Paradise Found (14 page)

Now, of all the damn things, his father shows up uninvited and unexpected and creates a spectacle of himself by feeling up Victoria. Daemon wanted to punch the bastard in the mouth and throw him out. Impossible. His father owned the damn resort and had every right to be on the premises. Besides, he couldn’t ruin Justin’s party.

To top it off, Marcella was clinging to him like Saran wrap and they weren’t even dating!

Daemon was seething and wouldn’t have been surprised if steam began coming out of his ears. He had planned a perfect Saturday celebration and everything that could go wrong was going wrong. Rather, everything he couldn’t control, like human nature.

He was grateful that Justin was rather oblivious to the soap opera antics playing out around him. The boy was laughing in a corner with his friends.
Oh, to be young and innocent!
Why were adults so messed up?

Victoria faced Alexander. “Mr. Wells, I’d like to remind you that ours is a professional relationship and I’d prefer to keep it that way.”

“Today, we’re at play, not at work.” He winked.

“My personal life is my own business.” She stepped away. “I hope you enjoy the party. I’m leaving.”

He put up his hands as if in surrender. “Okay, okay, I get your point. You don’t have to run away because of me.”

She stared at him and mumbled, “In spite of you.”

Daemon watched Victoria abruptly turn and leave, his father standing dazed and confused. Whatever she said to him must have put him in his place.
Good for her.

“Excuse me,” Daemon said to Marcella, extricating himself from her grasp.

He strode toward Alexander. “Father, what a surprise. What brings you here? You were never fond of football or children.” There was a bite in his voice.

Alexander growled. “I’m checking on the operation of my resorts. Quite a swanky party for an Island boy.”

“Justin’s not an “Island boy.” He’s more like the son I haven’t had.” Daemon took a swig of beer.

“Maybe you should concentrate on having your own instead of taking in stray orphans.”

Daemon gripped the beer bottle to prevent his hand fist from meeting his father’s cheek. “If you don’t approve, why are you here? This is a private party and, if I recall, you weren’t sent an invitation.”

“Don’t get smart with me, boy.”

“Or did “Vicky” invite you, though she seemed to be paying you a less than enthusiastic welcome.” Daemon thought of Victoria and the angry expression on her face when she left.

Alexander paced in place. “Ours is a professional relationship.”

Daemon rubbed his chin with his free hand, pondering. He was sure the “professional” part was established by Victoria. He had to give her credit. Few people stood their ground with Alexander.

“I’m sure she’s doing a great job as your Vice President of Development,” Daemon said.

“
Our
Vice President,” Alexander corrected. “She’s doing a remarkable job.”

Daemon had inside information that Victoria was establishing herself as a force in the Seychelles’ office. He had purposely avoided the office since her employ.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have guests to attend to,” Daemon said, turning away. Conversing with his father would only bring up hard feelings. As it was he had enough tension to last a lifetime.

Chapter 22

Victoria needed Jovanna’s advice.

Having been reunited with her father had given her the courage. She planned on meeting with Justin and telling him the truth. She was his mother. He was her son. There would be no denying the connection. As an adult, she had learned how important it was to know where she had come from in order to know where she was going. She just hoped that Justin would appreciate it at his young age.

Before approaching Justin, she thought it prudent to talk with Jovanna. Jovanna was, after all, the one Justin considered his mother. Jovanna knew the boy more intimately and would know what would be in his best interest.

A time was chosen when the children would be in school. Victoria drove to Jovanna’s home and was greeted warmly with a hug and a steaming mug of
sitronel.
She sat at the kitchen table facing Jovanna.

“Victoria, from the moment we met I knew that this day would come. The day when you’d decide to tell Justin of your existence,” Jovanna said, her words as direct as her gaze.

“I can’t continue to live on the Islands living a lie. The community is too small to hide secrets and, I fear, one day Justin would find out on his own. Just as I discovered my father only after my mother’s passing,” Victoria explained. She then told Jovanna of her visit with Jacques Le Grande. “After meeting my long-lost father, I realized how important it is to know of one’s roots.”

Jovanna nodded. “Justin has a mother and a grandfather. Better to know them while they’re alive,
non?”

“I believe so. Problem is, I hate to have to disrupt Justin’s life. After all, he views you as his mother and I don’t want to harm your relationship.” Victoria gripped her mug. “I came here seeking your advice. You know Justin better than me and would know what’s in his best interest.”

“The boy can have two mothers.” Jovanna smiled, lips trembling.

Victoria stared at her. “You’re willing to share Justin?”

“I haven’t a choice. Justin isn’t an orphan. He has a mother who wants to be a part of his life. I cannot deny that. Justin is a teenager, almost an adult, and can make his own decisions. If he wishes to have a relationship with you, I cannot interfere.” She shrugged. “It’s up to Justin.”

The kestrel had left its roost upon her mother’s home. Victoria knew it was a good omen. Just the sign she needed on the day she was set to introduce herself to Justin as his mother. She dressed with care, donning a simple sleeveless shift and flat sandals. Her hair was pulled back and knotted on top her head. She knew that teenagers paid little heed to what adults wore but she wanted to make an impression on her son.
Her son
. The reality of it made her tremble.

She had cleaned her mother’s home until it sparkled. The scent from the chocolate brownies she had baked from scratch scented the air. A pitcher of fresh-squeezed lemonade was set on the kitchen counter.

Looking at her watch, she knew that Jovanna would be coming by with Justin at any moment. They had thought it best that they meet at her mother’s home. For Victoria it was a more comfortable and familiar place. It was where she had grown up and where her childhood memories were. Memories she wanted to share with Justin, along with albums of photographs her mother had kept. She wanted him to get a feel for who she was and where she had come from
.
All the easier for trying to explain why she had gone and left him.

Hearing Jovanna’s car, tires crunching outside the home, she swallowed hard. This was the moment she had eagerly anticipated and yet feared. Feared because she hoped Justin would understand.

A knock rattled the door and voices mingled outside. Victoria straightened her dress, drew a deep breath for courage and approached the door. She opened it wide and waved the two inside.

“Hello, and welcome to the Montcherry home,” Victoria said with a smile.

Justin hesitated in the doorway before following Jovanna inside. Victoria couldn’t help but stare at the boy. He was tall, blonde and handsome. He could easily have passed as a California surfer boy. Like herself, his outward appearance revealed little of the Seychellois blood that flowed in his veins. He looked like a young Jacques LeGrande.

“
Ma mere
told me that we all had something important to discuss,” Justin said, his gaze shifting from Jovanna to Victoria.

“Yes, we do. First, have a seat,” Victoria said, pointing to the sofa. “I made some lemonade and brownies.”

“So that’s what smells so good,” Jovanna added, a tremble in her voice. She sat and Justin sat next to her.

Victoria went into the kitchen and, for a moment, leaned against the counter to take another deep breath. This more difficult than she had imagined. Gathering a tray of glasses of lemonade and a platter of brownies, she joined the two. After handing them each a glass and setting the platter on the cocktail table, she eased herself into a chair across from them.

Jovanna was first to grab a brownie and Justin followed her lead.

“These are great,” Justin said, perched on the edge of the sofa.

Victoria could see how ill at ease the boy was. He seemed a bit confused as to the motive for being at her home. It was if he knew that something was going on. He sat very still and followed Jovanna’s lead on everything from when to sip his lemonade to when to bite the brownie.

Victoria set down her glass and sat up straight. The small talk had over run its course. “Justin, you probably wonder why Jovanna brought you here.”

Glancing at Jovanna, Justin said, “Because you’re friends.”

“Yes, but there’s more. Jovanna’s agreed that I should discuss certain matters with you,” Victoria said, trying to sound confident while her heart raced.

“Me?” Justin’s eyes grew wide and he tilted his head. “I don’t understand.”

“Justin, there’s a part of your life that I’m sure has been a mystery to you. I know that you’ve been raised an orphan and your parents have been unknown to you,” Jovanna explained, clasping her hands on her lap.

“My parents are dead,” Justin said in a firm tone.

“What if I told you that your mother isn’t dead?” Jovanna asked.

“What if she has come back to become a part of your life?” Victoria added, staring at him but he wouldn’t meet her gaze.

“My mother is dead. Dead.”  He shook his head.

“Justin, your mother is alive,” Victoria said, lips quivering.

“How do you know? Who are you?” He stood to confront her, defensive, as if knowing what she was about to say.

“I’m your mother,” Victoria admitted, tears misting her eyes. There, she said it and it was as if a cement block had been removed from her chest, a burden lifted.

“No! No!” Justin curled his hands into fists at his side. His face turned an angry red and he scowled at her.

Jovanna rose, placing an arm around the boy’s shoulders.

“You lie! My mother is dead! Jovanna is my mother now!”

“I don’t intend to take Jovanna’s place but I do want a place in your heart.” Victoria rose.

“No!” Justin began to cry, shoulders heaving. He turned to Jovanna, "Take me away now. Take me away.”

Jovanna stood firm, embracing the boy. “No, Justin. I want you to stay. You need to hear what Miss Montcherry has to say. Be a man, Justin.”

Justin cleared his throat. “You’re on her side!”

“There is no side in this thing. There’s just the truth. You’re at the age when you need to know the truth, Justin,” Jovanna explained.

Justin slunk into the sofa, Jovanna next to him. Victoria eased herself into her chair, though she perched on the edge.

“Justin, I am your mother,” Victoria said. “I grew up on this island, in this home. I’m Seychellois, through and through.”

She cleared her throat and continued as Justin stared a hole through her. “At seventeen I fell in love with an American tourist. We had an affair but he left the Islands before I knew I was with his child. I had no idea where to contact him. I gave birth to the baby, though I wasn’t prepared to be a mother. I had lofty goals like college and life away from the islands. To achieve my dreams, I put the child up for adoption, thinking it best for all concerned.”

“Am I the baby?” Justin asked, rubbing his nose.

She nodded. “I was young and selfish. I never forgot, though. As I obtained an education and had a successful career that took me around the globe, I never forgot the son I left behind. I knew I had to come back. When I came back, a few months ago, I knew I had to meet you.”

“Why?” He was staring at her through tears and she could feel his anguish.

“Because you’re a part of me, a part of my flesh and blood.”

He shrugged. “Why should I matter now? I grew up without you. Why do I need you now?”

“Maybe you don’t need me but I need you.” She met his gaze, a gaze he held fast.

“Why?”

“Justin, I thought when I met you at the soccer tournament that would be enough. I thought I could live just knowing that you had turned out to be a son any mother would be proud of. I hesitated introducing myself as your mother. I could see how you love Jovanna and how content you are with your life. I was going to leave well enough alone.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Things happened. My mother, your grandmother Bessye Montcherry, who lived in this house, died unexpectedly. Later, I learned of my own father’s existence. After meeting him, I knew what solace there was in meeting my father. It meant more to me than I thought it ever would. I thought, perhaps, you needed to learn of your heritage as well."

“Wait, I had grandparents here and they never saw me, either?” Justin looked as if he were about to spring from his seat.

“Your grandmother had felt it best to keep her distance because of me and circumstances. She was very proud of you.”

“My grandfather?”

“You see, I am the illegitimate daughter of Bessye and Jacques. I never knew of Jacques LeGrande’s being my father, your grandfather, until Bessye’s death,” Victoria said.

“Whoa, my grandfather’s the famous French writer?” Justin’s gaze grew wide, stunned.

“Yes.” Victoria let out an audible sigh. She had a difficult enough time keeping her facts straight and thought it commendable that Justin could make sense of it all.

“This must be terribly confusing for you, son,” Jovanna said, placing a protective arm around his trembling shoulders.

Justin nodded. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“I have photo albums, if you’d like to see them. It may be one way for you to become acquainted with the past,” Victoria offered.

“No,” Justin said, standing. “I have a past and it doesn’t include you or your family. I have my own family with
ma mere
and my siblings.”

“Please, Justin, I am your family, too,” Victoria pleaded.” You’re my flesh and blood.”

“I don’t care whose blood I have. You’re not the one who raised me. You’re not my
real
mother,” he spat out the words and rushed out of the house, slamming the door behind.

Victoria felt as if the door had been slammed in her face, and into her heart.