Being a Schuyler was undoubtedly difficult. There was no question about it. And despite the fact that the media, money, and power may lead you to believe that the name was a one-way ticket to a life of opulence that couldn't be farther from the truth.
The name alone carried enough responsibility to break an adult. Let alone a kid but when you were born into a family such as this one you didn't have the luxury of experiencing a carefree childhood. When you were just a random child if you saw a puddle of mud you could jump in and get as messy as you wanted but if you were a Schuyler you got to look at a puddle of mud and imagine the fun you could be having. Keyword imagine. Meaning no actual playtime was physically happening. There was a list of rules that you had to follow whether you liked it or not. Rules such as you had to think before you spoke. Be aware of your boundaries. Stand up straight. Smile at all times. Have a firm handshake. Don't start unnecessary conflicts just to name a few. You learned from an early age that even though the financial, political, and career opportunities were endless the social ones were quite limited.
As a young child, Angelica didn't make friends easily because all of her friends were hand-selected. She learned French before she learned how to jump rope. She learned to depend on herself before others. And she learned the very hard lesson that not everyone had good intentions.
Angelica was a victim of the upper-class family dilemma. And just like any other beautiful, intelligent, well-dressed, affluent victim she handled herself with poise while pretending her problems didn't exist. That also happened to be what she was doing tonight.
Angelica's parents had appointed her as the hostess for her father's esteemed event, The Summer Gala. The gala was a high-profile party to celebrate the Schuyler Law Firms hard working employees but it was really just another chance for the elitists of New York to indirectly show just how much money they had. So while Margarita Schuyler showed off her latest pair of Louboutin heels and Elizabeth uncomfortably mingled, Angelica was left desperately searching for a way out of this party.
TO BE YOUNG AND IN LOVE.
"So that's when I realized that our summer home was just too small so John and I decided that it was about time to relocate from Seneca Falls to Albany and my god best decision we've ever made. I was surprised by how inexpensive the downpayment was. I mean for a 9,000 square foot house I was expecting a little more than what we paid but I guess there was really nothing else we could do about it."
"Wow, that's just so… interesting. "
That was another thing about being a hostess. Having to listen to all of your guests and act as if you actually cared what they have to say. Sometimes you got lucky and the attendees weren't that interested in talking to you either but other times you would come across guests who felt the need to tell you absolutely everything that was going on in their lives. One of those guests was Miss Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She and her husband were wealthy activists in the Albany area and while they were extremely polite and moral people Jesus could the woman talk. You could wave at her and she would take that as a sign to tell you about her friend's daughter, niece that had wedding last month but as much as she wanted to pull her hair out in frustration like most things Angelica knew better so instead she smiled, nodded and patiently waited for her guest to shut up.
"So John and I just couldn't decide if we wanted a spare bedroom or a spare bathroom because we had to pick one or the other for the renovations. Eventually, we chose the- ``Oh Catherine, hello."
Angelica turned to see her mother approaching the conversationalists, mimicking the same artificial smile Angelica was wearing.
"Elizabeth, good to see you again. How are you?"
"I'm wonderful. I was just telling Angelica about the renovations John and I had installed."
"Yes, I remember you telling me about your move from Seneca to Albany. By the way, how is John adjusting to the change of scenery? I know Seneca is so secluded."
"You know how husbands are. He doesn't want to go out and try anything. There are too many people, he says."
Catherine smirked fondly."
"Yes. I do remember John being quite the introvert."
Elizabeth nodded knowingly.
"That's my husband for you. So what can I do for you? Surely you didn't come over to just talk to me."
Catherine placed a delicate hand on Angelica's shoulder.
"I just need to steal her for a moment."
"Of course. Angelica, Catherine, good to see you again."
Catherine smiled in return.
"Enjoy the party."
Once Elizabeth was out of earshot both Angelica and Catherine sighed in relief.
"Good god. Does that woman ever stop talking?"
Catherine glanced over at her daughter in disapproval but couldn't hide her agreement.
"I need you to do me a favor."
Favors were a delicate matter when it came to Angelica's mother. Her favors varied from you running a few errands to jumping off a cliff. There was no in-between with this woman.
Angelica took a cautionary breath in before hesitantly asking -
"What."
Catherine scoffed. Probably at the thought of her daughter denying her request.
"Don't worry Angelica, I'm not asking you to commit arson. I just want you and your sisters to welcome the Washingtons. They've been here for 10 minutes and have yet to be given an appropriate thanks."
Angelica carefully broke away from her mother to look over the crowd. If the Washingtons were here there was one hell of a chance that so was Alexander.
Catherine glanced over at her daughter with curiosity.
"What are you so excited about?"
Angelica had two options here. Tell her mother the truth. The truth being that she may be kind of had a thing for her father's employee or she could go with option 2. Option 2 was a lie. Guess which one she chose.
"I'm not excited. I just want to say hi to Martha."
Catherine's eyebrow shot up in a perfect arch.
"What's so interesting about Martha?"
Good question. What was so good about Martha? Sure she was an extraordinary woman in her own way but Angelica had never shown interest in the woman till now. Angelica blurted the first thing that came into her head.
"Book recommendations."
"Book recommendations?"
"Yes. Um, I've heard she has great taste in books so I thought I might as well ask her for some suggestions."
"Angelica, when's the last time you actually picked up a book?"
The answer was rhetorical. They both knew it had been a significant amount of time since she voluntarily read anything longer than a news article.
"It's been a while but I want to commit to reading more. You know, strengthen my brain."
Catherine looked skeptical but didn't push the topic any further. Angelica was thankful for this.
Once they had made it to the family Angelica noticed that both her sisters were already conversing with two Washingtons and one Hamilton. Margret was invested in deep conversation with George and her father discussing why silk was superior over all other fabrics when it can to pantsuit material. While Margret was explaining trend-setting attire Eliza was exchanging baking recipes with Martha. It was honestly surprising just how likable Angelica's younger sister was. She had always been sweet, kind the characteristics we all aim to achieve but what set her aside from others was that it was natural. Sure Angelica could gain people's attention with a smile. And Margarita with the clearance of her throat but both skills were perfected over time. Ingenuine. For Eliza, all she had to do was open her mouth and people would see just how good-natured she was. Unfortunately, no one ever took the time to get to know her this well.
Angelica tore her attention away from her sisters and directed it to one of her favorite people. Alexander was standing behind the group. Silently standing in his dark blue tuxedo that happened to be extremely complimenting to his impressive figure. He was standing as if he was silently waiting for something to happen. Like he was just waiting for someone interesting to talk to. Or something intriguing to look at. Angelica wasn't quite sure what he was looking for but she saw no reason why she couldn't be the solution. Or at least couldn't speed up the process.
She politely excused herself from her mother so she could quietly sneak behind the unsuspecting culprit. Once she was close enough she looped her arm through his. Of course, Alexander turned to see what stranger had positioned themselves so close to himself but when he saw the woman responsible he was not disappointed.
Alexander gave a lopsided smile.
"Hey, you."
"Hey yourself."
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be playing hostess?"
Angelica scoffed.
"You should know better than anyone that I have a terrible work ethic."
"And how would I know that?"
"Because I'm coworkers with you dummy."
Alexander leaned in close enough that she could feel his breath on her shoulder.
and her father discussing why silk was superior over all other fabrics when it can to pantsuit material. While Margret was explaining trend-setting attire Eliza was exchanging baking recipes with Martha. It was honestly surprising just how likable Angelica's younger sister was. She had always been sweet, kind the characteristics we all aim to achieve but what set her aside from others was that it was natural. Sure Angelica could gain people's attention with a smile. And Margarita with the clearance of her throat but both skills were perfected over time. Ingenuine. For Eliza, all she had to do was open her mouth and people would see just how good-natured she was. Unfortunately, no one ever took the time to get to know her this well.
Angelica tore her attention away from her sisters and directed it to one of her favorite people. Alexander was standing behind the group. Silently standing in his dark blue tuxedo that happened to be extremely complimenting to his impressive figure. He was standing as if he was silently waiting for something to happen. Like he was just waiting for someone interesting to talk to. Or something intriguing to look at. Angelica wasn't quite sure what he was looking for but she saw no reason why she couldn't be the solution. Or at least couldn't speed up the process.
She politely excused herself from her mother so she could quietly sneak behind the unsuspecting culprit. Once she was close enough she looped her arm through his. Of course, Alexander turned to see what stranger had positioned themselves so close to himself but when he saw the woman responsible he was not disappointed.
Alexander gave a lopsided smile.
"Hey, you."
"Hey yourself."
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be playing hostess?"
Angelica scoffed.
"You should know better than anyone that I have a terrible work ethic."
"And how would I know that?"
"Because I'm coworkers with you dummy."
"Depends what the context of the situation is. In the traditional setting, your work ethic is questionable. But in other positions, I would say your impeccable-"
Angelica jumped up and slapped her hand over Alexander's oversharing mouth.
Obviously, the action caught the attention of everyone else in their little group so she needed a lie and needed one fast. Fortunately, her brain was accustomed to lying on the spot. Not the most virtuous skill but a helpful one nonetheless.
Martha was the first one to show any type of genuine concern. That's what Angelica liked about the woman. Not only was her imaginary book recommendation list extraordinary but she was incredibly empathetic. This was not the first and surely not the last time she wished Martha Washington were her mother.
"Everything okay?"
Yes, Everything is fine. I just telling Alexander that John Tyler wanted to meet him."
Philip Grimaced in distataste.
"That man is absolutely clueless. A damn fool. I honest to god-
Catherine placed her hand on his forearm to remind him of their surroundings. Philip frowned but reluctantly agreed.
"Say hello to the man but when he starts talking nonsense don't say I didn't tell you."
Angelica nodded before taking hold of Alexander's hand and walking away from her father.
"What the hell was that?"
Referring to his previous comment on work ethic.
Alexander shrugged.
"I'm just being honest. As you know honesty is the best policy."
Angelica rolled her eyes.
"Fuck your policy."
Alexander leaned in close enough that she could feel his breath on her shoulder.
Alexander grinned.
"Well, I'd be lying if I said you didn't look absolutely ravishing."
Angelica was wearing a black slip dress that stopped at her knees and did a wonderful job of showcasing her model-like legs. A trait she had inherited from her gorgeous mother. Her makeup was light but effective. Her mascara enhanced her eyelashes and the light lip tint she had on was complimenting her already pretty smile. It was true she looked wonderful but she felt like the prettiest girl in the world when Alexander noticed her.
Both adults easily fell into their preferred banter while Angelica supposedly led Alexander to meet one important man or another.
Unsurprisingly Angelica did not visit John Tyler. She didn't like the man very much either. Instead, she led Alexander to the terrace. Technically it was off-limits but she was a Schuyler and that entailed being able to bend a few rules.
Alexander noticed pretty early on that Angelica no longer had the desire to play hostess but rather spend all of her remaining time goofing off with him and he was 100% ready to be a part of whatever scheme she conjured up in that beautiful mind of hers.
"So what do you plan on doing on this very high, very restricted terrace."
Angelica shrugged before seamlessly pulling out a very expensive bottle of ros`e wine.
"What's wrong Hamilton, scared of heights."
"No, just your father."
"Ha! You're scared of him."
"He's an intimidating man."
Angelica popped the cork off of the wine bottle allowing it to fall down to the streets below.
"No, he's a man with money and an ego."
"Sounds intimidating."
"Sounds like a facade."
Alexander reached over to grab the bottle from Angelica's hold.
"Don't you put on a facade?"
Was he right? Yes. Would she ever admit to it? Chances were low.
"It's not a facade, I just know my audience."
"And who's in your audience?"
"What do you mean?"
She was becoming aggravated now. Who did this incredibly charming man think he was? Asking her emotionally challenging questions she didn't want answers to. If he noticed her change in mood he didn't care.
"I mean your audience are people you aim to please. So who are they enemies, adoring fans? Love interests."
Angelica huffed while thinking
"I guess my audience is everyone because I want to be liked by everyone."
"Why?"
"I don't know Alexander. I just do"
"You should probably fix that."
Angelica rolled her eyes.
"Oh yes because that's so easy to do."
"I never said it was easy. I just said you should do something about it. I mean I could always help."
Angelica laughed and pushed him away.
'Get away from me."
"Aww you're not pushing me out are you. I thought you liked me."
"Like you? oh no Hamilton I absolutely despise you."
"More than you hate John Tyler?"
"I don't know if I dislike you that much."
"That's all I needed to hear."
For about the next hour the pair continued to talk about John Tyler, work, and anything else that just seemed like it needed to be talked about. About halfway through their little party another one of the guests had come out to explain that Catherine wanted Angelica to get off the terrace and socialize. In other words, she needed to deal with insufferable people.
Angelica thanked the guest before turning to look at Alexander.
"Oh, Jesus. I don't want to go!"
"So don't."
"What?"
Alexander shrugged.
"Let's go. If you hate it so much, why stay?"
Angelica looked back at Alexander as though he were crazy. Which to tell the truth a part of him probably was.
"Alexander, I can't just leave. I'm the fucking host! My parents would go ballistic. I-
Alexander took hold of Angelica's shoulders to gain her undivided attention.
"Angelica, in the kindest way possible screw these people. In ten years do you want to remember this night as the one where you did something a little stupid with a dashingly handsome young man or the night where you wasted an entire night with people you loath"
Angelica looked back out at the party hesitantly. Silently weighing her options. It took all of 5 seconds to make her decision. Angelica turned back to look at Alexander with a smile that screamed trouble.
"Let's go."
Alexander stared back at her in disbelief. As if had expected her to decline his offer. She was a little disappointed. She thought he knew her better than that.
"What made you change your mind?"
Angelica nodded towards the bottle of alcohol in her hand.
"This wine. I hate ros`e."
With that Angelica seized Alexander's hand and they snuck out of the suffocating party, took things from the coat check that definitely didn't belong to them, and searched for ways to make time pass faster than it already did. It didn't take them long to decide on an almost vacant bar where they knew the drinks would be cheap and the service terrible.
TO BE YOUNG AND IN LOVE
"No way, you're serious?"
"Drop dead."
"So you're telling me that your celebrity crush is Pee-Wee Herman?"
"Absolutely. If anyone who looked remotely close to Mr. Herman walked in this bar I would gladly leave with him. Hell, he just has to have the suit and I would be content."
"Jesus Christ. What is wrong with you Hamilton?"
"I could give you a list Schuyler."
Angelica rolled her eyes.
"Please don't, it would be too long and I have a game to win."
When both adults had found their desired bar they realized they wouldn't be happy just drinking and talking. No, both individuals were too complex for that. Instead, they had come up with some type of drinking game that both parties agreed was the best way to pass the time. The rules of the game were simple. One person would ask the other a question. The person could choose to either answer or deny the question. If the individual answered the question they got a point. If they chose to not answer then they had to take a shot. Whoever had the least amount of shot glasses by the end of the night was the winner. The prize was yet to be determined.
"Don't get too confident, the night's not over yet ."
"Okay, okay that's fair but if I answer this question I win, so pick wisely Hamilton. What do you want to ask me?"
Alexander clicked his tongue in thought. She noticed he did that when he was thinking. After a few seconds of silence, he turned towards Angelica.
"My question is have you ever been in love."
Angelica choked out a surprised laugh.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"I heard you. I'm just giving you a chance to change your question."
"Oh no Schuyler I'm standing by my question. You know you don't have to answer. That just means I win."
Angelica frowned. She could either opt-out and lose or answer a very personal question and win a non-existent prize.
"Yes."
Alexander smiled. He knew that she would answer his question. She hated losing but he wanted to see how far she would be willing to go.
"How many times?"
"More than I count."
"What's the highest you've counted?"
The highest number she had ever counted to was 451 in the second grade. How she remembered this random piece of knowledge she may never know.
"451."
"So you've been in love over 450 times?"
"Depends on what you classify as love."
"Love is the feeling you get when you see someone and you have a sudden urge to throw up."
Well, that dropped her number from 450 to 3.
"Okay, so I've only been in love twice. "
She wasn't quite ready to share her feeling with the man in front of her just yet
"Who were they?"
Alexander was pushing his limits.
You want to know who they were?"
"Of course. If you're gonna win this game you're gonna win if fairly."
"Fine. The first guy I've ever loved was Thomas Jefferson."
"Thomas Jefferson!"
Alexander made a disgusted face.
"Yes."
"Angelica out of all the guys you could've chosen to fall in love with, you chose that guy."
"First of all, he's not that bad of a guy, and second let me finish."
Alexander Hamilton had only met Thomas Jefferson once. The first time being when he and Angelica were walking out of work and waiting for her ride. They had expected to have at least three minutes to talk but as soon as they walked onto the pavement Thomas Jefferson had pulled up. Alexander walked Angelica to the car and even though they hadn't exchanged more than a few cold glances they had decided they weren't fond of each other.
"We had met through family friends. Talked at a few functions, you know meet a person and over time you learn to love that person." If you were wondering whatever happened to this blooming romance you would have to have a good amount of time on your hands. "He and I worked really well for a while. He worked while I went to school and then we would meet in the middle at home. It was a give a little take a little type of relationship. Until it turned to a give nothing, take too much. And it wasn't just him or just me. Both parties were responsible. The problem we kept running into was loyalty. He would always want to know where I was, who I was with when I would be coming back, and so on and so forth. As you can imagine I didn't react well to constantly being under a microscope so I retaliated. I would go out without telling him, ignore his calls, and this eventually just built up tension. I can't give you the exact moment when we both knew it was over but I can tell you we both knew the reason. When a friend is overprotective about you it's because they care. When a partner is, it's because they don't trust you. And what's a relationship without trust"
Alexander watched Angelica with an inquisitive stare.
"And the second one."
Angelica twisted in her barstool to face Alexander in all his drunken glory.
"The second love of my life was the most confusing."
"And why's that?"
"Because she's the craziest woman I've ever met."
"Crazier than me?"
"I would describe you as eccentric. Not crazy."
"Ahh yes because eccentric doesn't sound half as bad a s crazy."
Angelica threw two lazy finger guns in his direction.
"Bingo."
"Tell me Schuyler what made her so interesting."
"The way I met her."
"The way you met her?" Alexander repeated the question slowly. Almost like he was expecting more of a story.
"Yes."
"How'd you meet her?"
"You want to guess?"
"Bar?"
"No."
Club?"
"Try again."
"How about at work."
"That's just too incredibly cliche."
"So are you saying you and I are cliche?"
"Of course I am. If not cliche what else are we."
"Eccentric?"
Angelica winked.
"Always."
"So tell me, how did you meet her?"
"I met her at Mcdonalds."
"You're lying!"
"I swear to god. I was at a Mcdonald's and I was in front of her. And I can't tell you how but I was 79 cents short and was literally having a mental breakdown because I desperately needed that burger. You see I had just finished midterms, hadn't consumed anything more than RedBull for about three days and I had convinced myself that a big mac was the only thing that would satisfy me. Thankfully she walked up and gave me the 79 cents. After that, we started seeing each other. First as friends and then as something more. Unfortunately, as you know not all relationships are meant to last and this was just one of them."
Angelica reached for their shared vodka bottle. The term shared being used loosely.
"She was the right person, at the wrong time."
Alexander nodded.
"Yeah, sometimes that happens. If you could, would you do it over?"
Angelica shook her head.
"Nah."
"Why not?"
"Because with her I never won any drinking games."
Angelica raised her glass, projecting her victory to the three people in the bar.
" I the great Alexander Schuyler has won!"
The alcohol was finally running through her system making her sentences incomprehensible. To the point where she had merged her own name with someone else's. But she didn't mind. She answered the question and as a result, she won the game. Now all she had to do was claim her prize.
"So what's my prize?"
Alexander clapped his hands together to build suspense.
"Your prize is that you get an overnight stay at my apartment."
"That's my wonderful prize."
"Yes ma'am."
Angelica beamed. She couldn't imagine wanting anything else.
Alexander took out his hand for her to take. Angelica gladly returned the gesture.
That night Angelica Schuyler spent the night at Alexander Hamilton's apartment slowly but surely falling deeper in love. What she didn't know was that like all things love had its own consequences.
