Is Seeing Believing?
One year later
Phoebe POV:
Craig, Carrie and I get out of the car, outside of my daughters school. I deliberately leave my cell phone in the car, as I don't want to be interrupted. Last year I failed to take over a IT company in Toronto, which was in decline. The owners were stubborn, even after I offered them a generous offer considering. There were so many jobs at risk and profit levels were dropping when the opposite should have been happening. The company had everything at it finger tips to make a profit, but poor management got in the way! Now a year later, the Toronto based Company is in even more debt and at least eighty percent of its workforce is in danger. The owners are much more amendable now than last year. My cell phone has rung constantly as a result, though I am not willing to make a generous offer anymore. I want to make these owners take responsibility for their stupidity, and for putting so many people's livelihoods at risk! Nonetheless, I need to expedite the sale so we can start to take action.
I try not laugh as Craig and Carrie, do their one hundredth checks to make sure she hasn't forgotten anything. Carrie is going on the compulsory Grade sixth camp that is held every year. She wasn't too eager on this camp as it is a survival camp. All the girls have to sleep in tents, attempt to cook their food and hike from one location to another, using a map and a compass. Carrie attends the same exclusive all girls school that I did as a child and from what one of my old teachers, who still works here, tells me, it is to give some of the richest and indulged girls in Seattle a taste of life outside their rich lifestyles.
I have to admit that I was one of the richest and indulged young girls in Seattle, but my parents made sure I was never spoilt and understood the world outside the four walls of our home. My parents have helped me to make sure that Carrie too didn't become spoilt. Though they have also helped to ensure she is indulged, but luckily she is levelled headed, most of the time.
"Have you got everything?" I ask.
"I guess so, but maybe I should have packed more clothes"
"You are going to be glad you didn't. Wait till you have to carry your pack back with you, from one campsite to another. Some of your friends look like they have packed for a month in Europe." Craig points horrified at the amount of bags the other students have.
"Actually my friends are going to struggle when they get caught with their cell phones and its get confiscated."
"Thank you for reminding me. Cell phone" I hold my hand out, and Carrie drops her shoulders and she retrieves her phone out of her pocket. Yesterday morning I received an email from Carrie comments reminds me of the email I received from the school, informing all parents that they were to claim their child's cell phones or risk having them confiscated by the school.
"I need to learn to keep my mouth shut don't I?" Craig and I both can't help but smirk at Carries statement.
"Girls, it is time to say goodbye to your parents until Friday. Bring your bags to the trailer, and board the bus" The Vice Principal, Mrs Ingham, bellows out. She was here when I was a student here school and was the only person here never to get intimidated by my father.
"I better go." Carrie hugs Craig goodbye first, and they briefly exchange a few words, that I don't hear as it is so noisy with all the students and their parents. I also get the feeling that I am not supposed to hear whatever they have said also.
"Bye Mom. Love you"
"Love you too Angel. Craig and I will pick you up on Friday and then we can do anything you like that evening." I offer.
"Okay, but since I am about to spend the next three days on basic composites, I am going to want a long hot bath. I am pretty sure you both are going to want me to do the same."
"Oh Carrie has a point. I may have to stay at my place on Friday evening." Craig teases.
"Funny Craig! When was the last night you spent at your place? Are you sure you can still find the way?" Carrie jokes back. As my daughter grows I am noticing more of her father quick wit, coupled with my Uncle Elliot's off beat sense of humor.
Craig and I say good bye to her one more time and wave as Carrie heads off. "She is going to have a brilliant time," Craig tells me standing behind me and wrapping his arms around me.
"I know." I feel Craig's phone, which is in his pocket vibrate against my hip. He pulls out his phone and looks perplexed when he sees the number. It must be work. Craig has been put in charge of a team, who is populated with a couple of less than competent people, and he is determined to train them. As a result, it often means numerous calls from one of his team members when he starts late, on days like this.
"I will meet you in the car." I mouth to him and he nods, answering the call. I want to check my emails anyway.
'YES! About time!' I call out when I read the first email, and excitement takes over. Craig enters the car, but his expression is the opposite of mine.
"Work again?" I ask
"Huh?" Craig asks, and it becomes obvious to me that he hasn't heard me.
"Your phone call. Was it one of your team members?" I ask again.
"Umm.. yeah. It is going to be the death of me." Craig tries to make light of the comment but looks disorientated. I know I can intervene and make his work life easier as GEH owns the company, but I don't think it would be appropriate, and Craig wouldn't appreciate it either!
"I got am email from my assistant and a meeting has been scheduled for first thing tomorrow morning with the soon to be former owners of the company in Toronto. They have accepted all my conditions and the price, so now I just have to get to Grey House and prepare all the paper work. I am going to have legal, accounting, and my whole team working till late. There is so much to do, and I don't want to delay anything" I tell Craig, but I am also making a list in my mind of what I need to do.
"I guess this means we won't be meeting for lunch or dinner tonight" Craig questions.
"I am sorry. I know we planned to have lunch together but..." Craig places his finger on my lips silencing me.
"It's alright. I may just do the same and work late, or grab something to eat this evening with one of the guys at work." Craig says casually but then looks at his cell phone. He is so preoccupied! I pull out and start to drive.
"You know Carrie had a point. You do spend a lot of time at our house, maybe you should just move in" I have no idea why I am nervous right now that I am forced to grip the steering wheel tightly, so Craig doesn't notice that my hands are shaking.
"Can we talk about that later? There is something I have been wanting to talk to you about" Craig's unexpected response unsettles me and the tone in his voice are mixed.
"Okay... yeah, sure!" I respond.
I drop Craig off at the front of his workplace and kiss him good bye. "I will see you tomorrow." I state sadly.
"See you then."
There is something terribly off about Craig, but I put it down to his work demands and maybe he doesn't want to move in with me. Perhaps he just prefers the way our relationship has been going. It has been an incredible sixteen months. His last relationship ended in divorce, and I know that haunts him in a way. Either way, rights too much going on to dwell if I have made an error in asking him to move in with me.
# # # #
It is eight in the evening, and finally we have prepared all the paperwork for tomorrow's meeting. All the owners of the company need to do is sign these papers, and it's a done deal. I thank my team who have worked since nine thirty this morning non-stop to make this all happen and tell them to go home. I intend to ensure they are all sent home early tomorrow as a thank you for their hard work and diligence today.
"Phoebe, want me to wait with you and walk you to your car?" Eli asks. He never calls me Aunt Phoebe in the presence of work colleagues for obvious reasons.
"No, you go. See if you can catch that new girl you are seeing" I tease him playfully.
"She is waiting for me in my apartment," Eli says a little too confidently.
"Just be safe. Okay!" I reply.
"Always" I shake my head at my nephew and wonder if Ted and Lily realize how much of a player he is at times. He seriously needs to find someone that will love him, and he can love with his whole heart.
My cell phone vibrates on the table and I say a little prayer. I pray that it is Craig saying that he misses me and wants to meet me, even if it is a little late. I pick up the phone, and whilst I smile at the caller ID, it isn't Craig.
"Hi Dad... Yes, I am at Grey house, and everything is ready. We have been working nonstop to make sure all everything will go swiftly and smoothly tomorrow, and then I can throw them out. I have a good mind to make sure those incompetent men never run a company ever again... No, Eli has gone home, and I am going to grab a bite to eat. I am hungry, I haven't eaten all day" I bang myself against my forehead. Did I rely just admit to my dad that I haven't elated all day.
My father has now commenced to lecture me and called out to my mother. They both had a late lunch and were planning on having a late dinner, which has now turned into a dinner date with me. I agree to meet them at the hottest new restaurants, located in one of the most elegant hotels in Seattle. My father assures me he can get us in. Of course, he can he is Christian Grey of course.
I get into my car and arrive fifteen minutes after I left the office. I didn't rush out knowing my parents will have to drive here from the sound. I approach the front of the restaurant and look around. Instead of examining the decor, my eyes focus on the couples that are populating the restaurant. They look happy, in love, and I start to miss Craig even more. What is wrong with me, I saw him this morning, and he is around constantly. I recognize several of the patrons at the restaurant.
"Ms Harris, it is marvelous to see you. Your parents, Mr and Mrs Grey just rang and said that they will arrive in a few minutes." The host greets. I am a little embarrassed when he already knows my name and is overly attentive. The owner must have pre-warned him after my father rang to make this booking. I hope they didn't cancel someone else's booking to get us in.
"Yes please" I reply frowning, when I see our table for three. Oh how I wish it was for four or two, this way Craig could have made it tonight.
I take a couple of steps into the restaurant, behind the host, and my world looks a little brighter. There to my left and unaware that I am here is Craig. He is deep in conversation, but I can't see whom he is with yet. Craig did mention that he might go out with one of the guys at work, though this is an odd setting for a boy's night out. All the blood then rushes from my head, and I feel a stab of pain, unlike I have ever felt before when I see a pair of hands. A female hand touches his face and then grabs his hand and kisses it.
I take a few quiet but swift steps to look at the woman who is with the man that has slept with me practically every night for over a year. The first thing I see is her long blonde hair and greenish eyes. I know I have seen her before, but I can't place her at first, but then it hits me. I know whom she is. Bronwyn. Craig is at dinner with his ex-wife, and he let her touch him. I feel as if the whole world is moving, but I am frozen in time.
Craig has lied to me, and I contemplate the possibility that maybe he has been doing this for some time. He said he loved me, he has said it every day for over a year. Or was he lying then too? 'Carrie', Craig going to hurt her too. She adores Craig and has become so much part of her life.
I turn around to make an unnoticed exit; however, in my haste I knock a waiter, and the plate of food he was balancing on his hands fall to the ground.
"I am sorry," I say apologetically.
"Do not worry Ms Harris. Are you hurt?" The host intervenes.
"No, but I have to leave" I utter with tears threatening to pour down my face. I dare not look around to see who has noticed my lack of grace, and I don't want to see Craig. I walk out quickly but not fast enough to get anyone else's attention. When I am out of the restaurant and in the hotel lobby, I pick up the pace determined to get out of here as quickly as possible. I have made it out the hotel doors and onto the street when I then run into a tall gentleman. I look up, and it's my father. He swiftly lets go of my mother and puts his hands on my arms, preventing me from moving. Damn he is still so strong!
"Phoebe, where are you going? I meant what I said on the phone, you need to eat!" My father scolds without looking at me.
"Your upset, what's happened?" My mother 's question gets the attention of my father who now trying to determined what transpired from my expression and surroundings.
"Nothing, I just want to get out of here. Let's go somewhere else for dinner" I bark at them unfairly, but I can't go back into that restaurant. I refuse to see Craig again with the woman he told me he no longer cared for.
"Yes we can go somewhere else the second you tell us why you are upset." My father's authoritarian, but full of concern. I can't tell him, not right now. Not only will he and Ryan rip Craig to shreds, but I don't think I can verbalize what I just witnessed. I am still trying to process it.
"No, I can't" I murmur.
"PHOEBE!" My name is yelled out from behind me, and it's an all too familiar voice. It's Craig. "PHOEBE STOP" I can tell he is coming closer to us, and all I want to do is run. I don't have the strength today to argue or listen to some excuse from the man I thought loved me.
"I want to get out of here. NOW" I tell my parents.
"PHOEBE STOP, NO DON'T RUN. PLEASE" Craig yells.
Authors note: Sorry this is a little short. I will write the next chapter this weekend. Review if you wish.