Okay, I hope that everyone likes the story so far. If you have any suggestions as to the characters or the story itself, please let me know. I'm always afraid that I will lose my muse, so help is much appreciated. I'm sorry that this story is not completely medically correct either. One of my readers pointed out an error about how long a patient with AIDS can live. Again I'm sorry. I am not a doctor and have no desire to be one. I also am very busy and don't have a lot of spare time to research. I just like to write fan fiction. Please forgive me and ignore the error. As always, please review! Thanks…and above all, ENJOY!

She walked into the main dining room of the Metrocourt on a mission. She was Kendall Hart-Slater, co-owner of one of the most successful cosmetic companies in the country. And she was about to seal a major deal with an equally successful fashion magazine.

And it was going to be as simple as taking candy from a baby.

If she had learned one thing from her years at Fusion and working with people who always seemed to have other agendas, she had learned that ruthlessness was the best tool to make certain that everything went in her favor. And more often than naught, it worked.

Kendall stopped in the doorway and looked out over the room. It certainly was a nice hotel. Metrocourt had all the best amenities and everything was perfect, including her surefire meeting.

Carly Jax watched the woman from across the room. She wasn't familiar so she must be from out of town. She looked classy, almost New York classy. But she still had an air of commonsense about her. And at the moment, she looked as though she was on a mission. Carly decided to investigate.

She walked over and put on her nicest 'greeting-the-guests' smile. "Hello and welcome to the Metrocourt. I'm Carly Jax, part owner. Can I help you?"

Kendall hesitated. She didn't care to talk to people, not when she had big plans in mind for business. But none the less, she smiled. "Oh, I'm only here on business. I'm supposed to meet someone here for a breakfast meeting."

Carly nodded. "I see. Well, I know most everybody here or I can get to know them so maybe I can help you."

"I'm looking for a representative from Crimson, a Molly Lansing-Davis," Kendall replied, looking out over the tables to see if she could spot her.

"Yes, I believe I saw Molly. You see, Port Charles is a small town, so everybody knows everybody else and always as an opinion into their business. Why don't you follow me," Carly said, leading Kendall over to a table in the corner.

Molly was reading the menu and sipping her coffee, but she looked up as she heard the footsteps. At first she frowned, not wanting to talk to Carly Jax at the moment, but then she saw Kendall Slater following her. She stood up hurriedly and held out a hand.

"Hello, I'm Molly Davis-Lansing. How are you, Mrs. Slater?" She motioned to the opposite chair for Kendall to take a seat. Just as she was sitting down, Mackenzie Drake was rushing through the door and over to their table.

"Hi, sorry I'm late. I'm Mackenzie Drake." She held out her hand to Kendall, who took it politely.

Molly looked surprised and when she looked at Kendall, she knew that Kendall was not. Mackenzie looked at Molly strangely and they both eyed Kendall suspiciously.

"Am I missing something?"Molly began.

"Yes, I wasn't under the impression that you had invited Crimson as well and Maxie Jones," Mackenzie said.

"Well, I was invited by Crimson, but I thought that I could—oh what do you say—kill two birds with one stone?" Kendall replied, smiling. "I am quite aware that Crimson has an offer for Fusion, but I would like to make an offer that will benefit both companies and Maxie Jones Original."

Molly frowned. "How so?"

"Well, I am also aware that Crimson and Maxie Jones are connected and that any business deal would affect both companies. But first off, why don't you put Crimson's offer out on the table? Ms. Davis-Lansing?" Kendall said, motioning for Molly to begin.

Molly nodded. "Well, Crimson is prepared to offer Fusion 20 of magazine sales for that issue in order to feature your new perfume, Secret, in our December issue." She looked at Kendall, who was frowning.

"Well, I would make a counter-offer, but I have a better idea. A trade, if you wish. As I am sure you well know, Fusion is already preparing for the spring fashion show." She paused as both Molly and Mackenzie nodded.

Continuing, she said, "And we want up and coming designers in the show. So, we would like to have the entire spring line of Maxie Jones Original at our disposal for the show. That being said, it is a trade. We would let Crimson feature Secret in the December issue and you would let us use the Maxie Jones line of dresses." Kendall looked down at her notes for a moment, then back at Molly and Mackenzie.

"I know that this is short notice and that you'd need to discuss it with Kate Howard and Maxie Jones. So I am willing to let the deal stand as it is for twenty-four hours. I am leaving tomorrow morning, so I'd need an answer by then. I also have a contract for you and I'm sure that you want it to be looked over by a lawyer," Kendall replied, passing both Molly and Mackenzie a small stack of papers.

Kendall stood up and shook their hands. She smiled and turned to walk out of the room. "Thank you for the meeting and the excellent coffee. Let me know. I'm staying here at the Metrocourt." With one last look, she strode out of the restaurant, leaving Mackenzie and Molly with bewildered looks on their faces.

Mackenzie turned and looked at Molly. She was certain that her own face mirrored the woman's in front of her. "What is the Hell was that?"

Molly shook her head. "I'd say that that was hurricane Kendall. And she was a strong one."

Mackenzie nodded and got to her feet. "Well, it looks like we have a lot of business to do. And I was hoping for a free day."

"Yes, so was I. But we have to call both Kate and Maxie and the lawyer," Molly said, standing up and putting some cash on the table. Mackenzie nodded and together they walked out of the restaurant. They had a lot to do in a short amount of time.

XXXXXX

Mattie watched the clock. Morgan was due to pick her up any moment. She had spent the day running errands and deciding what to wear for her date. But for now, she was simply waiting.

Sarah walked into the living room and gave a whistle. "Wow Mattie, you look great. Morgan is going to fall at your feet." She surveyed Mattie's mauve colored strapless tea-length gown with a matching wrap. Her sable colored hair was tied back in an elegant French twist.

"Do you think that it is too much?" Mattie touched a hand to her hair, as if smoothing any misplaced hairs.

Sarah adamantly shook her head. "No, no. You look spectacular. Mattie, when I grow up, can I look like you?"

"Oh that's sweet," Mattie replied, smiling at Sarah's sincerity. She looked up as she heard a car door shut. "Oh, that's probably him. Are you sure that I look okay?"

"Yes, you look fantastic. Here, let me open the door. You should make a grand entrance," Sarah said, hurrying toward the door and pulling it open. She smiled at Morgan and stepped aside to allow him entrance.

"Wow. You look amazing, Mattie," Morgan said, sucking in a breath as he took in Mattie.

"See, I told you so," Sarah protested as Morgan took Mattie's arm and led her outside.

Mattie laughed and called back to her friend. "Goodbye Sarah! Don't wait up, I will probably be late." She slipped inside the Porsche when Morgan opened the door for her. He skirted around the hood and opened the driver's door. Within moments, they were off, heading down the road toward the Metrocourt.

I know that it was a short chapter, but I wanted to post it tonight (Friday) like I said I would. I hope that you still like it. I really hope that you review because I could use some inspiration. I will try to post another chapter this weekend. PLEASE REVIEW!