"My Mother's Wife"
Again, as I said in my profile, I'm still fighting a cold or whatever this is but I'm also trying to update for all of you!
Hope you enjoy! ;)
Rated M for Mature Content.
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And I say what a faithful wife would say at this moment, "There won't be a next time."
Her lips move closer as my chest heaves faster and she whispers, "There's always a next time."
Silence.
Longing.
She unblocks the door and walks away. I let out the breath I was holding in and leave her suite as quickly as I can, slamming the door behind me. I'm furious with her! I punch the elevator button and the doors open immediately. I step in pushing the penthouse suite. I then find myself staring at my reflection in the closed doors. A reflection that tells me there's always a next time…
Chapter 10: Choices
Emily POV
I open the door to the penthouse suite after just leaving Maya. There's music playing softly. I walk down the hall, my heels clicking against the tiled floor, and when I peak around the wall, there sits my wife Angel looking beautiful. She's waiting for me. I walk across the carpet sitting next to her on the couch. We say nothing to each other. I just lay my head on her shoulder unable to stop thinking about what Maya said to me. Sadness threatens my eyes—would Angel not choose me even though I chose her?
Alison POV
The next morning…
I'm taking a morning swim and when I reach the edge of the pool Max is waiting for me. He kneels down placing his hands on either side of my face as my head rises from the water. I exhale fearful of his touch.
"I'll be out late tonight, all night."
I panic, "I—I can get Maya to come over if you—"
"No, no, no need."
"Are you sure? It will be good. I can have her—"
He caresses my face with his fingertips, "I'm positive. Positive."
But then he puts his thumbs over my eyelids forcing them closed as he streaks my mascara down my cheeks to my chin.
"Amazing really, it takes so little to turn pure beauty into a joke. Hmm?"
My eyes open to his hand around my throat and all I want is a gun in my hand to end it, end him…
I get showered and dressed. He's gone all night so I locate my flash drive behind the fake panel in the closet. It has every dirty deal on it. But I fear bringing it to the police. He has people everywhere, and I'm sure he has bribed a cop or judge just to name a few. What chance does that flash drive stand in the wrong hands? I need a better plan. I reach into the wall and pull out the gun I've been fantasizing about…
Later that night…
I stroll into The Edgemont but not to see Maya. I slip into Angel's office and I wait for her to come in. And when she finally does, she flips the light switch.
"Can you turn that off please?" I ask after being exposed from the light.
She turns it off and asks in a serious tone, "What are you doing here Mrs. DiLaurentis?"
"We have a lot in common Angel. We both made our deal with the devil, a very bad deal with a very bad man. And ya know I've met bad men before," I get up and walk towards her, "mostly mean but never evil." I sit in the chair in front of her desk, "But we really didn't see him. Or we didn't want to see him. We thought we could survive Max, outsmart him."
"I will," she calmly responds.
"Maybe. Probably not. No one ever has. And even if you do outsmart him yourself, Angel, he will dig deep into the ugliness inside of him and he will do something to you that you could never do to him."
She walks around her desk slowly, "Again, what are you doing here?"
I look directly into her intimidating eyes and say, "You trust me Angel?"
She sits in the chair next to me without breaking eye contact. I keep her gaze until I feel her trust. And then I reach into my bag and hand her the flash drive.
She takes it and says, "What is this?"
"The end of Max DiLaurentis."
She looks at the memory stick in her hands and then looks at me.
"How did you know to come to me?" she asks.
"I needed an ally and then one night I overheard the two of you talking about him being your silent partner. You wanted him out. It was then that I knew it had to be you. I've studied that flash drive and as far as you showing up on it, your connection is well hidden if it even exists on there at all."
Angel smiles a victorious smile…
Angel POV
The next day I take the flash drive to the state's district attorney's office.
"And what's this?" James Kain asks as I hand him the flash drive.
"The key to the governor's mansion."
He takes the drive from my hands with a smile.
"That is every illegal dollar that Max DiLaurentis has taken in the last ten years. It's every pay off, every bribe. It is a detailed and accurate record of Max DiLaurentis' empire, right there in your hands. You've got the evidence now it's up to you to put a stop to Max DiLaurentis once and for all."
"How do I not know you're an accomplice to all of this? You are seen with him quite frequently."
"True. But of course I made copies and I'll gladly distribute them to the national news media outlets and you become the D.A. who reads about it on the newswire instead of the crusading D.A. that nailed Max DiLaurentis."
He listens and contemplates.
"This needs to go in the news today. Drop the bomb and end corruption in this city," I challenge.
"I will arrest and convict Max DiLaurentis but on my terms."
He hands me back the flash drive, "Good day Ms. St. Germain."
I take it and leave. I can't fucking believe he just did that but then I wonder is it because I'm a woman or because he's on Max's payroll…
Alison POV
I'm lying out in the sun at the mansion when a shadow blocks my light. It's Max.
"Sweetheart," he so endearingly calls me.
"Yeah?"
"How long did you date your previous husband before you married him?"
Oh brother. What is he digging for?
"Three months."
"I see."
"Look, he got me out of a bad place but I really wasn't with him very long—"
He raises his hand in a gesture of 'that's all in the past', "That's fine. I'm assuming that you left him because you wanted an even better place when in fact I couldn't give a shit why you did, though the idea of you fucking that rodent makes me a little queasy."
"Well, he was threatening to put me back in that awfulness so I had to fuck him."
"And then he ends up dead. A carjacking gone wrong I understand," he hands me a drink and starts to walk away but he stops and turns to me to say, "This would be a lie I could not forgive, my love. This would be a lie that could cause you great pain."
"I'm not lying."
He finally leaves and now I know what I must do—again…
Angel POV
I've been thinking about this flash drive and I know what I must do…
I've asked to meet with Marcus and his team of lawyers. We need to get this story out to the public so I can finally be rid of my silent partner without anyone being the wiser that he was involved in my hotel. His identity is well hidden, not even attainable from this flash drive. All they know is that he is corrupt. I can kill two birds with one stone.
"If this story doesn't run by Sunday then Max DiLaurentis will remain a corrupt force in this city."
"We can't just run what's on that flash drive for the general public to see. There would be ramifications," his legal advisors warn.
"Then how about an editorial written by Marcus. What if Marcus St. Germain from the most respected family in this city wrote an outraged fact-based opinion about Max's corruption?" I suggest.
"I could mention rumors of the corruption of bribed state's officials," he specifies.
"That would get you a front page, breaking news on CNN," a media representative replies excitedly.
Marcus gets up, "This is your story Angel, I can't—"
"We will write it together," I smile.
He takes a moment and then he agrees, "Okay then."
It feels right and I couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else. But alas, I must call Emily and let her know I'll be home late…
Emily POV
"Hey, we've got to write a public service announcement and with the auction coming up this is the only time it can get done."
"We've?"
"Yes, me and Marcus. It's really important Emily."
I'm visibly hurt.
"Fine. I understand."
"I love you."
"And I love you," I say a bit emotionally.
"I want that," the person at the Atlantis bar sitting next to me says.
I look at her wondering what she could possibly mean.
"What you have. No question. No doubt. You're a lucky woman."
"Yes. Lucky. I love my wife. I do."
The next morning I wake up. I feel the bed next to me. There's no one there. I open my eyes—there's no one there. I sit and look around—there's no one there.
Angel never came home last night…
Angel POV
I walk over to the couch in the study. I sit on the edge of the coffee table caressing his arm to wake him.
He looks up at me smiling.
"Good morning," I say warmly. "It's done."
"Hand me my pen please," he says.
He takes the document from my hand signing his name to it.
He hands me the signed paper as we take an extra few seconds to celebrate silently just gazing into each other's eyes…
After a nice breakfast I decide to take a drive to clear my head and by the time I get back to the hotel it's later in the afternoon. I need to at least try to make amends so I decide to seek out my oldest child, Maya...
She answers when I knock.
"Can we talk?" I ask.
"Talk."
"Can we do it privately somewhere?"
She opens the door to her suite and lets me in.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
"I'm terrific," she says arrogantly.
"Listen to me. Max is going down. The D.A. has him and so does the public opinion. I know this to be a fact. It's happening soon. Max is going to go to prison forever and I don't want you near him when it happens. Stay clear Maya or you just might go with him."
"Thank you."
"You're my daughter, all right. But this hotel, it doesn't just run itself. You have to feel it. And I'm not sure you're ready for it just yet."
"Look, maybe what I said at that meeting was the best thing that ever happened to me. It really forced me to step up and take charge on my own."
"Maya…"
"Angel, if that's all you came to tell me, well, you told me."
She opens her door basically telling me it's time to leave.
"Maya…"
"Please. Go."
The door closes behind me and I wonder if I've lost her forever…
I take the elevators to the penthouse floor thinking about finally ridding this city of Max DiLaurentis. After careful consideration that included a call from Marcus, the D.A. asked to take a closer look at that flash drive. They're having it audited for its authenticity and will be preparing to take him down by the book. This could take some time but at least I know eventually he'll be out of my life.
The story runs over the newswire after the Auction. It's over for Max DiLaurentis and he knows it. Public opinion will shatter his empire until the D.A. is ready to arrest him.
When I get upstairs Emily is there. It's time I tell her what's been happening between me and Marcus.
Emily is irate when I tell her…
Emily POV
"He will be your equal partner! Marcus will own half of our world!" I scream as she tries to get to the bedroom so she can get ready for her evening with him. "He will have you, Angel, please!" I grab her arm spinning her around.
"Have me? That's insane!"
"You don't know men! It's the truth!" I plead my case.
"All right, look. I want to settle up with the bank, now if Marcus can come in with me I can use his money to keep the hotel in the family. I'd rather owe him ten million dollars than a company that isn't personally invested in this hotel operation. It's just business."
She tries walking away from me but I yell, "Not to him! Angel!"
She stops and looks at me. I can feel the tension building between us.
"If I asked you not to go to him, if I told you it would—it would hurt me."
"I would say that we, you and I have to be stronger than that. We have to be and we are. I know that." She gestures with a closed fist, "It is right here Emily. It is right in front of me. I will be right back. I love you," she leans to kiss me but I turn so she kisses my cheek.
She walks away to get ready to have an evening with Marcus to go over this deal of hers leaving me out in the cold as usual.
Sadness surrounds me and all I can hear in my head is,
"The next time you come back, come back for me…"
Angel POV
I'm sitting with Marcus at the fountain in his backyard across from the hotel.
"You, Marcus, you saved my life once."
"Oh please, I just—"
"No. I mean it. You did. This—this is different," I need to look into his eyes so he really feels my words.
"I understand."
"You invest upfront and I will pay you back with interest every month from our profits until you recoup every penny."
"What if I want to invest now and remain your partner?"
I'm smiling from ear to ear, "That would be your choice." But really I'm dancing inside!
He stands, looking up at the hotel so I stand with him.
"Well, I'm just warning you, I'm not moving into the hotel with the rest of you."
I laugh, "I don't blame you."
We look at each other.
"I'll be a good partner."
"I know that because I know you."
"Hmm."
He cups my face and I don't back away. He lowers his lips to mine and I don't back away. He kisses me and I don't back away. This is a kiss with a message attached.
He pulls back, "No, Angel, you really don't know me at all."
Marcus starts to walk away.
But before he gets too far, he peers over his shoulder, "I'll have Bryce call your lawyer in the morning."
He smiles looking me up and down.
"Good night partner."
I don't know if I did the right thing just now.
"Good night Marcus," I say with a seriousness to my tone.
He turns and looks at me as he continues into the mansion.
I turn and walk the opposite way back to the hotel…
Emily POV
I walk out onto the balcony with this heavy burden of emotion I've been carrying around. I look out into the night sky, the moon shining brightly, the stars sparkling from light years away. I turn around leaning against the railing. I close my eyes and open them. There, to my right, the chaise lounge, the one I was lying on naked when Maya froze. I get a chill just thinking about it. I wrap my arms around myself turning to look up at the sky again. And as if on cue a shooting star glistens through the sky or was it the lights from an airplane? I don't know but I'll choose the shooting star—a sign from the universe. I smile. I look at the chaise and again at the sky. I bite my lower lip and keep smiling…
I stroll onto the elevator more confidently than I've ever felt before. I press the button. The doors close. I take a deep breath letting it out slowly. The doors open. I've arrived. I step out onto the carpeted hallway. I knock on the door. It opens.
Her eyebrow cocks, "Well, well you came back."
"Can I come in?"
She steps away from the door wearing a white button down shirt that's barely buttoned and black lace cheekies. She's barefoot so I tower over her.
I close the door and lock it tight, "You were right. I knew you were but I didn't want to admit it."
"No door slamming. Is that a good sign?" She tilts her head wondering what I'm doing here at this hour.
"It is good," I inhale and exhale slowly.
"Are you? Are you back—for me?"
I look down untying the belt around my short black trench coat. I release it and shimmy the coat from my shoulders to the floor. I slip out of my black high heels. I stand there just about eye level with Maya in a black lace bra and black fish net stockings.
And nothing else but a smile…
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To Be Continued…
I know. I know. How could I stop right there—I had to…
Someone said in a review this reads like a TV show. It is a TV show as I alluded to in chapter one. It's called "Magic City" but unfortunately it got canceled.
The characters are as follows…
Emily….Vera
Maya….Stevie
Angel….Ike
Marcus…Meg
Alison…Lily
Max….Ben
Will….Danny
Lily….Lauren
It's a very sexy show. Vera and Stevie are very hot! Watch at your own risk! ;)