Jess glanced over the newspaper and Christian saw her eyes widen as she read something at the bottom of one of the pages. 'What is it?'. Jess blinked and read over it again before repeating it aloud, sounding incredulous as she read it.
'George McManus, CEO of McManus investments, is rumoured to be the new owner of three exotic dancing clubs in the City. McManus refused to comment on the rumours directly today. When contacted he issued a short statement 'I don't wish to comment on this rumour or any other frankly. My business and my private life are not meant to be public fodder. I have nothing else to say'.
Jess looked up, eyes wide 'It lists the clubs at the end…they're all run by the same people. One of them is the one I…I was at'.
Christian said nothing, eyebrows raised as Jess looked over the article again, biting her lip for a few seconds before looking up. 'Can I…Can I go their house, just for a bit? I need to…'.
She trailed off and Christian nodded as Ana came into the room and he took the paper off her, glancing over it. 'Remember, you can't drive for another six months, have Sawyer take you. He's with Taylor in the office'.
Jess nodded, her voice still full of confusion 'Thanks Dad'. As she left, Jess passed Ana, who looked as surprised as Christian did, wondering off to get Harry and find Sawyer.
Ana looked over at Christian's surprised expression. 'Well that was sweet, she called you Dad. What's wrong?'. He handed Ana the newspaper and pointed to the article about George McManus 'One of them is the club where Jess used to work'.
She looked surprised 'Well, that I didn't see coming. This is Caleb's father right? I'm not being an idiot here am I?'. Christian shook his head 'One and the same. I've got no idea why, it's hardly George's average purchase, but we'll see. I don't want to get involved, Jess is heading over there with Sawyer now, she'll talk to George probably'.
Sawyer looked over at Jess, who was sitting in the front seat next to him, and glanced at Harry, who was sitting on a booster seat in the back, happily playing with a toy.
'Jess, are you okay? You look incredibly pale'. She swallowed and shook her head 'Yeah, I'm fine. I just want to talk to him, see what the hell is going on'. Sawyer nodded and turned into the huge private street that led to the enormous McManus family house.
As they drew up outside he nodded to her 'I'll be close. Text me when you know if you're leaving or staying okay? And if you want to leave I'll be here in a few minutes okay?'. She nodded with a smile 'thanks, I'll see you later'. He nodded back and Jess got out of the car, putting Harry on her hip and walking up to the enormous stone steps and large black door of the house, knocking as Sawyer pulled out of the drive.
George answered, wearing jeans and a black polo top, a huge smile across his face when he saw them.
'Jess, hello dear. Harry, little man, how are you?'. She laughed as her son suddenly became shy, burying his head into her shoulder. 'He's tired, Carrick and Grace were over last night and he refused to go to bed until they were gone'.
He laughed and moved aside in the doorway 'Ah, reminds me of Caleb at the age. Come in, can't stay out in the cold'.
Jess came in and put Harry down on the floor though he hugged her leg tightly. 'I think Caleb's having a shower upstairs, he's just come back from game practice'.
'Actually, George, it was you I came to talk to'. He nodded, looking resigned 'I thought this might happen. Harry, Tilly and Rosie are in that room, do you want to go and play with them?'.
Rose was Caleb's older sister, and Tilly was her three year old daughter that Harry had met a few times before. He nodded and ran off to the adjoining room and George sat down on the third step of the huge staircase as Jess leant against a pillar, arms crossed.
'Why? Why did you buy them? And don't try and tell me it's just a coincidence. I don't believe in coincidences that incredible. You don't seem like the type of guy who would buy a chain of three seedy strip clubs on the other side of the City, and yet when you do, one of them is the one I used to work at The girl who is dating your son. Seems unlikely doesn't it'
George nodded slightly with a small shrug 'I did it Jess, because my son's happiness means more to me than how people in business perceive me. I couldn't give a shit what people in business with me think. I want my children to be happy, more than anything in the world, that's all that matters, okay? All the whilst you are unhappy, so is my son'.
Jess blinked, looking surprised but nodding slightly, her voice quiet 'You didn't have to do it though'. George waves a hand, admonishing her comment 'don't be silly. You remind me too much of my daughter and the situations she's been in; I can not just let you be treated like shit by men who are old enough to be your father. It's just disgusting. The club is closed, they are moving to a place in Denver and another in Detroit. Told them Seattle is too slow and they believe it, alright? They're out of your life now'.
Jess simply blinked, completely surprised 'I- I'm at a loss of what to say really'.
George stood up with a shrug 'You don't need to say anything Jess. Just go and see Caleb, he should be out of the shower by now, just make sure you two keep your hands to yourself for a little bit- I've already got one grandchild'.
Despite herself, Jess laughed before becoming serious again 'Thank you, George'.
He looked genuinely confused 'For what?'.
'For not judging me'. George blinked 'Do you know anything about Rose's background?' Jess shook her head. 'Maybe you should speak to Rose more often, I won't be judging anyone for what they do to protect their children. Harry will be fine until you come back down'.
George simply flashed her a huge smile and turned towards the room where Harry had gone.
Jess knocked on Caleb's door and hear a muttered 'come in' before opening the door to the enormous bedroom. Caleb was wearing just a towel around his waist and turned to look at her, a grin on his face as he ran a spare towel through his hair.
'Oh, hey babe. Didn't know you were coming over? Not complaining or anything'. Jess was trying her best to keep her eyes from roaming over her boyfriend's body 'uh, I had to talk to your father actually'.
'Oh, I see. Are you okay? I didn't know how you would take it really'. Jess leant against the wall 'I just feel… Relieved. It's over, you know, they're gone'. Caleb sighed with relief, clearly having been worried how she would take the news. 'Thank god, I didn't know if you'd be pissed at us. Anyway, it's good to see you'.
Jess glanced over at the perfectly formed abs, broad shoulders and muscly arms of her boyfriend and smirked 'Always good to see you too'. Caleb glanced down and laughed 'taking advantage of a young boy, Miss Grey I thought you were more of a lady than that'. He kissed her deeply, clearly having missed her over the few days they had been apart 'Is Harry here?'.
Jess nodded 'Ah, I'd better get changed then. My sisters here with Tilly too so it looks like children's entertaining is on the cards today'. He pulled on a white top and started rummaging around his draws for some jeans.
'Jess are you going to that Charity event at Grace and Carrick's house in two weeks?'. She nodded 'Yeah, why?'.
Caleb looked slightly awkward 'Well, you know, my Dad and Rose are going… I've been invited… I thought maybe we could go together?'. Jess's grin was all the answer he needed.
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