Been There, Done That Read online

  “Then I guess I’ll see you then. Goodbye, Katrina.”

  They hung up mutually. Katrina spun around in her chair.

  “Let’s get ready to rumble!!”

  Katrina was definitely prompt. The doorbell rang and Venice was dressed in a pair of leggings and one of Craig’s dress shirts. She answered the door.

  “Hello, Katrina. Come in.”

  Katrina fingered her braids. “Thank you. It sure is cold out there.”

  “I’m sure it is. May I take your coat?”

  “Thank you, Venice.”

  They stood in the foyer, taking in the sight of each other; each wondering what the other could be thinking. Katrina’s short navy suit fit her to perfection. She was very attractive on the outside, but something about her disposition assured Venice that she was no challenge.

  She finally asked, “Katrina, could I get you something warm to drink?”

  “You know I think I could use a cup of hot chocolate. Thank you.”

  They retreated into the kitchen where Katrina took a seat on a bar stool.

  As Venice fixed the cocoa, Katrina asked, “So how long have you known Mr. Bennett?”

  Making eye contact, Venice answered, “About seven years.”

  Venice handed her the cup, which she immediately sat down.

  “Seven years?”

  Katrina looked at every detail of Venice’s face. She saw her natural beauty and became jealous that Craig chose Venice instead of her.

  “I met Craig in college.”

  Taking a sip of the cocoa, Katrina said, “I see.” She almost dropped her cocoa when she noticed the huge diamond on Venice’s finger. “Wow! That’s a beautiful ring.”

  Venice’s face heated knowing she had forgotten to take the ring off. She didn’t want to ruin their plan of keeping their marriage a secret for a while.

  “Thank you.”

  Venice could tell she wanted to quiz her, but she wasn’t about to put their business in the street. She looked at her watch and said, “Katrina, I’m kind of busy, so if you have those papers for Craig, I would like to get back to what I was doing.”

  I bet you do. I know he better not have given you that ring…

  Ready to push the issue, Katrina said, “You know, Venice, I knew I had seen you somewhere before. Then just the other day I picked up a sports magazine and there you were. You, your husband and son.”

  Venice’s eyes widened, not knowing where the conversation was headed.

  “What’s your point, Katrina?”

  She got up from the bar stool, came over and stood directly in front of Venice. Pointing her finger, she said, “Don’t you think I’m going to let you walk in here and take Craig Bennett away from me. I’ve been working on him for three years. Now that I’m close to having him, you show up trying to ruin everything.”

  Venice took a step toward her.

  “First of all, I don’t have to take what I already have. Secondly, if it takes you years to get a man, you don’t deserve one. Now get out of this house!”

  Standing toe-to-toe, Katrina said, “Not so fast. I have connections and if you don’t want to see your name in print as the whore you are, you’d better pack up and go back where you came from. I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to get the public to believe that you were having an affair behind your poor dying husband’s back. Your sweet little boy wouldn’t be able to hold his head up, now would he?”

  The breath left Venice’s body as she realized Katrina might be able to do what she was threatening.

  Katrina yelled, “If you don’t break off whatever it is you have with Craig and leave before he returns, expect your family to see you like they’ve never seen you before! The way technology is today, it wasn’t hard to put your face on the body of another woman who happens to be in a compromising position with two men. It wouldn’t be hard to convince Craig or the public that the picture was taken before your husband died. And if you tell Craig about our little conversation, the information with the picture automatically goes to print.”

  Venice stared at her, then grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the front door. She opened it and yelled, “You skank bitch! If you do anything to hurt or embarrass my son, my family, or Craig, you’ll regret it the rest of your life. Now get the hell out of here and don’t you ever come back!”

  She shoved Katrina so hard, she fell face first into the snow. After throwing her coat out to her, Katrina hollered, “I’m going to get you for this!”

  “I’ll be waiting, Katrina!”

  Venice slammed the door closed and immediately covered her face and burst into tears. How could this woman be so mean and spiteful as to hurt a little boy? Venice was not about to let this wench turn her life upside down. What better revenge it would be than to marry Craig first thing Monday morning. Even though she knew the tabloids would only print lies, it still could cause Brandon and the Andersons a lot of undeserved pain. She had to think this through before Craig got back tonight. A lot of people could get hurt, but she had to do what was best for the family.

  CHAPTER Twenty

  It was two a.m. when Lamar dropped Craig off. The meeting took a lot longer than he anticipated. Anxious to hold Venice in his arms, he took the stairs two at a time until he reached his bedroom. The room was dark, but as he went farther into the room, he realized she wasn’t there. His heart sank with worry as he turned on a nearby lamp. On the bed was a note and on top of it was the diamond ring he had placed on her finger earlier.

  Sweetheart, after you left today, I had a long time to think about what we were about to do. I came to the conclusion that things are moving too fast for me. I’m not saying I don’t want to marry you. I’m saying I can’t marry you right now. There are some things that I have to work out, so please trust me. For now, I don’t want you to call or try to see me. I think it would be best for both of us. Please trust in our love.

  I love you forever,

  Venice

  He twirled the ring on his finger, then crumbled the paper and threw it across the room, and yelled, “Damn it, Venice!”

  Picking up the phone, he called Joshua. He didn’t care about the time. All he cared about was knowing where Venice was.

  A sleepy voice answered, “Hello?”

  “Joshua, this is Craig. Have you seen Venice?”

  “I thought she was with you.”

  “She was. We were supposed to get married today but I had an unexpected meeting to attend in Chicago this morning. Things were perfect when I left, but when I got back I found her engagement ring and a note telling me she couldn’t marry me lying on the bed. What’s going on with her?”

  “I don’t know, Craig. Don’t worry, I’ll find her.”

  Craig hung up the phone, not knowing what to do next.

  Don’t do this to me again, Venice.

  Joshua called Craig Saturday afternoon and informed Craig that Venice had not returned home. He didn’t want to worry her family so he didn’t pry any further questioning them. He tried to comfort Craig saying, “Look Craig, Venice could be anywhere. Maybe she just needed some time alone. I’m sure she’ll call to talk to Brandon. I’ll get back with you later. Try not to worry and get some rest. You sound like hell so I know you look like hell.”

  “Yeah, Josh. That’s because I’m going through hell.”

  Sighing, Joshua said, “I know. I’ll talk to you later and try to get some sleep.”

  When Joshua hung up the phone, he immediately placed another call.

  “Manley?”

  “Yes?”

  “This is Joshua. I have another job for you. Pack your bags. I need you to go to Philly. Something has happened to make Venice run away from Craig and I need to know what.”

  “No problem, Joshua. I’m packing as we speak. Fill me in.”

  Venice hadn’t been able to get a good night’s sleep since she’d left Craig. Her heart was aching and she needed to feel complete again. Climbing out of bed, she smelled bacon and coffee. After a
hot shower, she dressed and headed downstairs.

  “Good morning, Venice.”

  “Good morning. How are my sweet little angels?”

  Venice hugged Craig’s niece, Samantha, and nephew, Thomas James. They had fallen in love with each other over the last two days. Venice told Bernice that Craig had to go out of town and she thought this would be a good opportunity for them to catch up on things. Bernice knew Craig was often called out of town, so she didn’t give her visit much thought. A few days earlier, she spoke to her brother who announced that Venice was in fact there for a visit. Venice had successfully fooled Bernice and her husband, J.T., and this would be the last place Craig would think to look for her. This would give her ample time to try and find out who Katrina Simmons was and how to stop her.

  Venice spent her days watching the kids while J.T. and Bernice slept. Both were still on the night shift, Bernice as a nurse; J.T. as a plant engineer at a local company. Normally, Craig’s grandmother kept the kids during the day, but was thankful for a break since Venice was in town. The kids did spend their nights with their great grandmother, so that routine was not broken. Venice took them to the movies, the park and the mall. These six-year-olds were loving and energetic and it made her long to hug her own son.

  The nights were long and lonely. She missed everything about Craig, his scent, his touch and his smile. Venice spent hours on the computer and the phone but to no avail. She still had not found out much information on where Katrina Simmons came from. Feeling exhausted and defeated, she sank to the floor of her room and sobbed.

  Joshua. I need to talk to someone.

  Picking up the phone, she called her best friend.

  “Joshua?”

  “Niecy, where the hell are you?! Craig is worried sick and so am I! Why would you just up and leave and not tell anyone what’s wrong or where you are?”

  Venice tried to form words, but it hurt too much. Finally, she said, “Joshua, I’m being blackmailed.”

  “By who? Why?”

  Wiping her eyes, she said, “One of Craig’s female employees is in love with him. She wants me out of the picture or she’ll go to the tabloids and tell them I cheated on Jarvis when he was sick.”

  Joshua gripped the phone in anger and braced himself against the kitchen counter. He tensed, knowing someone was causing Venice serious pain. He calmed himself.

  “Who’s doing this, Niecy?”

  “Some woman named Katrina Simmons.”

  “Where are you?”

  Climbing up off the floor, she said, “I’m visiting Craig’s sister and her family. I told them Craig had to go out of town so there’s no reason for them to call him to check.”

  “What if he calls them? Don’t you think you need to at least call and let him know you’re okay?”

  Running her hands through her hair, she answered, “That’s a chance I’m going to have to take. I couldn’t come home because that would be the first place he looked. Look, Josh, I can’t talk to him right now. I hurt him again and I need to work this out and make things right. I’ll be damned if I let that woman hurt my son or my family.”

  Solemnly, he said, “I understand, Niecy, but please think about calling Craig. He deserves to at least know you’re okay.”

  “I don’t know, Josh. I’ve been trying to find out any information I can so I could stop her, but I can’t.”

  Josh stared out his window into the dark night. “Do you want me to help?”

  “Not right now. I need to do this myself. Thanks anyway.”

  “Niecy, can I at least tell Craig you called and that you’re okay? I won’t tell him anything else, but that you’re trying to work some things out. I really wish you would reconsider and call him.”

  Venice dabbed her tearful eyes with a tissue. “You can call him. I can’t handle it right now.”

  “Okay, but think about what I said. He’s a good man. Give me the number where you’re staying.”

  “Okay.”

  Craig was back to his old grouchy self and the chest pains had returned. His smile was gone. So were the sounds of him whistling as he walked through the office. Francine noticed the turnaround in his behavior and was concerned. He walked past her desk without so much as a “good morning.” She looked up at him and asked, “Craig, is anything wrong?”

  “No, Francine, and if you don’t mind, hold all my calls until further notice.”

  He didn’t look back as he closed the door of his office. Minutes later, his telephone rang. Angrily, he picked it up and yelled, “Francine, I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed!”

  Francine was startled by Craig’s demeanor.

  “I’m sorry, Craig, but a gentleman by the name of Joshua insisted on talking to you.”

  He dropped his head in disgust.

  “I’m sorry, Francine. Please put the call through.”

  After notifying Craig that Venice was okay, Joshua hung up and placed a call to Manley saying, “Katrina Simmons. Find out all the information you can on her and her background. She works for Bennett and Fletcher Design Company. I needed it yesterday.”

  Manley jotted down the information and said, “I’m on it, Joshua. I’ll get back to you ASAP.”

  “I knew you would. Thanks.”

  After his conversation with Joshua, Craig felt a little better. Knowing Venice was safe calmed him just a little bit. He was still upset that he didn’t know the reason behind her abrupt departure or where she was. After not being able to accomplish any work, he called Lamar and told him he was going home. Craig had confided in Lamar, who was loyal enough to keep his private life out of the office. He offered to help in any way he could. Craig thanked him but declined at the moment. Later, Craig felt the need to get away and what better place than where he was headed. Pulling into the driveway, he realized he would have peace and quiet to get his thoughts together.

  Venice, where are you?

  Venice’s shower was relaxing and comforting. Her earlier conversation with Joshua helped ease her pain slightly. She still missed Craig and wished she could lie in his arms and kiss his soft lips. She wrapped the towel around her body and stepped into the bedroom. Her freshly shampooed hair smelled of fragrant flowers. She reached into the closet in search for something comfortable to wear. Throwing the sweat pants and oversized shirt on the bed, she proceeded back into the bathroom to blow-dry her hair.

  Craig stepped into the house and immediately turned on the lights and headed for the kitchen. He searched for something to eat, then realized he really wasn’t hungry. Feeling tired and emotionally drained, he headed upstairs to bed. He entered the bedroom at the precise time Venice stepped out of the bathroom.

  “Venice!”

  Startled, she clutched the towel and screamed, “Craig!”

  He crossed the room in two steps and pulled her into his arms. She braced herself against his chest with the palms of her hands. He was angry and happy at the same time.

  “Venice, what the hell are you doing here? Why did you leave?”

  She couldn’t swallow, think or breathe.

  “How did you find me?”

  He stared down at her angrily.

  “I came home to try and get my head together. Do you realize you left me without so much as an explanation? What’s going on? And I want the truth.”

  Still in his arms she answered, “I can’t tell you. Just trust me, Craig, please!”

  “I did trust you and look what happened.”

  They stared each other down until Venice said, “Let me go, Bennett. I have to get out of here.”

  He held her tighter.

  “You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.”

  She closed her eyes, dropped her head, and said, “It’s impossible, Craig. I can’t be with you right now.”

  Gripping her shoulders, he shook her and yelled, “Tell me! Now!”

  Feeling weak and defeated, she screamed, “Katrina is blackmailing me!”

  She collapsed aga
inst his body, crying, and his blood pressure shot up knowing that someone he thought he knew had betrayed him and hurt the woman he loved. He wanted to punch something, but at the moment, he was concentrating on holding a woman who needed him. His woman. He picked her up into his arms and sat down on the edge of the bed. Venice buried her face into his neck as she continued to cry. He caressed her shoulders in silence, trying to soothe her obvious pain. He was still in the dark but at least he knew who the culprit was.

  Softly, Craig said, “Venice, Sweetheart…everything’s going to be okay. I’m here and I’ll take care of you. I won’t let Katrina do anything to hurt you.”

  Venice eventually calmed herself and Craig told her to get dressed and pack her clothes. She looked at him with glistening eyes and asked, “Pack? Why?”

  He pulled her up from the bed. “We’re going over to my house so we can talk in private.”

  His house was the home Craig lived in when they dated in college.

  Venice clutched the towel.

  “I don’t know if that would be a good idea.”

  He walked over to her and said, “If you need help dressing, I will help you. Now hurry up and meet me downstairs.”

  When she looked up, he was gone just as quickly as he had appeared. She was stunned and his presence left her breathless, but she was glad he was there. Doing as she was told, she dressed and packed her bags.

  When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Craig took the bags from her hand and said, “Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER Twenty One

  His house was warm and cozy and not much had changed in the seven years since the last time she was there. Craig built a fire in silence and the warmth of the flames began to knock the chill out of the air. Venice curled up on the sofa and watched. When he bent over, she noticed how his jeans cupped his perfectly-rounded behind. His muscles protruded through the shirt, which caused heat to rise from her feet to her face. The silence was beginning to become unbearable for her. She continued to watch until finally the fire was blazing. He turned toward her, locking gazes. Venice stirred slightly in her seat and dropped her eyes from his gaze. He approached her and sat down, releasing a long sigh. Not knowing what to do, she took a chance and laid her head against his chest. He pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her waist.