Chapter 41

"That is the point. You never know how to clean up your messes Eric. You have done this since we were kids. I told you countless of time to send that woman packing. But did you? Oh no. You let her live in your house and that bimbo Diane coiled herself around my son" he yelled.

"Well at least my daughter was able to conceive. How about all the women that Collins has been with, did they ever conceive or produce a child for him? Huh tell me. You should be thanking me because if it was not for my indiscretion as you put it, Collins would never have any children."

"How dare you?" He was now seething. He was filled with apprehension and rage. And it was all being redirected to two people he saw responsible for the pain that his son was going through.

"It's the truth isn't it? Isn't Collins impotent?" he taunted. If he was not so angry he would never ever have talked like this about his godson. But he was indignant on Heath calling him out like this.

"That is not the point. From the get go Collins was supposed to be with Ashely or Judy or Sara. That was the plan. That was all you had to do. But did you? Oh no? You botched up the plan by creating a monster that will steal the most precious thing from my family. And even yours" he explained quickly.

"How many times will you remind me of that?" he cried in uncontrollable annoyance.

"As many times. Even when Diane was under your roof you couldn't control you daughter. You could never keep her in line. Now the snake has reared its ugly head and is ready to strike my son"

"I kicked her out. I sent her away from the house. Far away from Collins. What else was I supposed to do? Have her killed?"

There was a pause.

"I don't know. I am so confused. I think it was a mistake you sending her out of your house"

"Really? So my action was better than your suggestion of forcing her to have an abortion? You should be thanking me. I saved the only grandchildren you might ever have" sneering at Heath.

"Whatever. The point is this; fix it" standing up and grabbing his phone. He looked at his best friend for over 50 years long and hard.

"I mean it Eric. Fix this. Or I will fix you and I hope for both our sakes it doesn't get to that" with that he walked past him and left.

Eric just sighed. Reaching into his pocket he dialed his head of security "Get me Esther."

Meanwhile at the other side of town Collins wandering had taken him to place he never thought that he would be. His reckless driving had brought him to the door of Rachel Timmons building. Contemplating whether to step out of the car and go through with the idea, he remained in the vehicle for five minutes. Figuring his day could not get any worse he descended and threw the keys to the valet. Briskly he walked to the receptionist desk.

"Hello" gaining the receptionist attention.

"Good afternoon sir. How may I help you?" he replied with a smile.

"I'm looking for Rachel Timmons"

"Is she expecting you?" he asked typing into the computer.

"No. Can you please call her room"

"Of course. Your name?"

"Dwight. Collins Dwight"

"Okay. One moment please" grabbing the receiver and placing a call.

"Alright. Mr. Dwight she said to come up. It is room 718."

"Thank you"

"My pleasure"

Taking the elevator he couldn't help but be surprised that Rachel was allowing him into her hotel room. His mind kept on going to the last few times that he had been in the same room with Rachel. There was tension to say the least. Both people were high strong and stubborn. They both enjoyed getting their own way.

The elevator brought him to the right floor. He had to walk a couple of feet till he reached room 718. Knocking on the door it was momentarily opened by Rachel. She was in a whit summer dress.

"Hello Collins" opening the door wider to let him in.

"Hello Rachel he responded stepping into the spacious living room. He had to admit that Rachel had great taste. This place was all white with hint of navv splashed across the room. It looked a little bit like a bachelor pad. He was quite surprised with this new Rachel. This was very unlike the prim and proper lady he had known all his life.

"Rum?" already pouring a glass from the wet bar.

"No I am good" Collins answered. Standing there awkwardly.

He had never been close with Rachel. She was polite and respectful but he always felt that she kept him at bay. At arm's length.

"Please. You are at my home. Something must have happened. Here" handing him a rum neat which he accepted.

"Let's go to the balcony. It is cooler there and this heat is starting to kill me" and she lead the way down the five steps to the view that overlooked the waters. Taking their seats they gazed the peaceful scenery each to their own thoughts.

"I am honestly surprised to see you here. Want to tell me what is going on?" Rachel queried looking at him

"Did you know Diane had twin boys?" wanting to catch her up to speed.

"I do" she affirmed.

"Who told you?" slightly surprised.

"Does it matter?"

I guess not. Well anyway, we had the deliberation today. You know to get back my children" he started to explain. It was not lost on him when she raised her eyebrow when he said my children.

"Oh? And how did that go?" she queried. She didn't sound overtlv interested. Just a tad bit curious and out of courtesy.

"Bad. Things are not looking too good" he said somberly taking another sip of his drink.

"I didn't expect anything less. But why are you here. I figured you would be with your family cooking up some concoction or scheme to win" she joked lightly.

She was right. He wasn't far from the truth. "I just needed some space." getting angry again at the thought of his mother and Rachel's own daughters.

She let out a chuckle. He was doing exactly what she was doing "From whom exactly?"

"Everybody" he answered truthfully. It was time to lay all the cards on the table. Perhaps that was why he came to Rachel.

Somehow deep down his subconscious knew that if he wanted to get any straight answers and real truths she was just the person.

"It isn't fair, you know?"

"What isn't?"

"The conspiracy to keep me away from my children. What Diane is doing isn't fair"

"I guess that was the same thing that Diane said when you signed your rights away and kicked her out of the house."

"I didn't see you do anything to stop her" he bit back. He was tired of everyone making him to be the only bad guy.

"At the time I thought that the further she was away from you and Eric the safer she would be. I guess I am glad to know that my gamble was right" smiling and turned her head away.

There was a long pause. Each person to their own thoughts and to think deeply about what the other person had said.

"You must be pleased" Collins commented quietly.

"What?"

"I said that you must be pleased that I am suffering" he accused.

She looked at him quietly before answering "Why would you think that?"

"Just the aura I get from you. You always seemed to detest my presence."

"I never detested you. I was disappointed with the man you became. The man who so easily turned his back on his own flesh and blood. I knew you would come to regret that decision. You of all people should know better than anyone the world we live in. Money, lust, backstabbing, gossip, wickedness, all part of the high elite. But children, especially yours are what keep you sane. What keep you pure if you will.

If it weren't for my children, I would have walked out long ago and not looked back."

"Even Diane?"

"Even Diane." she resounded.

"Why?"

She took a deep breath. She knew where she was going there was no going back "Diane reminds me so much like my sons"