A/N- Please read and review. The more reviews I get the faster I will update.
Chapter 2
A month later...
Bennett Bed and Breakfast
"Mama, 108 has requested breakfast in bed and 109 called a few minutes ago and said they needed a change of towels. I'm going to go up to take care of 109. I sent Pete to take care of 108," Teresa called out to her mother as she grabbed a stack of towels and turned to walk up the stairs.
"My but if this isn't poetic justice? The housekeeper's gold digging daughter reduced to cleaning rooms for a living. If that doesn't beat all," a coolly mocking voice whispered and Teresa turned around to face her soon to be mother-in-law, Ivy Winthrop.
"Why Ivy, what a pleasant surprise. Did you come to surprise Sam with a picnic on the beach?" Teresa replied noting the white wicker basket Ivy carried and the casual manner in which she was dressed. "Sorry to disappoint you but Sam isn't here. He and Hank went to try on tuxedos for Sheridan and Luis's wedding," she added knowing that Ivy would be upset to have her plans ruined.
Ivy's blue eyes narrowed as she stared at her nemesis, wondering if the girl was telling the truth. "Fat chance," she thought smugly. Teresa was a notorious liar and her words were to be taken with a grain of salt. Sam wouldn't have left without a word.
Teresa laughed to herself as she watched the play of emotions flicker over Ivy's heavily made up face. Dropping the towels on a chair, she walked behind the counter and picked up the sheet of paper Sam had instructed her to give Ivy a few hours earlier. Of course he'd wanted her to give Ivy the note as soon as possible but it wasn't her fault Ivy hadn't shown up until now, was it?
"Sam left this for you earlier," she informed the other woman dryly, trying her best not to burst into hysterical laughter. Baiting Ivy was so much fun.
Ivy grabbed the note and scanned its content quickly.
"You little bitch, why didn't you come get me earlier? Sam says he asked you to hand deliver the note earlier today," Ivy yelled.
"Well, we've been so busy I just didn't have time to walk all the way to the third floor to inform you that Sam's plans had changed. Mama's been feeling poorly and once of the new girls is out with the stomach flu so we've been shorthanded. Besides, I didn't want to interrupt your beauty sleep. At your age, one needs all the help one can get," Teresa answered smartly.
Ivy lifted her hand to slap the smirk off Teresa's face but was interrupted by a cold, hard voice.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Ivy. She might retaliate and we both know that Theresa could wipe the floor with you," Alistair Crane warned his ex daughter-in-law softly.
"Alistair, what are you doing here?" a flustered Ivy asked, lifting a hand to her hair to make sure every strand was in place and wishing that she hadn't dressed so casually. Alistair was the only person in the world who could make her feel inadequate.
"I've come to chat with my future granddaughter-in-law, not that it's any of your business Ivy. Theresa, do you have a few minutes?" Alistair asked Teresa politely.
"Well, actually what I told Ivy about being shorthanded earlier was the truth. I really need to get these towels to 109 and then I have to help the cook prepare dinner," Teresa replied breathlessly.
"I'm sure Ivy would love to help out. She has been staying here rent free for the last six months and this charming inn does belong to her lover. Be a dear and take the towels to the guests in room 109 while I talk to Theresa," Alistair ordered and Ivy knew better than to argue.
When they were alone, Alistair pulled out a chair and waited for Teresa to sit.
"I'm sure you must be wondering why I'm here, my dear," he began and Teresa nodded.
"Theresa, I know that I'm not an easy man to get along with and I've made a lot of mistakes in my life but I'm trying to change. I've attempted to mend my relationship with my daughter by agreeing to drop my vendetta against your brother and now I want to offer you and the rest of your family my support. I know Rebecca repossessed your house and cost Pilar, Luis, and Miguel their jobs and I want to make up for that. Crane Industries owns some condominiums on the other side of town and I want you and your family to move into one," he replied.
"That's very generous of you Mr. Crane but we can't accept your help. Mama wouldn't accept a dime from the Cranes and neither would my brothers," Teresa told him.
"That's ridiculous Theresa. We are almost family. Sheridan and Luis will be married in a few days and I know that you've been dating my grandson. But if it sets your mind at ease tell your mother that Fox leased the apartment for you with Sheridan's help," Alistair shot back. "Please Theresa, it would mean a lot to me if you would accept my help. If Julian had the balls to stand up to his bitch of a wife, you wouldn't be in this predicament," he added knowing that would tip the scales in his favor.
"Alright, Alistair, I'll accept your offer," Teresa replied, smiling when she realized that Rebecca would have a fit when she realized that the Lopez-Fitzgerald's were living luxuriously at a Crane condominium.
"Atta girl, Theresa. Here are the keys to the condominium. Ask Sheridan to show you around. She's familiar with the setup," Alistair advised.
"Thank you Alistair. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Teresa asked as she waited for him to explain the real reason for his visit. Alistair Crane never did anything for free and only a fool would believe otherwise. Teresa was no fool.
"You're a smart girl, Theresa. That's why we're going to get along famously," Alistair answered and Teresa grinned. "As a matter of fact there is something else. I'm not getting any younger and as much as it pains me to admit my son is a buffoon and is quite incapable of running Crane Industries when I'm gone. And I'm sure as hell not going to let Rebecca and Gwen get their greedy little hands on what it's taken decades for me to build. No the future of Crane Industries is in jeopardy and I need you to help me convince Fox that it's time for him to put aside old resentments and accept the job I've offered him," he added and Teresa's brow lifted in surprise.
She had no idea Alistair had offered Fox a job.
"Theresa, you are the only one Fox will listen to. Help me convince him that his place is at Crane Industries and I swear I will help you get your son back and get revenge on Rebecca and Gwen at the same time," Alistair added when Teresa made no reply.
"Alistair, I---" she began but Alistair cut her off.
"I'm offering you the opportunity to destroy your enemies and get back your son. All I want in exchange is your promise that you will help me convince Fox to accept the offer I've made him. Think about it for a few days and then let me know what you've decided. Here's my private number. Call me when you've made a decision," he murmured, rising and handing her a white business card.
Teresa watched him leave, her dark eyes wide with a mixture of fear and anticipation. Alistair's offer was so very tempting. But would she be making a deal with the devil if she accepted?