A/N: Hey! Sorry for the insanely fast updates, but I am ill at the moment, so I am something of a prisoner. Not only that, but (for the first time ever!) I actually have a plot, I mean my story does. Useful thing, that. And I am very excited about my plot! My story actually has direction! Marvelous, but infuriating because…well, just you wait and see…
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Ugly awoke the next morning with a headache to match her shame. She'd had every intention last night of going out onto the balcony and begging Spot's forgiveness, with many kisses, but instead she had passed out.
She crawled out of bed, not quite sure how she'd gotten there, and drifted to the living room. There, of course, was Spot Conlon, shirtless in all his glory. He was standing and drinking orange juice like a healthy, sunny person.
"Morning," He said to her over the lip of his glass. She tried to mirror his response, but it ended up as more of a mumble. "Rough night?" He asked. Was she only imagining a note of disdain in his voice?
She shrugged. "I would have rather been with you," she confessed. Obviously, the alcohol was not done with her yet.
Spot put down his glass and walked over, wrapping his arms around her and burying his head in her shoulder. "Me too," he murmured. Ugly held him back and wondered how a dolt like her had acquired such a perfect boyfriend.
He pulled away and grabbed his shirt off a chair, pulled it on and buttoned it up. "I have a few things to do, but I'll be back tonight," he promised.
"Can I go with you?" She asked, aware that she sounded a little pathetic. But she couldn't help herself. One night apart was already too much.
He brushed back her hair and kissed her head. "I wish you could. Don't worry though," he said, running his thumb under her chin. "I'll be back soon."
They kissed good-bye and Ugly was glad to see that he looked truly unhappy to be leaving her.
The door shut and Ugly was alone in the empty room, missing him. She hated when he left her. She honestly didn't know what to do with herself. It wasn't like she could just hop in on Roan and shoot up. Not that she had any desire whatsoever to do so. And Kyro was to be avoided as well.
Ugly bounced her foot and entertained the disparaging thought that she was hopelessly pathetic. The truth was, she wanted to be with Spot, only and all the time. And when he wasn't around, she felt depressed and despondent. She sighed. He seemed perfectly able to get along without her. She supposed she should be happy for him, but she couldn't help but think it unfair that she was doomed to miss him more. She sighed again.
Kyro wandered into the room, looking as she felt, adrift. She realized that they had something in common; they both anchored themselves to stronger people. She thought of how pitiful Kyro had seemed lately, tied to a sinking ship. A shiver ran up her spine. She needed to get a life of her own.
She stood up. Yes, that was it. Spot would be so impressed. She didn't need him. She could be shining and magnetic, too. She could be irresistible. She could make him miss her more.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. She looked to Kyro, this was not a very common occurrence. She went to answer it wishing their tenth servant in a row hadn't walked out after being terrorized by Roan.
At the door was an impeccable servant with a silver tray. On the tray was a card. Ugly took it, confused. It said "Katie van Mohen" in embossed lettering and included a Fifth Avenue address.
"The recent Miss van Mohen requests your attendance for a shopping excursion at two o'clock today," he said. Ugly felt confused. The recent? Excursion? The servant seemed to be waiting for something. Was she supposed to give him a tip? He seemed to note her confusion. "Do you accept?" He prompted.
Ugly laughed nervously. He sounded as if he was proposing to her. Then she replied in the most gracious tone she could muster. "Certainly." Spot would be so proud of her.
XXX
Spot Conlon was also experiencing the discomforts of high society. He was conversing with Starvos Kravakalis, a young shipping heir who was used to getting his way. Well, Starvos was conversing anyway. He had just talked for half an hour straight about the skill, brilliance and subtlety required to run Daddy's million dollar company. Spot had little respect for people who had been given everything, due to the fact that he had fought his way tooth and nail for only a fraction of what they had been born with. And this Starvos guy seemed to think he was God's gift to the world. He was strutting around and tossing back his long blonde hair, speaking to Spot as if he was a cabin boy swabbing his deck.
"I want to you to run my boating operations in South Carolina," Starvos said, as if it was an order. Spot Conlon bristled. He did not take well to orders. Starvos seemed to notice his distasteful expression. "Listen, I know it must be amusing running off with people's spare change, but this is a real company. It will be hard work, but if you do well, there are many opportunities for progression."
Is this guy serious? Spot Conlon wondered incredulously. He could no more imagine himself tied down to a legitimate position then he could knitting a shawl. And he had really had enough of his superior attitude. Still, ever the politician, Spot would attempt to extract himself with minimal offense. There was still the chance that he might need a favor later. Spot stood to leave, holding his infamous temper in check. "I apologize, but at the moment, it's not a position I am interested in," his eyes blazed with offended pride.
Starvos looked completely shocked. This had never happened before. "You're certain?" Spot nodded. "Hmph…I know of you Americans and your love of freedom…even at the cost of intelligence." Spot put his hands in his pockets to keep them from flying at Stavros' face.
"If you'll excuse me," Spot murmured, anger bubbling over. Spot bowed out in a hurry and stormed out of the penthouse apartment.
A man on the street jostled him as he hurried by and Spot let loose with an indecent string of oaths. He huffed, feeling somewhat better when his eyes rose up to a girl staring directly at him. He felt an immediate flush. The girl smiled.
"My goodness! Rough day?" Kinea Cailum asked sympathetically. She was dressed in a lacy white frock that dipped low on her exquisite chest. Spot smiled ruefully. "Oh, you poor dear! May I…wait, I know how I can cheer you up!" Her smile was as powerful as the sun. "I'm going to see a good friend of mine; you absolutely must come with me!" She suggested enthusiastically.
"No, that's okay," Spot shook her off. "I've got some things to do," he said, thinking of Ugly.
"Are you sure?" She asked. He nodded. She sighed. "Well, I suppose I'll have to introduce you to Mr. Applegate another time." Spot's eyes widened.
"Joe Applegate?" He demanded incredulously. "The Joe Applegate?" Joe Applegate was a notorious kingpin with supposed mafia ties. He was a New York legend who had disappeared from the city two years ago, presumed dead. Spot had had no idea he was even back.
Kinea nodded. "Of course, we're old friends." Spot was completely floored. He couldn't believe he had just been invited to meet the Joe Applegate. His disastrous day had just taken a wild turn for the better. "Too bad you can't come, I'm not sure how long he'll be in town for this time," Kinea noted regretfully.
"Well, I guess I could stop by, if it's not for too long," Spot said, trying not to let her in on the fact that he actually had absolutely no plans whatsoever.
She grinned, a glint I her eye. "Wonderful!" She exclaimed, linking his arm and leading him to her carriage.
XXX
"That looks absolutely ravishing on you!" Katie gushed as Ugly walked out of the dressing room in a striped yellow gown. Ugly smiled, Kate was such a sweetheart, and so kind to give her a glass or two of champagne to put her at ease.
Ugly twirled about in front of the mirror. She did look ravishing, if she did say so herself. She looked at Katie, who was dressed in black again. "Why do you always wear black?" Ugly asked.
Katie smiled. "I'm in mourning, you dolt!"
"Oh," Ugly said. She seemed quite cheery for someone who was in mourning. "Can I ask for whom?"
"My husband," Katie replied.
"I'm sorry," Ugly murmured.
"Don't be," Katie said, removing a piece of lint from her dress. "I love black," she grinned. Katie leaned forward, resting her head on her hands. "Have you ever been married?"
Ugly smiled. She didn't usually tell people this, but Katie seemed to be one of those people whom you could tell anything to. "Actually, I am married," she confessed.
Katie looked surprised. "You naughty girl! To whom?"
Ugly's smile widened. "Roan Xavier."
Katie was scandalized. "What? Are you serious?"
"Well, we're not even together…it's sort of a complicated story." Ugly liked Katie, but she wasn't quite ready to trust her with the secrets of her sordid past. "I actually have a boyfriend."
"Miss Ugly Sendim! Or should I say Mrs. Xavier, you are positively full of surprises!"
Ugly smiled. She had to admit it was a pretty scandalous situation. She turned back to her reflection. The dress was lovely, a little tight but… "Where is Kinea today?" Ugly asked. She liked the fiery little beauty, how could she not? Despite the slight twinges of jealousy.
"She's actually involved in a little scandal of her own," Katie confided. "Don't breathe a word of this to anyone but…I think Spot Conlon may have a bit of a thing for her."
The dress must have been too tight, because Ugly fainted dead away.
XXX
Spot Conlon arrived at back at The Coronation late that night positively elated, and it wasn't just the gin. He'd met the Joe Applegate and best of all, Joe had really liked him. They'd chatted away all night, sharing stories and laughs. Spot could not believe some of the things Joe had done! Narrow escapes, daring deeds. And Joe had actually enlisted him to help with an upcoming job. Spot could barely contain his excitement. The job would be difficult and require great skill, but he would be working with some of the best men in the city! He could not help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude to Kinea for introducing them. She was such a sweet and entertaining girl! And smart, too, Joe absolutely doted on her. Spot would owe her forever, he thought as he the elevator rolled up to the top floor, where another girl was waiting, and not-so-sweetly.
XXX
Ugly was mostly a shy and reserved girl, but she had a temper. Like many of those around her, she had grown up in oppression and abuse. She kept her frustrations inside most of the time, but when got away from her, watch out!
After her fainting spell, Ugly had asked to go home, claiming illness (which was quite true). Katie had tried desperately to convince her to stay, but to no avail. She had been too embarrassed to tell Kate that Spot Conlon was actually (supposedly) her boyfriend. She had spent the rest of the afternoon and the growing nighttime hours alternating between furious anger and hopeless despair. It was no secret that Ugly felt Spot Conlon was too good for her. No secret that she was hopelessly dependent on him. She was scared to death of losing him and angry at him for making her feel scared.
So when Spot Conlon walked in the door, grinning like an idiot after her hours of torture, the first thing Ugly did was yell, "where were you?"
Spot was taken aback. He certainly hadn't expected this as his homecoming. He was somewhat annoyed. "Jesus! What's your problem?" he demanded, rather un-classily.
"What's my problem? Tell me where you were and you'll know my problem," Ugly said dangerously. Her hands were twitching at her sides. Force of habit, she had spent part of her life as a trained killer, after all.
Spot was completely confused. "Have you been spending time with Roan?" he asked, thinking that Roan might have slipped her some of his drugs.
Ugly sighed in exasperation. "Kinea Cailum," she said, giving in. "That's my problem."
Spot was even more confused. Ugly had never shown signs of jealousy before. She had never had need to, and she certainly didn't need to now. Kinea was just a sweet, nice girl who had helped Spot score a job. How did Ugly find out about Kinea anyway? "How'd you know I was with Kinea?" He asked. He realized, too late, that was the complete wrong thing to say.
"So, you were with her! I can't believe you Spot! Running around with that wicked witch!" So much for her admiration of Kinea.
Spot, being male, once more responded with the "wrong thing." "She's a nice girl," he defended.
Ugly was floored. "A nice girl? She's a money-grubbing, self-serving little whore!" Ugly's face was tear stained. She probably shouldn't have tried to console herself with whiskey.
"Who told you that?" Spot questioned.
"Roan did. They dated, or didn't she tell you?" Ugly yelled. Spot had completely lost his grasp on the situation.
"Okay, listen, just calm down," He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. She shivered at his touch. His face was mere inches from hers and he was staring at her through his big, blue eyes. "Kinea helped me get an appointment with Joe Applegate, that's it. She's a nice girl, but I like someone else," he smiled wryly. Ugly took a shaky gulp of breath.
"You met Joe Applegate?" She whispered. Spot nodded, he knew Ugly would appreciate the name of the infamous Applegate.
"C'mon," he said, rubbing her shoulders. "Let's go to bed and I'll tell you all about it."
"Okay," Ugly breathed. He led her back to the room. Ugly couldn't stop the overwhelming wave of happiness and that elated sense that she was still the luckiest girl in the world.
XXX
So, why is it that gorgeous boys can talk themselves out of anything? Oh, yeah…
Anyway, lot of strange coincidences in this chapter. I mean, in all of Manhattan, for Kinea to turn up on the exact doorstep that Spot had just stormed out of! And on her way to Joe Applegate's, no less. Why is she friends with a mafia kingpin anyway? Leftovers from her relationship with Roan?
Anyway, how convenient for Kinea that Katie kept Ugly occupied while she skipped off with her boyfriend! And how nice of Katie to make the comment that incited Spot and Ugly's first official fight. So, what did Katie's husband die of anyway? Hopefully, Ugly won't start wanting to wear black, too, otherwise Roan might be in trouble!
Poor Ugly, though! It must be hard to have a man like Spot! Especially since half the world wants him bad. How will she keep him focused on her?
And is Spot really as clueless as he acts? For a smart boy, he sure is acting a bit dumb. (sigh) They all do…
Anyways, lots of scandal and intrigue! And still more to come…yikes!