Chapter 3

"Mr. Newman."

"Adam..please, it's just Adam." He tried to fake a smile, but he imagined it more closely resembled a Halloween mask, if the look on Melanie's face was any indication.

"Adam," Melanie replied, returning his smile with one of her own.

"Well son, you look like you tangled with a bottle of tequila, and lost handily," Victor observed, as Adam collapsed into a chair next to their new associate attorney, Melanie Daniels.

"So, you liken me to a tequila drinker," Adam sniffed.

Melanie had worked closely with Avery Clark, Newman's former General Counsel, as her junior associate. Avery had recently left Newman's employ to launch her own private practice. Her business model probably read- defend the wrongly accused, and downtrodden. Adam was less than thrilled about Avery's impromptu departure. He trusted her skill as an attorney, and more importantly, considered her a friend. Since Sharon had declared him unworthy of drawing breath, he needed all the friends he could muster.

Melanie was obviously fresh-faced, and eager to pick up the torch left behind by Avery. She was also quite a looker Adam observed, with a petite frame, and rich, dark red hair, which fell in waves around her shoulders. She seemed a bit reticent at first, but a couple of times Adam could swear she was making love to him with her eyes. Perhaps it was just his male ego lying to him again. It had a nasty sense of humor like that, especially after the shellacking he took from Chelsea.

"Melanie and I were just discussing the possibility of putting 'Beauty of Nature' up for bid," Victor chirped from his Big Boy chair, behind his Big Boy desk.

"Wait, my brain is a little foggy, but I think I just heard you say you were considering selling 'Beauty of Nature'," Adam stated in disbelief.

"What..you think that's a bad idea?"

Adam noted that Victor appeared very pleased with himself. It was hard to miss the glow seeping through his pores, and the twitching mustache.

"Well, you might want to put Orville Redenbacher on standby because when Victoria gets wind of this, we're gonna need lots of popcorn for her inevitable meltdown," Adam snarked.

He watched in amusement as Victor shifted uncomfortably in his chair, whipping out his smart phone to check stock tips or the weather or whatever the hell he was always checking when he wanted to connote a dismissive attitude. Adam knew his father never liked to be challenged on anything, so even the slightest hint of revolt gave Victor heartburn. As much as Victor detested being doubted by his children, Adam took an equal amount of pleasure doubting him, sometimes just for pure spite.

"I've asked Melanie to draw up legal papers for the potential sell of 'Beauty of Nature', and to explore potential buyers. Obviously we have much to discuss, but I would like to get out in front on this if talks reach the serious stage." Victor trained his eyes over the frame of his glasses, to peer directly at Adam.

Adam knew how difficult it was for his father to play nice in the sandbox, and he hadn't yet grown accustomed to sharing the levers of power. He could have tweaked his father some more, but he was far too hung-over to derive much pleasure in watching Victor's jaw clench, so he simply shrugged his shoulders, and acquiesced to his father's wishes.

"I guess there's no harm in exploring other avenues where 'Beauty of Nature' is concerned. I'm sure Melanie here will button everything up if that's the route we agree upon." Adam stole a glance at Melanie as she sprung from her chair, holding a stack of folders to her chest.

"I'll get right on it Mr. Newman," Melanie stated enthusiastically.

Down girl, Adam thought drily.

Victor, now pleased with Adam's cooperation, wheedled, "Son, why don't you take Melanie to the Athletic Club, and buy her breakfast? I don't have anything else right now, unless you have something more to discuss."

Was the old man serious? His stomach curdled just thinking about food. God he had a sadistic father.

"Of course. Melanie, would you care to accompany me to get a bite to eat?" Adam asked, returning Victor's smirk, before turning a brilliant smile Melanie's way.

"If you're sure. I mean..I have a lot of work to do."

Adam could feel Melanie's gaze upon him, as he slowly rose out of the chair like an old man. Must throw out the scotch when I get home, he thought mournfully.

He managed a tiny smile as he replied, "I know next to nothing about you, and I'm sure you have some questions for me. Yes, I'm sure."

I'm going to kill my father after breakfast, thought Adam wryly.

"Father." Adam's eyes briefly met Victor's, as he made his way to the door.

"Son," Victor stated evenly. "Melanie, make sure you order the blueberry pancakes."

"I just might. Thank you Mr. Newman," Melanie smiled warmly at Victor, flashing a row of perfectly straight, gleaming white teeth.

Adam looked between Melanie and his father, and groaned slightly as Melanie quickly followed him out the door.

….

Chelsea's irritation grew by the second as she sat waiting at a table in the Athletic Club, for her 8:00 o'clock a.m. meeting with a buyer from a major department store chain based out of Chicago. She kept one eye on the revolving door at the front of the restaurant, while scanning the latest sales figures on her iPad.

Her business was slow getting off the ground, but she was beginning to get her footing, and had snagged several lucrative clients. This deal would be the biggest one yet, if the buyer bothered to show up for the meeting. Her partner and confidante, Chloe, usually made first contact with the buyers, but she was sidelined with a daycare situation, and couldn't make the meeting.

"Ma'am, may I bring you another club soda?"

A tiny frown crept onto Chelsea's face, as she considered being addressed as "ma'am" by a very young waiter.

"Sure, and could you bring me one of those cinnamon rolls too?" Chelsea replied, quickly adding that she was eating for two. After the waiter walked away, she mentally chided

herself for feeling the need to justify a cinnamon roll. If she wanted a damn cinnamon roll, then by God she was going to eat one, baby or no baby.

A hopeful look spread across Chelsea's face at the sight of the revolving door spinning, only to evaporate at the sight of Adam.

"Oh fuck," Chelsea whispered under her breath. Was there a back door around here she pondered, or maybe she could slide her whale-like frame under the table before he saw her.

Suddenly, her desire to disappear was replaced with curiosity when she realized the cute redhead walking in behind Adam, was actually his companion.

"Damn," she murmured as they began walking in her direction. It was too late to hide now, as if that were ever a serious option.

His eyes locked with hers, as he closed the gap between them. Chill Chelsea, chill. He's not that freakin' special, she lied to herself.

"Hello," Adam greeted her, in a voice much deeper than she remembered.

"Hi..Adam," she replied hesitantly. "Are you ill?" He looked like he hadn't slept in weeks, with dark smudges under his red-rimmed eyes.

"If by ill you mean hung-over, then yes, I'm actually dying."

Chelsea rolled her eyes at his admission. "Pardon me if I'm fresh out of pity," she sneered.

It was Adam's turn to roll his eyes. "Pity. Now there's a word I've never known you to use, much less exhibit."

"Who's your little friend?" Chelsea asked, eager to change the subject. She was also kicking herself for coming across a little too concerned.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. How very rude of me!" Adam exclaimed sarcastically, reluctantly tearing his eyes away from Chelsea to focus on Melanie.

"Melanie, this is my lovely ex-wife, Chelsea Newman.."

"Lawson," Chelsea interjected smoothly, smiling sweetly up at Adam, as his head snapped back to her.

"You changed your name back?" he asked hoarsely.

She almost felt sorry for him because on top of looking like death warmed over; he now looked like he had been punched in the gut.

"Not officially, but I don't feel comfortable using the Newman name any longer."

"If you find the name so distasteful, then why not make it official?" She had never witnessed Adam's eyes actually turn darker before, but they went from light blue-grey to a darker shade of grey in a matter of seconds.

"I don't want to have to go through two name changes," she shot back. "It's really none of your concern Adam. Just be glad I'm not running around using the Newman name, and committing all sorts of heinous acts."

"Two name changes?"

"Uh-huh..two."

"You're getting married?" He suddenly felt light-headed again. He didn't know if it was from the all-nighter or if it was because of the finality of Chelsea's statement.

"I am. Dylan and I are going to be a family with a..baby coming, so it's the logical next step." She immediately wanted to cry when she saw the hurt in Adam's eyes. Then his wall went up.

"I hope you'll be very happy Chelsea," he stated woodenly. "Melanie, would you please get us a table? I'll be right back." Adam turned on his heel, and headed in the direction of the restrooms.

Stunned at Adam's actions, Chelsea turned an apologetic look up at Melanie before following after him. Even though he deserved whatever punishment she felt like doling out, she couldn't just stop worrying about him.

Standing outside the men's room, Chelsea debated going back to her table, gathering her stuff, and then beating a hasty retreat out of there. Adam wasn't her problem any longer. Also, it was now 8:30 a.m., and she wasn't going to wait around for the buyer any longer.

The door to the men's room suddenly swung open, and Adam appeared next to her. He seemed momentarily surprised, and then quickly recovered to quip, "The ladies room is next door."

He was standing so close to her Chelsea could smell his signature cologne as it lightly scented the air around him. She gazed up at his eyes, and could feel her heart hammering in her chest. It was so quiet in this alcove she prayed he couldn't hear it. Time and again, she hated how her body responded to him, even though her brain commanded it to stop.

Chelsea somehow managed to squeak out a response. "I..I just wanted to make sure you were okay," she murmured, her eyes still locked with his.

A fleeting smile lifted the corners of his mouth before quickly disappearing as he calmly replied, "I know when I'm beat Chelsea."

God how she hated him! He deserved a kick in the nuts, not her sympathy!

"Well, I need to get back to the studio. My buyer stood me up."

"Before you go, I have one request. I probably won't get another opportunity since you'll be Mrs. McAvoy soon, but could I just give you a kiss on the cheek?"

What the hell was this?! A kiss on the cheek my ass, she fumed inwardly.

"Sure," she responded, trying to sound unperturbed. It was just a kiss on the cheek. "What the hell."

Slowly he dipped his head, stopping within an inch of her cheek. She could feel his breath warming her skin, causing tiny goose bumps to appear on her arms and the back of her neck. He pressed his lips very tenderly against her cheek, while she expelled a ragged breath. He lingered there for a second, and then without warning, he trailed his lips to the corner of her mouth and kissed her there too. Her body involuntarily collapsed against his, while her head pounded from the blood rushing to it. He encircled her with his arms, and captured her mouth with his, deepening the kiss until she felt lightheaded.

This was so wrong, her conscience kept repeating like a litany inside her brain, but her body wouldn't listen. She was lost in the moment as the kiss turned softer, his hands entangled through her hair.

Earth then met reality when the baby kicked..hard. Adam felt the kick too with her body still pressed up against his. They both pulled back at the same time- stunned from the kiss, the baby or both. She wasn't sure.

"I've got to..got to go," she stammered, tears beginning to well in her eyes.

He didn't respond, as she quickly moved away from him, and left to get the stuff she left behind at her table.

She couldn't get out of there fast enough as tears blinded her eyesight. "Damn you Adam," she mumbled.