CHAPTER 96 A Difficult Decision
Joy
I was waiting for Sebastian to show up to give me a tutorial on how to use the POS system he had
installed. I decided to arrange the essories I knew the students would need to pretty up their gowns
on the disy rack while I waited.
It was an interesting morning.
I had noticed the young man in the ck sweater approaching even before Jack exited his truck and
dashed towards me. Knowing Jack wouldn’t get to me in time, I decided to stall the young man. I
grabbed on to his sleeve and asked him who he was. I had already anticipated that my unexpected
action would agitate him. If it weren’t for Jack, I would have kicked the man in the balls despite the
numerous passersbying in and out of Bo’s. I didn’t care if kicking him would reveal I had the
capability of defending myself. After my assault, I vowed no one would hurt me again..
Yet, luck was on my side. Jack made me look… helpless.
I showed Jack the small note, looking anxious. After he ced his handcuffs on the young man, he
roughly pushed the man against the wall of themercialplex building.
“Who are you?” Jack asked. The young man hesitated. “ANSWER ME!”
“My name is Floyd,” the young man quicky spat out as Jack’s quiet demeanor changed into a
murderous rage.
“Floyd like the boxer,” Jack said. He grabbed his radio which was holstered on his belt and called it in.
“I have a twenty year old male, five foot ten, answers to the name of Floyd. L need someone to pick
him up at themercialplex.
“Copy that, Undersheriff,” a male voice said through the radio. “ETA, five minutes.”
“You can’t arrest me,” the young man argued. “I didn’t do nothing.”
“Oh
yes
I can. I can hold you for assault and battery,” Jack said, his voice low and intimidating. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
“I want awyer,” the man said, putting on a brave face. “I have rights you know.”
1/5
CHAPTER 96 A Difficult Decision
worry, Virtue. We’ll get this sorted out. He won’t ever hurt you.”
I nodded, lowering my head, so Jack wouldn’t see the anger in my eyes. My hands were shaking,
making me look frightened. Actually, they were shaking because I was angry.
Xavier suddenly came out, wondering why there were so many people gathered near his
grocery store.
“Jack, what happened?” Xavier said, pointing at me, then at the young man in the ck
sweater.
“This guy here thought it would be funny to y a prank on one of our own,” Jack answered.
“Prank? He almost hit me,” I said incredulously, acting hysterical, like whatever happened had just
finally sunk in. “I’ve been here for two weeks and no one else has ever done something like this to me.”
Xavier took me in his arms and consoled me. “Hey, hey, hey… ssshhhh… Calm down. This is probably
all a misunderstanding. Right Jack?”
“I was paid to give-” The young man didn’t finish his sentence. I nced behind me and saw Jack with
his hand on the young man’s shoulder shaking his head, warning him not to
speak.
“Yeah, Bo. This was just all a misunderstanding, Jack assured him.
We suddenly heard the sirens of the patrol car. In a matter of minutes, Floyd was dragged into the back
seat of the patrol car and driven away by a deputy.
After Jack took a picture of the note with his phone, he ced a gentle hand on my arm.
“Virtue, I know he scared you, but him raising his arm was just probably a bad reaction to you pulling
on the sleeve of his shirt,” Jack exined. “I promise you, you’re safe.” He turned to Xavier. “Bo, can I
count on you to keep watch?”
“Sure, Undersheriff,” Xavier answered quickly.
“Call me if you see anyone suspicious. I’ll drop byter tonight to check up on you, Virtue. Thanks, Bo.
I’m d I can count on you,” Jack said and waved goodbye. I moved my hand, acknowledging his
wave before entering my store. Xavier followed me inside and locked the door, but waited for Jack to
drive off before speaking to me.
2/5
CHAPTER 96 A Difficult Decision
“What was written on the note?” He asked.
“I’ll see you soon. P,” I answered. He smirked and looked up at the ceiling amused.
“Lou will be hereter to install the security system with a door chime and ce a steel coiling door in
front of the shop. Although the storefront window and door are made of security ss, double the
protection is better,” Xavier said.
“I would have kicked that guy in the balls if Jack hadn’t intervened. And this note is just a reminder from
someone pathetic,” I said, cing the note on the counter. “Pete wants everything to coincide with the
Spring Formal. So we have to n for that night.”
“While you were having coffee, Chip left with Dan. They’re headed to the airport bound for Chicago,”
Xavier said, suddenly changing the topic.
“What are they going to do there?” I asked, knowing what the answer to my question would
be.
“They have an appointment at Tiffany’s,” Xavier said, avoiding eye contact. He walked to the counter
and stood in front of me. “I know you don’t want to be engaged or even marry Liam, but I think it’s
poetic justice in a way. You marry him, kill him and everything the Cohens have to stand for
all they’ve umted throughout the decades from their underground operations, bes yours,
Virtue. One of the Taylors his family has been warring with for generations.”
“But that pri ck raped me! I can’t, Bo, and I won’t,” I murmured angrily at him.
“I understand, Virtue, but hear me out, Xavier said. “You do this and you not only get to kill the ba stard
and his merry bunch of a sholes, but you get to wipe out his family name from memory. No more
statues or relics of the Cohens, no more mansion sitting on the top of Prairie Hill, no more reminders
that the Cohens ever existed, not even books. You can do all of that when you seize control of their
lavish estate. If the Cohens yell ‘death to all Taylors’, you can answer back with ‘death to everything
Cohen’ when you stand in front of their graves. You, no one else, but you can do that.”
I stared at him, stunned, that he was able to exin things so coherently and so vividly. Xavier, the
quiet one. While Sebastian thought I would agree with his proposal for the purpose of expanding their
territory, Xavier made it clearer that I would benefit the most by giving a much bigger perspective… a
dazzling culmination to the revenge I still seek.
I could destroy everything the Cohens have tried to build and wipe them out from the face of this earth.
3/5
CHAPTER 96 A Difficult Decision
I sighed. He had a point. But deep inside my heart, I felt so disgusted that I would have to marry Liam
Cohen… the bas t ard I wanted stab with a knife until all his guts were hanging. out from his body.
two carat
“Think about it, Virtue. Chip and Dan are on their way to Chicago to pick up a diamond ring. If I know
Liam, he will make his proposal public to better his image. I’ve been handing out fliers for your grand
opening tomorrow. I have this nagging feeling, he’s going to do it here, in front of everyone when he
assists you in cutting the ribbon to open your new boutique. You have asked him to cut the ribbon,
right?” Xavier asked.
“I was going to call himter and ask,” I answered.
“Well, think about it okay? I gotta get back to work. Dom will be hereter when he’s done. pretending
to be heartbroken over Ma.” He patted my hand and turned to leave. “And sweetie, I meant what I
said. You and I, we’re meant to be together. All of this, all our sacrifices, is for you to get what you
want… so you can live your life with a happily ever after. We want you to be happy.” He unlocked the
door and exited to head back to Bo’s.
I closed the disy cab, finished with my task of disying the essories… asking myself
repeatedly… could I… would I… should I?
Did I have it in me to pretend to love someone I have hated since I was a teenager?
I was still debating with myself when my phone rang. I looked at the screen and saw it was
Liam.
Speaking of the devil…
“Hi Liam! How are you?” I asked like a lovesick teenager, hoping he would hear the
enthusiasm in my voice.
“I should be asking you that,” he replied, chuckling. “I just heard what happened from Jack Are you
doing okay?”
“I’m fine,” I answered, shrugging the incident off. “Jack exined it was all a prank. Anyway, the young
man just handed me a note. It was harmless.” I quickly changed the subject. “By the way, tomorrow is
my grand opening. I was hoping you’d stop by, but I have something else that you can help me with… if
you have the time, that is.”
“Anything for you,” he said. “What do you need me to do?”
“Can you be my guest of honor for the ribbon cutting ceremony? It would be such a privile
CHAPTER 96 A Difficult Decision
if the mayor of New Salem could be here,” I said, my voice sounding hopeful.
“I thought you would never ask,” Liam replied happily. “Would ten in the morning sound
good?”
“That would be perfect!” I eximed. “Ten in the morning it is. Promise me you’ll show up?”
“I promise, Virtue. Gosh, I miss you,” Liam said, breathlessly. “Just hearing your voice has
made me smile.”
“Aw, I miss you too,” I said. “How’s your father by the way? Do you need me to drop by at the
hospital?”
“No, there’s no need for you toe here,” he answered. “My father is awake and perky, thanks for
asking. He’ll be going home soon. We’ve decided he can continue his recovery at
the mansion.”
That’s great news.
tomorrow then.”
I lied. I had hoped he would remain in the hospital. “I’ll see you.
“Yes, tomorrow. Bye, love,” he said. I grimaced. He called me love.
“Bye, Liam,” I said and hung up. I threw my phone on the counter and cringed.
“So, have you decided yet?” Sebastian said from behind me. D amn that wall panel.
“It was a difficult decision, but yes I have decided,” I answered. “You are looking at the soon-
to-be Mrs. Liam Cohen.”
Chapter Comments
Luna-Mom
Aha looks like Noah is going to have a lot of lies to tell
Anna Murray
I know you must be busy but please please more chapters, I need more
VIEW ALL 2 COMMENTS.
4