Owning things does not make one powerful, but rich bullies never seem to learn that. That’s where I’d have the upper hand because, for me, it’s just a game, a way to cut her down to size while beating her at her own game.
I felt just a little bit guilty that I was basically about to fight over Cody like a dog with a bone, but she has to pay, and since he doesn’t seem willing to do anything about it, well, it’s up to me. I’m no longer just doing this because she messed with our relationship. I’m doing it for him, for the way I imagine he felt when she drugged and almost violated him if his friends hadn’t been there.
While Jess and Alexis studied, I laid across my bed, reordering my thoughts. There’s nothing to it, really, but since this was my first-time retaliating, I knew I had to take my time and not rush in. I have to keep Cody in the dark while carrying out my scheme, which might be the hardest part of all this.
I waited until the others went about their business doing their own thing to make the call. I had my words all planned out before the first ring.
“Hello!”
“Hi Dad, how are you? I miss you.”
“Hi sweetheart, is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine, but dad.” We exchanged small talk before I got down to business.
“Dad, I think I want to get a car.”
“You what? Baby, you don’t know how to drive.”
“I’m going to take lessons. What’s the best car for me do you think? Or maybe I should ask mom.”
“Well, if we ask your mother, she’d suggest a tank. I don’t know how we’re going to talk her into letting you get behind the wheel in the first place. Let me think about it some, and I’ll come up with a plan. What kind of car were you thinking of getting?”
“Well, like you said, mom would suggest a tank, so I’ve been looking at things closest to that, but I can’t seem to make up my mind.”
“That’s because you don’t know anything about cars. Leave it to me.”
“I do, too; I’ve done some research.”
“Oh really, and what did you find?”
“The Mercedes G AMG 63 G-Class looks like a tank.”
“You want my car?”
“Is that what you drive, dad? No, I don’t want that one; it looks too militant.”
“Well, it’s the safest thing on the road right now, and if you want me to talk your mother into letting you drive, you’ll have to agree. We’ll get you your own, of course, in whatever color you want.”
“But dad!”
“I’m sorry, baby, I know you’d probably prefer something small and cute, but your mother would never agree to that. The Benz I can probably talk her into. In fact, I’ll make sure you get one, deal?”
I pretended to give it some thought, but really, that’s exactly what I was after. My revenge is going to be expensive, but we can afford it. I have no interest in driving anywhere, but Cody’s heap is about to give up on him, and I’m sure with his dad’s medical debt, he’s not even thinking about buying a car, let alone one that could cost a quarter of a million dollars or more.
He’d never accept it from me, I’m sure, but if I play it off right, I just might hook him. He’s a male after all, and aren’t they all silly over anything with an engine? I’ll use the excuse of him giving me lessons to get him behind the wheel, and after that, it should be smooth sailing.
LISA
“Cody, can I ask a favor?”
“Anything, what is it?” We were walking hand in hand to the dining hall after class, where he’d picked me up himself. It was a few days after I’d learned the truth about Susie and started putting my plans into action. I’m not ashamed to say that a quarter of a million-plus car was on its way here already, thanks to my whining and cajoling.
As expected, mom had vetoed the idea, but dad had put his foot down, and after adding a few bells and whistles for safety measures, mom had relented. Now it was time to work on Cody. He hadn’t noticed anything different in my behavior because I’ve kept my planning to myself and out of his sight. I wasn’t too worried about Jess or Alexis snitching me out because they were almost as excited as I was about the whole deal, especially once I broke out the black card and took us all shopping.
Not that they were in it for the gifts, but it didn’t hurt. I didn’t stick to mom’s debutant style of dress, but the outfits I bought screamed trust fund baby, which I knew would stick in Susie’s craw. I have no doubt she’d already looked into my background, but she’d find nothing since I’m as well hidden as any world dignitary in a foreign country. That was one of the stipulations for me coming here. Otherwise, mom would’ve had me stay close to home.