This takes up where the last fic left off. In the last one and this one there is no NC-17 material. But the next will have NC-17 material. Just wanted to warn you.
************************************
After landing, they rode a cab to the apartment. It was situated in Greenwich Village, not too far from Washington Park yet far enough where it was still not cheap. And from the looks of it, the building looked to be about 8 stories tall. Once the cab stopped, they got out and entered the building. And two doormen and the cabbie got all of their bags together and took them inside. The cabbie then put them down, got paid and left.
While entering, Chandler had to use a pass key to enter the building, as well as Joey and Phoebe. Chandler then introduced Monica to three doormen and the person in charge of security. It was then that Monica found out that Chandler owned the building and the doormen and the security officer jumped at the chance to do what ever he said.
They then took her picture and issued her an ID and gave her three keys, one to the outside of the building one to the elevator that was used on the penthouse while everyone else just rode the elevator up and then the last one that opened the gym. Without any questions or problems at all since Chandler was the one who signed their paychecks. They just saw the ring on her finger and since Chandler explained that she was with him, they quickly gave her access to the building. Without even looking into her background, which they did for the other tenants.
Two of the doormen took their bags to the apartment via the elevators. The elevator didn't take that long to reach the top. But to get it to go to that height, Chandler had Monica to insert one of her keys inside a special lock on the control panel to get them to the top floor. And as soon as the elevator did, it opened unto a hallway, a small hallway, about the size of two walk in closets, with four doors. One of which said stairs. Which was the one by the elevators. While two or 18 and 19 stood beside each other, they stood opposite number twenty. And from the looks of it, they took up the entire top of the building.
While Joey went into 19 and Phoebe went into 18, Chandler led her into the left apartment that said on the door '20' with the doormen right behind carrying their bags. Once they entered, Monica was really surprised of how much room there was, but she was shocked of how awful it was decorated.
Nothing really matched. It was thrown together with no sense of what would match and what wouldn't. Most of it was black newer designs with clean cut lines and then there was furniture that looked like it came from a garage sale or good will store. Like a beat up couch and an easy chair. And there were pizza boxes everywhere, not to mention trash and dust was laying everywhere as where clothes that were thrown about.
Monica just stood there with a look of horror on her face. Wasn't this guy rich? Couldn't he at least afford a decorator or even a maid for that matter?
Seeing the look on his face, Phoebe, who just returned from her apartment, approached her. "It is awful. Isn't it? Well, maybe you can convince him to get different furniture and to get the apartment cleaned. But if you think this is bad, wait until you see Joey's."
"Should I wear a protection suit when I enter his apartment?" Monica joked.
"After seeing it, you might want to get a tetanus shot." Phoebe responded to her.
"Hey, everything is precisely in the place where I can find it at." Chandler defended his …system. "And now on to the tour…."
He then gave Monica the tour which included showing her where the kitchen was, the dining room and breakfast area that had a counter that separated the breakfast nook and the kitchen and had four barstools around it. The living and family room, the game room which had a pool table and a foosball table and his different games in there. An extra room where he had his guitar at and his CD player and his CD library. He then showed her where his bedroom was as well as hers and the guest room at.
Finally arriving at the doors that led outside to the balcony and the roof. "And those doors lead to the balcony and the roof. That is where Phoebe does her gardening. Truth is with how much time she works for me, I do not know when she finds the time for her hobby." He then shrugged. "I suppose that you will want to get settled in…"
"That sounds nice. And a bath to ease my muscles will be great and maybe a nap." Monica yawned.
"Ok, I have some work to do anyway…." Chandler then turned his attention to Phoebe. "Phoebe, I need you to concentrate your efforts on the Coupler File. We need to get that game so that we can start mass distributing it…" Monica did not wait around, she was walking toward her bedroom and bath.
She then went in and unpacked, getting her pajamas out that she had collected from her old apartment, as well as some underwear and her robe. After walking into her bathroom, she filled up the sunken whirlpool marble bath tub. Hmm, no oils or bubble bath. She would have to get some while she was out next time. She looked out the window and saw the New York skyline in the distance. The view was breathtaking! It felt great being home. She then took off her clothes and got in.
She stayed in the bath until the water got cold, got out and dried herself off. After drying herself off, she looked in the mirror and was amazed at what looked back at her. She looked totally different. She did not look like a street walker, she almost looked like her old self before she was pushed out on her own. She then smiled and put on her Pjs and underwear and then entered the bedroom with her robe and climbed into bed, where she fell into a deep and satisfying sleep.
She woke up half an hour later and got dressed. She thought that maybe some coffee would help wake her up. Maybe there was some coffee around someplace. Before she entered the kitchen on her search for the bean, Phoebe greeted her from the couch.
"Hi, Monica." Phoebe, who had been reading a book of holistic medicines, put it down and patted the couch. "Come and sit down so that we can talk."
Monica smiled and sat down where she was indicated to. "So you are into alternative healing."
"Oh, yes. You see, I was on the streets singing with my guitar, that was what I used to do for a living, when I met Chandler. He and Joey were walking by and they saw me literally singing for my supper. You see, not everyone appreciated my singing talent or my writing talent. But, Chandler and Joey did. They stopped for a bit and listened. Chandler noticed that no one was giving me any money and also to the effect that the shop owner that I was singing in front of came out to tell me to leave. As I was getting my guitar, case and what money I had gathered up, Chandler was talking to Joey. He then asked me my name and if I wanted to go and work for him as an assistant. Which included benefits, much the same as yours. Travel, clothes, an apartment and I got to go to college. An holistic college. I majored in massage therapy and in minored in herbal medicinal history." Phoebe told Monica a bit about herself. "You see, I grow a lot of what I eat and my medicines on the roof. I am a vegetarian." Phoebe explained proudly. Are you?"
"No. But I knew a girl that was a long time ago that I went to high school with." Monica informed her new friend.
"Would you like to go and see her?" Phoebe asked.
"We were not friends. I knew of her, but that was it. I only had one real friend when I was in school. Now, we would never get along." Monica stated sadly.
"Oh, I see." Phoebe was starting to feel a bit protective of this girl.
"Tell me a bit about Joey." Monica wanted to know as she started sitting cross legged on the couch.
"Joey is Chandler's best friend. He is the only son of a family with seven children. His mother is a housewife, his father is a plumber. Joey wanted to be an actor. And he needed a place to live, so he became Chandler's new
Roommate soon after Chandler graduated from NYU. They became the best of friends. Knowing everything about the other. And Joey is very protective of Chandler." Phoebe explained. "Especially since what happened last time with that GIRL!!!"
"Protective?" Monica inquired. "Why, what happened?"
"That is for Chandler to tell you." Phoebe explained.
"Where is Chandler anyway?" Monica asked.
"He and Joey went out to buy a new game." Phoebe then elaborated. "From it's designer. So that Chandler's company could mass market it. That is what his company does. Chandler pays the game's designers a fair price and then his company makes the games, mass distributes them and also advertises them. Chandler also makes sure that the designers of the games get fair billing. Their names always end up right under the company logo."
"I see." Monica then asked. "So when will they be back?"
"Missing Chandler already?" Phoebe grinned.
"Well…no. He is a very nice guy and I can not stop laughing when I am around him." Monica explained.
"He has that effect on everybody. I just wish that he had better sense when it came to choosing girlfriends." Phoebe then stopped. "So do you want a tour of my garden? It is divided up into three parts, an herb garden, a flower garden and a vegetable garden." Phoebe and Monica then got up and went to the garden. That night, everyone went to see a movie.
The next day, Monica woke up around ten thirty. She was still very tired. She was used to sleeping until two or three o clock in the afternoon because of her past work. She slowly got up out of bed and made her way to the front room. Phoebe was sitting on a mat on the floor doing yoga and listening to dolphins on CD.
"Good morning, Monica." Phoebe smiled at Monica.
"Morning." Monica yawned.
"Didn't sleep good?" Phoebe asked.
"I am kind of used to stay up all night." Monica explained.
"Tonight I can brew you some tea so you can sleep." Phoebe offered. "It is a natural way for you to fall asleep."
"Thanks. I think I will take you up on that offer. Where are the guys?" Monica asked looking around.
"Meeting with Chandler's attorney's to wrap up the deal. He left me here…."
"To keep an eye on me." Monica jumped in.
"No. To take you shopping or anywhere you want to go." Phoebe explained. "You see I can get you in exclusive stores and other places. Like a place to eat. Like the rainbow room. Or the back part of the stores at Bloomingdale's and Macy's that deal with only certain people. Now, what would you like to do?"
"Anything I want?" Monica asked with a smile.
"Well, within reason." Phoebe smiled back.
"I want to go to get something to eat, maybe at a Chinese restaurant I could do for some moo sho pork, then go shopping, I need some bath oils and bubble bath for the tub, then to go to Rockefeller Center and get a sundae with everything on it, do some more shopping, probably window, do some grocery shopping and then come back and relax. But before I go I want to find out what food that Chandler has in his kitchen and type of appliances." Monica informed Phoebe.
"That's all? I mean that is no problem." Phoebe then grabbed the phone, "I am going to set you up a few appointments as well. How about we go to Elizabeth Arden and get you a whole make over. That includes a body wrap, a massage, everything? And I can tell you about Chandler's kitchen without you even having to go in it. There is every appliance under the sun in there, but he keeps no food. Unless you call a box of Ding Dongs and a bag of Cheetoes and a case of beer and soda, food." Phoebe informed Monica.
Monica was amazed, "Let me guess he orders out or goes out."
"He hasn't really gone out to eat since Kathy." Phoebe stopped and quickly added. "He mainly gets everything delivered."
"Who is Kathy?" Monica inquired.
"That is up for Chandler to tell you." Phoebe then reached for the phone. "Why don't you go and get dressed and I can call and make reservations."
Monica then got up to get herself ready to go shopping. Window shopping. While she was getting ready, Phoebe was making calls to Rockefeller center, Elizabeth Arden's and to Bloomingdale's and to a very good, very expensive Chinese restaurant. And she was also going to call for a limo to take them to the different places they needed to go to. It would be so much easier and no cabs to mess with.
Now on to what Monica said. Window shopping. Window shopping? There was going to be no such thing. They were going shopping. And it was no holds bars. Whatever Monica wanted, Chandler told Phoebe to make sure she got. Whether it is a pair of boots, a dress, a coat, or whatever would catch Monica's eye. She was to get. And to take her out to any restaurant that she wanted to go to.
*********
Four hours later
Bloomingdale's
Right before they had just finished getting a whole makeover before they went to eat and had just left the restaurant. Monica and Phoebe were being escorted into an office. They were going to have their own salesgirl waiting on them. What ever they wanted. She was going to cater to their whims. Or so they were told. A man got up and introduced himself.
"My name is Walter Smith. Welcome to Bloomingdale's. We have a young woman who will take you through the store and will help you, no matter what. You will be serviced to your every whims, Ms. Geller." He then shook her hand.
"Well, thank you, Mr. Smith." Monica politely thanked him.
Walter Smith leaned over to the intercom on his desk and pushed a button. "Jane, send in Ms. Green."
"She may be a little high strung, but she has a good head on her shoulders. And if she says anything to upset you, be sure to inform me. I will make sure that everything is settled."
Before Monica could say anything, a young blond haired woman walked in. "Ms. Geller, this is Rachel. Rachel you help them her with everything. And get what she wants. Understand?"
"Uh…yes sir." Rachel stammered. She could not believe it. It is Monica Geller in the flesh. Monica Geller that had an affair with her father's best friend, leading to the breakup of his marriage. Monica Geller whose own mother threw her out and would not have her name spoken around her house anymore. The same Monica who it looks as though with the quality of the rocks on her left ring finger, is doing very well for herself.
"Anything wrong, Ms. Green?" The man asked.
"Nothing, sir." Rachel replied back. She then stole another look at the engagement ring. It probably cost more than Barry made in two years. Before taxes. Monica was one lucky girl. Although, she was probably marrying a client. Rachel wondered if she was pregnant. "Shall we go?"
The rest of the afternoon, they shopped around the store, making small talk. "Rachel it has been a long time." Monica started.
"Yes, it has." Rachel committed. "That is a beautiful engagement ring."
"Thank you. Chandler was very persuasive when he suggested we get married." Monica explained.
"So, what do you do now?" Rachel asked.
"She is an interior designer." Phoebe stepped up.
"Really? That is nice." Rachel smiled. "How did you meet Chester?"
"Chandler and I met at a hotel bar and got to talking. I told him what I did for a living and he offered me a job and well…we ended up going out and then later on we became engaged." Monica explained. None of it was a lie. Just a stretching of the truth. For the next two hours they shopped. Then when it was time for Monica and Phoebe to go, Rachel spoke up.
"Hey, I have an idea….why don't you and Chester…"
"Chandler." Monica reminded Rachel.
"And me and Barry all have dinner together?" Rachel asked.
"That would be perfect. I mean neither one has any important appointments they have to go to." Phoebe stated excitedly.
"Ok…how about tonight?" Rachel asked. At first thought she wanted to show off Barry, but now…thinking some more about it, she wanted to forget about the dinner.
"Phoebe, you forgot about the dinner reservations at the Rainbow Room. Chandler and I are celebrating our anniversary of us being engaged." Monica stated. "We got engaged three months ago!"
"Does he do stuff like that a lot?" Rachel asked becoming jealous. Barry never did anything like that for her. He couldn't even remember her birthday.
"What kind of stuff?" Chandler who had just showed up, asked. He had called and told them, that he would meet them there. And he and Joey would pick them up.
Rachel gasped. She could not believe it. That was Chandler? Chandler Bing? He was one of the richest men in America. Monica Geller was engaged to HIM? How did she end up with someone that rich? Besides the fact that he was way much cutter than Barry.
"Monica just informed her old friend here that you both are celebrating your three month anniversary tonight and can not go to dinner with her or her fiancé." Phoebe explained.
"Well, yeah. Oh, we are going to the plaza tonight to eat." Chandler informed Monica.
"I thought you said the Rainbow Room." Rachel looked at Monica.
"A little change of plans." Chandler confirmed to Rachel.
"Hey, I have an idea…neither of you have anything to do tomorrow night. Why not then? "Phoebe asked. Monica, Chandler and Joey all looked over at Phoebe. They could not believe that Phoebe had just done this.
"That is a great idea! Tomorrow night! I know that Barry and I can make it. He just returned from a convention out in Las Vegas." Rachel smiled at the others. She did not notice the barely audible gasp that Monica had let out. But, Chandler picked up on it.
"Well…uh…" Monica tried. She really did not want to go.
"I think I have a business dinner tomorrow night." Chandler tried. He evidently did not want to eat with Rachel and her fiancé either. HE could tell that there was some underlying tension between Monica and Rachel. And the fact that Barry was out in Las Vegas, would also be harder to deal with.
"Let me see." Phoebe quickly checked the date book…."Nope, you two are open. So tomorrow would be perfect!"
"Great, here is my number. Call me for more details, later." Rachel quickly handed Phoebe her business card. And then she went back to her office to phone Barry about plans for tomorrow night.
After she left, the others looked at Phoebe…."What?" Phoebe asked. They all then left the building and got into the car and left for the apartment.
"Alright, we have one day to try and learn everything about he other that we can. From family to sleep habits to our favorite shows to our favorite colors and animals." Chandler stated aloud as they arrived in the apartment. He ran his hands through his hair. This was not going to work. "Phoebe, this is not going to work. Why did you do this?"
"If you two can fool them, then you can fool them at your reunion." Phoebe logically pointed out.
"But, that is in a month!" Chandler stated. "I was planning that we would both get to know each other naturally. We have only just met!"
"Well….it will not be that bad." Phoebe explained.
"I am worried, Rachel said he was in Vegas for a convention. What if he recognizes me?" Monica asked. "I mean I did not have many customers. Only three over the past weekend. But he still could have seen me hanging around."
"We are gong to cancel the dinner tomorrow night and move it to a different night." Chandler confirmed.
"But…" Phoebe began.
"No buts. Move it to sometime next week. Preferably the last of next week." Chandler told Phoebe. Phoebe then went over to make a phone call.
"Chandler, I am sorry. But this is not going to work." Monica sighed.
"It will. We will give it some time for things to calm down." Chandler smiled. "You will see." His cell phone rang and he turned around to answer it.
While he was doing that, Monica shook her head. She lived in the real world, she knew that this was not going to work. Joey stood back and watched, he saw Monica shake her head and knew that while him and Phoebe had happy endings, this young girl would not. Something was going to happen to cause hurt and heartache. She knew that it would happen, he knew it would happen, but the others did not. He almost started to feel sorry for Monica.
Almost, but not quit. He was sure that Monica was going to end up hurting Chandler that he hated Monica. He remembered what Kathy and Janice did to Chandler. He did not want a repeat to happen to his friend.
***********
The next chapter, does everything come together or fall apart? Will Barry recognize Monica from Vegas? Will they make it through dinner ok? What happens when a family member of Monica's sees her? Why is Joey so protective of Chandler?
************************************
After landing, they rode a cab to the apartment. It was situated in Greenwich Village, not too far from Washington Park yet far enough where it was still not cheap. And from the looks of it, the building looked to be about 8 stories tall. Once the cab stopped, they got out and entered the building. And two doormen and the cabbie got all of their bags together and took them inside. The cabbie then put them down, got paid and left.
While entering, Chandler had to use a pass key to enter the building, as well as Joey and Phoebe. Chandler then introduced Monica to three doormen and the person in charge of security. It was then that Monica found out that Chandler owned the building and the doormen and the security officer jumped at the chance to do what ever he said.
They then took her picture and issued her an ID and gave her three keys, one to the outside of the building one to the elevator that was used on the penthouse while everyone else just rode the elevator up and then the last one that opened the gym. Without any questions or problems at all since Chandler was the one who signed their paychecks. They just saw the ring on her finger and since Chandler explained that she was with him, they quickly gave her access to the building. Without even looking into her background, which they did for the other tenants.
Two of the doormen took their bags to the apartment via the elevators. The elevator didn't take that long to reach the top. But to get it to go to that height, Chandler had Monica to insert one of her keys inside a special lock on the control panel to get them to the top floor. And as soon as the elevator did, it opened unto a hallway, a small hallway, about the size of two walk in closets, with four doors. One of which said stairs. Which was the one by the elevators. While two or 18 and 19 stood beside each other, they stood opposite number twenty. And from the looks of it, they took up the entire top of the building.
While Joey went into 19 and Phoebe went into 18, Chandler led her into the left apartment that said on the door '20' with the doormen right behind carrying their bags. Once they entered, Monica was really surprised of how much room there was, but she was shocked of how awful it was decorated.
Nothing really matched. It was thrown together with no sense of what would match and what wouldn't. Most of it was black newer designs with clean cut lines and then there was furniture that looked like it came from a garage sale or good will store. Like a beat up couch and an easy chair. And there were pizza boxes everywhere, not to mention trash and dust was laying everywhere as where clothes that were thrown about.
Monica just stood there with a look of horror on her face. Wasn't this guy rich? Couldn't he at least afford a decorator or even a maid for that matter?
Seeing the look on his face, Phoebe, who just returned from her apartment, approached her. "It is awful. Isn't it? Well, maybe you can convince him to get different furniture and to get the apartment cleaned. But if you think this is bad, wait until you see Joey's."
"Should I wear a protection suit when I enter his apartment?" Monica joked.
"After seeing it, you might want to get a tetanus shot." Phoebe responded to her.
"Hey, everything is precisely in the place where I can find it at." Chandler defended his …system. "And now on to the tour…."
He then gave Monica the tour which included showing her where the kitchen was, the dining room and breakfast area that had a counter that separated the breakfast nook and the kitchen and had four barstools around it. The living and family room, the game room which had a pool table and a foosball table and his different games in there. An extra room where he had his guitar at and his CD player and his CD library. He then showed her where his bedroom was as well as hers and the guest room at.
Finally arriving at the doors that led outside to the balcony and the roof. "And those doors lead to the balcony and the roof. That is where Phoebe does her gardening. Truth is with how much time she works for me, I do not know when she finds the time for her hobby." He then shrugged. "I suppose that you will want to get settled in…"
"That sounds nice. And a bath to ease my muscles will be great and maybe a nap." Monica yawned.
"Ok, I have some work to do anyway…." Chandler then turned his attention to Phoebe. "Phoebe, I need you to concentrate your efforts on the Coupler File. We need to get that game so that we can start mass distributing it…" Monica did not wait around, she was walking toward her bedroom and bath.
She then went in and unpacked, getting her pajamas out that she had collected from her old apartment, as well as some underwear and her robe. After walking into her bathroom, she filled up the sunken whirlpool marble bath tub. Hmm, no oils or bubble bath. She would have to get some while she was out next time. She looked out the window and saw the New York skyline in the distance. The view was breathtaking! It felt great being home. She then took off her clothes and got in.
She stayed in the bath until the water got cold, got out and dried herself off. After drying herself off, she looked in the mirror and was amazed at what looked back at her. She looked totally different. She did not look like a street walker, she almost looked like her old self before she was pushed out on her own. She then smiled and put on her Pjs and underwear and then entered the bedroom with her robe and climbed into bed, where she fell into a deep and satisfying sleep.
She woke up half an hour later and got dressed. She thought that maybe some coffee would help wake her up. Maybe there was some coffee around someplace. Before she entered the kitchen on her search for the bean, Phoebe greeted her from the couch.
"Hi, Monica." Phoebe, who had been reading a book of holistic medicines, put it down and patted the couch. "Come and sit down so that we can talk."
Monica smiled and sat down where she was indicated to. "So you are into alternative healing."
"Oh, yes. You see, I was on the streets singing with my guitar, that was what I used to do for a living, when I met Chandler. He and Joey were walking by and they saw me literally singing for my supper. You see, not everyone appreciated my singing talent or my writing talent. But, Chandler and Joey did. They stopped for a bit and listened. Chandler noticed that no one was giving me any money and also to the effect that the shop owner that I was singing in front of came out to tell me to leave. As I was getting my guitar, case and what money I had gathered up, Chandler was talking to Joey. He then asked me my name and if I wanted to go and work for him as an assistant. Which included benefits, much the same as yours. Travel, clothes, an apartment and I got to go to college. An holistic college. I majored in massage therapy and in minored in herbal medicinal history." Phoebe told Monica a bit about herself. "You see, I grow a lot of what I eat and my medicines on the roof. I am a vegetarian." Phoebe explained proudly. Are you?"
"No. But I knew a girl that was a long time ago that I went to high school with." Monica informed her new friend.
"Would you like to go and see her?" Phoebe asked.
"We were not friends. I knew of her, but that was it. I only had one real friend when I was in school. Now, we would never get along." Monica stated sadly.
"Oh, I see." Phoebe was starting to feel a bit protective of this girl.
"Tell me a bit about Joey." Monica wanted to know as she started sitting cross legged on the couch.
"Joey is Chandler's best friend. He is the only son of a family with seven children. His mother is a housewife, his father is a plumber. Joey wanted to be an actor. And he needed a place to live, so he became Chandler's new
Roommate soon after Chandler graduated from NYU. They became the best of friends. Knowing everything about the other. And Joey is very protective of Chandler." Phoebe explained. "Especially since what happened last time with that GIRL!!!"
"Protective?" Monica inquired. "Why, what happened?"
"That is for Chandler to tell you." Phoebe explained.
"Where is Chandler anyway?" Monica asked.
"He and Joey went out to buy a new game." Phoebe then elaborated. "From it's designer. So that Chandler's company could mass market it. That is what his company does. Chandler pays the game's designers a fair price and then his company makes the games, mass distributes them and also advertises them. Chandler also makes sure that the designers of the games get fair billing. Their names always end up right under the company logo."
"I see." Monica then asked. "So when will they be back?"
"Missing Chandler already?" Phoebe grinned.
"Well…no. He is a very nice guy and I can not stop laughing when I am around him." Monica explained.
"He has that effect on everybody. I just wish that he had better sense when it came to choosing girlfriends." Phoebe then stopped. "So do you want a tour of my garden? It is divided up into three parts, an herb garden, a flower garden and a vegetable garden." Phoebe and Monica then got up and went to the garden. That night, everyone went to see a movie.
The next day, Monica woke up around ten thirty. She was still very tired. She was used to sleeping until two or three o clock in the afternoon because of her past work. She slowly got up out of bed and made her way to the front room. Phoebe was sitting on a mat on the floor doing yoga and listening to dolphins on CD.
"Good morning, Monica." Phoebe smiled at Monica.
"Morning." Monica yawned.
"Didn't sleep good?" Phoebe asked.
"I am kind of used to stay up all night." Monica explained.
"Tonight I can brew you some tea so you can sleep." Phoebe offered. "It is a natural way for you to fall asleep."
"Thanks. I think I will take you up on that offer. Where are the guys?" Monica asked looking around.
"Meeting with Chandler's attorney's to wrap up the deal. He left me here…."
"To keep an eye on me." Monica jumped in.
"No. To take you shopping or anywhere you want to go." Phoebe explained. "You see I can get you in exclusive stores and other places. Like a place to eat. Like the rainbow room. Or the back part of the stores at Bloomingdale's and Macy's that deal with only certain people. Now, what would you like to do?"
"Anything I want?" Monica asked with a smile.
"Well, within reason." Phoebe smiled back.
"I want to go to get something to eat, maybe at a Chinese restaurant I could do for some moo sho pork, then go shopping, I need some bath oils and bubble bath for the tub, then to go to Rockefeller Center and get a sundae with everything on it, do some more shopping, probably window, do some grocery shopping and then come back and relax. But before I go I want to find out what food that Chandler has in his kitchen and type of appliances." Monica informed Phoebe.
"That's all? I mean that is no problem." Phoebe then grabbed the phone, "I am going to set you up a few appointments as well. How about we go to Elizabeth Arden and get you a whole make over. That includes a body wrap, a massage, everything? And I can tell you about Chandler's kitchen without you even having to go in it. There is every appliance under the sun in there, but he keeps no food. Unless you call a box of Ding Dongs and a bag of Cheetoes and a case of beer and soda, food." Phoebe informed Monica.
Monica was amazed, "Let me guess he orders out or goes out."
"He hasn't really gone out to eat since Kathy." Phoebe stopped and quickly added. "He mainly gets everything delivered."
"Who is Kathy?" Monica inquired.
"That is up for Chandler to tell you." Phoebe then reached for the phone. "Why don't you go and get dressed and I can call and make reservations."
Monica then got up to get herself ready to go shopping. Window shopping. While she was getting ready, Phoebe was making calls to Rockefeller center, Elizabeth Arden's and to Bloomingdale's and to a very good, very expensive Chinese restaurant. And she was also going to call for a limo to take them to the different places they needed to go to. It would be so much easier and no cabs to mess with.
Now on to what Monica said. Window shopping. Window shopping? There was going to be no such thing. They were going shopping. And it was no holds bars. Whatever Monica wanted, Chandler told Phoebe to make sure she got. Whether it is a pair of boots, a dress, a coat, or whatever would catch Monica's eye. She was to get. And to take her out to any restaurant that she wanted to go to.
*********
Four hours later
Bloomingdale's
Right before they had just finished getting a whole makeover before they went to eat and had just left the restaurant. Monica and Phoebe were being escorted into an office. They were going to have their own salesgirl waiting on them. What ever they wanted. She was going to cater to their whims. Or so they were told. A man got up and introduced himself.
"My name is Walter Smith. Welcome to Bloomingdale's. We have a young woman who will take you through the store and will help you, no matter what. You will be serviced to your every whims, Ms. Geller." He then shook her hand.
"Well, thank you, Mr. Smith." Monica politely thanked him.
Walter Smith leaned over to the intercom on his desk and pushed a button. "Jane, send in Ms. Green."
"She may be a little high strung, but she has a good head on her shoulders. And if she says anything to upset you, be sure to inform me. I will make sure that everything is settled."
Before Monica could say anything, a young blond haired woman walked in. "Ms. Geller, this is Rachel. Rachel you help them her with everything. And get what she wants. Understand?"
"Uh…yes sir." Rachel stammered. She could not believe it. It is Monica Geller in the flesh. Monica Geller that had an affair with her father's best friend, leading to the breakup of his marriage. Monica Geller whose own mother threw her out and would not have her name spoken around her house anymore. The same Monica who it looks as though with the quality of the rocks on her left ring finger, is doing very well for herself.
"Anything wrong, Ms. Green?" The man asked.
"Nothing, sir." Rachel replied back. She then stole another look at the engagement ring. It probably cost more than Barry made in two years. Before taxes. Monica was one lucky girl. Although, she was probably marrying a client. Rachel wondered if she was pregnant. "Shall we go?"
The rest of the afternoon, they shopped around the store, making small talk. "Rachel it has been a long time." Monica started.
"Yes, it has." Rachel committed. "That is a beautiful engagement ring."
"Thank you. Chandler was very persuasive when he suggested we get married." Monica explained.
"So, what do you do now?" Rachel asked.
"She is an interior designer." Phoebe stepped up.
"Really? That is nice." Rachel smiled. "How did you meet Chester?"
"Chandler and I met at a hotel bar and got to talking. I told him what I did for a living and he offered me a job and well…we ended up going out and then later on we became engaged." Monica explained. None of it was a lie. Just a stretching of the truth. For the next two hours they shopped. Then when it was time for Monica and Phoebe to go, Rachel spoke up.
"Hey, I have an idea….why don't you and Chester…"
"Chandler." Monica reminded Rachel.
"And me and Barry all have dinner together?" Rachel asked.
"That would be perfect. I mean neither one has any important appointments they have to go to." Phoebe stated excitedly.
"Ok…how about tonight?" Rachel asked. At first thought she wanted to show off Barry, but now…thinking some more about it, she wanted to forget about the dinner.
"Phoebe, you forgot about the dinner reservations at the Rainbow Room. Chandler and I are celebrating our anniversary of us being engaged." Monica stated. "We got engaged three months ago!"
"Does he do stuff like that a lot?" Rachel asked becoming jealous. Barry never did anything like that for her. He couldn't even remember her birthday.
"What kind of stuff?" Chandler who had just showed up, asked. He had called and told them, that he would meet them there. And he and Joey would pick them up.
Rachel gasped. She could not believe it. That was Chandler? Chandler Bing? He was one of the richest men in America. Monica Geller was engaged to HIM? How did she end up with someone that rich? Besides the fact that he was way much cutter than Barry.
"Monica just informed her old friend here that you both are celebrating your three month anniversary tonight and can not go to dinner with her or her fiancé." Phoebe explained.
"Well, yeah. Oh, we are going to the plaza tonight to eat." Chandler informed Monica.
"I thought you said the Rainbow Room." Rachel looked at Monica.
"A little change of plans." Chandler confirmed to Rachel.
"Hey, I have an idea…neither of you have anything to do tomorrow night. Why not then? "Phoebe asked. Monica, Chandler and Joey all looked over at Phoebe. They could not believe that Phoebe had just done this.
"That is a great idea! Tomorrow night! I know that Barry and I can make it. He just returned from a convention out in Las Vegas." Rachel smiled at the others. She did not notice the barely audible gasp that Monica had let out. But, Chandler picked up on it.
"Well…uh…" Monica tried. She really did not want to go.
"I think I have a business dinner tomorrow night." Chandler tried. He evidently did not want to eat with Rachel and her fiancé either. HE could tell that there was some underlying tension between Monica and Rachel. And the fact that Barry was out in Las Vegas, would also be harder to deal with.
"Let me see." Phoebe quickly checked the date book…."Nope, you two are open. So tomorrow would be perfect!"
"Great, here is my number. Call me for more details, later." Rachel quickly handed Phoebe her business card. And then she went back to her office to phone Barry about plans for tomorrow night.
After she left, the others looked at Phoebe…."What?" Phoebe asked. They all then left the building and got into the car and left for the apartment.
"Alright, we have one day to try and learn everything about he other that we can. From family to sleep habits to our favorite shows to our favorite colors and animals." Chandler stated aloud as they arrived in the apartment. He ran his hands through his hair. This was not going to work. "Phoebe, this is not going to work. Why did you do this?"
"If you two can fool them, then you can fool them at your reunion." Phoebe logically pointed out.
"But, that is in a month!" Chandler stated. "I was planning that we would both get to know each other naturally. We have only just met!"
"Well….it will not be that bad." Phoebe explained.
"I am worried, Rachel said he was in Vegas for a convention. What if he recognizes me?" Monica asked. "I mean I did not have many customers. Only three over the past weekend. But he still could have seen me hanging around."
"We are gong to cancel the dinner tomorrow night and move it to a different night." Chandler confirmed.
"But…" Phoebe began.
"No buts. Move it to sometime next week. Preferably the last of next week." Chandler told Phoebe. Phoebe then went over to make a phone call.
"Chandler, I am sorry. But this is not going to work." Monica sighed.
"It will. We will give it some time for things to calm down." Chandler smiled. "You will see." His cell phone rang and he turned around to answer it.
While he was doing that, Monica shook her head. She lived in the real world, she knew that this was not going to work. Joey stood back and watched, he saw Monica shake her head and knew that while him and Phoebe had happy endings, this young girl would not. Something was going to happen to cause hurt and heartache. She knew that it would happen, he knew it would happen, but the others did not. He almost started to feel sorry for Monica.
Almost, but not quit. He was sure that Monica was going to end up hurting Chandler that he hated Monica. He remembered what Kathy and Janice did to Chandler. He did not want a repeat to happen to his friend.
***********
The next chapter, does everything come together or fall apart? Will Barry recognize Monica from Vegas? Will they make it through dinner ok? What happens when a family member of Monica's sees her? Why is Joey so protective of Chandler?