Kendall Hart Slater berated herself for letting her husband of nearly two years travel to Las Vegas on business alone. Their bed seems to be enormous and cold without him. And she felt lonely amidst her friends and colleagues. Her saving grace was their two-year-old son, Will, who is with the company babysitter at the moment. She grinned as she thought of their beautiful son giving the poor woman hell.
Yes, William Zachary Slater is indulged by those who adore him. Which included of course his Uncle Reggie who promised him to make him super cool. Auntie Lily dubbed herself his future math tutor. Grandpa Jack and Grandma Erica dotes on him like he was made of pure gold. Lastly, Auntie Binks sends him every couture toy in Paris as well as play-dates with cousin Miranda on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
His father and older brother have grand plans for his future. If his current lording tenancies were any indicators then he would have no problems walking into the role they planned for him. The persona that once belonged to Ryan Lavery at the once again thriving Cambias Industries.
Ethan's near death experience during the now infamous Erica Kane's Mardi Gras Ball explosion, made three things occur: Ethan and Zach came to a truce, Zach and Kendall reconciled and Lavery was requested to vacate the company that once was bequeathed to him. That armistice had grown into a warm familiarity that both men hold dear. Their wives were very thankful since it made their friendship and partnership easier. Simone filled the void that Greenlee's abrupt absence left. The four main shareholders of Fusion Cosmetics forged a tempered bond. In spite of what everyone thought Babe Carey and Kendall Hart Slater worked well together. When the cards were down they all protected each other fiercely.
Zach was elated when Ms. Carey decided to permanently get rid of the pest of off and on again husband of hers, JR Chandler. He never had any use for the immature brat who hid behind Daddy. The beautiful young woman that was Arabella Carey proved herself to be a capable businesswoman, without the need of such a heavy albatross hanging around her dainty neck. She deserved more than that. Hell, Kendall deserved someone far superior to himself.
Her self-pity and endless work is interrupted by the shrill of her cell phone. She sighed excitedly as she retrieves it from her purse. Hoping it is her husband .
"Kendall?" It wasn't, it was although his longtime assistant, Edie. "Sorry to disappoint you." Knowing that her employer's wife was hoping she was Zach. Both women laughed. When Zach brought her into their well-ordered sphere three years before Edie wasn't certain about the proud woman that seemed to leave broken hearts in her wake. After spending fifteen years as his right hand man she has also become his protector. But over the years Kendall sought to get her confidence and friendship. Recognizing that the young woman's allegiance was to Zach first. A secondary fealty went to those he loves the most, his wife and would be children. Not only would it make Slater's life run smoothly if the woman he adored and the woman he trusted to run his empire worked together unruffled. Truth be known, Kendall like knowing that there was another soul in the world who had her spouse's best interests truly at heart. No questions asked or any thought of self-interest. Not even Mrs. Slater herself could not say that.
"How can I help you, Edie?" Kendall asked warmly, leaning back comfortably in the chair.
"Well, Kendall I got a phone call from Phil."
"Phil?" She inquired, not understanding yet.
"They can't find Boss' plane." Edie explained quietly.
"What?" Kendall squeaked, blanching instantly. Sitting straight in the chair. Fear etched in her face. All eyes are trained on her, not that she felt them. "Zach's plane...crashed?" She stutters. Her friends' expressions warps from curiosity to worry.
"We think so, Kendall."
"No," was murmured. Simone grabbed her own cell phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Cambias Industries, Ethan Ramsey's office. Kathleen speaking." A perky female voice answered.
"Kathi, It's Simone. It's imperative I talk to my husband immediately." She requested matter of fact. Her eyes still on her best friend as if she's afraid she would disappear any second.
"Hello, gorgeous." He purred into the phone a few seconds later.
"You're needed over here yesterday!" She grounded out with dread.
He heard the mix of fear, worry, and urgency in her usually carefree voice. He is immediately alarmed. "What is it, Simone?"
"Just get here, please." She urged. He hastily replaced the receiver in its cradle before he ripped his jacket from the back the chair. He muttered something to his assistant as he hurried to the lift. He steered his Jag through the relatively empty streets of Pine Valley to get the Fusion building. Ethan cursed ths slow elevator for going far too slow for his taste. Once he finally arrived on the correct floor he sprinted towards the gathering of fretting women.
"Simone." He summoned from the double doorway.
"Oh thank goodness." She extracted herself from the cluster of niggling ladies. "Oh I'm so glad you're here." She told him as she fluttered into the momentary safety of his embrace.
She could stay here in the warm sanctuary of his arms all day, but today of all days she could not. Kendall needs her and he would need her support. "It's your father, Ethan." Simone explained gently into his chest. Unable to face him just yet.
"Zach..." Ethan's soulful chocolate brown eyes frantically searched his beautiful wife's face for answers.
"Plane," She finished, shaking her head. "They can't find it yet."
"Is he..." He is unable to complete the question. Thankful that she was there to provide him with the strength he didn't have at the moment.
"Dead? They don't know." She wasn't going to lie to him, give him false hope. Would fate be this cruel? Just when he and his father found their way back together, to have him ripped away. Right then and there, Ethan isn't afraid to admit he loved the 'old man', not only that he respected him greatly. Those who knew him best witnesses the warm, loving man. Whose mysterious eyes never lost track of his breathtaking bride in a room packed with comely women. His still very handsome face reflected pride of his sons' accomplishments. However Zach Slater is a person he knows so little about.
"Kendall?" He asked into her hair.
"Scared out of her mind!" He nodded. He knew the feeling.
"How are you? The same."
"How are you holding up under the pressure, my darling?"
"Now that you're here much better." She purred. He smiled at her, and placed his palm of hand against her smooth cheek.
In the middle of the protective barrier of friends abided a woman who starkly looks different than the vivacious he remembers. He crouched in front of her sympathetically. "Kendall." He lulled.
"Ethan?" She gasped thankfully through unshed tears.
"Simone called and told me." He answered her unasked question. Of course she did. She's a good wife and that's what good wives do. A silent thank you passes between friends. Kendall didn't think she could tell both of Zach's sons that they may never see their father ever again.
"We'll find him, Kendall." He assured her steadfastly. "I'll use all of my vast business resources to find him. I won't rest until he's home again, I promise." He committed.
"Thank you." She sobbed.
"He's coming home to you, Kendall...to us." Ethan told her passionately as he placed his right hand on her arm to punctuate his point. "He loves you and Will too much not to."
"My husband is not only very hot, but smart." Simone interjected with faux gaity, trying to get her best friend to smile. She does however get a grin out of her spouse.
"Are you ok?" Ethan asked concerned.
"Fine." She hiccupped, unbelievable. He walked away from the group to think.
"I thought you would like to know that Babe called Bianca. She's on her way." Simone reported as she wrapped her arms around his slim frame.
"She'll need her." Ethan agreed somberly.
"Are you ok, babe?"
He gathered her shapely hands in his own hands, forcing her to gaze into his beautiful coffee colored eyes. "I'm British, darling, it takes us a while for us to figure our emotions out. But when I do you'll be the first to know."
"I'll hold you to that." She said before leaving him to his solitude. He dug his cell phone out of pants pocket.
"Edie, it's Ethan Ramsey. Any news on my father?" He listened to her intently. "No, thank you. How are you holding up? Good. No...no that's a great idea. We'll be there as soon as we can. Thank you so much." He made a mental notation to remind Zach to give his loyal assistant a major raise.
"Kendall, I think it's best if we all move to the casino. I'll set up a base of control there. We'll have everything we need without having to ever to leave." His stepmother simply nodded her agreement.
"I'll got get the babies." Danielle Frye offered.
"Thanks, Dani." Ethan acknowledged.
"Of course." She whispered as she left..
The ever prepared Ms. Foster met the shell-shocked entourage at the casino's employee entrance. Her boss' comely wife was extremely pale, her terror and agony etched on her face. "No news." She informed them guiltily. She watched the information play across Mrs. Slater's ashen face. Her heart went out to her; the poor woman. A nod from a disspondant Kendall handed over temporary control to her stepson. "What do you want me to do, Ethan?"
"What has been done?"
"The main conference room is being prepared to become command central as we speak. I've taken the liberty in fixing Penthouse 2 for you and Simone. Rooms are on reserve for those persons you and Kendall think appropriate. I've told only key members of our staff. Don't worry about confidentiality issues. Your father has us all sign strict agreements. Moreover as I'm sure you're aware your father extracts fierce respect from his employees. So I'm positive they'll kept quiet. But I thought it wisest that you guys received everything you need. Your father would have wanted it that way."
Yes, she needs a BIG raise! "Thank you, Edie. You've outdone yourself." She blushed. "If you ever decide to leave my father. I'm positive there's a place for you at Cambias."
She smiled her gratitude of his amiable acknowledgment. So the apple doesn't fall far from the tree after all. "Thank you, Ethan. But I'm extremely happy where I am."
He shrugged. "Well, a man has to try."
She smiled pleased again. "I'll show you to Command Central."
"Thank you." He turned to Kendall. "Do you want to go up and lay down?"
She shook her head. "No, don't it would do any good. But I do want to get Will settled." He nodded before hurrying determinedly away.
When Zach realized that his dream of being a family with Kendall and the baby boy she was carrying, was finally coming true he had his penthouse redone so that it would be his new family's sanctuary. He and Kendall shared the large master bedroom, his secret hope was to fill the slightly smaller bedroom with their children. Walking into the place Zach lovingly decorated for them proved to be one of the hardest things she has ever done. For their young son, the casino always symbolized two things: fun and his hero, his beloved father. Not to mention all the goodies the staff showered him with whenever he made the rounds. But today he is not impervious to his mother's panic no matter how well she attemptted to mask it with ready kisses and smiles. One of the earliest lessons his father taught him was to let his Mommy think she covers her unruly emotions well. It only added to her pain otherwise. So he let her coddle him, fuss over him. He may be only two years old but he knew when to pick a fight. He was put down for his afternoon nap, but the hushed tones of the adults interested him greatly. His Da-da hasn't made his usual phone call to check in, so it must be have to do with him. But nothing will ever happen to his brave Da-da because he promised he would always come home to them. And he never broke a promise.
"He's going to be alright." Simone said when she saw her best friend's longing glance at the door that lead to the nursery.
Kendall laughed without joy. "I know, I'm not so sure I will be." She collapsed onto the love-seat overwhelmed. Zach has been her steadfast rock since the day they took the vow the first time. She isn't sure she is ready to find out what it is like on her own, even for a short period of time.
"Kendall, Zach is coming home to you and your beautiful boy." Dani insisted eagerly.
"Danielle is correct, Kendall" a voice seemed to boom from the room's main entrance.
"Myrtle." Kendall sighed with relief.
"Your sweet sister called me and asked me to come over to check on you. I came as soon as the blasted traffic allowed. Any news, darling girl on that handsome husband of yours?" The old family friend queried as she advanced into the sitting area. She hugged her best friend's eldest granddaughter.
"No, none." Kendall reported sadly. They sat on the love-seat together.
"No matter, pet." Myrtle brushed the vile matter away. She knew no matter how hard these next few days were going to be for those who loved the Slaters in the end everything was going be fine. Their love is what sagas were made of, better than one of Opal's damn soap operas. "Darlin', Bianca is on her way from Paris." Nothing could keep young Ms. Montgomery away from her frightened sister.
Now she stood in what had became their safe haven on the edge of being a widow. The mere thought of a world without Zach Slater nearly balled her over on the spot. Three years ago, she would have said 'I look good in black.' and almost meant it. "Oh no." She whispers.
"None of that, darlin'." Myrtle cooed.
"I need to go down and see for myself what's going on."
"Of course" Someone conformed. Those gathered knew it would be substantially less stressful to let her feel a part of the business of bringing her husband home safely. She looked at them all in shock. But she isn't about to wait around for them to change their minds and chase after her. She was thankful that their staff was far too polite to openly give her sympathetic looks as she passed. But she did read the toll Zach's disappearance had, on their faces. A cruel person would say it is because they are afraid of where their next paycheck was coming from. But those who really knew Zach Slater, the boss would know that he knew most of his employees and always asked after their families. Gave generous bonuses on their birthdays and Christmas. He treated every employee equally and with respect. The casino magnate expected much from his workers; diligence and esteem.