Here it is part 2 there will be two more parts to this story as well, I hope you enjoy. I own nothing but the twisted story plot.

Tell Me You Love Me pt2

"Ok babe, I guess I will see you later on this evening, we can finish our discussion then." Mercedes leaned in for a hug and a kiss on the cheek for show. "Don't work too hard babe, see you later. Have a great evening Stacy." He called acknowledge her on his way out as he hoisted his bag over his shoulder and made his leave.

As Tank made it out of the office door, he noticed a familiar face in the reception area and greeted him in kind.

"Hey! Isn't this just the smallest world, so you are the wild card lunch meeting. What are the odds of that?" He gave him a handshake-bro-hug combo as they laughed at the coincidence.

"Well, Ms. Jones does come highly recommended Jonathan, what type of successful business man would I be if I didn't seek out the best?" Blaine nodded with a smirk.

What are the odds that his brother's boyfriends fake girlfriend would be his best friends little sisters boss. Blaine Anderson was a man of many sides and he took nothing for granted. Fate had its web woven and paths were bound to cross one another eventually, so he might as well make the best of it.

"Will you be joining us for dinner this evening, if all goes well with your meeting of course?" Tank didn't want any more of an awkward situation if things didn't pan out this afternoon.

"You kidding me? I wouldn't miss it for the world. Besides, who could pass up a dinner with your brother, his boyfriend and his boyfriends fake girlfriend/ un-official fiancee. That is prime time entertainment my friend. I will have a plus one I hope that is ok?" Blaine gave a playful wink with a devious smirk.

"Whoa ixnay on the ekfa, that's still not public knowledge yet. The more the merrier, I gotta run but I'll see you later this evening. Good Luck in there, she's a spitfire." chuckling at the almost slip, Tank gave a parting wave as he entered the waiting elevator.

"Ms. Jones will see you now ." Stacy stated as she held the door to Mercedes office open for Blaine to enter.

"Anderson? nah, that would be too much of a coincidence" Mercedes thought to herself as she got into business mode.

"Hi, Mr. Anderson, what can I do for you today?" She smiled at the very handsome hazel eyed, man before her with her hand stretched for the customary business shake.

"Why hello Ms. Jones, I must say, it is an absolute pleasure to meet your acquaintance." He had to admit, she was delightfully delicious. Blaine had to calm himself and focus on getting her to take on his project or there would be hell to pay.

"He's a charmer with a lustful eye" Mercedes thought to herself as she watched his eyes apprise her, slowly drinking her in like a ice cold water on a sweltering day.

"Long story short, I'm in a bind, our Open house Coordinator is out for the next couple of months. I was told you are THE Guru, the space whisperer, the Fung-shway queen." He was laying it on thick, but told no lies.

Mercedes was THE best at Styling anything, from a new house down to a cubicle with the occupants included. It was her passion, her heart. Give her an empty room, samples and a vision board and she's off like a gazelle in the Serengeti .

The only problem is, she was always booked to capacity. Mercedes is the Contracted Design Director for Primer Custom Furniture or PCF, it is rapidly expanding thanks in part to her line of furniture. The more they sell the more the investors want their products out so they can physically be seen and admired in showrooms, but most of all purchased then and there. PCF does not mass produce their furniture, oh no, that's what made them so special. They maybe had twin or triplet pieces every once in a while, but for the most part it was all custom.

They treated their furniture stores like bakeries, made to order depending on what the clients liked. That's where Mercedes comes in, she has a team of designers that she oversees to keep with the demand and to keep things fresh. Some pieces she designs for the stores immediate sell and delivery but those are mostly handled by the team. The big bucks were where she goes with the clients on location, hear their wants and needs, then collaborates and designs their custom pieces. Mercedes has an exclusive design contract with PCF however she does have her own business where she coordinates or styles the occasional office, wedding reception, bridal shower, and every blue moon an extravagant birthday. As long as she kept bringing in the big fish clients, She could run her business out of PCF offices, no questions asked. Some of her best clients had been the reason their products were able to move into the brick and mortar game. The only catch was she had to make sure she kept the board members and investors happy and her reputation in tact because she has grown to be the face of the company. Her favorite things to style and design were new or model homes. She did more than just design custom furniture, she would make spaces come alive. That is what Blaine needed, his company FP Homes couldn't afford the complete custom experience according to the budget he had been given to work with. He could buy a couple of pieces, but what he really hoped is that she would be able to style the three model homes that were being completed and give him a discount out of the kindness of her heart if everything went as planned.

"Let's get down to brass tacks here, from my understanding, this would be a temporary contract as you have a Design Coordinator on payroll?" Mercedes was intrigued, but didn't really have the time to squeeze anymore long engagements on her plate at the moment.

"Yes, that is correct. We already have most of the specs as far as colors, patterns, themes and we have all of the measurements for everything so all we would really need you to do is to appraise what we have make the necessary changes, and tell the team where to put everything. You know, give it the famous Jones touch."

Blaine tried to use a different approach, Stacy had warned him that she was very busy and her schedule was jam packed but if she had everything already there ready to go, all she had to do was placement approval, she wouldn't be able to resist. That would also save FP Homes the extreme price tag that comes along with Mercedes Jones.

"Do you have the portfolios for the three homes you are needed done? I want to get an idea of what we have to work with, then I will know what amount of time is needed and we can go from there." She smiled as her business sense took over. Her interest was peaked, something outside of the box she was in currently, she hadn't designed a model home in a while. This could generate more clients and our investors will love that. Mercedes has been so busy lately with offices, hotels and getting the stores together she hasn't had time for anything else.

"Perfect, I have all of that for you right here, Our models are within 4 miles of each other, just in different subdivisions. One of the Models is already to go and the other two are pending modifications which depend on the designs, that hopefully you will step in and fix." Blaine eagerly handed her the binder containing the information Mercedes had requested.

As she flipped thru the binder she noticed that there was something very familiar about the designs.

"These are, well, interesting. Very, whats the word? Standard? There really isn't much color or imagination that would give potential home owners a sense of "Home". Who did you say your coordinator was?" She inquired as she continued to look at the, for lack of a better word, boring designs. She remembered there was a girl in her Fabrics class that would always go for the safe plain color palettes. She wouldn't deviate towards anything different or unique. Every project she would show up with plain jane pieces and would get upset with the professor for giving her low scores,

"Rachel Berry, she has been with the company for about a year now, our CEO thinks she has and I quote "something special" about her. I spoke with our CEO and he feels going with you while Rachel is out will be a win for both businesses. It will increase your consumer market dividends, and ours, not to mention as it is a form of marketing it is a taxable deduction. Either way we both come out on top if this works for you. So how are we looking in regards to work to time ratio?" Blaine was on a roll not letting her get a word in edgewise, like his Friend and CEO Noah taught him. "When you get them on the ropes, don't let up until you see the yes in their eyes." He could hear him saying now.

"Well, when you look at it from all sides this is an excellent opportunity for both companies, There is just one small problem that could cause a major issue." Mercedes was no fool, she knew there was something fishy about all of this and she honestly didn't want to step on another designer's toes. Especially not this particular designer.

She had a serious choice to make and she couldn't do it alone, she needed to converse with her team and get their input.

"Well I understand your hesitation, if you would like, I can leave this portfolio with you it has the proposal, specks and my contact information in it. Unfortunately, we have a small window of time, Today is Friday? if you would get back with me before the end of day Tuesday that would be great. I do appreciate you time." He stood shaking her hand lingering in the hold as he laid documents on her desk, skilfully where he had taken Rachel's binder and inserted in his messenger bag.

"Oh, alright, well thank you? I did have a few more questions before we write up a contract." Mercedes was kind of thrown off kilter at the abrupt way he ended the meeting without further questions. Him caressing her hand after the handshake kind of threw her off her game a bit as well, so much so that she didn't notice the time until he pointed it out.

"Yes, I know you must have quite a few questions, but in the interest of time, Per Stacy, it was best that I provide what information I could and have a conference call scheduled later. She mentioned a meeting you must get to?" Blaine knew very well that if she asked too many questions he would be screwed. He knew how much this could ruin Stacy's image, his friendship with her and her family, and his brothers relationship with Jon, but damnit all if it would make him Director of Marketing,he was all in. So far everything seemed to be falling into place, now he just had to get thru dinner.

"OH! I didn't realize it had gotten so late, yes yes I will have Stacy set up a call with you sometime Monday. Thank you for coming." she stood seeing him out of her office. "Stacy, please take care of and put him on the books for a call sometime Monday. It was great meeting you." She gave him a parting smile and rushed back into her office to grab her folders for her meeting.

On her way back out she saw Blaine at the elevator and he smiled at her, again drinking her in appreciatively. She returned the smile, blushing as she did and scurried off to the small conference room down the hall.

"You're late Diva!" Was all she heard as she rounded the corner entering the conference room. "And you look flustered" Kurt her right hand designing man loved to push her buttons. "Well I'm here now, I had a lunch date with Tank and.."

"Ahhh, say no more, no wonder you're late and flustered." He gave the others knowing looks as he took his seat.

"Look now! That is not why I'm flustered, I just had an impromptu meeting of sorts with Blaine Anderson from FP Homes about a temporary contract." Mercedes playfully snipped at them as she passed out folders and had Marley go and make copies of the FPH portfolio.

"Ooo, I have heard they have the hottest state of the art homes in the Midwest." Unique sat up in her chair at the mention of the companies name.

"That is true, I hear there is a waiting list to even get a meeting with their architect. They are exclusive word of mouth mostly, but I have been hearing buzz about some big expansion project in the works." Tina was on her phone googling for more information.

"Well, they want me to set up their three model homes, it would be beneficial to them as well as great advertisement for us. There is however something in my gut telling me something isn't quite on the up and up but I can't put my finger on it just yet." Mercedes stared at the portfolio in deep thought as Kurt moved ahead with the meeting.

After the meeting ran over, due to the I interrogation about the Anderson cutie and her dinner plans with Tank, she was rushing to get to the location to meet her clients. They were running a bit late as well which really put her behind schedule. She didn't manage to make it home until 7:10.

Mercedes rushed in, freshen up and got dressed as quickly as she could. If she knew Tank, he would be expecting her to show up at 8:30. She would prove him wrong, she would be there at 8:25.

After her wonder woman quick change, she got there in record time, but noticed a few extra cars in the driveway. "Wonder what he has up his sleeve, those aren't any of his family's vehicles." She used her key to let herself in.

"Babe? Who all did you in..vite.." she stopped mid sentence when she came face to face with Blaine Anderson.

"Why hello again, Ms. Jones, it would seem that the world is an awfully small place." He grabbed her hand, kissed her knuckles with a slight bow as he lead her deeper into the house.

"What the hell?" Was all Mercedes was able to get out before the last person she expected to hear let alone see made his presence known.

"Well, well, well, lookie who we have here, long time no see Mercedes Jones. It was quite rude of you to ignore me these past couple of years. You know I always find a way to get what I want." He had slithered his way in front of her and tipped her chin as he made his leave with a devious smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

She was frozen, unable to form words, not until Tank came into view did she remember to breathe.

"What the royal Dutch puppet is HE doing here, and why the hell is Blaine Anderson here?!" She yelled in a whisper.

"Blaine is Coops little brother, I assumed he mentioned it to you during the meeting, I spoke with him briefly at your office on the way out. As for "HIM" I don't know, he came with Blaine." Tank looked out into his sitting room where everyone was gathered chatting.

"I am NOT staying if that azhole is going to be here, trust me when I say nothing good EVER comes from his presence. Something is definitely up." Mercedes was leery of Blaine before but he was down right guilty by association now.

"If you want I can call the whole thing off and get rid of everyone." He grabbed her hands with concerned written all over his face.

"No it's ok, I will play along for now, see what game he is attempting to play this time." She was no fool she knew there was a end game to him popping up like this, there was always something. That restraining order wouldn't hold forever, they were bound to cross paths again after 12 years.

"Well let's not be antisocial at our own dinner party honey." Tank didn't like the way that guy was making Mercedes act, and now that he noticed he didn't like the way Blaine was looking at her either. He didn't want to make things awkward but if need be he would cut the evening short, all she had to do was say the word.

"Game on Puck" she thought to herself gathering up strength to get thru this night as she walked into the lion's den.