The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 24 Beauty Joy We bought some burgers at the diner where Noth used to work at when we were teenagers. As we entered the diner, I remembered how he told me he didn’t want to speak to me ever again. “Noah, I thought we were friends,” I reasoned with him at the bar. “Can’t we still be friends. even if you have new ones?” His new group of friends were at a table nearby, snickering at me for being so pathetic. “Joy, how can we still be friends if I don’t want you around me? Here,” he said, shoving at paper bag with my order of burgers and fries in front of me. “Take your food and just leave.” I took the paper bag and rushed towards the entrance of the diner while his friends made cry baby faces at me as I walked away. “Hey, are you okay?” Noah asked concerned. I quickly blinked away the memory of his rejection. “Sorry, old diners like this one always make me feel sad. It’s like an age forgotten,” 1 answered. He nudged me playfully on the arm. “I didn’t see you as the nostalgic type,” he said. Then, he sighed. “But yes, this place has many memories.” “Of course it does for you. You’ve what…lived here all your life? So, when do I get to meet your bestfriend?” I asked. To my surprise, his smile disappeared and his expression changed to sorrow. I even noticed a deep sadness lingering in the depths of his chocolate brown eyes. “She and her family left years ago. I haven’t heard from her and I don’t know where she is. I wish I could, you know, bring back time and change everything. Maybe she’d probably still be here,” he said, his voice full of regret. “Why did she and her family leave?” I asked, curiously. “Something bad happened to her. Well, I pray for her everyday. I just hope wherever she is, she’s happy,” he replied. Oh, I’m very happy.

“And you? Aren’t you happy?” I asked. He glanced at me and smiled. 1/ CHAPTER 24 Beauty “Im happy now because I made a new friend.” We took our burgers and ate while we walked through town. He showed me the park, the local schools, a nice restaurant that served steak, and the town hall. “Come on. I told you I know the mayor. I’ll introduce you,” Noah said. I smiled at him. Of course you will. “Oh wow! You’ll introduce me to him? I exclaimed, sounding impressed. He chuckled. “This is a small town. We all went to school together. Even Lisa and Nicole are friends with the mayor.” He took my hand and led me inside.

The town hall was still the same on the outside as it was on the inside. The town wanted to preserve its historical landmarks and the town hall was the town’s prized possession. I remember when I was a little girl, I used to come here with my father when he needed to renew his business permit. I would run up and down the stairs, reveling at the echo my shoes made on each step. When Noah and I became bestfriends, we would compete with each other, trying to make the loudest echo. The heels of my sandals made a clickety clack sound and echoed around us as we took the stairs to the second floor. The railings of the staircase had gotten themselves a fresh coat of dark brown paint while the tall windows had been freshly polished, reflecting the colors of the rainbow as the sun streamed in. On the second floor, Noah guided me to the huge door of the mayor’s office. He opened the door and walked in, ushering me inside after him. A woman with striking red hair pulled back in a ponytail wearing a simple tan business suit was seated at a small desk in front of a pair of double doors made of oak. The office was pretty much the same except for the painting of Liam hanging on the wall beside the double doors to his main office and the black leather couch set which used to be Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

brown. Polished hardwood floors and wood panelled walls spanned the entirety of the room. “Hi, Abigail! Is he free?” Noah asked the mayor’s secretary. She was also part of their grou in high school. She used to take my chips during lunch. It wasn’t enough that her family ha money; she had to steal too. “Hey, Noah! He’s currently on the phone with a sponsor. I’ll ring him up for you in a couple of minutes,” she answered politely. “Oh, who do you have behind you?” She moved her head to the side to look behind Noah and our eyes met. Her light green eyes widened in awe and I 2/5 CHAPTER 24 Beauty could see the admiration in her smile. “Virtue, I would like to introduce you to the mayor’s executive assistant, Abigail Reynolds. We went to school together. Abigail, this is Virtue. She just moved into the Taylor’s old house, Noah said, introducing us. For a moment there, I saw a flicker of surprise, fear, and panic in her eyes as she stared at me, but she hid it quickly. “Yes, I remember Lisa and Nicole said a woman purchased the house. I thought it was some old biddy. I didn’t know it was a beautiful young woman,” she croaked then sighed. “Virtue is such a unique name. What is your family name? Abigail was always the nosy one. “Sullivan. My name is Virtue Sullivan,” I said, smiling at her and extended my hand for a handshake. She clasped mine and marveled at my smooth skin. “You have such nice skin. Where are you originally from, Virtue?” “Nevada. I’m an accountant. Well, I used to be an accountant. Now, I’m venturing into clothing,” I replied, smiling at her. I felt like my face was going to cr ack from all the smiling I was doing. “I’m planning to open a boutique beside the grocery store. Noah and I thought we’d have a start on the building permit for construction.” She nodded her head, then fleetingly glanced at the double doors of Liam’s office. “I’ll tell you what,” Abigail said while quickly opening a drawer and taking out a coup sheets of paper,

“you fill this up and pay the necessary at the Auditor’s Office downstairs. Come back tomorrow and I’ll have your permit approved and signed.” “Sure,” I said, taking the printed documents from her. It seemed she didn’t want me to meet. the Mayor. Of course, I knew why. “You can sit over there and fill those forms up while I have a word with Noah, Abigail said, handing me a pen and pointing at the small one seater which was against the wall near the double doors. I took the pen, sat down and began filling up the forms, making it appear I wasp attention to them. ny But we were in a room surrounded by wood. And wood coincidentally amplifies sound. CHAPTER 24 Beauty Noah I was starstruck. I couldn’t believe my new nextdoor neighbor was such a beauty and so down-to-earth too. I couldn’t figure it out, but she was so easy to talk to… like I’ve known her my whole life. Her voice somehow reminded me of Joy Taylor, my childhood friend. Despite the similarity, I felt at ease with Virtue. Usually when I meet someone new, I begin to stutter. It wasn’t like that at all with Virtue though. The moment she opened the door and smiled at me showing her exquisite white teeth, I was smitten. Yet, she was a new acquaintance, obviously educated, well-off and very beautiful. A woman like her valued her independence. For now, I’d take it slow. I’ll be a good friend to her and hope it possibly blossoms into something more. As we walked through town, she caught the attention of the town’s folk. Everywhere we went, I could see the admiration in their eyes. No doubt, there would be many single men vying for her attention.

But if she were to become a problem, she’ll have to face Liam and his father. Abigail knew what they were capable of. Matter of fact, I think everyone living in this town knows. They were a dirty little secret. “Noah, what the hell are you doing bringing someone as beautiful as her to meet him. of all times,” Abigail hissed at me. “What am I supposed to do? She’s going to bump into them eventually. Better I introduce. her now and offer her my protection,” I said. “Your protection?! That didn’t help Joy Taylor and you know what they did to her,” Abigail mumbled through clenched teeth. “Noah, a piece of advice, make sure that poor woman is with someone at all times. She seems like a really nice girl. I don’t want to happen to her.” Abigail sighed and glanced at Virtue who was busy writing taken a liking to Virtue and she had only met her. hing ilhad “I’ll ask Dom and Bo to keep an eye on her since her shop will be in between t CHAPTER 24 Beauty her. “Dominic- “I heard my name,” a low manly voice said behind me. “Dom, hey!” I turned around to meet his honey-colored eyes. He was a good-looking chap, tall, muscular and well-spoken. Actually, his brother Bo was just like him, but Bo was a bit temperamental which kept the lady’s away. Dominic, on the other hand, was a complete. gentleman. “Yeah, about that, I have a new neighbor who will be opening a small boutique at that space beside your store. I was hoping you could help her out.” “Who? Virtue?” The distinct high-pitched nasal sounding voice of Nicole echoed within the confines of the office. I lowered my gaze and found her clutching Dominic’s arm. I raised my eyebrows, shocked Nicole was hanging on his arm when everyone knew she was madly and deeply in love with Liam despite his many flaws… if you can call them that.

Nicole’s eyes met mine and a flicker of fear flashed, but she expertly hid it before anyone could notice.. “Yes? Virtue suddenly said, hearing her name mentioned. I didn’t notice, but she was already standing in front of Abigail’s desk, handing Abigail her pen back. She smiled warmly at Dominic and Nicole before addressing me. “Noah, I have the forms all filled out. I just need to pay the fees at the Auditor’s office.” Suddenly, we heard the double doors open. “Isn’t this a fine day!” Liam’s golden voice reverberated through his office. He walked out, sporting a nicely tailored blue suit. As expected, his dark eyes went immediately He instinctively combed his fingers through his dark hair and fixed his maroon co. “And who do we have here?” Liam asked, winking at Virtue. Chapter Comments Luna-Mom POST totally love how all their planning is wonderful and getting information on Liam is a bonus VIEW 1 K 31 The Joy of Revenge