Chapter 496: Coyle Apartment

Wednesday, February 15th, Evening

The day started early for her when she got up, showered, dressed, ordered an Uber, and was off to the foundation. At the foundation, she collected the packages delivered to her there. Ordering another Uber, she returned home, unpacked the packages, hung up the dress, ordered a third Uber, and went to the Banríon Fashion Show. Even though she was impressed by the show and could congratulate the designers, she couldn't because she had no time. A fourth Uber ran her back to her townhouse.

Once home Fallon went right up to her bathroom. Starting the shower, Fallon stripped out of her clothes and ducked into the stream of hot water. After the shower, Fallon stepped out and wrapped a towel around herself. Walking through her bathroom Fallon dried her hair with another towel. The next thing she did was collect the underwear she would wear tonight. Once satisfied with how dry she was, Fallon put on her lingerie, including a garter belt and stocking set, matching thong, and a strapless bra. Next, Fallon did her makeup very simply and brushed out her hair. Finally, Fallon slipped on the dress and zipped it closed. Fallon looked at herself in the mirror and approved, it was a nice Clothes Over Bros' dress in navy; she had a similar one in red. Next, Fallon put on her new high heels, grabbed her stuff, and put it into her bag. Fallon went down to the parlor floor to wait for Grant.

Her doorbell rang; Fallon got up and walked over to the door. She opened it to find Grant standing on the porch. Fallon looked at Grant noticed he was dressed in a suit with a high collared shirt. He looked her over from head to toe, and Fallon noted that Grant suppressed a smile.

"We have to get going," Grant said.

"Okay, let me get my wrap," Fallon said.

"I'll go over things in the Uber," Grant said.

Fallon nodded grabbed her wrap, locking the door behind her. She followed Grant to the Uber. They got in the back and headed off. Grant looked out the window, sighed, then turned to Fallon.

"This cocktail party is to celebrate the reporter Breann VanderHout before she does another assignment," Grant said.

"I've heard of her," Fallon said.

"Her mother, Sheelagh, is friends with my mother. In short, this new assignment was an excuse for my mother to try and play matchmaker with Breann and me," Grant said.

"Okay," Fallon said, and the name Sheelagh VanderHout sounded familiar.

"Also, my brother Carter will be there. He's a bit of a troublemaker with substance abuse issues. So, keep an eye out for him," Grant said.

"I will do that," Fallon said.

They arrived at the apartment of Grant's mother. Grant led Fallon into the building and the elevator. They rode in silence. Once the door opened, Grant led her to a door, which he knocked on the door.

Once the door opened, Fallon could see Mrs. Coyle standing in the doorway. Mrs. Coyle looked up at Grant with smiling eyes, which turned cold once she looked at Fallon.

"Grant, it's so great to see you; Sheelagh and Breann are already here," Mrs. Coyle said.

"Thanks, Mother," Grant said.

"Fallon, it's so nice to see you again," Mrs. Coyle said.

"Same, it's nice to see you as well, Mrs. Coyle," Fallon said.

"You look lovely tonight," Mrs. Coyle said.

"Thank you, Mrs. Coyle," Fallon said.

"I'm being rude; please come in," Mrs. Coyle said.

"Thank you, Mrs. Coyle," Fallon said.

"Thank you, Mother," Grant said.

Mrs. Coyle showed them in. Grant took Fallon's bag and wrap. Fallon walked into the living room and was greeted by a young man, who looked like a younger, more haggard version of Grant. This man had colder eyes than Grant.

"You're my brother's girlfriend," Carter Coyle said.

"So, you must be Carter," Fallon said.

"You're Fallon," Carter said.

"That I am," Fallon said.

"So, why are you here?" Carter asked.

"Grant invited me," Fallon said.

Carter laughed, "Oh, poor little pauper, Grant brought you here to be embarrassed when he ends up with Breann, as my mother has planned," he said.

"So, you believe," Fallon said.

"I know," Carter said.

"Right," Fallon said.

"Don't hold your breath," Carter said and walked away.

Fallon shook her head and found someone serving drinks. Taking one, Fallon shook her head and gave Carter the stink eye. After a deep sigh, Fallon turned and looked over the few people in the room. A tall older blonde woman was in her line of sight.

"Fallon?" Sheelagh VanderHout asked inquisitively.

"Yes," Fallon said.

Sheelagh titled her head, "You look like Lydia Vestergaard," she said.

Fallon smiled, just slightly, "Thank you," she said.

"Did you know her?" Sheelagh asked.

Fallon nodded, "Yeah, you could say that" she said.

"Sad what happened to her, and leaving a young daughter behind as well. Also, I heard that the poor girl was later orphaned when her father was murdered. She was so young," Sheelagh said.

Fallon nodded, "Yeah, it was tragic," she said.

Sheelagh nodded; Fallon figured that Sheelagh had a few too many already when the woman smiled at her. "How did you know Lydia Vestergaard?" Sheelagh asked.

"Well, you could say, hell, it's the right way to say it," Fallon said.

"What?" Sheelagh asked.

"Lydia Vestergaard was my mother," Fallon said, using her New York inflection and grammar versus her regular, less formal Southern speaking method.

"So, you're Fallon Stafford?" Sheelagh asked.

"Yes," Fallon said.

"So, that means," Sheelagh said.

"Yes," Fallon said.

"Eulalia said that Grant was bringing a woman named Fallon Adams," Sheelagh said.

"No, just me, Fallon Stafford," Fallon said.

"Wow! I was friends with your mother," Sheelagh said. Fallon nodded. That's why Sheelagh VanderHout sounded familiar. Sheelagh looked over Fallon's shoulder, "Eulalia tried to pull a fast one on me; it almost worked."

Fallon looked over her shoulder at Mrs. Coyle. Mrs. Coyle shook her head. Fallon turned back to Sheelagh.

"You have to come to meet someone," Sheelagh said to someone else.

Fallon turned to see a Serena Vander Woodson-looking woman standing next to Sheelagh. Fallon had to look up to make eye contact with this new woman. Fallon didn't think much of this as she would only average five foot four in heels on most days.

"Mother, you'll have to slow down with the cocktails," the new woman said.

"Please, meet the woman I just told you about," Sheelagh said.

The new woman nodded. "Of course, Mother," the new woman said.

"This is Fallon Stafford," Sheelagh said.

The new woman looked at Fallon. "You're Fallon Stafford?" the new woman asked.

Fallon nodded, this woman was tall, but Fallon knew taller and more physically intimidating. "Yes," Fallon said confidently.

"So, you do exist," the new woman said.

"The news of my solely mythological existence is greatly exaggerated," Fallon said.

"A pleasure to meet you," the new woman said and offered her hand.

"All mine, but I've seemed to miss your name," Fallon said.

"Breann, Breann VanderHout, this thing is all for me," Breann said, in a tone meant to say she didn't take this seriously.

"I'm sorry if I'm raining on your parade," Fallon said.

"No, no, you're not, and you don't have to worry about me," Breann said.

"Thank you," Fallon said and glanced over to Mrs. Coyle. All Fallon could think was if looks could kill. Fallon also noticed Grant was standing there, with a sly smile on his face.