The Color of Love (Part 5) | 20 October 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2531 | Prompt: lack of credibility

Part 4:

Anita didn't offer any further evidence of Jackson's shady business practices. Instead, sensing Frederick's growing distrust of her, she moved closer to the sofa hoping to distract himself romantically.

She did just that when she reached for Frederick's hand, pulled him up from the sofa, then guided him toward her soft, waiting lips. For a short moment, his senses warned him to find an excuse to back away. But a deep lingering kiss melted his resolve. As the room went dark, she stepped into the dim living room lamp. Frederick could see the outline of a bare body as she walked provocatively toward him. She gently led him backward toward the bedroom. There he succumbed.

The next morning, Frederick woke satisfied on one front, but more confused on the main one that mattered. He rose and exited the bedroom, a decision already made to visit his partner.

Forty-five minutes later, Frederick arrived at the office. Jackson politely greeted him, but by the look on Frederick's face, he knew that Anita had already woven a fantastical lie in her favor.

But Jackson was ready to diffuse the tension and set straight the lies.*

"Is that the counter twist to her story? Turn around and accuse me? I'll humor you since you've already made up your mind to believe your wife, Jackson said, then set the record straight on their business dealings.*

Frederick withdrew a few steps refusing to believe Jackson's side.*

"Man, she's playing you. She's a professional. If you fall for it, you're a bigger fool than when you first married her"*

Confused even more after hearing Jackson's side, Frederick countered with all Anita has told him.*

"Look, Frederick. You've got a choice to make. Either believe me and stop her from dragging our company into the ground even further, or we part ways. I'll try to salvage what I can. Good luck. You'll need it because I'll report you both. You, as an accomplice."

Stunned, Frederick shot an angry glance in Jackson's direction, then retorted hotly, "You'd do that to our relationship? I stuck with you when the company was just a fledgling publishing house."

Jackson replied quickly, "I have to think my reputation. If you want to throw everything you've worked for just to follow that liar and traitor, then that's your choice. I'll not cover for you, and am alerting the authorities today."*

Frederick opened then shut his mouth quickly, unable to recognize Jackson as a friend for past ten years.

This time, the door didn't slam. Frederick left as quietly as he arrived. But upon his leaving, he vowed that it was the end of their relationship.

Their partnership was over.

Now, Part 5:

But their partnership wasn't over. A partnership agreement that would freeze both partners assets for a period of time in case of dissolution existed that Frederick knew about. Other provisions he hadn't analyzed thoroughly. So, he didn't fully understand his liability. He trusted Jackson. Damn, Frederick cursed, gritting his teeth while running his hand through his hair.

Frederick returned home to find Anita haphazardly stuffing items in a suitcase.

"Where are you going? You just returned from a trip!" Puzzled, Frederick grabbed her arm, then tossed the suitcase off the bed. Anita tumbled over the luggage. Her heel caught in the handle and took her down She sat staring up at her husband with a frightened look. Her hands shook, and her hair fell disheveled.

It was then as it dawned on him Jackson's side of the story was true about his wife.

"Come with me, baby," Anita pleaded. "I've already made arrangements. We don't have a moment to delay! It's just me and you. Either you're with me or not. Choose now before it's too late." Anita's eyes begged for understanding.

But the look on Frederick's face slammed the door on pleading her case. She stood there staring into the eyes of the man she thought she knew. At least if last night was any indication. Instead, she waited for his response.

"Too late for what?" were the only question he finally asked in a harsh and condemning tone.

The next second, he gauged the urgency in his wife's voice and frightened look as he vacillated between his partner's accusations of her illegal activities and her previous explanation.

"Let me explain," Anita stammered.

"There's truly nothing to explain," Frederick replied in a calm, stern tone. "I've already read the reports. And Jackson threatened to alert the authorities. You used me as a cover for your illegal activities. Simple enough explanation."

He waited. For what he didn't know.

All the evidence came flooding back as he remembered the files on her laptop showing undeniable evidence of her foreign ties to individuals underworld criminals in the literary industry. The illegal operation his wife was associated with were first-class scammers on a world-wide scale. And she was paid handsomely for her part.

"Jackson's playing you, don't you see? But I've got evidence" Anita tried to reason.

"It appears you are too, because Jackson also produced evidence against you," Frederick quipped.

A standoff it seemed until several seconds later. Each glanced at the other when the phone rang, but didn't move to answer.

Anita eventually looked away, then downward, while Frederick took the call.

"I know we parted not on good terms, but I just wanted to give you a heads-up, Frederick."

Jackson swung around in his chair and laughed heartily.

The next moment, Jackson's second phone rang. "He took the bait. It won't be long now," Jackson purred into the speaker.

A man's voice on the other end relayed the message, then returned.

"Mr. Ometzi said you have two days. No more."

[to be continued]

For my theme, I was inspired by and utilized the Hive account@daily.prompt's publishing of 20 october 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2531: lack of credibility.