Chapter seventeen: I'II not make this any easier for you I...
Thank you CaliGrlFoLife for being my beta. Thanks everybody else for PMs and reviews. Dzeil: you always make me laugh lolz..
Every proposal brought to Paige about the Mercedes deals of their F1 drivers she had refused to accept. They had brought her TEN but she kept making one silly excuse after another as to why she wouldn't accept them.
Being the family with the second highest shares she has to agree with the contract before they are passed and signed. The season has already begun and their drivers hadn't received their new contracts for them to continue driving for this season or the next three. Their new contracts haven't been approved by the board because of her.
For the last two days she has been nothing but horrible and overbearing to everybody, the members were getting tired and angry. They had spoken to Akin and he too knew Paige wasn't herself, but she is in charge so he couldn't do anything about it. Some members had tried to call Nicklaus to try and call her to order but Nicklaus himself couldn't really do anything for multiple reasons.
One: he had signed all powers to her concerning anything Mercedes and two: he has made more mistakes that he can count when it came to Paige. He had promised himself to be good to her, he doesn't want to lose her and he had made a lot of mistakes over the years. Nicklaus knows one more mistake and she is gone like she had sworn. The best he could come up with was to call one of his best and oldest friend, Ian, who happens to be in Munich to travel over to Stuttgart to see what he can do, after all he is like the favorite uncle she ever had. Maybe with luck the deal will be signed before the new season really picks up.
When uncle Ian reached Stuttgart Paige was no where to be seen. She wasn't in the office, mansion or any of the other offices they normally hold their meetings. Akin himself doesn't know where she was. She had simply text him that she will be back the next day and switched off her phones.
V
When Spencer and Emily landed Stuttgart they went straight to the Mansion. It was so obvious that Emily was nervous so Spencer told her she has her back all will be fine. As they entered the mansion Akin was the only one home. He rushed to his wife, he hugged and kissed her passionately in front of Emily. Spencer joked, "keep it in your pants baby". Akin told Emily not to mind him as he really missed his wifey. Spencer hit his hand slightly and told Emily not to mind him that he is just nervous because Paige had been a 'hard ass' for the last two days. Emily swallowed hard, Spencer hit her own head for saying that, she just made Emily worse. So Akin trying to make things better says.
"If it will make you feel any better she didn't sleep here last night, she isn't at home so you can relax". Akin explained with a disarming smile "And she doesn't know that you are coming with Spencer today, but I think she will be delighted to see you". Emily managed a small smile "Akin, I think you ought to know that there's every chance your sister won't be in the least 'delighted' to see me, but thank you for saying that".
"We'll risk it won't we babe?" Akin said with a grin. Spencer nodded.
V
Emily drank some wine to help her nerves then decided to do a little reading to take her mind off the extreme tension she felt. Spencer had gone to the office to see all the commotion Paige was causing. Spencer and Akin decided that Akin should stay with Emily incase Paige came back. Uncle Ian was back from the office also waiting for Paige to return as well.
After nearly an hour later the front door to the huge sitting room was swung wide open and voices drifted in from the entryway. The words were inaudible, there was no mistaking it, it was the soft murmur and throaty laughter of a woman as she answered Paige. Akin saw Emily who was sitting by the end corner on a quite side of the sitting room, her stricken expression visible as she realized that Paige was accompanied by a female. Rising quickly, he flashed a sympathetic and encouraging look at her then carefully placed himself so that he was standing in front of her, blocking her from Paige's view to give her time to compose herself. For the first time in three days Paige was being jovial.
"Hancock I'm sorry I couldn't come back yesterday it's a long story, I will tell you all about it later" Paige said to Akin smiling. Paige then asked if he recognized the woman by her side, Akin looked closer and sees who it is. It's Brook Middleton, Paige's first love! Akin is shocked, what in the world is happening?. Akin expelled his breath in a rush of disbelief when she came to hug him.
"Brook Middleton? How? When? What is going on here B?". He wasn't really sure what to ask. Brook got a seat and sat down. Paige waved a casual arm in Akin's direction and laughingly added, "Akin you look shocked I wish you saw me yesterday when I saw her. You would have really laughed". Brook smiled looking at an uncomfortable Akin.
"It has been a really long time Miss. Middleton, it's nice to know you're alive". Akin says with an amused formality. He used Miss hoping she was going to correct him and say Mrs.
"For heaven's sake Akin don't be this formal" Brook laughed. "You and I have been on a first-name basis for forever, what wrong with you?".
Ignoring her, Akin reached behind him and grabbed Emily's arm, while she kept mouthing "no, no, no,". Emily rose anyways with quaking reluctance to her feet, "Miss Middleton" Akin raised his voice slightly "may I introduce you to Emily Fields ...".
Paige who was standing by the bar trying to make Brook a drink jerked and swung around.
"And this stony faced lady". Akin continue lightly to Emily this time "is my sister. As you know". Emily slowly moved nearer to Akin's side and said "hi" to Brook then reluctantly, but boldly look straight at Paige who had a cold ruthless fury in her eyes. "How are you Paige?". Emily asked in a barely audible whisper, Paige curtly answers "Fine. As you can see, I have survived our last encounter without any scar".
Brook, who apparently recognized Emily as Paige's wife, who Paige had spoken about non stop in anger but with eyes full of love yesterday night decided to punish Emily by adding more diesel to the fire.
"I heard a few things about you Emily Fields". She said coldly looking Emily up and down. Emily slightly looked at Paige who's expression hasn't softened and spoke." I hope all good things". Brook faked a laugh, "As I recall, what I heard was not in the least bit kind. Emily, I know 'my Paige' can be treated much better somewhere". Brook looks at Paige and winks.
Emily stiffened at Brook's unexpected and provoked attack, Akin decided to wade into the deafening silence. "We can all discuss our mutual acquaintances at dinner" he announced cheerfully. "providing that Brook is staying for dinner?". He wanted to know if she was going to go or stay so he could call Spencer to come back immediately as this was beyond him now.
Brook showing up has quickly destabilized their plan. Even though he hasn't seen her in ages, Akin couldn't just pretend to miss her. She was his sisters childhood love, her first love and it's over, though it was forced, it has been a long time. Now all he wants is to get his sister and sister in-law back together.
To Akin's infinite disgust, Brook happily said she was staying. Akin sat himself beside Emily, sad, but not yet defeated then looked around to where Paige stood. Paige's tall frame stood rigid with anger, her back to them as she poured herself soda and wine for Brook. "Me and Emmy too please, big sis," he called good-naturedly.
Paige threw him a look of unwavering distaste and said in a voice of tightly controlled fury, "I am certain, Akin you can pour your own drink and that of your guest".
"Yep" Akin said serenely, getting up from the settee where he was seated beside Emily.
Akin went to the small bar, poured himself some wine, and began filling another one for Emily, ignoring the simmering rage emanating from his sister. Under her breath, Paige snapped bitting her teeth and eyeing him.
"Is there the slightest chance that you don't know what happened?" "Not the slightest". Akin grinned, quickly picking up two glasses as he walks toward Brook giving her the glass in his hand and turning to his sister he said in a caring voice, "Will you please bring Emily's glass, B? I couldn't manage all three". Paige hesitated, but did anyways she has already filled a glass already. Emily tried searching her face for some sign that she still cared for her. But there was none.
In a state of acute misery, she absently sipped her wine slowly studying Paige, who was seated across from her beside Brook looking very beautiful in a simple, superbly tailored deep blue suit trousers and a white short sleeve opened neck shirt and to make everything worse, Brook was wearing a simple V neck cream gown, showing all her curves for everyone to see. Brook is breathtakingly beautiful, more than Emily could have ever imagined.
In the most awkward half hour of their lives, Akin had the greatest share of the conversation burden, with Brook contributing harshly whenever Emily spoke. Paige spoke in clipped abrupt phrases only when absolutely necessary. Emily silently counted the minutes until dinner was served and this ordeal over, so that she could creep away in a room. She now knew she should never have come. It was too late. Paige has moved on.
V
Mercifully, dinner was announced Paige rose and without so much as a glance towards her direction, Paige moved to the dinning area with Brook by her side talking about something that apparently made Brook laugh out loud .
Emily stood up to follow Akin, but he stopped her.
"Damn Brook!" he laughed softly but tensely. "I could strangle her. It's time for us to change our strategy, although everything has been going well so far". What? Is Akin high.Emily thought.
"Strategy?" Emily gasped. "What has got into you Akin?. Going well you said?".
"Perfectly. You've been sitting here looking beautiful and vulnerable, and Paige can't tear her eyes off you when she thinks you aren't looking Emily!. You didn't see, but I saw and thank God Brook saw it. It's time for you to do something to get Paige off alone with only you somewhere".
Emily's heart soared precariously. "She can't tear her eyes? Oh, Akin, are you at all certain? I don't think she even knows I'm here. She hasn't really look at me at all Akin".
"She knows you're here quite alright. Trust me, Not that she doesn't wish to God you weren't!. Sorry, but In fact Emily, I can't recall ever seeing her this furious. Now it will be up to you to push this anger beyond the limits of her control." Akin said, laughing.
"What?" Emily whispered "goodness me Akin, why in the world should I do that?".
"You have to make her furious enough to leave the table and take you with her. If you don't, as soon as dinner is over, B will find some excuse to leave with Brook leaving you here with me Emily. I don't know what is happening with her and Brook, I can't get Spencer so it is left to you and I to break whatever the hell is going on there today Emily".
Emily thought after their last encounter, to engage Paige in another verbal combat filled her with an odd mixture of fear and anticipation, But She reminded herself of what Hanna had said about not being meek,"Akin" she said suddenly "Ok!, thank you so much".
"No need to thank me Emmy just remember this, no matter how angry she is, my sister has fallen for you too, I am certain of that. If you can get her alone, I think you'll be able to prove how much you love her too".
"But if I deliberately provoke her everyone at the table will think the worse of me Akin".
He grinned boyishly at her. "No Emily, this is PAIGE we're taking about here, they will think you're brave and wonderful. Just as I do". Akin gave her a kiss on the head and said. "let's go get our girl".
V
Finally Akin and Emily reached the dinning table. Paige ignored Emily and nodded to the help to begin serving. She was seated at the head of the table, with empty chair on her right, and Brook on her left. Uncle Ian sat himself on the right after the empty chair so Akin quickly went to the seat beside Brook facing uncle Ian leaving the chair by Paige's right side empty for Emily to sit facing Brook. Emily eyed Akin who smiles at her but still sat down uncomfortably praying for God's help.
As the help poured wine into Emily's glass, Emily drank more than half of the cup in one go in order to help her nerves. Paige, who noticed it drawled casually, "Leave the bottle next to her. She is really fond of that, as I recall". He did as instructed.
What paige didn't know was that gave Emily's spirit a leap of joy, Paige was no longer able to ignore her! Surely she must still care for her to be angry enough to say such a thing. She smiled enchantingly at her over her glass and sipped the remaining wine.
"Am not really fond of wines, although at times it does help to reinforce one's courage".
"Really? I wouldn't know". Paige spoke but not looking at her directly.
"Ah yes, you prefer to smoke to reinforce yours," she quipped as Paige lifted her glass to her mouth. Her eyes narrowed ominously and Emily quickly looked away. Please love me, she implored her silently. Don't make me go through all this for nothing.
"Do you watch the F1 Emily?" Uncle Ian asked, nervously stepping in to cover the charged silence. Even he knew something was wrong with Paige and her wife. Akin has already told him they had a misunderstanding.
I'm sorry I don't". Emily replied with a shy smile.
"Do you watch any other sports then?". Uncle Ian persisted in sheer desperation to just talk about anything, because of the awkwardness in the dinning room. Akin thought, can't you bring up something better uncle?.
"Yes, swimming, horse races, basketball and occasionally soccer". Emily laughed, "but I haven't in a long time so I don't really know what is happening there now".
"Really Emily" Brook drawled, "it's extraordinary to meet anyone who doesn't take one or two sports seriously this days. All three of us here have at one time accomplished something in one or two sports, especially Paige. You can't tell me you haven't been active in any sport?. If not, exactly what are your accomplishments then?". Brook asked sarcastically looking at Emily straight in the eye.
"Emily is a proficient swimmer and an okay horsewoman a brat with uncertain tendencies," Paige interjected harshly, answering Brook's question herself. "She curses fluently, sting brilliantly like a bee, an excellent cook, highly intelligent and a very convincing actress! A talent for which I can vouch for, Have I treated you fairly?". She snapped at Emily.
"Not entirely". Emily said softly, stinging from the cruel whips of Paig's words even though she was smiling. "Surely my riding is better than 'okay' And if you doubt my skill, I shall be pleased to demonstrate it to you providing that you volunteer to be my target, as I have just been yours".
Akin gave a sharp crack of laughter when everyone turns to him he lower his head and continue eating trying so hard to hold it in.
Uncle Ian tried again. "What do you enjoying doing at your spare time Emily?". Emily felt Paige's scorching gaze on her and could not quite meet it.
"I try to feed the horses, workout or learn a dish to cook for those who like my cooking. Although someone doesn't really compliment my dishes but I believe she enjoys them so much, she eats now more than she used to".
"Do you also enjoy weddings?" Brook asked her smoothly. "If so, I shall be certain to invite you to mine". Brook said squeezing Paige's hand on the table. Although she didn't really say if she meant with Paige or somebody else, all four on the table except Emily knew about their history at the time so they all kept quite because they didn't know what to say.
The silence of an ancient tomb settled over the table Emily tried really hard to continue eating but she could not swallow past the lump of desolation swelling in her throat. She looked miserably at Akin, who shrugged imperturbably, and arched a brow in Paige's direction. She knew that Akin meant for her to continue but she couldn't now. Brook's statement has weaken and confused her, maybe it was over. As transparent as it would be to everyone when she pleaded sudden illness, Emily couldn't bear to stay at that table. She was too bruised and battered to care that everyone would know it was due to Brook that she was leaving.
She took her napkin off her lap and put it on the table beside her plate. As she reached down to slide her heavy chair back, a female shoe suddenly came to rest over hers under the table. Brook tapped her leg several times briefly, encouraging taps, then pressed her leg on Emil's, hard without really looking at her, in a gesture that clearly said, "Stay and finish what you have begun".
Emily was now confused, kept staring at Brook and she sees her briefly look at her and wink, Emily smiles, certainly Brook has been playing her for hurting Paige and now that she sees she has given up she decided to encourage her to fight on for Paige. She doesn't understand what it meant, but all she now knows is that Brook and Paige are not together.
Emily now replaces her napkin back. She glanced at Paige, who was moodily contemplating the soda in her glass, then at Akin. She made up her mind to not disappoint herself and all those who have been helping her.
Brook put her hand on Paige's arm again. "Paigy, I hope you aren't angry with anything I have said?, I noticed you have been moody since we came back here".
"I'm certain she isn't in the least angry Brook". Emily said quietly, but her eyes were on Paige. "We all do foolish things when we're in love. Don't we, Paige?"
"Do we?" Paige countered repressively. "I hadn't noticed".
"Then you either have a very short memory," Emily challenged softly, "or a very convenient one or perhaps you've never been in love after all". Everyone looked shocked!.
Paige's glass slammed on the table. "Precisely what the hell is that supposed to mean?" She demanded. Emily mortified before the blast of those brown eyes. "Nothing," she lied softly.
The sound of cutlery began again. She watched Paige's hand flexing on her glass, clenching it and loosening, then clenching again, and she knew Paige was wishing that it was her neck, not her glass that were in her hands. After several awarkward minutes, Akin this time, not uncle Ian,nervously cleared his throat and cautiously said to Emily."Tell me, Emily how is Washington different from New York?".
Emily started to reply impersonally, but then she realized that Akin had just unknowingly given her exactly the opening she needed. Since Paige wasn't willing to let her explain in private, perhaps she could at least make her partially understand here, at the table.
"Very different!" she said with feeling. "You see, months after I lost my late fiancée I discovered that my father had rearranged my marriage to a woman I had scarcely knew, the last person I expected him to go to, worse I was not given anytime to come to terms with their decision so I completely lost it".
"How distressing," replied Akin with a dawning look of understanding.
"Indeed it was, particularly because I have a freakish streak in my nature which positively rebels against being coldly ordered about by ANYONE. And the woman I was to marry, although she was kind and understanding in many ways, was quite horridly arbitrary and arrogant about the whole thing. I didn't have a choice, but to accept her due to her proposal. All I wanted was more time to come to terms with things, but no one listened or cared what I was going through, including her".
"Oh sorry, but these arranged marriages can be difficult to adjust to at first,"Akin agreed. "What did you do then?".
"She became a bickering rebellious little brat about the whole thing". paige announced coldly.
"But not dictatorial with nonchalant attitude". Emily shot back. "And I didn't bickered about everything, not at all!".
Angry silence reigned until Akin laughingly said, "My God, don't keep us in suspense, continue please?".
Paige answered for her in a contemptuous drawl. "Since I had already accepted the betrothing, for the marriage to go ahead I had to make a proposal to her so I don't look stupid in front of our parents".
Emily couldn't endure it when she used that tone of voice. She bit her lip and meekly shook her head. "The proposal made it easy yes, but our first kiss made it harder..".
"A kiss? That bitch!, She gave you only a kiss, then what?". Akin said cheerfully, helping himself to a second portion of roasted sweet potatoes. "She sounds like an evil tempered sort. You're probably much better off without her".
"I-I have a rather formidable temper myself". Emily admitted.
"In that case, she's better off without you". Paige snapped, then her gaze swung on Akin with deadly menace. "Akin, I find this conversation not only excessively boring, but in excruciatingly bad taste. Am I making myself clear?". Akin met his sister's look with shame and bewilderment then nodded, even he didn't dare to reopen the subject.
The Help moved about the room and all five people at the dining table quietly concentrated on the their plates, but only Akin ate with any enjoyment. Emily told herself she has to try, she would try once more, just once more, to make Paige leave the room with her.
Although how she was going to cope with her if she succeeded, was all together another brutal pace and beyond her imagination.
"Akin asked you a question, Paigey". Brook whispered. Showing off her closeness with Paige.
"What?" Paige demanded, staring at Akin with blazing animosity.
"I asked how Hamilton did against Rosberg in the qualifying pole?. I know he beat Rosberg but how well did he performed since you were there watching the qualification".
"He did well". was the curt answer.
"How well?" Akin persisted. He wasn't at the qualifying, but he has watched online he already knows the answer, but he wanted to help Emily in anyway he could. He had texted Spencer, but she said she couldn't come now. One: She had to read all ten proposals to choose the best she could to make Paige chose one as time was against them and two: the other members of the board were waiting in the office for Spencer. Akin had to now do this without his wife, he had promise her he would. Although Akin addressed the table at large, the smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth was aimed at emily as he explained.
"We had a bet, I bet Rosberg was gonna take it this season because Hamilton has won 15 out of 19 races last year, Rosberg will be more hungry to prove why we should sign a new contract with so much money he had proposed in his contract. Paige here said Hamilton will still win because he is just too good. Hamilton bestest Rosberg in two poles while Rosberg bested him three. Paige lost the bet and she owes me 100 bucks". Akin's grin widened meaningfully at Emily.
"B doesn't care about the money, but she HATES to admit she lost. Sis never learned to ACCEPT defeat".
Paige laid down her knife and fork, preparing to give Akin the brutal setdown he'd earned hours before, but Emily taking Akin's cue immediately drew off Paige's fire.
"How strange you should say that Akin". she said to Akin, looking genuinely amazed. "I have found that your sister accepts defeat without even putting up the slightest struggle. Funny when faced with the tiniest discouragement, she simply gives up and bails..".
Paige's open hand slammed down on the table with a crash that made the dishes dance. She stood to her feet, a muscle leaping furiously along the muscles line of her jaw.
"Is obvious she and I have something to say to each other, and it should be in private, best I save you all from the thunder-strike ". She gritted out the words, throwing down her napkin on the table. Swiftly, she strode to the right and jerked Emily's chair back. "Get up!". She snapped in a low, terrible voice that made Emily so fearful she remained frozen in her seat. Paige's hand clamped down painfully on her forearm and Emily rose unsteadily. Uncle Ian looked at her in helpless dismay, Brook smiles happily while Akin lifted his glass to Emily in a silent toast and grinned mouthing "I told you so, this is it".
Forcibly pulling Emily beside her, Paige strode purposefully from the room and down the carpeted hallway. As they passed the front door, she snapped at the butler.
"get her things from wherever the hell they are kept and have the driver ready in two minutes!". She turned down a side hall and nodded curtly to the help who opened the doors of a luxurious study for them.
Paige hauled her halfway across the room, which was lined with books behind richly polished oak, then flung her arm away and stalked to the fireplace. Turning, she regarded her with a look of undiluted loathing, while she visibly strove to bring her rampaging temper under control. Suddenly her voice slashed through the silence.
"Two minutes!, To Explain exactly to me the purpose of this annoying, unexpected and unwelcome visit of yours. At the end of that time I will escort you to the car which will take you straight to the airport without another stop and I will make your excuses for your absence to Akin and Spencer". Emily kept quiet frightened she couldn't look up at Paige or say anything. She has seen angry Paige, but she has never seen her this furious and un shaking. Emily so frightened has now forgotten all of the million lines she practice to say to Paige just like that.
Ever since Paige saw Emily she has thought of a thousand things that might have brought Emily to her, but none has anything to do with what she had hoped.
After the way they parted, Paige had never thought Emily would ever look for her or even try to mend her broken heart with any words of caring or even love, never, and here she was proving her right by being unable to really say anything meaningful to her. That has made her even more angry that she is right. And all she wanted was to see Emily leave already.
"I do not have another minute to spare you, talk now or get the hell out of my sight!". Paige annoyingly shouted.
Emily drew a tortured breath, knowing that if she saw her fear now she would use it against her. "The purpose of my visit?" she said in a small, distracted voice, her mind frantically counting off the passing seconds. "I-I would have thought by now it was obvious".
"Yeah? Well It is not obvious damn it!".
"I've come to-to explain why I said what I said to you that day. You see". she said, stammering in haste.
"that morning when I woke I panicked. you said something to me that night that caught me unaware and reminded me of something from the past and-". Emily was wise enough to not say anything about 'her Paige' at that crucial moment, it will make things far worse for her she knew it.
Paige's eyes raked contemptuously over her. "This marriage?, It should never have happened! The betrothal was an insane idea, I don't even know why the hell I agreed to it in the first place and I curse the day I did!".
Sick with failure and defeat, Emily dug her nails into the flesh of her palms and shook her head in denial.
"It never had a chance to begin because I wouldn't let it. I have been inconsiderate and lost, but now I have found my way".
"Your two minutes are almost up, I told you I don't have time to spare you".
Emily finally stood boldly looking at paige with tears sliding down. "Paige, please listen to me! Please!" she cried desperately.
"You-you told me a long time ago that you wanted me to come to you willingly, that you didn't want a cold and unwilling wife, that it was just a matter of time that you were sure I would come to my senses".
"And?" Paigee demanded furiously.
Emily's voice shook. "And, you were right. Paige i am here willingly and desperate for you...".
V
Oops! to be continued...