Cimmy’s Notes: Kristine, shill. To my knowledge, you’ve already gotten the co-writer’s privilege to read the preview of this. Am I right? Even the smuttier parts... Is Fred’s dad really a bitch? I find that amusing. I’ll consider your suggestion about Bailey more carefully, but no promises... You are demanding, but you’re supposed to be; otherwise I’d never get around updating...
---##---¤¤---##---
Chapter 8. Stuck With You
---##---¤¤---##---
I don’t like to fly. Among other things, flying makes me grumpy. Even though I’m placed in First Class, with a nice blanket and strange food, I hate flying. My Dad always forces me to go places, like Japan, Italy or Australia, and he always mentions this two hours before the flight. I can’t refuse, because then he’ll beat me black and blue, while finding some way to let his anger out on my family.
Seattle is better than Japan. At least I’m in the same country.
When I get to the hotel, there’s bound to be trouble. The receptionist can’t find my name in the computer. Thanks, Dad. “Are you sure? Did you spell it right?” I urge. “It’s booked by Miller Corporation. You know what? I really need a room, and since my company is probably the owner of this hotel...”
I shouldn’t use my job to get what I want. But I’m tired. I look around for a sign that should tell me that Miller Corporation owns this place, but I can’t find any. Damn, it must be one of those independent hotels. They’re pretty much extinct since we took over the major hotel concerns.
“Is there a problem with your room?”
Oh, no. I turn around, recognizing the voice. Of course, it’s Cathy MacSlut. “No,” I growl.
“You can stay in my room, I have a double one.”
Somehow I feel like I’m trapped in a very bad episode of some cancelled sitcom. I can almost hear people laughing at me. Maybe I’ve been watching too much TV, like Bailey? It must run in the family.
“No, I’ll get a room somewhere else,” I mutter. What is she doing here? She can’t be in charge of the Belmont-affair. She’s too young. Then I remember. I’m too young as well.
Just as if she was reading my mind, she tilts her head to the side, answering my unspoken question. “My Dad sent me to replace Jordan. You know, he’s the one in charge of...”
My stupid Kessler-project. Jordan is ‘Miller’s guy’, my Dad told me about him. So, Cathy had to replace Jordan, who I actually can stand, just because I’m too stupid to finish the project on my own. Irony? It must be.
“We’re all booked over the week, sir.” The receptionist is actually sneering at me when she announces the situation.
Cathy MacCallister smirks too. “I guess we’ll be roommates, then. Strictly business, of course. Let’s go, it’s on the fifth floor.”
I hesitate for a long time. Wasn’t Clairmont supposed to be on this trip as well? Maybe I can throw him out of his room, so he can be all cozy with Ms. MacCallister? He’d enjoy that more then I will, I’m sure.
Either way, it’s unpleasant. I don’t have time to make up my mind, because my cell starts to beep. I reach down into my pocket, trying to find it. “Yeah?”
“How many times have I told you to answer with your name and the company name?” my father thunders in the other end. “Are you there yet?”
“Yes, but I have no room. You didn’t book me a room,” I say, sounding hysterical and pathetic. I ignore his request about how to answer my phone. Who’s he to lecture me about stuff? He didn’t give a damn about me while I was growing up. I saw him maybe once a month.
“It must’ve gotten lost, I know I booked it,” my Dad mutters. “Did you tell them your name?”
“Of course,” I mutter back. “I’m not stupid.”
He snorts into the phone; my self confidence sinks several notches. “Share a room with someone. It’s not the end of the world.”
“But the only one here is Cathy MacCallister!” I howl.
Now I’ve managed to annoy him. “This is a very important meeting! Either you stay in her room, or I’ll notify your damn wife that you’re not coming home in weeks. I have a suitable assignment in Greece for you. You like sun, don’t you?”
More threats. “Fine, I’ll stay with Cathy. If I close the deal with Belmont, can I please bring my wife down here?” And now I’m begging. Pleading to receive some mercy. I know that he loves when I surrender like this.
“I’ll think about it. Stay away from MacCallister’s girl. I don’t need to handle your divorce right now.”
Thanks for trusting me, Dad. And fuck you, by the way.
Everything is always dragged out when it comes to this family. I remember my parents’ divorce. Every newspaper in the world had to interview them and harass them with questions. My brothers and I were gossiped about, especially when it came to the custody settlement. Then, for some reason, my parents changed their mind and re-married. They did that several times while I was growing up. Cheating on each other, screaming, throwing things.
The whole world was after my dad when they found out that his first heir, unfortunately me, had gotten married against his will. They were all stunned when the ‘good son’ rebels by getting married at 19. And before that, it was Bailey. Everyone had an opinion, it was written about everywhere, and people were debating whether or not Catalina and I should be together.
It sucks being a public person. Lately, no one’s been that interested, since everything is normal. But when my Dad lost a big contract, I was in the spotlight once more. And when it was discovered that I’d finally agreed to work for MC. Why can’t I just be left alone?
Cathy leads me up to her room, yapping about how much she loves it here, and how much her Dad must trust her to send her off on a mission like this. If I know her father right, he’s just out to get me to fall for her, so she can become one in the family. Rich, famous and with a spot among the high society people. Yeah, she really needs another boost upwards.
The room isn’t that bad. It would be nice, hadn’t Cathy been there too. “You can have the bed,” I offer. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“Don’t be stupid!” she cheers, all bubbly with excitement. I’m going to have to kill her if she continues like this. “This is not a slumber party. We’re both grown-up.”
Somehow I have the feeling that Cathy is less grown-up then I am. I’m not an adult, but she’s definitely a lot younger then I am, mentally. “I’ll stay on the couch, thank you very much. As soon as I get my own room, I’ll be out of here.”
“No, you don’t have to, it’s okay. Look, we have room-service and everything! How can you leave?”
Even though she just told me otherwise, I feel like this is some sort of freaked out slumber party. She’s speaking like a teenager, acting like she’s on some sugar-high. She’s supposed to be 21, not 16.
I go over to the phone, Cathy slowly following me. “Who are you calling?”
“My wife,” I mutter back. “Do you mind?”
“Don’t speak too long, we have dinner later.” Now, Cathy, she sounds like a typical wife. And I’m not even married to her. I wonder if I can divorce her anyway? I hear the signals go through; I count to five before anyone answers. I don’t have time to snap at Cathy for her comment; she’s already bounced away to the bathroom, ‘freshing up’.
“Yep?”
“Hi Bailey, it’s Dad,” I say. “How’s it going? Are you going to bed?”
“Uhu, we watch movie!” he says, sounding tired. Then he rants about what he’s been up to since I left. It’s really too late for him to be awake.
“That sounds great!” I cut him off after a while. “Is your Mom there? Can I speak to her?”
“Yeah! Bye!”
“Goodnight, Bailey.” I wait, while listening to Bailey talking to Catalina. Then she answers. “Why isn’t he asleep?”
Catalina takes a deep breath. “He was, but he had a nightmare. Hi, Fred.”
“Sorry. Hi. How are you?” I ask, feeling bad for not greeting.
She yawns. “Tired. I was worried about you, why didn’t you call when you landed?”
“The plane got delayed. Sorry. Uhm, so, anyway... I’m here now,” I mumble, throwing glimpses towards the bathroom. I bet all my money that Cathy is eaves-dropping.
“How’s the room? Luxurious?” Catalina wants to know. “Does it have view?”
“Sort of. I guess. My Dad didn’t bother booking me a room, so I ended up with a co-worker,” I explain. Do I have to tell her the truth? I don’t want to.
“Which one? That Robert-guy?”
“No, wrong species. And wrong gender. You don’t know her; she just started like a month ago.”
Catalina is quiet for a second. “Who is she?” she asks slowly.
“Cathy MacCallister. I told you about her Dad a while ago, he was the one closing that deal with Kessler in the first place. She’s straight out of college.”
“Oh. Do you know her?”
“We sort of had lunch together today. She... She tried to... I don’t know,” I stutter. Now I’ve said too much, haven’t I?
Catalina gives up a short laugh. “Did she make a move on you? Poor Fred, being sexually harassed at work. Don’t worry, she’ll get over you. Most people do.”
“Hey!” I laugh. “It wasn’t like that. She was just...”
“Coming on to you?” Catalina finishes my sentence. “And I guess you were your usual charming self? Is she pretty?”
Now I know she’s making fun of me. “You’re much more beautiful then she is,” I say. “And she’s honestly driving me out of my mind.”
“Are you gonna sleep with her?”
“What? Of course not!”
“I meant share a bed, idiot,” she laughs. “Just don’t forget about us, okay?”
“It’s not like that,” I repeat. “I love you. I’d never even look at her twice, unless I have to. Trust me.”
“I definitely trust you. I’m not so sure about her, though. Is she after your money?”
“Probably,” I reply. “Most people are.”
“I have to go put Bailey to sleep now. You know, Bailey? Your son?”
“I know!” I can’t help but laugh. “I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you.”
“I love you too. Be nice.”
I hang up the phone, waiting for Cathy to make her entrance. She’s still smirking. “How was your wife?” she asks, grabbing my arm. “Let’s get some dinner now.”
“Just us?” I whine.
Cathy rolls her eyes at me. “No, I bet someone else is down there too. I heard Bobby is staying here too, isn’t that cool?”
Good. Now I can bribe him to sleep with her, while I take his room. I’m willing to pay a lot of money. If I had a million dollars cash, he’d get it. But then I’d have to go to the bank and shit.