Rory woke to the harsh sunlight in her eyes streaming from the curtain-less window in her bedroom. It brought her back to her surroundings and allowed her memories to swarm back rapidly. The divorce talk, the kissing, the sex. This time it was all stored in her photographic memory for future references, every heart-breaking look he gave while he was inside her would never be forgotten now. She didn't bother to lift her sheets to recognize that she was still nude from the night before and she came to realize that she was naked in bed for the second time in less than a month. Could she not have been bothered to put on some clothes before she fell asleep at least? What kind of woman was she turning into? She couldn't even blame Logan anymore because last night was started by her, continued by her, and carried out by her.
She stared at the clock on her bed side and noticed that it read 8:50. She needed to shower and worry about the consequences of what they had done later because as of now she was drastically late for work. She knew that a naked Logan was not want she needed at the moment so withholding her gaze from where she knew he must be, she made sure to stretch out her arm out to poke him but only ended up with a handful of bed sheets. Shocked, she sat up quickly causing her whole room to spin and realized that for the first time after sex Logan Huntzberger did not stay.
She touched the spot where he laid only to find that it was brutally cold. Where ever he went he must have left a while ago, Rory scanned her room for anymore trances of him but there was nothing. He hadn't left anything and he hadn't even bothered to trip on anything to wake her, so far it seemed as though the entirety of last night could have been placed in Rory's imagination. Logan had never been the one to not be around in the morning, at least not with her and she could not have been stupid enough to pursue him after asking for a divorce. Perhaps the previous night was a dream or some type of reaction to something sickening she saw in cable news but then why would she be naked? Nothing was really adding up except for the fact that she might need to be institutionalized if her memories of something that didn't happen felt so concrete.
Slowly she got out of bed and put on a silk rope. She marveled over the fact the she felt no soreness anywhere on her body, this was very unlike the first time she woke nude. Suspicious and drowsy she made her way towards her kitchen to start her coffee before she had to head to work and that's when it became obvious that she could still be asleep.
Every square inch of her kitchen was covered with freshly cooked breakfast. Her counters that wrapped around the entirety of the kitchen where filled with her choice of different flavored pancakes, french toast and doughnuts. She noticed three different types of eggs and a heft pile of beacon. Her island was stacked up with cheese and guava filled pastries, there were also croissants that looked already buttered and ready to go. Muffins and every type of fruit imaginable where on her kitchen table. Rory only came up with one excuse: she must have gone to sleep hungry and not waken up. Nevertheless she made her way straight to the coffee. The person that had set it up must have taken their time because there was a system, different coffees from all over the world in alphabetical order. They took the time to set up the coffee samples for her to try and she knew she must have died in her sleep and gone straight to heaven.
She tried each one, giving her taste buds only a couple seconds to adjust before she moved on to the next one but a card on the upper right of all the coffees caught her attention before she could thoroughly continue. It had her name on it so she picked it up and opened it.
Good morning Ace,
I'm sorry I couldn't be there when you woke up this time but duty calls. I hope you enjoy my demonstration of breakfast because it took an arm and a leg to get all those people to fit in your apartment. Funny, the catering company thought this was for a group of people to enjoy and I didn't bother telling them it was a party of one. They'd never believe me anyways. Thanks for last night it meant more than you know and I'm looking forward to seeing you again when the time is right. And yes this food is all for you I figured you couldn't run this time if I bought it directly to your kitchen. Good luck making all this disappear.
-Logan
Rory bit down on a beagle and smiled at the creative thinking it took for one man to pull this off.
Rory felt like she hadn't been in the Advocate in years. Her mind and body were physically exhausted, her life was beginning to feel like the definition of complicated. She hadn't gone back to work since her drunken night in Los Angeles and even called in sick for an entire week only to meet with the useless lawyers. Frankly, the only reason she returned to the towering skyscraper that was the Advocate was because she feared that one more day off would surely render her fired.
With her week of inside moping done in her apartment she was grateful that she lived in a city where Chinese and pizza could be delivered within the ten minutes ordered. She never had to wait to stuff her face and brood over her ruined relationship with her mother and grandparents. Rory could clearly remember the day Loreali called her after she had arrived from California. She had hardly settled back down from the flight and her mother sounded very casual on the phone, breezy even before she mentioned she knew what she had done and found out through Emily. Rory could tell that it took her mother everything she had not to raise her voice at her adult-daughter's decisions and the impromptu phone call ended pretty quickly.
It was while Rory was watching a perky T.V. host that she realized the motto in that day's broadcasting: happiness. It was a three syllable noun that revolved around some kind of optimism and high spirit. This was about the same time she learned that she could either be upset and stay fed-up with her life and her constant bad luck, or she could shower and go back to work. The thing she realized about happiness was that it didn't come from moping around and feeling sorry for one's self. If she wanted to be happy, if she wanted great things to happen she need to stop taking crap from everyone around her and make those great things happen herself. She couldn't be a divorcee in her late twenties with no job blaming her bad luck on one particular man. As a Gilmore she had to go out and face up to her mistake. She had to shower, put on clean clothes, and get out of her bourbon scented apartment. However, that's when Logan showed up and she went after him sober and aware that somethings never change.
After finishing what she could of Logan's grand breakfast and taking the hottest shower possible without melting, she marched through the crowded streets of New York City hopeful that today would be a good Logan-free day.
Once she arrived at the correct address she advanced inside the building, she passed the familiar front-desk receptionist with the always pinched looking face and rode the elevator to the fifteenth floor. When the elevator doors parted she was received by the smell of ink and paper, the sound of delirious typing and phones that needed to be answered. It was nice to be back.
Then something grabbed a hold of her arm and pulled her away, "Where in the hell have you been? I was beginning to thing that you did something unspeakable and got laid off."
It was Charlene, the reporter that befriended her when she began working in the paper. The two women had graduated college the same year and gotten journalist jobs at the Advocate within only a few months apart. There were other co-workers on their floor level that were the same age but Charlene and her similar goals intrigued them both into becoming close office friends.
"I was in California."
"For two weeks? It was only a simple job interview and I still don't see the reason why it was so important to travel half-way across the country for one. There are plenty of jobs here in New York!" Looking into Charlene's hectic eyes made her realize that her friend didn't believe there was anything west on New York.
"Well...did you get it?" She asked eagerly anyways.
"No, apparently I wasn't right for the job." Rory tried her best to keep her voice monotone.
"Oh," Charlene sounded slightly relieved, "well then why the long commute back?"
Before Rory could fake a lie, her boss exited his office and started gathering all reporters to listen to his ground-breaking news. Groans were heard everywhere but people collected in front of the graying forty year old Keygan Avery.
"Good morning and I wanted to start off by saying that I hope you all enjoyed the Fourth of July. However, it's Monday now and everything is business as usual except I just got some news that we will have some very important visitors today. The owner of this newspaper as you all must know by now is under-going heart surgery. He isn't expected to live much longer and so he is trying to sell the paper to a more reliable publishing group. Now, that means good news and bad news. Good news: the owner of the paper has chosen to keep everyone in their positions, so if there is a merger no one should panic. Bad news: I'll be riding everyone's ass for perfection. The men that will come here today are the all-important alphas of the newspaper industry,they will not be impressed by water-cooler gossip. Do not disappoint me. You are advised." Notified Avery while making sure to glare at every one of his employees individually.
Employees started to scatter with the conclusion of the speech but before Charlene and Rory could continue their chat Avery made a route straight to Rory.
"Ms. Gilmore can I speak to you in private?" He asked while eying Charlene.
If Rory hadn't known any better she could almost swear that Avery sounded a bit frightened, Charlene took the hint and left to where she had came.
"Look I know I haven't been here lately," began Rory, "But..."
"Hush Gilmore! We have bigger problems than that right now."
Avery's short body got so close to Rory's that she could smell the decaf on his rotting teeth. They were a whole head apart in height but that didn't stop him from intimidating all of his employees. He appeared quite crazed at the moment and made sure that there weren't others listening before continuing.
"One of the owners from the merger is already here." Whispered Avery, his eyes darting everywhere in news room in alarm.
"What? Already?" Worried Rory.
"He said he wanted to get a head start on what needs to be done but he told me not to alert anyone of his presence. The prick is already taking over my office and shooting orders at me even though his company hasn't bought our paper yet!"
"And what does this have to do with me?" She asked.
"He asked me to come find you because there's something he needs to discuss with you. With the way he put it, it seemed as though you two were going to talk war strategies. Is there anything I need to know?"
A nervous Rory had to think a couple seconds before formulating a sentence.
"Why does he want to speak with me? Is it about my absences? Am I going to get fired?" Asked a terrified Rory. She knew calling in sick that extra week was going to come back and bite her in the ass. Not only did all the newspapers in the country not want her but now the Advocate was done with her too and this was all before she even really got started.
Avery rolled his eyes with Rory in tow while he escorted her to his office, "I don't know Gilmore. Do I look like a Huntzberger?"
Rory's heart stopped beating for a split second.
They were already outside Avery's office and she already knew what was to come. She was willing to bet her whole inheritance that Mitchum Huntzberger was waiting to fire her from the inside of those doors. She cursed the fact that the blinds were closed and she couldn't get a good view of his sinister countenance before running the other way.
"I can't go in there." She stayed rooted to her spot in front of the double doors.
"You can't be serious Gilmore. If I have to put up with this breach then so do you, so grow a pair and go talk to your new boss."
Rory could tell this was an order, not a request.
She put a hand on the handle but her body refused to turn the knob. It had been so long since she saw daddy Huntzberger and since then he managed to ruin her credibility as a serious reporter. What was she to say to him now when she had no defense and she knew how unacceptable her absences had been. She was finished and the only thing she wished at the moment was to have the bravery to walk in and face the vicious old man alone. Her drunken self would have never had a problem with this.
With Avery still watching her she hurriedly turned the knob as quickly as ripping out a banded aid. She was a Gilmore and as of a couple weeks ago a Huntzberger as well, she had nothing to be afraid of. Mitchum wouldn't be capable of being hostile to family or at least that's where all her hope was inclining. She heard Avery slam the door behind her, leaving no witnesses and that's she began regretting her bravery.
Stepping inside she had noticed that all of Avery's things were already packed up in boxes lined up by the door. Mighty Mitchum Huntzberger wasted no time in making himself at home and the only things that weren't boxed up where the picture frames that hung ancient Advocate articles. Rory wondered what Avery's reaction would be when the articles came down and his chocolate stash was discovered. She heard the old Huntzberger cough lightly from his place behind the desk and Rory couldn't help but be intimidated by the man and the small space where she was being held captive. She could not directly see him due to the fact that his very wide chair was facing the towards the extravagant window that offered the best view of the moving city. Of course daddy Huntzberger would want Avery's office space when it held this type of scenery, one could hide the Brooklyn Bridge with a thumb from this position and Mitchum always did have a knack for behaving like an all powerful being with a God complex.
She could see the top of his blonde hair poking out from the top of his seat and just the knowledge that she was breathing the same air as this fiend disgusted her. She just had to keep reminding herself that she was still married to Logan and he couldn't very well dispose of her that quickly due to the fact that Logan would surely go looking for her body. Or so she hoped.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the man sitting on the chair spun around to face her.
"Morning Ace, how was breakfast?"
Rory nearly collapsed at the surprise he repeatedly induced on her because for the second time in only a few hours Logan Huntzberger was sitting in front of her with the most wicked smile.
"Are you trying to kill me?" She whispered murderously when her voice failed her.
"No Ace, your engine still has a few more years in it." He stood from his seat put his hands in the pocket of his business suit. The professionalism was ridiculous adorable on him, he still hadn't shaved his five o'clock shadow but the look gave him a rustic appearance adorn by all writers.
"I knock off ten years for each surprise like this."
He looked immensely serious as he walked towards her, "That only leaves me with forty years left of you."
"Well that's tough, I guess your better off not sneaking up on people."
He smiled, already standing directly in front of her in his blonde brilliance.
"Forty years isn't so bad. I think I'll take what I can get." And faster than she realized his lips came crashing down on hers.
And all her frustration melted away.
The kiss was better than any shared the previous night because this was the morning after embrace and it was worth the wait. When it ended he continued to cupped her face in his hands and both allowed the hectic feelings from their kiss to subside with their foreheads pressed against each other.
"I wish I could have woken up with you this morning but I had to be here early."
She looked around at the office he managed to take over in such a short amount of time.
"Your buying the Advocate." It was a comment, not a question.
Logan sighed when she detached herself from him and walked away towards his desk in the middle of the room as far from him as she could get.
"Why?" She asked forcefully.
"It's nothing personal Rory. The Huntzberger Publishing Group is expanding and this paper was always meant to be bought we were just waiting for the right time."
"We?" She questioned.
"My dad and I." He admitted looked at the ground.
"So you work for your dad now?"
"Rory," he said running a hand through his hair, "Elias is sick and he's not getting any better. I had to sell my half of my company in L.A. before coming here."
"How long."
"What?" Logan truly didn't understand where she was going with this.
"How long had you been working for your father before he decided to blacklist me."
"Today's my first day." He admitted.
Rory's head was spinning so fast she couldn't make sense of anything.
"I heard about what my father did to you," he said while caught up in her blue orbs, "Rory I'm sorry. I always knew your plans and I respected them and I knew that one day you'd work yourself to where you needed to be. I would have never imagined that my father would be involved in your career, I actually thought the opposite, that after we ended maybe he'd forget all about you. I don't know what's in his head but I can assure you that he won't be heading this merger. I will."
"Apologizing doesn't fix anything Logan! No one will hire me, why do you think I went all the way to California for a job interview? Do you think I enjoy the miles on my card? And every time I would just hear about how I didn't cut it to work in their newspapers. Mitchum was superb. At least it took me a while to figure out he was behind everything and now your buying the Advocate which is just about the only thing I have left."
"Rory I want to help you."
"Why? You've been away for three years." She said in disbelief of his cavalier attitude.
"I'm back now and I won't let my dad take this away from you." He said motioning to the room around them.
"Why are you trying to help me?" It had been her burning question for quite some time now.
"Think of it as a separation present," he commented with a twinkle in his eye and his world famous smirk.
"So...I'm not getting fired?" She just had to ask.
Logan laughed, "Rest assured Ace, I don't usually fire a girl I spend the night with."
"Logan I think that if this is going to work we have to be-"
"Professional?" He interrupted.
"Meaning no mention of the past."
"Do you consider the past being within the last five hours or the last three years?"
"Logan!"
He seemed to be enjoying himself too much for a soon-to-be-divorced man.
"Alright. No mention of the past but before we begin this new objective I think it would be fair to return this." A smirk remained on his features the entire time that he reached for his pocket and pulled out Rory's lacy thong from the night before.
She remained baffled in front of him and turned all shades of red when she reached to take it.
"How did you get this?" A mortified Rory asked.
"I thought we weren't suppose to be talking about the past," he said but decided that he needed to give a more serious answer after seeing her expression turning hostile, "Okay well when you nearly chucked it past my head last night it-"
"Alright!" She shouted not wanting to hear the rest anymore.
He chuckled when he noticed how she fidgeted nervously in her spot after shoving the undergarment in her pant pocket.
"Don't be shy now Ace, you didn't waste time on it yesterday. It's perfectly sane to want to have mind-blowing sex with your husband. In fact, many cultures encourage it. Hell I've got a cozy closet right over there if your ever in the need." He said pointing to the closet in the far left of the room.
Rory's gaze followed his hand but landed on something far more sinister. She gasped at the picture frame on Logan's desk wondering if he had truly wanted to ruin her career instead of help it. She had never heard of an inanimate object that had the power to affect her as much as this but this object had the ability to send her life crashing down with just one glance from the wrong person. She immediately walked towards the object and held it higher to get a better view, she could hear Logan sighing somewhere behind her almost knowing that he had been caught red handed.
Rory looked on at the picture in front of her. It was taken years ago at the beginning stages of their courtship back when their biggest worries were passing their finals. It was them in the Life and Death Brigade event where they had both jumped off of a platform and fallen in love almost instantly. The picture was taken seconds after the fall and it showed a spirited Logan grabbing onto Rory's waist and smiling down at her crazy appearance. She was looking mind blown after what had taken place but she smiled back at Logan just as eagerly.
Rory couldn't believe that he would just put a picture like this in his office desk as if it was just some lamp. If the wrong person saw this it would all be over.
"Why do you have this here?" Questioned Rory.
"I wanted a picture of my wife as a good luck charm." He answered simply regretting the fact that he kept the picture out when he knew he was going to see her.
"Ex wife." Corrected Rory.
"Not yet."
They both entered a very serious staring contest before Rory spoke first.
"Do you want people to know that we're married?"
"It's a picture Rory."
"Exactly." She said as if she had just solved the world's hardest math problem.
"So who's going the find out? The cleaning ladies? I'm not going to lie Rory." He said, his brown eyes burning into her from his side of the room.
The two were both stopped when the door swung open revealing a stressed Avery. He quickly assessed the situation and apologized noticing the annoyed expression on Logan's features.
"Oh, sorry I should have knocked. I keep thinking this is still my office," he turned close the door again and mumbled under his breath, "because it was a couple hours ago."
Logan rolled his eyes, "Is there anything you were bringing?"
Avery seemed to weigh his options and ends up handing Logan a couple of papers he asked for earlier but before he could make his speedy exit he noticed something off about the vibe in the room. He looked between Rory and Logan and at the nontraditional interaction between employee and superior. Rory nearly looked guilty and too close to the personal mementos on Huntzberger's desk.
"Say," he began, "Do you two know each other?" He asked looking between the two young folk.
It didn't pass him that they exchanged a look before Logan answered.
"We're old friends. We went to Yale together and funny story we used to date for a short while too before I pro..."
"Yeah! We dated. A long time ago." Interrupted Rory making sure to emphasize the amount of time.
Avery looked like he was on the verge of a heart-attack when he heard this bit of information. How could this have gotten past him? Here he was beginning to worry about the merger and one of his very own had an inside connection to the future owner of the company. He suddenly stared at Rory more carefully and noticed how she was holding onto a frame and that caused a piece of jewelry to play off the sunshine of the large window.
In a matter of seconds Rory had become more interesting than he ever though possible.
"Rory, did you get married while you were away?" He asked abruptly, the ring now more noticeable as glinted with the natural light.
Logan's head swung around to Rory waiting to hear what she possibly had to say to her chief.
Rory froze but knew the truth had to be told eventually and it was far better if she could control it. She refused to let go of the picture frame for fear that he might ask about it or that her shaking hands would drop it and make it visible to him.
"Yes I did." She said while making an effort to not look in Logan's direction.
"You little sneak you could have mentioned this earlier," Avery said with a pleased smiled, "what should we call you now Gilmore?"
She noticed Logan about to speak, already forming the name she wanted so badly to bury.
"Gilmore!" She nearly screamed wanting to beat Logan to the punch.
Avery only looked between the two suspiciously and Rory could practically feel Logan's piercing glare.
"Still?" Asked a very confused Avery.
"Yes. It's better to keep it simple." She said forcing a smile.
"Well congratulations Gilmore, must be nice to be a newlywed." He muttered while leaving the office and shutting the door behind him so that he could go reminisce on his new thoughts.
When Logan and Rory heard his footsteps grow fainter and then eventually disappear Rory took the picture frame and pushed it in her purse.
"It's better if no one knows." She said.
Logan leaned against his farthest wall and closed his eyes.
"I'm not going to lie Rory. Being married is not something to be ashamed of," he opened his eyes to continue glaring at her, "I am not ashamed of you Rory."
"Why did you come here? To humiliate me? You said your trying to help me but I so far it really doesn't feel that way." She notified.
"I want to do more than help you Rory. I came to get your stories out there, promote you, have people remember your name."
"Because?"
"Because maybe in the future you can tell everyone about how your 'then husband' rescued you from the oppression of Mitchum's media empire. Just make sure you still refer to me as your master and commander in interviews." And the smirk was back just like that.
"I don't need or want your help Logan. I want to be in an interview and say that I got to where I wanted to be due to perseverance. Not my husband. However, if you would like to help me you could go talk to my mother and grandparents and explain to them that this marriage will be over soon and there's nothing to worry about because you telling them things that they didn't need to know was you pulling a complete stupid!"
"Rory I was trying to find you, I didn't know where you disappeared off to that morning and it's not like you were returning any of my calls. I just wanted to know you were safe...but if it will make you feel better I will sit down with all three of them and explain everything. You won't be to blame anymore but for that to happen I need you to do something for me..." He strode closer to her and stopped when he felt her breath.
"And what's that?" She asked softy.
She left out the fact that with him looking at her like that she'd do just about anything for him.
"There's a gala taking place at the Metropolitan Museum and it's going to honor the years of the Huntzberger Publishing Group, I need a date." He reached out to touch her cheek but she stepped back quickly nearly falling over his desk.
"No. Bring one of your California girls, I'm sure there are plenty and would be a lot more suitable for that type of thing. Hell, you probably have enough to chose from that you can spin them around a carrousel and categorize by physical traits. I'm not your girl."
She kept trying to back herself away as much as she could but the desk was in her away and her heels wouldn't exactly allow for a speedy exit. She was stuck, she could feel her upper thigh make contact with the cold mahogany desk and Logan was getting closer with every second. She knew she was in trouble when he grabbed her neck delicately and pushed her hair back so that he could have room to lay soft kisses on her neck. Rory's mind instantly returned to the previous night when he roamed her body with only his mouth.
"I don't have anymore girls Rory. Things have changed and I would really appreciate this last favor." He breathed into her ear. He knew that as much as Rory denied him she could never deny their chemistry.
Rory just wanted to make it stop and she did so the only way she knew how.
"Alright... maybe I can make it."
"I don't even know why I agreed to go! I have nothing to wear and I don't exactly have a bank account that permits spending thousands on a gown. It's a ridiculous piece of fabric that could feed an orphanage!"
Rory and Charlene had taken the rest of the day off in search for a gown appropriate enough to wear to a gala. Charlene had made it no secret that the only place to find something extravagant enough for this type of event was Fifth Avenue and Rory didn't hide the fact that she wasn't a Park Avenue trust fund babe. In nearly every store they walked into they were treated like second class citizens who were just window shopping and had no hope of bringing home a designer item. Charlene was the one who was dragging Rory to every store despite the terrible customer service because she was the one who had come up with the plan. Both girls would chip in five hundred dollars to purchase a gown but they would make sure to keep the price tags and return the dress the next day to get their hard earned money back.
Both girls thought it was a brilliant plan too, until they walked into the first designer shop and realized that the cheapest item was a scarf set at the no-haggling price of $1,500. With every shop they visited they kept losing hope and Rory couldn't help but wish she hadn't said yes to Logan. He surely wouldn't care what she showed up in as long as she showed but he also probably had no clue how difficult it was for a woman to attain a last minute gown in New York City.
"So who is this mystery man that invited you? He's got to be loaded if he's taking you to an invitation only gala." Charlene had been wanting to ask all afternoon but had been afraid to scare off a secretive Rory on her first day back to work.
"He's family...and he knows people." It wasn't a complete lie but she just wasn't ready to share with her new best friend.
"Right." Replied a suspicious Charlene and the two girls walked inside the Escada building.
Rory was immediately smitten with the dress they had on the window display and Charlene left to see if they had any matching shoes for the gray wrap gown.
"Can I help you?" Asked a skinny blonde from the counter.
"Yes," said Rory, "I really like that gown but I don't know what sizes they come in."
The blonde narrowed her green eyes, "That dress on display is a Kate Middleton dress and it's an original, meaning we have any more." She seemed like she had to translate for an idiot and her nasal voice reminded Rory of the stuck up teenagers in Chilton.
"What size does it come in?" Rory insisted, she had known that since beginning shopping the sales associates just wanted her and Charlene out of their pristine stores.
"Shouldn't you first ask how much it is."
Rory had never disliked someone as much as she did in that moment. She felt like she was better off receiving finer care in a prisoner camp.
"Rory Gilmore?" Asked an astounded voice from the store backdrop.
Behind the sales person came Stephanie Vanderbilt strutting to the scene from the dressing room area covered everywhere in thousand dollar price tags. She gathered in front of the two women and gave Rory a cheery hug where she could smell the Marc Jacobs perfume on the buoyant blonde. Rory caught herself smiling at the familiar face while Stephanie spun her around and got a good look at her missing friend after three years.
"What are you doing in New York?" Rory asked.
"I'm going to the same Gala as your husband." She winked.
"He told you?"
"He still tells us everything hun and I'm surprised it took this long for it to happen. I always though that after college that's when you two would stop being morons and just commit but hey, I guess somethings just happen in their own time." She smiled.
Rory couldn't think of anything to say to that.
Stephanie turned to the sales associate fiercely, "Are you giving my friend a hard time?"
The once impolite sales woman looked like she had just had her status brought down a couple notches by the heiress and refused to meet Steph's eyes, "No Miss Vanderbilt."
"It's not what it sounded like from the dressing room. How about you go and fetch everything my friends need on me. Don't talk to her, don't look at her just bring everything she needs if you want to keep your minimum wage job."
Logan couldn't have done it better himself and Rory herself feared Stephanie at that moment. Reducing a deserving sales associates to shreds would always be Stephanie Vanderbilt's favorite past time.
Stephanie shrugged, "You have to threaten the bitch."
"Steph, I can't accept your money." Rory said while looking at the daunting price tag on the dress.
"I wasn't asking you to. Just remember to name your first girl after me, okay?"
Rory paled and Stephanie laughed before going to change and leaving the store with millions of bags in toe. Ten minutes after she left Charlene returned with nude heels Rory's size and the surprised never left her face when Rory walked out of the store with a gown and heels, never bothering to reach for her wallet and pay for anything.
"I still don't know why the cops aren't after us." Charlene commented once in a cab.
"Because the alarm didn't ring." Rory said simply.
"And I still don't know how the alarm didn't ring."
"The clothes are on someone's else tab." She said looking out the window trying to hide the fact that she knew people.
"Someone that could afford all that? Who are you?" Charlene asked staring at Rory like she had grown five heads.
It didn't taken long for Rory to reach the apartment of Charlene's mom who was known to have her known beauty salon business in her kitchen. Together the three of them managed to style Rory's hair for the evening, apply her makeup, and fix her nails all in the comfort of the kitchen table. If tonight Rory was to party and dine amongst millionaires than at least she could feel a little more secure in herself.
It was past eight and Rory noticed how New York was far from putting out for the night. She was in a car that Logan had order to pick her up from her apartment, she didn't know the and much less the route that he was using to take her to the museum and for all she knew Logan's driver could have been instructed to take her to a brothel. Her gown was silky and it felt heavenly around her newly shaved legs. She couldn't remember the last time she had gotten dolled up for anyone or anything and it was pleasant having the neighborhoods boys stop their baseball plays so that they could watch her enter a mysterious car. It was nice and refreshing feeling pretty again.
It took longer than expected in the city traffic for them to reach the Metropolitan Museum but when they did it was definitely a sight. There were cameras flashing everywhere and crowds of reporters wanting to speak to the highly esteemed individuals that were slowly ascending the steps of the museum and making it up to the main event. There was a line of cars driving to the valet area where the rich and famous where escort out of their cars and into the eyes of the eager media. Rory was again starting to regret her decision. There had to be hundreds of cameras out there because the flash never stopped. The last thing she needed was a picture taken so that her coworkers would have proof that she was at this type of event but she also felt like fate had brought her here. How else could someone explain bumping into Stephanie, finding a perfect dress and being ready on time? Things just didn't happen like that for her anymore. Hopefully, she could steer clear of Logan until she was inside. It's not like the photographers would care much about some alone and random skinny brunette anyways.
"Hey Miss, this guy's going to open the door for you. Give Mr. Huntzberger my best." Said the driver.
'If I can find him.' Thought Rory looking at all the people on the steps of the museum.
"Hello Miss." Greeting the teenaged boy that held the door open for her.
He gave her a hand and she maneuvered her way out of the car and started walking up the steps making sure to avoid all eye contact. The people around her truly were glamorous and she noticed a couple well of known names in the newspaper industry that caught her by surprise. These were the writers that she had always looked up to as a child and now she was only feet away. The excitement was unavoidable.
She started thinking of possibly getting closer to the editor of the New York Times and striking a conversation about anything. He was bound to be in this type of event and she knew that she would never breathe the same air as him again except for this night. Maybe even talk of the pathetic weather would be ok as long as she got to say she actually spoke to the editor of the New York Times but at that moment someone caught her arm.
"Is that the dress Kate Middleton wore to an even last December?" Asked a man with a camera.
Rory didn't get to answer when heads turned in her direction and started eying her wardrobe choice, without questioning further people started snapping away at their cameras. So much for flying under the radar. She turned her back to them and walked faster than ever into the world-famous museum.
The past three years she had gotten so used to being invisible to men. They never held doors open for her much less let her have the last doughnut at a board meeting but tonight entering the museum she felt as if the past three years had been a part of her imagination. Perhaps it was the gown or maybe even the professional makeup but tonight, guys looked and they were looking at her. The museum was posh, every inch was marbelized and immaculate. It was filled with men in bow ties in evening wear and chatty women with their diamonds, each turning to notice the lost brunette beauty as she walked by.
Rory was just amazed with the types of people she saw. She had to hold her breath when her favorite writer from the New York Times bumped into her accidentally and apologized quickly. She couldn't believe he had touched her to begin with. After some more slight hyperventilation moments Rory saw a dashing Logan in the middle of a heated conversation with a group of people his age. After a moment the men all let out a roar of laughter at whatever he must have said and the women seemed hung on his every word. The Huntzberger charm really did hypnotize everyone. At that moment he must have felt her gaze because he paused in the middle of his conversation to look in her direction.
Her extremities started to tingle when they made eye contact and she figured it was her best bet to join him. They were right next to each other when his arm snaked around her waist, he was grinning like a mad man.
"You look stunning." Logan confessed.
There were only certain occasions when Rory had witnessed the sight of Logan in a tuxedo and it was never a disappointment. The newly shaved Logan with his somewhat brushed hair was definitely a sight.
"You clean up well." She had to be honest.
"Everyone," started Logan, "I would like to introduce you all to my wi -"
"Friend." She corrected before he could get away with it.
"Rory," he finished.
The assembled crowd all bellowed their hellos with grins.
"Rory, I would like you to meet the editor-in-chief of the New York Times."
Rory nearly froze when the man discussed went to shake her hand.
"Rory here works as a reporter for the Advocate, the new merger on the way. She's one of the best writers I've come across and ended up being Editor of the Yale Daily News back in our college days." Logan informed.
"Really? I'd love to read some of your work if that were possible." Said the lively editor.
Rory couldn't help but be astounded. It was her that should be asking to see his old work, not the other way around. She was so flabbergasted that the entire conversation had to be orchestrated by Logan, she merely shook his hand and smiled the entire time that Logan spoke of her and commented on her brilliant work ethic. When he finally left and they were alone the gravity of what had just happened really hit Rory.
"That was..."
"It was." Logan finished with a smirk.
And with that dinner was announced to all the guests in the main hall. Rory followed Logan where they were seated in what she was repeatedly told to be 'the best table in the room'. Logan pulled a chair out for her and she sat, noticing for the first time that they were seated in the same table as the editor from earlier and the owners of national news channels. She really hoped not to make herself look like a complete half-wit tonight.
Logan on the other hand, didn't seem to notice the people around him. She caught him staring at her multiple times throughout the night and he couldn't keep his hands to himself. He continually brushed his hand against hers or caressed her arm with his free finger. He just couldn't believe he was around her again after all that time and married to her no less. He wanted everyone to know. He wanted to go from table to table in inform all New York power figures that he was in love and married to the women of his dreams, a combination that typically never happened for people of his status. However, he understood her well enough to know that she would never want that type of news to spread, especially not around these types of people so he remained quiet. The truth of their marriage was only for a select few and unless asked directly about it he was not to share. He knew all too well that he was on shaky territory and that he should sit and be eternally grateful that she even came.
The urge to kiss her was just as powerful as the urge to touch her and he didn't know how long he could contain himself. These simple gestures and hand holding weren't doing much for him when he just wanted to take his wife out back and perform first, second and third base. He knew how the only woman that mattered was her and every girl in the building was a wilting flower in comparison.
"I'm so glad you came Ace." He whispered in her ear while she took of sip of champagne.
"A deal is a deal."
His eyes looked so warm to her and his lips so inviting. This is the same way he had been when she had first kissed him at her grandparent's vow renewal – completely sensual. She couldn't help but admit, she really did love this man.
He went to pull back a piece of hair and tuck it behind her ear and she laughed.
"What, your not going to pull out a thong of mine from in there?"
Logan smirked, "My tricks work better on the unexpected."
The two were so caught up in their gaze that they didn't notice when clapping ensued followed by what seemed like the fifth guest speaker that night. They only broke eye contact when Logan heard the voice of his father radiating from the stage.
Onlookers could tell that the look of horror in Logan's eyes mirrored that of Rory's. The blonde media mogul stepped closer to the microphone and started thanking everyone that allowed the night to be possible. Rory's stomach had never ached as bad as when she caught sight of the man that had ruined her career the past three years. He actually appeared healthy and as exuberant as ever. She felt Logan sending her apologetic glances but she couldn't tear her eyes from his father.
"Thank you all for gathering here tonight on an occasion that I'm sure will ruin many diets," laughter filled the room while the spectators gave the senior Huntzberger all of their attention.
"Today marks the one hundredth birthday of the Huntzberger Publishing Group. Some people wonder how this company had managed to stay afloat for so long now, so I share with them a story. My great grandfather built this company with one soul belief in mind...the truth should be offered to all American people. The man was a visionary, a German immigrant that came to the United States before the beginning of World War 1 and realized that the newspapers were all liars. In those days no Americans were truly aware of the horror stories overseas and my great grandfather decided that he would use his business know-how and connections back in Eurpose to start a newspaper business that had never been seen by the lights of America."
Logan had heard the story millions of times before and he still remained as uninterested as the fifth hundredth time he heard it. He tried his best to squeeze Rory's hand and offer her a sign of comfort but she barely felt it because she too, was just as captivated as the room of adults.
"The fact that we are all here today proves that he succeed. I never met the man but I heard he was disliked by many for his crass nature. Back then the people did not understand that the information he leaked through the morning papers, though it was frightening, immoral and hard to swallow, it was the truth. And my great grandfather believed in unleashing the truth on the American people so that they alone could decided how to handle all situations. So that's the secret, that's how this company has managed to stay in it's position for so long while others collapse under pressure. We believe in truth...I would like to thank my son, for the contributions that he has made towards his family ancestry. I have never seen someone with so much promise work in any of my papers before and I'm sure he would have made the founder proud. So today, with all you fine people and my great grandfather as witness I would like to congratulate him on his marriage to the beautiful Loreali Gilmore."
Without notice the spotlight that had previous shined on his father was now shining on the appalled newlywed couple. Never had a bride looked so uncomfortable being the center of attention and never had Logan wanted to cause bodily harm on this father before. This was truly the worst thing his father had ever done to him by far. Logan attempted to keep a steady grip on Rory's hand but she snatched herself away when a wave of people all nearly broke their necks to get a better look at the agitated brunette and the pissed off looking blonde next to her.
Rory could heard Mitchum concluded his speech from the stage, "Aren't they a pleasant couple, folks? My best go out to the happy couple may they produce plenty of heirs. Thank you everyone."
So many applause filled the air that you would think it was the concluding song of a famous band that had just played on stage. Rory could already see the crowds coming to approach them and congratulate them personality on their marriage. Everyone started to gather around them smiling and laughing with cameras flashing away because god forbid any moment went undocumented. Logan was overtaken when co-workers came by the thousands to shake his hand and Rory wanted more than ever to slip back into invisibility. Mitchum had just ended her career in a matter of seconds, the career that took her three years to build and the only thing she'd have left once this divorce was finalized.
Before she could get hounded by the trophy wives headed her way she pushed her chair back and practically ran out of the dinner area leaving Logan to fend for himself in the crowd of people. She knew she had over stayed her welcome and that was Mitchum's warning to her, she only wished that she was able to escape the museum faster but even at a joggers speed it looked like it would take an eternity before she could find her way out. The last thing she saw before her heels made contact with the noisy marble floors in the main hall was an overwhelmed Logan swinging his head around and trying to spot her in the mess of people.
She was truly sorry but she just couldn't handle this.
She ran as far as her heels would take her and thought many night of ditching the shoes to really gain some speed. She knew that Logan would be on her in a matter of seconds waiting to stop her from leaving him for what could possibly be the third time. Nothing from here on out would ever be easy, she would have to face Avery and her family for her mistakes. No longer would it be a secret with a need to know basis, it would be general information posted on the internet for everyone to see and everyone to reject her once they found out about her divorce to a media magnet.
She tried her best to maneuver her way down the various steps on the outside of the museum which had looked abandoned now that everyone was inside, her dress was blowing in the wind and interfering with her steps. Leaving the atmosphere of the museum was already a weight lifted off her shoulders. When she came in contact with the mayhem of traffic and the lights of the streets it comforted her to know that the world was still spinning despite the last several minutes.
Racing down the steps only focused on not breaking her ankle she bumped into someone tall.
"Are you okay?"
Rory looked up to see who would ask such a stupid question and jumped back when she realized it was Warren who was grabbing her arms and keeping her in place.
"I'm alive aren't I?" She spat sarcastically and attempted to move around him.
Warren just held on to her arms tighter, "Rory I need to talk to you and it's urgent, I was going to stop by your job today but I noticed Logan Huntzberger going in your building and I just couldn't do it!"
His crazed appearance and disheveled hair didn't go unnoticed by Rory. His eyes were maroon red from lack of sleep and she could smell the loads of alcohol in his system. Why a lawyer would go in search for her in that state she did not know.
"You reek like you go hit by a vodka truck." She said.
He ignored her, "Do you still want to go through with this divorce?"
Did he really need to ask? After tonight was through she realized Logan got in a couple hours what he had wanted all his life, a Stepford wife. She had naively fallen into his trap and let him show her off like a prized possession to his buddies. He did it so well it almost felt like it had been her idea to begin with.
"Yes."
He nodded gravely, "Then you need to do exactly I say. Divorces are always easier the faster you file the papers but you need to attend at least two sessions of marriage counseling before you can actually file. It makes you seem likable to a judge who will think you did everything in your power to keep the marriage. You understand?"
She nodded because it was all she could do at the moment, his fingers were digging into the sides of her arms.
"And this is the most important of all Rory. Memorize it, write it down if you have to but just know that what I say next is the best advice a lawyer could give."
He sighed before continuing, "Do not buy anything together, do not start a business together and what ever you do, do not sleep with him. This is all very important." He gently raised his hands to smooth down her hair on either side.
Rory closed her eyes and tried to recite everything he just told her to ensure her memory captured it.
"And Rory, I'm going to get a private investigator to find out what really happened June 24th."
She snapped her eyes open, "I...this is really nice of you Warren but I can't afford any of your help and I don't have a way of paying you back."
He shook his head violently, "Don't worry about the price."
"Why are you doing this for me?"
She looked so vulnerable and Warren couldn't take it any longer, she had been in his thoughts for many nights now. He grabbed her head and pushed her down onto his lips before he could talk himself out of it. He felt like he were making contact with rose petals, the softness of her lips were better than any dream he mustered up. He ended the kiss quickly, not seeking a return from her because he didn't want her to be the one that pulled back. He never could handle rejection...When it was over he only allowed himself a seconds to stare into her weary blue eyes.
"I couldn't think of anyone that could use the help more."
And with said he stumbled out of the Metropolitan stairs and into an awaiting cab leaving her in an unmoving state.