A little intermission piece while I rework the last chapter. I didn't like how it started going. But here's what happened the morning after!
Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring
Groaning, Jareth rolled over onto his back and reached blindly towards the nightstand. A slight whimper escaped Sarah's swollen lips as she sought his warmth, wrapping her arm around his torso. A smile crossed his lips and he leaned down, kissing her forehead. Her nose scrunched up before she settled back into sleep.
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!
Swearing to fire whoever was daring to call this early (it was just past sunrise for goodness' sake!), Jareth grabbed his phone off the top of the shredded remains of Sarah's dress. "What? What is it? This had better be life or death."
"Aren't you chipper this morning, Jareth Alasdair," answered Adelia King sarcastically. "This is the fifth time I've called you this morning. Care to explain why you won't answer your dear mother?"
Glancing around at the torn apart room and beautiful woman at his side, Jareth decided to choose his words carefully. "I slept in, Mother. That's not the end of the world."
"You? Sleeping in by choice? You're going to have to do better than that, my boy. Your father was telling me that you abruptly left last night with that secretary of yours. Explain yourself, Jareth."
The man sighed as he settled back into the pillows, his hand caressing Sarah's dark brown curls. "Mother, must I explain my love life to you? Or do you believe I arrived by stork?"
There was a silence before Adelia King shakenly asked, "Love life? Jareth, did you bed that girl?"
"That girl, as you so rudely put it, will be my wife and your daughter-in-law," Jareth snapped, tightening his hold on Sarah. She threw her around him in her slumber, adjusting herself before stilling once again. "I suggest you start bearing that in mind when you address her."
"She can't be," Adelia declared. "You're set to marry Claudia Von Brassovelt."
Ice shot through his chest at his mother's words and all time stopped momentarily. The Von Brassovelts had suggested such a thing but his father hadn't ruled for or against it. "That's not possible, Mother. I'm not a child you can just marry off. I'm 31. And Father would never-"
"I agreed to the terms. I am a shareholder in this company as well though you two do forget so often."
"...Why would you do such a thing?"
"It would revolutionize the world. We will lose the battle to coal and gas if we don't figure out a way to make our products more accessible and we can do so with Brassovelt Industries. Your Father and you have been hesitating too much for my liking. The Kings have always done what's necessary to push forward and why would something like marriage be the thing we balk at? I expect you to conduct your duty, Jareth."
Swearing, Jareth sat up. He laid Sarah down gently before turning his gaze back to the phone in his white knuckle grip. "I agreed to no such thing, Mother. You have lost your mind if you think I'll leave Sarah for this scheme of yours."
"You don't have a choice, my boy. Either you marry Claudia, or Sarah loses everything. Think of how far she's come since her internship; imagine if she lost all of it. Her father works for one of our companies, doesn't he? And that brother of hers just made the varsity team, didn't he? Such a shame if he wouldn't be able to continue. Or if they lost their home, would it?"
The image of Sarah's tear filled green eyes flashed through his mind and Jareth swore. "You can't do this. I won't forgive you."
"I like the girl, Jareth. But emotions can't be a part of business. The office is for work, not feelings."
"What do you want me to do?"
"The press conference is at 12 at Elixir. Be there and be prepared to meet Miss Claudia. She's quite infatuated with you. Leave the girl there and I'll have someone drive her home. And don't say a word of my little threat, son. I'll know if you do. See you soon!"
Jareth stared at the phone before tossing it against the wall. The crash startled Sarah awake and she jerked up into a sitting position. "What was that! Is that your phone? Is something the matter, Jareth? Jareth?"
"I have to go. David will drive you home," he said blankly, rising from the bed. Sarah reached her arm out and grabbed his elbow.
"Wait! I wanted to talk to you about last night-"
"You don't have to apologize for your actions, Miss Williams. Let's pretend the whole thing didn't occur."
"Apologize? Jareth, I said I love you. We did...we spent the night together," she sniffled, bringing the sheets up to cover herself. Her eyes stared at him, so hopeful and loving.
"It's such a shame then that I don't believe you," he mocked, dressing with his back to her. He would fall into pieces if he stared into those emeralds. Once he was dressed ihn his white shirt and trousers, he picked up his phone and tossed a robe at her. "There's a spare change of clothes in the closet for you. Have David take you to a nice place for lunch."
"Jareth! You can't be serious! Why are you acting this way?" She cried, rubbing her tears away with her palms. "Please, just stay and talk to me! How could you not believe me, especially after everything we did?!"
Don't turn around. Don't do it. This is for her. "You don't mean it so don't pretend like you do."
With that, Jareth King left his master bedroom and his heart behind as Sarah continued weeping into the sheets where they made love just hours before.