The Same Last Name
A/N Wow! You all were super glad that Alex got what she deserved! Enjoy! This chapter will be short, going back and forth between Vincent and Catherine. Next chapter will be the good one, promise!
Chapter 16
After Tess left Catherine's apartment, she went straight to Vincent and told him he still had a chance. Vincent sighed, the relief visible on his face. She also told him that he needed to do something over the top enough to win Catherine back. Vincent thought on that and came up with a brilliant idea. With a smile on his face, he grabbed his phone and started dialing...
Catherine was in a fix. She hadn't trusted that Vincent was being honest with her. Instead, she had listened to that snake of a woman. Catherine remembered what JT had told her about Alex playing dirty. He had been right. Alex had prayed on her insecurities, knowing exactly which buttons to push to get the optimal punch. And, she had allowed it.
The worst part had been when she told Vincent she didn't love him, after he finally told her he was in love with her. That alone ate at her insides, as she tried to figure out how to tell him that had been a lie.
It was all set. Vincent called the manager, Mr. Lowen, who was more than happy to indulge Vincent's request. The healthy donation Vincent made to the spa didn't hurt either...
Mr. Lowen assured Vincent that everything would be done to his specifications and that he would have Catherine there at the appointed time. Vincent thanked him once again and hung up the phone. Now, he just had to go shopping...
Mr. Lowen cornered Catherine on her way to Vincent's room. "I need to talk to you, Cat," he told her.
Catherine fidgeted impatiently, needing talk to Vincent. "Can it wait?" she asked.
Mr. Lowen raised an eyebrow. "I have a request from one of the clients. He asked that you have dinner with him tonight at 7."
"I'm busy," she said.
"This client has made a substantial donation to the spa. He said if you don't have dinner with him, he will take the money back. You know we can use it."
Catherine huffed. "Who is this client?"
"I'm not at liberty to say, but he requested you specifically. I realize that this is highly unusual, but I think, after the last few days, you could use a distraction."
"Mr. Lowen, I really have someplace I need to be. If it makes this client happy, then fine. I'll have dinner with them. You said 7?"
"Yes, and make sure you dress up. Do you need some money or anything for a dress?" Mr. Lowen said, pulling out his wallet.
"No! I mean, that's not necessary. I'm sure I have something," Catherine said, wondering if the world was going topsy-turvy.
"Good, good! Now remember, be at the dining room at 7, and dress up!" he said, daring her to refuse.
"Okay, I will!" Catherine said. He nodded and walked away swiftly, pulling out his phone as he did. Probably calling the client to confirm she would be there.
When she knocked on Vincent's door a short time later, she received no answer. Sighing deeply, she went back to her apartment to pick out a dress for dinner with the mystery client.
Who ever he was...
Vincent was looking through the suits when his phone rang. Checking the caller ID, he saw it was Mr. Lowen. Grinning, he answered, "Hello?"
"Mr. Keller, it's all set. Cat will be in the dining room at 7 tonight."
"And, she suspected nothing?"
"Not a thing. I may have guilted her into it by saying the client would take back the donation they were giving if she didn't have dinner with them."
Vincent roared with laughter. Several patrons glanced at him. "Sorry," he said. Composing himself, he said, "Just for that, I'm doubling the donation."
"Oh thank you, Mr. Keller! That is most generous of you!"
"Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Lowen."
"Cat is a lovely girl. I hope everything works out the way you want it to," Mr. Lowen said in parting.
Vincent hung up his phone. "So do I..."
Catherine stared at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a short, strapless red dress. Black peek a boo shoes graced her feet. Glancing at the clock, she saw it read 6:55. Gathering her courage, she left her apartment and headed toward the dining room. She had been unable to get ahold of Vincent, and was not really in a festive mood. She would be polite to the client, but that was it. Catherine couldn't even begin to figure out why a client would want to have dinner with her in the first place.
She reached the dining room promptly at 7. Fortifying herself, she pushed open the door...
and gasped!
A/N I know it. You can say it. I'm evil! Leaving you on that cliffhanger. But, I promise you, the next chapter will make you not hate me anymore:) Review!