From his perch on the balcony above the ballroom, Spencer couldn't help envisioning what it would look like at the party. He saw the fairy lights and the candles. He heard the music and could see himself dancing with Miranda.
This party had to be perfect. It had to change the past because the last party in this very ballroom had ended with terror and the death of his father's fiancé. This party had to be the changing point, not only in the past, but also because it was a charity ball and the Miranda Montgomery Foundation needed the money. Spencer planned to do everything humanly possible to make certain that his party went off without a hitch.
Spencer gave the room one last look and made a mental note to have the staff shake the dust off the draperies when they began the cleaning. The ballroom had been closed off for more than twenty years and dust was almost three inches thick in some places. Spencer walked out of the balcony and was met by James.
"Sir, you have a phone call."
"Oh, okay, thanks. I will take it in my study," Spencer replied, walking off. He made his way up the stairs and into the main section of the house. Sitting down at his desk, he pushed the blinking button and picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Hi Spencer."
"Dad, how are you?" Spencer asked, surprise to hear his father's voice.
Nickolas's voice still held that air of nobility, even after all these years. "I'm quite good. Nadine and your sisters send their regards. I was calling to inquire about your party? How's the planning going?"
"Oh, oh, it's good. I never realized how much work it is to plan such an elaborate evening. Perhaps that's why you don't do parties anymore," Spencer said, doodling on the pad of paper in front of him.
"I suppose so. I don't like parties all that much. I was also calling to let you know that we are planning on flying into Port Charles tomorrow. It is not that important, but it would mean much to your sisters if you were there to meet us on the tarmac," Nickolas replied. He sensed his son's hesitation, his inability to say what was on his mind. But Nic knew that the only way he would get Spencer to talk would be face to face.
"Uh, yeah. Sure, I'll be there. Let me know when you are going to land," Spencer said, distractedly. He glanced up at the clock and knew that he should be on the phone talking to the caterer and dealing with the decorators if he was going to pull of the whole party in time.
"Okay, I'll call you before we land. See you tomorrow, Spencer," Nickolas said before hanging up. Spencer replaced the phone and stood up. He walked to the window and looked out over the autumn landscape. He was restless. He couldn't decide what to do. He seriously needed something meaningful to occupy his time. And then it came to him. The perfect idea. He hurried out of the room and called to James. He was going into Port Charles. He now had a meaningful thing to do.
XXXXXX
Kate Howard stood commandingly behind her desk. She had an air that demanded respect from all her employees and associates. But at the moment, everyone seemed to be ignoring it and talking at once.
"I think that we should take the deal. It benefits Maxie Jones, Crimson and Fusion," Mackenzie was saying. She was sitting on the couch across from Kate's desk.
"But what if the spring designs aren't up to Fusion's taste and then they demand more compensation for our use of their perfume—even more than the 20 percent we offered them," Molly reasoned, looking at Maxie Jones herself.
Maxie nodded. "That's true. I don't have all the plans yet for the spring season, so we can't be sure that Kendall Hart will like them. She's being a little presumptuous, if you ask me."
Kate tapped her foot in the bright red Jimmy Choos. "Enough!" She said loudly. All three women stopped talking at once and turned to stare the woman on the other side of the desk. Kate took a seat. "If you would all be so kind as to take a seat." When they did, she continued, "Okay, now that everyone is listening to me, I'd like to say something."
"First off, are you seriously considering taking this deal?" Molly interrupted, earning a look from Kate. She shrugged her shoulders and folded her hands in her lap.
"I would like to say that this deal is interesting and will be taken very seriously. I like the terms, but will only go through with it if all parties—meaning us, them and Maxie Jones—are in agreement," Kate finished, eyeing Maxie, Molly and Mackenzie.
Maxie spoke up first. "I like the deal as well, but there has to be some sort of cushion for us, because it seems to me that Fusion is taking a gamble because the spring line isn't even off paper yet." She pulled out a notebook and opened it. The pages were filled with drawings of dresses. "I mean, most of my ideas are still two-dimensional. I have a few dresses completed, but not enough to satisfy a fashion show that is still six months in the making."
Kate nodded. "I know that, but I am still waiting for Alexis to look over the papers. As soon as she calls me back, I'll know how the terms sound. And I do agree with you that we need a cushion so they don't want more money later."
"I think that we should just offer Kendall the original deal but up it to 25 percent of sales. Then if she still wanted to deal with Maxie, she could make a separate offer. That way, we would get what we want, Fusion would get their money and if they really want to wear Maxie Jones Original, they can to it without directly putting Crimson in the line of fire," Molly said sensibly. She looked at Kate, who nodded. Just then, a knock on the door had all three women turning toward it.
Alexis strode in with Diane at her heels. Kate waved a hand to the only empty chair left in the room. Alexis took it without consulting Diane, who stood in behind her with a scowl on her face.
Alexis pulled the papers out of her briefcase and set them in front of Kate. "Everything in is order. I double-checked the deal. Everything is legal. Fusion is offering the use of their perfume in your magazine in return for the use of Maxie Jones Original spring line in their fashion show."
Diane cut Alexis off. "In my legal opinion, I don't think that you should go through with the deal."
Kate spoke up. "I've decided not to take the deal as outlined in these papers. I think that it is too risky and honestly, I think that Fusion is taking a gamble. I agree with Molly that if Fusion still wants to use Maxie's designs in their show, they will have to make a separate deal," She stood up to shake Alexis's hand. "Thank you for getting back to me so soon."
Alexis nodded. "Well, both Diane and I have vested interest in both companies, so we wouldn't want to see either one fall." She looked behind her shoulder to Diane, who was nodding.
"If you all would scatter from by office, I will call Kendall to see about setting up a meeting. I suppose that I could even go to Port Charles if I had to, but I'd like to do it today," Kate said expectantly. The other five women reluctantly left her alone.
XXXXXX
Okay, so I know that I actually went backwards because in the last chapter, Mattie and Morgan were going to dinner, and in this chapter it's the daytime. I really like writing for Kate. And I sort of based the adult Molly after Alexis and Kate. I hope that you keep reading! Enjoy!