A Tangled Web of Deception Conclusion
It's on, NOW!
Eyes Wide Shut ...
Kaitlyn drives toward the hospital, determined to change her perceptions on both Celine and her marriage. The thought of losing Brandon is more than she can tolerate. She is also going to have a heart-to-heart talk with her son!
When Kaitlyn arrives at the hospital, Kelli is walking through the parking lot heading toward her car. Both women smile when they see each other.
“How is he doing, Kelli?” Kaitlyn anxiously asks.
“It will take more than Dylan to foil that tough old bird!” Kelli smiles.
“I have been such an idiot. How could I have overlooked that, that woman?” Kaitlyn face displays a frown.
“Quit beating yourself up, kiddo. Brandon is going to be alright.” Kelli gently puts her arm around Kati and hugs her best friend.
“Yes, everything is going to be alright. I am going to contact Jake as soon as the holidays are over. This is not the type of thing that needs to be kept in the dark. I understand what Brandon is talking about, but it’s about time I started looking out for the interest of the men in my life!” Kati finishes.
“Well, handle your business, girlfriend!” Kelli encourages and they both laugh.
“You know sometimes almost losing someone you really love puts life into a whole different perspective.” Kaitlyn says.
“I know what you mean. When Zach had his bout with double pneumonia I thought I was going to lose my mind. The twins had never seen me in such a state and believe it or not even Celine was sympathetic to my plight.” Kelli replies in awe.
“Well, if she had been a little more sympathetic to Brandon’s plight maybe he wouldn’t be trying to recoup from his brush with death.” Kaitlyn replies.
“You know, that girl has some very serious issues, but I wonder if Dylan didn’t concoct this thing alone. Celine knows how much you and Jake love Brandon and it would be sheer foolishness to jeopardize Brandon’s life just for the sake of winning Jake. That would be a paradox.” Kelli retorts shaking her head.
“Well, be that as it may, and you could be right; Celine is responsible if not directly but indirectly.” Kaitlyn rejoinders.
“I agree with that.” Kelli states shaking her head in the affirmative.
“And I plan on doing something about that.” Kaitlyn gives a small smile.
“Count me in!” Kelli agrees laughing.
Kelli is always game for a bit of mischief!
So What’s the Game Plan ...
After a little more conversation, Kati hugs Kelli good-bye and goes into the hospital to find her husband sitting up in bed smiling.
“What are you smiling about, dear?” Kati asks.
“I was just watching you and Kelli Girl in the parking lot having quite a conversation from what I could see.” Brandon says still smiling.
“You know, Brandon, it takes something like this to make me see just how very much you mean to me, and how lost I would be if you ever went away.” Kati responds on a more serious note.
“Come here, my beige beauty and let me show you just how much I plan on sticking around.” Brandon laughs.
“Watch out, my white knight. You are in no position to display your manhood. I admit you are lying down, but that’s all.” Kati counters and they both have a good laugh.
“So, what is the game plan?” Brandon inquires.
“You get well, Brandon and leave the ‘game plan’ to others more capable.” Kati answers.
“I hear you, woman. I would hate to get you riled up.” Brandon finishes and lies back on the pillows with a look of contentment. He knows that his wife and Kelli will be on the case.
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After Brandon dozes off, Kati gets on the phone to Kelli.
“Hi Kati, what’s up?” Kelli asks.
“Just a little payback, that’s all, my very good friend. Just a little pay back is all.” Kati smiles.
Celine never knew what hit her …
Springing the Trap ...
Celine sits quietly in her office. Then she gets a telephone call from Kaitlyn.
“Celine, I’ve invited a few people over for dinner. There will be Zach and Kelli, Brandon and me and I would like for you to come and please bring Dylan.” Kaitlyn replies rather coyly.
Celine is overjoyed to come and has no idea that this is just a ploy to get everyone together. “Oh—I’d love to be there, Kati. I’ll be sure to tell my Uncle Dylan to be in attendance as well.” Celine coos.
“Yes, please be sure that Dylan is here. I’ll see you soon.” With that, Kaitlyn returns the phone to its cradle.
Dylan takes Celine to Brandon’s home and they all sit down and have a talk. Before dinner, the topic of the conversation shifts to Brandon Emerson, and things turn nasty.
“I know all about your little subterfuge to get back in Kati’s underwear by trying to kill her husband, you bastard!” Kelli flings at Dylan.
“I don’t know what the hell you are talking about, Kelli. Zach, you need to put a muzzle on your dog!” Dylan screaming back.
“And, I suppose you just came over to the office to have an innocent conversation regarding his son and Celine, here.” Kelli gives her a disgusting look.
“I didn’t come over here to be insulted. I appreciate what you and Zach did for me. Taking me in when I was a child and treating me like one of the family—but that doesn’t give you the right to be insulting.” Celine pouts.
“Nor does it give you the right to plot against my best friend’s husband just because you want Jake and Dylan wants Kati back.” Kaitlyn hammers as her friend takes the lead and does what she can to unhinge the couple.
“You can’t prove a goddamn thing!” Dylan slams down. Zach is observing the entire production, first in horror and then in amusement. Zach still jokingly calls it ‘the fight of the century.’
This is one time when Brandon does the smart thing and keeps his mouth closed. In fact, he is enjoying the revelry too much to comment anyway.
Kaitlyn decides that it would be the perfect moment to ask both Celine and Dylan to leave the house.
“Celine, Dylan, I think the best thing to do under the circumstances is to leave my home NOW. Celine, you will march your prissy little ass out of my door and never return again and take your pervert of an uncle with you!” Celine has turned as red as a beet and Dylan is choking on his martini.
“Now just one damn minute! You invited Celine and me over to your house. We are attack by Zach’s guard dog—and now you want us to leave?” At this point, Zach has had all he can take regarding the insults to his wife.
“You heard her Celine, Dylan. Now get out of my best friend and partner’s house before I forget myself and throw you out.” Bellows Zach and Brandon is also looking upset. Before Brandon can utter a word, Kaitlyn intercedes.
“Darling, I can handle this, thanks for your assistance, Zach. It has only been a short spell since your heart attack. Please, Brandon, you need to be careful. As for you two, I repeat, you will leave my house now.” Kaitlyn orders.
Celine looks at Kaitlyn with a shocked expression on her face. Dylan grabs his jacket and is heading out the door.
“Calm down, please! Whatever you are thinking, we can discuss this rationally.” Once again Celine starts turning a deep shade of red.
“You don’t have to explain anything to me, Celine. I am beginning to see everything clearer now. Why I refused to believe you were the type of person everyone told me you were, I will never understand. Just leave, now!” Kaitlyn roars.
Dylan returns to grab Celine by the arm and almost drags her from the room. He slams the door shut—rattling the glass and throws out, “This is not over by a long shot. You may have won the battle but the war’s mine!”
“I wouldn’t be too sure of that, my friend!” Kaitlyn answers with a large grin on her face.
The End
© 2019 Jacqueline Williamson BBA MPA MS
