right here that makes me want to choke him out with my silk wrap." {Sigh}

"San is going to be pissed,.."she takes a calming breath and types out a quick message to Satana {Hey don't get mad but, Sugar forgot to sync my appointments again and I have a very important dinner tonight, I am soooo sorry, wanna meet tomorrow morning? ~Nella}

Mercy goes to her garden tub, turns on the water, checks the temperature, after she adjusts the cold water she pours in her special blend of bath salts and oils.

While she finishes undressing, her phone buzzes {WTH Nella!? You need to fire her azz, ugh.. its kool i guess, that just means I get to C my boo a little earlier. Tomorrow AM is kool. Luv u Nella C U soon xoxo~ Satan}

Breathing out a sigh of relief, Mercy places her phone face down on the counter while looking at herself in the mirror. Who is this person she has become, why is it so hard for her to take back her life? She shakes her head and pulls open her vanity drawer, staring down into it as tiny beads of sweat develop on her brow. In that moment, everything seems to have slowed down around her. She can hear the distant muffled sound of Chewie barking, and the faint sound of the water running. Her pulse quickens as she reaches into the drawer with a shaky hand. There is a slight ringing in her ear as she fights an internal battle with the demons that are whispering to her. She looks back at the now semi fogged version of her reflection. "One more time, just one last time." Mercy reaches in grabbing the velvet pouch from the back corner of the drawer, releasing its contents on the counter. She slowly picks up the razor blade with tears stinging her eyes and trickling down her cheeks. "Just one last time, to make it through tonite." Everything goes silent as the demons win out and she allows them to take charge for the night.

Later on across town

"SAM?!" Where the hell..., is he still in the shower? SAM?"

" Yeah Brit, I am in my bathroom."

Brittney, Sam's baby sister burst thru his room like she owned the place. He was the only boy of the three Evans children. His little Sister Brittney (24) and his Twin sister Quinn all lived in the house Sam purchased for his family in LA after he got his big Armani campaign deal. He was pretty well off to begin with, being an Evans meant you were Tennessee Royalty. Their family came from old money but their parents kept them all humble.

"Sam, Dad is looking for you, he wants to know if you remembered to hire the valet company or not, he said if not, he will GLADLY take on that task." She says as she picks up the picture of Mercy and him from his nightstand, inspecting it as she strolls over to his chaise lounge by his over stuffed book shelf.

"Brits? Really? You know Noy takes care of all of the details, and tell Dad to leave the sports cars ALONE, we get the hint, he is hitting the Mid Life Crises stage." Sam replied thru the door

"Well Noy is MIA and he isn't answering his phone. hummm, Neither is Q.." She says conspiratorially.

{throat clearing}

"oh HEEEEY Q.." Brittany puts on a innocent face, placing the picture frame on the book shelf getting up to greet her sister

"Brits, stop instigating things, Sam, I am right here, and Noy is with Mom helping with the final details. Lets not be messy little sis." Quin said jabbing her sibling in the ribs as she moved closer to the bathroom door.

" So Sam, how much longer are you going to be? It's about five till 7 and the guest will start arriving soon. You Know how mother gets when we are late." She sing songed moving over to his nightstand, fiddling with thing.

Sam was minding his own business attempting to mentally prepare for the fiasco that would be his family's Dinner party, when he received a text from Tina that caused him to have to really stop and pray. How could she be bring a date to an important dinner? What the heck was she thinking?! It's bad enough Tina is his baby sister's Ex, he has to bribe to keep up the girlfriend charade, but for her to bring a DATE tonight? Now here are his sisters pestering him about valets and rushing him.

Sam loved his family dearly, but he was now regretting the day he moved them into his 2.5 Million dollar estate. "Q, Brit…? I am IN the Bathroom.. Come on guys it's like High School all over again. I bought this house so I could at least have a bit of privacy."

"You have privacy Little Bro, you also have sisters that like to bug you." Quinn teased with her signature smirk.

Quin begin ushering Brittany out moving towards his bedroom door "Come on Brit, I know when we are not wanted. But umm Sam?"

"{exasperated sigh} Yeah Q..?"

"You left your lotion on the nightstand, I see Mercy's picture is missing.., I am sure you probably need it since you are in there fantasizing about how she will look in one of those tight little dresses and heels tonite.."

"DANG IT Q!" Sam bust thru the bathroom just in time to see his sisters cackling and running out of his bedroom suite.

"UGH they get on my nerves." He fusses as he storms to his bedroom door locking it and heads back to the bathroom.. Stops mid stride, snatches his lotion off of the nightstand and marches with purpose back into his bathroom.

"So what if I need a little release before the party, sure as heck won't get it from anyone else tonite." He mumbled removing his boxers.