16.
The following afternoon, Maxwell seemed to have rapidly changed his perception of Fran.
"Miss Fine, just where do you think you're going?" Maxwell asked, possessively.
Fran came down the stairs wearing a short-sleeve, black, button-up front shirt with a frilly collar and, and a knee-length, straight, white skirt with black lace trim. All in all, she looked very cute and fashionable, especially with her black Mary Jane's. Max eyed her admiringly. She could still look so WOW even wearing something lady-like and not as tight. Fran had her white little spring purse on her arm, so he figured she was on her way out and he could have sworn he just heard the doorbell ring. Yep, she was getting ready to leave with her date.
"Out with Jules," she answered sharply and a bit haughtily, as if he had no right to question her.
Jules? So now she already had some kind of nickname for this fellow. Maxwell almost threw up in his mouth. How he loathed this Julian!
"Well—I.. uh, well you can't! Yes, you can't go with him!" ordered Maxwell.
"And why is that?!"
Fran got up in his face, tilting her head and placing her hands on her hips while waiting intently for some kind of explanation to his demands.
"I'm afraid I need you tonight Miss Fine… um, you see I—uh, I have to have someone watch the children while I attend a meeting with C.C."
This was the third date in a row Mr. Sheffield ruined because of some, so-called "urgent business he had to attend to."
Something smells fishy about all this and I know it isn't the shrimp Nile's cooked for dinner earlier. Why does Mr. Sheffield always have to be so inconvenient? All I wanna do is go out with Julian!
"Can't Niles do it?" whined Fran.
"It's his night off Miss Fine," said Maxwell, in such a way that it made Fran feel bad and believe that taking Nile's day off was a mean thing to do and she shouldn't dare consider it.
"But Mr. Sheffield, that isn't fair!" disputed Fran.
Max scoffed.
"Miss Fine, I'm sure you won't die, you did see him yesterday if I do recall," stated Maxwell, still disgusted by her infatuation.
"Oh, but still! Are you sure this meeting is completely necessary?"
She looked him square in the eye.
"Absolutely."
Fran blew out a frustrated breath.
"For your sake, it better be Mister," Fran said forcefully, practically threatening him. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go say goodbye to Julian."
She started to walk towards the front door, but quickly turned around.
"Oh and another thing," began Fran. "You really need to draw me up a calendar of events or something, because I need to know when I am free! I have a steady boyfriend now and I would like to see him at least every once in a blue moon!"
Steady boyfriend. Uggghh! Make me sick! thought Maxwell. This little charade is going on far too long. Her other dates were so predictable and short-term!
She still stood there, waiting for a reply.
"That can be arranged."
He said it so softly, that it almost sounded like he whispered out the words.
Fran strode away from him and outside to where Julian was waiting on the veranda. It was very sunny and quite enchanting outside.
Julian warmly embraced Fran, some words were said and he appeared to be a little discouraged by what she had to say. They moved to the side. Maxwell who was watching them, shifted closer to the windowed door for a better look. They were too engrossed in each other to pay him any notice anyway.
When he got there, he placed a hand on the glass and stared in misery as Fran and Julian made out while leaning against the wall. It also seemed they were using their tongues a lot. Julian placed a kiss on her nose, she giggled… Fran laid her head on Julian's shoulder, then kissed him… and kissed him… he was kissing her lovingly and passionately back… brushing the hair out of her eyes…
Niles suddenly appeared right behind him.
"Enjoying the view sir?" he questioned.
"It's horrible, I can't even see between them—they are too close together," remarked Maxwell.
They still kissed and embraced… seconds ticked on… still kissing… hugging… gently touching… a few minutes later… snogging even more…
Maxwell let his hand slip down the glass of the door and not being able to stand or tolerate any more, walked away from the nauseating scene outside. Without turning around he said, "Niles, please get me some aspirin."
"There is no meeting, is there sir?" asked Niles, concerned about his boss' welfare while pretending to be innocent all the same.
Maxwell stopped in his tracks at his butler's words.
"Just get me the damn aspirin, will you!"