Chapter 12

Reba stared at the horrible magazine. The picture was of her and Brock at the steak house. It was when she had hugged him but it was just a friendly hug but this magazine made it seem more than just a hug. Reba wanted to cry. She quickly flipped through the magazine and found the article that had pictures of their lunch together and they added some of her and Vic at their own romantic intimate dinners. The title said Redheaded Hussy?

Two months ago we were informed that Victor Mariano, son of millionaire Maxwell Mariano was married in a private ceremony to up and coming local real estate agent Reba Hart. They can be seen on the next page having romantic dinners together and having a wonderful time. The couple seemed quite happy with their new found love but maybe things are always as they seem. Sources have explained that Mrs. Hart was seen having lunch with an unidentified man. Other sources later have explained that this unidentified man is none other than Mrs. Hart's ex-husband, rich handsome dentist Brock Hart. Sources say that they were married for twenty years until Mrs. Hart cheated on her husband with the local plumber Bill Hascome who declined to comment. Should Victor Mariano be on the look out of his lovely bride? Is Mrs. Hart nothing but a gold digger looking for another rich victim? A waitress at the very restaurant that held the couple commented that they looked very comfortable and happy with one another. She said the love just radiated around the room. We were unable to get a comment from Victor Mariano on this matter but we hope that he soon realizes the discrepancies of his bride.

Reba was in shock. They said she was the one who had the affair and now they are accusing her of cheating on Vic! She wondered if he had seen this. "What is it mom?"

Reba didn't say anything she just tossed it to her daughter. "It sounds like some 20 year old inexperienced student wrote this. I can't believe they would do this! Who would…?" Reba slowly turned to head toward Lexi.

Lexi was just sitting there and not saying anything. She saw Reba's look. "You don't think that I…?"

Reba just glared. Like Lexi was going to admit to doing it. She had the money and the power to have anything done. Reba didn't doubt for one second that Lexi did this. "Can I have your autograph?" the woman asked again sweetly.

Reba glared at the woman even though she had nothing to do with it and took the magazine from Cheyenne. She quickly handed it back to the woman. "I don't think so." Reba said coldly. The woman seemed a bit hurt but left anyway without another word.

Cheyenne was still trying to put together the short article she had just read. "Is this true?"

Reba glared at her daughter. She didn't care if she was pregnant and jumping to conclusions was normal for her. "Of course it isn't true. We only had lunch together because we ran into each other at the restaurant. We didn't plan it!"

"Why are you hugging dad?" she asked, still trying to grasp the concept of what is going on with her parents.

Reba sighed. "It was just a friendly hug. We were having a nice conversation. He was just worried about me getting married thing, not that it's any of your business. There is nothing going on between your father and me. I love Vic and nothing will change that." Reba took a sip of her soda and tried eating again but she was very well aware of the looks she was getting as she sat there. Reba couldn't take it anymore. "Let's go." Reba said standing up and taking her tray to the trash can.

Cheyenne and Lexi happily followed and they all left the mall. Nothing was said on the way home. Reba had dropped Cheyenne off at her own home so she could be with her husband and child. Lexi and Reba didn't say anything to each other on the way to her house either. Reba could never forgive Lexi for what she did. She would never cheat on Vic. Reba could only hope she would be able to talk to Vic and explain everything before he saw the magazine and assumed the worse.

Reba slammed the car door and stomped up to her home. "Reba…" Lexi said trying to actually be nice for once and explain.

Reba shook her head before she opened the door. "I don't want to hear it. I just want you to leave me alone." She said coldly.

Reba turned back to open the door only to have it open for her roughly. All she saw was a flash of blonde hair when she was pulled into the house was an angry blonde. "What is the hell is this?"

Reba rolled her eyes as she saw an angry Barbara Jean holding the magazine waiting for an explanation and Brock just sitting on the couch, holding his head in his hands. "Reba I tried to explain…"

Barbara Jean held up her hand. "I told you to shut it. I want to hear what Reba has to say about this." Barbara Jean turned and waited. Reba was about to say something but Barbara Jean started going off again. "I can't believe you would do this to me! And to Vic! You are my best friend or at least I thought you were. I don't understand what I did to you to deserve this."

Reba breathed in and out trying to calm herself down and trying not to explode. "I didn't do anything Barbara Jean!"

Barbara Jean glared. "Likely story, first I find you two hugging three years ago, and then I find him in your garage, and now this! Come on Reba, the signs are all there. You're sleeping with my husband!" Reba sighed, putting her head in her hands. She felt a little light headed and she needed to sit down. She walked over to the empty chair and sat down. "I want explanation and I want it now!" Barbara Jean yelled.

Reba glared at Barbara Jean. "You want an explanation!" Barbara Jean nodded. Reba chuckled. "She wants an explanation!" Reba continued laughing and everyone thought she was going crazy. She then stood up and gave Barbara Jean an evil glare. The look scared Barbara Jean because it was a look she had never seen before. "I shouldn't have to give you an explanation! We were just having lunch! It was nothing. I can't believe you would actually believe I would do something like that to you! I don't have to explain anything to you! Now I have to go upstairs and try to get a hold of my fiancée and talk to him before he picks up a magazine and assumes the worst."

Reba stomped away and up the stairs. She didn't understand why Barbara Jean believed that stupid story. Just last month the same magazine had a story about a woman giving birth to a 100 year old baby. Barbara Jean would have probably believed anything the newspaper said. Why did the woman have to be so irrational?

Reba slammed her bedroom door and grabbed the cordless phone from her nightstand. She dialed the number Vic had given her of his hotel in New York, hoping he was in his room but he did say he had some meetings in the afternoon. Hopefully she caught him before he left. She tapped her foot nervously as she heard ring after ring. She was just about to hang up when the phone finally picked up. "Victor Mariano."

Reba smiled. "So formal." She said trying to lighten the mood.

"Reba." He said quietly.

Reba held her breath. He had seen the magazine. "Have you seen the magazine?"

"Yes…unfortunately I have and I just can't believe this. I just don't understand why…"

Reba cringed. "Honey I didn't do anything I swear. We just had lunch together. We didn't even plan the lunch. I just ran into him there." Reba let the tears fall. She didn't know what he would think or what he would do. She hoped he would accept her explanation. Reba was getting worried with the silence on the other line and then she heard a chuckle, which confused her.

"Honey…" he said laughing a bit but still concerned because he could tell she was crying on the other end. "I believe you. I know you would never do anything like that. These people are vindictive. You remember how I told you when we first found out we had gotten married they would come after you. I am just surprised they took this long. I am sorry you have to go through this. I did warn you and I'm sorry but there really is nothing we can do about it. We just have to wait it out until people get tired of talking about us. Just remember I love you and I know you haven't done anything of the sort."

Reba smiled through her tears. "Thank you sweetheart, I was so worried you might actually believe that. I walked in after having the whole shopping trip, which turned out to be a bust because everyone kept pointing and talking about me. Anyway, I walked in my home and I am bombarded by Barbara Jean who thinks I am having an affair with her husband."

Vic chuckled. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to try and help you."

"It's okay." Reba said quietly. "I understand you need to be there on business. I just hope you're behaving yourself."

"There is no need to worry about me. I am a one woman man now."

Reba chuckled as she dabbed her wet eyes. "I sure hope so because don't believe for a second that there is no way I would find out if anything should happen between you and another woman." Reba said threatening.

"Honey, I would never cheat on you. I wouldn't even think of cheating on you."

"That's good. You remember though that I have eyes and ears everywhere. I would find out."

Vic chuckled. "You have no need to worry. Now how is my mother? How did she take the magazine article?"

Reba gave a scoff. "She didn't say much, which doesn't surprise me considering I am sure she had something to do with this."

"I thought you were over that. My mother wouldn't do such a thing. It puts me in a bad light. She would hate that."

Reba rolled her eyes. "Yeah she would hate to see YOU in a bad light but me, oh, no problem. Let the redheaded hussy get creamed by the press."

Vic couldn't help but laugh. "You realize you just called yourself a redheaded hussy, right?"

Reba sighed. "Look, I just think you should realize what is happening. The press hasn't done anything to us for two months. Why didn't they start when we got married? Why not dig deep into my past then? I mean you were not evening dating anyone and then suddenly you're married. We are not even married! Why haven't they picked up on that yet? I even think it's weird, why wouldn't they? What is their problem?"

"Reba…did you think they didn't care? They don't know that we are not married yet. At least I am assuming they don't know. I mean I admit it is a little weird that suddenly they would start all this now but why does it matter? We just have to deal with this. And who knows, this would probably be the one and only time they will go after you." Little did Vic realize how wrong he was.

End of Chapter