Cheryl and Allan Barnett were in the foyer having a quick discussion.

“I cannot believe Pierre cancelled his appointment today!” said Cheryl “These walls are hideous and he promised he would have them finished by last week. I mean, why are we paying Crestview’s top interior designer an extra thousand simoleons and he can’t even meet the deadlines?”

Cheryl was upset. She liked order and cleanliness and the overall feng shui of the room was off, making her moody.



“Don’t worry dear, I am sure he will do his work tomorrow as promised and do a damn good job.” Said Allan trying to comfort his wife
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Then I’ll sue his ass for everything he’s got including that Fendi scarf he wears around his neck.”



“Oh Allan!” laughed Cheryl. This did brighten up her mood and reminded her she almost forgot to share some very good news with her husband.
“Al, I have great news. I have to tell you that I took it upon myself and invited an extra guest for lunch.”
“And who might that be?” asked Allan out of curiosity. Although, he should be used to his beloved wife by now she was full of surprises and he has learned over the years to expect the unexpected.

Cheryl cleared her throat. “Well . . .” she said avoiding eye contact

“You didn’t.”
“I had to! What other options do we have Allan? Are you just going to let our daughter marry that thug? I told you what I found out about Dale after I received the results of the background check on him and it is serious!” she said frantically.



“ I doubt Farrah even knows half this stuff! This boy is trouble, we cannot let her marry him that ring she is wearing is probably stolen or . . . bought with drug money!” Cheryl said hardly above a whisper
”I’m not pleased about this neither Dear but, you are going about this the wrong way.”
“Oh really? Do you have a better idea?”
“No, but setting Farrah on up on a blind date will only upset her more.” Allan warned his wife
“This isn't a date, and Jacob is my guest. It's only for lunch so relax. Everything will be fine trust me okay? We are just inviting Jacob over for a friendly lunch nothing else.”
“Alright if you say so and if things go south, this was your idea.” Alan joked
“How can things go wrong? You’re always full of worry.” Cheryl smiled back happy that her plan was in action and a good day was inevitable.



“Farrah dear, please set up an extra plate for lunch! Your mother is bringing a guest!” Alan yelled



Farrah sighed, she was tired from staying out last night with Dale. He had taken her to the clubhouse where all his friends hung out. There was music and drinking and while she had a lot of fun, she now had a really bad headache.

She was annoyed to set plates for someone else, she had planned on spending the day in bed when her mom forced her to wake up. If her mom hadn’t fired the maid for stealing her Pandora bracelet, she’d still be in bed.

Anyways she had to wake up, Valentina finally texted Farrah back after a week of ignoring both her and Olivia’s phone calls. Val would be over today and it was a good thing. There was a lot that needed to be talked about.

Farrah’s thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell.

Ding Dong

“I’ll get it!” Cheryl shouted and she got up and made her way to the front door. She opened the door and greeted Jacob Pinfield.
“Mrs. Barnett you look as lovely as ever!” Jacob smiled flashing his perfect smile
“Oh, Jacob you are such a charmer! Please, come into the living room.” She said as she gestured to enter.

Jacob followed her into her home and looked around for Farrah slightly disappointed he didn’t see her yet.



“I am so glad you could make it Jacob. Did your mother enjoy the Michael Kors handbag I sent her? I’ve been too busy to check my phone to see if she received it yet.”
“I’m not sure Mrs. Barnett . . .”
“Please, call me Cheryl.” She interjected
“Well, as I was saying, Cheryl, I have my own house now and I’ve been pretty busy with my job in law enforcement so I haven’t talked to my mom in a few days, but I will personally visit her today and then report back to you.” He smiled
“Report you sound just like a cop.” Cheryl giggled
“I’m actually a detective Ma’am.”



“Of course Jacob, I am well aware of that” said Cheryl slightly annoyed. ”A snob just like his mother” she thought to herself before she continued talking.

“I would not have been able to get the background check on Dale Clarkson without your help.” Cheryl said in a hushed tone. She cleared her throat and resumed talking in her normal voice. “I want him out of the picture. Farrah is a beautiful young woman and I just know you two will hit it off instantly. Give her a little time to adjust, but soon she’ll see you truly are the better man.”



“That is exactly what I intend to do Cheryl. I have always admired Farrah growing up and rest assured I am the right man for your lovely daughter, not some criminal. And also, my department is involved in an open investigation on Dale and his associates regarding their criminal activities. So not only will I make sure Farrah stays away from him, but I’ll keep the trash and the crime out of our town.” Jacob said firmly with pride.

“Excellent. You will make a fine husband for Farrah.” Cheryl smiled.
“That is the goal Ma’am.”

Jacob was getting slightly impatient, he wanted to see Farrah. He asked Cheryl where would she be and soon made his way to the kitchen. Just then he saw Farrah enter the foyer where he was. She looked surprised to see him which he believed was a good thing.

“Jacob? What . . .what are you doing here?” Farrah asked confused.



“Well, I’m here for lunch! Your mom invited me, didn’t she tell you?” he asked slightly confused.

Farrah froze and blinked a few times. She knew her mom had always been sneaky and always had tricks up her sleeve but this was not the least bit amusing. Her mom couldn’t even respect the fact that she was now engaged, no, her mom still tried to get her to date a loser like Jacob.

Farrah fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Nope, this is all a surprise to me. Well . . . welcome? I made some lasagna for lunch and garlic bread.”



“Oh no no no.” said Jacob “I only eat vegetarian and gluten free food.”
“Oh, wow." Farrah laughed at the ridiculousness of the whole situation.



“No, that’s fine. I’m not even interested in your cooking, I have a very refined palette. . . many find it hard to cook for me anyways, I came to see you Farrah and to ask you out on a date? A movie perhaps?”

Farrah was in disbelief.



“So you insult my cooking skills and have the audacity to ask me on a date right after? And what do you think my answer will be?”
Jacob was taken aback. He was the one who now felt insulted. “I wasn’t trying to insult you Farrah, simply state facts. I’m a picky eater, fact. I want to take you on a date, fact. Do you accept?”
“Of course not!” Farrah said raising her voice. “You are so full of it Jake, just like you’ve always been.”
“Farrah, I am sorry I beat you in the election for Student Council President, but that was 8th grade I mean c’mon, you should be over that by now.”



She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. By now she gave up trying to fake politeness. Jacob was starting to piss her off not to mention how angry she was at her mom for inviting him over in the first place.

“Jake, this has nothing to do with that. Look, in case my mother forgot to mention, I am engaged.” She said showing off her ring

“I know, that is why I am here. I want you to give me a chance Farrah, I mean honestly, you can’t truly believe Dale is the right guy for you. He’s nothing but a low class thug. Is that what you truly want when you can have me? I’ve acquired my wealth legally and I have a record clear of any criminal past.”
“Excuse me? Have you lost your mind? Who the hell are you to stand here and not only insult me but also my fiancé? Get out Jake. Get the hell out of my house you bastard!” Farrah shouted
“Hey!” said Jacob poking her hard in the chest “I’m doing you a favor, I’m the best option you’ve got. I’ve got women crawling up my sidewalk just to get in my bed and I am here for you, and you turn me down? I’ve misjudged you Farrah, you are a woman of no class and I wouldn’t want to be caught dead with you in public.”




“Get out now!” Farrah said between sobs. This was too much for her. Between the killer headache and Jacob’s rudeness she couldn’t take it anymore. She ran into the guest bathroom down the hall and dried her tears. She just needed a moment.



“Farrah?” Jacob called after her. He calmed down a little to realize maybe he was way out of line. He wasn’t mad at Farrah, he was truly mad at Dale Clarkson and the last thing he wanted to do was disrespect Alan Barnett’s daughter. Alan basically ran this town and was golfing buddies with Jacob’s boss.
“Farrah? I’m sorry!” Jacob made his way to the guest bathroom where he saw the door was still open so he walked through. “I am so sorry-“



“Get out of here!” Farrah shrieked as she reached for a cup full of liquid on the counter and impulsively threw it in his face.
“Ahhhhhhhh! Oh my god my eyes! You crazy bitch what is that?!” Jacob yelled in pain



Farrah hadn’t realized it was mouthwash in the cup until it was too late.

“I’m sorry I thought it was just water! Why the hell did you come in here? Here at least let me help you rinse it out!” she said with concern.
“Help? You’ve done enough!” he yelled
“I said I was sorry and you started all of this anyways!”



“Whatever! You will be sorry Farrah Barnett. This isn’t over!” said Jacob as he wiped his eyes with his sleeve. His eyes still stung but he just wanted to get as far away as possible from this crazy place.



Cheryl and Alan were outside in the foyer and Cheryl was distraught when she heard Jacob screaming. Jacob walked out of the bathroom and continued to the front door.

“Jacob are you alright? Won’t you stay for lunch?” Cheryl called out but he ignored her and went out the door.

Jacob wasn’t going home, no, he was headed straight to his office to do more research on the case. He would make sure he’d get his revenge and destroy both Dale and Farrah’s lives it if was the last thing he’d do.



Just as Jacob left, Valentina arrived.

“What did you say to him Farrah?” Cheryl shouted
“Stay out of my business Mom okay?”
“Always so ungrateful!” Cheryl shook her head
“Cheryl I told you this would happen didn’t I? Now let’s go enjoy our lunch on the patio. Hello Valentina! How have you been?” said Allan
“Hello Mr. Barnett. I’ve been good, you and Mrs. Barnett look well dressed like always.” Said Valentina offering a small smile
“Thank you dear. If you girls need anything we’ll be out back.” said Allan as he and a still furious Cheryl made their way outside.

Farrah turned to Valentina and hugged her.

“God, are you okay? What the hell Val, we’ve been trying to call you nonstop. I mean what gives?”
“Look I know, you and Olivia are mad at me and I know Anushri is really mad at me but shit got crazy and . . . I am sorry.” Said Valentina apologetically.
“Come in my room and we can talk better. There’s some stuff I need to tell you also.”



Valentina followed Farrah into her bedroom and Farrah wasted no time asking her why she didn’t show up to the wedding.

“I told you, Ozzy pissed me off girl we got into a huge fight and I just had to get away. And honestly I was with Manny, you know how that goes, and lost track of time.”
“Well I know that when you hang out with Manny you either smoke or drink.” Said Farrah accusingly.



“Yes Farrah I did both, but I got drunk at home F.Y.I. anyways why do you care, you act like you don’t drink?”
“I never said that.” Said Farrah deciding not to mention her hangover. “Val, you know I love you like a sister . . .” she began
“Then you don’t judge me! I drink and smoke to escape the pain I have inside. I’m not strong like you or Olivia.”



“This is what me and Olivia were trying to call you about girl. Look, this is gonna sound crazy but please listen. I’m actually glad you didn’t show up to the wedding because, well . . . he was there.”
“Who was there?”
“Farhan.”
“Who the hell is Farhan?”
“Don Dollar.”



Valentina froze. This had to be a joke. “Okay, good one Farrah-“



“This isn’t a freaking joke Valentina. Farhan, Anushri’s husband is Don Dollar. Yes it is him I recognized him instantly and so did Olivia we hadn’t told anyone but I felt you needed to know so when you see Anushri you are prepared.”
“Since when does he live in Crestview? I thought he was in Pleasantview.”



“I don’t know how long he’s been here but all I know is Anushri is back in town from her honeymoon. And we are supposed to hang out later on this week. I don’t know how things will turn out but you have to leave the past in the past Valentina.”
“So you don’t think my best friend should know that her husband used to be my boss and my ex-boyfriend?”
“Val, I know this is hard for you-“



“No, you don’t know. I hate his guts and now he somehow married my best friend and he’s just going to hurt her like he did me. But whatever, I get it. Keep my mouth shut and pretend like I don’t even know him deal.”
“Val . . . I’m sorry but Olivia and I are here, we are going to help you through this and Anushri also. This is a big mess but I don’t know if you and Farhan should tell her the truth, maybe you both have to sit and talk about it.”
“I have nothing to say to that asshole.” Valentina laughed



“Okay, or maybe not. But let’s just keep the peace for now please?”
“Fine. And um . . . kind of off topic, I’m going to AA again.” Said Valentina looking away
“Really girl?” Farrah asked
“Yeah it was either that or Ozzy was going to leave me. He wanted me to go to rehab but we compromised on just the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings three times a week.”
“You know we are here for you girl, Anushri also. Things are awkward but don’t shut her out . . . you gotta call her and apologize for the no show to her wedding.”
“I know Farrah. Thanks.”



“You need me to drop you off?”
“No it’s okay girl, I’ll call a cab. I’ll text you when I get home.”
“Okay Val, be safe."

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