Mixed Signals

It was their annual company summer party and the hall was packed with people from all walks of life. It was not supposed to be a formal party as the theme was Legends and Myths but white collar people could make things seem uptight all the time. The co-owners of Petals Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals were the chief hosts of the get-together though the public face of the company, Mr Peter Torres, was more appreciated. His partner was barely known to any, as he spent most of his time on the road, traveling the world.

"Mr Torres, may I just say how lovely this party is? Everything looks well put together. You must give me the contacts of your event planner," Lady Carletta praised, looking here and there.

"She probably wants everyone to notice her new diamond necklace," Regina, Peter's wife whispered to her eldest daughter, who tittered into her palm.

"Thank you, Carletta but it was my darling Gina who did all the planning. Maybe you should talk to her about it. I'll give you ladies some room," Peter gave her a little nod and exited gracefully. Regina mouthed 'Coward' at him and he winked, letting off his sexiest smile. She grumbled under her breath and gave Carletta her best fake smile.

Men walked in and out with their escorts on their arm, mistresses and wives alike. The theme enabled women to dress as skimpy as they liked: spilling cleavages, tanned laps and backs, bleached hair and excess makeup. The live band was delivering a soft tune, perfect for a slow waltz and enough to keep waists swaying.

Suddenly, the music stopped and everyone's eyes were glued to the entrance where an enchanting man stood, a model at his elbow. Jealous female eyes ate the female alive where she clung innocently to him. The mysterious man had a lock of dark hair hanging over his right eye but his wicked smile charmed the whole room.

"Richard, it is so good to see you," Peter exclaimed, moving in to enclose him in a hug though Richard was the bigger man. Richard chuckled in a sexy bass and patted Peter's back in a brotherly manner.

"It's good to be back, Pete. Oh, my manners! Pete, this is Lauren, my date and Lauren, this is ....."

"Mr Peter Torres. Everyone knows Mr Peter," Lauren completed, going red in the cheeks.

"Ouch! I must be out of existence then. Where is dear Gina? I came here to see her, not you, you old bat."

"She is right here," Gina announced herself and turned her cheek left and right to receive French kisses from her husband's best man. She punched him in the gut after the pleasantries and he faked doubling over in pain.

"Gina, what have I done now?" Richard asked, pouting his full, pink lips.

"That's for missing all my baby showers, my kids' birthdays, our 15th wedding anniversary, the company's 15th anniversary....oh my God, you bastard!" She got ready to take another swing at him but he got out of it in time.

"Hey, hey! I'm here now, ain't I? I will make up to you guys somehow, I promise. Now where are my pretties?" Richard asked, changing the subject. The reason behind his life on the road was best known to him and it was better that way.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶

"This is Kristin, our first daughter," Gina introduced, beaming proudly at Kristin, who was blushing furiously.

"Nice to finally meet you, Mr Rossi. I will be 18 next month and I am a honor student," she explained, very prim and proper. She was her mother's pride and had her father's wisdom unlike.....

"Pretty and brilliant, a very irresistible combo," Richard praised, kissing Kristin's knuckles. She flipped her perfect blonde hair behind her and came to stand behind her mother. Gina was looking around afterwards, her eyes darting between people on the dancefloor.

"Where is she, Krissy?" Gina asked.

Kristin rolled her eyes in an irritated way. "I couldn't keep a hold on her. You know how she is."

Peter sighed and massaged his furrowed forehead with his fingers. This girl would be the death of him.

"I'm sorry, who are we looking for again?"

"My youngest daughter, Jacqueline or as we like to call her Trouble. Call her on her cell, Kris, please. Only God knows what she is up to now." Peter was worried sincerely because Jacqueline was a very unusual child. She never acted her age, never dressed appropriately and her favourite form of fun was ditching her chauffeur to take the subway train. She had outgrown all her babysitters but none had any effect whatsoever on her. Peter would have sent her to her grandmother's but for fear that her strange behaviour would send the aged woman to her early grave.

"I'm calling her. Let's hope she didn't switch it off like she does whenever she wants to do something stupid," Kristin criticized, tapping at the screen of her phone. She giggled at her screen lightly: she had saved Jacqueline's name as Little Imp. She dialed the number and the phone rang in Gina's purse instead. Regina harrumped in frustration. Jacqueline was obviously off on another of her adventures. She pulled out the ringing phone and handed it over to Peter.

"She is at it again, Pete, after everything we said last time."

"I don't know where she gets this wildness from. She is a girl for goodness sake and just 16."

Suddenly, Richard burst into laughter, shaking vigorously. "You don't know where she gets it from? Pete, have you forgotten your crazy days? Oh, I mean your before-Gina says. You were a mad man then. The girl just needs to exercise her freedom a little. You can't be sixteen twice, ya know."

Peter snorted in disapproval. "Of course, you would defend such unruly behavior, being the rogue that you are."

Everyone had a good laugh at Richard's expense.

"Anyways, until you meet her in person, here's a picture of her," Gina shoved her phone in his face and he took it from her. Richard saw a pretty girl dressed in black leather from top to trousers. She had a pixie cut, her blonde-white hair curled behind her ears. She looked like a Gothic model, her shapely long legs well enhanced by the tight leather pants she had on. Her mascara brought attention to her almost transparent eyes. She was.....naturally magnificent, a total opposite of Kristin, who was elegant but looked unreal.

"Hmm, you have lovely daughters, Gina. I'm thankful that Pete's bad genes didn't rub off on any of them," Richard joked and the laughter rang out again.

Amidst the welcome hugs and handshakes, Richard managed to get away for a while. He craved a cigarette and acting all nice took a great toll on him. He made his way up to the roof after giving Lauren up to good company. It was good to be back, yes, but he ached to be back on the road. He was technically a nomad with no roots, no attachments to anyone. He flipped open his lighter.

"That thing will rot your lungs and you don't want that," a voice warned from a corner of the roof. He snapped the lighter close and chuckled. This was a saucy one; he had to be careful with them.

"And what if I do?"

An elegant shoulder shrugged nonchalantly. "It's your funeral. Go ahead."

The voice had a smoky undertone to it that reeled him in. She was not facing him but he wanted to see her face badly. She had a curvy body and a tiny waist from what the jean overalls would let him see.

"Don't come any closer. I know very good jiu-jitsu and the fall down here leads a slow but painful death," she coldly admonished but Richard could not help himself. It was like he was unable to stop himself for walking towards her. He wanted, no, he needed, to know what she looked like. Angrily, she lunged at him and tried to pin his arm behind him but he used his bulky weight to his advantage, turning the tables on her. In a blink, she was lying underneath him, still struggling to gain back the upper hand until he grabbed her hands apart and pinned her legs in place. She was helpless and she hated knowing that.

"Let go of me, you bastard. Have you any idea who my father is?"

She looked into his face to gauge who he was but that was her first mistake. The stranger was wickedly handsome, though words alone could not do him justice. His green eyes pierced deep into her soul. His full lips were above hers and she could smell the champagne in his breath as he huffed and puffed from his exertions. She stopped struggling and they just remained there, staring into each other's eyes.

She shook her wrist a bit and Richard let go of the hand, curious to see what she would do. She brought a finger to his cheekbones and dragged it down to his jaw slowly. It was so slow and sensual that Richard felt all his strength leave him. He wanted to let her take control and he remained still throughout her perusal. She pouted cutely, probably unknown to her, as she stuck her fingers into his light moustache.

"I like this. I've always wanted one," she whined, pouting more profoundly.

"Well, that's one crazy wish," he decided, chuckling afterwards but stopped when she dipped her tiny fingers into his dark hair, massaging here and there. He shamelessly let out a moan as her fingers roamed freely in his midnight locks. She grabbed a handful in her porcelain grip and he almost crashed under his weight. She was seducing him and he wanted to beg her not to stop; it felt so, so good and his scalp tingled with suspense. He let out another moan and she laughed musically, bringing his attention to her face again.

It was then he remembered: the picture! This was....Peter's youngest daughter, Jacqueline! Was this the girl who was supposed to be wild?! He got off her hastily, checking for witnesses. If Peter ever found out.......

"What's the matter?" Jacqueline asked, alarmed by his sudden behavior.

"I have to go. This was a mistake." He sped away, with Jacqueline hot on his heels. She would have caught up with him but for Kristin.

"Where have you been, you imp? Mom and Dad have been worried, searching the whole place for you and what is that thing you are wearing?"

"Cut the crap, Krissy. I wasn't lost and I'm not a kid."

"Then don't act like one!" Kristin yelled, shaking her fist furiously. Jacqueline maintained contact with Richard's exiting self.

"Okay, I'm sorry. Just help me out here. Who is that man trying to escape the party?" She pointed at Richard and Kristin traced her finger upward.

"Why, that's Mr Richard Rossi, the co-owner of Petal and Dad's best friend. Isn't he a charmer?"

Jacqueline watched him leave, a stern look on her face. "He sure is."

FIVE YEARS LATER

It has snowed the night before, making the air chilly and most people were late to the service, having to drive through piles of icy mass. Regina Torres, his widow, was with friends and talking helped to ease some of her pain. Even in mourning, she was the perfect hostess to the very end, seeing to everyone's needs. Kristin was pulling through too, her hands tightly bound around the arms of her latest boyfriend. All her friends had shown up to show their sympathy and solidarity and they formed a pity circle around her. The drama queen to the end, occasionally, she would sigh dramatically and hide her face in Morgan's shoulders.

Jackie sat alone on a stone bench in the garden. She had invited only two friends: Ginny and Cameron and they were currently stoned up in her room. That was their way of showing solidarity; they weren't all round bad kids. At least that's what she thought unlike Kristina, who found every reason to be snarky to them. Everyone was in black as expected all except Jackie, who was in a white turtleneck top and white bell -bottoms.

"Dad wouldn't have liked to see us looking dreary," was her defense when she rejected the black dress her mom had picked out for her. She was out of the Gothic phase and was into the whole tomboy look now, although she had turned vain and let her blonde-white hair grow wild till it was past her waist. She liked her hair now but only wore it in braids or French knots due to its unusual length.

Peter's death had come as a shock to all. He had gone hiking with a group of old high school mates and had been involved in a fatal car crash on his way home. The news had almost driven Regina mad with grief and she kept to herself for days on end. The autopsy had revealed that Peter had been tipsy while driving and he was to blame for putting his own life at risk but they were not telling people that side of the story. Everyone knew the highway was rough during the holidays and yet.....

"Jacqueline! Come over; we want to take a picture," her mom called out and she nodded absently. She skulked over to where her sister and mother were standing among other family relatives and friends. Most of them resembled likenesses of vultures and crows in black and Jacqueline chuckled under her breath. These days, it was a blessing to laugh, even just a little. She thought of calling down her friends but gave up that thought immediately the camera went off. Moreover, she didn't want anyone lecturing her friends or her at this funeral.

She was headed back for her rock when she heard his voice, wafting through the air:

"Gina darling, I am so sorry I couldn't get here earlier. Traffic was terrible in the snow. How did it happen? My brain just can't process that Peter is gone."

"He was in an highway accident on his way back from hiking," Regina's shaky voice informed.

"He didn't get to say goodbye, Rich and that's what hurts me the most."

Rich. Richard Rossi was here. Suddenly, memories of an incident five years ago associated with that name crowded Jackie's thoughts. She was tempted to look back and see his face again but her anger towards him was stronger than her desire to look upon him. Feeling bothered all of a sudden, she made her way back to the house.

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆

Richard noticed a haze of white run past where he and Regina stood. Whoever that was, he/she had been determined to stand out and had done so extremely well.

"Who is that?" he asked, his curiosity overriding his grief briefly.

Regina looked in the direction of the exiting person.

"That's Jacqueline, my youngest daughter, up to one of her famous rebellion schemes. It seems she is never around enough for me to introduce you two officially. Wonder who got fire on her heels this time. Kristin!"

"Yes, Mother! Hey, Mr Rossi! You made it."

"Just barely in time but I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Rich, you remember Kristin," Regina more of asked than said. Richard was not around much and it was possible he might have forgotten her.

"Of course, the lovely and intelligent Kristin Torres. I hear such marvelous news about your progress at Yale from your mother, Kris. You are the pride of the Torres household," Richard read her eulogy, tucking her arm in his in a little dance.

"Oh, stop, you do go on, making my head swell with your praises," Kristin admonished, swatting at his arm. Morgan, her boyfriend came closer and Kristin introduced them both, wanting Richard's approval subtly.

"Morgan, you treat her right. You got yourself a rare gem. I just hope you know how to cherish it."

"I'll do my best, sir. Excuse us," Morgan politely replied, taking the red-faced Kristin away.

"Kids," Regina muttered under her breath.

"You are one to talk, you who used to cling to Peter like he was your be-all and end-all. You guys were so cute sometimes it hurt to be single," Richard joked. He so much wanted to see her smile. This widow stigma did not look good on her.

She giggled shortly, running her fingers in her hair.

"He was my everything, Rich and I miss him terribly already. Sometimes, I think that I would just wake up from this nightmare and he would be in his study, requesting for office sex knowing fully well that I would never indulge his perverse craving no matter how hard he begged and how much I did want to oblige him."

"TMI, Gina. But you are right, he was a horny bastard around you."

They had another laugh together and Gina sniffed back her unshed tears. She launched herself at Richard and wept in his arms.

"He promised me forever, Rich. He lied but I can't help loving the selfish bastard."

Richard cooed soothing words in her ears and swayed side to side. "It will be alright, Gina. Let me pay my respects and I'll take you back to the house. All this negative energy is bad for your recovery."

Letting go of her, he stared at the house and his eyes collided with an icy, transparent pair. Before he could inhale, she slammed the door as hard as she could.

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆

Jackie walked into the large room that had served as her father's study. Not much had been moved or tampered with and his presence was still preeminent in the open space. She could still see him tapping softly on his keyboard and sipping green tea from his favourite coffee mug. Her mother would never let him have coffee though; she believed in setting a good example for customers.

She could still see his furrowed forehead which has marred his simple beauty but when she remembered that she had caused more than half of his worries, she could not help smiling. Her father had never given up on her regardless of whatever new trouble she brought with her from the public school. It was he who had nicknamed her Trouble once when she had tripped a waiter with her parasol at a wedding. The poor waiter collided with the bride's mother, knocking her off her feet and got himself the boot.

She had been grounded for two weeks for that alone until it was discovered that she had glued half of the guests on their seats. No one could prove she had done that so they let it slide but she enjoyed the party afterwards, watching overdressed bitches struggle with metal chairs stuck to their fat behinds. It was a two weeks well worth it. Her grandmother referred to her as a terrorist, her teachers were glad to see her graduate in 2012 and her sister saved her contacts as Little Imp.

No one had believed that she would get into college but she did eventually though it took longer than Kristen's. Her elder sister was a walking role model, a goddess with lush, golden blonde hair which she never let get too long. She was the perfect daughter, the carbon copy of their mother: beautiful, polite, socially up to date and equally disappointed that her younger sister would not follow in her footsteps. Jackie has lived in her shadow all her life and had never learned to do better than her sister.

Because of her average grades and bad reputation, she could not go to Yale like every Torres child has. She managed to get into NYC along with her friends but she couldn't help feeling that she had disappointed her entire family. Kristin never failed to remind her of this disappointment, her mother too occasionally but her father had looked at her acceptance letter and enveloped her in a bear hug.

"NYU is just as good as Yale. Maybe it's time for a little change in our family history," was all he said, when he took the family out for a treat to celebrate. Jackie has loved him most and now she had lost him too just like everything dear to her. She sat in his chair and wept for her loss for the first time since she heard of her father's death.