Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Cherise stood her ground, her cool and dignified presence unshaken by the provocation.
Shirley, still yakking away behind her, called out, “Cherise, what the deal! Turn around and face me. Are you scared of something?”
Two women, caked in makeup, were with Shirley, nodding in agreement. “Totally, what’s the big mystery? We’re all friends here. Heard you’re new in town, right? We could show you around and help you fit in, one of them said. Dora was about to step in, but Cherise gave her a look that said, “Hold your horses” Cherise simply said, “Too much noise. Then she turned around slowly.
There was Shirley, all dolled up in a pink designer suit, her haired up high with a matching bow, looking as cute as a
button.
Behind Shirley were two women in red and green, their faces at too perfect, If you asked Cherise.
The taller one, all filled wat with what looked like a bit too much aller, was Ruby Lightfoot, heiress to Lightfoot Legacy Homes. The shorter one, with eyeliner that could cut glass, was Layla Zamora, set to take over Zamora Comics one day. Just like Shirley, Ruby and Layla were both freshmen at Betrico University School of Art. Seeing Cherise, they felt a pang of jealousy.
Didn’t Shirley put her sister down as some country bumpkin? She’s supposed to be all hick and gawky. How does she manage to look more polished than us, with all our money and everything? Ruby thought.
“A small-town girl like her, and she’s pulling off this stunning look. She must have had work done. Definitely. And with Shirley saying her sister’s into hanging with sketchy older guys, it all fits, Layla wondered. They judged Cherise in their minds, their eyes full of disdain and hostility-
Cherise glanced at them, her disdain clear, and she said. “Birds of a feather flock together.
Shirley was caught off guard for a second. Then, in a voice full of fake sweetness, she said, ‘Cherise, that’s harsh. I know you’re still sore about Jeffrey, but it’s real between us.”
“So, don’t take it out on my friends. They’re some of Betrico’s finest,” Shirley added, welling up with crocodile tears. With her arms crossed, Cherise leaned against a Porsche Panamera, calm as can be, watching the show. Seeing the silence, Shirley took a sly peek at Cherise, who caught her. ‘Keep going. Why stop the waterworks?” Cherise said. Shirley faked a tear wipe and meekly called out, “Cherise.”
Layla had enough and lashed out. “Come on. Show some gratitude. You can’t hear Shirley talking to you? What’s the point of looking good if you’re just using sugar daddies to buy cars?”
Dora couldn’t take it, but Cherise held her back and stepped up to Layla. Towering over her, Cherise made Layla look short and chubby.
Layla, facing Cherise, took an involuntary step back, but then she puffed up her chest and said, “What are you doing? Do you even know who I am?”
Cherise scoffed and asked, “Oh, interesting? Who are you?”
“Tm the future of Zamora Comics. Not scared of
as can be.
Just because you’re Shirley’s sister. You’re a nobody,” Layla said, smug
Cherise still looked at her with that same cold smirk.
Thinking she had Cherise cowed, Layla got even cockier.
But Cherise dropped a bombshell, saying, “Zamora Comics? Doubt it. All I see is you insulting people and spreading lies. Expect a lawsuit tomorrow. You’ll have three years to learn some nanners.” Then, Cherise got in Layla’s face, her eyes icy, and she whispered just loud enough for Layla to hear. “Because you’re going to be spending three long years in prison.” Layla
shivered, freaked out that Cherise might be serious. She mumbled something about having to go and bolted.
Shirley shouted after her, “Hey, what’s with you, Layla? What did my sister say to you?” But Layla was long gone.
Cherise, watching Layla run off, gave Shirley and Ruby a flat look. She turned to Lyle and said, “I’ll take this car. Where do I pay?”
Lyle, having witnessed the showdown, knew Cherise wasn’t someone to mess with. He quickly replied, “Right this way, Leach. Follow me”
Shirley, seeing Cherise ignore her, hurriedly said, “Sir, I really want this car, too. Could you let me have it? I’m getting engaged, and I’d love to buy it as a gift for myself. I’ll pay double. Ms.
Lyle stood his ground, saying, “No, ma’am, it’s not about the money. Ms. Cherise Leach found it first. We have a policy here. and we stick to it.”
Ruby, not getting her way, demanded to see the manager, Weldon.
Weldon showed up soon. “Oh, Ms. Lightfoot, long time. Looking for another car? Sorry for the wait. How can I help you today? Which beauty caught your eye?”