A/N: I don't own OTH or the title of this chapter, which is a song by Coldplay
Chapter 14: Viva La Vida
Haley walked into the office Monday morning feeling confident. She and Brooke had talked late into the night yesterday like they used to when they were younger, having sleepovers and just lying in bed, whispering, ignoring the yells of their mothers to go to sleep. Haley had to admit, that although she still felt overwhelmed by the last few months of her life, she was starting to feel a little more like herself. She was starting to move on and accept her new life.
She stepped into her office, exuding confidence, and Bill, her assistant, followed her in with her agenda for the day.
"Miss James," Bill began. Bill always addressed Haley as "Miss James," even when she was younger and just coming into work with her father for the day. No matter how hard she tried to persuade him to use her first name, he demurred. He was, by Haley's careful calculations, about four hundred years old. He had worked for her father, and even her grandfather for a bit, and now was working with Haley. She knew she was very lucky to have Bill guiding her, because without his reminders and notes, Haley doubted she ever would have kept the company afloat.
"It's a busy day for us today, Miss James," Bill smiled at the young girl. "Are you ready to hear all about it?"
"I'm ready for anything, Bill," Haley said as she sipped her coffee and sat at her desk.
"Alright Miss James. You'll remember that the Carters are coming in today for their monthly meeting. They have a few things to discuss with you, no doubt."
Haley nodded. The Carters, were, quite frankly, loaded. They had more money than they knew what to do with. Haley had only met the company's largest clients once before and was a bit apprehensive of the next meeting.
"I know you were planning on catching up with Mr. Nathan before the meeting, but Wendy called to cancel. She said that maybe Mr. Nathan would have some time free after the meeting to discuss the clients." Bill paused in his reading of the schedule to smirk a little at Haley. The two always shared a little smile whenever Wendy was mentioned. Wendy was a lanky redhead with long, manicured nails and legs and short skirts and about two brain cells.
Haley was pretty confident that Nathan had slept with her.
The thought made her shudder, but she forced herself to listen politely to the rest of her day's activities before Bill left her alone in her great big office. Sighing, she gathered up her material for the Carter meeting and began to go over her notes from the week before, when she and Nathan had met to discuss their clients.
By the time she reached the conference room where the meeting would take place, Haley had reconciled herself with the idea that Nathan was a man-whore, and that she would get over her silly crush on him and be professional.
But by the time Nathan reached the conference room, her heart was fluttering in her chest.
Luckily, the two said nothing to each other before the Carters arrived, and when the old Mr. Carter took a seat, followed by his slightly younger-looking and more glamorous wife of forty-eight years, Haley and Nathan looked the picture of professionalism.
"Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter," Nathan began. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
Mrs. Carter's warm smile filled the room. "You, too, sweetheart."
"Audrey," Mr. Carter said sharply. "We talked about this. Remember? We decided you shouldn't call business associates 'sweetheart.' It isn't professional."
"Sorry, sweetheart," Mrs. Carter turned her smile to her husband. Then she looked at the younger two and said, "And how are you dears?"
"Audrey," Mr. Carter sighed. "'Dear' is in the same category as 'sweetheart.'"
"Oh, Edward," Mrs. Carter rolled her eyes. "You kids don't mind being called 'sweetheart', do you?" she asked Nathan and Haley, who were both beginning to look a bit bewildered. "Anyway, it's polite to inquire after our 'business associates,' Edward. They do have our best interests in mind, and a little bit of small talk will only help business in the long run."
"You're talking to them like they are your grandchildren, dear," Mr. Carter tried to explain carefully. "They're very intelligent people."
"Edward Carter! I will not have you implying again that our grandchildren are not intelligent!"
"Audrey, sweetheart, of course our grandchildren are…intelligent. I only meant that perhaps we should take a more formal route when dealing with business."
"Alright, then! Miss James," Mrs. Carter began dramatically, turning her attention to the young, slightly befuddled woman, then to her partner. "Mr. Scott." She eyed her husband with a look she had perfected over the last five decades.
"Oh, Lord," Mr. Carter breathed.
"How is business, Miss James? Mr. Scott?" Mrs. Carter asked in a stilted voice.
"Oh, alright, dear. You win," Mr. Carter rolled his eyes.
"Thank you, darling." Mrs. Carter smiled at her husband, the smile of a woman who knows she is in charge. "Now, as I was saying, how are things going for you beautiful children?"
"Everything's going very well, Mrs. Carter," Nathan answered smoothly.
"And, Haley, dearest? How is your transition to New York going? It can be quite difficult to move here from a small town, can't it? We did it ourselves, you know," Mrs. Carter smiled sympathetically.
"It's going pretty well so far, thank you, Mrs. Carter. Luckily my best friend moved with me, which has been helpful."
"I daresay it has. Well, sweetheart, you just let me know if there's anything you need, alright?" She reached across the table to pat Haley's hand lovingly.
"Darling?" Mr. Carter coughed. "Can we get on with the business now? Have you socialized enough?"
"Yes," Mrs. Carter smiled satisfactorily. "I have, thank you, dear."
Mr. Carter rolled his eyes again, but neither Nathan nor Haley missed the soft look he shot his wife before the four of them continued with business. After over an hour of work, Mr. Carter stood wearily from the table.
"Well, thank you again, Nathan, Haley," he said, shaking their hands. "Darling, I'm going to get the car. I'll meet you in the lobby, alright?" Mrs. Carter nodded her head and allowed her husband to kiss her cheek before departing.
"Such a sweetheart, that boy is," she said as she watched her husband hobble to the elevator. Nathan and Haley both bore somewhat dubious looks, since they imagined Mr. Carter had not been referred to as a 'boy' in over fifty years. "Now," she turned her attention to her young business associates. "You two certainly are acting differently from the last time I met you," she peered at Haley, then Nathan, then back at Haley. "Hmm, odd indeed. Haley, dear, you are certainly coming into your own with this business, aren't you? It's quite commendable, darling. You are a bright young thing, aren't you?" She smiled as Haley blushed. "But Nathan, you seem a bit haggard, love, like you've been drinking too much or something."
Nathan had the grace to look abashed while Haley stifled a giggle.
But Mrs. Carter held no judgment in her wise gaze. "Rough week, Nathan?" she questioned. "That's not all, though. No, you and Haley are acting differently toward each other, as well. I certainly hope there's been no falling out between you two." When she received no response, Mrs. Carter narrowed her gaze. "Now, I won't have you lovely young dears arguing! Look how beautiful you are! No, no, that just won't do!"
"Mrs. Carter," Haley entered swiftly. "Nathan and I aren't arguing. It's just been a busy week, that's all."
"Oh, bananas," Mrs. Carter waved that suggestion aside. "You're lying. I can tell. I'm old, sweetheart, and not dumb. Now," she brightened instantly. "I have just the idea! Why don't you two take a late lunch? We worked right through lunch, didn't we?" she consulted her watch. "Yes, you two go out to lunch and have a nice little talk. It's important for you to get along. I know it's hard, learning to work with someone new, but you'll be used to each other in no time! In fact, you go have lunch on Mr. Carter."
"Oh, no," Nathan and Haley both protested simultaneously.
"Yes, I insist. I'm making the reservations myself. For that little place down the block. Rolland's? Russo? Rolando?"
"Hollister's?" Haley guessed the only restaurant near the company as Nathan stifled a laugh.
"That's the one. They know us. Just hop on, you two," she gave Nathan a little push. "Come on, lead the way. Be a gentleman, Nathan!" she chastised. "Go on, now."
Nathan looked at Haley as if judging her opinion. The small blonde smiled warmly at Mrs. Carter, accepting her invitation. "Thank you," the pair said as they turned toward the elevator.
"You go on, dears, I just have a little more personal business to conduct here. Oh, Tom, there you are!" they heard her calling down the hall, "You aren't seeing anyone, are you? I have the most darling girl for you, Tom, honey. Here, here's her card. Now, you go ahead and call her. Go ahead, now, sweetheart. No, don't thank me; just invite me to the wedding. Oh, Molly, honey, there you are. I heard about you and Alex. He's scum. But do I have the boy for you. He's tall, dark, and rich, sweetheart. I'm having him take you out to lunch tomorrow. He's lovely, oh, honey, you two will click, I know it this time."
Haley shot Nathan a look as they boarded the elevator. "She is a hoot," she said, laughing at Mrs. Carter's behavior.
"I'm glad we're going out, though, Haley," Nathan admitted softly. "I actually have something to talk about with you."
"Oh?" Haley tried to swallow her nerves. But they only grew as they approached the restaurant and were led to their table. Once their drinks were ordered, and the waiter had left them alone, Nathan turned to Haley, a serious expression marring his features.
"I've been talking with my dad," Nathan began without preamble. "I was thinking," Nathan took a breath, "he might not be so nuts after all."
Haley eyed him, confused. "Maybe you're the one who's nuts for even suggesting that," she retorted.
"Fair enough," Nathan smirked. "Look, I asked him about the whole…you know…"
"Marriage thing?" Haley supplied.
"Yeah," Nathan answered gratefully. "And he made some valid points. Maybe…maybe this marriage idea isn't so loony after all."
Haley flared. "What are you talking about? Have you lost it? How is getting married for business not loony?" she whispered loudly.
"Well, maybe not married. Just engaged for a while. Look, Haley, I've been thinking about this for a while now, and…Will you be engaged to me?"
A/N: Oooh, cliffhanger. I know you probably all have some questions about this ending, but I promise, they will be answered in the next chapter. Fully and in depth, pinky swear. On a heavier note, I want to apologize to those of you who did not enjoy last chapter. The only way I really can tell if you guys like or dislike a chapter is by reviews, and the lack of response for last chapter makes me think you guys just didn't approve, and I'm truly sorry about that. I know that you are all waiting for Naley. But I didn't feel right just jumping from scene to scene without some explanations. I'm trying to make this story the best it can be, and I felt I couldn't do that by skipping the last chapter. I really appreciate those of you who continuously review, because it really does mean a lot to me. And I hope that those of you who ended the last chapter unhappily like this one more. But either way, I promise for some heavy-duty Naley soon…So please review and give me some feedback into what you liked or didn't like, so I can improve and this story can be better. Thank you and sorry for the long note!