Thank you to everybody who read, reviewed, or left kudos for the last chapter. You are all absolutely wonderful.
I actually had several sections of this chapter done. I then ended up scrapping them altogether and rewriting part of the chapter before. Sometimes as a writer, you hate everything you're actually writing. We're going to be encountering some big moments soon, some of which I'm terrified to write.
Chapter 54: Don't Jinx This
Later in the day, August 5, 2010
Marc: We are on our way back home. We should be there in about 20 minutes. We have your chocolate raspberry soufflé and half the tasting menu because Alexandra is a picky eater and only ate half of it.
Marc: I hope you're okay with this because you never called Heidi.
Austin: That is because Jade decided that an 8 PM nap just wasn't her thing today. I just got her back to sleep. I hope you didn't get any angry text messages from the neighbors about a screaming baby.
Marc: Sorry. And probably. Cliff has at least six messages from the next-door neighbor. He plans not to read them.
Austin: I am not surprised. At least you will be moving soon.
Marc: Not soon enough. We are thinking about waiting until after the black-and-white ball next month. Unfortunately, we are stuck paying for rent until October 15 because that's when Cliff's lease ends.
Austin: Probably smart, all things considered. You might be extra busy at work. Antonella texted me, so I know exactly what the family emergency is.
Marc: Since Antonella contacted you, I should probably assume that I will be extra busy when Monique is on maternity leave?
Austin: That is a safe assumption to have.
X
A little bit later
Marc: Austin did well with Jade. I arrived home to her sleeping, and Austin passed out on my couch. I wanted him to stay over, but Tiffany said no. Probably because George doesn't like Austin spending time with me. No one has told him about Matt and Corey yet.
Hilda: Tiffany can go fuck herself. And so can her asshole husband. I hate him even more now.
Marc: Did something else happen? You seem angrier than usual.
Hilda: This is my normal level of anger when Austin's parents are involved. Did he get home okay?
Marc: I just got his home safe text message.
Hilda: Good.
Marc: How was dinner with your father?
Hilda: It wasn't actually dinner. We just had sticky buns.
Marc: We all have sticky bun dinner days.
Hilda: With the good spice hot chocolate with high qualities of whiskey and bourbon.
Marc: I feel like alcohol would be needed for the conversation you were planning to have. Did you talk things out?
Hilda: Yes. We're okay.
Marc: How okay?
Hilda: He did make it clear that he's always seen himself as my father. He also said that adopting a child is one of the most important things you can do. He said before he realized that I knew. This came out after I mentioned Monique possibly adopting.
Marc: You mentioned Monique?
Hilda: Yes. He does think that Monique should adopt the baby. I assume Cliff filled you in on everything?
Marc: Yes. I can't say I would be upset about being acting EIC during her maternity leave. But it's Monique, so I expect her to show up to the office within two weeks of the baby's birth, with little pudding pop strapped to her chest. She will never admit it, but she has the exact same workaholic tendencies as Wilhelmina.
Hilda: Probably. You can send her designer baby outfits after Jade grows out of them.
Marc: No, they're still going to London. Monique can get her own baby swag. Every fashion house there is will be sending her baby gear as soon as the announcement goes out. She will probably even get more high-end pieces than I did.
Hilda: I didn't know there were that many fashion houses until your baby shower, let alone ones that did kid clothing.
Marc: Some of those are just promotional items. We even got a goodie bag from Alexandria lingerie, but I think that will go to Monique. Cliff says that she can give the nursing bra to Brittany. I have no use for it.
Hilda: On that note, how did the presentation go?
Marc: Well. Although Monique, or rather Tamika, failed to mention that we were meeting with the company's head. I didn't know about it until I read through Mo's notes five minutes before the presentation.
Hilda: Is that good or bad?
Marc: Surprisingly, things still went very well. Although I would've asked Wilhelmina not to stop by with dessert if I knew that. A few years ago, there was an unfortunate incident; Wilhelmina may have slept with somebody's boyfriend. This is how Isabella ended up getting the showcase in the first place.
Hilda: That would be a problem.
Marc: Thankfully, Alexandria adored Cliff and his ideas for the showcase if they decide to move to us. As well as all the pictures of Jade.
Hilda: You brought out baby pictures?
Marc: Cliff and Wilhelmina did during the desert, which is how we managed to smooth over her presence. They hate fashion diva Wilhelmina Slater but the surrogate grandmother to my daughter they are comfortable with. Especially because she's married now. I may have quickly brought out a picture from the wedding.
Hilda: Good thinking. Do we have the showcase?
Marc: I, unfortunately, cannot discuss details about that in text message form. At least not until Isabella is notified the Alexander lingerie is not renewing their deal.
Marc: However, please make sure your passport is up-to-date in case. We are either going somewhere warm and tropical-like Tahiti or someplace that screams romance.
Hilda: I feel like I can use a week in Tahiti after a talk with my dad. He made me tell him about Austin's horrible stepdad. He's now sad he's leaving in a week, so he can't help us run interference.
Marc: We all appreciate the offer, but we have plans. We were considering Gio doing cooking classes that Cliff and I would join as well. Because cooking is not our strong suit, although that might be out of the question for a while.
Hilda: Have you heard from Monique yet? Do you know for sure if they're going to take the baby?
Marc: Cliff is texting her right now. Although Austin heard something from Antonella. I am now certain I will be covering for Monique during her maternity leave.
Hilda: You'll be acting EIC while she's gone? I can take Jade some nights when you're really busy.
Marc: Thank you. We might have to take you up on that offer. I think Claire might come down to help possibly. Or maybe Claire would take over her co-owner functions, and I would take care of her Mode functions with Megan. We would have to work that out probably tomorrow.
Hilda: Really?
Marc: She's number three, and although she's a bitch and ruthless, she's good at what she does. You can't be at Mode without being a ruthless bitch. I don't hate her for doctoring the pictures that got Matt to break up with Amanda the first time. It was best in the long run.
Hilda: If you say so.
Marc: Your dad just texted me. He really wants me to figure out a work reason for you to go to London? Do I want to know the reason why?
Hilda: Because he wants me and Betty to work out our issues. We have to talk about the fact she's my half-sister, and that revelation made me act like a witch for the last two months. That seems like a conversation that should happen in person.
Marc: Groveling works better in person, I've discovered.
Hilda: However, there's no work reason for me to go to London. Also, I'm so busy that I can't take vacation time even though I really hate the idea of Justin flying back unaccompanied again.
Marc: Paris was one of the locations we specifically discussed and Cliff's preference for the Alexandria shoot. It is not exactly London, but it's pretty close. It would be easy to take the train to London to talk to your sister and then fly home from London. Although that won't happen until October. If we actually do this, you will, of course, be on the team. It will be for the February issue.
Hilda: You don't have to do that.
Marc: As I stated earlier, Paris is Cliff's preference to shoot. It was already on the table. I'll just push for it a little more if we do actually get the showcase. Not that I can confirm or deny that we're getting it.
Hilda: I always wanted to go to Paris.
Xxx
Cliff: So, do you have a kid?
Monique: I will not answer that question until Britney gives birth and signs the adoption papers. But it looks that way. I don't even want to plan for my potential maternity leave because I don't want to jinx things.
Cliff: I understand. I didn't tell Breanna I was adopting Jade until the papers were signed. How did Antonella take the news?
Monique: She asked me to order her a world's best aunt T-shirt. She was looking for that shirt instead of actually thinking about how all of this would change our lives. Oh, the joys of being a teenager.
Cliff: Teenagers process stuff differently, especially ones that have gone through a lot of trauma. I think after the pregnancy scare, she was well aware of how things could change. I think she's just glad she's not the one providing you with the baby.
Monique: This is true.
Monique: Okay, no more baby thoughts, let's move on to business. So did we take the signature Isabella February event from their wrinkly evil hands?
Cliff: There's a meeting to sign contracts Tuesday. That's all I can say until contracts are actually signed.
Monique: Because Isabell can try to get them to change their mind?
Cliff: Exactly. They did like my proposal. Although Marc just told me that we're pushing for my Paris idea instead of their Tahiti plan.
Monique: That would be good because you guys could take a day trip and see Amanda in London. Actually, if I'm doing the math right, the shoot for the print material might be around when Amanda is due in October. So that could work out really well.
Cliff: That's more of an incentive to get things to work out, but Jade will have her passport by that point.
Monique: Wilhelmina sent the husband a text message, and she said the rep adored you and Jade. Although Wilhelmina also says that she needs to remember who hates her. Apparently, she slept with Alexandria's boyfriend before she realized that he was her boyfriend. According to her, everything was saved by wedding rings and baby pictures.
Cliff: I think they hate her less now that she runs a restaurant. Also, Marc showing off pictures from her wedding helped tremendously.
Monique: I hate Wilhelmina less now that she runs my restaurant. Gio might actually be able to go on paternity leave. On the other hand, I will have to speed up looking for a nanny.
Cliff: I thought you had a name?
Monique: She is still going through the vetting process. I have to make sure she is not working for Victoria or are in league with Marc's mother. We are also still interviewing. Mercedes thinks I should hire two nannies, one of which should be her sister-in-law. Her husband was an ass and fired his own sister.
Cliff: Is she good with kids?
Monique: I think Skye actually is the preferred aunt of the nieces, but none of them will tell me that to my face. She also ran the daycare center at her brother's company until she told Mercedes that Chad was fucking his assistant, Ryan.
Cliff: Oh, that is not good.
Monique: However, Chad feels that they can still say together because it would be better for his career to stay married to Mercedes. Or it would rather be better for his career if everyone still thought he was straight.
Cliff: Mercedes deserves better.
Monique: So much better.
Cliff: Although I feel like you should hire Skye just on principle. I would be happy to have my daughter watch by somebody who would turn her own brother in for being a cheating Dick with apparently severe internalized homophobia.
Monique: Half-brother, but she likes Mercedes more than Chad. Skye didn't even know she was related to Chad until she applied for the daycare position at his company. It came out during the background check.
Cliff: Hire her.
Monique: I'll definitely flag her name for HR. The position needs to be filled quickly.
Cliff: Very true.
Monique: Now that I could be getting a baby, it might be more practical to get a separate nanny instead of an assistant that can do both. Mercedes reminded me of the weird hours of the owner of a corporation.
Cliff: She has a point.
Monique: HR is going to hate me.
Cliff: HR hates everybody.
Monique: This is true.
XXXX
Mid-day August 6, 2010.
Justin: How did your night with baby Jade go? Sorry I didn't text you earlier. It's been a madhouse today. Charlotte had so many different projects for me to work on.
Austin: I understand that we can't be texting each other constantly between the time difference and our jobs.
Yesterday went surprisingly well, other than the crying spell that happened after Jade woke up early from her nap.
Justin: That is completely understandable. I tend to cry, too, when I get woken up from my nap.
Austin: lol. Sorry. Antonella downloaded an app to let me know what time it is in London. So, I'll look now before I start text messaging you.
Justin: That's so sweet. How many times did Marc text message you?
Austin: Enough that I lost count. However, Cliff was worse. Although half of those text messages were about where to find snacks in the house. Not a lot of food in the fridge but an excellent cheese collection.
Justin: That is not surprising at all. Although I am surprised Cliff texted you more.
Austin: Marc was the one entertaining the clients. Therefore Cliff had more time for worried text messages.
Justin: This Is True.
Austin: They paid $20 an hour and brought me good restaurant food, so I forgive them.
Austin: Also, George was completely passed out when I arrived home surrounded by beer cans. So I'm just happy I miss that. I am also thankful they paid cash, so I don't have to turn the money over to George. Tiffany didn't tell him I was actually out doing a paid job.
Justin: Always a bonus. Maybe Tiffany is starting to see what he's really doing.
Austin: I doubt it, so I'm not going to get my hopes up. Oh, guess who might be getting a niece or nephew?
Justin: Antonella.
Austin: How did you guess?
Justin: We don't have that many friends, especially friends with siblings.
Austin: Point.
Justin: Marc also told me why he was taking over for Monique.
Austin: I'm sad I didn't get to learn the secret of your grandfather's cinnamon buns, but I'm glad I could help Marc and your mom out.
Justin: Bobby said it went well. Although he found them drinking the good hot chocolate and m eating cinnamon buns for dinner when he arrived home.
Austin: Good.
Justin: Although he said the hot chocolate was at least 80% whiskey.
Austin: Better than all the cheap beer George usually drinks.
Justin: They were hugging and crying.
Austin: Should I now feel bad I wasn't there?
Justin: I don't think they would've brought out the whiskey hot chocolate with you there. Maybe it helped that you weren't there so they could work out their issues.
Austin: You have a point.
Austin: Do you have time to really talk, or do you have to work on a project?
Justin: I have time for a long conversation. I'm already on my way home from work. We are just waiting for the food to show up.
Austin: Remember A couple of weeks ago when I told you that my mom worked for Matt's dad before I was born?
Justin: And Matt's psycho mom accused your mom of screwing him and had her blackballed, forcing her to move to the middle of nowhere upstate New York. It's hard to forget a conversation like that.
Austin: Tiffany swore up and down that she didn't actually sleep with the elder Mr. Hartley, but Tiffany is a liar who lies.
Justin: You found something out?
Austin: Well, when Antonella and I were talking about the possible new niece or nephew, we ended up talking about things our parents try to keep from us.
Justin: Such as who your father actually is?
Austin: Or the fact that they are looking for work outside of New York because, and I quote, "that fucking bitch is blackballing me."
Justin: Do you have an idea who the fucking bitch is?
Austin: I might.
Justin: Go on.
Austin: A couple of months ago, back when we still thought Matt could be the father of Amanda's twins, Monique and Gio were panicking because when Matt's dad got his assistant pregnant in 93 or 94, Matt's mom arranged for her to take a fall down a flight of stairs. Allegedly the assistant had a miscarriage.
Justin: Oh shit!
Austin: Antonella didn't get the full name. But it kind of sounded like something that could be Tiffany. So, there's a really good chance that Matt is probably my half-brother.
Justin: Along with Tyler, who happens to also be Daniel's half-brother. That's not public knowledge because Cal would rather dump Claire than let the world know he cheated on his wife.
Austin: Oh God. I don't want to be part of another fucked up family.
Justin: Okay, a lot of the Hartleys are just awful. However, you could be getting Brianna West Hartley as an aunt. DJ says she's the best person to be related to.
Austin: Which explains why she said I would always have a place with her. She also told me if things get worse with George, to call her directly. That doesn't make sense for her to say that to a random teenager. But it makes sense if I'm her nephew.
Austin: I feel like I'm going to throw up. I'm so tired of all the bull shit.
Justin: Take a deep breath. We don't know if this is true yet. This is all guesswork on our part.
Austin: I don't want to ask Matt if he's my half-brother. I'm not ready for that awkward conversation at all.
Justin: Your mom?
Austin: She wouldn't even admit this morning that she and George are looking for jobs outside the New York City metro. She hasn't told me who my father was in the last 16 years. Why would that change now?
Justin: You could try manipulating her into telling you? Tell her that Matt already told you the truth and see what she says.
Austin: Maybe. Although I think I need to be at your level to actually pull that off.
Justin: I think you could, but what about Brianna? You talked a few times. I know you like her.
Austin: Only a couple of times. But I don't want to burden her with this. Her partner just had heart surgery a couple of weeks ago.
Justin: DJ thinks you should call her. She's kind of his stepmom. It's weird.
Austin: Why is DJ with you right now? How much does he know?
Justin: He just got home from work and was sent up to let me know dinner is here. We got Indian this time. Since he knows Breanna better than me, I thought I would just ask him what he thinks. Also, he may have listened to me dictate for a few minutes. Although he won't say exactly how much he knows.
Justin: He's very good at overhearing conversations. DJ also overheard a similar conversation between Brianna, Daniel, and Betty.
Austin: Ask DJ if the assistant's name was Tiffany?
Justin: He says it was a Tiffany. Also, apparently, all of this came out right after Matt fainted at your house. Actually, realizing that you might be his half-brother could explain why he fainted. Unfortunately, the rumor mill never got a good explanation for what actually happened. Although most people assumed breakup overdose. You and I know he was stone-cold sober that day, though.
Austin: That makes way too much sense now. Monique just showed up. I'll text you later.
Justin: I feel like this is an excuse to get out of this conversation. But Amanda just arrived to drag us down to dinner, so I have to go anyway.
XXXX
45 minutes later.
Austin: No, she really did show up. Apparently, another family crisis is happening. Monique has to watch her sister's kids this weekend.
Justin: What is this family crisis? Does this mean that she is not doing the menu tasting?
Justin: I might be able to get it rescheduled for later in the week. However, it could be difficult. We should probably get it done fast because she will be going on maternity leave very soon.
Austin: Antonella has $50 on Brittany, not even making it through the weekend. There is supposed to be a family brunch Sunday to formalize things. But, Antonella thinks something is going to happen sooner.
Justin: That feels like a sucker bet.
Austin: It is. Anyway, the family crisis is Monique's sister Mercedes just found out that her husband Chad is sleeping with his assistant.
Justin: That is not good.
Austin: His assistant Ryan. Chadwick wants them to still stay together for the sake of his business reputation. At least, that's what Antonella told me during breakfast. She brought me waffles.
Justin: Oh, fuck him. Yeah, the kids should not see that. I'm not even mad if I have to reschedule the tasting.
Austin: Actually, Monique doesn't want to. How upset would the other vendors be if she brought her nieces Francesca and Monica to the tasting? Their ages 3 ¾ and eight.
Justin: Normally, they would be furious at us bringing small children. However, these are the granddaughters of Vivian Wyndham West, a.k.a. one of the biggest restaurant investors on the East Coast. So they will get over it. I'll let the caterers know that they'll be more people. Although the tasting is happening at Ross. She could leave them in Gio's office with snacks and video games. It probably would be okay.
Austin: She wants them to have a fun and distracting experience.
Justin: A fun menu tasting for a fundraiser can be that.
Austin: Especially if the event is hosted by Mode. I'm sure everything will be highly stylized.
Justin: I better be anyway. Please pick pretty food.
Austin: We will try.
Justin: Good news. They said they're fine with the extra visitors. They were planning on it anyway because, apparently, somebody's assistant called and told the team that there would be additional guests already.
Austin: I wonder who called? Maybe Tamika?
Justin: She is Monique's cousin and would be pulled in for a family emergency. It's possible.
Austin: True.
Justin: Okay, I know you don't want me to tell you this, but I thought about it over dinner, and I think you have to go to Matt. If not today, then tomorrow. He's the only one who can give you answers. This is going to keep eating at you until you know.
Austin: You have a point, but I can't today. Matt is off interviewing some celebrity ass hole uptown. Cory now owes him dinner for taking this assignment.
Justin: I'm glad Matt is moving on from Amanda.
Austin: So am I, especially for someone that his mom would probably hate even more. Cory is black and gay.
Justin: Oh, she's definitely wishing she could get Amanda back now. You will have to talk to Matt tomorrow. I know you won't be able to calm down until you know.
Austin: I'll think about it. I am calm, by the way.
Justin: Antonella argues otherwise. Let me know if you need me to come back early.
Austin: I am handling this as well as can be expected. I don't need you to run back here just yet. Besides, I'm not going to think about this as finding my father. But as possibly finding someone else to live with, in case Tiffany and the stepdad decide to move far, far away. He got a job offer for something in Chicago.
Justin: Shit!
Austin: I think Matt and Breanna would take me and if they are family.
Austin: Because apparently, Vivian's messing with my mom. I'm pretty sure she's the one who got my mom fired. She would only be doing that if I was the love child of her ex-husband.
Justin: She could just be an evil psychopath.
Austin: Antonella says that she is having a private investigator watch Matt.
Justin: I am not even that surprised. Just be careful and keep me posted.
Xxxxx
Matt was exhausted after an interview with a pompous jackass of a celebrity, complete with a photoshoot with a photographer that was not Cliff. He really just wanted to have his check-in dinner with Corey and go home. But, instead, Hilda was waiting for him at his desk. That is not a good sign.
"You should have told me that my sister agreed to help raise your children. Especially when you brought me in to protect Austin from the sociopath." Hilda yelled at him. This made Matt really regret not telling her the Amanda truth at the first conspiracy meeting.
"You figured it out?" Matt asked
"Yes. Does Amanda know the truth?"
"No. If Amanda knew, she wouldn't have left. She's better off with Daniel and Betty anyway." He knows they both love the twins already. He doesn't trust anyone else to raise his children.
"I do not disagree with that. Daniel is completely willing to raise someone else's kid. He is also doing really well taking care of my son this summer. However, you, I wouldn't even trust with my goldfish. It's why I agreed to help you protect Austin."
"And I appreciate that. I have been taking parenting classes for a reason." Because Matt is aware of his shortcomings.
"In case Amanda comes back to you." Hilda shot back.
"I know Amanda is not coming back." This is why he accepted Corey's invitation for dinner. Matt hopes he still actually gets to go to that dinner. Although with the way this conversation is going, possibly not.
"Do I want to eventually be able to raise my kids without pretense? Yes. But I have more immediate needs, so I am working to become a certified foster parent. In case my mother wins, and Austin needs someone to take care of him. I am trying to be as responsible as I can be. And that means letting Betty and Daniel take care of Amanda and the twins. That means asking you to help me keep Austin safe."
"And not just from your mother," Hilda remarked.
"I think Austin suspects something. He couldn't even look at me this morning during the staff meeting. He was also relieved when he found out he didn't have to go with me to interview the asshole for the day." Matt explained.
"He's a smart kid," Hilda remarked.
"I already know for sure that he suspects that his mother got pregnant with him during her time working for my father. However, Tiffany told him that even though my mom suspected her of sleeping with my father, it didn't happen." Matt couldn't help but roll his eyes at that point.
"You know he doesn't believe that," Hilda remarked.
"I know."
"You have to tell him the truth. Before he figures it out on his own. Finding out something like that is painful, and you don't want to find out by accident. Trust me on that." Why did Matt feel like there was something Hilda wasn't telling him?
"It's safer that he doesn't know," Matt told her.
"I don't think safer is the word I would use," Hilda told him with a glare. "Or at least not safer for Austin. As long as he doesn't know the truth, you don't have to confront it."
"Tiffany keeps getting threats from my mom and pretty much lost her job because of it. So the situation is already volatile." Matt argued.
"It can get more volatile if Austin finds out on his own. Do you want that to happen?" Hilda asked.
"No. You said this before."
"Recent events have made that stand even firmer. Austin needs to know that somebody related to him by blood actually gives a fuck,"
"I do care. A part of me does want to tell Austin about our Family relationship. Unfortunately, Tiffany did not want him to know. I didn't want her to disappear with Austin in the middle of the night, so I honored her wishes. But, unfortunately, I feel like that's more likely because of all the things my mom is doing." Matt explained.
"Your fears are not unfounded. Justin told Bobby that Austin's parents are looking for work outside of New York. George even got an offer for a job in Chicago" Matt couldn't help but sigh. His dinner with Corey is definitely not happening now.
"I'll talk to Tiffany." As soon as he texts Corey and back out of the date that he really wants to go on.
"And I will standby as you text her."
"Okay fine," Matt says as he pulls out his other cell phone. He knows not to contact Tiffany on the main cell phone now.
"I have six unread messages from your future brother-in-law." Matt said, looking down at his other phone. He couldn't exactly check the burn phone while working.
"You should probably answer him," Hilda remarked.
XXXX
Daniel Amanda line: Hey, it's Daniel. We need to talk. We have a situation with Austin.
Daniel Amanda line: You should know that Austin's stepdad is looking for work outside of New York. Currently, he already has a perspective offer. Austin knows because George doesn't know how to shred incriminating stuff, apparently. The kid is worried.
Daniel Amanda line: So is Justin. He's looking up return flights to New York, just in case.
Daniel Amanda line: Justin is worried about it enough that he told me. He even let me read some of Austin's text messages.
Daniel Amanda line: I know we didn't want to alert the asshole that we knew what game he was actually playing. However, just say the word, and I will have New York HR route Austin's paycheck to the other account.
Daniel Amanda line: Also, Austin has a meeting with the attorneys Monday morning at 9 AM. I arranged it. Please, somebody, drag him there to start the emancipation process. Austin originally had something scheduled for Tuesday. However, I think he's still on the fence about it and needs a nudge.
Matt: Hilda said that she will. I will go with her if I can.
Matt: Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. I was doing an interview with a complete prick and couldn't check the burn phone.
Daniel Amanda line: I understand. Thankfully you got back to me before I fell asleep. When did you talk to Hilda?
Matt: She's with me right now. Hilda also says to keep Justin in London for now, but we will call you if he needs to return to New York. He's coming back Labor Day weekend anyway.
Matt: BTW, she knows that you're not the daddy but the most selfless person in the universe.
Daniel Amanda line: How mad is she?
Matt: Furious, but mostly at Tiffany and my mom. For completely different reasons.
Matt: I am also furious at the idiot. If he knew his mom was this unhinged, he shouldn't have slept with my sister or Amanda. I am so glad I was the one who was pregnant last Christmas, even though it ended badly. Again, he's a fucking idiot.
Daniel Amanda line: It is obvious that Hilda is now typing.
Matt: You should have told me. I was horrible to you, and you were just trying to protect a friend. I'm sorry.
Daniel Amanda line: I know that your anger was coming out of a place of protectiveness. You just wanted to keep your sister safe. I understand that. I think Betty does too.
Matt: I need to talk to her so badly.
Daniel Amanda line: This weekend, you guys can do a video chat. Actually, Betty is supposed to tie into the party tomorrow. I barely got her to agree to that. She really wanted to come to New York.
Matt: I feel like it needs to be an in-person conversation.
Matt: That won't happen unless I end up doing a photoshoot in Paris. And that is scheduled for October. We are not even sure at this point if that will happen. We will know Tuesday.
Daniel Amanda line: Did we get Alexandria lingerie?
Matt: I can't answer that yet. Although call Monique Tuesday.
Matt: Hilda will text you later, but we need to talk about Austin. This is Matt. I have control of my phone again.
Daniel Amanda line: At this point, I think it would be best to get him away from George and let him live on his own.
Matt: I don't know. I think he still needs guidance from other people. Austin needs to be an actual teenager, not somebody working like six jobs.
Daniel Amanda line: Do you want him to live with you? Your mother is stalking you. You're also squatting at your aunt's house at the moment.
Matt: It doesn't have to be here. Meade publications is an international company, I could go to another office. I speak seven languages and read at least five proficiently.
Daniel Amanda line: I'll keep it in mind.
Matt: I'm going to text Tiffany. I'll send you screenshots.
Daniel Amanda line: Good.
Xxx
Matt: So, found any new job prospects?
Tiffany: I haven't found anything, but George has been offered a job in Chicago. Does your mom have any ties to Anna Maria design?
Matt: Mom has tea with her sister on the third Wednesday of every month. I think she's on the board of the Hartley Foundation. Or at least she was before Breanna started her reforms. Dad put her in charge of it after her daughter was born. Victoria wasn't happy to be kicked upstairs.
Tiffany: I'm not even surprised.
Tiffany: George wants to take the job. It pays better than here in New York. I'm already looking for something in Chicago.
Matt: I'm sure he enjoys the fact that it will get Austin away from Justin. That's all he cares about.
Tiffany: All I care about is getting Austin away from your mother. Leaving his boyfriend behind is just an unfortunate side effect.
Matt: I thought you said you weren't going to run this time?
Tiffany: This is not running away. This is a strategic retreat. Your family has brought me nothing but misery.
Matt: Same to me except for aunt Brianna. She's the good one.
Tiffany: Breanna's not a member of the family. She's another victim.
Tiffany: Chicago will be better for Austin. He'll make new friends, and at least this time, he won't be starting in the middle of the school year.
Matt: Austin is not going to want to leave.
Tiffany: He 16. He's just going to have to deal with it.
Matt: What about his scholarship from Mode? If you take him to Chicago, he'll lose all that. Let him stay in New York.
Tiffany: Is it really a scholarship, or is Austin just getting money from you and your aunt? Because I know that none of the other participants got a scholarship.
Matt: Because Monique and Daniel are paying directly for the college educations of Justin and Antonella.
Tiffany: And you can still pay for Austin. That money we will take from you.
Matt: You're ripping him away from his friends and boyfriend. That's probably what your husband wants.
Tiffany: I'm not actively breaking up anybody. They survive the summer with Justin in London; they'll survive Austin being in Chicago. He needs to not be here.
Matt: You're really going to do this? You're just going to run away. My mom wins if you go to Chicago.
Tiffany: I would rather have my son alive.
Matt: We have security. She can't get near him here. If you take him to Chicago, you're just falling right into her trap.
Tiffany: He's 16. He doesn't have a choice. Consider this me putting his two-week notice in for him.
Xxx
"Fucking bitch," Hilda exclaimed as she read Tiffany's final text message.
"So much. I get that Tiffany is worried about my mom. But this is going to destroy Austin." Matt remarked.
"I was talking about your mom. I understand wanting to protect Austin. Tiffany is doing it wrong, but I understand."
XXXX
Matt burn phone: I just talked to Tiffany. My mom, via one of her shady contacts, got George a new job in Chicago. Tiffany just put in Austin's two-week notice for him.
Daniel: That's not happening.
Matt burn phone: It's not.
Xxx
Justin's uncle: Hey, I know we usually communicate through Justin, but I thought I would text you. If your parents get a job outside of New York, you don't have to leave. HR has already rerouted your paycheck to your savings account.
Austin: Good to know since I just found out that we are moving to Chicago.
Austin: George wants me to send in my two-week notice. He's ecstatic about actually being the breadwinner again instead of his unwanted stepson.
Justin's uncle: Actually, your mother already did that, and we rejected it. You're not leaving unless you want to.
Austin: I don't want to leave New York. I don't want to be in this house anymore. I'm done.
Justin's uncle: Then we will do everything in our power to help you get out. You have a meeting with your new attorney Monday at 9 AM. They will help you with the emancipation process. I will email you the details.
Austin: I will be there.
To be continued…