Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last chapter. You are so wonderful.
Chapter 52: Manipulation: The Mode way.
Gio business: Hey, I know it's been a rough day for you. I just wanted to double-check that you're going to be in tonight. So, I understand if you need a personal day.
Wilhelmina: Of course, I'm coming in. You should know that nothing keeps me from working. I've put out a magazine in a blizzard before. The senator being a prick on morning television is nothing I can't handle.
Wilhelmina: Thanks to Connor, I don't even remember anything the man said this morning.
Gio business: Good to know. From that, I assumed you had a good visit with Connor.
Wilhelmina: It was very good, three times. He agrees that my father is a fucking asshole and is very glad that they will never meet. Otherwise, Connor will quickly violate his parole agreement. He also thinks I should actively campaign against him. But I don't want to be bothered with morning TV appearances. My statement speaks for itself. I don't want to continue talking about it
Gio business: That's completely understandable. At lunch, Vivian said that she's actively campaigning against him. She knows his competition personally because she used to work at her foundation.
Wilhelmina: I'm not even surprised. How did the lunch go with Vivian and the soon-to-be-former, Mrs. Wyndham West? Hopefully better than your rehearsal dinner.
Gio business: Mr. Wyndham West wasn't there, so obviously, it went better simply for that.
Wilhelmina: Point.
Gio business: It went well. She casually mentioned the expansion of the deli into Australia. She is pissed at Monique's father because he is totally an asshole. Their contract to provide quick casual restaurants for half the hotels in Australia ends soon. Vivian wants to replace them with us.
Wilhelmina: I know. I suggested the possibility of us being the replacement restaurant. It's good for us, and it would screw over her ex-husband. She hates him so much, especially after what he did the Britney. The courts won't touch him, but we can.
Gio business: I know you're friends with Vivian. Enough that she told you about the fertility drugs?
Wilhelmina: Yes. We had a call earlier. It is partially why I pushed for us to take over his restaurant contracts.
Gio business: I think it's a good idea, and I'll try to schedule a meeting with Vivian in a few weeks to discuss this with all of us there. But there's some more pressing family stuff that will have to be dealt with first which is why I wanted to make sure you were coming in. If you're going to be there, I need to take the night off. Are you OK with that?
Wilhelmina: It's fine. What's the family emergency? Does it involve the asshole father?
Gio business: In a way. The asshole has decided to sign over his parental rights.
Wilhelmina: Thank God.
Gio business: However, Britney has decided that it would be better if Monique and I adopt baby pudding pop. She could just play the role of the step-grandmother. It would be an open adoption. We need to discuss it with Antonella and decide what we're going to do.
Wilhelmina: That definitely qualifies as an emergency. I am ready to step in tonight and take over full-time. The kitchen staff knows what they're doing. We could hire another chef while you take paternity leave. I will deal with it. I rather focus on work now anyway.
Gio business: That's entirely understandable. Thank you for saying that. I know taking a month off for paternity leave after just starting a restaurant will be catastrophic. But, at the same time, I really want this—even more than the restaurant.
Wilhelmina: Your children should come first. My biggest mistake was not spending enough time with Nico. I made her think that Mode was more important than she was, and it never was. Learn from my mistake.
Gio business: We don't even know if we're going to say yes.
Wilhelmina: You will. The situation is different for you and Monique. You've both own the companies you work for. So you can set your own hours.
Gio business: I will keep that in mind. Let me just focus right now on talking to my sister about us possibly acquiring another kid. Tomorrow we will work out logistics.
Wilhelmina: We can. But let me just say other than actual cooking, I can take over many of your other responsibilities. Heidi can take over the front of the house and overseeing operations at the deli. Between the two of us, we will find someone to take over the kitchen.
Gio business: You have a plan for everything.
Wilhelmina: Of course.
XXXX
Mo work: How's the shoot going? Is Terry treating you well?
Cliff: The actual shoot is tomorrow. I'm just looking over the set right now. Everything looks really good, and I only had to make a few changes. I actually prefer this make-your-own Christmas to the over-styled Thanksgiving from earlier this week.
Mo work: I saw all the proofs this morning before Megan took off with Antonella to the Bronx. Surprisingly we've actually toned it down compared to previous years. We did use my childhood house in New Jersey.
Cliff: There is still a little too much silver for my taste. You grew up there?
Mo work: During the summers at least. Although there was one memorable Christmas there when our original Christmas plans fell through at the last minute. Mom bought it after the asshole did something really stupid in the Hamptons. I don't want to talk about it. I'm so just done with him.
Cliff: What did he do?
Mo work: I don't even know if I should tell you this, but he drugged Britney with fertility meds to get her pregnant. This was after he lied about the vasectomy. Because he really, really wanted a boy, and Mercedes and I were not boys. We also hate his guts. This is outside of the fact that he really doesn't want to leave his company to his daughters. He was persuaded to sign away custody regardless of the gender of the baby in exchange for Britney taking 20% less of her alimony settlement and no child support.
Cliff: I really hate your father.
Mo work: Thank you so much for saying that. Unfortunately, I'm texting because I need a favor.
Cliff: What do you need? Please tell me it's not a last-minute photoshoot this weekend? Because I really want to spend time with my daughter when we're not at the going away dinner or she is with her mom.
Mo work: No emergency photo shoots. Fortunately, we can work at a normal pace for a while.
Cliff: Good
Mo work: Something came up at lunch this afternoon with my mom and Britney. We need to have a family meeting with Antonella tonight. However, I have a business dinner at Ross with Alexandria Lingerie. We are trying to steal their annual showcase from Isabella since their contract is up this year. It can't be canceled, but I think Marc can handle it without me.
Cliff: I assume you want to know if I'm available to take care of Jade so Marc can handle the meeting instead? The answer is yes. I'm almost done down here. I just need to finish the tour of the second set.
Mo work: OK, good to know you're free because I actually need you to go with Marc. We can take the baby with us to the family meeting if it comes down to it.
Cliff: Why do I feel like this is a setup? Also, what's so important that you need to reschedule?
Mo work: I promise the Marc Cliff conspiracy group is on indefinite hiatus.
Cliff: I am only slightly less concerned.
Mo work: At lunch, Britney decided to tell Gio and me that she wants us to adopt the baby.
Cliff: OK, that's big.
Mo work: Very big. We need to talk as a family quickly because Britney will be giving birth very soon. But, unfortunately, the representatives from Alexandria Lingerie only likes to meet with couples. So, Gio was going to play happy spouse for me.
Cliff: But it's more important for Antonella, your husband, and you to have a really important conversation about bringing a new baby into the family. At the same time, you really do need to get that showcase from Isabella.
Mo work: Exactly. I can't send Marc in there alone. They'll eat him alive. Then they'll be mad at us for not meeting their terms. This means we will definitely not get the showcase.
Cliff: They might already be mad about you sending Marc in your place.
Mo work: If I don't send him with a boyfriend, it will be even worse. However, I think the father of his daughter will work in a pinch. The fact that you will be the photographer in charge of the showcase if they switch to Mode is just a bonus.
Cliff: You're giving me the showcase? Are you doing this just because you want me to do a favor for you?
Mo work: Of course not. You're the best. You're also already on staff. Mode has not had a staff photographer in years, and the last one was nowhere near as good as you. So I want to take advantage of this. Besides this is much better on the budget
Cliff: I am making a little less money not working freelance, but I have better hours and health benefits. You're also covering childcare which is worth its weight in gold.
Mo work: I will as soon as I actually got our nanny in place. You also get at least three chances to get something from the swag bag giveaway. A.k.a. where we put all the corporate gifts and tickets to events that were not using them for wining and dining.
Cliff: Is it easier to wine and dine now that you own a restaurant?
Mo work: We have our own private dining room for wining and dining advertisers and other partners. I just have to check to make sure my sister or mother are not using it for business. Gio's team is doing a special tasting menu. We have enough time to add any special requests.
Cliff: If I do this, I want a lot of chocolate for the dessert selections.
Mo work: Heidi will take care of it.
Cliff: OK, I will do it. You have other things to worry about. Are you OK?
Mo work: I don't even know. It's no secret that I adore children. I would love to be able to have a baby, but I know I can't have a baby after the hysterectomy. So the only thing you can do in a situation like that is love the life that you have.
Mo work: I do love my life. I've made peace with the fact that I'm going to be aunt Mo.
Cliff: You make a great aunt Mo. Jade adores you.
Mo work: I adore my little sugar bug. And changing her diapers helps take some of the pain away. But, honestly, helping Gio raise Antonella is more than I thought I would have.
Cliff: You're a good mother figure. Raising teenagers is not easy, and you're doing a good job.
Mo work: Outside of the pregnancy scare.
Cliff: Which you handled well.
Mo work: As well as can be expected anyway. I still want another child.
Cliff: I know.
Mo work: I wasn't expecting one to possibly fall into my lap like this.
Cliff: No one does. I never thought I would be a dad. And here I am. I think I knew as soon as Jody suggested it that I would be Jade's other father. If Marc would have me.
Mo work: There's no one else in the world he would want to raise a kid with.
Cliff: Except possibly Amanda.
Mo work: No, they would strangle each other in like a week. Then I would end up with custody of all the kids. It would be horribly traumatic for everybody.
Cliff: OK, that was a really inappropriate thing to laugh at.
Mo work: If you can't laugh at the absurd moments of life, you're doing it wrong.
Mo work: I want to say yes even before we talk to Antonella. I know Gino is 90% there.
Cliff: I think Antonella will say yes to being an aunt.
Mo work: That's definitely a possibility. I'm also worried about what would happen if I say no. If Vivian didn't adopt me, I would've ended up in the foster care system. My biological mother didn't want to raise me.
Mo work: Why would you want to raise the child of the man who essentially raped you? Because that's what my conception was. She couldn't say no because if she did, he would've fired her.
Cliff: Mercedes?
Mo work: If country club rumor is to be believed, it's not the time to bring another kid into the household. This may explain why she was so cranky at my wedding.
Mo work: Because my dad is a jerk, Britney is going through something similar to my biological mother. So here we are again with the asshole getting someone pregnant against her will. Except this time, fertility drugs were involved.
Mo work: Britney is terrified of being pregnant because her birth mom died in childbirth. I can't say everything will turn out OK because my first and only pregnancy ended with a dead baby and a hysterectomy.
Cliff: You did survive, though. From what I heard, Britney's pregnancy is going really well.
Mo work: Much better than mine did. I really do want to say yes. But, at the same time, I'm terrified.
Cliff: What are you afraid of?
Mo work: That Tiffany will give birth to the baby and then decide she cannot give them up.
Cliff: I wish I was with you right now so I could hug you. Are you in your office, so I can go up and hug you?
Mo work: I'm at the restaurant at the moment. Losing my baby last time practically destroyed me. I don't want to do it again. My heart can't take it.
Cliff: I don't think Britney is somebody that changes her mind on a whim. I mean, we all tried to talk her out of marrying your father, and we couldn't make her budge at all.
Mo work: Which she deeply regrets. I don't want her to have another regret.
Cliff: Is it going to be an open or closed adoption?
Mo work: Open adoption with breast milk delivery. Britney just feels that she makes a better step-grandmother than actual mother. She may have killed the practice baby twice during the parenting class, where I happen to have a perfect score.
Cliff: I feel like Britney will probably be easier to coordinate with compared to the situation with Jody.
Mo work: It helps that I don't hate Britney. At least now that I realize she was just being used.
Cliff: That always makes things easier. I need to stop texting because I have to talk to Terry, but what's the dress code for this? I assume I'm going to have to go change.
Mo work: As soon as you're done, head to the closet. I will have an outfit waiting for you. Just please put it on and don't argue with the queen of the closet.
Cliff: I lost some weight, but I am still outside of normal Mode sizes.
Mo work: Old Mode sizes, not new mode sizes. Also, I may have had our closet goddess order a few things in your size if you needed to go on an emergency business dinner with Marc. I even have a few things in Gio size there as well.
Cliff: Oh, I'm sure you were that altruistic. I don't need you to set me up with Marc.
Mo work: I told you the conspiracy group is on indefinite hiatus. You don't need us because you're doing fine all on your own. You already have a house and a kid. Honestly, that's better than most marriages. Sex is just a bonus.
Cliff: You better be glad we're friends. Text me tonight after your family meeting.
Mo work: Will do. Let me know if we're on babysitting duty before then.
Cliff: I'll check with a few others first. I think you need to do this meeting without a baby crying.
Mo work: Point
xxxx
Marc creative director mode: Thank you for the diaper bag that you sent. We actually needed another one. Cliff hated the one I picked out.
Matt: Because even as a billionaire, I think $600 for a diaper bag is ridiculous.
Marc creative director mode: I don't think you're actually a billionaire yet. You could be disinherited.
Matt: I'm sure Victoria will try after the article comes out; however, that's my father's decision. I have too much on the man for him to do that.
Marc creative director mode: I'm sure you know where all the bodies are buried.
Matt: And not all of them are actually dead yet.
Matt: I know you're not just writing me to thank me for the diaper bag. Your other half sent out thank you text messages Monday.
Marc creative director mode: Well, for the people that we actually kind of like. Everybody else is getting generic thank you cards. I didn't even bother to see if they were pretty.
Matt: I'm shocked I received a text message.
Marc creative director mode: Cliff doesn't hate you, but he forgave me for my stupid next-door neighbor indiscretion. So I feel like he's too nice. It will be good for Jade to have a nice parent.
Matt: This is true. I'm glad the twins are going to have Betty.
Marc creative director mode: You're right. I'm not just text messaging to thank you. Hilda invited Austin to do a cooking class with her and her father tonight. But she needs to have a deep family conversation. So we decided it would be best for Austin not to deal with that.
Matt: Good call. Would this have anything to do with the fact that Hilda and Betty aren't on speaking terms?
Marc creative director mode: How do you know this?
Matt: Austin. I know more about what's going on with the Suarez family now than when I was dating Betty. Austin is more likely to share things.
Marc creative director mode: There's no better source for gossip than a gay teenage boy.
Matt: If it helps Betty fix things with her sister eventually, I'm willing to help. I owe her. What do you need me to do?
Marc creative director mode: Help me provide an alternative to Austin being there.
Matt: You mean provide an alternative to Austin being home?
Marc creative director mode: Yes. Since you know all about the Suarez household, I'm sure you also know about Austin's home life?
Matt: More than I ever wanted to. I know it's bad for him. Trust me, I would invite him to my house, but my crazy mom probably still has people watching me.
Marc creative director mode: Why?
Matt: I can't tell you over the phone.
Marc creative director mode: As somebody who just had to get a restraining order against their own mother, I'm not going to ask questions.
Matt: This is probably for the best.
Matt: You could hire Austin as your babysitter and pretend to go out on a date. His resume included a section on his babysitting experiences.
Marc creative director mode: Did Monique recruit you for her conspiracy group? I was thinking of something more along the lines of a work project.
Matt: We've been disbanded due to the current custody arrangement. Also, Austin can only work so many hours above the table. We can't have him doing actual work that late, even if it's summer. Babysitting wouldn't count against that.
Marc creative director mode: I do not believe that. Monique doesn't back off.
Matt: Monique can be subtle when she needs to be.
Marc creative director mode: Although Your idea now has merit. I just found out from Tamika that I need to take Monique's dinner with Alexandria Lingerie because of a family emergency. I do need a babysitter because I need Cliff to pose as my boyfriend.
Matt: There you go. I'll even be your emergency backup.
Marc creative director mode: That does not reassure me.
Matt: I've been taking parenting classes. I have the top marks in my class. Also, I did help Breanna with baby Alexis. So I know how to take care of a small child.
Marc creative director mode: Why have you been taking parenting classes?
Matt: Cory just stopped by. I have to go.
Xxx
Marc: So I just found out that I am filling in for Monique for a business dinner, and I know these clients. I need a plus one. Can you please be my plus one? I will go with you to that film Festival in Tribeca, and I will get you a box of your favorite chocolate. Please come with me tonight? I need your help.
Cliff: Monique called me and already begged for me to help. She also arranged for wardrobe. I'm in. Although maybe you should grab Hilda because Jade may have gotten milk in my hair. I don't think I can go to a fancy dinner with breastmilk in my hair.
Marc: I'm not even surprised. I'll grab Hilda, and I'll meet you down in the closet in 30 minutes. You are the best. I'm still going to take you to the film festival and get you the best chocolates ever, though.
Cliff: You don't have to get me the chocolate. Although I will take the film festival in Tribeca. Wilhelmina already agreed to babysit.
Marc: Which is better than tonight's options. Monique said she would watch Jade. However, I kind of need to get Austin out of his house and away from his asshole father. So, how mad at me would you be if I arrange for Austin to be our babysitter?
Cliff: Does he have references? Has he ever babysit before?
Marc: It's been brought to my attention that Austin has a lot of babysitting experience on his resume. The kid tried his best to stay out of the house as much as possible, even before coming out.
Cliff: You're having Tamika call his references, aren't you?
Marc: I've already done that. Mrs. Torres had only good things to say about Austin but thinks his stepdad is a piece of shit.
Cliff: It's fine. We can have Austin babysit other times if this works out because I miss going to the movies.
Marc: Or dinner. I love getting delivery from the restaurant, especially because Wilhelmina sometimes brings it herself. But I just miss going out and maybe even drinking a glass of wine.
Cliff: Or just walking in the park without a stroller. I love Jade, but I do miss doing adult things.
Marc: A babysitter would actually mean getting to do some of those things.
Cliff: Hey, and if we're in Queens, that means Austin might have to stay overnight. Which will just keep him away from the evil stepdad longer.
Marc: I like the way you think.
XXXX
Justin's mom: Hey, Austin. I know you were looking forward to cooking lessons tonight. Unfortunately, Monique has a family situation, and Marc now has to cover her dinner with Alexandria lingerie. We're trying to steal their signature event away from Isabella.
Justin's mom: Both he and Cliff have to go. So we're going to have to cancel. I have to do babysitting duty.
Austin: I'm sorry. I know you were looking forward to spending some time with your dad before he left for California.
Justin's mom: It's OK. I'll try to reschedule maybe for Sunday.
Austin: Wait, does it have to be you that babysits? I could do it.
Justin's mom: What are your credentials?
Austin: I watched my neighbors child after school when I didn't have acting class and on weekends for nearly a year until May when I took the job here at Mode. Although I had food thrown on me, it was still better than the hotdog stand.
Justin's mom: Marc says you're hired, and he'll text you in a few minutes with details.
XXXX
"Wow, I'm surprised that worked," Marc said, looking at Hilda's phone. They were currently waiting by the closet to get Cliff ready for their business dinner.
"He really doesn't want to go home. I'm sure a four-month-old is preferable." Hilda replied.
"I am leaving my child with a 16-year-old." Marc lamented.
"A 16-year-old with a year of babysitting experience. Also, I thought Matt agreed to be on standby."
"I trust Austin more even though Matt is still taking parenting classes for reasons only known to him," Marc commented just as Cliff arrived with Jade strapped to his chest. But, unfortunately, the baby did do a number to his hair. It really was a mess.
"I see why you needed my help," Hilda commented.
"Terry thought it was cute, but I don't think the reps from Alexandria lingerie will see it that way," Cliff said as he handed Jade off to Marc.
"Because there are idiots. Thank you for doing this."
"I get to dress up and eat good food. It's not the worst thing I've done for a job. And you'll be there with me." Cliff smiled at Marc, and Hilda thought he was going to melt. God, they are so ridiculous.
"You go with the baby and let Cassandra get you ready for tonight. I'll return your boyfriend to you in 30 minutes with perfect hair." Hilda pulled Cliff away before Marc could object.
Xxx
Marc Mode: Thank you so much for agreeing to do this. We will, of course, be paying you $15 an hour, and we will provide dinner. As well as a town car ride home.
Austin: I wasn't actually expecting to be paid; I just don't want to go home.
Marc mode: Yeah, I get that very well. That may be why I didn't come out to my mom until my mid-20s. You are doing much better than I ever did.
Austin: Some days, I regret it. I hate that they treat me so differently now. But thinking back on it, it's been bad for a while, even before the truth came out.
Marc mode: You can't hide who you are. The truth will come out eventually one way or the other. So it's better to get it over with quickly. Otherwise, you will be like me having to get a restraining order against their own mother.
Austin: You actually had to get one?
Marc mode: She threaten my daughter. You don't threaten my daughter.
Austin: Have you heard from her lawyers yet?
Marc mode: Not yet. Don't concern yourself with that. We're going to have to leave straight to the restaurant, but there will be a car to take you to our apartment in 30 minutes. So just come meet us in the closet.
Austin: I'll be there.
To be continued.