Origins (The Black Diamond Series Book 3) Page 3

  Xavier shrugged. “I guess you should discuss that with Justin when you meet him again at the hotel on Tuesday.”

  Slowly Xavier lifted himself from the chair. “I'll be the one to tell Sean.” He turned and walked quietly from the room.

  *********

  Dr. Williams waited for Carolyn to compose herself. He handed her a box of tissues as she finished her story.

  “I didn't know he was dying. If he would have just told me...”

  “If he would have told you, you feel you would have never gotten involved with Justin Black?” the doctor asked.

  Carolyn looked at him. “No, of course not!”

  “But you were attracted to Justin before your husband's illness?” he pointed out.

  “Justin was an incredibly handsome man. He was powerful and rich.”

  The doctor nodded. “So it was his wealth and power that you found appealing?”

  Carolyn looked back out of the window. “Yes...and he was dangerous. He had no boundaries. Nothing stood in his way. Whatever he wanted, he took it. He was like a god.”

  “You fell in love with him,” the doctor surmised.

  “Yes, I did. Like a fool.”

  The doctor wrote some notes on his pad. “Why do you say 'like a fool'?” he asked.

  “Because Justin Black was incapable of loving anyone….his only loves were money, power and control,” she said grimly.

  Dr. Williams decided to change the subject.

  “How did Sean take the news of his father's illness?” he asked.

  Carolyn looked back at the doctor. “He was devastated. His father was everything to him.”

  “How did he find out? Did Xavier tell him?”

  Carolyn shook her head as more tears fell. “Xavier was going to tell him, but he took a turn for the worse before he got the chance. He was placed in the hospital and I had to take Sean to see him there.”

  I don't think my son was ever the same after that day...

  Carolyn spotted Sean with his friends arriving home from school. She was in the car waiting for him when she called his name and he immediately made his way over to her.

  “Hey Ma,” he greeted.

  “I need for you to get in the car Sean. We have to go,” she said shakily.

  Sean frowned. “What's wrong? Where are we going?”

  “Please just get in the car.”

  Sean turned back to Jordan and Izzy. “Hey, I'll catch up with you later. I have to go with my Momma.”

  Jordan looked at his friend and could tell something was wrong. “Cool. Call me later.”

  Sean nodded and climbed into the car before his mother took off.

  “What's wrong Ma?” he asked.

  Carolyn tried to concentrate on driving. “Let's just get there okay?”

  Sean turned and looked out the window. When they pulled into the hospital parking lot he turned to her.

  “What happened?” he asked afraid.

  Carolyn looked into her son's eyes just like her own. “We need to go inside.”

  Sean hesitated watching his mother.

  “Please, we need to go inside,” she whispered.

  Sean exited the car with his head down and followed his mother inside. They were quickly shown to his father's room where he lay in bed connected to tubes and monitors. Sean rushed to his side.

  “Daddy! What happened? What's wrong?” he cried.

  Xavier reached out his hand to his son and Sean took it.

  “I need to talk to you son.”

  He glanced at Carolyn and she quietly left the room.

  “Sit down son,” Xavier told him. Sean took the seat next to the bed holding his father's hand.

  “I have cancer Sean. I'm dying,” he told him calmly.

  “What? What are you saying?” Sean responded confused.

  Xavier squeezed his hand. “I've tried everything and there's nothing else I can do.”

  “What do you mean? You're dying?” Sean asked trying to understand.

  “I don't have too much time left son. I need you to do some things for me,” he told him.

  Sean lowered his head and shook it. “I don't...understand this...,” he whispered as tears began to fall.

  “Sean, I'm going to need you to be strong for your mother. I need you to promise me that no matter what she says or does, you will always take care of her.”

  Sean watched his father before nodding slowly. “Yes Daddy…” he whispered through his tears.

  “I need you to hold it together and not let this hold you back from anything. Promise me that you will go to college and make a good life for yourself.”

  Sean couldn't stop the tears that flowed down his cheeks now. “Yes Daddy, I…I promise...” he choked out.

  Sean was completely sobbing at this point and his father reached out and placed a hand on his head.

  “I love you son. You'll be fine. You're brilliant and strong. Don't let anybody tell you any differently.”

  “I love you too Daddy,” Sean said between sobs.

  Xavier pulled Sean onto the bed with him and held him while he cried.

  Carolyn returned a short while later and sat with her husband and son. Sean remained silent the rest of the visit while Xavier made small talk with her in front of their son. Since he'd told her about his illness, they had barely spoken to one another. She loved Xavier but she still kept her appointments with Justin.

  Eventually the visiting hours were over and Sean promised his father he would stop by and see him every day. Xavier kissed his son on the cheek and watched him leave. He gave Carolyn a passing glance as she followed their son.

  Carolyn returned home with Sean who went straight to his room. A few minutes later, she heard screaming and crashing. Rushing upstairs she found Sean cursing and destroying his room. Her hand covered her mouth as she watched him yelling and throwing items everywhere.

  “Sean! Stop!” she screamed.

  It was as if he did not even hear her. He continued with tears running down his face until the entire room was in shambles. Eventually, he fell to the floor in a heap completely exhausted. Carolyn crossed the room to him, as she approached he put up a hand.

  “Please, leave me alone right now,” he said softly.

  “Sean...”

  “Please Ma...please.”

  Carolyn turned and walked out of the room. In the hall she hugged herself as the tears fell. If Sean found out what she'd been doing, he'd hate her for sure. She had to get herself together for her son.

  Sean sat among the wreckage in his room. This was totally out of his character. Sean's normal demeanor was gentle and kind like his father. He'd never displayed this kind of anger and outrage, but then he’d never been told that he was going to lose his father, the man he loved and admired more than anyone in the world.

  He looked around the room and thought back to his visit with his father. His father was dying... His brilliant mind that could solve complex equations and create illusions, simply could not comprehend that. Why did this happen to his father? It was too much to handle. What was going to happen to him and his mother? He’d promised to take care of her, but how was he supposed to do that? He vowed to do whatever was necessary to provide for his mother as his father had.

  “Sean?”

  Sean looked up to see Jordan standing in his doorway. He lowered his head into his hands as Jordan entered the room and closed the door behind him. Jordan took a seat on the floor next to him sitting quietly for a long, long while until Sean spoke.

  “My Daddy's dying Jordan,” Sean told him quietly. “My daddy...”

  “Your Momma told me. Man, I'm sorry,” Jordan said gently.

  They sat quietly for another long period.

  Sean finally looked at his friend. “I really want to kill somebody right now,” he growled.

  Jordan looked around the room slowly. “Well since I'm the only one in here...can you wait?” he asked.

  Sean smiled for the first time at his friend and con
fidante. “Thanks Jordan.”

  Jordan put an arm around his friend. “Whatever you need man, I'm always here,” he vowed.

  “I know.”

  Jordan looked around the room again. “Man, remind me to never make you mad at me.”

  “You can help me clean up,” Sean told him.

  Jordan looked at him. “We'll always help one another clean up.

  Sean nodded in agreement.

  *********

  Xavier sat in his hospital bed wondering how his son was doing. Telling his son he was dying was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do. He had to make sure Sean was taken care of. Right now that was his only concern, which was why he'd made the call to the one person he didn't want to see.

  While he waited, he thought back on his relationship with his wife. Xavier had loved Carolyn since the first moment he’d laid eyes on her. She had been and still was to him the most beautiful woman alive. He knew that Carolyn could have had her pick of suitors and he’d been grateful that she’d selected him.

  Xavier had tried his best to keep Carolyn in the lifestyle that pleased her. He’d catered to her every wish and he’d still lost her to another man. His heart felt empty at the thought of his wife with Justin. He never would have expected Carolyn to betray him this way. Justin, on the other hand was a different story.

  Xavier looked up as Justin Black entered the room and took the chair across from him.

  "Xavier,” Justin greeted taking in the monitors and tubes.

  Xavier looked at the man who was sleeping with his wife and took a deep breath.

  “I know about you and Carolyn, but that's not why I asked to see you.”

  Justin nodded.

  “I don't have much time left Justin. I've spent a lot of money trying to fight this and I'm strapped for cash now,” Xavier told him. “I need for you to make sure Sean's education is taken care of.”

  “Why didn't you just tell me Xavier?” Justin asked.

  “Why didn't you tell me you wanted my wife?”

  Justin ran a hand down his face. “What do you want me to say about Carolyn? I'm sorry?”

  Xavier shook his head. “I don't want you to say anything. There's nothing to say.”

  “I would have thought after what Carl did to you, you would be above this type of thing,” Xavier told him.

  Justin looked at him. “Maybe because of what Carl did to me, is the reason I'm not above it.”

  “Xavier, you knew about Joanna and Carl, but did you ever tell me? No, you didn't. You let them make a fool out of me,” Justin told him.

  Xavier smiled. “So this is my payback Justin, sleeping with my wife while I'm dying?”

  “Dammit! I didn't know you were dying Xavier!” Justin snapped.

  “Would it have made a difference?” Xavier asked.

  Justin remained silent.

  “Will you take care of my son's college? That's all I ask. You can keep everything else.”

  Justin looked at Xavier. “I will do that.”

  Xavier struggled to sit up. “Everything Justin, everything he needs to go as far as he wants.”

  Justin nodded.

  “Until this thing with Carolyn you've never given me any reason not to trust you Justin. Please don't let me down. This is my son.”

  “You have my word Xavier. I will have everything put in writing.”

  “I don't want him to know it's from you,” Xavier pointed out.

  “Okay. I will set up a trust in your name to cover everything.”

  “Thank you Justin.”

  Justin paused. “I'm sorry it happened this way Xavier.”

  Xavier nodded. “Try not to hurt Carolyn too much Justin. She's a good woman.”

  “You think I'm going to hurt her?” Justin asked.

  Xavier smiled sadly. “I'm positive.”

  Chapter 4

  Sean and his fiancée Lily were in the car on their way to visit Carolyn at the facility. Sean held Lily's hand while he drove.

  “Are you sure your mother wants to see me?” Lily asked.

  Sean smiled. “Yes, I told you I talked to her. She's anxious to meet you.”

  Lily slid him a look. “They don't allow any weapons there right?”

  The last time Lily had seen Carolyn she’d been holding a pistol to her head, which really hadn’t made a good impression in her mind. She’d been hesitant about this visit since she’d witnessed Carolyn’s temper on more than one occasion and didn’t want to be the recipient of it again.

  “No, they don’t and I promise you it’s fine.” Sean lifted her hand to his lips.

  Lily smiled. “Okay, I trust you.”

  “You know very well that I would never let anything happen to my beautiful Lily.”

  Her dimples smiled at him as she squeezed his hand. “Yes, I know.”

  Upon arrival, they were shown to Carolyn's room. Carolyn had dressed especially nice today. She wanted to make a good impression on Sean's fiancee. He'd found someone who made him happy and even Carolyn could not begrudge him that.

  Lily entered giving Carolyn a smile.

  “Hello Mrs. Jackson,” she greeted.

  Carolyn looked over the lovely young lady. She was a little chocolate beauty with deep dimples.

  “Hello Lily. You are lovely.” Carolyn greeted.

  “Thank you Mrs. Jackson.”

  “Hello Ma,” Sean greeted his mother with a kiss on the cheek.

  They all sat at the table and Carolyn looked at her son. He had grown into a fine man. He hadn't become what she'd envisioned in her mind, but he was still a good man.

  “Hello Sean,” she greeted him.

  “How are you today?” he asked.

  Carolyn smiled. “Getting better each day I think.”

  “Good.”

  “So tell me about this wedding,” Carolyn said turning to Lily.

  “It will be just our family and close friends and we really want you to be there.”

  “That's very sweet of you. Both of you,” Carolyn said quietly.

  She turned to Lily. “I owe you an apology Lily...for what I did.”

  Lily reached over and touched Carolyn's hand. “I would like for us to move forward.” She looked at Sean and he smiled at her.

  Carolyn watched the couple. “I would like that too.”

  “How are your sessions with Dr. Williams?” Sean asked.

  “He's helping me work through things.”

  Sean nodded. “So everything is going well?”

  “Yes, I think so,” she answered. “How is Trent?”

  “He's good. He's in school now and working,” Sean answered.

  Carolyn looked at him. “Does he still want to see me?”

  “Yes he does. The next time I come back I would like to bring him.”

  “I would like that.”

  Sean studied his mother. “He needs you to be well.”

  “I know.” She turned to look out of the window.

  “You look very pretty today Mrs. Jackson,” Lily told her.

  Carolyn smiled turning back. “Thank you Lily. I did spend some extra time with my appearance.”

  “You're very beautiful. Sean looks so much like you.” Lily turned and smiled at Sean.

  “Thank you. And yes, my son is very handsome.”

  “And brilliant and brave and kind,” Lily added.

  Sean smiled at her. “Lily is biased due to the fact that I love her so much.”

  Carolyn studied the pair remembering a time when a man smiled at her that way, a time when a man had professed his love to her.

  A time when she'd been happy...

  Twenty one year old Carolyn Price sat in the lobby waiting to be interviewed for the secretarial job at Jackson Properties. Freshly graduated from Business College, she now needed income to pay her bills until she found her Mr. Right.

  “Miss Price?” the receptionist called.

  “Yes?”

  “Mr. Jackson will see you now.”

  As Carol
yn was escorted into the office of Xavier Jackson, she watched his eyes brighten as she walked through the door. Dressed in a little black business suit that displayed just enough leg and breast to make her feel sexy and professional, she took a seat across from his desk. Still gazing at her, Xavier took his seat slowly.

  He cleared his throat. “Miss Price. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Xavier Jackson.”

  Carolyn smiled. “Hello Mr. Jackson. It's a pleasure to meet you as well.”

  Carolyn watched the handsome man sitting across from her. He was tall with a slim build and in great physical shape. He had smooth brown skin and dark, dark brown eyes. He had a warm, engaging smile that made her insides melt.

  “I see that you've graduated from business school at the top of your class,” he commented glancing down at the paperwork in the file in front of him.

  Carolyn nodded. “Yes sir.”

  “This will be your fist job?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  Xavier looked up at her. “Where do you see yourself in five years Miss Price?” he asked.

  Carolyn smiled. “Married to the man of my dreams”

  Xavier looked surprised. “Have you already identified this man?” he asked.

  Carolyn leaned back in her seat. “I just may have.”

  Xavier closed the filed on his desk. “I'm sorry, I can't hire you as my secretary Miss Price,” he told her.

  Carolyn looked dismayed. “May I ask why not?”

  “Because I fell in love with you when you walked through that door and I'm going to marry you.”

  And so her courtship with Xavier Jackson had begun. Xavier had been five years her senior and had established a solid business. He had showered Carolyn with everything her heart desired including undying love and affection. Six months after meeting in his office, she became Mrs. Xavier Jackson and she'd never regretted that day.

  Being married to Xavier had been a dream. He’d taken care of everything she required and desired. His kind, loving spirit had been what she’d needed in her life and she’d betrayed him on his deathbed. She realized now that Xavier had not deserved that, not at all.

  *********

  Back to the present Carolyn smiled at Sean and Lily remembering how young love felt.

  “Where are you two planning to honeymoon?” she asked them.

  “I'm taking Lily to Kenya for two weeks,” Sean answered.