AUTHORS NOTE: I know that there are a few of you who have never read the Crossfire series and I just wanted to quickly point out that I have altered the story slightly as in the Crossfire series Elizabeth (Gideon's mother) never told Chris about what had happened to Gideon and he only found out when Eva told him, resulting in Chris divorcing Elizabeth and supporting Gideon. I pretty much followed the way things panned out in canon in my other crossover story which is the main reason for altering it in this one and offering a different scenario.
CHAPTER 61
(ANA)
I make my way out of the Crossfire into the bright sunshine of the New York day. I pause as I look round and take a deep breath. That incident with Chris has got to me more than I can articulate at the moment. I feel so angry on Gideon's behalf that his own family have treated him so shabbily. My own mother isn't the greatest and what Gideon went through and is currently going through takes me back to my own experiences.
"Mrs Grey?" I look up and see Taylor looking at me carefully. I smile at him and hold up my hand.
"Just give me a moment Jason" I say and he nods and waits patiently for me to gather myself.
I like Gideon, in the short time I have known him I have developed a deep affection for him and I vow there and then that I won't stand by idly and let his family treat him so badly. As I am thinking this, I see Chris Vidal exit the Crossfire and as he does so he spots me and he glares at me coldly. I hold up my hand again to Taylor who is now on full alert and I march towards Chris who clearly isn't expecting me to do that and seems taken aback by my rather confrontational demeanour.
"You are the most diabolical excuse of a human being I have ever had the misfortune to come into contact with" I say as I point my finger at him.
"How dare you" he splutters angrily but I wave his comment away dismissively and continue with my tirade.
"Blaming Gideon for your lack of parental concern and complete negligence is beyond low. I have always said that there are people out there who should never have children. You and Elizabeth are prime examples who completely validate that opinion and in the worst way possible. What are you afraid of Chris? Are you afraid now that Ireland knows the truth and knows what you two did to her brother she will rock the boat? Are you worried that she will put a dent in the carefully crafted façade of a model family? That she will cause a scene, and expose you both as the heartless bastards you really are? Well, I for one hope she does – I hope that she kicks up the biggest shitstorm ever and exposes you two for what you truly are, because it's nothing more than you deserve after what you have done to Gideon".
Before he can say anything in response I turn and step into the car which Taylor is standing beside. I close my eyes and wait for Taylor to join me. I open my eyes as he climbs into the car and I notice he is texting as he does so. I am guessing that he is informing Christian of what I have just done.
When he has finished, he places his phone into the hands-free device and starts the engine, then he pauses. "Is everything ok?" he asks me as he looks at me through the rear-view mirror and I nod as I take a deep breath.
"I'm fine, I feel better now I've got that off my chest" I say with a grin.
Taylor nods and with that he effortlessly pulls out into the New York traffic. About twenty minutes later we pull up at a modern and stylish hotel. I climb out and look up at the building. This is where I have arranged to meet the author who may or may not be Corrine Giroux. Part of me hopes it is as the way I am currently feeling she is also going to get both barrels if she thinks she can try and manipulate me to get closer to Gideon. I smile at the receptionist as I walk inside, I had arranged to meet the author here and as soon as Gideon discovered that fact, he had called the hotel which inevitably turned out to be one of his and arranged for a conference room to be available for me.
"Good morning, I'm Ana Grey of Grey Publishing and I am due to meet someone here today for a meeting. I should have a conference room booked for that meeting?" I say and the girl nods and taps on the computer in front of her before smiling brightly at me.
"Yes, Mrs Grey you have the Monarch Conference suite at your disposal and I'll get someone to show you where it is" she says politely.
"Thank you, but I think I'll wait here for my visitor to arrive if you don't mind?" I say as I point to the comfortable looking seating area.
The receptionist nods and smiles brightly at me, "That's absolutely fine Mrs Grey, would you like some refreshment while you wait?" she asks and I shake my head.
"No thank you" I reply politely.
I go and sit down and pulling out my phone I check the photograph that Gideon had given me of Corrine so I will know immediately if it is Corrine when the author arrives. I push my phone into my bag and smile at Taylor who is sitting a few feet away just observing.
As I wait, I watch the world go by. I like people watching seeing the different people coming and going about their business. The business people in a rush and most of them glued to cell phones as they conduct business as they walk. The tourists who wander about at a more sedate and relaxed pace and then the hotel staff who are ensuring the smooth running of the hotel. As I idly watch I suddenly freeze as a familiar looking tall willowy woman with incredibly long dark hair steps into the hotel. She is dressed smartly, yet conservatively. She looks nervously around and then makes her way to the reception desk. I pull out my phone once more and check the photograph and as I do so my heart sinks, as I already knew it is Corrine Giroux. I pretend that I haven't seen her and continue to peer at my phone until a moment later when a hotel employee who is escorting her towards me clears his throat.
"Mrs Grey" he says politely and I look up and smile.
I quickly stand and accept the outstretched hand Corrine is holding out towards me. "Caroline Hamilton" she says and I almost snort at that but I smile politely as I shake her hand.
"Ana Grey, shall we?" I say as I wave my hand towards the hotel employee who is waiting patiently.
Corrine nods as we follow the hotel employee to a conference room which he opens up for us and explains that if we need anything to just dial 0 on the nearby telephone and someone will answer and help us.
I glance at his badge, "Thank you David" I say and he smiles and nods before leaving us alone.
I walk in and take in my surroundings of the very pleasant room. I see the large desk and moving towards it I pull out a seat and I sit down. Corrine follows and takes a seat on the opposite side of the table. Taylor slides unobtrusively into the room and sits down in the corner. Corrine glances at him, noticing him for the first time and frowns slightly.
"That is Jason, security. My husband insists," I say with a shrug by way of explanation. "Just pretend he isn't there" I add as I shoot Taylor a grin. I watch as amusement fills his face but he doesn't say anything.
I turn my attention back to Corrine. I am debating whether to play along or simply call her out right now. I decide to go for the former for the time being, and see how things pan out. I pull out my notepad and flick through the pages until I find the preliminary notes I had made on her.
"So…" I begin, "I think the first thing I need to ask is do you have some sort of manuscript for me so that I can determine if this is something that Grey Publishing can use?" I say not beating around the bush as while I am going to see how things develop, I'm not about to waste my time unnecessarily.
Corrine nods but doesn't say anything. She looks nervous as she swallows hard and reaches into her bag and pulls out a book and places it on the table. She sets her hand over it hesitating for a moment before pushing it towards me. I thank her as I take it and I quickly start to skim read the opening chapters. I inwardly cringe as I read it as it really isn't good, she definitely isn't talented in the writing department. She waits patiently as I read and as I do so I can immediately visualise who everyone is in this work of fiction. It is so close to what I have been told about what had actually happened and yet so different... so biased towards her interpretation of events.
After skimming to about half way I close the book, I've seen enough. I push it back towards Corrine. "I'm sorry Ms Hamilton but I don't think this is something which Grey publishing would be interested in handling" I say.
Corrine looks shocked, "But…" she begins and I shake my head.
"No, I'm sorry - to begin with, from what I have read it is very poorly constructed and badly written so it would take too much work to produce anything of a standard worth publishing and from what I already know about it, it is a weak story" I explain. I see the anger flash in her eyes at the way I am dismissing her work.
As she goes to open her mouth to protest, I hold up my hand, and decide to let her know I know who she really is. "However, the main reason I am declining it is because I don't like being lied to or being manipulated" I say mildly.
I watch as the anger vanishes in a flash replaced by fear as she realises that I know who she is.
"I'm not sure I understand" she says eventually as she tries to bluff her way out of the situation.
I let out an unladylike snort and shake my head, "Look, cut the crap I know exactly who you are… Corrine" I say bluntly and as I do so I watch her stiffen.
"What exactly were you hoping to achieve by doing this?" I ask as I am interested to find out what her angle is, as for the life of me I can't place what it actually is. There could be a few different reasons but I'm fairly certain the main one is revenge and a plan to try and hurt Eva and Gideon.
This whole situation painfully reminds me of the way Frank had tried to manipulate me with his attempts at getting me to publish his story, but that was a different scenario completely and I quickly push it from my mind and concentrate on the woman in front of me.
I watch as her hands ball into fists. "I love him", she mutters quietly and I sigh at that. As I go to respond she looks up at me with a slightly unhinged look in her eyes and quite unexpectedly she thumps the table. "He is mine and she stole him from me!" she shouts taking me by surprise. Ok batshit crazy it is then. I glance at Taylor and see he is texting furiously and I know he is telling Christian what is happening.
I stand and push my notepad into my bag as I make the decision to leave. You cannot reason with crazy and deluded so there is no point in even trying.
"This meeting is over Mrs Giroux, Grey Publishing won't be handling your novel and I suggest you forget about trying to get it published as to put it bluntly you are not an author".
She leaps to her feet and starts ranting and waving her hands like some kind of deranged lunatic. I simply turn to leave and as I do so I am stopped by her shout.
"SHE STOLE HIM FROM ME, THAT BITCH STOLE HIM!" she screeches, and I spin on the spot and glare at her.
"Mrs Grey" Taylor says warningly and I hold up my hand to silence him.
"I think you need to get a grip on reality lady" I say coldly and Corrine stills and stares at me in shock and it is when I see that reaction that it hits me, I realise that she thinks that I don't know the details of what happened between her and Gideon. I take a step towards her and decide to test that theory.
"I can't decide if you are simply bat shit crazy and deluded or simply can't handle the fact Gideon has moved on" I say and I watch her waiting for a reaction. I clearly see the incensed offence when I called her crazy and deluded and that nails it for me and I now know instantly what her angle is, she isn't crazy or deluded – she is simply completely consumed with jealousy to the point of not caring that she is degrading herself with this pointless charade, so I decide to put a stop to it once and for all and go for the kill.
"So, you are just a pathetic jealous ex who can't handle the fact the man she tried to previously manipulate has moved on, and you are looking to exact some revenge for that and you tried to use me as the sister of the woman who Gideon moved on with to try and twist the knife a bit more" I say. I see I have hit the nail on the head as Corrine's eyes open impossibly wide and she opens and shuts her mouth like a goldfish.
I take another step closer to her and it is with a degree of satisfaction that she takes a step back. I lean towards her and wave my finger at her. "Let's get a few things straight here Corrine. Firstly, and most importantly you left Gideon, admittedly it was to try and make him jealous and come after you but that backfired spectacularly on you, didn't it? When he didn't do what you wanted him to do. So, you had no choice but to marry a man who you didn't love". I pause and I see her eyes widen again, "Yes Corrine, I know all about you and what actually happened between you and Gideon" I say.
I watch her purse her lips at that remark but I carry on speaking, "Secondly, my sister did not steal anyone. Gideon did all the chasing in that relationship and let me tell you, my sister made him work for it". I grin as I say that as I recall what Eva had told me about the origins of their relationship. Thirdly, you have really pissed me off with this futile farce you have constructed. You should know that I don't like being manipulated. Trying to get me to publish something that will hurt my sister and brother-in-law is really not a good move on your part… and besides, it was also a complete waste of my time and yours as it has to be competently written for me to even consider it and let me assure you – that, is not! You my dear are not an author and so you are very lucky that I hadn't rearranged anything or made any special plans to be here today or I would've been severely pissed". I say as I wave my hand derisively at the notebook on the table".
I see the anger once more in her eyes, "You will regret this" Corrine says and I stare her down coldly.
"Is that a threat? Are you seriously threatening me – in front of witnesses?" I ask and I watch as she shifts uncomfortably and glances at Taylor and then she simply sags as if she suddenly realises there is no way out of this.
I continue to stare at her, I know that I am intimidating her and making her even more uncomfortable, it is a trick I learnt from Christian and have seen him use before and I am putting it to good use as Corrine cannot make eye contact with me now.
I sigh and take pity on her, and when I speak again it is with a kinder and softer tone, but the words I speak are still brutally honest. "You need to let it go. He never totally loved you, he was relieved when you broke off the engagement and left him as you gave him the way out, that he was desperately looking for. You were drifting apart and he was pulling away from you looking for a way to end it and you provided it for him with your actions. He is a good man and he didn't want to hurt you as he had genuine affection for you, but not love. However, Gideon loves my sister with all his heart and he won't stand by and let you hurt her in any way and let me be clear, neither will I. You need to give it up, you were not meant to be. Get on with your life and find someone who will love you as you deserve to be loved".
Corrine doesn't say anything so I pick up my bag and nod at Taylor who moves towards the door and as I follow him I hear a sob and turn to see Corrine collapse in a flood of tears. She sits down with a thud and rests her head on her arms on the table and cries.
Now, I am torn. I don't want to leave someone in obvious distress and yet I don't think my intervention would be welcome. I think this reaction is because the truth of the situation has finally hit her. I turn to leave and as I do so I hear a small voice.
"Mrs Grey", I turn back and Corrine is looking at me. "I… I'm sorry" she whispers and I nod.
"Apology accepted" I say simply, "Just let it go… let him go, and salvage your dignity by getting on with your life" I say and with that I leave the room and close the door behind me.