CHAPTER 39 Divide and Conquer


    Joy


    I figured it would take about five minutes for Xavier to get to the storefront from his office. Five minutes


    is usually just a blip on the radar, but when you are with distastefulpany, five minutes feels like an


    eternity.


    As my blue eyes locked with the man’s twi nkling gray ones, the voice in my head screamed…


    I hate you!


    Luckily, it didn’t take me much effort to smile brightly at the tall man while hiding my


    disdain.


    “Councilman Murdock, what a nice surprise! I was just with your wife earlier.” I deliberately ced an


    emphasis on wife, hoping he wouldn’t miss it. “After signing the lease, I came straight to Dom’s to


    purchase construction material, but his store was still closed. So, I decided toe here and order a


    nket from Bo instead. I just finished with him,” I exined, fighting the urge to giggle.


    And it felt soooo good.


    enough about me. What brings you here, Councilman?” I flipped my hair and ced a active hand on


    his arm, hoping he would think with the head in between his legs. He suddenly coughed and turned


    red. That was the reaction I was looking for.


    “I was hoping to talk to Bo about my campaign. Elections areing soon and I was hoping Bo’s


    grocery store could help sponsor my reelection, and of course, the reelection of our good mayor, Liam


    Cohen. Everyone in New Salemes here and if they see Bo’s supports us, it may help us win


    again,” he replied. “But I must say it is wonderful bumping into yo like this. I would like to apologize for


    my behaviorst night. It isn’t everyday I meet such a beautiful youngdy as yourself.”


    “I’ll take that as apliment, Councilman, so there isn’t a need to apologize,” I said flirtatiously. He


    grinned from ear to ear.


    you


    “So, you’ll be deemed a resident of New Salem after thirty days which means you can vote in June. All


    you need to bring is any form of identification with you and a current utility bill at your designated polling


    ce. It will mean the world to me if I can get your support,” he said, looking at me with puppy dog


    eyes.


    1/6


    13:33 Mon, Mar 25


    CHAPTER 39 Divide and Conquer


    Why in the world would I support someone like you?


    “Of course. Anything for you, Councilman,” I said, batting my eyshes at him.


    “You can call me Cris, Virtue,” he said, winking at me.


    I noticed some of the customers were openly watching our exchange. Well, I needed to divert attention


    away from Cristos, Sebastian and Xavier. If people begin talking about me, the trio can move more


    freely.


    “Well then….anything for you, Cris,” I murmured I saw his face turn unmistakably red.


    “Cris! What can I do for you this fine morning?” Xavier suddenly asked from behind me. I heaved a sigh


    of relief.


    Oh, thank Go d! The bagel I had earlier was threatening toe out from all this flirting.


    “The very person I needed to see, Cris said, extending his hand for a handshake. Xavier grabbed Cris’


    hand and shook it.


    Time for me to leave…


    “Well, I need to go to Dom’s. Bo, please call me about that nket I ordered earlier. It needs the perfect


    color of cerulean blue. Cris, I’ll go ahead. Have a good morning gentlemen!! ed goodbye at the both of


    them and quickly left the grocery store. I kept my smile Mastered on my face just in case I was being


    watched.


    Surprisingly, there were already a lot of people shopping at Dom’s when I entered. I noticed Sebastian


    was busy entertaining a group of housewives, leading them towards the house decor and furniture


    section of his store. I decided to browse around, looking for people. carrying a ck sling bag. Yet, I


    didn’t notice anyone with such a bag.


    Dom’s was divided into two sections, mainly, home decor and furniture and hardware. I


    didn’t expect Dom’s was just a big as Bo’s. When I open my boutique, this wholemercial space will


    be our territory.


    As I was walking around, I caught the familiar scent of Nicole’s sweet-smelling perfume


    while I heard the distinct timbre of Noah’s voice.


    They are here together?


    I followed the scent of Nicole’s perfume and found them huddled together looking at a


    2/6


    13.33 Mon, Mar 25


    CHAPTER 39 Divide and Conquer


    laptop atop a tall bar table near the ‘Lumber and Building Materials’ section of the hardware. A chubby-


    looking fellow with brown hair and sses wearing a blue and maroon striped shirt and jeans was with


    them answering Nicole’s questions. I coughed to grab their


    attention.


    “Virtue, you’re finally here,” Nicole said. “I went looking for you at Bo’s, but I couldn’t find


    you.”


    Here we go…


    “Oh, I was just talking to Cris,” I said. She looked at me puzzled. Cris, being so tall, was a hard man to


    miss.


    “I would have noticed Cris,” she remarked, frowning. Today, Nicole was wearing a yellow halter ruched


    bodycon dress with a matching yellow sweater and yellow tforms on her feet. Her hair was up in


    messy bun on the top of her head as usual, making her look tall.


    “Well, if you did, then you would have seen me speaking with him,” I murmured, running my fingers


    along some of the wood disyed on a rack.


    “Nicole here sees Bo and everyone else in the store bes invisible,” the man with them


    unexpectedly said. Noah smirked to Nicole’s utter dismay.


    found myself a worthy ally.


    i. I’m Virtue and you are?” I asked.


    “Peter McDowell, but you can call me Pete, Miss Virtue,” he said, turning red. I love it when I make men


    blush.


    “No need to call me Miss. Virtue will do just fine, Pete. So what are you guys discussing over


    here?” I asked charmingly.


    “Potentialyouts for your store, V-Virtue,” Pete answered. “I and a co-worker of mine drew these up for


    you to choose.”


    “You’re very talented, Pete,” I said after looking at theyouts and the designs on hisptop. Everything


    including the material needed was included in his design. He also incorporated images of what the


    boutique would look like finished and furnished for eachyout. “Did you also design theyout for my


    kitchen and bathrooms?”. Pete nodded his head


    enthusiastically.


    3/6


    33 Mon, Mar


    CHAPTER 39 Divide and Conquer


    Peter McDowell. I remember him. He was a year younger than us and was bullied worse than others.


    Apparently, now he worked for Noah. Judging how quick he came to my rescue


    showed he had sp unk. I needed to get the story on Peter McDowell. He was wasting his


    talent in this small town.


    “So, Virtue, whichyout do you want?” Nicole asked impatiently. I was taken aback. I didn’t hire her. I


    nced at Pete who looked as though Nicole was an inconvenience.


    “Well, to answer your question, I want the free-flowyout with a bigger office,” I answered. “But I have


    to apologize for the mix-up, Nicole. I ced a hand on her upper arm to appear apologetic. “Chip will


    be hiring your services. The pub is a big project and I don’t want to get in the way of the renovations of


    the town’s favorite watering hole. Since Chip will be hiring


    you, I think I’ll hire Pete here to oversee the interior design of my shop since he already has a concete


    vision. What do you say, Pete?”


    Pete began to nod his head, but the angry re from Nicole stopped him. Noah bit his lower lip and


    looked away as if I had ruined their ns. Perfect.


    “Actually, Virtue, I can do both projects at the same time,” Nicole hurriedly exined. “Plus, Chip hasn’t


    even called me to=”


    “Hold your apuse, everyone. The star has finally arrived,” Cristos said loudly, interrupting


    ever Nicole was going to say. Yesterday, he wore mostly ck, but for today, he was ly in pink except


    for his white sneakers. “Nicole! You said you would help me with the o. Why are you with Virtue?”


    Cristos pouted, looking sad and disappointed. “And I heard. what you said. You can’t do both projects


    because I am a very demanding client.”


    “And Virtue isn’t. I did her house with minimal supervision. I mean, aren’t you suppose to be


    bestfriends, Chip? Usually bestfriends share,” Nicole reasoned.


    “Darling, this is business not friendship. Virtue already has Pete and Noah prioritizing her boutique. She


    doesn’t need you. I need you. Now help me pick out what I need or you will never get a bonus from


    me.” Cristos maneuvered the little bit ch away giving Pete some breathing space.


    I had Pete discuss everything with Noah and Stanley, Sebastian’s very young assistant. I paid


    everything in full and told them I would give them a bonus if they have everything done in two weeks.


    I wanted to see how far I could push Noah’s buttons, so I bought the material for his porch. As


    expected, he blew his top off to the shock of everyone in the store.


    4/6


    13:33 Mon, Mar 25 c


    CHAPTER 39 Divide and Conquer


    S81%


    “Didn’t I tell you I’d think about it?! Who do you think you are, Virtue?!” Noah eximed


    furiously. “Just because several people pay youpliments, doesn’t make you a queen. You are


    nothing in this town!”


    He knew he went to far when Nicole, Cristos and Sebastian suddenly appeared, looking


    completely shocked, offended and appalled.


    Sebastian opened his mouth to say something, but I raised my hand to stop him.


    “Noah, the building material is for someone you love dearly. Don’t let your pride get in the way of


    someone’s happiness.” My lips were trembling and my voice was a bit raspy. “Dom, just deliver the


    material to my house.”


    “Sure thing, Virtue.”


    I checked my phone for messages and saw a missed call and a text message both from Lisa. The


    message read to meet her at town hall. I sighed.


    Great…


    “Pete, make sure everything is ready to be transferred next door. If you need anything else, order it.”


    My voice cracked and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.


    tue, I’m so sorry. If you could just wait and listen to my exnation-”


    No need to exin, Noah. Just make sure everything is ready. Once I get the building permit, I want


    the construction to start,” I said, my voice going h o ar se again. I lowered my head to hide my eyes


    and sniffled.


    I took a tissue from my bag and quickly wiped my eyes and nose. Then, I fixed my hair, took some


    calming breaths and smiled, finallyposed.


    I called out to Cristos who had just finished paying for his construction material. “Chip, I think our


    permits are ready at town hall.” He tucked his receipt in his bag and took my


    v arm.


    “See youter, everyone,” Cristos said, waving as we exited Dom’s. Before the doors closed, 1 secretly


    nced behind me and saw a scowling Nicole and a troubled Noah looking at each.


    other.


    The ends of my lips curved into a small smile.


    Divide and conquer.


    5/6


    CHAPTER 39 Divide and Conquer


    I’m sure Liam is not going to be happy about this.


    Chapter Comments


    Nina Caldwell


    POST COMMENT


    The first part of this book was straightforward, but this second part has so many twists, I’m actually


    trying to figure out what wille next. It’s absolutely exciting. Aft…


    Luna-Mom


    Wow love how great this story is flowing. With so many twists and sneaking around is brilliant


    VIEW ALL 2 COMMENTS


    26


    SHARE


    6/6


    Mon, Mar


    The Joy of RevengeN?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.