Page 12 of The Most Dearest
“Who knows? Who cares, Harrison? If she’s got someone new, she’ll want to move on, not stay here. Let this play out. That neighbor guy seems okay,” she encouraged while she removed her dress in a suggestive way. The neighbor guy was not “okay.” He was a hose-hogging asshole who refused to wear shirts. I was too distracted to pay attention to Emma. I couldn’t let Cordelia win. She was not going to drive me out of this house.
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I woke the next morning to the heavenly smell of bacon and coffee. In the kitchen, Cordelia skittered around serving a full breakfast to Miranda and Damon, who both sat at the table.Hash browns, eggs, toast, avocado, and bacon filled every inch of the plate, the smell tantalizing my tastebuds. While I was happy with Emma, I had missed Cordy's cooking over the past few weeks. She was an amazing cook and took great joy in feeding those she loved. I guess that wasn't me anymore because there were only three plates on the counter. This was confirmed when she, Miranda, and Damon tucked into their food. Why was he here in the morning? Did he stay last night? I didn’t hear anything, and my room was right next door to hers.
Emma entered the room, cooing in her soft voice. “Ooh baby, you cooked me—"
She broke off when she saw the happy threesome eating at the table. She leaned up and whispered in my ear, “Never mind baby. Let’s grab something on the way to work.” Why wasn’t she more bothered by this? This was disrespectful to her as well as me. My hands felt sticky with anxiety, so I pumped out some sanitizer while I watched the cozy scene play out in front of me. I wrung my hands together, but nothing absorbed. What the ...? My hands were so slippery that rubbing them together was a real effort. I rubbed and rubbed until Emma became irritated. “Let’s go. We’re going to be late.” Something was wrong. Miranda looked at me and innocently raised an eyebrow. This woman had turned into a complete witch. She was so sweet, if a bit impulsive and flighty, when Cordy and I were together. I don’t know what was happening, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of washing my hands in here. She'd done something. I'd have to throw away that sanitizer, but I wouldn't do it in front of her.
Without exchanging a word with anyone in that tension-soaked room, I took Emma's arm, and we left for work. Laughter rang out behind me.
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Work was busy, and as usual, Emma was my light in the darkness. I was stressed by the situation at home and the other pharmacist had called in sick, despite having just been on leave. She rubbed my shoulders and whispered soothing words. I felt like I didn’t have the energy to return home tonight. At least Damon wouldn’t be there, but I’d still have to face Miranda and Cordelia. Why couldn’t Cordy just give up?
Emma went straight to our room, but I sat on the sofa. It was my way of ensuring Miranda and Cordy couldn’t claim it tonight. If my ass was there, they wouldn’t enter. Well, Cordy wouldn’t. Miranda would happily sit with me and insult me with a smile on her face. A loud shriek from Emma had me jumping out of my seat. One hand pulled through her hair and the other was pointed at a gold plaque on our door. I stepped forward and read it. It was an artist attribution plaque from the gallery Miranda worked at.
“I’m not a homewrecker!” Emma sobbed. “You told me your relationship was dead. I wouldn’t have moved in if I knew things were going to be like this.”
Why wouldn't Miranda just let this go? I was done with Cordelia. No prank could make me love her sister again. She was obviouslyin this to win, the house and this petty game with me. I wouldn't let her get away with upsetting Emma like this.
Chapter 13: Cordelia - Narcissists
Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak.
As You Like It, William Shakespeare
“It’s just immature, Miranda. You need to accept this. You and Cordelia need to accept the end of the relationship,” Harrison scolded.
“Oh, we’ve accepted that Little Lord Stubbyfingers. Neither of us want that back, but we haven’t accepted having your entitled ass in this house. This is my sister's home and if I want to decorate the guest bedroom door, I will. You should be grateful to have an artist’s eye here to help with the aesthetics." Harrison just stared at her angrily.
“Oh, Embarrison,” she enthused, staring at the white hallway wall. “Picture it: zombie homoeroticism. Muscular living-dead men entwined passionately with other muscular living-dead men. I wonder how many dicks I could fit on this wall. This could be my breakthrough piece. Maybe a bunch of men 69ing, with some horny naked voyeurs watching.” She shook her head, chuckling at the idea of cheeky, aroused onlookers. “That would be scorching. I can make you one of the zombies Embarrison. You’re quite the pervert. You’d fit right in. Can you see it, Cordy?” She stretched out her hands and shut one eye, like she was envisioning the final masterpiece.
“Knock yourself out, Randa. You know I support the arts and freedom of sexual expression.” I loved my sister.
“Just stop it!” Harrison screeched. “Emma is here to stay and I don’t want you making her feel bad. You can see me as the villain, I don’t care. But Emma is young and fragile. She—"
“Yeah, the moment a grown man has to protect his girlfriend’s youth and innocence is the moment you know he’s a dirty pervert with an ego problem,” Miranda shot back.
“What is your problem?!” he yelled.
Miranda moved closer to him and put her hands on her hips. Her voice was low, controlled, and dripping with hostility.
“What is my problem? My problem is that I welcomed you into this family. I supported your relationship. I was kind to you, helped you, and put up with your boring ass. And all along, you were a snake, slithering under my radar on your disgusting, deceitful belly. My problem is that I trusted you with my sister. I trusted you with my family. And you betrayed her, which means you betrayed us. Even after that betrayal, you’ve refused to do the decent thing and pay her out. Don't act like you don't have this and more coming to you, Harrison. I haven't even started yet.”
He stared at her, both of them rooted to the spot.
I spoke up. “We won’t bother you tonight, Harrison. But stay out of the dining room and kitchen because I’m cooking Damon dinner tonight.”
He glared at me, finally tearing his eyes from the spitfire in front of him. “He has a house with a kitchen. You and Miranda can go there for dinner.”
Miranda picked up her bag and headed toward the door. “Nah, I’m out with Cam tonight. It’s an intimate dinner with just Cordy and Damon, so don’t be an annoying third wheel Embarrison." Harrison hated his new name from Miranda, so of course, she wheeled it out whenever she could.
“Bye my loves. I'm off to work,” she called out, shutting the door defiantly behind her.
“You on with Damon, now?” Harrison asked me, making a weird, overly controlled effort to be “casual.”
“There’s something there, yes. It’s new so I’d appreciate some respect. I don't get in Emma's face, so you need to dial the irrationality back a few clicks.” I lifted my head and stalked past him toward the door. I'd returned to work and had a busy day ahead. Then, I had a “date” with my sexy neighbor.
