Chapter 10 – New York

As I arrive at the penthouse, mother is sitting in the couch, sipping a scotch and reading a magazine. "Hello, mother."

"Oh, hello Brooke. I've been waiting for you the whole day. Where were you?"

"I was visiting the Scotts."

She looks confused. "Who?"

"Nathan, Haley, Lucas and James Scott. They live together in a small college town outside Charlotte. Not that it's any of your business. They are my oldest friend, my closest friend, my boyfriend and my godson. In other words, my family." I'm not ready to discuss my engagement with mother.

"This is not your family. Since when the bastard Scott boy is your boyfriend?"

As usual, she makes my blood boil. But I've learned a thing or two over the years. I look straight into her eyes, reflecting my anger, but I reply is a very sweet voice. "Well, mother. If you ever use that hateful word again in connection with Lucas Scott, you will never see me again."

"Suit yourself. I thought that the Scott boy was Peyton Sawyer's boyfriend."

"He was, and now he is mine."

"He is not good enough for you. He brings in no money, family or connections. He has cheated on you, and broken your heart. You're making a huge mistake."

"A few weeks ago I told you that Lucas Scott was the boy I would give up everything for. Do you remember that?"

"Yes. It made no sense then, and it still makes no sense."

"Well, since then, he has proven to be a formidable asset. When you sign the contract between CoB and the Aranda chain next week, remember. Through his intelligence and charm, he got us that contract."

"Hm. If you say so."

"You don't have to take my word for it. Bring up Lucas' name, casually, with Mercedes Aranda. You'll see. Keep an open mind, mother. You don't have to like him to appreciate his contribution."

"You're in love with him, again."

"I've been in love with him since I was sixteen, mother. He is the only boy I ever really wanted."

"What's going to happen when he runs back to Peyton, again?"

I give my mother a big smile, which appears to disconcert her a bit. "You let me worry about that."

"Very well, daughter. It's your life. I want to talk about the expansion plans. There are some crazy rumors floating around. I'm the CEO of Clothes over Bros, and I am completely in the dark about it. That's not right."

"I've been working on the expansion, but the plans are far from ready. I can tell you the basic idea. CoB will become one company under a parent company called Brooke Davis Fashion. There will be three other companies under that umbrella. A fragrances and cosmetics company, a media company and a design company. The expansion should be financed by selling stock on the mother company. The idea is to double the capital of CoB, so current holders of CoB stock can trade their shares for shares of the mother company at a two for one ratio. They will also be given options to purchase stock at the same value up to keeping their current share of the company. This should give the mother company enough capital to finance the expansion, if we are careful."

"I will be CEO of the new company?"

"I don't think so. That would actually be a waste of your talents. For now, I'll be the CEO of the mother company, which will basically be an investment bank for the subsidiaries. You will stay on CoB and oversee its own expansion. We are going to open at least another four stores, increase our production and logistics to serve the new point-of-sale contracts and implement an expansion into the european market. We are currently talking to an executive of L'Oreal to be CEO of the cosmetics company, and we are head hunting for an executive for the media company. Of course, the design company is mine. Your opinion?"

"You appear to be taking the right steps. I just wish you would consult with me more closely. I'm afraid your inexperience and lack of business sense may end up endangering our company."

"I'm working with an experienced consultant, a good law firm and an investment bank. These plans should be set in motion in about six months. I am not using your experience on the expansion because, first, you don't really have this kind of experience, which my consultant does. Second, the success of this enterprise depends crucially on increasing CoB's market value, because that's where the expansion capital is coming from. So, I need you focused on that."

"Who is this consultant you seem to value so highly?"

"His name is Andrew Hargrove, a very rich, very smart kiwi. Check him out." He is family too, but I'll keep that information to myself for now.

"Do you have enough capital to retain control of the mother company?" Now I must keep a poker face. That, of course, is the sixty-four dollar question, since dear mom would love to steal control of the company from me. Any board of investors with a majority share can be easily convinced to remove me as CEO, because of my age and inexperience. Also, if she opposes the restructuring, she could easily block it, despite my controlling interest in CoB. Just a little lawsuit on behalf of the minority shareholders would be enough, and, again, my age and inexperience makes me vulnerable. So the trick is to let her think that I will not have enough money to keep control of the parent company, specially if CoB becomes substantially more valuable in the next few months. That way, she will see the restructuring as an opportunity, not a threat.

"It depends on the market value of CoB at the closing. I have some money. By the way, I'm going to sell the penthouse."

"Really?" That appears to be a bit desperate, which is my intention. "Should I be planning to move?"

"No. I want to sell to a real estate company that would be willing to write a short term lease back to me.

"Now you are selling your own home to finance this plan of yours. This just shows your lack of experience and business sense. You should stick to designing, which is what you're good at, and leave the business decisions for people who know about business. But, ok. It's your company. I'll not stand in your way."

Bingo.

I'm getting ready for bed when the phone rings. "Hi fiancee."

"Hi pretty girl. I miss you already."

"I miss you too. Anything new?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. You brilliant godson learned a new word."

"What? Daddy? Uncle?"

"No. Ball."

We both laugh. "So, a new generation of Scotts arise."

"I hope Lily favors my mom's side and becomes a cheerleader, not a girl ballplayer."

"Why?"

"Well, for one, there has never been a Lady Raven team."

"That's actually a shame."

"Do you remember Faith? She was in Tree Hill High until sophomore year."

"Skinny black girl? Real pretty?"

"That's the one. She is one hell of a ball player. Her mother was junior varsity coach, and they moved away because she got a job as head coach in another high school. So, Faith went to a high school that had a girl basketball team, and she is now going to a school in Philadelphia, on a basketball scholarship."

"Wow. Were you close?"

"In middle school, Haley, Faith and I were inseparable. It was hard on Hales when Faith moved away, because she was her best girl friend. Faith was very much part of the Rivercourt gang, and she had a crush on Skills. I'm pretty sure they would have ended up together if she hadn't moved away."

"I wish I had known her. Sounds like someone I would have liked."

"Oh, junior year Brooke would have loved her. Sophomore year Brooke, not so much. I met her once when we were dating, and she was really shocked that I was with you. She thought I had sold out the Rivercourt."

"You keep in touch."

"Not really. I was talking on the phone with her mother the other day, about one of the players on her team, and I asked about Faith. Here is an idea. How about I get in touch with her, and invite her to meet us in New York? Dinner at the penthouse, a Knicks game or maybe a Broadway show. She can spend the night and go back to Philly in the morning. She is a dear friend, and I think you would both enjoy it."

"That sounds fun, fiancee. Please set it up, and let me know."

"Changing subjects, did your mom go for it?"

"Hook, line and sinker. Sometimes it's good to be underestimated."

"Good job. What's the bottom line?"

"CoB is currently worth something between eight and ten. If the value at closing is anything below seventeen, I'll be fine. I know the value is going up in the next few months, but I find it very unlikely it will go beyond that."

"I can come up with one, if you need it. Maybe more if I rush it with the book editing."

"Wow! I had no idea my fiancee was such a man of substance. Well, with one more, We're safe until eighteen."

We stay in silence for a little bit. "Luke."

"Pretty girl?"

"Will you read for me?"

"The doctor?"

"Oh, yes. The fish one."

A minute later. "You ready?"

"Yes, please."

"From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere..."

There is a question I keep asking myself. How did I ever managed to live without him?

There's a soft knock on the door. I open the door, and I honestly try to keep my cool, since mother is around here somewhere. One look into his eyes and I just can't. I let ou a squeal and literally jump on him, so he ends up carrying me, while we kiss. Three nights without him, and that's who I become? Sweet. I'm still in his arms when mother comes pounding out of her room. "Mr. Scott."

"Ms. Davis. Please, call me Lucas."

"She looks at me, and back at him, with narrowed eyes. "What have you done with my daughter?"

He sets me down, looks into her eyes and smiles. "So far, I just kissed her. But the night is young."

She straightens herself, and tucks a lock of her hair behind an ear. Holy cow! She is not immune either. "Are you after her money?"

He continues to look into her eyes. "Sure." After a pause. "And her body, and her peace of mind. I'll take all of Brooke, if she lets me. But mostly, I want to make her happy." He looks at me, and then back at her, his smile broadening. "How do you think I'm doing?"

My knees go a little watery at his words. Mother looks at me. She seems a little at a loss for a moment. I think I see a hint of a smile hidden in her scowl. She looks back at Lucas, her eyes hardening again. "You don't deserve her."

"With that, Ms. Davis, I entirely agree. I only hope we can grow old together before she notices it."

"I knew your father. Although we didn't attend the same schools, we were often at the same parties growing up. I even went out with him a couple of times. You remind me of him. He had an easy way with words too."

"It's not a legacy to be proud, Ms. Davis. But it is part of who I am."

"I understand he lost his way. He wasn't a bad boy, you know." She looks distant for a second. Then she really surprises me. She touches Lucas arm, and gives him a brief smile. "You can call me Victoria." She turns around and walks out.

"I cannot believe it, fiancee. She actually approves of you."

"She does?"

"Yup."

He just stares at me for a bit. "She dated Dan. Twice."

I giggle. "I heard it too. Can you imagine it?"

He shudders. "No."

"You know, she is not wrong. He couldn't be all bad if your mother loved him."

"I know. Oh, by the way, Faith is coming on Friday evening."

"Cool! Where are we going?"

"Well, I talked it over with her, and she just wants to stay in. Dinner, and maybe a movie. Something girlie, she said."

I smile. "Leave that to me."

"I'll cook, Ok?"

"Oh, that's fine. I had a key of the apartment made for you. I also set aside some closet space and a couple of drawers. Luke, this is your home too, now."

"Thank you, pretty girl. So, shall we go to our bed?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

"Hey Miranda, what's up?"

"Boss' mood's up. Guess you're in town."

"I'm glad I make your life easier."

"Go right in, stud. She'll be pleased to see ya."

I go in without knocking. She is at the drawing table, working on a sketch.

"Hey pretty girl. Ready to leave?"

"Luke! You scared me. Gimme another ten minutes to finish this sketch."

I love the focus she brings to her work. Hunched up, one elbow on the board, hand in her hair, holding up her head. Tip of the tongue showing up between her lips, the other hand busy with her drawing. Totally oblivious to anything else but her art. I pick up my cell phone and take a picture, which I forward to Peyton with a question. "Charcoal on paper?". Thirty seconds later I get a reply. "Nice shot. Yes, when I get back to NY." I reply "Thnx"

She sets the sketch aside and lifts her head, smiling at me. "I have two questions for you, fiancee. First, in a month CoB will be presenting our fall catalog. This is a big fashion event, with a cocktail. Do you agree to announce our engagement then? Second, I'd like to do our wedding here, about one year afterwards. I mean to reserve the Boathouse for the reception and do the ceremony itself outside, by the lake."

"Fine for the engagement, and I guess fine for the big fancy New York wedding too. I assume we're going to hire a planner, and work it with the CoB marketing. Just keep Lindsay in the loop, please."

"You're going to ask Nate to be your best man."

"Yes. Are you going to ask Peyton to be maid of honor?"

"It's either her or Haley. I honestly don't know. I hope I can get Peyton, but..."

"Jamie and Lily will be turning two."

"Wow. That pair is going to look adorable.

"Since we are talking about the future, I'm going to be looking for a way to move here junior year. I'll probably be talking about to NYU, but I want a deal that includes basketball. About wedding planning, I'm there, for whatever you want, ok?"

"Don't worry. If you want, you can probably just show up at the appointed time."

"I can be more involved than that pretty girl. I know how important this is for you."

"Thank you, fiancee. I'll keep that in mind. What time is Faith supposed to show up?"

"Around eight." It was close to six now. "I'll walk you home, so you can change and relax. I'll go to the supermarket, and get started on dinner."

As I get in, Mother is sitting on the couch, reading some legal document, glass of wine nearby. "Good evening, Brooke, how was your day?"

I sigh. "It was fine, Mother. What about yours?"

"I had a long meeting with a couple of our main fabric suppliers. They want a price hike, and I've been holding out, trying to get them to accept more restrictive quality control as compensation. They finally agreed today, so we will pay, in average, about three percent more, but we will probably get a reduction in as much as a third of quality rejection of finished product. This is actually revenue positive."

"Excellent job, mother. Let me know if your estimate of reduction in quality rejection holds as you expect. Lucas and I are having a friend for dinner. Lucas is cooking. You're welcome to join us, if you want."

Mother looks surprised. "The boy cooks?"

"He is quite good at it. His mother is one of the best chefs I know, and he learned from her. He can run the kitchen in a small diner like a professional."

"What else is he good at?"

"He is an excellent auto mechanic, pretty handy with general repairs, he can take care of a baby, a brilliant writer, excellent basketball coach, an extraordinary lover and the most decent man I know."

"Sounds like a prince. Except for cheating on you with your best friend and jumping on her bed soon after you two broke up last year."

I giggle. "You're sounding like a concerned mother. Let me just catch my breath a bit."

"I mean it. How do you know this time he is for real?"

It sounds like she is really trying, which raises alarms, but warms my suspicious heart anyways. I decide to level with her. "What happened between Lucas, Peyton and I junior year was unfortunate, but all three of us had part of the responsibility. I fell for him hard and fast, while he was still uncertain between his old crush on Peyton and his growing relationship with me. Peyton fell for him even before I did, but, defensive as she is, she didn't own up to it. I used that as an excuse to go after him, even knowing that she was interested. I shouldn't have done that, and they shouldn't have cheated. We were idiots, but we were sixteen. Later we became friends. Lucas and Peyton settled into a close, easy friendship that seems to work well for both of them. Lucas and I started as friends and soon begun to fall for each other. For me, it was just getting back to where I was. For him, it was finally letting what we had started the previous year progress. Lucas and I ended up junior year head over heels in love with each other. That hasn't changed since. Everything else is complications arising from our history and the horrible things that happened senior year. He didn't jump into Peyton's bed after we broke up. I pushed him. Hard. As soon as it was possible for us, we were right back where we belong."

"You're just nineteen, Brooke. You both have your whole life ahead of you. Why do you think you found the love of your life in high school?"

I laugh. "You know, part of it is having Nathan and Haley right next to us. The other part is that we don't feel nineteen. We are both accomplished professionals, with heavy responsibilities in the real world, both independently wealthy and, neither of us has the time or the inclination to fool around and be our age, except between us and at closed doors. Both of us need a real partner, to lean on and to help carry out our roles and to be able to relax around. That we happen to be completely in love and suit each other perfectly for what we need, is just serendipity."

"Very well. I can accept that. I had meetings with Mercedes Aranda, and I mentioned Lucas. Your boy impressed her and probably got us that contract. I've been quietly talking to other people about him. I agree with you. The boy is an asset, and, despite his origins, he is a fitting partner for you."

What came over her? "Thank you, mother. That means a lot."

"There is more I need to say. I did not believe you could make your fashion line work, and when you did I attributed it as a combination of beginner's luck and you having an unusual eye for design and style. I have consistently treated you as a child which happened to have a superlative creative streak, which should be kept away from the nitty-gritty of the business side of the company. I have been wrong. You've been displaying a consistent business sense and mature decision making which has taken me far too long to recognize. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for underestimating you. And I am proud of you and your accomplishments."

I look at her, through tears. She is saying things I've always wanted to hear. I enjoy hearing it, but I know my mother. She is a ruthless businesswoman, and I'm pretty certain she will steal the company from me if I let her. I don't doubt there is a measure of sincerity in what she is saying, but I know it is also intended, at least in part, to make me lose my focus for the struggle ahead. At the end, I have to take this as a graduation ceremony. I am no longer a pawn to be moved about. I'm an equal, a respected ally or opponent, depending on circumstances. "I have something to tell you."

I pull out the engagement ring. "He asked and I said yes. We're keeping it quiet for now, but we will anounce it during the fall catalog presentation."

"It's beautiful, Brooke. Congratulations."

"The wedding will be in June or July next year, here in New York. We are hiring a wedding planner, but you may be part of the planning, if you want." I'm curious. I have no idea if planning her only daughter's wedding is something she ever wanted, or meant to be involved with. I realize I know very little about the woman in front of me.

"Your father and I will pay for everything, Brooke. It's only proper. I'll be happy to help organize it." I'll be damned. Maybe she even means it.

"Thank you, Mother."

That moment Lucas arrives with a couple of supermarket bags.

"Hi, fiancee." I love it how fast he is on the uptake. "Hello, future mother-in-law, pretty girl."

She actually gives him a small smile. "Hello, Lucas. You can keep calling me Victoria. I'm going out, I don't want to intrude in your dinner. But I have a request."

"What?"

"I want you to cook dinner for the three of us some other time. Brooke says you are a good cook. I'd like to see that."

"It will be a pleasure, Victoria."

As she leaves, he looks at me with a puzzled expression. "What was that?"

I smile and grab his neck, to pull him for a kiss. "It's a long story, my love. Later."

The door rings. "Will you get that, pretty girl? I've got my hands full right this second."

I open the door. "Faith, Hi.. I'm Brooke Davis. It's very nice to see you again. Please come in."

She is a beautiful girl, about five nine, size two, with the poise typical of serious athletes. An interesting face, lively eyes and a luscious milk chocolate coloring. She is wearing low sandals, distressed skinny jeans and a simple white blouse, no make-up, large gold hoops in her ears and a thin gold necklace. Her hair was done in tight ringlets framing her face and coming down to her shoulder, unpainted nail cut short. Simple, good sense of style and sizzling hot. She shakes my hand. Strong and rough hands, like Lucas.

"Hi. It's very nice seeing you again." She looks around. "God, what a gorgeous place." She is pleasantly friendly until she sees Lucas coming out to greet her. "Luke!" Her face opens in a broad smile, she jumps in his arms, and hugs him. He has a pleased grin, as he hugs her back. "Fay, sweetheart. It's been way too long." It's a bit strange to see Lucas this intimate with someone I hardly know. It just shows that there was a long time in his life before he became a huge part of mine.

"Dinner will ready in about half an hour. Do you girls want some wine?"

"Sure, Luke."

"Yes, please."

"So, just to get started, last time I saw Fay, it was the day after we got back together senior year. I took Peyton to see Ellie in River City. I knew that's where Fay's family had moved, and I asked around, until I found her. We played two-on-two against a pair of players from their high school team and beat them nicely."

"So, you guys have been together almost two years?"

"Not really. We broke up in January last year, and just got back together two weeks ago. What about you? I know you got a basketball scholarship for Bryn Mawr, cause your mother told me. What else? Boyfriend, major?"

"No boyfriend. I'm premed. Between school and the team, I hardly have time to blink."

"Premed? Wow. So you're a brainiac like Luke and Haley."

"Not quite like those two, but I do ok."

"Don't let her fool you, pretty girl. This girl was the math whizz of the bunch. She had Mouth beat by a mile."

"I know you're assistant coach for last year's second division champions. What else are you doing?"

"Well, this year I'm head coach."

"A student head coach? Never heard of that."

"It's Whitey's arrangement. I've also wrote a book, that got picked up by one of the publishing houses here in New York. Brooke and I reconnected when I came to sign the contract."

"What about Haley?"

"I told you she married my brother Nathan junior year, became a famous singer/songwriter and came back to Tree Hill. What you probably don't know is that she had a baby graduation day. Jamie. He's a doll. I've been living with Nathan, Haley and Jamie."

"Wow. What about you, Brooke? Do you go to school here in New York?"

"No. I came to New York to take fashion design at Parsons, but I dropped out. I started a fashion line in high school, called Clothes over Bros, and it grew, and grew. So, basically I design clothes and manage my company."

"I think I have one of your dresses in my closet. I had no idea. It's a huge deal, isn't it?"

"It bought me this place, for example."

"Let me go finish preparing dinner. Brooke, do you mind setting up the table? The menu is a warm spinach salad, with almonds and a honey mustard dressing, ribeye steak, medium rare, and baked potato with the trimmings and berries with ice cream for dessert. I'll bring out the salad while the steak finishes broiling."

"You know, there's something I'm dying to know. At the end of sophomore year you didn't know who we were. How did you two ever get together?"

"We got together three times. The first time, no one could believe it. I was supposed to play with him for a week and then get bored. Instead I fell for him like a ton of bricks. The fool there, on the other hand, instead of falling for me the same way, kept getting confused between me and my best friend Peyton. It ended badly."

"I get it you falling for him. He was the sweetest, most incredible boy ever. I had a crush on Skillz, hot piece of ass that he is, but Lucas, I put on a pedestal. He had that idiotic crush on the fake blonde for years, but I swear, if he had given me half a chance, I'd have gone for him in a second."

"It took him a few months to finally fall for me like he should have from the start. I never really fell out of love, just got really afraid and confused after getting burned. So it took us a few more months of mutual pining to get together the second time. We had a horrible year, and some confusion arose, and since I was still pretty skittish, I pushed him away after five months of bliss. Three weeks ago we found the mutual feelings were still there and all the confusion had dissipated away, so here we are now. For good."

"I think you are lucky Brooke Davis."

"I know I am"

"But I'm beginning to see that Luke is pretty lucky as well."

Lucas is coming back from the kitchen and has heard some of that.

"I sure am, Fay. I consider this third time a cosmic miracle. I never dreamed I could be this happy."

I'm curious about her too. "You've never been in love?"

"Oh, I've dated, kissed a few frogs. Never had anything even remotely like what you two clearly have."

"Don't worry, sweetie. He's out there."

At some point, they start to discuss basketball, and I tune out. Finally, I go do the kitchen clean up, and leave them discussing the fine points of some defense or another. From someone who really doesn't understand anything about it, it sure looked like Faith could hold her end of the conversation with Luke about basketball tactics. That means one hell of a sharp lady in my book.

After an amusing Christmas movie, where the main actors looked a lot like Peyton and Chris Keller, we said our goodnights and went to bed.

"I really like her, fiancee. We must do this again."

"Yeah, I'm sorry we haven't kept in touch. You know Fay and Hales used to be very close, and I don't think Nate even knows her. What about we try to get them all here for a visit, but make it a surprise?"

"The Memorial day weekend?"

"That's in three weeks. Short notice, but we can try. I'll talk to Naley tomorrow, you talk to Fay."

"What time are you leaving tomorrow?"

"I have a flight at eight. There's practice at ten, and I just might make it if I hurry. This means I should leave at half past six."

"Then we have no time to lose, fiancee. Come here."