Title: The Gamble
Fandom: Sweet Valley High
Pairing: Alice Wakefield/Hank Patman
Rating: M / MA
Summary: Ever wondered what would have happened if Alice chose Hank? Sometimes we get the chance to find out the answers to our 'what if's…'
A/N: This was originally posted on an old account (and I couldn't remember my login details - same goes for old LJ account), but I lost steam with it and shelved it. It has now been re-tweaked and I am continuing the story.
Temptation
Alice Wakefield sat behind her desk at her light and airy interior decorating business. However, the tasteful décor did not soothe her today. She ran a hand distractedly through her long blond hair and wondered how on earth she had reached this point. Shaking her head, she reached for her coffee and took a sip. A beep from her PC signalled a new message. Opening her email, she nearly dropped her coffee as she read:
"Alice, come to the Plaza Hotel after you finish work. Go to the Penthouse Suite, i'll be ready. Hank"
A knock on her office door startled her out of her reverie. Julia, her assistant popped her head around the door.
"Mrs. Wakefield, your husband is on the phone. Shall I put him through?"
"Yes please Julia. Thank you." Taking a deep breath, Alice tried to clear her mind as the phone on her desk rang.
"Alice?"
"Hello Ned. Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I think we should probably meet soon, try to talk."
"Oh." Alice paused. She really didn't want to have to meet him. The only meeting she could envisage was one where she had a sheaf of divorce papers, but she supposed that talking things through couldn't hurt. "Yes you're probably right. When did you have in mind?"
"Is tonight any good?"
"I already have plans," she said lightly.
"OK, I'll meet you from work tomorrow then if that's ok with you?"
"Sure, I'll be finishing at 6 we have a client meeting."
"What's new," Ned muttered sarcastically. A sad sigh from Alice's end made him regret his comment.
"I'll see you later Ned," Alice said softly, and hung up before he could speak.
Alice stared at the wall of her office and tried to organise her thoughts. It was clear that she was being blackmailed into a sexual relationship with Hank. What was equally clear was that even if she refused, he would continue to pursue her, so if the outcome was likely to be the same…..
She shook her head. The whole thing was preposterous. Yet Hank had the allure of being….unfinished business. She was emerging from a long marriage, the latter part of which had left her feeling very much alone and unwanted. A little attention could be good for her confidence. He's married, are you insane? Part of her mind shouted at her. But this is Henry Wilson Patman, the man who gets whatever he wants, she argued. He wouldn't even suggest this unless he was in a similar position, he's too careful. So, are you going to be a mistress then? She clamped down on that thought. He could be good for Ned, he'll ensure that Ned succeeds. Just see what happens. Don't think too much. She had a feeling that she would be seeing a lot more of Hank Patman. What disturbed her in almost equal measure was that she wasn't as bothered by this as she thought she should be. Admit it, a traitorous thought piped up. You find it hot that the richest and most powerful man in town wants you. Your own husband isn't bothered in you anymore and hasn't been for AGES, if it wasn't for him, you wouldn't be forced into a bit on the side with Henry Wilson Patman! So it's hardly your fault now, is it?
Lips curling into a sly smile, Alice twirled a lock of her golden hair around her finger as she re-read his email. People thought it was Elizabeth that was most like her mother, what they forgot was that Jessica was her daughter too and twins were two parts of a whole. And Alice was a lot more like Jessica than people realised.
Drawing up in front of the Plaza Hotel that evening, Alice took a deep breath to control the butterflies in her stomach before stepping out of her Range Rover. She hurried up the steps of the entrance, taking a quick glance around her as she did so before making her way to the lift by the reception desk. As she headed for the top floor, she quickly checked her freshly reapplied make-up and tweaked her long, straight blonde hair. Her aqua eyes sparkled and her soft pink lips were smiling slightly as she smoothed her pin striped skirt and matching jacket that hugged her slender figure.
The lift doors opened and Alice stepped cautiously out, glancing up and down the corridor, noting appreciatively the sensual red and gold furnishings and the ornate occasional tables dotted down the corridors.
Some things with Hank never changed, she thought smiling slightly at the opulence in front of her.
Reaching the Penthouse Suite, she paused outside the door and, drawing a deep breath, knocked firmly.
The door opened almost at once.
"I knew you'd come."
Henry Wilson Patman stood in front of Alice, smiling that charming smile, the dark hair brushed back from a firm brow and dark eyes that could alternate between intensity and light hearted flirtatiousness. The handsome face was lit up in pleasure as he surveyed her.
Stepping back he ushered her in, taking her bag and placing it on a chair by the door. Opening the doors to an adjoining sitting room, he motioned for her to go through.
"Would you like a glass of wine, Alice?" Hank enquired.
Alice turned from looking out of the window and nodded, smiling at him. "That would be lovely."
She noted Hank's business suit, a smooth dark grey that set off his colouring and accentuated his broad shoulders and powerful build. Glancing up, Hank caught her eye. Alice quickly looked down, embarrassed at having been caught in the act of checking him out.
Hank walked over to her and wordlessly handed her a heavy, cut glass goblet of wine. She quickly drank half of it in one go to stem her rush of embarrassment.
Hank stood next to her by the window and murmured "Have you reached a decision?"
Turning around, Alice looked him in the eye. "I have. And the answer's yes."
Comments always appreciated.
