Dangerous Sister

By Joclyn Gipson Dilworth

Sisters…
Vanessa is gorgeous and sophisticated. Downright selfish and conceited, she was too outspoken.

Jazzmine is homely and quiet. Selfless and sensitive, she is gullible and naïve. 

Vanessa, the oldest, is ashamed of her fat, homely sister and she would do anything to get rid of her. Jazzmine, however, admi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Sep 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781643451930

Joclyn Gipson Dilworth

Joclyn Gipson-Dilworth is a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and has been her entire life. She is a faithful member of Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. She is married with two children. Writing has been her passion her whole life as she has been writing for as long as she can remember. She has written several novels, all of which vary from romance to drama to mystery. Her goal is to become well established in her writing ability and a renowned author.

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Joclyn Gipson-Dilworth

DANGEROUS SISTER

Copyright © 2018 Joclyn Gipson Dilworth

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Stratton Press, LLC

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in the work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Shutterstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-64345-192-3

ISBN (Ebook): 978-1-64345-193-0

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter One

New York City, New York

May 2000

Two sisters with only a father in common. In appearance, personality, and intellect, the two were the actual definition of opposites, like night and day!

The oldest sister was ashamed of her younger sister, hating her with a red-hot passion! The younger sister’s heart was filled with love, admiration, and the utmost respect for her older sister. It was a shame that the two felt so differently about each other, especially since they were related by a blood connection! If both young ladies didn’t share the same last name and live in the same house, no one would suspect that they were even related.

No one would ever suspect Vanessa Thomas to be a troublemaker just by the sight of her, but she was a real devil!

Gorgeous and sophisticated, she had the ability to enter a room and attract the attention of every man present. Just the right height with the sexiest legs, she had the figure most women desired. With her round face, full heart-shaped lips, and a beauty mark just above her lip, she had the face of an angel. Her beautiful smooth skin was a gorgeous golden bronze, not a flaw to be detected. With chin-length, sandy-brown hair, she knew her beauty.

She walked and dressed with elegance, portraying herself as a princess, like royalty. She felt and flaunted her beauty. To uphold the pretty-girl image, she never missed a weekly hair appointment or a usual visit to the nail shop to keep herself well-groomed in all aspects. Her attire was only the best. She wore nothing less than the most expensive brands of clothes and shoes. It was the only way to let the world know her worth and express her high level of self-confidence!

Placid and at ease even in the stickiest situations, she would never be suspected of even being capable of mischief. To seek the attention of everyone around and to gain popularity was her ultimate goal. She was accustomed to having her way, being spoiled, and she was a real devil when she wasn’t granted her every desire.

Jazzmine Thomas was the total opposite. Her beauty wasn’t as obvious. It was somewhat obscure, needing to be brought forth from within. Her exterior was rather crude and unattractive, a real turnoff for the opposite sex. Her dark brown skin was completely covered by acne. Her dimpled cheeks were chubby. Her dark brown eyes were puffy, as if she were constantly losing sleep, and her nose appeared to be too small for her plump face. She was definitely not a prospective model!

Obesity was the most unattractive feature she possessed. At two hundred and eighteen pounds, she wasn’t the first choice to be featured on a magazine cover. She was average height, with short, thick, coarse black hair. Visiting the beauty salon was something she only did when her new growth was in dire need of relaxation. Her attire was usually whatever she could find that fit comfortably. It wasn’t important where her clothes and shoes were purchased or what the cost was. She didn’t even care what others thought of them as long as she liked them!

Jazzmine was clearly not in her sister’s league!

Vanessa was the beauty queen who could have any man she wanted! Jazzmine was the admirer who was proud to even be her half sister!

Vanessa was a twenty-year-old junior attending college in New York City and living with her father until she finished school and could afford to venture out on her own. Naturally, it was the next step. But she was in no hurry because she loved her father, and she didn’t mind living with him. It was her sister that she had an issue with and whom she lacked the desire to be around! In her eyes, Jazzmine was a homely girl, whom she was ashamed to be around and whom she wished she wasn’t related to. She would rather not have a sister than to be related to her.

Jazzmine was a seventeen-year-old senior in high school who was contemplating attending the same university as her sister. As valedictorian of her class, she had been offered several scholarships to excellent colleges. The difficult choice was choosing the perfect one to meet her academic needs. She wanted to be close to family and get a good education at the same time. It was just a matter of where she chose to pursue her studies!

James Thomas, their father who had practically raised them alone, was very proud of both of his daughters. With no mothers to help him raise them, as he lost them both to death, he tried to instill the importance of family in both of his daughters. Vanessa’s mother, his first wife, died in childbirth. She never even knew her mother. Jazzmine’s mother, his second wife, was killed in a tragic car accident when she was in elementary school. That alone was reason to cherish family, which he learned the hard way.

James treated both Vanessa and Jazzmine equally, and he looked upon them as his beautiful angels. He never favored Vanessa over Jazzmine because of her outer beauty, nor did he favor Jazzmine over Vanessa because of her intellect. He taught them that they were both equally smart and beautiful. It never occurred to him that his daughters felt so differently about each other.

He was quite aware that Jazzmine looked up to Vanessa. He felt that it was only natural because Vanessa was older. However, he had no idea that Vanessa thought her sister was so repulsive. It would crush his very core if he knew! In his eyes, they were his princesses. Neither of them would ever wrong the other! They were sisters, two young ladies that he raised to love each other and always have each other’s backs! He observed them as they were growing up together. It never occurred to him that either of them could have hatred in her heart for the other.

It was true that Vanessa and Jazzmine appeared to be close when they were growing up. That clearly wasn’t the case, however.

Vanessa was fully aware of her sister’s admiration for her. The only reason she allowed her to hang around was because she had been able to manipulate her into doing whatever she desired. Jazzmine was somewhat her puppet, and she used her however she saw fit at the time because she knew that she could!

Jazzmine had always been naive and too blinded by love for her sister to say no to anything she requested of her. She didn’t even realize that she was being used or that her sister could even possess so much hatred toward her.

Vanessa was cruel and vindictive, fooling everyone as it wasn’t common to have such hatred for one’s own sister, half or otherwise!

Presently, she walked down the hall toward her bedroom. She stopped at Jazzmine’s bedroom door, hearing laughter coming from inside. A frown darkened her features as she wondered who her half sister was entertaining. Her eyes focused on the door, which was slightly ajar.

One little peek won’t hurt, she thought. Easing closer to the door, she peeped inside, eavesdropping to decipher what the laughter was about. She was anxious to know.

Jazzmine was sitting on the bed Indian style facing Myra, one of her close friends, who was sprawled all over the bed, laughing.

The laughter dying, Myra straightened to an Indian-style position as well and faced Jazzmine. Girl! You are so crazy! She giggled, remembering the funny comment Jazzmine just made. "So you don’t like him, huh? Well, who do you like?" She leaned in enthusiastically with a smile on her face, anxiously awaiting Jazzmine’s reply.

Jazzmine sighed heavily and slipped into a light daze. Thoughts of Keith Bedly, the young man she had been interested in for the past year, entered her mind. He was definitely the man of her dreams, and she was crazy about him!

Blinking back to reality, she answered, His name is Keith Bedly, and he is… She sighed and clasped her hands together with a huge starstruck grin. "Wonderful!"

Vanessa cringed, gasping with horror.

Keith Bedly? Seriously? Jazzmine was interested in him? She had no idea! That was horrible news to discover, like something hot being dumped on her lap unexpectedly and at the most inopportune moment!

Keith Bedly was a friend of their cousin’s, and he was also a junior attending the same university as she was. In fact, she had a business course with him.

Vanessa was familiar with the type of women he dated. Jazzmine was absolutely not his type! He preferred the thin, pretty, cheerleading type as opposed to dumpy and homely! Jazzmine wasn’t even cute compared to the women he dated! Of course, she wasn’t cute anyway; she was so homely and repulsive, and that was the problem!

Before we graduate, I’m going to approach him and tell him how I feel, Jazzmine, feeling confident, confessed. She had to tell Keith how she felt or she would explode! She certainly couldn’t go off to college, if she chose to go away, without him knowing. There was a possibility that he would be one of the reasons that she stayed!

Vanessa’s eyes widened, and she backed away from the door as if she had seen a ghost. It was ridiculous that Jazzmine actually intended to approach Keith! It was unacceptable and embarrassing for her! Keith was sure to laugh in her sister’s face!

Of course, Jazzmine looked in the mirror on a daily basis. Did she not see how unattractive she was? Did she not realize that the only guys she attracted were fat and homely like herself or skinny, brainy little nerds? It was absurd for her to even think she should waste her breath and Keith’s time, telling him how she felt. That was a secret she should keep to herself! She shouldn’t have even told Myra!

What made Jazzmine so sure she should approach Keith? Clearly, he never encouraged her. If he had, she wouldn’t have to approach him!

Keith was way out of Jazzmine’s league, too good for her! He was a man in college who didn’t have time to waste on a mere child like her! Jazzmine was a high school student! Sure, she was valedictorian of her class, but what did that mean? She was still young and inexperienced with life! She had nothing to offer someone like Keith!

Something had to be done to prevent Jazzmine from making such a horrific mistake and humiliating herself, not to mention her sister! It was bad enough that he knew they were sisters! He didn’t have to know that Jazzmine was foolish too, thinking that she was worthy enough to even breathe the same air as him! It would be a grave mistake to approach Keith, not to mention an embarrassment to the whole family, whether anyone chose to admit the truth or not! Of course, no one ever would admit that to Jazzmine, which was exactly why Vanessa couldn’t allow her to embarrass herself or anyone else in the family!

She had to do something!

Suddenly, the perfect strategy came to her, and she smiled mischievously to herself. There was something she could do. She knew exactly how to stop Jazzmine from embarrassing her and making a fool of herself! Honestly, if she weren’t her father’s child, she wouldn’t care what she did. But since she was and Keith knew it, she was forced to stop her from making such a foolish mistake!

Elated at how quickly the brilliant idea came to mind, she hurried to her room and immediately called their cousin, Tyrone, who was the key to solving her problem.

Hey, Tyrone. She smiled into the phone. If all went accordingly, he would be a big asset to her, and she really needed him right now. He just had to help her. If he refused, she would be ruined all because of her rotten sister!

What’s up, Vanessa?

You don’t have plans Friday night, do you? she asked. There was no need to beat around the bush.

He shrugged his shoulders, as if she could see him through the phone. Not really. I’ll probably go out to the club or something. Why? She never called and inquired about his plans for the weekend. Something was up, and it was rather suspicious to him. Why is she asking now? he wondered. What did she want? It had to be a favor.

The club? Which club? It couldn’t be just any club! In order for her plan to succeed, he had to cooperate. If he didn’t give her the correct answer, she would just have to suggest it for him.

Which one are you going to? She had to know. It was important!

"Probably Club Ten. Why? What’s on your mind?" Tyrone was really curious now. She was rather persistent, which was becoming annoying.

Club Ten was perfect! It was a club that didn’t emphasize women’s identification on Friday nights. Friday was ladies’ night! Vanessa attended on ladies’ night quite often.

Really? Well, I was just wondering because I was worried about Jazzmine. She’s always stuck in the house, and she never gets to go out. Friday night is ladies’ night at Club Ten. Why don’t you take her with you? She adores you, and she’ll be willing to go with you. I have a surprise for her, but she doesn’t know it. Bring her for me, okay?

Tyrone sighed deeply into the phone. He usually didn’t escort females to the club, whether they were relatives or not. Jazzmine was his cousin, sure, but that was a typical thing for a male to say to another female, especially at a club, Oh, she’s just my cousin! Women didn’t accept that line anymore! Too many guys were players and jerks. He didn’t want to be in the category with them because he was neither, and he was going to Club Ten to mingle and have a good time!

Having Jazzmine on his arm would cramp his style. No female would talk to him if he was with her, and he loved to dance! They probably wouldn’t even want to dance with him if he came with someone. Dancing alone was no fun. Jazzmine couldn’t dance! Obviously, Vanessa wanted him to have a boring time, and he didn’t understand why or why she chose him to take Jazzmine out Friday night! Why didn’t she ask one of Jazzmine’s friends or even one of their other cousins to do it?

Vanessa… Tyrone groaned with another sigh.

Please? she begged. He just had to do this for her. He really needed to cooperate with her because he was the only person who could assist her with this particular task, and it was very important! It was for her sister’s own good! Of course, she couldn’t tell Tyrone that! You are the only person who can help me. Jazzmine is your cousin, Ty! Don’t you want to see her go out and have fun for a change?

Well, she did have a valid point. Jazzmine didn’t get out much, and he did think she deserved to go out and enjoy herself. She was a homebody who didn’t see much sunlight. One night wouldn’t hurt. It could be the best night of Jazzmine’s life. He didn’t know why Vanessa needed this favor, but he was willing to concede for Jazzmine.

Okay, he finally answered, pleasing Vanessa. Hey! What’s the big surprise? It’s not her birthday or anything.

Vanessa smiled mischievously to herself, thinking of her surprise for her sister. She couldn’t tell Tyrone because he would surely renege his decision to help her. He would just have to find out when Jazzmine did. You’ll see. I have to go now. Bye. Before he could say another word, she hung up.

Thursday morning

Vanessa walked down the hall toward her business course with a huge smile.

Everything was set, and it would work out perfectly. She just hoped Keith fell in line, being the major asset in her plan. She needed him to cooperate more than she needed Tyrone to.

At the classroom door, she stopped and looked down at her light brown mini skirt, hoping it was short enough. Of course, she looked nice, and she would get his attention, regardless. That wouldn’t even be an issue. She would work her charm, as usual.

Entering the room, she licked her lips when every guy present whistled at her, which she was accustomed to. It was their usual greeting. Ignoring the whistles, she glanced toward the back of the room to Keith’s usual seat.

He was there.

Walking with a swing to her hips, she passed all the guys who whistled at her and went right up to him. Sitting on his desktop, she forced him to look at her. She crossed her legs seductively to ensure that he would be enticed enough to want to cooperate with her. She might even pitch it as though it were his own idea.

His eyes lingered on her beautiful silky legs, and he smiled. Lifting his eyes back to her face, he almost frowned, wondering what she wanted. She never entered the classroom and came straight to him before, and it was a little surprising.

So, Keith. She lifted her eyes to the ceiling for a split second. Then she dropped them back to him. What are you doing tomorrow night? Do you have plans? She hoped he would say no. She needed him to say no because she didn’t want to go through the hassle of convincing him to change them to accommodate her plan. It would be so much easier for her if he said no.

Keith’s eyes were drawn to her tight white top, and he forced himself not to ogle her full-sized breasts. Trying to focus, his eyes moved back to her face. I might be free. Why? What do you have in mind?

Vanessa’s smile widened. That was exactly what she wanted to hear. It didn’t require any finessing at all, and he would fall right into her trap. "Well, I thought maybe you and I could go to Club Ten."

Keith did a mental reality check. His hand rose to his heart, and he looked at her as though he needed to be sure he heard her correctly or that he wasn’t losing his mind. "Are you asking me out, Vanessa?"

That was rather unusual and spontaneous of her. It was unexpected to say the least, much out of her character. Usually, she barely had a sufficient supply of air to breathe because so many men were swarming around, asking her for a date! It intrigued him that she reversed the roles and she was asking him for a date! He wondered why she seemed to have a sudden change of heart. He asked her out twice, and she declined both times!

Leaning back in his seat, he folded his arms across his chest with enthusiasm. "I recall asking you out a couple of times, and you turned me down! He placed his index finger on his chin and pretended to ponder the situation. Hm. Where did this odd little change come from?"

Vanessa sighed and lifted her face to the ceiling, again. His attitude was annoying and frustrating. It was almost as if he was skeptical, questioning her motive. She didn’t expect that or need that right now. Actually, it felt as though he was playing games or mocking her because she already knew that he was anxious to go out with her. He should stop toying with her and just say yes!

It took her a moment to think of a feasible explanation as to why she would turn him down each time he asked her out and then suddenly feel the desire to ask him out! That was a little bizarre, and it would make anyone wonder. She would be suspicious herself and wonder about the reason behind the scene. Therefore, she had to give him a plausible explanation to assure that he would cooperate.

She lowered her eyes back to him. When you asked me out, I was involved with someone. That was an outright lie, but it would have to suffice. It’s over between us now, and I’m available to go out with you.

Keith felt embarrassed for not giving her the benefit of the doubt. He had been suspicious of her motives when he had no actual reason to be. Even though he was embarrassed, he was also relieved to hear her answer. He wouldn’t jeopardize any chance with her. "Club Ten, huh? Well, will you be picking me up, or shall I come to you?" he teased, letting her know that he was available to see her.

Vanessa smiled with relief. That was more like it! Nothing would prevent her plan from succeeding now. Tomorrow night, she would stop Jazzmine from making the biggest mistake of her life!

The following evening

Vanessa ran down the stairs wearing a sexy black dress suitable for a party or the club. She looked marvelous as usual. Her hair was pinned up into a cute style, and her makeup was flawless. She accessorized with gold jewelry, which brought out the dress. It was obvious that she was going out to have a fun.

James, who was sitting on the sofa with Jazzmine at his side, looked up when he heard her footsteps on the stairs. Hey, baby! he exclaimed with a smile. He examined her as she came down the stairs. Are you going out tonight?

Vanessa stepped down the last step and turned to face her father. Yes.

Jazzmine looked up and smiled, loving her sister’s lovely dress. Unfortunately, she would never be able to wear or look half as good in a dress like that! She wished she could, but she knew it would never happen, and she would never be as gorgeous or as thin as her sister. I love that dress! she told her sister, who was heading for the door.

Vanessa stopped and turned back with a huge smile. Thank you! she said for her father’s benefit. Personally, she was tired of constantly hearing how much her sister liked an outfit she was wearing or how pretty she thought she looked in it. Yes, she was fabulous, and her sister was not! That had been established a long time ago! Jazzmine needed to move beyond that point or she would be forever stuck on pause!

The doorbell rang, and Vanessa continued her journey to the door.

It was Tyrone.

She invited him in with a greeting and a smile of satisfaction that he was there.

He entered. Going to the sofa, he plopped down on the other side of his uncle. Hey, Uncle James!

He looked at his uncle, studying his face for a moment. He often wondered how he could produce two totally different children like Vanessa and Jazzmine. They were total opposites of each other in every sense of the word! They looked nothing alike, and their personalities were entirely different. It didn’t seem possible that they were both his daughters, although he knew they were. He would never doubt their relation. It just seemed as though it were impossible. However, he loved both of his cousins, despite the fact that they were so different.

James was his father’s younger brother. The relationship between the two of them was quite obvious as the resemblance was immaculate. There was no question of whether or not they were brothers!

James and his brother, Avery, had the same medium brown skin tone with the same dark brown eyes. Avery, of course, had a more mature face, and it was apparent that he was older. The noses and lips were the same, and the lines of both faces were clean and masculine.

Avery, however, had facial hair. He wore a nice trimmed beard to accentuate his manly features. James’s face was bare. He kept a clean shave. Both men were distinguished and quite handsome.

Even Avery’s three children had a clear resemblance to each other. The oldest was a half sister to the other two, as Vanessa was to Jazzmine. It was difficult to comprehend, however, because no one had to inquire the relationship between Tyrone and his older sister. There wasn’t even a question between her and their younger sister. It was always a question between Vanessa and Jazzmine as there was no obvious resemblance, only the same last name to signify that they were related.

Looking at James, Vanessa, and Jazzmine, no one would guess the nature of their relationship. Vanessa inherited his eyes but nothing else. Jazzmine had no features from either of them. Of course, the two sisters were born of two entirely different mothers, but one would be skeptical of the blood connection to their father just by sight.

James looked at his nephew, who looked nice in the creased short-sleeved shirt and slacks. Hey, Ty! Are you going out, too?

Tyrone nodded. Yes, sir.

Jazzmine sighed, envying him and everyone else who would be painting the town tonight. Everyone she knew went out on the weekends except her! She always sat home with her father. It would be nice if she could be like everyone else and go out to enjoy herself, too, but that wouldn’t happen because she basically had no social life! She was somewhat a homebody and a nerd, someone who didn’t mind curling up with a good book or sitting home watching a sappy love story!

Tyrone glanced at Vanessa, who was still at the door, holding it open as if he hadn’t made his entrance. Their eyes met, and she smiled at him, hoping he hadn’t forgotten his responsibility. His job was very simple.

"Actually, Uncle