New Release and Giveaway! STOP ME by Michelle Jester (Rue the Day #1)

Rose entered with confidence. That was always the transition Jeselle loved to see. They start off scared, unsure. However, as they learned and worked, they became more and more assured in themselves. Poised, even.

As Rose walked toward her desk, Jeselle thought of the many girls that she’d helped through the years. Today, she was about to bestow her crowning gift to Rose. Exactly like the others, she was offering something that only Jeselle could offer.

“Good morning,” Rose said as she sat.

Jeselle slid the folder across the desk to Rose. She watched with pure satisfaction as Rose opened the folder. A confused look washed over Rose’s features.

“What, what is this?”

“She has a nice house on the south side of town, participates in all of her children’s school activities, and has been married for a little over two years. However, it’s rumored that her marriage is on very shaky ground, because she has a huge gambling problem.”

“Why…Ms. Parsons, I’m confused. Why do you have this file on Trisha?”

Jeselle stood, “Why else? She’s your frenemy. And any frenemy of yours is a frenemy of mine,” Jeselle waited to watch the moment Rose got it.

Rose stood, carrying the file with her, “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”

Jeselle gave up hope that it would finally click with Rose. “Revenge, Rose,” she leaned toward her, “For her misdeeds against you.” Jeselle hadn’t meant to sound so forceful.

Rose’s voice was barely over a whisper, “Why on Earth would I want revenge?”

Jeselle was rocked to her core, she swayed slightly. “Because she hurt you. Horribly.”

Rose’s eyebrows drew together. She walked around the desk to meet with Jeselle. “I think that your heart is in the right place, only…” Rose threw her arms around Jeselle and hugged her, “I don’t need revenge.”

Jeselle stiffened in the embrace.

“Mom always says,” Rose whispered in Jeselle’s ear, “the best revenge is in not needing any.” Rose stepped back and looked at Jeselle, “I am the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, and that has nothing to do with Trisha.”

“Well, that’s good,” Jeselle brushed the front of her suit, sat behind her desk and made herself busy. “Lucky for you, you didn’t lose a parent to anyone.”

“True. But my parents were saved by someone. You.”

“Yes, okay,” Jeselle waved her hand to dismiss Rose.

“You save people, Jeselle. Lots of people. I think revenge is a waste.”

“Is it a waste, Rose, to have revenge because you are trying to save other people from horrible people, hmm? Answer me that.” she replied coldly,

“No. But Trisha isn’t that situation. In my opinion, saving her marriage or her family for her children by helping her get counseling for her gambling problem would save people.”

Jeselle sighed deeply, “Go away, and let me go save the world then.”