"My Mother's Wife"
Emily and Maya switching roles in this story wouldn't have worked. Maya is the one with the sexual intensity and that's why it has to be written this way.
And anyway I always thought about writing an Aliya story and now I sort of have…
Rated M for Mature Content.
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"Please, Emily, I'm sorry I've been distant. You deserve so much better."
And all that flashes through my mind is, you're right, I do, I deserve better…I deserve Maya.
"I plan on giving you better. I plan on making this last. I hope it's not too late," she says with love and sincerity.
I hear her words and I nod. I have to put my marriage first, even though I have these overwhelming feelings of desire for Maya. What am I doing? You love Angel. This thing with Maya is just that…a thing. Isn't it?
No, it isn't…
Chapter 6: What Are We Doing?
Emily POV
"Emily, will you and Maya be working together again today?" Angel makes small talk as we get ready to go about our afternoons.
"I think so. We still have a lot to go over. But we were going to walk around town asking for donations for the auction. It will be nice to get out for a while." It will be nice to see Maya outside of this place. It will be nice to see if she's just as flirty here as she is out there. It will be nice to see if I'm not imagining this whole thing, whatever this thing is…
"That's a great idea. You two really are becoming quite the team on a professional level. How are you doing on a personal level?" She asks quite sincerely.
Gulp!
"What do you mean?" I'm feeling my nerves in my throat.
"Well, it's not like she's been giving you the time of day and I wasn't sure if she talked to you yet."
"Talked to me?" What's that supposed to mean?
"I asked her to give you a chance for family's sake, so is she?"
For family's sake? Oh.
"Maya and I are both really passionate about this project and it's given me some insight into her as a young woman with incredible drive. She really hopes to run this place one day or a place. And, yeah, she's being friendly towards me." Really friendly.
"Friendly?" She asks for clarification.
"She's actually talking to me, Angel." That's all.
"That's good. I'm glad. It sounds like she actually listened to her mother for a change."
I wish she hadn't said it like that. It makes it all sound so wrong but, then, why does it feel so right…
"Em, I really need to get to that lunch meeting."
"Is everything all right?"
"It's just a meeting. I want to make sure all my ducks are in a row so to speak."
"Okay then, I'll see you tonight?"
"Sure. Tonight."
She kisses me on the cheek.
"Angel?"
"Yeah?"
"So, who are you meeting with today?"
"Nobody. Just some banker."
We kiss a sweet simple kiss and off she goes but somehow I get the feeling she isn't telling me everything.
When she leaves I call Maya hoping we can get together soon.
"Hello?"
"Hi, its me."
"Me? Me who?" She's extra flirty! God she's so good at this!
"Cute Maya."
"What's up?"
"I was wondering when we were going to get together today."
"Get together? How so?" She purrs.
"Maya," I need to dial it down.
"What?"
"You act so innocent but you're so not," I call her out on her flirting.
"Well, why don't you come down to my room and you can see for yourself if I'm acting," she gets all raspy. She sounds so sexy!
"I'll be down but to work."
"Aww, you're no fun."
"I am fun."
"Prove it," she challenges with her husky tone.
"Maya."
"Emily."
"Will you be ready in twenty minutes or so?"
"Make it a half hour and I'm yours," she just had to slip that in!
"If you say so."
"Oh, I say so…"
I hang up the phone with the biggest fucking grin on my face! Maya acts like she's playing around but something tells me, she would act on that play. And here I am going down to see her walking right into her den of iniquity. I like that she challenges me. She keeps me honest. Though, I must admit if she's being serious, I've already lost. I mean, why is it that Maya and only Maya makes it so difficult for me to remember I'm married…
Lunch at the Oceanside
Angel POV
"Angel St. Germain, you certainly do know how to make an entrance," Marcus gets up and kisses my cheek.
"Ah, and you lost some of your rough edges," I smile.
"You look amazing," he returns the smile.
"You approve?" I ask.
"Success becomes you," he notices. Please," he gestures to the chair with his hand and helps me get settled.
A waiter stops by our table, "Will you be having coffee or tea?"
"Is this really just a business meeting?" he wonders.
"It's your call," I let him decide.
"What's your best scotch?"
"He'll have the forty year old Springbank," I decide to order for him.
"I guess I'll have the forty year old Springbank," he raises an eyebrow.
"Make that two please."
The waiter nods and leaves us.
"So, Marcus, why'd you want to meet here?"
"My turf."
"Fair enough."
"So how are things?" he asks.
"Actually, quite well, with the exception of a few robberies we've been unfortunate victims of."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Do you have any leads?"
"No, not yet but we're doing a mandatory search in the employee locker rooms. And we had the security company add a few more cameras in the lobby and hallways to get the best angles of people entering and exiting public areas."
"I have a feeling these thieves have no idea who they're dealing with."
"Let's hope not."
The waiter brings us our drinks. We pick up our glasses and Marcus makes a toast.
"To…Michael."
We clink glasses. We sip.
"This is harder than I thought," I say.
"I don't think you and I…have we ever been together without him?" he asks.
"Once."
"The funeral," he reminds me.
There's a moment of silence between us.
"You do understand why all those years I-I didn't…"
"You look at me and I look at you but all we see is him," I say what he was trying to.
We look into each other's eyes and I have to close mine if only to shake away this conversation.
"Okay, please something else, let's…," he needs the subject changed too.
"So, Marcus St. Germain, I don't check social media as much as I should. Are you married?"
"Twice."
"Really."
"The last one just moved back to New York. I reminded her of her father or something paternal. So, yes once again, I'm divorced. Why? Do you know any eligible women?" He asks seriously but with a flirt in his tone.
"Nobody in your league," I raise an eyebrow.
We sip our drinks.
"Mmm, this is nice," he says. "You always knew the best of everything, except, of course, you chose the wrong St. Germain."
"You used to call me the cabana girl."
"You used to be one."
We chuckle.
"Besides I was just testing you," he admits.
"And I failed?"
"Who's to say. Here we are," he smiles.
We gaze at one another until I finally look away.
"There's something I want to talk to you about."
"Uh oh, where's our waiter," he holds up his nearly empty glass.
"Oh, nice," I share in his attempt at humor.
"Please, Angel, no charts or graphs, not yet. Just talk to me."
"Okay. I want you to buy out my partner."
"You want…me?" He sounds surprised.
"You would own forty-nine percent of The Edgemont."
Oh boy, here it comes.
"You take over my family's hotel, tear down our family home to expand, and then you want to sell me half?" He says completely taken aback.
"Forty-nine percent," I correct and persist.
"Forty-nine percent, at what I assume is current market value?" He shrugs and tosses back the rest of his drink.
His posturing and his tone turn serious.
"Show me the books."
He's really going to consider this. I smile and take my IPad out of my bag.
Emily POV
Knock, knock, knock…
Maya opens the door fully dressed.
"Don't you look like the professional?" I step into her suite.
She captures my eyes with hers as she tilts her head to put on her earrings, "Professional what?" She smiles that devilish smile.
I smile, needing to look away, always needing to look away.
"You look nice," I finally get out.
"Thank you. So do you."
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah, let me just grab my bag."
We're both wearing business suits with skirts. I've chosen light gray with a pink camisole while Maya has chosen black with a light blue button down. We take off to town in my car and while I'm driving my cell phone rings. Maya checks her purse but I show her that it's mine and I hit decline.
"Damn it."
"Is everything okay?" I ask.
"I left my phone in my room."
"Do you want me to go back so you can get it?"
"Nah, maybe it will be nice to not be interrupted for a while," she eye sexes me taking an extra-long gaze at my legs as my skirt has ridden up a bit.
I smile, and lock my eyes on the road. I'm not taking any chances with her flirting. I'm just not sure if I would say no…
I park the car in the business district and we walk along the beachside of the street, stopping at the area hotels and spas. Maya seems to get everyone she asks to donate something and I have to say, I'm kind of in awe of her right now.
"Hey, there's a few higher end restaurants up ahead, should we stop in or do you think we should do a formal letter," I ask.
"Well, we're here so we might as well feel them out. The worst they can do is say no."
"You're right."
We walk into The Oceanside taking a minute to admire its spectacular layout. It's a beautiful restaurant overlooking the ocean.
"I could get used to a place like this," Maya says.
"I could too," this time our eyes do connect but we're interrupted when the hostess asks if we have a reservation.
I explain why we're there and she tells us we need to speak to the management. She escorts us to the formal bar to wait.
"So, should we order a drink?" Maya asks sounding like she needs one.
"We better just have water for now."
"Fine."
"This is business and it wouldn't look good if we came looking for donations and started drinking."
"No, no, you're right. Let's just look around at what we might get to do some day," she winks.
Shivers crawl up and down my body.
I do what she suggests and look around. And who do I see but Angel and her nobody. Maya looks at where my eyes have seared themselves.
"Is that Angel? Who's she with?"
"I don't know. She said she had a meeting with a banker."
"A banker?" she looks more closely.
"What?" She looks like she recognizes him.
"That banker is my uncle, my father's brother Marcus."
"Marcus? How come I don't know him?" And more importantly why did Angel say she was meeting nobody.
"Em, you know Marcus was the one who introduced Michael to Angel, right?"
I say nothing.
"He didn't think they'd fall in love. And by the time he knew what was happening he realized he lost his own chance at love. We don't really see him all that much even though he lives across the way from the hotel. I think that's why."
"He lives across from the hotel?"
"Angel didn't tell you?"
"No, no she didn't."
"Did she tell you why they were having lunch?"
"She said it was a business meeting. She wants to get all of her ducks in a row so to speak."
"Ducks or fucks Emily."
"Maya."
"I don't know what's going on with them but I do know if I were you I wouldn't be comfortable with my wife doing business with her brother-in-law who happens to have carried a torch for her and probably still does."
"You don't know that."
"Don't I? Regardless, Angel lied to you. She played off this business meeting like it was nothing special. But it looks pretty special to me."
Marcus takes Angel's hand in his and kisses it. She lets him and they give each other a lingering look.
"She's playing with fire and someone's gonna get burned," Maya looks at me as though I'll be the victim.
"Let's go. I've seen enough."
"But what about the donation?"
I give her a look that says it all and she returns my look with an honesty I'm not used to from her.
"Sure Em," she links arms with me as we walk out and I think I surprise her by not pulling away. I want what I want too.
She walks me back to the car taking my keys from me. When we get back to the hotel she brings me down to the Atlantis for a drink. I sit in a booth in the back while she goes to the bar and orders. I kind of go into a fog sitting there by myself wondering what it was we just saw…
Maya POV
Max DiLaurentis comes up behind me while I'm waiting for our drinks and says, "You got something you want to tell me?"
I'm panicking. What the fuck! How did he find out!
I casually turn to him, "What?"
"What?" He repeats. "What do you mean what? I'm asking you what."
I stumble with my words which is so unlike me, "Uh. I-I'm sorry, I don't know what…"
He interrupts, "Oh, but you do, you do know. You just didn't think I'd find out."
"Oh, um. Uh."
"Asshole."
I'm shitting myself right now.
"The robberies," he clarifies.
"Oh, right. Um," I clear my throat. "I thought Angel would've, ya know…"
"Some asshole has been hitting suites here at The Edgemont. Who would be that fucking crazy?"
"Angel is all over it."
"Well you tell Angel, if she wants, I'll deliver the pricks head in a duffle bag."
I just stand there perplexed by his words wondering if he's really talking about the stolen stuff.
"Hey, Maya, catch this guy soon or I will."
"Thanks. Yeah, I'll tell her, yeah, thank you. Thanks."
He walks away leaving me there. I let out the breath I was holding in that whole time as my knees cave beneath me. He's a shark in business and now I know why. He wouldn't think twice about offing someone who got in his way. Shit! That explains why Alison wants me to get rid of those pictures so badly. And after that scaring me shitless moment I think I will delete them!
I give Emily her drink but I'm really distracted knowing I didn't have my phone all day and anyone who has access to the key cards could've taken it. Shit!
"What is it Maya?"
"Nothing, it's fine. But you look like you're thinking about something."
"And you look like you're thinking about something," I put the focus of the conversation on her.
"Yeah, I'm thinking about dinner tonight. I'm supposed to meet Angel and I kind of don't feel like it," she sucks down her drink.
"Slow down Em. Don't do anything you might regret later."
Emily POV
I eye sex her knowing I'm sending her a clear message. A message I'm hoping I won't regret.
"Maya, what I do know is she lied to me." Just like I'm lying to her thinking about you all the time!
"Come on, we need to go."
"I don't want to go."
"Emily, please."
We get in the elevator and she looks distracted.
"Maya, what's going on?"
"I'm just thinking about the property that was stolen and I left my phone in my room so someone could've taken it."
"Only if the thief works here."
"Em, they have to. How else could they so easily get away with it?"
The elevator dings to her floor.
"I'm coming with you."
Maya POV
I unlock my door and hurry to my bedroom. Emily follows leaning in the doorway.
"It's okay Emily, it's only a bedroom. You can come in. I promise I won't bite."
She does so reluctantly.
"Don't worry, I won't jump your bones…this time," I stare at her making her behave nervously.
She clears her throat, "Is it there?"
"Yeah, let me just check something."
I click on my photo app and it's blank. No pictures. Shit! I open the back of it. The SIM card…it's gone!
"Em, I'm sorry, there's something I need to take care of. Do you mind?"
"No, it's fine."
It kind of looks like she does mind but I can't with her right now. I have to tell Alison. Fuck!
Emily POV
I go upstairs to get ready for dinner and hear the shower running. It must be Angel because Lily is having dinner with friends. I plop on the bed staring up at the ceiling. I should be happy about this! Angel pretty much just gave me permission to cheat! But damn it! Am I feeling jealous? Or am I feeling bold? Ugghh! I need to get ready for our dinner. It's then, that I will test her. If she lies, well then, I guess I lie too…
Maya POV
"Jesus Alison, he showed up at the Atlantis insinuating that he knows."
"And does he? Know?"
"No. At least I don't think so."
"You deleted the pictures didn't you?"
"Well, that's the thing."
"Maya!"
"Alison, you don't understand. I kept them for insurance in case he tried anything but he acted like he was going to kill the person who's fucking his wife!"
"That's why I wanted you to delete them!"
"I know and I was about to but someone stole the SIM card from my phone. It's like they knew what they were looking for."
"Shit Maya!"
"I'll find it Alison. I'll find it."
"Maya, what if someone tried blackmailing him already."
"I don't think I'd be here right now if that were true."
"Now what?"
"I keep an eye out for an employee who's spending more money than they should have."
"I don't like this."
"I'll get it back. I will, Alison."
"Fine, but you need to go. He'll be back soon and you can't be here."
I leave to go but she grabs me and kisses me with a desperate kiss, a kiss that could be our last.
Emily POV
Angel's trying hard to be sweet with me, a little too hard. Guilty much? We walk across the grand entrance towards the restaurant when a convertible pulls up to the valet. It's him.
"Who is that?" I play dumb.
"It's, it's, Marcus St. Germain," she stammers nervously.
"Of course it is," I act less than surprised.
"Can you give me a second?" she asks me.
"Is it business?"
"It is, actually, business."
"Well, then take your time."
I watch as she waits for him to step out of his vehicle.
Angel POV
"Looks like I interrupted a night out."
"Why are you here?"
"Lovely to see you too. I got tired of studying the numbers. I thought it would be more fun to finally see the real thing."
"I'm sorry, just, um, seeing you here is…it's great," I manage to get out.
He chuckles.
"No, it is. If you could just give me a second. I'll take you on a grand tour," I should be grateful he's showing interest in the place.
"I think Emelia is coming and she looks a bit cranky."
"Emelia…Emily, this is Marcus St. Germain."
"Marcus, finally, a pleasure."
"I'm so sorry for bursting in on you. I'm rarely spontaneous. Now I remember why. You look stunning," he says to my wife.
"No really, its fine."
"No, no you go on ahead; I'll just have a quick look around," he says.
"Is this your first time here?" Emily asks.
"Yeah, in a way. I haven't been here since the renovations."
"I'd really like to show Marcus the place," Angel insists.
"Another time, really," he says.
"Please."
"Why?" He looks at me curiously.
"Cuz I do."
I need to.
Emily POV
"Emily, see if Maya can have a drink with you and we'll be there soon."
"I can come back. I just live…"
"Angel's right, please and Maya can keep me company." In so many ways.
"It's okay?" He asks.
"It's better than okay," I insist.
Angel kisses me.
"Don't wait up," I say.
"I'll be there soon." She can tell I'm upset with her.
"Of course you will. Oh and make sure she shows you the kitchen, it's her pride and joy."
Angel POV
I look at Marcus and say her name correctly this time, "Emily."
"She's beautiful."
"All right Mr. St. Germain what would you like to see first?"
"How 'bout the kitchen."
We laugh.
Emily POV
I walk into the Atlantis and there she is.
"Maya."
"Emily, what happened with dinner?"
"Marcus showed up."
"You're shitting me!"
"Nope."
"So where's Angel now?"
"She's giving him a tour of the hotel."
"So what are you doing here in the Atlantis instead of being at Angel's side?"
"Looking for you."
"Me?"
"Yep you."
"Why?" She narrows her eyes at me wondering what I'm up to.
"Because Maya St. Germain you're taking me to the sexiest night club in town."
"I am?" She eye sexes me and I know she's all in.
"Yes you are," I grab her hand and head towards the elevators for a sexy night of dancing.
This time I'm the one with the devilish smile…
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To Be Continued…
Review please! ;)