Hell Hath No Fury

Part 11

2 days later, Ruben was chatting online with 2 former AI finalists, Vanessa and Rickey. They were another close couple that he often kept in touch with. They were discussing the upcoming tour when Vanessa bought something up.

"How are Clay and Kim doing?" She asked.

"They're not doing." He typed.

"What's going on?" Rickey asked.

"I'm sorry, but I can't talk about it."

"That bad, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Well, they can't possibly be doing that bad." Vanessa said.

"Why do you say that?"

"I just stumbled onto a picture of them together...and it looks like they're getting along just fine."

"That must have been taken a god while ago."

"No, the picture is dated last Tuesday."

"Last Tuesday, huh? Where's the picture at?"

Vanessa gave him the link. He clicked on it. It directed him to a page titled "Clay and Kim: Destined to be Together".

'Just another fan page.' Ruben thought.

He scrolled down and saw a picture of Clay and Kim.

But this was no ordinary picture...

This picture showed Clay on top of Kim...it looked like he was kissing her neck...but she appeared to be pushing him away.

Ruben noticed the date on the picture. Vanessa had mentioned that it was dated last Tuesday. He remembered when he had first caught up with Kim last Thursday. She had mentioned that she'd first been raped only a couple of days before.

Ruben's eyes widened as the realization hit him. This was a picture from the night Kim was first raped by Clay!

Anger consumed him. Yeah, he had been pretty mad when Kim first told him Clay had raped her. But now that there was a picture of it for the entire world to see...this really made him sick.

He typed to Vanessa. "Thanks, Vanessa. I owe you big for this."

"No problem." She typed back. "But what's going on?"

"I told you I can't explain it now. I'll tell you in due time."

"O.K."

He signed off and called Kim.

"Kim? I'm so glad I caught you. I've got something you have to see."

Not even 10 minutes later, Kim arrived at his apartment.

"I came as soon as possible." She told him. "What's up?"

"Well, I've got something to show you...and you're not going to like it."

"What is it?"

He led her to the computer where he had bookmarked the page.

"I discovered a site a few minutes ago, thanks to Vanessa...well, I think I should let you see it for yourself."

"O.K."

He loaded the page. She read the title.

" 'Clay and Kim: Destined to be Together'. " She laughed sarcastically. "Yeah, so much for that."

He scrolled down the page until she saw the picture.

Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, my..." She could not believe this. Just when she had thought Clay could not sink any lower...

"Are you all right, girl?" He asked.

She sat down in a chair. "No, I'm not." She said calmly.

"Man, I've had it with Clay!" Ruben said angrily. "He has really crossed the line this time. This is just sick!"

"I know. And I've had enough of him too. This is where it all ends."

"Kim, you know what happened the last time you said that."

"Yes, I know what happened, but I'm ready for all this to be over. The first thing I'm going to do...is to stop crying. I have cried enough to last me 2 lifetimes. I'm done."

"And the second thing?"

"You know what the second thing is, Ruben. It's time we both told Amber about her scumbag fiance." She picked up her cell phone. "Speak of the devil, I've got a message from her." She dialed her voicemail number and got to Amber's message.

"Kim! I'm so sorry I missed you! You won't believe this, but...Clay wants us to get married today! Isn't that great? I am on my way to pick out a fabulous outfit...what? Really? Clay told me to tell you that the wedding will be at 4:00 this afternoon at the Dreams Come True Wedding Chapel, off the corner of 20th and Main. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I still want you to be my maid of honor, and Clay wants Ruben to be his best man. You don't have to dress up too fancy or anything. A nice dress and suit would be fine with us. I'll see you at 4:00 or maybe before. O.K.? Bye!"

Kim hung up and turned to Ruben.

"Amber and Clay...are getting married today." She said calmly.

"What?"

Kim told Ruben what Amber had said.

Ruben looked at his watch. It was 1:15.

"How fast can you be ready?" He asked.

"It'll take me a while to pick out something nice...but give me an hour."

"O.K. I'll pick you up at 2:30. If I remember correctly, the chapel is about 45 minutes away. That gives us plenty of time, no matter how the traffic is."

"Great. I'd better go then. I'd better dress appropriately. After all, we've got a wedding to stop."