Chapter 19: The Ends Justify The Means

Victoria got suspicious Keshia may have had a secret after her last visit to the girls. When they teamed up against her, she kind of knew something was on. She wasn’t sure it concerned her but she had to find out. She still had the key to the apartment since she used to live with Mandy and Keshia. She also knew Keshia kept a diary and all her hiding places so she decided to go find out.


“I can’t believe what happened last night. I made a horrible mistake. This is so not like me. I just betrayed Victoria. Betrayed her twice since I promised not to tell her. Vicky had to go to this fundraising event with Graham and she couldn’t make it and asked me to go with him instead. I’ve always liked Graham, I’ve always been a little jealous of Vicky for having such a wonderful man in her life. I thought it would be cool to spend a night in her shoes. I never expected they would fit so great.

Graham was adorable; very sweet and attentive. The evening was great but I’m afraid we both had a little too much to drink. Instead of going straight home each our separate way like we should have, I got back in the limo with him. I know I should’ve stopped myself but I couldn’t help it and I started imagining what it would be like to be in his arms, have him kissing me, make love to me. I initiated a very innocent flirting session and soon after we were kissing.

I could blame the alcohol but it would just be a sad excuse. We were getting pretty hot and heavy and he couldn’t get back to my place because of course I live with Mandy and Vicky. I didn’t want to go to his place either so we ended up at the hotel. Not a sleazy one, five stars; it was like a dream. We got to our room and quickly found ourselves undressed making passionate love. I didn’t take even a second to think of how wrong this was.

I guess I’m a bad person. Graham and I talked about it and we promised never to tell Vicky or anyone else. It reminded me he wasn’t mine. I had just betrayed my best friend. Being in Graham’s arms was so unreal and wrong, yet it felt so right. This is where jealousy had brought me. To a hotel room with my best friend’s boyfriend. I’ll have to live with this my entire life now.

I would want to be with Graham and yet it’s impossible. He’s a faithful man; even he can’t tell why or how this happened. I seduced him because I wish I were Vicky sometimes. Now I’m left with less than before I guess. I don’t have him and I’ve lost my self-respect. If I tell the truth, I lose my best friend as well. I sure made a mess of things.”


Vicky smiled reminiscing what she found out a few hours before. She had found exactly what she was looking for. She returned the old diaries were they use to be. Keshia wouldn’t notice a thing. She looked around the room once again hoping to find the new hiding place for the diary Keshia was currently keeping, but nothing.

After reading the journal entry, Vicky thought Keshy would’ve tried to steal Graham away from her. As she kept reading, she surprisingly found out Keshia never even tried. That girl was just expressing guilt and more guilt throughout the rest of the year. Funny, Vicky had done it to her in the past; this could’ve been payback.


“Keshy, you’ve always been weak”, she thought. “Too bad, Graham and you probably would’ve been a perfect pair.”


She was lucky the search paid off. It was hard to believe Keshia was able to keep a secret this big for so long. According to the diary, only Graham and Keshia knew. Now Vicky did too and she had definitely used it to her advantage. He couldn’t have changed so much. Guilt would have him running back to her in no time. In a weird, twisted way; she had Keshia to thank for it all.

Chapter 18: One Desperate Attemp

“How could you do this?! I trusted you, Graham.”

“Really? Well, let’s talk about trust Vicky. What was Leetson doing at your party to start with? True, you were looking for another job while enjoying all the benefits you would’ve had working with me only you have a whole year off.

That year was for you to take some time to think. Think about us. But yet the first thing you do once you are free is flirt with my best friend and look for another job. You thought I wouldn’t find out?”

“Loyalty?! I’m all for a talk on loyalty. Me flirting with Gary is nothing compared to what happened between you and Keshia. Oh, I bet you thought I didn’t know. But I knew all along. I kept waiting for one of you to confess and apologize but nothing, you guys kept it secret because you believe you could get away with it. How many times? How many times?”

Graham opened his mouth but he was speechless. It had never crossed his mind that Vicky could’ve known. She started to cry.

“Do you have any idea how I felt? Betrayed by the man I loved and my best friend. Especially Keshia who was always such a goody two shoes. I spent all those nights with you just knowing you weren’t faithful. I even accepted your marriage proposal because I was unable to let you go…”

Graham approached Victoria and held her tight.

“I swear to you it only happened once. We were both drunk and the situation got out of control. We decided not to tell you because it seemed like the best thing to do. Vicky, I loved you. More than anything in the world and I didn’t want to hurt you.

I am truly ashamed you found out on your own and not through me. I wanted to tell you so many times but it just never seemed right. Then it was just easier to keep it inside for both our sakes. I deeply regret what happened that night and I could never erase it or make it up to you. I’m sorry.”

“How did we ever get to here? I should’ve been able to tell you I was leaving you because I was insecure. That I knew about you and Keshia. It would’ve saved us from this whole mess.”

“Maybe we couldn’t be saved, Vicky…”

“Do you really mean it? Alice, you haven’t been seeing her for long. Is it really serious? I’m sure you still love me, Graham. I just know it. I let you see an awful side of me lately but that is not me. We should start over.”

This was out of Victoria’s character. Graham didn’t know what to believe anymore. If part of him felt guilty she was so insecure during the relationship after he strayed. The other part felt she was responsible because she never confronted him.

There was also Alice in the equation. He couldn’t just get back to Victoria. It was too complicated. But he could feel he still cared and maybe even loved her just by considering it.

“Vicky, I have to think. I’m really sorry. I wish I had an answer for you but I don’t. I just don’t. I have to sort out my feelings. I promise, whatever I decide, you’ll be first to know.”

Chapter 17: Trying to Make Amend

“Are you ok, Graham? You seem…disturbed.”

“I’m fine Alice, it’s nothing to worry about.”

“This has anything to do with Victoria? We can leave.”

“It is related to Victoria but also Gary. We don’t have to leave. She won’t find out tonight anyways. I’ll deal with it in time and place.”

“Please, Graham, tell me what’s going on, I don’t want to be left in the dark.”

Alice was wondering if she should be worried. She thought Graham didn’t care for Victoria anymore, but the way he acted was leading her to believe otherwise. Maybe knowing exactly what was going on would put those negative feelings to sleep.


“Hey beautiful. Great party!”

“Gary! Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you.”

“Really? Good to know. Can’t wait to get me alone in a room?”

Victoria laughed.

“No. I wanted to ask you if you’d seen Graham or that girl he was with at Kisses.”

“Oh! That’s it?”

Gary pretended to be hurt. Then he smiled and pointed in the direction Alice was standing. Victoria thanked him before walking to Alice who was alone.


“Hi, Amy, I’m glad to see you here.”

“The name is Alice. Thank you very much.”

Victoria wasn’t too happy with Alice interrupting her and acting like she was so important all of a sudden. She pretended not to notice Alice’s attitude. She had to get back on Graham’s good side.

“Right, Alice, I’m sorry. I wanted to apologize for that regrettable incident at Kisses the other night. I would gladly pay for the dry cleaning if you send me the bill. I hope they were able to remove the stain.”

“Well, Victoria…”

“Oh, just call me Vicky.”

“I’d rather stick to Victoria, we’re not friends. And I don’t think it’s such a good idea to offer paying for my dry cleaning now that you’re out of work. And by the way, Leetson’s is going under and soon. I wouldn’t count on a job there. Have a good evening, Victoria.”

Alice grabbed a glass of red wine on the table next to her and dropped it on Victoria while leaving.

“I’m soooo sorry. I’m so clumsy. It’s a good thing you are home; you can change right away. I’d tell you to send me the dry cleaner’s bill but we can just call it even. Agree?

Victoria saw Graham arriving behind Alice. She flashed a very fake smile and said yes.

“I’d stay and talk to you, Graham but I just had a little accident. We can speak after. Wait for me!”

Victoria winked and left.

“Let’s leave Alice.”

“I thought you’d never ask. You don’t want to speak to Victoria?”

“Ideally, not tonight. I just want to be in your arms for now.”

Seemed like a star was shining just for her. Gary had partly taken care of the Victoria problem but she was still trouble of course. At least Graham wasn’t interested in speaking to her for the moment. Hopefully she would get the message and go away.

Chapter 16: Housewarming Party

“This will be the party of the year!”

“Keshia, that is an understatement, this will be the party of the century.”

“Vicky, you’re getting ahead of yourself, this will be a great party but maybe not the one of the century.”

“Since when are you the voice of reason, Mandy? I have the perfect house, the perfect guests, catering, music, Gary and Graham.”

Vicky laughed. Mandy shot her a dirty look.

“I invited Gary for you, of course.”

Little did Vicky know, Mandy knew exactly why Gary would be here. Victoria was too confident as always. Would be funny to watch her public humiliation. Even better, Mandy made sure Victoria had included in her list key people from Leetson’s and other publicity agencies. This would be a night to remember.


“Graham Bill, the one and only.”

“Leetson. It’s been a while.”

Graham and Leetson exchange a brief and polite handshake. It was obvious they did not appreciate each other very much. Graham couldn’t help but wonder why Victoria would’ve invited a man like him. It could be because they had similar personalities. Robert Leetson was a dinosaur. Not only because of his old fashion ways but also because he was hungry for blood both when conducting business or his personal life.

“It sure has been too long. Tell me how does it feel to not only losing your fiancé but to now have her look for a job in my agency?”

Graham almost chocked on his drink and was just about to reply when Gary joined them.

“Well, Victoria as of right now no longer works for Graham.”

“Counselor Sloane.”

“What an honor, you remember me.”

“Well, you sure are hard to forget, the lawsuit cost me nearly 2 million dollars. I sure would get you as counsel if I have to go to trial again. You were amazing.”

“Leetson, if you don’t mind, please excuse us, I need to have a word with Mr. Sloane”

Graham walked with Gary to a more quiet room in the house. He needed to understand whatever was going on.

“Victoria as of right now no longer works for Graham. Would you please explain this to me?”

“Simple. The agreement she signs states that during the year she would not be working with you, she shouldn’t be looking for another job.”

“I can’t believe this. I can’t do this to her.”

“Graham, she signed the agreement. She looked for another job while you were assuming her full salary and expenses. Let her deal with the consequences now.”

Next chapter: More of the party…