Author's Note: Sorry for the repost. FFN is being weird and I'm not seeing any updates. I don't know if this chapter is bad and no one likes it or if you guys can't read it at all. So, I thought I'd give this a re-try. Thank you so, so much for all your encouraging reviews and comments and support. I love you all so much, but honestly, this is derived from a million different things. It's nothing special and written just for fun, yo. I could cry. Thank you, thank you to you all. Short chapter today, but long author's note. That's always me. Surprise, surprise LOL.

NOT REQUIRED READING

I'm so sorry! A lot of you guys seem to be getting angry, LOL. So I feel like I should reiterate that the entire premise of this story is that the world of Westchester is ridiculous. Like, outrageous, irrational, absurd ridiculous. Like, so much it's not even funny. Except kinda. Not just because of the money though [although, yes], but also because how they act because of it. Money colors all their interactions. There was this scene I included where the ladies of WC could calculate your net worth and act accordingly. Like, you're not even in the same stratosphere as them, if you do not have money. There is also this layer of new money vs old money. Old money is class and status, where their wealth is in their property and generations of lineage. New money is flashy as shit [more of this to come], like celebrities, reality stars, and Lamborghinis, etc. The world of WC is obsessed w/ marriage into the 'right' families. Not just money, but old money too. So for Ella, not even someone like… Dylan would be good enough for Cam in her mind. Even though Dylan is rich.

Here's a handydandy chart for your viewing pleasure [ask me for other relevant peeps, if you're interested. also, note who is rich and who is wealthy]:
Cam – old money, wealthy
Derrick – old money, wealthy, keeps family shit under lock, never in papers
Massie – old money, wealthy
Olivia – old money, wealthy, but is embarrassing because of shit like MTV and TMZ
Kristen – old money [prominent in england], not rich [poor in WC standards]
Alicia – new money [kinda, even tho her mother was rich in spain, her father drags it down], rich, viewed as tacky [for showing up in magazines, but more acceptable than olivia's cali version]
Dylan – new money [dad is good, mom is barely excused which is why merri-lee's never included with the other ladies], rich
Kemp – new money, rich
Ella – new money, wealthy now through marriage

And now, we have Claire thrown in, who is basically a nobody to these people. She does not fit in anywhere on this spectrum at all.

So, this is a story about the exclusivity of WC… and whether or not someone like Claire can make it into this world. And yes, I put a lot of thought into these kinds of things, sorry.

I researched private jets just for this chapter and oh my god, are rich people rich. The types of planes and the customization. Some jets have running showers, walk-in closets, and master bedrooms. One guy even has a private jet with a skylight. A skylight. On. a. jet. Another has one that seats 520 people. Why do you need a jet that large?! Can you believe this? Meanwhile, I am living off dollar mac&cheese because college lyfe, yo. LOOK UP PRIVATE JET INTERIORS ON GOOGLE FOR MINDBOGGLING MADNESS.

Chapter Nine: Mothers and Special Surprises

##

Claire skittered on the plush carpeted floor of her hotel room and scrambled over her bed to reach over the bedside table for her phone. She picked up just in time, preventing another worried voicemail. "Hello?" she answered breathlessly, slumping back down onto the bed. Instantly, Claire heard her mother's voice reply, "Claire, honey, oh my god. There you are. Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for days!"

"Sorry, mom," she replied contritely, instantly feeling bad. She shifted the phone to the other ear and sighed. "I know I haven't called as much as I promised. It's just that it's kind of been a wild few days."

"Wild? What do you mean by wild?" her mother asked, her tone indicating she was still a bit miffed.

"Not… wild exactly, but I don't know. I can't explain it. It's kinda just been out of this world…"

"Are you not enjoying New York? Did something happen? Claire, you're starting to worry me."

"No. I mean, yes—I'm having an amazing time, but nothing happened, really. It's just—Mom, these people…" Claire's voice trailed off. She glanced toward the bathroom where Cam was still in the shower. There was almost no chance he would overhear, but still, she decided to roll off the bed, step out of the bedroom, and lower her voice anyways. "The bride and the groom come from very wealthy families. It's just unbelievable."

Her mother sighed angrily in relief. "Honey, you almost gave me a heart attack. …Wait—really? What about Cam's family? Are they rich too?"

Claire rolled her eyes, because of course. That would be her mother's first reaction. She flopped down onto one of the plush sitting room couches. "I… think so. But mom, it's kind of not a big deal. Apparently, everyone is rich here."

"You know, I kind of suspected that all along. There was always something about him. Cam is so well-mannered; it's plainly obvious that he was brought up well. I can just tell by how he treats you… and he always splurges on our family. That expensive wine he brought for us at Thanksgiving was the nicest thing."

"No, mom, I'm serious." Claire refrained from rolling her eyes good-naturedly again. Cam had won over her entire family in the span of two seconds with that bottle. "I'm trying to tell you it's really not that big of a deal. Everyone is rich. I really do mean everyone too. I think I might be in culture shock—no wait—more like money shock. The way these people spend… I can't even begin to tell you. Their houses and hotels, the dozens of maids and staff, and the parties and country clubs—you wouldn't even believe me if I even tried to explain. You need to actually see it for yourself to believe."

"That's what I've heard about New York," her mother told her sagely. "And it's always portrayed that way in television, so I can't say I'm too surprised, but are you having fun at least? Witnessing a different lifestyle?"

She wanted to tell her mother all about the cold behavior she was experiencing. Alicia's words and Olivia Ryan's appearance yesterday still nagged at her, but she knew that would just make her mother worry more about her. She had felt the same with Cam. They had spent most of the night in a marathon lovemaking session and she hadn't wanted to ruin their post-coital bliss with her stupid, insecure thoughts. Still, if she didn't tell someone she was going to burst. "Yeah… The only downside is that some of these girls really don't like me for some reason. And I met one of Cam's ex-girlfriends yesterday and she was… territorial, almost. I don't know what to think."

Her mother paused at her admittance. She seemed to be deliberating her next words. "It sounds like typical girl drama, honey. Rich or poor, it sounds the same as everywhere else. These girls don't like you because they're jealous of what you have, honey, and it sounds like that thing is Cam."

Claire had to laugh at that. She felt comforted that her catty thoughts were validated, as silly as it was. They didn't hate her for some flaw of hers, it was theirs. Envy.

"But, honey, you need to be careful."

Claire's brow rose and she sat up. "What do you mean, mom?"

"I know how those kinds of families over there can be. Rich and… powerful. They're quick to judge and even quicker to act. You don't want to give anyone the impression that you're only after Cam for his money or to have them thinking badly of you at all… You need to be very careful how you present yourself around them."

"I'll just be myself then, mom," Claire told her, reassuring her with her confident tone.

"Alright," her mom conceded. "Well, is Cam treating you okay over there? What has he said or done about these girls? He's back in his hometown. Is he too distracted to spend time with you?"

"No, of course not. Cam's amazing, as always. He's been showing me so many places. He's just been kind of busy with his friend's wedding coming up so soon. It's going to be the biggest wedding New York has ever seen. It's all over the news and in all kinds of magazines and it's just crazy."

"Really?" her mom asked in surprise. "Should I look them up? Do you think anything will be online?"

"I think so. You can try. The bride's name is Massie Block and Cam's friend is Derrick Harrington."

"Alright. I'll go see if I can read anything on them."

Claire shifted the phone to her other ear again after checking that Cam was still in the shower. "Massie also invited me to her bachelorette party this weekend, but I'm not sure if I should go."

"Well, that's a nice offer. If she invited you, honey, of course you should consider going. It's always an honor to be invited to these things and the groom is Cam's friend, isn't he? If the bride wants to make friends with you too, why would you snub her?"

"Yeah… you're right." Claire nodded at her mother's wise words. She didn't want to do anything that would cause tension between her and Massie that could lead to tension between Cam and Derrick. She sighed and smiled slightly. "As always. About everything. Thanks, mom. Anyway, I should probably go get ready. The party starts tonight."

"Of course, honey. You have fun, okay? Tell me all about it when you get back. I love you."

"Thanks again, mom. I love you too."

##

The café that Ella and Nadia met Alvaro in was simple, regular, and busy. Filled with patrons and students and servers weaving in and out of the tables, it was easy to blend in as part of the crowd. Too bad it also gave Ella a migraine and only five minutes into the conversation, she was fed up.

"Fifty thousand dollars?" Ella cried. "That's outrageous. I won't pay it."

She glared at the man Nadia had assured her was worth the price. He was dressed in a polyester jacket and sweatspants, for shit's sakes. The so-called best private investigator Nadia knew looked like an amateur jock that had left his prime. This was the last time she would trust one of her friends to settle matters for her.

Even if he had dug up more than she had expected.

She hated that he was holding the last piece of information over them.

"Trust me, this'll be worth your money," the unfashionable man leered.

"How can we be sure that your information has any value when we don't even know what it is?" Nadia interjected smoothly.

"Nadia, we've worked for you for over twenty years. I am the best. Now, I'm not what sure you ladies are planning with this Claire Lyons girl and I certainly don't want to know. I keep my mouth shut and my own ass out of it, that's my motto. But, trust me. I can assure you that this information will be… beneficial to whoever is in possession of it," the PI replied confidently in Spanish.

Nadia translated for her, but even though Ella had gotten the go-ahead from her husband to spend her entire fortune if she so desired, she refused to be swindled. She glared at him in rising anger. "Who does he think I am?" she snapped at Nadia. "There couldn't be any information in the world worth fifty thousand dollars. Does he think money grows on trees?"

"How about fifteen thousand, Alvaro?" Nadia translated smoothly without betraying either side's wishes.

"Twenty five thousand, Nadia." Alvaro shook his head and sipped his coffee. He knew these ladies were rich; they could pay if they had to. "You are a special client, but that's my last offer. I'll lower to half my asking price, just for you."

"Fifteen thousand," Nadia insisted again in Spanish. "You know I would pay up if it was me, Alvaro, but my friend is different." Ella watched all this with suspicious eyes. Nadia sighed at the negative expression on Alvaro's face and turned back to Ella. "He says fifteen thousand is the lowest offer."

"No," Ella suddenly decided. "Twelve thousand, or I leave."

Alvaro gave her a look of disgust as if she had just insulted his death-bed grandmother or something. Ella took that as a no, pushed her chair back, snatched her new Goyard purse from the table, and stood. Nadia followed suit instantly and the both of them headed to the front of the café exit.

They were nearing the glass doors.

"Ella, I think you've gone too far with your bargaining tactics. We've lost him," Nadia whispered. Still, she had enough smarts and decency to not look back.

"Nadia, I will not stand for extortion. Keeping walking and do not turn around," Ella hissed back from the side of her mouth. Both ladies stepped out into the sunlight of Boston's busiest street. Just as they were about to turn the corner of the block, Alvaro burst from the coffee shop and café. "Okay! Okay, twelve thousand!" he cried breathlessly.

Ella beamed at Nadia in triumph and followed the man back to their table.

Alvaro slapped his leather suitcase on the sticky counter top and entered his combination code. The locked clicked open and Alvaro pushed open the lid. He fished out three pieces of paper from a manila envelope and placed it onto their table. Nadia grabbed them before Ella could and started reading. Ella refrained from snarling and relented. It wouldn't do to cause a scene or rip the documents she was paying good money for. She leaned over to read over her friend's shoulder instead. Both ladies scanned the documents up and down, and then front and back.

"Oh my goodness, Ella," Nadia cried with a gasp as she reread the documents, just to be completely sure.

Ella's head snapped towards Alvaro. "Are you completely sure this is accurate? There will be serious consequences for you if this isn't."

Nadia translated, but there was no need. Ella's tone and fervor was understandable even to Alvaro.

"I swear on my life." The smile Alvaro gave her was solemn.

Ella sucked in a breath and nodded resolutely at him. She met his eyes. "Alvaro, I will give you another fifty thousand dollars in cash right now if you take me to where you got this information."

##

The moment Claire walked into Teterboro's waiting room, escorted by an ear pieced attendant, she knew that this wasn't going to be just any regular old bachelorette party. Possibly because she was standing at the heart of New York's private jet and aviation charter center, but also because of the twelve runway-ready girls she came face to face with sleek beige waiting lounge.

Standing in a room with filled New York socialites, reality star celebrities, and millionaire heiress, Claire could not have been more out of place.

She had throught her crocheted poncho top and abstract prism capris were dressy, but in light of all the flashy designer wear surrounding her, she felt disheveled. Massie was nowhere to be seen, and she wasn't exactly keen on starting conversations with Alicia Rivera and Dylan Marvil on the opposite end of the lounge, so she took a seat in a classic wingback chair and tried hard not to stare at anyone in particular.

Snippets of conversations drifted her way.

"I was thinking about purchasing that complex in Manhattan. It's the cutest thing, though really small, three bedrooms only, but it's definitely going en bloc and I'm sure I can triple it's worth in about a year, so it's totally worth the cons…"

"No way! I searched everywhere for that handbag! How did you get your hands on it? No, really, I flew all the way to Paris and it was even sold out in L'Eclaireur. I'm still on the waitlist!"

"The St. Sherry's is nice, but it's on par with the St. Regis. Nothing beats the Ritz though. I stayed there last month for about two weeks and they had the best tea service. Plus the spa staff… The guy that gave me Thai oil massage was to die for. They have the hottest masseurs I've ever experienced at a hotel!"

"No, feel. I swear, it's not pashmina cashmere. It's genuine karakul!"

Yeah… Nope. Not only did everyone seem to know each other and were bonding like long lost friends, but this was not Claire's crowd. She had never felt so out of place as she did now. What even was a karakul?

Luckily, before long, Alicia waved her new iPhone in the air and called, "Massie just pulled up!"

The chatter died off gradually as everyone in the lounge craned their necks toward the sliding glass doors of the lounge to witness the grand entrance of the guest of honor. If Claire hadn't seen Massie in her natural habitat at the dinner party the other day, she would not have recognized her now at all. Dressed in a Balmain floral and chains top and fitted skinny jeans, Massie had her hair piled high on her head to show of her bold Soha Sardinia cluster necklace.

Since Claire was closest by the door, she was the first person swept into a warm hug. "Claire, hey. I'm so glad you could make it." She pulled apart before Claire could respond and tugged her along with her to the center of the room. "Come with me."

"Everyone!" Massie called. There wasn't much need; she was commanding the attention of the entire room already. "First of all—hi—thank you so much for coming. I want to introduce you all to my fabulous new friend, Claire Lyons. She's the guest of Derrick's best man, Cam Fisher, so give her a warm welcome." All eyes instantly shifted from Massie to Claire, who flushed at the twelve pairs of eyes dissecting every single inch of her person.

Massie continued without breaking stride, "So, now that everyone knows each other… Let's start! You guys all know that if you're standing in this room right now, you're one of my closest and dearest friends. I've known most of you since childhood, but I don't think we've ever had a real get-together like this before. So I want to treat you all to a special surprise."

Massie paused for effect, a smile teasing on her lips. "We're heading to my daddy's private island resort in the Bahamas for the weekend!"

There were gasps, excited mummers, and happy claps from the crowd.

"Girls, in three short hours, we'll be shopping at the chicest island boutiques, pampering ourselves with seaweed spa treatments, dining on delish low-cal cuisine, and dancing on the beach until sunrise."

Before Claire could even process what she had just announced, Massie was already leading the party toward the airport tarmac, where they were ushered onboard a Bombardier Global Express. Claire found herself in a cabin with sleek felt upholstery and a row of creamy leather sofas facing each other. The pleasing scent of bright orange, yellow, and fuchsia Gerber daises greeted her from a wooden side table laid out with mimosas that the other girls were grabbing drinks off as they passed toward the other cabins.

"Massie, oh my god, this is amazing!" one of the girls exclaimed as she plopped down into the sofa. She sat up just as quickly and adjusted the decorative throw pillows around her. "Is this your father's new plane?"

"My mom's, actually," Massie corrected, accepting a mimosa handed to her by an attentive flight attendant. She noticed Claire standing on the fringes of the cabin and instead handed her the drink. Claire accepted with a weak smile, feeling a bit overwhelmed again. She took a sip and closed her eyes at the refreshing taste. It helped ground her.

Massie turned back to the girl. "But you're right. It is new. My mom wanted this newest model because it boasts that new fresh air-cycling system, which is perfect for the yoga studio. Only, she had to do this whole Zen makeover thing before we could even get in on the tarmac in the city. She had the interior redecorated four times before she was satisfied with the exact layout."

The girl rolled her eyes in sympathy and Claire wandered incredulously into the next cabin. Three girls were grouped together in a seating area arranged for social interactions. They were giggling and hushing each other.

"I told you it was her, Livvy!"

"She's not at all what I was expecting, Lex. I mean, I thought her family is part of the fastest rising auto industry in the United States."

"Even so, Cam's richer than a Saudi Arabian prince; you'd think that she'd be dressed a bit more—"

The girls suddenly noticed her and shut up instantly. They turned beet red at getting caught. Claire felt a rush of adrenaline barrel through her veins at the realization that the girls were talking about her. Her palms were suddenly sweaty against her champagne class and the air seemed thinner, despite Massie's words of a fresh air system. Claire forced herself to pass by them calmly. She met their eyes and noted their faces, despite the insecure urge to look away.

Luckily, Massie entered the cabin with a group of girls at that moment, brushing past her and offering a tour of the jet. Claire took the miraculous opportunity to leave with someone.

"And this next cabin is the entertainment room." She waved a flippant hand at the room with more cream leather seats, a wall of flat-screen televisions, and a side bookshelf that, instead of books, held the latest fashion magazines. Claire looked, and of course, Alicia was on the cover of one of them. Massie led them into the next room and Claire took a sip of her drink to keep from wondering out loud how rich Massie's mom was to install a state-of-the-art Sivananda yogo studio with heated burnish hardwood floors.

While Claire continued to marvel in silent disbelief, a pair of girls burst breathlessly into the studio. "Massie, Coral just dragged your mom's dreamboat Italian flight attendant into the master bathroom."

"Well then, Allie, inform her that if she wants to sleep with staff, she can do at her own home. The master rooms are off limits." Massie rolled her amber eyes and linked her arms with Claire. "Classic, Strawberry. That's what got her sent abroad in the first place. Her mother caught her with the pool boys one day. She obviously has a power kink."

Claire laughed, trying not to choke on her drink. Massie left to attend to her other guests and Claire wandered back out to the entertainment room. A super tanned girl slid into the cushion next to her with a sly smile. "Hey there. You must be Claire. I'm Liz Goldman. I know your cousin Lalia."

Nibbling on a mini crab and cucumber sandwich set out, Claire raised her eyebrows in amusement. This was the second time she'd heard about this Lalia. "Nice to meet you, but, uh—no. Sorry, but I don't have a cousin Lalia."

"But aren't you Claire Lyons?"

"Yes."

"Then isn't your cousin Lalia Lyons? From Lyons Motorcars?"

Claire refrained from rolling her eyes. Were these people so rich that they couldn't fathom meeting anyone not in their social sphere? Did she have to be related to someone of note before even appearing on their radar? "Sorry, but no. I'm just a regular girl from Chicago."

Liz stared at her in astonishment and surprise. "Oh. I'm so sorry. My bad then. Excuse me for a second." She smiled slightly before heading straight to the front cabins. Claire watched her go with amused eyes. Liz burst into the master bedroom, where a small group of girls were surrounding Alicia and Kristen lounging on Kendra's bed. Alicia was regaling them with tales of a scandal during an old photoshoot.

"Guys, you'll never believe what I just found out." The girls looked up at her in curiosity. "I was just talking to Claire Lyons and it turns out she's not related to the Lyons Motorcars. I doubt she's ever even heard of them!"

Kristen rolled her eyes, flipping through a fashion magazine disinterestedly. "Is that it?"

Alicia eyed her with distaste. "I could have told you that days ago. We've met her twice already. We already know everything there is to know about Claire Lyons."

Liz knew when she was being one upped. She took a seat on a cushion the floor beside Becca and smoothed out her skirt contritely. The other girls were looking eagerly at Alicia and Kristen. Carrie Randolph clapped excitedly. "Well then, what are you waiting for? Tell us everything."

Leaning back against a fur throw pillow, Alicia smiled darkly. "All you need to know about Claire Lyons is that there is nothing. There's nothing special about her at all."

##

Author's Note: SOOOO, Claire is going to be thrown on a tiny island with these all these catty girls for a whole long weekend. Who knows what will go down? Stay tuned! We also check up on boy's bachelor weekend next chapter too.

Thank you so much for reading!

Review if you like?