Dani goes to work the next morning with the intention of telling Nico no but after a run in with Gabriele decides to go ahead with it instead.
-oOo-
Quickly walking toward the coach's office I came to an abrupt halt when I found none other than Gabriele Pittman leaning against Coach's desk like she already owned the place wearing yet another animal print slinky dress. It made me want to gag dressing like she was clubbing rather than being at a professional football facility.
I cursed my luck when I realize that Coach was standing beside her and needing to speak with him I wasn't able to turn around and walk away. Placing a fake smile on my face I braced myself head up high as I stepped inside.
Damn it was just my luck that the coach was there and I needed to speak to him so here goes nothing. Placing a fake smile on my face I walk into the office and address the coach.
Addressing the coach I spoke, "Hey coach, have you seen Nico?" Glancing towards Gabriele studying her as she sized me up. Returning her gaze just as steady, I raised an eyebrow not sure if to ask or answer unspoken question.
"Good morning Dr. Dani, I don't believe you have me Mrs. Pittman yet," replied Coach. "Mrs. Pittman this is Dr. Danielle Santino our impact player and in house shrink."
Appearing on her face what I could only describe as an equally fake smile holding out her hand towards me. Taking her hand only to be polite I never blinked.
"Hello it's nice to me you," I reply as politely as I could considering all I knew about what this woman had put Nico through.
Releasing my hand I had to hold back the impulse to wipe that same hand off across my pants leg. I doubted it would go over well with either Coach or Mrs. Pittman and from the look she was shooting me I could tell she knew exactly what I was thinking, if the narrowing of her eyes was any indicator. My dislike of her was obviously matched by her own based on the gaze she was returning. If JD was here he would say we were flapping our wings in a sign of trying to gain dominance over our flock.
"Coach why don't you leave Dr. Santino and I to get acquainted," she demanded sending Coach a look that said "get out or else". His eyes drifted between us before he finally left quickly and quietly. Silence remained in the room once he left and I was starting to wonder if I could speak first. "
She gives the coach a look that said get out or else. He looked from her to me and back again and left quickly and quietly. "So I have heard so many things about you Dr. Santino and I wanted to meet you face to face to discuss a few things about your position with the team." Walking around the desk she sat down in the Coach's chair like it was her own even though it wasn't yet.
"What about my position with the team," I asked slowly making my way to sit in the seat directly across from her. Sitting down I cross my legs, arms at ease as if I don't have a care in the world, all along seething that this little snake would slither in and try to take charge. This anger towards her was not so shocking considering my discussion with Nico but the level of anger is what really surprised me.
"Well I don't know if you have heard or not but my husband and I are getting divorced and if things go as planned then I could possibly be the new owner of the team so I am in the process of evaluating everyone's position including yours," she began almost as if she was trying to get a reaction from me. Refusing to give her any king of satisfaction I simply smiled politely killing her with kindness instead.
"Hmm well according to Nico I am a very valuable ass-," I paused only for an instant, "-et that needs to be protected so if there was a concern with my position then I am sure he would have informed me since Marshall Pittman still owns the team." I shot her a confident smile.
If looks could kill I would be six feet under which only caused a smirk to grown across my face.
"Dr. Santino things change and your position could be one of the very things that change," giving me a smug look that I wanted to wipe right off, preferably with my fist.
In that moment I knew with absolute certainty that I was going to help Nico get rid of her once and for all. Of course it has nothing to do with being jealous of even the thought of her and Nico, at least I keep saying this to myself repeating it like a mantra.
Analyzing her from across the desk I began to realize that she feels threatened by me for some reason, but I wasn't sure why since we have never met before today. A woman like Gabriele feels threatened by any other woman for no other reason than the fact that she is a woman.
"Well then I will just have to have a chat with Nico and your husband to see what they think of all of this," is my simple response.
This was not the reply that she had been expecting though she tried to mask this but was unable to from a trained therapist. What she said next sounded more like a jealous girlfriend rather than an almost boss and also confirmed my suspicions, "You make it seem as if Nico is your very own personal bodyguard." She seemed to be examining me as if she was trying to figure out just how close Nico and I had become.
With the little devil sitting on my shoulder whispering to me to speak I decided to have a little fun of my own. "Well," I paused for dramatic effect and also to piss her off, "Nico and I have become quite, umm, close since I started working here." After making the statement I simply sat back and waited for her response. I expected it would be something typical of a woman like her and she didn't disappoint.
Giving me another smug look she leaned onto the desk. "Actually, Nico and I have become quite, umm, close as well." She then sat back crossing her arms over her chest as if to say "take that".
Well not only will I take it but I will shove back down her throat. Once again that little devil sitting on my shoulder has permanently knocked the angel off and is goading me to give a real bitchy reply. And I have always hated to disappoint anyone so this is where I twist the knife into the little witch. "Yes, Nico told me all about just how, ummm, close the two of you were." The look on her face was priceless; it was a cross between shock and total denial. But I continue since the conversation had taken a turn to my advantage. "Your association or lack thereof with Nico is duly noted, but like all good things, if you want to call them that, they must eventually come to an end."
"Why you little bitch," her voice raised rearing up from the desk. "I was trying to play nice but since you want to be nasty I will show you how it's done." Towering over me in an intimidating manner, only I will not be intimidated. Hell if I wasn't intimidated when TK threatened to go upside my head with his cell phone I sure as hell won't be by the likes of her.
"Well from what I've heard nasty is your specialty," I retorted all the while still sitting in the seat in front of coach's desk, legs still crossed, arms still relaxed, with a smile as big as New York City on my face, all the while seething at this little snake in a designer dress.
Nico chooses that exact moment to walk into the coach's office interrupting whatever rebuttal she was going to issue.
"Ladies is there a problem here?" he asked looking directly at Gabriele in what could be described as his don't mess with me look before turning his attention to me. "Dr. Santino, I have been looking for you to discuss that project we were working on." Giving me a nod he asked the question without speaking a word causing me to slowly nod answering with a smile for yes. Yes I will help him, yes I will "pretend" to be his girlfriend, just plain yes even though it seems my motives have changed for wanting to help him.
"Oh yes the project," I replied standing I move closer to Nico. Placing my hand on his chest I gazed up into his eyes. "I think we should talk about our project at our Tuesday night restaurant, if that's alright with you?" With my back to Gabriele she can't see the smile and wink I have just tossed to Nico.
He simply raised his eyebrow if asking what I am up to but still playing along. "Actually that was going to be suggestion as well." Ignoring Gabriele's glare being thrown our way.
Turning I walk back to pick up my purse I left sitting next to the chair in front of coach's desk. Giving her a parting shot I say, "It looks as if we won't get to finish our conversation after all Mrs. Pittman." Smirking I move to Nico's side.
Sensing she was clearly losing this battle Gabriele interjected, "Nico, we really need to discuss the situation with the Hawk's, don't you agree?"
Nico responded, "Actually any discussions regarding the Hawk's I will discuss with Marshall and Marshall alone." He turned taking my arm to lead me out of the coach's office and to "our" Tuesday night restaurant to discuss strategy.
-oOo-
Sorry but I felt that Gabriele and Dani needed this confrontation so that the battle lines could be drawn and Dani could make her decision. Plus I just wanted to let Dani's inner bitch out to play. LOL! But don't worry because if you guys have read my other fic Love Song then you will love the next few chapters. Wink! Wink! Laughs evilly!