Feelings of guilt, anger, and the need for revenge engulf me at once, but even with what happened, I can’t bring myself to tell Crystal the truth. I need to stop this woman before anything else happens, I just have to find her.
“I was just upset about this happening to you and not knowing what to expect when I got there. I was worried, and I guess the adrenaline rush was too much.”
She seems to ponder this for a moment and then she just kisses me.
“I promise I’m okay and I’m sure if I rest for a couple of days, I’ll be more than okay.”
“I have to go into the station for a little while, will you be okay alone,”
“Yes, the meds will make me sleep, so I’ll be fine.”
I tuck her in after she takes her pills, set the alarm, and head downtown. When I get there, Javi and the chief are waiting in our meeting location and they fill me in on the next phase of the plan. The chief is working on securing the warrants to search the shipping crates that contain the drugs and she’s also working on warrants to search the club and Devon’s house. Our contact at the club sent images of Devon unpacking the crates and separating the drugs for transport. Everything is falling into place with bringing Mike’s killers to justice and putting a stop to the drugs that are killing teenagers. Now all I have to do is figure out this mess with this bitch that’s stalking me and keeping Crystal out of harm’s way.
Crystal
I’m feeling so much better now that it’s been a few days. I’m in no rush to get back to the office, so I focus on the upcoming awards ceremony. I have my dress and all of the accessories. My friend Jewel is coming over to do our makeup and hair, so we’re all set. Jackson won’t make it to the ceremony, but he’s coming to the dinner party afterwards. He has so much on his plate right now and me getting injured did not help. He’s being so attentive and caring and I’m falling for him more and more as the days go by. I don’t understand how or why this happened. I’ve never felt unsafe in my building and nothing like that has ever occurred. I’ll have to make sure that cameras are installed in all of the blind spots in the garage. I don’t want this happening to anyone else. I have to admit, working from home has been peaceful and I’m getting so much done that I’m ahead of schedule. The ringing of my phone interrupts my flow and I see it’s Alicia Cummings. She’s in charge of the ceremony and the Director of the Chamber of Commerce for Santa Monica.
“Hello!”
“Hi Crystal, it’s Alicia Cummings, how are you?”
She must’ve heard about what happened.
“I’m much better, thank you for asking.”
“That’s wonderful to hear. I was calling to see if we needed to postpone the ceremony or are you feeling up to it?”
“That is very kind of you, but no, we’re still on for Friday. I’m looking forward to receiving the award and nothing is getting in the way of that.”
“That’s wonderful news! I can’t wait to see you again. You know, we really need to have lunch some time.”
“I would like that, thank you.”
“Well, I better be going, it was so good talking to you and I’m looking forward to Friday.”
“Thank you Alicia, me too.”
I hang up the phone feeling confident and reassured that everything going forward will be okay. I decide to get some more rest before Jackson comes back. I want him to see that I’m fine and that he can stop worrying so much. He has enough on his plate, and I don’t want to add to that.
Friday is upon us and I’m getting anxious. Although I know the award is mine, my anxiety is through the roof. I want tonight to be perfect. I can’t wait to see Jackson after the ceremony and introduce him to everyone. I know that they’ll love him just as much as I do. The doorbell rings and I know it’s Jewel and her crew because I hear April squealing with excitement when she answers the door. She immediately goes to the dressing room to set up. Our dressing room is a bedroom that we remodeled to get ready for events. It includes a makeup station, a small salon area equipped with hairstyling tools and accessories. We also have a walk-in closet with floor length mirrors to show every angle when we get dressed. It’s our favorite room because we get to spend the day together, getting styled and pampered. I invited Stephanie and Charlene to join us. They deserve this treat and so much more. They really stepped up to the plate this week while I was recovering. After hugs and kisses, we relax and let Jewel’s crew get to work.
Six hours later we’re dressed in our evening gowns and ready to go. We all look fabulous if I say so myself. The limo is right on time and we pile in, careful not to mess up our fresh pedicures. “How are you feeling?”
I look over to Chas, who has a concerned look on her face.
“I feel great actually. No headache at all, just nervous that my speech goes well.”
“Well, you have nothing to feel nervous about, but your ass is mine if you make us cry.”
Laughing, I say,
“Oh Chas, you always threaten me with a good time!”
We all laugh and just make small talk. Before I know it, we’re pulling up and getting helped out of the limo. We’re immediately greeted by Alicia Cummings.
“Crystal, it’s so good to see you and you look absolutely gorgeous!”
“Thank you Madam Chairwoman, you look lovely as well.”
“Oh, stop with the formalities, we’re friends and I get enough of that during the day. It’s annoying, she laughs.”
I introduce her to everyone, and we go in to find our seats. The press is there taking pictures and I give a short interview about my award tonight. Someone pinch me, because I’m not prepared for the enormity of this event. I’m so overwhelmed and I’m happy that my girls are with me. We find our table and I down the champagne brought by the wait staff. My phone buzzes and I open my clutch to see it’s a text from Jackson.
Him: Hi beautiful, I just wanted to text you to say how proud of you I am and that I love you. You’re going to do great tonight and since I can’t be there to hear your speech, I asked April to record it for me.
Me: Hi baby, thank you so much and I love you too. You have to stop conspiring with April, she doesn’t know how to say no (smiley face) I can’t wait to see you tonight. Will you still be able to make the dinner party?
Him: I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
Me: Okay, well I have to go, Alicia is up on stage greeting everyone, which means she’ll be calling my name soon.
Him: Alright, see you soon. (kissy face)
Me: (kissy face)
“Now, without further ado, our recipient of The Advertiser of the Year Award, Ms. Crystal Stephens!”
Applause erupts around the auditorium of distinguished guests and then everyone is standing as I make my way to the stage. In this moment, I am grateful for my parents who were steadfast and present in my life. Teaching me core values, hard work, and self-discipline. In this moment, I feel the love of my best friends, who’ve been with me every step of the way as I have for them. I stand at the podium and begin my speech. I talk about my journey, my mentors, and the hardships that go along with being a woman in a man’s world. I talk about the other magazines that were nominated and I thank them for challenging me and forcing me to always strive for greatness. I end with thanking my parents, my staff, my three best friends, and all of those who have been there for me. The applause erupts again as I take my plaque engraved with my name and magazine. It finally feels real and I smile so hard that my face hurts. When I get to the table, everyone is crying, which makes me cry. This night couldn’t be any better and seeing Jackson soon will be the icing on the cake.