Millie's Second Chance Read online

  “Hey, the kids are arriving. You ready?” Hank asked as he appeared in the doorway. Dalton nodded his head then took a deep breath, feeling that emptiness in the pit of his stomach. Maybe there was some woman out there that could accept him for his faults, his shitty personality and the damn scar that made him so somber inside.

  * * * *

  What a crazy and emotional week, Millie thought as she smoothed her hands down the silk dress she wore, being sure to straighten it on her hips. She looked into the mirror and could suddenly see all the imperfections of her body and the flaws that Stewart had pointed out to her in a fit of rage while attempting to hide his infidelity. Could she call it that? Infidelity, when they weren’t even married? She exhaled then tilted her head to the side and adjusted her large breasts. She may be a good ten pounds overweight and have a little “pouch” in front from sitting at the damn computer all day, but at least she had her breasts. The “twins” were one asset she was surely going to use tonight to piss off Stewart.

  She felt her inner confidence shine, then the tightness of the dress, the way that little bit of extra skin rolled over the material under her arms, seemed to outshine the twins.

  “Son of a bitch! I am so sick and tired of men,” she stated out loud to the mirror. Even as she cupped her breasts and lifted, that bit of extra fat pushed out. She couldn’t show up to the event looking and feeling like a fat pig. She had worked hard to raise money for the women’s shelter and she had saved a lot of money and put in the extra hours at the office, despite the constant rumors that people were going to be laid off after the event. Would Stewart stoop so low and talk with Mr. Arthur, her boss? Shit!

  She turned a little to the right and then a little to the left. She was jiggly, as Stewart had informed her. But hey, she had been working hard, sitting for hours, and unable to attend any workout classes that kept her firmer. She could worry about exercising and losing weight tomorrow. Tonight, she wanted Stewart and his other asshole buddies to see what they would be missing. She’d never been any smaller than a size twelve. She didn’t do single digits. She chuckled at her own thoughts then reapplied some lip gloss before glancing in the mirror one last time.

  Millie had splurged on the salon and spa treatment to look her best for the gala. She had her hair done and placed in an updo to not hide the open back to her dress. Her ass was too big, too. She should have a beeper attached for when she backed up.

  She felt her spirits disintegrate. All of Stewart’s nasty insults were not so easily forgotten. He had scorned her, made her feel unworthy of his high class, his perfect physique. She couldn’t spend three hours a day at the gym. Her exercise experience consisted of six months of self-defense training that she slowly fell out of the routine of going to. Even at the dojo she felt inferior despite her ability to do all the moves. Stewart had even put down her black belt status and forbid her to attend more classes. She was weeks away from achieving the belt and he destroyed that. Perhaps he was afraid that she would use the moves on him? Maybe she should have. But those classes were expensive and her job was too demanding to attend the routine classes she wanted to. She wasn’t born into money. But she had dignity and it had been her work and efforts to establish the shelter. She would attend the event and be done seeing that jerk Stewart ever again.

  She took a deep breath and headed out of her apartment. It took three hard pulls as she simultaneously twisted the knob and turned the key in order to lock her front door. Everyone living in the building had similar problems. It was part of living in the city. It didn’t matter that this complex was considered really nice, almost upscale. She released a shaky breath and headed downstairs to the waiting taxi below.

  * * * *

  Just as she entered the cab and gave the address, her cell phone began to ring. The tune “Cowboy Casanova” by Carrie Underwood began and Millie smiled as she answered her cell phone and the taxi took her to the event.

  “Hi, Stacy. What’s going on?” Millie asked, thrilled that one of her best friends was calling her.

  “Oh, Anna and I are hanging out and just wanted to wish you luck tonight. We’re so proud of you and the money you raised for the battered women’s shelter. It’s such a good cause.”

  “Thank you so much. It’s been a bit crazy and was a lot of work but well worth it.”

  “So is Stewart with you? Are you wearing that fancy black gown you texted a picture of?”

  “Oh, yeah, I’m wearing it. It’s a bit tight, though. I think I should have waited until last week to shop for it,” Millie stated, thinking that in her state of upset being dumped by Stewart she shouldn’t have indulged in that gallon of ice cream and potato chips. Shit, I let another man fuck up my head.

  “You sound funny. Is everything okay?” Stacy asked.

  Of course Stacy and Anna could always tell when something was wrong. She felt the tears reach her eyes then swallowed hard.

  “Stewart dumped me,” she whispered then sniffled.

  “What? Why? What the hell happened?” Stacy asked, sounding shocked and upset. She was such a great friend.

  “Well, let’s just say a very thin and sexy blonde model.”

  “Oh, shit! Are you okay? When did this happen?”

  “A couple of weeks ago.”

  “A couple of weeks ago and you’re just telling us now?” Stacy asked, sounding angry.

  “I was just trying to get through it, Stacy. I’ve had so much on my plate with trying to raise the money for the shelter and working to save up enough to start my own business. Then, of course, Stewart does this to me. I just don’t seem to have luck with men.”

  “Aww, Millie, don’t feel that way. Sometimes you have to go through a few frogs before you can find the prince.”

  “What?”

  Stacy chuckled and so did Anna. Millie could hear Anna in the background. Suddenly, Anna was telling Stacy to give her the phone.

  “Stacy? Hey, it’s Anna. Listen, you should think about visiting us, or perhaps coming out here for good. The town is growing in leaps and bounds. It would be great to see you. You could probably sell your handmade jewelry in the boutique in town. Plus Stacy, Lena, and I have been working on the new shelter and grounds. You should see the place. Construction is going excellent. We already have five women living out here. Word is traveling fast.”

  Millie took a deep breath. She wasn’t feeling like herself at all. She felt depressed, unsure what direction her life was going in, and she just wanted to get through tonight.

  “I’ll see. I’m happy that it is going so well. There are a lot of women out there in need. I’m sure word will spread fast. Listen, the taxi just pulled up at the event. I need to go, but I’ll call you guys tomorrow and we’ll talk some more.”

  “Okay. Good luck, and remember that you are gorgeous. Do not let that stuck-up, snobby, rich cheater make you feel inferior. If he brings the model, just ignore them and work what your mamma gave ya!”

  “Thanks, Anna. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  Millie hung up the phone and felt a little better after talking to the girls. She wasn’t ready to face plans for the future yet, but hoped that an idea would emerge and she could focus on that and forget about Stewart and all men for a while.

  * * * *

  The venue was extraordinary. She should have expected only the best from Mr. Arthur. It was very glamorous and upscale and completely paid for by one of many contributors to Mr. Arthur’s company. There had to be several hundred in attendance, and most were decked out in fine gowns and tuxedos. Millie was now glad that she splurged on the black dress. She had already received numerous compliments, which perked her earlier misconceptions of her appearance. Dressed like this in a place so fancy made her feel beautiful and successful. The award she received about a half hour ago also perked her confidence. She was on a high right now as she sipped her champagne. Although she was only a fundraising coordinator making a mere thirty thousand dollars a year before taxes, she felt pretty good right no
w. Monday, when pink slips were handed out, she may feel differently. Why ruin it?

  She absorbed everything she could. She wanted to remember this good feeling she had and the accomplishment she had been part of. Many women coming from abuse, neglect, or persecution would now have an opportunity for a better life. There were tables set up auctioning off various items to raise even more money for the organization. She felt proud that she had been part of it, and the fatigue from the long work hours was a distant memory.

  Millie stood near a few women she knew from other local organizations. They were all dressed nicely and had complimented her on her dress, her hair, and even stated that she looked stunning this evening. She was feeling pretty good from the boost to her confidence, smiling so much that her cheeks began to ache, when she glanced around the room and caught sight of Stewart. The blonde hanging on his arm was a freaking Amazon compared to Millie. Stewart wasn’t close to six feet tall, and the blonde would have been way taller than him even if she weren’t sporting the Jimmy Choo six-inch stilettos. They made an odd-looking couple. Her purple dress was shimmering and hugged the bitch’s model figure. However, when she turned right or left, her breasts, probably taped in with some of that fancy clear stuff, nearly caused her nipples to show. The men around her looked as if they all needed bibs.

  “Hey, don’t even bother looking at her. He’s an ass for dumping you,” Clare whispered. Her friend from the office sipped at a seltzer with lemon. Her black square glasses were designer, but the rest of her was thrift shop. Clare was an odd mix of modern-day hippie and a fashion diva. She danced to the beat of her own drum and Millie didn’t mind one bit.

  Millie pulled her eyes away from the scene and took a sip of her glass of white wine. Don’t let him ruin your time. Don’t let seeing him with someone else affect you.

  “Hey, you look gorgeous and classy. Don’t let it bother you. There are lots of hot single guys around here. You’ll have your choice.”

  “I know I shouldn’t bother to look. She’s got everyone’s attention,” Millie whispered as she looked at Clare.

  “That’s because they’re waiting to see which tit pops out first, the right or the left. I’m betting on the right. I can almost see part of the areola from here.” Millie nearly choked on the sip of wine she took.

  She stared at her coworker, shocked by her words but tickled by the description.

  “Come on, Millie. Get real, will ya? We’re not at work and you have succeeded in helping to establish a great women’s shelter. You should be celebrating.”

  “I am celebrating.” Millie lifted her half-empty glass and then took another sip of wine.

  “Your breasts are better than hers. You should be working that sexy figure you have.”

  “Sexy?”

  “Oh, please. Do not tell me that you think you don’t have a great figure.” Clare placed her hand on her hip and gave Millie a sideways glance. “Woman, you are the Marilyn Monroe of the joint. Perfect round ass, great hips, and big, gorgeous blue eyes. Shit, I wish I had your figure instead of this pencil-thin mess of skin and bones. No matter what I eat it doesn’t seem to land on my body. I want hips and ass,” Clare stated a little loudly, and Millie shook her head and laughed.

  “I hate my hips and ass, and as they say, ‘through the lips and onto the hips.’”

  “Millie, may I have a moment please?” Stewart interrupted them and Millie felt her cheeks redden and her face go flush. Shit, I hope he didn’t hear me.

  Clare gave Stewart the once-over as if he was dog turd and Millie stifled her laugh. Who would have thought that the quiet, cuckoo secretary had such a grand personality?

  “What do you want, Stewart?” He took her elbow and led her toward the side hallway away from the crowd of guests. He probably didn’t want to be seen with her. She felt nothing for him, and that fact made her feel stronger instead of intimidated.

  He looked down at her and she was grateful that she wore the heels. Her designer shoes now made her stand at about five feet seven, and he was only an inch or so taller.

  He stared at the cleavage of her dress and she was glad the twins were large and perky. His date’s were the complete opposite.

  “Why are you wearing something like this?” he scolded and she was shocked. Was he seriously going to reprimand her choice of dress? He had no right.

  “Excuse me?”

  “You’re too…heavy to wear something like this. It’s demeaning.”

  She was shocked but also stricken to her heart by his words. When she had feelings for someone she gave it her all. That had been her downfall with Frank as well as with Stewart. She wasted her love, her energy on one bad man after the next. Anger flared, but she couldn’t seem to get her mouth to function. But then he reached up and ran his index finger from her throat over her breasts as if he owned her and could have her at any time. Instead of the touch turning her on, it made her feel nauseous.

  “Are you jealous because your date is lacking in the same category?” she spat at him. Obviously, the wine she had gave her some confidence. She had never talked back to Stewart. That was part of the problem and she knew it. She was not an assertive woman when it came to men. She wanted a man that she could trust enough to lead her, especially in the bedroom, but so far all she met were control freaks and womanizers. Stewart was almost as evil and manipulative as Frank had been. The only difference was that Frank actually abused her and nearly killed her, where Stewart verbally abused her and feared confrontation. At least with the same sex he did. Women he could push around and control, but when a man confronted Stewart, he was such a wuss.

  Stewart raised his eyebrows at her as his finger remained on the bodice of her dress. She turned slightly right so that his finger fell away from her. But then she felt the wall against her back .

  He stared at her with eyes filled with disgust and anger. She swallowed hard. He loathed her and she waited in silence for his verbal attack.

  “She’s a model and has to watch what she eats. She cares about her body, unlike you.” There it was, another strike with his tongue, and damn it, she felt it again in her heart and her confidence.

  “Well, then, it’s good that you’re going home with her. She’s more your type.”

  “More my type? What is that supposed to mean?”

  “She’s vain just like you, and so you two deserve one another. Now if you’ll excuse me.” She began to walk away when he grabbed her upper arm and shoved her hard against the wall. She looked around and there wasn’t a soul in sight.

  His teeth were clenched and his fingers dug into her skin.

  “No man will ever want you for anything but a quick fuck. If they tell you otherwise, then they’re lying so you’ll spread your legs. You’re nothing, Millie. You were a meaningless fuck and no man will ever take you as more than that.”

  His words tore at her heart and her body shook at his abusive grip. It reminded her of Frank and she fell speechless. Perhaps all men were like this. There was no other explanation. Why was she always getting involved with men that wanted to hurt her and treat her so badly?

  “Leave, Millie. You disgust me.”

  He shoved her as he released her arm and she felt the tears sting her eyes and the pain collide against her flesh.

  This evening couldn’t get any worse than right now.

  She wanted to leave. Stewart was right. She was nothing and obviously meant nothing to him.

  She hurried toward the door, her purse in hand, and out to a waiting cab. Once inside, she leaned her head back and willed the tears away. She left her award back at the table and hoped that Clare would pick it up for her. Millie felt like crap and she wondered what she was going to do with her life. She felt as if she were at a crossroads. The circle she was in would always bring her to events like these and around people like Stewart. Why couldn’t she find love and happiness? Was she meant to be alone without a partner in this world?

  She gave the cab driver her address and she noticed the
way he looked over her breasts in the rearview mirror. She cleared her throat and unsuccessfully crossed her arms over her chest. It was useless. She had always been big up top. Just like she always had that soft swell over her belly and a stocky figure. She was strong, too. She swallowed hard as Stewart’s words came crashing back to her mind, and then the cab stopped in front of her apartment complex. She dug out the fare for the ride and exited the car. It was only nine in the evening, an earlier night than she had expected and worse results than she had imagined.

  Millie entered the elevator and began to think about the city and her life there when her cell phone rang. The elevator chimed and the doors opened as she dug out her keys and the phone.

  Fumbling with her keys and unlocking the door, she answered her cell phone.

  “Hello.”

  “I’ve missed you, Mill. God, your voice sounds great.”

  Millie closed the door and dropped her bag on the floor. She froze in place and felt the blood drain from her body.

  “What? You’re not happy to hear from me? I’ve done nothing but think about you while I was rotting behind bars, serving my time.”

  Millie swallowed hard. Frank.

  “I really don’t have anything to say to you, Frank.”

  “Ahh, baby, come on. Don’t tell me you’re still upset with me for what happened?”

  “Of course I am, Frank. You nearly killed me and I spent weeks in the hospital.”

  Her voice was shaking. Her entire body was. She should just hang up. But then she wondered why he was calling and where from. Could he be in the city? Was he outside of the complex? Fear gripped her hard.