Wonderwoman1970 - Eek! Sorry, actually this next chapter was supposed to be part of the previous one, but then I realized it was too long and thought I should split it and make it a next chapter. I will not make that mistake again. 😊 Thank you for your review.

Thank you Kat and Guests for your reviews as well. 😊

Question: I was never gonna put Darcy's view in here, but now I kinda like it. I don't know if I should keep writing his "view?" Yes/No :\

Okay enough. Here goes…


Dinner was uneventful. Charlie was funny and an absolute gentleman.

After finishing my two small plates of food, I finished off Jean's salad. Steak and potatoes my left foot. It was more like two slivers of thinly sliced brisket with six gourmet cut steak fries. I was very disappointed.

Happily, though, the dinner wasn't too ruined as I noticed Charlie dote on Jean and I couldn't help but like him. He won me over.

His friend on the other hand, was quiet and smug. It wasn't until Charlie's two sisters begged Darcy to sit with them did he show any kind of emotion other than disgust and boredom. When he removed himself from our table the atmosphere instantly uplifted and we were the happiest table in the room.

Good riddance Darcy, you Dark cloud.


l*l


The moment Darcy ended his call with Clemson, he had his jacket back on and his tie fixed, and with sheer preeminence marched himself outside the manor and toward the restaurant.

Sadly, it didn't take long for Darcy's "preeminence" to evaporate. Darcy was tensely clutching his phone to a point he was scared to have damaged it. He wanted to call Clemson back right this second to demand to leave tonight.

Darcy had the displeasure to not only be surrounded by two exhausting women with the last name Benito, but also their mother who was hovering behind them singing praises of their mediocre accomplishments. Darcy was, however, slightly thankful for the diversion. He was so irritated with this entire situation that his anxiety of being surrounded by desert was momentarily forgotten.

Being surrounded by woman wasn't new to Darcy – he's had lots of experience with being encircled by woman and mothers trying to get their hooks into him. He knew he was a catch – his money, good looks, and upbringing was undoubtably rare, especially around areas like this; rural and deprived. In Darcy's opinion, they were deprived of class, superior education, and power.

After twenty minutes of hearing nonsense from the Benito women, Darcy was on the verge of excusing himself from the party.

With Charles now next to him, Darcy was about the explain his sooner-than-expected departure when the double doors to the banquet room opened grabbing the attention of their noxious circle.

In a sea of white hideous wedding dresses, Darcy was unable to look away from the woman in the bright yellow dress. No pant suit? No jumper? No…what the hell was she wearing, Darcy thought.

To Darcy, she was not beautiful, she was not ugly, she was not even average. He couldn't even pinpoint why he was unable to look away from her face. She was dark, had sharp almond shaped eyes, a button nose, and full lips – a combination that seemed to not fit with her round face, but yet he couldn't look away. Charles diverted Darcy's attention by softly announcing that Jean was back. Darcy noticed that Jean was standing next to the woman in the yellow outfit.

Charles and Darcy both bowed to the Benito mother and her offspring and walked toward Jean and her friends.

Darcy heard Jean introduce her as Rocky and was instantly puzzled.

What kind of name was Rocky for a woman, Darcy reflected.

Her hand shot out for a handshake and Darcy stood there dumbfounded. Was she making a business deal to blatantly demand a handshake, Darcy thought.

It was at this moment Mr. Lucas interrupted them introducing his daughter and explaining all the unexceptional things she did and accomplished. For the second time today, Darcy had to hear another parent's praise. If he wasn't married by now, shouldn't they know it was deliberate. He angerly thought why on earth would he want to be tied down to someone, especially some country bumpkin like these peasants.

As the Charlyne praise by Mr. Lucas continued, Darcy couldn't help but look again toward Rocky. His brain was telling him to ignore her presence but his eyes wanted another look. Their two eyes locked and his new acquaintance glared at him - she squinted at him in repulsion. Even though he was surprised by such boldness, he couldn't help but focus on her face. She had clusters of freckles lightly peppering her checks and the bridge of her nose. He felt the need to trace them with his finger. Confused by this feeling, he quickly looked away and focused on Mr. Lucas and his puffy red face.

Darcy for the first time in his life was completely puzzled and intrigued by a woman. He also didn't understand why she was not falling at his feet like all the others. He knew she was a woman who was neither beautiful or rich, a woman who was not in his class, a woman who seemed to have no positive attributes whatsoever, so why was she ignoring him?

He tried with all his might to not look at her again for the remainder of the evening.


l*l


Wow, the restroom in this place is not only gigantic, but palace-like. I guess rich people like to poop in luxury.

As I washed my hands, I heard them on the other side of the wall. I quickly turn off the water and place my ear closer to the wall on my left. On the other side was the hallway that led to the men's restroom. I recognized the voice, it was Charlie.

"She is absolutely beautiful Darcy. I've never seen anyone that beautiful."

"I agree to that Charles, but a nurse."

It took everything in me not to yell toward the wall at that pompous fancy cake – how dare he insult my sister's profession.

"What on earth does that mean Darcy?" You tell him Charlie, let him have it.

"I mean no disrespect Charles. I simply meant she'll work long hours, work holidays, and…"

At this point, I was only able to hear muffled noises, forcing me to press my ear on the actual wall.

"…well, you can say what you want Darcy – she's an angel and I'd like to know her better. How have you fared? Did you make a connection?"

"Ha! Among these left-over urchins. No thank you. Besides, I am not here to find anyone. The only reason I've not stormed out of here is because you are my good friend. I support this new business venture you've made."

"C'mon Darcy. Jean's sisters are all beautiful. What about Rocky?"

"HA! Don't insult me. How could you even consider that thing for me? Not only does she have caveman manners, but she has no class. Her dress, if you can call it that, looks off the rack. I thought you had a strict dress code here? How can you even consider her good enough for someone like me?"

Without my Jean to calm me, I punch the wall and create a small dent making the beautiful gold embroidered wallpaper warp where my fist landed.

"What was that?" Charlie's voice fades away and I am no longer able to hear them as they walk away from my hearing.

I splash water on my face in an attempt to calm myself. It doesn't work.

I glare at my reflection in the mirror as I dry my face with a fancy hand towel. I rub 80% of the shimmer makeup off and remove the light pink lip color. If he is to insult me, it will be because of me, the natural me. Not the made up me – the trained monkey my mother wants.

Calling us left-over urchins. How dare he? Calling me a Thing? Does he know what I had to go through to get here? I'm not good enough for someone like him? What does that mean? Like I'd want him in the first place. Stuck up fancy pants.

Still fuming, I exit the bathroom and head in the opposite direction of the banquet room. The moment the dry Arizona air hits me, my nerves ease. I'm halfway to my truck when my phone starts to ring. It's my father's ring tone. I fish out my phone from one of the handy pockets this lovely jumpsuit has and quickly answer it.

"Pops?"

"Coyote, where are you? I need you."

"I'm outside. I'll be right there." I hear him grunt a laugh when I said I was outside, but all I can think about is that my father needs me.

For my Pop's, I would expose myself to anything dangerous, life-threatening, or humiliating. So, without hesitation, I walk right back into the pit of hell.