"Well… that's really not acceptable. You just let them know that I'm here and that I'm not leaving until I speak with them," the voice carried down the hallway of the business offices at The Seasons.
"As I've told you before… they're not here right now although I do expect them later," a calm female voice replied. "You can have a seat if you like, but I'm not sure how long you might be waiting."
Zach and Kendall shared a brief look, recognizing the first voice immediately. Kendall stopped and motioned a silent retreat, but Zach shook his head and took her hand in his as they entered the office area while the first woman replied, "That's just what I'll do."
"Mother!" Kendall exclaimed as she quickly walked forward and embraced Erica Kane.
"Kendall! Why haven't you called me? I've been leaving messages everywhere and the only message I received was from…" Erica answered in irritation, "…him!"
"Hello, Erica," Zach said with a smile. He looked to his assistant, "It's okay, Edie. Ms. Kane can be quite… enthusiastic when she wants something. We'll take it from here."
"Sure thing, boss, I'm sure I have something to do… in another room," Edie answered him with a smile as she stood up and walked from behind her desk.
Kendall disengaged from her mother's embrace and turned quickly, "No, Edie… wait! I need… I mean… I'd like to speak with you… if you don't mind." Kendall hated the hesitant tone in her voice, but she didn't want to start off on the wrong foot with this woman who Zach thought so highly of… and she was afraid that her mother had already ruined any chance they might have of a cordial relationship.
"Whatever you'd like, Mrs. Slater," Edie answered coolly and seated herself once again at her desk.
Erica did not like being ignored and immediately spoke to regain their attention, "I'm glad to see that you've returned in one piece… but you still haven't answered my question, Kendall. Why haven't you been in touch?"
"I left you a message at your penthouse, Mother, and I know that Zach contacted you as well. We were on our honeymoon, and calling home more than once didn't feel very important," Kendall answered. "I'm sorry if we worried you, Mother."
"I still can't believe you were so foolhardy as to marry Zach Slater… Kendall, when are you going to learn that the Cambias men bring nothing but heartache to our family? Now I'll have to watch you get hurt all over again," Erica answered.
"Mother… I'm sure you don't mean that. Zach is my husband, and that makes him family. We love each other and we're committed to our marriage… please don't make me choose between you," said Kendall softly, once again clasping Zach's hand. "You have to trust me to make the right decision for my life… because this was a good decision."
"Alright… Kendall… I get the message. I won't say anything to you about this right now. I love you, darling, and I only want what's best for you," Erica finished before turning to Zach. "You, however, I am not through with. In here… now," she said authoritatively as she pointed first to him and then toward the private office behind them.
Zach laughed, looked at Kendall and shrugged his shoulders before replying, "I'm sorry, Erica, but that's Kendall's office now… we can't just barge into her office without permission."
Kendall saw that Zach was in control and amused at her mother's behavior, which was all she needed to know. She laughed in response before saying, "I don't mind… you can use it while Edie and I get acquainted."
"Then I'd be happy to speak with you, Erica. Right this way," Zach answered as he led the way into his former office. Once Zach and Erica were both inside, Erica pointedly shut the door to exclude Kendall from their conversation.
Once the doors were shut, Kendall turned to Edie who said, "What can I do for you, Mrs. Slater?"
"For starters, you can stop calling me Mrs. Slater… its Kendall. I wanted to clear the air between us right up front, so there are no misunderstandings," Kendall answered.
Edie looked at Kendall with an impassive expression, "Of course, Mrs… mm… Kendall."
"Edie… I know that Zach trusts you and considers you very valuable to this organization. I also recognize that you know more about how this casino operates than anyone except Zach… and you are probably not very thrilled to have me as the new boss," Kendall began. Edie opened her mouth to speak, but Kendall continued, "My hope is that you care about Zach enough to help me. I can do it on my own, but I would prefer that we work together. We can get this casino back in operation and make him proud of us both. What do you say?"
"I'd like that very much… Kendall. Where would you like to start?" Edie answered.
"I see you're just as talkative as my husband… we're definitely going to have to work on that," Kendall said with a laugh. "I'm sure that Zach brought you back from Europe because I can learn a lot from you. Where do you suggest we begin?"
Edie smiled broadly, "I recommend a tour of the facility… unless you think…" She paused and looked toward the closed doors of the office where Zach and Erica were still having their conversation.
"I think that I'd like to put as much distance as possible between us and my mother… and that Zach is capable of handling her probably better than I am right now," Kendall smiled. "Shall we?"
"I don't mind getting out of the line of fire myself," Edie answered with a laugh. She stood and walked around the desk before pausing next to Kendall, "Let's go."
Kendall nodded and followed the woman from the room. They toured the casino and restaurant areas, Kendall recognizing them from previous visits. There were no surprises as she was becoming accustomed to the general layout of gaming operations. From there, they toured the grounds and outbuildings, but Kendall declined to visit the Gazebo area where Ryan had been shot nearly a year earlier. That was one place that she preferred to visit with Zach by her side. Without comment, Edie led her into the hotel and explained the layout before offering to escort her to various theme rooms that had been strategically placed throughout.
"Does Zach keep a penthouse here like the one in Vegas?" Kendall asked Edie. She and Zach had not discussed much on the drive from Livia's office other than plans for their impromptu cocktail party.
"Yes, he does. I don't have the key card with me… but we could go back to the office and get it," Edie answered.
"No… that's alright. I'm expecting Zach to catch up with us after my mother leaves, and he can take me then. I'd like to look at some of those theme rooms, though. He told me that he used a different concept here than in Vegas," Kendall replied.
Edie proceeded to show her several different rooms, and Kendall noted the differences between the two operations, but realized they would make little difference in how she directed the hotel's overall operations. As they walked down a hallway, though, Kendall recognized the doorway to a room she had seen once before and used the master key that Edie had brought with them to open it.
As she was opening the door Edie commented, "That room is empty. It was cleaned out a few months ago and Zach gave strict orders that it not be used for guests. I don't know what his plans are for it."
Without reply, Kendall opened the door and stepped into the room that had once been modeled as a replica of Zach's casita. She drew in a sharp breath, recognizing the room even without its furniture. Edie observed from the doorway as Kendall moved along the perimeter of the room and stopped in front of the fireplace. She turned to look at Edie with a faraway look in her eyes, "I've been here before… when it had furniture… but I hadn't realized what a perfect reproduction it was. It's so beautiful. Do we still have the furnishings?"
"I believe they're in storage," Edie said before pausing. After a moment she said, "He took you there? … To the casita?"
Kendall smiled wistfully and nodded her head, "Mm-hmm… I wish we'd had more time…"
Edie gave her an appraising glance before offering, "I could have everything installed by tomorrow, if you like."
"I'd like that… but… I think I want to make sure that Zach doesn't mind before we do that. He had a reason for creating this room… and for dismantling it. I don't want to do anything that might hurt…" Kendall said slowly.
"Of course not… and exactly the right answer," Edie said softly. "Zach's trust has been well placed in you… and I can promise you the same loyalty that I give to him. I think we'll work very well together."
"So I was right… you did lead me down this hallway on purpose," Kendall said without anger.
"Zach has been much more than my employer… he is my mentor… and my friend. There's been a lot of talk, and most of it hasn't been very good. I had to know," Edie answered frankly. "If you feel that you can't work with me after this, I'll understand."
Edie turned to leave Kendall alone in the casita room, but she called to her, "No… Edie… wait." Edie turned to listen as Kendall continued, "You've been pretty honest with me, and I appreciate that. We both care about Zach and want what's best for him and his businesses… with that goal in mind I think we can work together. I'd certainly like to try. How about it?"
Kendall advanced toward Edie with her hand extended and Edie accepted it with a smile, "More than anyone I've ever met he deserves some happiness."
"Then it's settled," Kendall said firmly. "Let's head back to the offices and rescue my husband from my mother."