A/N: Characters are not mine. Just taking them for a ride. Everybody, fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be bumpy ride,
3 Months Ago
As the resident butler of the Sheffield Residence, it was his responsibility to check that everything was in perfect order for tonight's party. The buffet was excellently set-up by the caterer right at the far end of the main hall, the ice sculpture in the middle of the buffet table was amazing, the tables were elegantly set forty people at the dining room, silverware impeccably polished and the barista at the mini-bar was busy arranging the alcoholic drinks on the display shelves behind him, goblets ad wine glasses, hanging above him, and the colorful cocktail menu on display.
"Oh, Niles, is everything set? We are expecting around thirty to thirty-five people tonight," said Mrs. Sheffield.
Niles admired her friend, despite being married to a top-notch, renowned Broadway producer she did not lose her identity. She still loved wearing her tight-fitting clothes around the house, and her idea of a formal gown was always loud and flashy. He smiled at her wearing her favorite red sequined gown, her big hair in barrettes.
"I promise I'm on top of everything. The waiters have been briefed and the caterer is known for their great service. You and Mr. Sheffield will not be embarrassed. The cuisine is superb… Michelin star worthy if I do say so myself," smiled Niles.
"Well, if something goes wrong it's not my reputation at stake here, I'm only the missus. It's Ms. Babcock's reputation, well, along with my husband's but I'm sure they'll get over it whatever. It's their celebratory party for the cast and crew, and investors of Lombardi for their successful one year run on Broadway. I hope all their shows will be as highly successful as this one."
"I heard that Judith Light is not coming," said Niles teasingly, eyeing some of the photos on the table that Fran prepared to have them autographed by the actress.
Fran hit him playfully on the arm. She had seen Lombardi three times trying to meet Judith Light after the show but each time she watched the actress had left early and was not in the meet and greet after the show.
"Aw…come on just a little autograph. I love her in Who's the Boss? I don't know why I kept missing her every time I go to the Circle in the Square Theater," whined Fran.
Niles looked at her affectionately. This was one of the reasons they were good friends, she was always fun and friendly. She was always excited to meet the big stars, no qualms about being such a fangirl. When things become too tough and serious she always made them sound easy and manageable. She was easygoing and uncompetitive. She never felt she had to compete with her husband's business partner Ms. Babcock, even when people mistake her often for Mrs. Sheffield being the smart and sophisticated one. As Fran would always put it, what matters was he chose me over her, with her premium education, knack for business, gorgeous body and a beautiful face to boot, I brought home the bacon-I became Mrs. Sheffield.
And as Niles would always tell his friend Fran, you are equally beautiful, and she would reply "Oh, I already know that" and she would let out her ear-piercing nasal laugh.
"This is not the flowers I ordered for the flower arrangement. Get me the decorator, now!" said CC to their production assistant, her voice loud and authoritative with an obvious note of annoyance and anger.
Fran and Niles could see her tall, elegant stature clad in a silver- periwinkle blue long gown, showing off all her curves in the right places, her hair up in an intricate coiffure, with a few ringlets falling to the back and side of her head, one would think she looked like a princess but the displeasure written all over her face, and the blue eyes that seem like laser beams that would make you disintegrate made her look more like the evil sorceress in a fairy tale.
"But Ms. Babcock… they asked if they could replace it with hydrangeas…" tried the assistant.
"I don't want to hear any buts. This was ordered weeks ago, and I don't care if they have run out of purple and white tulips. It's not my problem, they should damn well produce those purple and white tulips. I did not order hydrangeas," she screamed.
Hastily they ran towards the office hallway to resolve the flower arrangement issue.
"Ms. Babcock, please don't be mad at her. When the flower arranger called and apologized for the unavailability of the tulips because their shipment was delayed, and asked if they could replace it with hydrangeas, I said yes," explained Fran calmly.
"You what?! You have no right to make those decisions…"
Once again, she seemed to rub Niles the wrong way. He just couldn't stand her autocratic behavior.
"Oh, you must have forgotten that she is now Mrs. Sheffield, and she can make any decision she sees fit..." scolded Niles.
"I don't care if she is Mrs. Sheffield. I make the decisions when it comes to business. Anything that has something to do with our business, I have the say. The only authority she has is over the children. You don't see me interfering with the way she handles the kids and so she has no right to interfere with anything that has got to do with our business," cried CC.
"It's just a simple flower arrangement. It's not a life and death decision. Nothing to do with money making nor bankruptcy," said Niles in exasperation.
Fran touched Niles's shoulder and shushed him gently to calm down. She didn't want him to suffer from high blood pressure for this, and she didn't want to ruin their evening over an argument with Ms. Babcock.
"Ms. Babcock, you and Maxwell have been out of town for a week, and I didn't think it was something I needed to bother you both about. I'm sorry if I stepped on your toes. It won't happen again," said Fran apologetically.
Upon hearing her explanation and apology, CC's demeanor had calmed down. She sighed under her breath, excused herself and left the two friends in the hallway watching her as she went to meet Maxwell who had just entered the front door with a few of the visitors.
"I can't believe how calm you were," said Niles.
"I don't wat to ruin this night I'm meeting Judith Light," said Fran excitedly.
"Besides, cut her some slack. II think she is irritable because she and Maxwell are having problems," said Fran matter-of-factly.
Niles didn't know he if was going to laugh at Fran's rumor mongering tone. Sometimes what she says was not a rumor, but she always seemed to sound like she was gossiping.
"A problem in paradise you say," asked Niles with interest.
"I don't think they're seeing eye to eye about their next business venture. I often hear them arguing lately about the next musical. I know they're doing Little Shop of Horrors, but the investors wanted a big star to play Seymour which if they agree to would require them to look for investors for their murder mystery straight play Perfect Crime, but if they settle for a lesser known actor they would be all set not just for the straight play but they could still open a third show for the last quarter of the year, and Ms. Babcock had her mind set on South Pacific on the last quarter."
"Excuse me, where do we sit? Is there an arrangement?" asked a bespectacled girl that looked fresh out of college.
"We're from the production crew of Lombardi. My name is Brad, this Anne, Carlos, and Jen," said a boy with an Australian accent. He looked and sounded like someone with dreams of stardom, thought Niles. He was surprised he was in production.
Fran and Niles greeted them with a welcoming smile.
"I'm Mrs. Sheffield, you can sit anywhere you want as long as it's not at the first two near the buffet table. You know the VIP table for the investors," she said with a shrill laugh.
"This is Niles," said Fran as she introduced him to the production crew.
"Can we sit here near you?" asked Anne, the bespectacled girl. Warm and polite, thought Niles.
"Sure, sure. Have a seat," said Fran, pulling out one of the chairs for her to seat o as well.
"How do you like working in the production?" asked Niles.
"Actually, all four of us have plans of pursuing a theater career as actors. This is just a steppingstone," explained Brad.
"Hopefully, we could audition for the ensemble for the next two musicals Mr. Sheffield and Ms. Babcock are producing," said Carlos.
"But we did enjoy working in the production and we learned a lot from the experience. If things don't pan out, I wouldn't mind working in production," replied Jen.
"Well, best of luck to all of you," said Niles amiably.
"Hey, there are Ms. Babcock and Mr. Sheffield," said Carlos, waving at them.
The rest smiled and waved at Mr. Sheffield and Ms. Babcock, who were both at the other side of the room, engaged in deep conversation with the new arrivals of the party.
"Where is Judith Light? I want to get an autograph and a picture taken with her," said Fran, scanning the room for her presence.
"There will be plenty of time to meet her," said Niles.
He was wanted to spend time attending the party with Fran, meeting the actors and the other crew members but he knew that even if there was a hired caterer, waiters and bartender, his place was still with them, working, and not mingling with the guests with Fran. Fran was lucky to elevate her status from Nanny to Mistress of the House. He wondered if his stars also entailed from being butler to Master of the House. Whose House? He didn't have enough to purchase a big house of his own and neither did he have a girlfriend to marry and be the master of her heart and household. My stars, please send me the woman I would marry, thought Niles in silent prayer.
"Niles, have you locked the door to the office like I told you to?" asked Ms. Babcock.
He looked up and found her hovering over his sit, her expression unreadable, her hands clutching her Prada evening bag was a bit jittery like she was worried or nervous about something.
"Yes, I did," said Niles.
"Good. We don't want any mishap during the festivities," she muttered under her breath.
She was looking around, somewhat hiding from someone. Niles had never seen her in an agitated state. Looking at her from the angel where he sat, he realized how beautiful she looked with her hair up and soft curls framed the side of her face. Why hadn't he noticed before? Perhaps it was because he was busy rooting for his friend Fran for Mr. Sheffield that he never bothered to look at Ms. Babcock twice.
The crew greeted Ms. Babcock.
She greeted them somewhat absentmindedly, her eyes searching the room.
"Thank you for your hard work in the show. Enjoy the party," she said.
Mr. Sheffield's voice interrupted them and called Fran for a brief introduction to some of the new investors who attended the cast party for Lombardi. As soon as she heard Maxwell's voice, CC left the table where he and Fran sat with the crew. Niles excused himself to check if all was going well at the buffet table and told Fran they would convene later. He watched Ms. Babcock approach the bar and ordered a drink from the bartender. She drank it straight up. He saw Mr. Sheffield join her in a few minutes with an actor who had tons of product endorsements due to his popularity in the movies nowadays.
The new investors were a couple of stockbrokers, the owner of the Manhattan Bank, and Maxwell's regular patron Mr. Owens who have invested in several of their past shows. Fran turned on her charm as the wife of the host and sat with them at the table as Maxwell had suggested. Maxwell knew she was not well-versed in stocks nor about Broadway shows, and bank treasury investments and wondered why Ms. Babcock didn't sit with the investors the way she usually did. She hoped she could pull this off with just her beauty and charm.
She strained her neck looking for Ms. Babcock when she gushed in total excitement, she almost left the big investors to run off to where Ms. Babcock was standing near the open bar with one of the hottest singer-actors in Hollywood-Tyrone Michaels. He starred in the movie version of Phantom of the Opera, The Pirate King, and Camelot. He was even considered as one of the final choices for the new James Bond but lost the part because some considered him less masculine for being a musical actor but for Fran, he was a gorgeous hunk who just happens to sing.
"CC, you know Tyrone Michaels of course. Why don't you sit with him and discuss with him our plans for the show over dinner. I've already introduced him around the cast and crew of Lombardi so all you guys have to do is have a cozy dinner together," said Maxwell, bringing Tyrone to the bar where CC was standing, encouraging her to spend more time with him.
"Give me a double scotch on the rocks," said Maxwell to the bartender.
CC flashed her most insincere smile and asked the actor how he was. She gave Maxwell a death stare which he either chose to ignore or truly didn't notice. All he could see flashing in his eyes were the big bucks the Hollywood star would bring into their show.
"How about you, Tyrone, what would you like?" asked Maxwell, referring to the open bar.
The handsome actor gave a condescending smile as he replied, "A gorgeous blond with blue eyes."
Pretending to be oblivious to his overt flirting, Maxwell gave a little laugh.
"I meant something to drink, man," he said.
"Oh, how silly of me. A Blue Label then, and the gorgeous, blue-eyed blond of course," he said with a wink.
"I'll leave you two together," said Maxwell, all too pleased that their big bucks was enamored with CC.
CC was so upset she couldn't stop herself from stepping on Maxwell's foot with her high-heeled sandals. Not only was Maxwell unconcerned about her desires and plans about the new shows they would co- produce for the season, but he was unmindful of the obnoxious behavior his mandated star was displaying.
Maxwell laughed to cover up the little yelp that escaped his lips at the pain inflicted by CC's shoes.
"You look familiar. Have you tended bar in our parties before?" asked Mr. Sheffield, as he took the glass of scotch from the bartender.
The bartender was a regular-looking young man in his twenties, with dark blond hair and strong built like he was working out.
"No, sir. This is the first time I tended bar," said he.
"Niles, come here, doesn't he look familiar?" said Maxwell, calling Niles who was handing refreshments together with the waiters.
"Not to me, sir," said Niles before going back to his duties. He felt sorry for Ms. Babcock, she looked like a cornered animal unable to escape a predator.
Maxwell tapped Tyrone's back before leaving him with CC.
Tyrone took his drink from the bartender and held CC's elbow, trying to lead her to a table.
"And where do you think you're taking me, Mr. Michaels," said CC, trying to conceal her annoyance.
"Shouldn't we discuss the show over dinner?" he said.
Then, leaning over, he whispered in CC's ear, "or better yet, how we could get to know each other."
CC was getting more and more infuriated by the minute but kept it hidden well. She also wanted to step on his toes the way she did with Maxwell, but this time using the pointed three-inch heel of her sandals but decided against it. Maxwell and the investors wanted him in the show, she was outed voted in hiring a lesser-known actor, and thus decided not to antagonize him. After all, her business partnership with Maxwell was something she wanted to keep.
Fran Sheffield was jealous. Why was Ms. Babcock with him? She would do better conversing with the actor than talking highfaluting topics with the investors. Talking with them is Ms. Babcock's forte not hers. Yet despite being in the company of the big star, Ms. Babcock didn't seem at all too impressed with her companion. The flirtatious smile she usually flashed as she spoke was absent, instead, her eyes were serious as she spoke to him over a glass of Cosmopolitan, her body language a bit uncomfortable as though she wanted to run and hide.
Fran was so busy watching them she didn't notice that one of the stockbrokers, Mr. Simmons posted a question and when she begged for his pardon to repeat the question, it was something she had no idea about. Swallowing hard, she excused herself and made her way to Ms. Babcock. They both needed rescue from their respective situations.
"Hi Ms. Babcock! I believe Mr. Owens and the other investors have arrived and they needed your company over dinner," said Fran.
The uneasiness had vanished from CC, a big smile spread across her beautiful face, and Fran could see the relief in her eyes as she bid Tyrone Michaels good night like they were never going to speak that night again.
"Please excuse me, Mr. Michaels. Duty calls. I must mingle and talk business with the investors," she said.
Tyrone Michaels looked annoyed but immediately changed his demeanor when Fran introduced herself as Mrs. Sheffield.
"Let's have a seat and have dinner," said Fran.
CC could not leave fast enough as she settled on the chair vacated by Fran beside Mr. Simmons. She gave him a warm greeting and asked if they should be selling or buying Worldtrade Industries. The other brokers joined the conversation and CC easily managed to include Mr. Owens and the bank owner in their interesting exchange of topics and ideas. Her confidence and charm were at its work again. She was herself again, sensing safety in their company, seated in the middle of the investors as though they were her protection. Unbeknownst to her, she had not escaped the fiery eyes of a ferocious predator, gnawing his ravenous appetite as he watched her drown in her false sense of security.