Part 3 (1/2)
Her success in business caused problems of their own. When The San Francisco Chronicle made the mistake of publis.h.i.+ng an article with readers' responses to their idea about a dream date with ”the country's most eligible female architect,” however, she was livid. The newspaper published the letters of the top three responses. In public Erica laughed, but in private she was outraged. She threatened to cancel all of her projects and charitable donations in the state of California. The governor, an old friend of Erica's father, ordered the paper to print an apology. As a goodwill gesture, Erica had dinner with each of the three contest winners. Patricia Locksley was one of the winners.
The dinner with Patricia couldn't have come at a worse time in Erica's life. She had just learned that Ana had slept with Raven. In her hurt and anger, Erica had refused to talk to Ana, Ev or anyone else about Ana's betrayal. No one was able to warn her about the curse. Recklessly, she acted out her anger by sleeping with Patricia.
When Patricia was found in an alley with her heart removed, Erica went to the police, but they sent her home. If the press found out the real reason why Patricia Locksley died, Erica knew they would prey upon her like vultures. This terrifying fear drove Erica from the spotlight. In the rational world of the '90s, few people believed in curses, but Erica knew differently and vowed to never be s.e.xual again. She could not and would not let Raven claim another victim.
To cope with Patricia's death, Erica began to funnel her business profits back into the communities where her projects were located. She created jobs, contributed to educational programs, funded the arts, and did hours of volunteer work. But her professional and volunteer work could not replace the one thing she wished for the most -to share her life with the ”right” woman. Time was running out and she had to destroy the curse before she became Raven's next victim.
”Help me - ” she whispered, raking her fingers through her thick black hair.
The intercom buzzed.
”Erica,” it was Candace, ”I hate to bother you but Christina Windquest is on the line for you. It's the fifth time she's called this morning. Do you want me to keep stalling?”
”No, I'll take it Candace, thanks.” After taking a deep breath, Erica pushed the b.u.t.ton down. ”Christina, what can I do for you?”
”Eri, I really need to talk with you.”
”You've caught me at a really busy time, Christina. I can't take the-”
”I know you don't want to see me and I've given you good reason not to. I can't change what I've done and I know I can't apologize enough,” Christina paused. ”At least give me the chance to repair some of the damage. Please?”
”It doesn't matter anymore. Let's leave the past in the past.” Erica wished she felt as strong as her words. She drummed a pencil on the desk.
”It does matter. It matters to me and I believe it matters to you, too.”
”It's too bad it didn't matter to you eighteen years ago.” The pencil snapped.
”I didn't call to fight, Eri. I'm asking for a chance to explain my actions. I don't want to go to my grave with this dagger in my heart.”
Erica winced at Christina's choice of words. ”All right. When?”
”How about lunch tomorrow?”
”I can't. I'm leaving for Greece in the morning.”
”When will you be back?”
”In three or four weeks.”
”Is there any chance you could meet me today for lunch?”
Silence filled the air as Erica brought up her calendar on the computer. She frowned at the canceled lunch appointment. ”I've got an hour from two to three, but that's all. Where do you want to meet?”
”How about the downtown Hilton?” Christina paused, ”Cafe Vienna?”
”Okay. I'll see you at two o'clock.”
”Erica?”
”Yes, Christina?” The line hummed as Erica waited for Christina to continue.
”Thank you.”
”Good afternoon, Ms. Laird, please follow me,” the hostess led Erica through the crowded restaurant to a secluded table in the corner.
Erica smiled in an attempt to hide her nervousness. ”h.e.l.lo, Christina,” she sat quickly to prevent her knees from buckling.
Christina reached across the table and wrapped Erica's hands in a fragrant embrace. Her pale lavender suit flowed over her well-pampered body. Her nails were freshly manicured. Perched on her left hand was a one-carat diamond ring with rows of diamond baguettes. It glittered in the sunlight streaming through the floor-length windows.
”Thanks for meeting me.” Christina looked directly into Erica's eyes. ”It's been a long time. How are you?”
”I'm fine. And you?” Erica placed the napkin on her lap and took a drink from her water goblet.
”I'd be great if that insane psycho who attacked Tayler had been caught.” The formality of their conversation unnerved Christina. She fixed her gaze on Erica's hands and her long, slender fingers. ”You have the hands of an artist.” She sighed. ”Tayler does too.”
”When can she leave the hospital?”
”Tomorrow. I spoke with her this morning, but she seemed rather preoccupied. I guess I can't blame her with all that she's been through.”
”Is she going to be staying with you while she recovers?”
Christina laughed. ”That's the last thing she'd want to do - she wants to go home.” Her blue eyes widened. ”I must admit that it gave me a start when she told me she was renting a house from you.”
”Why?”
”Well,” Christina paused, ”it's just that she's one of the reasons I ended our relations.h.i.+p. And now, she's the reason we're here - ” Their server approached the table interrupting Christina. When they ordered and were alone again, Christina continued. ”I was afraid you'd find out I had a daughter.”
”Really, why?”
”I thought you'd think I was a horrible mother.”
”I don't know why you'd think that.” Erica leaned forward and put her chin on her hand.
”You used to talk about your mother a lot. After awhile it got to a point where I wished I could've been the mother she was. But I wasn't.” Christina straightened in her chair. ”Tayler was such an exceptional child. When she was very young she'd make up stories according to what she saw in her picture books. Her tales were always about some adventure and they always ended happily ever after. Unfortunately, our little family's story ended in divorce.”
”Back then you told me very little about your ex-husband. I often wondered why you were so secretive. What happened?”
Christina knotted her napkin. ”I lost custody of Tayler because my ex-husband convinced the judge that I was an unfit mother.”
”On what grounds?”
”It's all so complicated. I'll try to keep it brief.” Christina looked at her watch. When she looked up she found Erica staring at her. ”I only wish I had told you this years ago.”
”We can't change the past.”
”I know, but there are times when I wish we could.”