X Author's Note:
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Enjoy the chapter! :-)
Chapter Seven:(You're The) Devil in Disguise
"There sure are a lot of people here." Nolan said, impressed, as he and Emily stood outside of the doors of the convention center. They were surrounded by crowd of reporters, students and other celebrities. They moved up the queue of people and stepped through the doors.
"Amazing, all this for a student ceremony." Emily glanced up to the huge banner STUDENT TECH AWARDS that hung from the ceiling in the lobby.
A server appeared before them and offered them champagne. Emily and Nolan took their flutes and turned to the crowds of students. They spotted Becca with a group of girls and a photographer outside the entrance to the auditorium.
Becca smiled as she stood with her group. The camera flashed in their eyes and the girl broke away as the reporter thanked them.
"My cheeks hurt from smiling," Becca whined, placing a hand to her cheek, "I'm tired of pictures."
"I've taken pictures with every reporter here. It's not too bad," An Arab girl said as she reached for her clutch pulled out a mirror, and started to fix her hair.
"Jasmine can't help being in front of the camera." Shot back a petite, deeply tanned girl in a pink, cocktail dress.
"Marisol was hogging the spotlight." Jasmine smoothed the wrinkles from her blue dress.
Marisol rolled her eyes at Jasmine and sidled up beside her, "Anyway, who's up for some food? Those stuffed mushrooms appetizers look pretty good."
Just as they began to walk, Becca spotted Nolan and Emily standing in the lobby.
She turned back to her group. "I'll catch up with you guys in a bit."
Marisol waved her off and Jasmine muttered. ''Kay," her eyes glued to her Blackberry as they strolled away.
Becca raced over to Emily and her dad and smiled. "You made it."
"You should be proud, this is a really impressive event, Becca," Emily smiled at her. "You look beautiful."
Becca blushed and played with the flutter sleeves of her olive green dress, "Thanks, Ems. So do you."
Becca couldn't help but stare at Emily. She looked stunning, like a fashion model with her hair in curls, wearing a sparkling, red curve-hugging gown. She glanced to her dad who was sharply dressed in a grey suit and blue shirt.
"I'm sure you'll win that award." Emily assured.
"I hope so." Becca fiddled with her student ID that was clipped to the collar of her dress,"I've been waiting for this all year."
"Of course you will," Nolan smiled proudly. "You have my genes."
Becca wasn't sure if genius was a genetic was confident in her group and their abilities.. but she always seemed to doubt herself. There was a lot of pressure riding on this award. wining this was like a gold star on her permanent record. It showed prospective colleges that she was worthy of getting in. The one who's eyes she hoped to get was MIT. She always saw herself doing something related to technology and computers and MIT seemed like the perfect fit. Another factor in her decision was her dad. Whenever Becca would mention college, Nolan would get excited, saying; 'You could be the first person in our family to graduate MIT!'
"Thanks, Dad."
Click. A stampede of camera people and reporters rushed towards them. Becca jumped out of the way, for fear of getting trampled, as the hoard raced through the auditorium doors behind them.
"What was that about?" Becca asked.
Emily, Nolan and Becca walked through the double doors of the auditorium. The three of them walked through the aisles of fancy decorated dining tables surrounding the stage. Servers passed by them, carrying flutes of champagne to the tables occupied by people, while others were preparing the tables with vases of flowers and plating silverware. They looked ahead, towards the front of the stage which was swarmed with reporters.
"Oh, Mr. Grayson, Secretary Starke, can we get a picture?" A cameraman raced up with his camera.
"I think you've taken enough picture for today, Charles." Conrad laughed.
"You can never have enough pictures." The man, Charles, smiled as the cameras flashed in their faces.
Emily glanced over the crowd, spotted Conrad Grayson, standing for the camera with a smiling couple. The man looked to be around Conrad's age, maybe a little older, with the balding forehead of salt and pepper hair. Even from afar Emily felt a grand and pompous presence radiating from him. It was almost like it was clashing with Conrad's.
Both men were dressed in crisp navy blue suit and tie and white shirts. The older woman who stood beside Charles, clutching his arm had wide cheekbones and was willowy like a ballet dancer. She looked like a supermodel with her long, red hair styled in waves which cascaded down the front long, floral teal gown. The man and woman smiled widely, posing for the camera as though they'd done it all their lives.
A reporter held his microphone out to them."Secretary Starke, you're known as the 'Golden Boy' of New York. This is your fourth term in office. That being said, can you give us your opinion on Grayson running for Governor of New York?"
Hands clasping microphones jutted from the crowd.
"Well, I've seen a lot of Governors come into office." Charles started, proudly and turned to Conrad. "Conrad is a dedicated and honorable man. He's someone who understands and listens to the needs of New Yorkers. The state of New York would be a better place if he became Governor."
The cameras flashed in their faces and reporters clamored for follow up questions.
"You think he practices that speech every morning?" Nolan asked Emily and Becca.
"I wouldn't doubt it." Emily said.
"He's a class act. That's for sure." Becca added.
Charles Starke was far from a golden boy. He was just another crooked government official abusing his power. Becca recalled the briefing that Emily had gone over a few days ago.
The sun beamed through the patio doors and into the Ross's living room. Becca sat in the armchair across from Emily and Nolan who claimed the couch. Nolan's laptop occupied the coffee table which was littered with newspaper clippings and papers. He clicked a few buttons on his laptop and the flat screen TV in front of them to glow to life.
"And we're live," Nolan announced.
A newspaper article popped onto the screen. In the center of the article was a picture showed Conrad Grayson and Victoria Grayson with a smiling couple.
"Meet Charles Starke." Nolan explained. "He's been Secretary of State for the last three terms. The guy has a 'rags to riches' story. Grew up poor. His old man was a door to door salesman, and his mother was a seamstress. "
Pictures of Charles as a younger man appeared on the screen. Nolan read off the info he found from public records.
"After he graduated alma mater from CUNY he served as paratrooper in the Army, before taking up politics."
The screen phased to pictures of Charles in various charity events, smiling and shaking hands with important government figures.
"His first term in office, he went to work on a rehabilitation programs for disabled vets, founded an education fund for homeless, undeserved youth, and even teamed up with the NYPD to crack down on police corruption and youth gangs and violence."
"He's been apart of everything." Becca said in awe as she read off the list of accomplishments. "Save the Whales? Really?"
"That's impressive." Emily admitted.
Becca glanced at all the info on him. "What makes him so bad, aside from his horrible taste in hats." Becca asked.
She grimaced at the picture of Charles dressed in a tacky blue suit and straw hat. Shaking hands with a large man in a similar ugly hat, they both stood behind a banner BELMONT PARK HORSE DERBY 2005.
Nolan glanced to Emily and laughed nervously. "As hard as this is to believe, I couldn't find anything bad on the guy."
Emily raised brow at Nolan. "No sex scandals, no secret mistresses? Not even a DUI?"
"He's a squeaky clean record throughout his political career. He's been coined as 'New York's Golden Boy'."
"No one is that clean." Becca pointed out, folding her arms over her chest."They're totally hiding something."
Nolan nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah, well, as if it couldn't get any weirder. The wife is the same deal."
A few more pictures appeared on the screen. An older woman with fiery red hair and a wide smile.
"This is Sophie Bonnard." Nolan started off. "She's a French born American fashion designer. She owns - Le Papillon - a clothing line that's widely popular across Spain and Europe."
More pictures of Sophie with different charities, and organizations appeared on the screen.
"She spends her weekends providing aid to disadvantaged women and children through her non-profit organization." Nolan explained, earning a groan from Becca.
"Could they be more weird?" Becca questioned.
Nolan chuckled in agreement. "The woman is apart of a number of committees and social clubs across New York."
"Is it just him and the wife?" Emily wondered, reading over the information again.
"They have a daughter." Nolan said.
The picture of a familiar red haired girl cause Becca to jump to her out of her seat.
"I know their daughter! " Becca exclaimed walking over to the flat screen. Emily and Nolan turned to her giving her an interested look.
"How well do you know her?" Emily questioned.
"Genevieve Starke. 18. Semi decent inventor, loves fashion as much as coding," Becca smirked, "and Grade-A bitch."
"So, I take it you're not friends?" Emily chuckled lightly.
"We're best friends," Becca joked. "She gave me a really nice welcome home present last week." She pulled up the leg of her jeans, exposing her lightly bruised ankle. It'd healed over the week and she was glad to be running again.
"That's the kid that tried to run you over?" Nolan questioned his voice tense.
"She did what?" Emily asked looking between Becca and Nolan worriedly.
Becca narrowed her eyes at the picture of Genevieve.
Now, this was personal.
"If you guys are taking them down I'm in." Becca turned to Emily and her dad, her hands on her hips, her eyes serious.
"This isn't a game, Rebecca." Emily gave Becca a pointed look, "The Graysons and people like them are are dangerous."
"Look, we all know their hiding something. There's no coincidence that Conrad's running for Governor and just so happens to be friends with a guy that can give him direct access." Becca pointed out. "These are the same people that framed your father for blowing up a plane and murdered hundreds of others. What if the Starkes are trying to do the same thing or worst?"
"Now, wait a minute." Nolan yelped, letting Becca's words sink in. "I don't think this is a good idea."
"Dad, how is this a bad idea?" She argued. "Just think, I know their daughter, I'd be the perfect person to uncover the secrets of their apple pie family."
Nolan ran a hand through his hair. He didn't like the idea of Rebecca getting involved in this. He knew first hand how intense things got. He promised her that she'd keep her safe.
But, she had a point, if the Starkes were friends with Graysons they were more than likely playing another angle.
"Rebecca if you do this, it's your decision and your decision alone." Emily stressed.
Nolan let out a breath he didn't know he was holding in. He had to accept the fact that his little girl wasn't so little anymore. She could make her own choices.
Becca took a seat next to her dad. "Dad, I don't care how dangerous it is. If I can help prevent something bad from happening, I want to help. " She gave him a reassuring smile. "Besides, I'm a Ross. We can handle anything."
"Alright." Emily approved finally with a nod.
"Welcome to the Club." Nolan said after a few moments.
"This isn't a club," Emily stated annoyingly. "I can't believe you still call us that."
"You're right. We should have a proper name. Thorne's Angels, The R-Team, how about The Ross Squad." Nolan called off, earning a laugh from Becca and a groan from Emily. "It's a work in progress."
"So, what's our plan?" Becca questioned.
"We use the Starkes to get back in with the Graysons."
"How do you propose we do that?" Nolan questioned.
"Build enough trust with the Starkes. If they're anything like the Graysons they'll keep their friends close and their enemies closer." Emily explained.
"And once we do?" Becca asked.
Emily's lips curved into her usual revenge smile, "Their world's gonna come crashing down."
Emily turned to Nolan. "Why don't we go and say 'hi?'"
"Do we have to?" Nolan whined before finishing up his champagne.
"Becca, are you coming or what?" A voice called out from behind her.
Becca spun around to see Jasmine and Marisol standing by the auditorium doors.
"I'll see you guys later!" Becca said to Emily and Nolan before heading off with her friends.
Emily and Nolan walked into the crowd, the reporters gathered their things and scattered. Conrad and Charles were talking with one another, as the blonde duo walked up to the stage.
Conrad spun around to them, he raised his flute of champagne to them. "Emily, Mr. Ross what a surprise to see you here."
Emily smiled. "Conrad, you must be so thrilled to be running for Governor."
"It was a decision I felt was long over due." He said haughtily, before taking a sip.
"I'm surprised that you didn't run sooner." Nolan smiled. "What made you want to get into politics?"
"That would be me," Charles interrupted, stepping towards the three. He placed the hand that didn't have a flute of champagne on his friend's shoulder. "Conrad's been under my influence I'm afraid."
Emily extended a hand to Charles, "Secretary Starke it's so great to finally meet you. I'm Emily Thorne."
"Have we met before?" Charles raised a brow at Emily as he shook her hand. "Your name sounds familiar."
"We've met indirectly." She answered. "I've worked with a number of your charities and organizations over the years."
"Really?" Charles asked, completely interested. "Why are we meeting for the first time?"
"I've spent a lot of time traveling all over the world." She described. "My father was an expatriate and we lived in France for a time when I was younger. He'd spent a lot of time helping retired Army veterans."
Charles pointed to the silver badge of a parachute on his suit. "Well, back in the day, I was a paratrooper in the Army." Charles smiled proudly. "Does your father still volunteer? Perhaps I know him."
Emily grasped her flute of champagne tightly, her voice went soft. "He passed away when I was nine in a car crash." Nolan came beside Emily, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Nolan was shocked at how well Emily could spin a story. Even he believed her for a moment.
Charles's smile faltered. "I'm sure your father is very proud of you. He obviously raised a wonderful daughter."
"I think, that's why I feel so strongly about giving back to those less fortunate and making sure people that harm others get what they deserve." Emily's eyes flashed with something sinister as she glanced to Conrad.
"Emily's practically made it her mission in life to help people." Nolan added and placed a reassuring hand on Emily's shoulder for a brief moment. Emily glanced up to him smiling softly.
Just then a young man in a suit with a tablet came up on the stage. "Mr. Grayson, The Times would like to interview you."
"Sorry to leave so soon, but, carry on." With that Conrad walked off with the man..
"Not only are you a philanthropist," Sophie strolled to Emily's side, "But, I see you have impeccable taste too."
Emily beamed and shook Sophie's hand, "Merci, I absolutely adore your fashion line."
Sophie glanced to Nolan and gestured to his suit, "Mr. Ross, I see that you're sporting a suit from my men's collection."
Nolan smirked, "What can I say? The French know their ascots."
This earned a laugh from Sophie. "You two are just too much." Sophie hooked her arm with Emily's and spun her around to the dining area. "You know you must meet my dear friend, Victoria Grayson. She'll simply love you!"
"We've met before, haven't we Emily?" Victoria walked up the stage, the hem of her violet gown trailed behind her.
"Mr Ross, a pleasure to see you again."
"Victoria." Nolan greeted with fake enthusiasm. He stood off to the side watching with interest as Victoria stopped beside Sophie and Charles. Emily hadn't seen Victoria ever since Kara arrived and caused a domino effect with Amanda. And Victoria was still sore about how things ended with Emily and Daniel's engagement last summer.
"How do you know each other?" Sophie asked Victoria.
Victoria smiled thinly at Emily. "Emily owns the beach house just across from Grayson Manor."
Sophie squeezed Emily's shoulder lightly. "Well, Vick, your neighbor is a real gem."
"Ms. Thorne seems to be apart of a number of activities as of late." Victoriae explained, sending a thinly veiled glare at her.
"You know, we're all seated at the table near the front. Where are you and Mr. Ross seated?" Sophie asked them.
"We're somewhere in the back." Nolan interjected.
"That's unacceptable." Sophie said sternly. "I know, how would you two like to join us at our table?"
"Oh, well, we wouldn't want to impose." Emily said.
"Nonsense, it's fine." Sophie glanced to Victoria. "Vick, you wouldn't mind would you?"
Nolan could just feel the electric energy radiating off of Victoria as she glared daggers at Emily. Sophie seemed oblivious to the fact as she glanced between the two women.
"Of course not."
Sophie beamed. "Oh, this will be perfect!" She linked her arms with Victoria, and the other with Emily and walked with both women off the stage, chatting and laughing.
Nolan couldn't help but laugh at the sight. It seemed that they were going to be forced to sit with each other regardless. He just hoped she could keep her ninja skills at bay.
Charles walked up to Nolan. "Correct me if I'm wrong," he said, "but, I get the feeling that Victoria and Miss Thorne don't like each other?"
Nolan laughed. "Oh, you have no idea."
"Is there anything better than free food?" Becca laughed as she Jasmine and Marisol walked through the lobby.
"Yeah, cute guys!" Jasmine typed on her Blackberry updating her Facebook status.
"I agree. But, there is one more thing." Marisol stopped abruptly causing Becca and Jasmine to collide into her.
"What?" Jasmine looked up from her Blackberry.
Becca and Jasmine followed Marisol's gaze. The three of them watched as a server strolled out of the auditorium, carrying a tray of champagne, and into a bar that was tucked off to the side of the lobby.
"What kind of a student event serves alcohol?" Becca blurted.
She wasn't a drinker - she'd tried it in Portland in a game of truth or dare. And after a couple drinks, Becca spent the rest of the night bent over the toilet with Jasmine holding her hair back.
"The best kind." Marisol smiled mischievously.
Just then a group of guys in polos and jeans walked passed. The guys looked over their shoulders smiling at them. Becca's cheeked burned as a dark skinned guy in a purple polo grinned at her, before he went into the bar.
"Girls, this is my kind of event." Marisol smiled at Becca and Jasmine."Free booze, and cute guys? I'm in!"
"Who says we're getting free booze?" Jasmine slid her phone in her pocket.
"Stick with me Jaz and you'll see." With that Marisol raced into the bar.
Becca turned to Jasmine and folded her arms over her chest, "Come on," she sighed. "We better go with her. You know what happened last time."
"Yeah, I remember."
The smell of greasy fries and onion rings hung in the air as they walked into the dimly lit bar. Becca looked around,a pool table sat off to the side of the entrance, occupied by a couple of guys and girls drinking beer. A crowd of guys sat with beer mugs in hand watching a football game on the flat screen at the bar. Tainted Love by Soft Cell played on the stereo. Becca looked past the bar, to sectional couch seating area, to see Marisol sitting with the polo guys.
"Gotta give it to her, she works fast." Jasmine commented.
Becca and Jasmine walked to Marisol interrupting her flirting.
"Hey, guys." Marisol smiled, and gestured her hand to a tall, brown haired guy. "This is Troy and these are his friends." The other two guys smirked at Becca and Jasmine.
"Hey," Troy said in a deep smooth voice.
"Troy was just about to get us some drinks," Marisol said in a sweet voice.
Troy got up from the couch. "Sure thing babe. What'll you have?"
"Oh surprise us."
Troy was off to the bar. Becca and Jasmine sidled up to Marisol.
"Don't drink too much." Becca warned her.
"Hey, I won't." Marisol snapped. "Will you relax?"
"Look, it's just that the award ceremony is gonna start soon and the last thing we need is you getting wasted." Jasmine reminded her.
"That was one time okay? I'll admit things kinda got outta hand that night."
"Out of hand?" Becca exclaimed. "It got a little more then out of hand. We had to drag you from Seattle to Portland on the train. Plus we almost got kicked off the train!"
"Why did we almost get kicked off, Becca?" Jasmine turned to Becca earning a glare from Marisol.
"Oh, that's right, because you took up that freaky motorcyclist bet on who could drink more shots. You lost. Stole his wallet and crashed his motorcycle into a tree!"
"Hey, I wasn't about to pay for those drinks," Marisol looked into her compact mirror applying lipstick. "That guy was a cheat and a sore loser."
Jasmine rolled her eyes at Marisol. "He chased us to the train station and he would have caught us too-"
"Yeah, yeah." Marisol shut her compact. "He would have caught us, if Becca didn't round house kick him in the crown jewels."
"I've saved your ass more times than I can count." Becca narrowed her eyes at Marisol. "So you owe me."
Marisol let out an exasperated breath, smiled, and turned back to the polo guys. "Hey guys. Meet Rebecca, and Jasmine."
Marisol placed her hands on either side of Becca and Jasmine's shoulders, whispering. "If you don't want a repeat of last time, I suggest you both stay here."
"I hate you." Becca shot playfully.
"Love you too." Marisol smiled.
With the sectional quickly full, Becca had no choice but to take the seat next to purple polo guy.
"Hey, I'm Shawn," he smiled extending a hand to her.
"Rebecca." She took his hand shyly, smiling weakly.
"So Rebecca you're in the ceremony?"
Becca let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, how about you?"
"'Fraid not. I guess I didn't inherit my dad's engineering skills."
"Your dad's an engineer?" Becca asked interested.
"Yeah, he owns one of the biggest electric systems companies in New York." Shawn stared at Becca intently, his green eyes sparking. "You know, you have some pretty nice eyes."
"Oh uh, thanks." Becca grinned, blushed, and looked back to her friends.
Jasmine let out a loud laugh with her guy. Troy reappeared with drinks in hand and placed them on the table.
Becca looked around the bar and spotted Genevieve with her worker bees and a cute guy at a table across from them. Their eyes caught for a moment. Becca swallowed nervously. She so wasn't in the mood to deal with her today. Just as she was about to get up Genevieve strolled over to their table.
"Hey, Rebecca." Genevieve turned to the guys. "Who're your friends?"
"What do you want Genevieve?" Jasmine turned to her with a roll of her eyes.
"Go away no one wants you here." Marisol snapped.
Genevieve smirked at Becca and looked like she was about to say something.
"Hey, look, it's the Geek Squad," A voice said haughtily from behind Becca.
She turned around to see Charlotte Grayson standing at the front of the bar. Becca knew that Charlotte was Emily's young half sister.
Genevieve spun around to Charlotte giving her a look. "What are you doing here Charlotte?"
Becca glanced to the drink beside Charlotte. She was obviously drunk or stupid. Maybe both. She hated girls like this.
"Getting hammered? Isn't it a bit early?" Genevieve asked.
Charlotte took a sip of her drink. She glanced to a young bartender, who was counting a handful of dollar bills in his hands, before stuffing them into his pocket. Becca guessed when you look like that and come from a family that rich, you could get away with anything.
"Just because our dad's are friends doesn't mean we have to be." Genevieve explained.
"Hey, if you girls are so smart, how come you haven't found a solution?"
"For what?" Jasmine asked.
"For how you can get laid." She snickered.
Genevieve and her drones laughed with Charlotte. Marisol and Jasmine looked away, their guys sat there stupidly doing nothing. Becca's cheeks darkened. She narrowed her eyes at Charlotte and marched over to her.
"You must feel really good talking like that." Becca said.
"What? you gonna cry?" Charlotte laughed taking another sip of her drink.
"No, I just feel sorry for you. Girls like you are just brats. You grew up getting everything and anything you want, never having to deal with any real problems or struggles. The one time mommy and daddy don't pay attention to you, you throw a tantrum. So, you act out, get drunk, wrap your sport's car around a tree, all so you can get your face plastered on the front page and feel important."
Charlotte's face turned red. "You don't know anything about me."
Becca grinned. "Preppy Grayson turns Pill Popper. Am I getting close?"
Charlotte opened her mouth to talk but didn't say a thing.
Becca turned to walk away, but stopped, and spun around. "Looks like we all can't be poster girls for trophy wives and addicts."
Charlotte's eyes widened. "Whatever, bitch." Becca turned back to the group Jasmine and Marisol smiled at her.
"Wow, you really got her good!" Jasmine grinned.
"Girl you were on fire!" Marisol laughed.
Becca walked back to the couch. She hated girls who were complete brats and acted like they could get whatever they wanted. Shawn laughed and Becca couldn't help but laugh too. Why was it she was better at defending her friends then herself? She'd act like a total idiot with Genevieve.
"Hey, that was pretty hot what you did back there."
"You think?" Becca asked with a smile.
"Yeah, hey, look, there's this party we're going to later. You should come." Shawn's hand moved from its spot on the couch to Becca's thigh. She looked down at his hand.
"Uh, well.." She muttered awkwardly sliding a little away from his hand.
Becca had to admit; She wasn't that interested in Shawn, but, a party did sound like fun. Just as she was about to reply, her voice caught in her throat, as she spotted her dad heading right for the bar.
Nolan loosened a button on his collar. He stood in front of the bar. He needed a drink, just something to relax and focus. He glanced to his wrist watch. "Yeah, I got time." He stepped into the bar, ordered a scotch and turned back to the crowd.
Nolan glanced around seeing that the crowd was mostly teens. He shook his head in disappointment.
"At least my kid isn't here." Nolan smiled triumphantly taking a sip of his drink. "Yeah, good job on that. Way to lay down the law."
Becca's mind raced. Her dad was gonna freak - no, he was going to explode - if he saw her with a bunch of guys in a bar with liquor. He might have joked before about if she met a guy, but really, he was bent on making sure Becca didn't date till she was at least thirty.
"Would you excuse me?" Not waiting for a reply, Becca bolted from her seat, just as her dad walked past, and plopped into the seat next to Marisol.
"Can you come with me to the bathroom." Becca asked Marisol .
"You're a big girl, Becca. You can go by yourself." Marisol laughed waving her off as she stared into Troy's eyes. The only thing she cared about was trying to suck Troy's face.
Becca turned to Jasmine and kicked her in the leg. "Ow!" Jasmine yelled, turning to Becca with a glare. "I need you to come with me to the ladies room."
"Why?"
"I think I left my purse in there."
"You didn't bring a purse." Jasmine gave her a look.
Becca let out a sigh. "Look towards the bar. You see a tall, blond guy, grey suit, blue shirt?"
Jasmine turned towards the bar. "Yeah… why are you hiding from Nolan Ross?"
How could she explain that he was her dad?
Genevieve and her friends squealed and spun around to the bar. "Oh my god! It's Nolan Ross!" They rushed towards him.
As Nolan sipped his drink a group of teenage girls walked up to him. He lowered his drink and glanced to the girls giving them a smile.
Genevieve stepped towards Nolan. "Hi, I'm Genevieve Starke. Just wanted to say you're one of the reasons I started coding."
"Well, thank you. Glad to see a bunch of young women like yourselves inventing."
Genevieve pushed a piece of paper to him. "If it's not a big deal, can I get your autograph?"
"Sure thing." Nolan took a pen from the pocket of his suit.
Becca carefully craned her head around to the bar to see Genevieve and her drones blocking her from her dad's view. She was glad that the couch was facing away from the bar. Becca swerved back to Jasmine and glanced at the shimmery, blue shawl around her shoulders.
"Can I borrow your shawl?"
"No way! This is my favorite." Jasmine gave her a suspicious look. "Is there something going on?"
Becca let out an exasperated sigh and crouched low to her ear. "Look, if you help me I will make you a code so you can hack into Drake's Facebook account, and change his relationship status to taken by Jasmine Farhadi. But, you need to walk me out of here right now!"
Jasmine smiled widely and took off her shawl. "Deal,"
"What's he doing? Is he looking away?" Becca and Jasmine were ten feet away from Nolan their backs turned to him.
"Yeah, he's signing autographs." Jasmine stood beside Becca, covering her as she started to walk. "Looks like Genevieve is a fan."
Becca wished she had her phone so she could record the moment.
They were so close to the exit. A good twenty feet from the door. At any rate Becca was ready to run for it.
"Okay, come on." Jasmine said. Becca sprinted towards the doors, the shawl slid off her head , blocking her vision, and she collided with someone. Becca fell to the floor, her student badge slid across the wooden floor, stopping at the heels of the person in front of her.
"Are you alright?" A woman asked worriedly.
"I'm fine." Becca muttered hurriedly. Jasmine raced up beside her, Becca grabbed her arm pulling her to her feet. "Sorry!" Jasmine apologized before they rushed past the woman.
Emily glanced down at her feet. "Hey, you dropped this…" She spun around, and glanced down at the ID. "Rebecca?"
Shit. It was Emily! Becca thought.
"You know her?!" Jasmine whispered in a panic to Becca.
"She's a friend." Becca stopped in her tracks. She hoped that Emily wasn't going to rat her out.
"Let's hope."
Becca turned around, glanced up to Emily, the shawl sliding off her head.
"Hey, Ems." She smiled weakly.
Emily eyed Becca and her friend suspiciously. "Are you alright?"
"If you're a real friend you'd let us go." Becca pleaded, re-fixed the shawl on her head.
Nolan found himself signing a bunch of autographs. The last person in the queue moved forward. Nolan looked past the line of people to the doors of the bar to see Emily was arguing with two teens.
He grabbed his drink and walked over to her.
"Hey Ems, what's the trouble?" Nolan grinned coming up beside Emily. He almost dropped his drink seeing Becca standing there.
"Rebecca," Nolan's eyes widened. "What are you doing here!?"
Becca waved meekly.
I'm so dead.
Emily turned to Nolan. "Rebecca and her friend were just showing me in here."
Nothing prepared Becca for what happened next.
"Hey, Rebecca. Where'd you run off to?" Shawn stopped beside Becca with a drink in hand. He was completely oblivious to the anger that was emitting from Nolan Ross.
Now. She was dead.
Nolan stiffly turned to Shawn, his jaw tight. "Shawn, huh?"
His grip on his glass was so tight that his knuckles turned white. Becca half expected him to throw the glass at Shawn's head. She glanced to Emily pleading for help, if not for herself, then for Shawn.
"Nolan, aren't you on in a few minutes?" Emily hooked her arm with Nolan's arm. "We should get going." She tried to turned him around. Nolan didn't budge. He stood unwavering, his eyes like a hawk on Shawn and Becca. Emily glanced to Becca, giving her the silent command that all parents seemed to know that meant 'we're leaving, now'.
"I can't believe you were in there!" Nolan yelled at Becca. They were outside the building. Becca leaned on the stairway railing, her eyes following her dad as he paced around. Emily stood next to Becca.
"And who was that Shawn kid?" Nolan spun around to Becca giving her an accusing stare. "He's way too old for you...is he your boyfriend? Since when did you have a boyfriend!?"
Becca narrowed her eyes at him. Her dad always jumped to conclusions! So she shouldn't have been in the bar she'll give him that, but she wasn't doing anything wrong!
"He's no one. I was in there to help a friend and I wasn't drinking!"
"Prove it." Nolan gave her a smug grin.
"What?" Becca asked confused.
"Let me smell your breath."
Becca let out a laugh. "I didn't drink, I swear!" She glanced to Emily pleading for help.
"Nolan, she didn't drink." Emily explained trying to extinguish the flames.
Nolan wasn't convinced.
"If that's true then she won't have a problem." He folded his arms over his chest and stepped towards her till he was right in her face. "Come on, breathe out."
"Why do you act so weird!?" Becca yelled in frustration."We're in public for god's sake. For once, can you try to act normal?!"
"What's normal about you being in a bar? You're seventeen and I'm your fath-"
Emily cleared her throat loudly causing Nolan and Becca to stop. Just then the door swung open, Jasmine stood awkwardly in the door.
"Is everything okay, Becca?" Jasmine asked worriedly, glancing to the three.
Nolan took a step backwards from Becca, realizing that from his angle, well at any angle, he looked menacing.
Becca pushed off the railing and stepped towards the door. "Yeah, come on."
Nolan took a step forward, reaching out to grab Becca by the arm, but Emily held him back. "Nolan, let it go." Emily agreed.
"But, Ems." Nolan argued trying to find something to say.
Becca stood beside the stage watching as her dad finished his keynote speech.
"He's pretty good." Emily offered coming up to stand beside Becca.
"Dad's done it a thousand times." Becca explained. "I'd always watch him on TV when ever he went to tech conventions across the country."
Becca turned away from the stage to Emily, "Thanks Emily, for what you did earlier. That was pretty cool of you."
Emily grinned. "Trust me, what you did was nothing."
Becca nodded, "Dad can be a bit over protective sometimes."
"He does it because he cares about you." Emily assured her.
An applause roared from the stage as Nolan walked through the door.
"Nice speech, Nolan.' Emily applauded, "You really had the crowd on their toes,"
Nolan wiped at his sweat slick on his forehead, and took a sip of his water bottle. "I know, they love me." He smirked. "Must be my charming charisma."
Emily laughed and gave him an eye roll, "Oh, yeah. It's definitely that charisma."
"Dad, you're leaving already?!" Genevieve yelled.
Becca looked behind her to the doors of the stage to see Genevieve and Charles arguing.
Charles looked away from his smartphone to Genevieve. His assistant walked towards him. "Mister Secretary, you have an appointment with the Mayor of New York in thirty minutes."
He pocketed his smart phone, and took the tablet from his assistant, signed something with a pen. "I'm very busy today."
Genevieve folded her arms over her chest. "You'd rather have a meeting with the Mayor then be here for your daughter?" She accused.
The assistant shoved another piece of paper at Charles. He put on his reading glasses and furrowed his brows. "Tell them I want that moved to next week. I have a huge fundraiser coming up and I need everything perfect." He explained to his assistant.
"Dad, are you even listening to me?!"
Charles removed his glasses from his nose, pocketing the readers. "Yes, yes I am Genevieve."
"Dad, this is my award ceremony," Genevieve explained. "I've waited all year for this! Can't you stay to watch me on stage?"
"Tell you what, how about when I come back we can do whatever you want. We'll go out to dinner. How about Toloache, you love that place."
Genevieve's nose and cheeks flushed red, and her voice started to break. "I don't want to go out. I want you to stay here!"
Sophie walked up the path. "Charles, where are you going?"
"I have a meeting with the Mayor." He glanced at his Rolex. "I'm already running late."
Sophie looked to her daughter, she looked back at her husband, her eyes like daggers. "Charles, this is a huge event for Genevieve. Not just a publicity stunt for you."
"You're the Secretary of New York, just cancel your meeting with that loser." Genevieve snapped.
"I'm afraid it doesn't work like that, sweetheart." Charles said simply.
"Whatever, just go!" She yelled angrily. "It's not like you were here for me anyway."
With that, Genevieve stormed away from her parents.
Sophie gave Charles a hard stare, "Nice job, Charles."
His assistant interrupted them. "I'm sorry, Sir. But you need to get going."
"Right, right." Charles sighed and turned to walk with his assistant. He stopped mid step, and glanced to Sophie with an apologetic look.
"I'll make it up to her." Charles promised.
"Just like last time, right?" Sophie laughed bitterly. Knowing all too well how her husband worked. He'd put a meeting with the Mayor above staying to support his own daughter. That was typical of him. Service to the state of New York was more important than family.
"It's funny how you always leave me to clean up the messes you make." Sophie exclaimed and stocked off from her husband.
"Seems like things aren't going so well on the home front." Nolan noted.
Becca frowned. She kinda felt bad for Genevieve. If her dad wasn't there for her she wouldn't know what she'd do.
Later that afternoon, Becca found herself in her room. She stood on her chair, reaching up to her bookshelf to set the glass plaque on her bookshelf.
"It's like it was meant to be there," Nolan said as he stood at her bedroom door with a glass of Scotch in his hand.
"I think it looks good too," Becca jumped off her computer chair, stepped back and grinned proudly. She agreed smiling at her dad.
Nolan stepped into the room and took a seat on the end of her bed. He patted the spot next to him. Becca grabbed her stuffed bear off her desk, plopped into the spot beside him, her bear sitting in her lap.
Nolan grinned at her. She looked like a five year old in her oversized t-shirt, holding her bear. He shook his head burying the lost time in his mind.
"Look, I want to apologize for how I acted earlier." Nolan started, he absentmindedly sloshed the amber liquid in his glass. "I jumped to conclusions."
"It would have been nice if you'd listened." Becca admitted softly.
"Well, from now on, I'm gonna try being a better listener." Nolan announced. He shrugged, giving Becca a half smile. "Just be patient with me, okay? I'm still new to this whole raising a teenager thing."
"That's fair," She considered, "And I'll try to listen more."
Becca's eyes wandered back to the glass in her dad's hand. She knew he'd drink late in the afternoon when something was bothering him.
"Dad, what's the real problem?"
"You know that I trust you, and I know that you can take care of yourself." Nolan declared, "It's the guys that I don't trust."
Becca felt a warm glow in her chest at her dad's words. She was glad that her dad trusted her enough to handle herself.
"You're growing up." Nolan continued, "And pretty soon you'll be moving away to college, get a job in California or Chicago…." He let out a strained breath, his mind worried at the thought "Find a guy and get married..." His voice lowered, his eyes shifted away from Becca's to the glass in his hands.
"You won't need your old man anymore."
"You're my Dad. I'm always gonna need you." Becca stated like it was obvious and smirked cheekily, "Even when I'm old, like thirty five."
Maybe that's why he was acting so harsh earlier. It finally hit him that his kid was growing up and there was nothing he could do to stop it. All Nolan wanted to do was lock her in a cage and keep her protected from the world for as long as he could.
"I thought you were gonna hit him." Becca said referring to Shawn.
Nolan laughed dryly, "I was. Good thing Ems stopped me." He took a sip of his drink.
"Are you gonna act like that with my future boyfriend?"
Nolan chuckled lightly. "Who says you're getting a boyfriend any time soon? "
Becca frowned. "Dad, your not serious about the whole date when I'm thirty thing?"
Nolan shrugged, nonchalantly. "Yeah, alright…twenty five sounds about right."
"Make it twenty one." She bargained.
"That's pushing it." Nolan stood up from the bed as his cellophane rang out from his sweat pant pocket. He answered it and muttered a quick see you then, before hanging up. Nolan spun to Becca.
"Get dressed kiddo, We're going to Emily's."
It was late in the evening when Nolan and Becca arrived at Emily's house. Emily knew that something was up when Nolan walked through the doors with a bottle of wine and a school boy grin. When he explained plans to have dinner with Amanda, she was less than thrilled.
"Not interested." Emily replied.
Nolan watched as she got up from the dining room table. He glanced to the table her laptop was out surrounded by newspaper clipping of the Starkes and Graysons. She was back in revenge mode; the Starkes were her next target. And there was no way she was going to let up.
"Ems, this would be a good chance to clear the air between you and Amanda." Emily rolled her eyes at him and walked away. Nolan let out an exasperated sigh and followed her into the kitchen. He leaned against the island, resting his elbows on the top as Emily grabbed a mug from the cupboard. Nolan lifted the lid off the jar the smell of cinnamon hit his nose. Emily snatched the jar from his hands and scooped a spoonful of the tea into her mug.
Emily didn't look at him as she countered sternly, "There's nothing to clear the air about."
She's doing it again! Shutting herself in her 'Emily Bubble' . Nolan thought.
Nolan glanced across the living room to Becca. She looked up from her laptop and shot him a look saying 'is that all your gonna do?'
"You and Amanda are like sisters." Nolan disagreed, trying to make her see reason. "Do you really think she'd hold a grudge against you?"
As Emily poured the hot water into her mug,plums of steam clouded her face. Visions of Amanda lying in the hospital bed with tubes and IV's sticking out of her arms came rushing back to her. She'd risked her friend's life to find out more information on her so called 'dead' mother. But the chase was all for not. Kara's mental fragility made her a danger to herself and others. After sending her away Emily felt even more alone and lost than before.
Would she end up like her mother?
It wasn't like Emily ever expected to have a 'normal' life. After all she was a ninja, a magnetic grifter, and a warrior bent on revenge. But that didn't stop the day dreams of Little Amanda Clarke from popping into her mind every once in a while.
Fantasies like;
Falling in love.
Marriage.
Having Children and Raising a Family.
Emily accepted that she wasn't a good hearted, kind person like the princesses in the fairy-tales her father read her. People like that lived happily ever after with prince charming in a castle. No, she was more like Maleficent. A dark, cold, and powerful witch that lived alone, isolated from the world.
And everyone knows that people like her don't deserve a fairytale ending.
The only real thing she had left was Amanda. She wasn't a stranger. She was the closest thing Emily had to a sister in her whole life. She'd been there for her for years, through good and bad. But Emily wasn't sure long she could play tug of war with her friend's emotions. Nolan had accepted her apology and even introduced her to his daughter.
But Amanda was like a magic 8 ball. And Emily was pretty sure that she'd run out of luck with her.
"I would, if I was her." Emily confessed.
Nolan shrugged and frowned. "Alright, don't go for yourself, go for me." He suggested, "I'd appreciate the support when I tell our friends that I have a seventeen year old daughter."
"Really, Dad?" Becca whined, looking up from her laptop. "Great, now I feel like I did when I got braces."
"I just think it's a good time to be surrounded by friends." Nolan insisted as Emily glanced to him over the lip of her mug.
"Just talk to her." Nolan urged, sensing Emily's hesitation. "No matter the outcome at least you'll have closure."
The sign on The Stowaway was turned CLOSE. The tavern was empty except for a last couple of customers that staggered out.
Ring. A whoosh of air passed through the tavern as Emily and Nolan walked in.
"We're closed." Jack said over his shoulder, as he put a stack of mugs on the bar.
Amanda spun around from clearing off the table to the door. Her eyes widened and she smiled.
"It's just Nolan, Emily," she looked past their shoulders to see a teenage girl looking around. "And someone else."
Emily swallowed the lump in her throat as Amanda walked towards her and gave her a friendly smile. "Howdy, Stranger." Amanda smiled.
Jack walked over to Nolan and the two hugged it out in a bro hug.
Becca stood off to the side watching as her dad and Emily greeted their friends. Nolan spun around to her who stood off by the door playing with her mp3 player. She pushed off the door and strolled over to him. She smiled nervously, as the pair put their attention on her.
"I have someone I want you to meet." Nolan placed a hand on her shoulder, "This is my daughter, Rebecca."
Nolan had gone on to explain their story. Both friends were shocked and surprised at first, and in the end they swore to keep the family's secret.
Becca was sitting at a table across the bar. The table was covered in a red table cloth, with silverware and plates and flute glasses. The smell of Italian food waifed through the air, Amanda walked out the double doors of the kitchen carrying a container in her hand, she set the lasagna on the table, between the basket of warm, buttery garlic bread and stuffed peppers. Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones played through the speakers as the adults chatted at the bar.
A whine erupted from the baby carriage sitting on the table next to Becca. She looked into the carrier seeing a soft and squishy face, wrapped in a blue blanket.
"Becca can you give Carl his pacifier?" Amanda asked, "It's in the diaper bag."
She reached into the diaper bag, pulled out a blue pacifier, and placed it in Carl's mouth.
Amanda smiled, wiping at her forehead, she turned to Emily who was quietly sitting at the bar, listening to Nolan and Jack talk about sports.
Amanda placed a hand on Emily's shoulder, "You've been quiet." Amanda said and plopped into the stool next to her.
Emily's throat constricted. Why was she feeling so emotional? She turned around to the table. "You need help setting up?"
"Nah, it's fine. We'll have the guys finish things off." Amanda noticed how Emily was evading the question at hand.
"How about Carl is he alright?" Emily questioned trying to stall.
"Becca seems to have him under control." Amanda spun back to Becca. She smiled, watching as the teen played peek a boo with her son.
"Can we talk outside? I could use the walk." Amanda started, her voice weary. Emily noticed the tired look on her face. She nodded and followed Amanda outside to the deck. The cool sea air blew towards them blowing their hair around.
Amanda strolled down the pier, she turned to face Emily. "I'm glad you're here." Amanda smiled. Suddenly, Emily found herself in a hug with Amanda crying on her shoulder. "What was with the silent treatment?"
"I didn't want to cause any more problems for your family." Emily choked, regret filling her voice.
"You are my family, Amanda." The real Emily, corrected through tears. "You're the closest thing I've had to a sister." Emily pulled back and gave Amanda sad smile. "I don't hate you for the things that happened in the past."
"Why?" Emily asked, trying to understand why people like Nolan and Amanda still stuck around. Why they're still here, even when she gave them no reason to be.
"Because, we're family. And family sticks around, no matter what."
Emily stood back and laughed a bit, letting a few tears escape. They stood like that for a moment before Emily reached into her jacket pocket, "Here's a little something for Carl."
Amanda took the white envelope. She opened it her eyes widened. "That's a lot of money." Amanda stammered. "I can't accept this."
"Please take it." Emily urged. "Think of it as cleaning the slate between us."
After a few moment of hesitancy, Amanda pocketed the envelope in her jeans, "Thank you."
The door to the bar opened and Becca stuck her head out the door. "Sorry to interrupt. Amanda, Carl is getting fussy."
"Alright, we'll be right in." Amanda called.
They walked back into the tavern. Everyone was waiting for them, Emily took the seat in-between Becca and Nolan. Jack held his son in his arms, Amanda slid into the seat next to him. The small group was about to eat, when Jack raised his beer.
"How about a toast?" Jack proposed.
Emily raised her glass of wine, Nolan his beer, Amanda lifted her glass of seltzer water, and Becca with her orange soda.
"Salute to family!" Amanda cheered.
They clanked their glasses together and a light laughter filled the room.
X Author's Note:
Leaving a review/fav/follow lets me know you enjoyed the story!
I know I mentioned a take-down appearing in this chapter, but it'll start next chapter. I really think you guys will like the next chapter, I'm really excited to share it with you!
Until next time,
DDLJ
