My Mother's Wife

by salsa3344

This is an AU story. It's set in Naples, Florida at a resort hotel called The Edgemont. The St. Germains own the majority shares of the hotel. A family tragedy has brought a mother to love another much to the chagrin of her oldest daughter, Maya.

9. There's Always A Next Time

"My Mother's Wife"

I'm doing the best I can with updates. My priority was bringing "Soul Mates" to a close with the –A storyline and now that that's out of the way I can work on other stories.

Rated M for Mature Content.

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She walks towards me and I swear she's going to kiss me and I want her to but instead she brushes past me. I follow her into the sitting area. She gets comfortable on the couch and pulls out her laptop. I sit next to her and we go through all the details with a fine tooth comb but I can't stop thinking about all those loose ends…

What am I to do…

Chapter 9: There's Always A Next Time…

Alison POV

Maya leaves my bed early the next morning unbeknownst to her that Max watched us fuck all night long. He wanted Maya in my bed. He threatened me to get her there. I had to convince her it's what we needed. I did need her but mostly I needed to stay alive and I needed Maya to stay alive too. And when my door clicks shut I open my eyes and crawl out of bed. I count slowly to ten before I open the door making sure Maya is nowhere to be seen. I ascend the staircase to Max's boudoir. I quietly open his door, and there he lies passed out on top of the one way mirror. His pajama pants expose his bare ass after having jerked off to our fucking. If I only had a gun, this would all be over. But can I even risk the thought of murdering this bastard of a man? Only time will tell…

At The Edgemont…

Max and I are having a late breakfast or an early lunch at poolside when he spots Maya.

"Hey, Maya! Maya! Come!" he waves her over to us.

She's dressed in a business suit with a pencil skirt and white blouse with black heels. She looks very professional and very sexy with her pin straight black hair flowing past her shoulders. She tries to look the other way but with his insistence she doesn't want to make a scene so she casually strolls over.

He says softly yet callously to me before she reaches us, "Maya must be famished, no?"

"Max, don't."

"Max. Mrs. DiLaurentis," Maya says rather formally.

"No, it's Alison," he gestures to me so Maya will call me that in front of him.

She smiles having no idea he watched us fuck.

"Alison."

I can't even look at her. I feel so awful doing this to her but I don't have a choice.

"Maya, join us."

"Look. I, uh, have a meeting."

"Right, right, the Auction is this weekend and you're running the ship. You're a good woman. And how's Angel?"

"She's good. She's in good spirits these days."

"Well, that is everything, isn't it?"

She nods politely with a smile while I don't know where to look.

"If anything should fall through, well then, you can count on me."

There's an awkward pause.

Then Max out of the blue asks Maya, "Did you ever wonder where I got my nickname?"

"Nickname?"

"Yeah, my nickname, the Shark. You ever wonder why they call me that?"

"Never."

"I grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth but still I had to prove myself. I started from the ground up and learned the real estate business. I could sell snow to an Eskimo. I became quite the salesman, a shark so to speak."

She smiles appeasing his humor while I sit there wishing she would just walk away.

"Why, Maya? Did you hear another story?" He laughs because he knows she knows the real reason they call him that. He'll rip you limb from limb if you don't cooperate on his terms. "Come on, don't be a shy girl, please tell me."

"I hear," she clears her throat, "they say that you caught an employee embezzling from your company so you cut off both of their hands and nailed them to your wall in your office."

He laughs.

"I guess the moral is you can't fight a good nickname."

I need a cigarette. Fuck!

"Now you call me if you need any help with the Auction."

"Absolutely. Okay. Max. Mrs. DiLaurentis."

"No, no, it's Alison," he corrects her. He takes my hand and puts it in her hand and says, "Maya St. Germain meet Alison DiLaurentis." He insists on a handshake holding our hands together with his, "There, now it's done."

Maya POV

I walk away from Max and Alison thinking, what the fuck was that! And I'm wondering if fucking her is even worth it. He's definitely sending me a message, a message that Alison is his wife. And whatever else he's selling I'm not buying.

I have other things on my mind like this Auction and Angel's money issues with the hotel. There's a meeting going on right now and I need to know how she's going to get herself out of this one. And as I make my way across the lobby I bump into Emily.

"Maya, wait up," she calls.

I stop.

"Are you headed to the meeting?"

"Yes. What are you up to?" I smile unable to keep from scanning her beautiful body.

"I'm going with you."

My tone quickly changes, "Emily, are you sure you want to do that?"

"Why wouldn't I? If Angel needs help I want to help her."

I tilt my head wondering if she's even prepared to deal with this. We walk in together and who should be sitting at the head of the table but my uncle, Marcus St. Germain. Emily's mouth drops. She's been blindsided again.

"Emily, Maya," Angel greets us but you can tell she doesn't want at least one of us there.

We nod as we sit next to each other at the table.

"As I have just told the board, recently, I sold a percentage of my shares of this hotel to Marcus."

Emily smiles politely while biting her tongue, "Did you?" She looks directly at Marcus.

"Please understand I'm not here in any official capacity," he feels the need to explain his being there.

"May I ask how many shares?" she practically cuts him off.

"Fifteen percent of Angel's shares," he looks from Angel to Emily.

"I see."

"I'm really a symbolic shareholder," Marcus attempts an explanation on Angel's behalf.

"I would say a bit more than symbolic," a board member interjects as a hearty laughter ensues.

"Emily, I'm here only as a concerned family friend and relative," he makes eye contact with me. "No business agenda, Angel, came to me in need, and I, of course, I did what I could. I would again."

"Of course you would," Emily says so coldly. She's sending Marcus a message with her body language. She's staking claim in her marriage. She's chosen. So she thinks…

"So," I attempt to regain the room's attention with the real reason we're here, "what are we looking at?"

"The bank is getting antsy. There's just no money to give away. We need to make sure we can make next month's payment," her lawyer explains.

"We obviously have no choice. Let's get the money," Emily boldly states but will this be a problem for Angel?

"Emily, the hotel's monthly grosses are healthy but it's a fluid seasonal business. The cash flow…the summer months, which historically are our slowest, are coming up. We have to tighten our belts," the chief financial officer explains.

"Wait," Emily interrupts and I can't help but think, 'what are you doing?' "I do understand that this is a great sum of money but this—this palace is ours."

"Emily's right. This hotel is worth a hundred times that number," Marcus' lawyer agrees.

Angel stands up to say her piece, "I won't allow more collateral to be taken out on this hotel."

"But why not!" Emily gets into it with Angel in front of everyone. I'm cheering inside.

Angel sits down biting her tongue.

"Because then she would have to reveal her minority partners," her lawyer explains.

"Minority partners?" Emily is perplexed. "We—Angel owns The Edgemont, right?"

"Yes, just not outright," her lawyer gives some detail.

"Angel owns fifty-one percent…"

Marcus' lawyer cuts him off, "Actually Angel and my client together own fifty-one percent."

"Who is this minority partner?" I demand.

"An excellent question," Marcus' lawyer agrees.

"In the deed of record, forty-nine percent of The Edgemont is owned by Minneapolis Mutual Investment Corp.," Angel's lawyer announces.

"Who the hell is that?" I challenge. I don't like where this is headed. I eyeball Angel who stands her ground and gives me a warning with a look that tells me to drop it.

"You'll have to ask your mother."

"Okay, okay," Emily gestures with her hands to stop. "How are we going to pay the mortgage?"

"I would loan Angel the money," Marcus quickly decides.

"Please, you've done so much already," Emily says baring her teeth. "I'm sure with all of these fine minds we can come up with a solution that won't impose on your generosity any further."

"This is a crisis, Phil every second we waste is a PR disaster waiting to happen if anyone gets wind that we can't pay the rent."

"Maya's right," Phil affirms.

"Well can't we sell part of The Edgemont's lot?" I ask but really I'm strongly suggesting it.

Emily stands tall, "We do not touch one foot of The Edgemont. Angel dreamt this place. She willed it to be what it is today. It is her life and mine too."

I'm shocked at her insistence and the love that's shining through her words, and quite possibly a little jealous of the way she's being so protective of Angel.

"Emily…"

She cuts me off, "Anyway, how long would a sale take? Days? Weeks? You're right, this is a crisis."

"Emily, that's enough," Angel finally speaks up. "Phil, see if we can get a personal loan putting up artwork and jewelry, cars, stocks, whatever we have."

"Of course. Whatever you need."

I watch Emily sit back down like she was just put in time out so the adults can talk. I feel for her but she overstepped and now I don't know how Angel is going to react when they're alone but I would be happy to comfort her…

"I think we know what we have to do," her lawyer starts putting his papers together in a folder while everyone gets up to leave accept for Emily who lags behind.

Emily POV

"I'll just be a minute," Marcus says to his lawyer. "May I have a word Emily?" I look up but don't speak. "Emily, I'm not the enemy."

I get up standing directly in front of him, "Then what exactly are you?"

I let the words linger for a moment and then I stomp off leaving him in my dust...

I go looking for her and find her in the Atlantis.

"Maya, what happened in there…"

"No, there's no need to explain."

"I just want to be a part of this and I felt like I finally was. It's more than the Auction and Lily's birthday party. I felt like I was contributing to our future."

"Yours and Angel's."

"Maya."

"Emily, she needs to sell..."

"No, we'll find the money, Angel says we can."

"Jesus, Emily, sell part of The Edgemont's lot and tell Angel to take the money. You let your pride or your jealousy or whatever's keeping you from doing what's right for this hotel come down on our heads hard, all of our heads and fucking fast. You think you're handling this? You think you can do this?"

"I'm just trying to—"

"Well, try harder," she walks away leaving me with my drink.

I don't like the way she talked to me. I thought Maya of all people would understand but I guess I was wrong. And now there's Angel, I did overstep and now I have to deal with her too. I suck down my drink needing some liquid courage…

I step into our hotel suite, "Angel?"

"Out here," she answers from the balcony.

I join her in silence at first but then I say, "Angel…"

"Emily, I don't want you involved in this."

"But if you are, I am too."

"But it's not what I want."

She smiles kissing my lips sweetly. I guess she's letting me in even if she doesn't want to. I'm not sure how I should take this but I go with it for the sake of our marriage, for the sake of family…

Angel POV

I lie in bed with Emily fast asleep thinking about that fateful day Max DiLaurentis came into my life…

He approaches me on the beach in front of The Edgemont, "Angel, you have a gift. Do you mind if I call you Angel? I've watched you. I've seen you throughout the years spin shit into gold. A nothing property that you made soar. And now this, your finest vision, the great Edgemont Hotel dying before your very eyes, and for what? A few million dollars? My real estate ventures make more money than grains of sand on this fucking beach. I'll give you the cash and let you do what you know how to do best and you make us both a profit."

And I did. I sold my soul to the devil…

Emily POV

I do something I never thought I'd do. I get the money. Angel won't have to put anything up for collateral. She won't have to sell any land. She won't lose anymore. I've arranged a business meeting with Max DiLaurentis and I asked him for the money and he gave it to me. No strings attached. I'm not sure why Angel didn't ask herself. But it's done. I bring the money to the bank and once again we're on schedule with the payments.

I'm in her office when she gets a call from her attorney, Phil.

"What do you mean it's taken care of? I see. Emily Fields made the payment. Thank you for calling. Yes, it's great news."

"What did Phil want?"

"As if you didn't know. You got the money and paid the mortgage. Where did you get that kind of money?"

"Max DiLaurentis."

I think she turned crimson just now.

"You didn't. Emily, I told you to stay out of it."

"Well, I didn't and now we're clear for another month. Angel, this Auction is going to bring you a lot of attention and that attention will bring you enough clientele to fill this hotel so you don't have to worry about your next payment. It's done."

"But now I have to pay Max and the bank."

"With the publicity from Zedd and the Auction, you'll be able to do both."

I can tell she's thinking about what I said and it's sinking in.

"I think you're right."

She walks over to me putting her arms around my waist.

"But, don't ever do that again."

"Do what?"

"Go to Max behind my back."

"Or what?"

"Or, I'll have to scold you."

"I think I might like that."

"Would you now."

She's about to kiss me when her phone starts ringing endlessly.

"They must really want to talk to you."

"We'll save this for later…"

And later she does. We meet Maya and Will to celebrate another victory for The Edgemont. And who should drop by but Max and Alison. I catch a glimpse of Maya and she looks a little nervous. I never see her nervous so what could she possibly be nervous about…

Maya POV

I bring drinks for everyone at the table and Emily says, "Angel, how 'bout a toast."

"To The Edgemont our family legacy," Angel says clinking glasses all around the table.

Will walks in to join us.

"Will, my favorite attorney, how are you?"

"I'm great and congratulations Angel."

"Thank you. So Will, where have you been?"

"I was doing all the legal mumbo jumbo for the Zedd event and it looks like we're good to go."

"That's great," I cheers with Will.

"Thank you so much for doing that for us," Emily taps glasses with him.

The bartender calls over the crowd noise to Angel, "Ms. St. Germain, it's for you, it's Marcus St. Germain," he holds the phone from the bar in his hand.

I catch Emily looking uncomfortable. She seems concerned about this call.

She picks up the phone, "Marcus, where are you? You should be here."

Emily listens in as do I only hearing Angel's side of the conversation.

Narrator POV

"I might as well be there I can hear you," he answers her.

"Well, it is a celebration."

"It looks like I'm going to have to eat this cake myself."

"So, Marcus I didn't get a chance to thank you for offering to bail me out. I really appreciated it. And, you should be here with us."

Emily is not pleased with what Angel has to say to Marcus as she sucks down her drink looking for another.

"Just—just have a drink for a second, here, with me, us."

"Another time. Really."

There's a definitive pause.

"Thank you Marcus. I know I can always count on you."

They hang up. Angel takes a moment smiling before returning to her family. Marcus hangs up smiling with his eyes closed thinking about the sound of her voice. He then looks across the way at The Edgemont, just looking…

"Angel?" Maya approaches her. "Is everything all right?"

"Maybe it would be if you'd keep your nose out of my business."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Trying to be the savior of this hotel? Really Maya? Who were you trying to impress? Me? I don't think so. My partners are silent for a reason. You need to leave it alone."

Emily overhears everything.

But before Maya can respond Max DiLaurentis saunters over to the celebration with Alison in tow.

"Max," Maya acknowledges him.

"Maya. Angel."

"Mr. DiLaurentis. Mrs. DiLaurentis," Angel acknowledges.

"Congratulations," Alison gives Angel a hug and an air kiss to the cheek.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Maya asks.

"Champagne Cocktail," Alison answers rather formally.

"Big night," Max is quite pleased with himself.

Angel walks over to him, "You'll have your money back before you know it."

"I thought I'd drop by to tell you how happy I am about the good news, nothing more."

"Well, you've told me," she says rather boldly.

Max sits down at their booth, "Yes, yes I have."

"I do not want or need your help."

Emily listens to Angel talk to Max saying almost exactly what she said to her making Emily feel a little embarrassed.

"You understand me?"

"Oh, oh I see. May we have a word alone?" he gets up excusing himself to Angel's family. "Your need to be bailed out has ruined your manners Angel. A simple thank you would suffice."

"I need to get back to my family."

"Here's what I think. I think you've been through an ordeal. I think you've forgotten who you can and who you cannot disrespect and that is a fool's amnesia. Angel, it's never too late to be taught the swift and final realities of this life of ours."

"I'll drink to that," she holds up her glass.

"Another time perhaps," he walks away taking his drink off the table, slugging it down. He bids farewell to Emily and grabs his wife taking her home.

"Angel," Emily puts her hand on her arm but is surprised when she pulls it away.

"Not now Emily," she says walking away from her, leaving the Atlantis…

Emily POV

A couple hours pass…

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Who is it?"

"Maya, it's me, Emily."

She opens the door with her navy blue silk robe tied loosely around her. Her skin shows from her neck to her waist. I try not to look but it's virtually impossible.

"Hi," I quickly say cuz I don't know what else to say.

"Hi," she responds curious as to why I'm knocking on her door so late.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure," she says rather casually as she walks away leaving me to let myself in and close the door behind me.

I follow her into her bedroom. She sits on the edge of her bed, her robe opening, being barely held closed by her nipple. I take a breath as I sit in a chair across from her. She then lies back on her pillows, just begging me to submit and fuck her. She's so bold. She's so fucking sexy.

And if I wasn't married…

"Did Angel send you?"

I clear my throat, "No."

"Of course not. She wouldn't."

"Maya, she loves you."

"No, she really doesn't. I mean yes, of course she loves me, loves all of us. But not—"

"Not?"

"Look Emily, I think in the end Angel wants to be a good person, wants to be a good mother and wife. But she's playing at it, acting it. She doesn't feel it—not really."

"You're wrong Maya," I lean forward making sure she hears me. "She would kill for you, for any of us."

"Emily why are you here?"

"I just—"

She gets up from her bed, "You probably don't want a drink."

"Sure if the glass is clean."

She's standing right next to me and I'm having trouble focusing on why I'm here in the first place. She pours two glasses very slowly and I don't know where to look. But I find myself fixated on the impression her nipples are making through her silk robe. She hands me a glass breaking my stare. I watch her walk in front of me and turn around. She stands before me.

I raise my glass, "To family."

We clink glasses and she says, "Family."

We drink.

"Emily, let me ask you something. If Angel knew getting in business with, getting closer to Uncle Marcus would hurt you, really devastate you but Marcus' millions would save The Edgemont, honestly, who or what would she choose? Saving her wife who she loves or saving her hotel?"

I'm looking into her eyes the whole time until she says that last part. I look away with so much hurt in my heart. I say nothing.

"Exactly," she says understanding my silence. "Angel will hurt you Emily. If push comes to shove she'll take his money. I know you don't want that because you don't want Marcus threatening your world. But, honestly, Emily I don't know how you can stop it."

I look at her feeling myself about to flood with tears so I get up, "I made a mistake." I put my drink on her dresser and walk away. But she says something that makes me stop.

"Remember that night I said I saw you."

I turn around to hear her out.

She's walking towards me, a vision of hot burning desire…

"I saw you lying there in the sun naked. The sight of you froze me. I can still see you."

I'm hearing her. I'm lost in her. I feel myself drawn to her every word. The seconds of quiet linger between us until I finally snap out of it.

"I have to go."

"Go!" she yells following after me.

I walk quickly to the door but struggle to open it and she's there, right behind me. She slams the palm of her hand against it startling me. I lean against the wall. Her hand remains on the door. She's facing me. Her other hand is pressed against the wall next to my body. This time I'm the one who froze.

"But the next time you come back here," her body moves closer to me while I'm flat against the wall, "Come back for me. Not her." Her lips move closer. I can feel the heat between us.

And I say what a faithful wife would say at this moment, "There won't be a next time."

Her lips move closer as my chest heaves faster and she whispers, "There's always a next time."

Silence.

Longing.

She unblocks the door and walks away. I let out the breath I was holding in and leave her suite as quickly as I can, slamming the door behind me. I'm furious with her! I punch the elevator button and the doors open immediately. I step in pushing the penthouse suite. I then find myself staring at my reflection in the closed doors. A reflection that tells me there's always a next time…

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To Be Continued…

This is quite a long chapter so I'm thinking you can leave quite a lot of reviews ;)