‘You want to know about Alexis?’ Susan prompted. Ethan nodded. ‘I’m afraid the fairy tale might be ending. I feared this, Ethan. I didn’t want to see either of you hurt. In the middle of nowhere, it is so easy to forget who you are. That’s the beauty of going on vacation. You can have fun, forget yourself. But, as the vacation ends, you realise you’re the same person you were with the same problems. Alexis has been to this city many times with her mother. I imagine that reality is coming back a little bit.’
‘I don’t fit into that reality, do I?’ Ethan felt as if he’d been beaten. His shoulders slumped and he was suddenly very tired.
‘I don’t know,’ Susan said. She placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly. ‘I’d like to think so, but the truth is I don’t know. Maybe if you met her mother you’d understand. That woman is a piece of work and she really pulled a number on Alexis growing up.’
‘So I’ve heard,’ Ethan said.
‘Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Good night.’
‘Night, Ethan.’
Ethan took a walk around the hotel to think. By the time he got back to the room, Alexis was already in bed. He took his shower and climbed quietly into bed next to her. Lying awake, he waited for her to come to him. She didn’t. Taking a deep breath, he rolled over on his side, wrapped his body around her and held her as he went to sleep.
‘My gawd, it’s true!’
Alexis shot up in bed, disorientated. The room was light, the curtains drawn. She frowned, seeing the shapely silhouette of a woman in front of the window. Lifting her hand, she tried to block the light.
‘What the . . .?’ Ethan said. Alexis felt the bed move.
‘Alexis Samantha!’
‘Mother?’ Alexis asked weakly. She shook violently. It couldn’t be. ‘What . . . ah?’ Alexis grabbed her head, trying to make sense of what was happening. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I should think to ask you the same thing,’ Francine Grant said, her voice clipped. ‘Haven’t you been watching the news? Haven’t you cared what happens to me? I’ve been acquitted of those fictitious charges and I’ve come to take you home.’
‘Acquitted?’ Alexis repeated, as if in a daze. Wait. If her mother was acquitted that meant she had her life back – her clothes, her apartment, the money.
Francine stepped out of the harsh light, coming closer to Alexis on the bed. She was a slender woman, more so now after her time behind bars. She wore a grey and white pinstripe suit with curved lapels and two decorative buttons. The grey slacks were matching. The suit looked like it belonged in the boardroom. Alexis shivered. If her mother was dressed for business that meant she was in her barracuda mood. It was best not to start a fight. Her short dark hair was the same colour as Alexis’s. It was cut up above the ears and only an inch and a half on top.
‘I like your haircut,’ Alexis said.
Her mother actually started to smile, moving to touch her shorn locks. Her face fell. ‘Don’t change the subject.’
‘Alexis?’ Ethan asked, touching her arm. Francine’s eyes narrowed on Ethan.
Alexis turned to look at him. He was so handsome. She took in his face, his dishevelled hair. He’d cut the red off, leaving soft brown waves. Then she saw his tattoos, knowing what they’d look like to her mother.
‘Alexis,’ her mother said, ‘I’m waiting.’
‘Mother, I’ll meet you downstairs.’
‘No, you’ll be joining me now,’ Francine said.
Alexis knew that tone. She closed her eyes briefly. ‘Ethan, I’m sorry. I have to go.’
‘Wait, no, that’s –’ Ethan began.
‘Alexis,’ Francine interrupted, walking to the end of the bed. It didn’t seem to faze her at all that her daughter was half-dressed, that Ethan’s chest was bare and that he was potentially naked under the covers. She refused to speak to Ethan directly and Alexis knew her mother was purposefully slighting him. ‘Tell this young man that it’s over. You had your little fling. It’s time to come home.’
‘Ethan, I have to go,’ Alexis said. ‘I’ll come find you later today.’
‘You have no right breaking into my room,’ Ethan said to Francine. He flung off his covers, standing up in his boxer shorts. ‘I’m calling security.’
Francine gasped dramatically like he was going to attack her. She threw up her hands and called, ‘Tony!’
Francine’s seven-foot bodyguard came lumbering into the room. Tony folded his arms over his chest and looked down at Ethan. Alexis got out of bed. Tony was huge. If Ethan even tried to fight him, he’d lose.
‘Mother, I know you don’t care who sees you naked, but could you have Tony turn around?’ Alexis asked.
Francine nodded at Tony. Tony backed away towards the door. Alexis slipped on a pair of jeans and a designer shirt. Her mother waited silently, eyeing Ethan.
‘Alexis, you don’t have to go. We need to talk,’ Ethan said.
‘Actually, we need to talk,’ Francine said. ‘Tony, escort my daughter outside.’
Alexis looked at Ethan, trying to relate with her eyes what she was feeling. He opened his mouth, but what could he say? Francine was standing right there. As Tony firmly escorted her out the door, Ethan yelled, ‘Alexis!’
Once outside the suite, Alexis looked at Tony. ‘How’d she find me?’
‘She’s had a private detective on your tail since you left New York. They’ve been following Mr James’s credit-card purchases. She tried to meet up with you in Colorado, but you disappeared. When Mr James used his card in New Mexico, the detective deduced you were heading this way.’ Tony didn’t look at her as he spoke. It wasn’t the first time he clued her in to her mother’s doings and he knew she’d keep her mouth shut about it to Francine.
‘Let me guess. Smelly, sweaty man in a grey car?’ Alexis asked.
Tony’s lip twitched. She had her answer. She hadn’t been crazy. That man was following them. She should’ve known her mother would do something like that.
‘Let me say goodbye to Susan and Ted?’
Tony nodded. ‘Make it fast.’
Alexis knocked on Susan’s door. It didn’t take long for Susan to answer. She smiled brightly. ‘Hey, I was waiting for you to get up. Guess what? Ted and I have decided to get married here in Vegas. I want you to stand up for me . . . Alexis? What’s wrong?’
Alexis glanced at Tony.
‘Hi, Tony,’ Susan said.
‘Ms Susan,’ Tony answered.
‘She’s here?’ Susan asked. ‘How?’
‘Acquitted,’ Alexis whispered.
‘Where?’
Alexis looked at her room.
‘With Ethan?’ Susan gasped. ‘But . . .? You know how she is, Lexy. You can’t –’
‘Tell Ethan I’m sorry. Tell him to take . . .’
The door opened. Francine stepped out. ‘Come, Alexis.’
‘Ms Grant,’ Susan said to the woman.
‘Susan, you can see to Alexis’s bags, can’t you?’ Francine asked.
Susan nodded.
‘Bye,’ Alexis said quietly, moving to follow her mother. Part of her wanted to rebel, but knew if she caused a scene right now then it would only make it worse for everyone. She needed to get her mother alone first and then she could reason with her.
Glancing at her mother, Alexis said, ‘You’re looking well, Mother.’
It was the truth. Francine looked great for her age. Her skin was smooth, thanks to the magical workings of her plastic surgeon’s micro-lifts over the years. Her make-up was flawless, as was her hair.
‘I can’t say the same for you, Alexis.’ Francine stepped into the elevator. ‘And quit calling me Mother. It makes me sound old.’
Ethan stared at the envelope in disbelief. He thought stuff like this only happened in movies, but apparently not. Francine Grant was paying him to go away. Though by the way Alexis just left without a fight, it was obvious she was done with him.
A soft knock sounded on th
e door. His heart leapt, but he knew it wasn’t her. Alexis had left him without a goodbye.
Ethan pulled on his jeans. The knock sounded again. Susan and Ted were at the door.
‘Hey,’ Susan said. ‘We just saw Alexis.’
Ethan’s jaw tightened. He didn’t answer.
‘She asked me to tell you she was sorry. She wanted to say more but there wasn’t much time,’ Susan offered.
‘I wanted to know where I stood with Alexis and now I know,’ Ethan said. He picked up the cheque and handed it to Susan.
‘Oh my gawd, Ethan! This is for twenty thousand dollars,’ Susan said, handing the cheque to Ted. Ted whistled softly in amazement.
Ethan gave a short, humourless laugh. ‘Yep. Just enough to open my own shop in California.’
‘You’re going to take it?’ Susan asked.
‘Of course I’m going to take it,’ Ethan said. ‘Why shouldn’t I take it?’
‘Because, well, Alexis.’ Susan handed the cheque back to him.
‘What about her? She made her decision when she walked out that door without a fight. She didn’t even try to stay with me.’ Ethan shook his head. ‘Her mother’s right. To Alexis I’m just a dirty little fling, nothing more. I’ll never be her social equal and to be honest, I wouldn’t even want to try.’
‘You should give her a chance to explain herself,’ Ted said. ‘If you care for her, you should at least do that much. Maybe her leaving peacefully was the right decision. Francine Grant is a powerful woman. She could’ve probably had you thrown in jail with one phone call.’
Ethan stared at Ted. He wanted to cling to the hope the man gave him, but found it hard. Alexis didn’t even try to fight for him, for them. She’d just stood up and walked out like he was nothing. She didn’t stand up to her mother, didn’t proclaim she . . . She what? Loved him? Ethan sunk down on the bed. What was he thinking? Alexis never said once that she loved him. She said she cared. She said she liked him. But, love? No, she’d never said she loved him.
‘What harm is there in giving her a chance to explain?’ Ted asked. ‘If you care for her . . . Do you care for her?’
‘Yes,’ Ethan whispered. He studied his hands. ‘I love her.’
Susan gasped. ‘You didn’t tell her, did you?’
Ethan shook his head in denial. No, he’d been too scared to tell her. He was still scared. All he knew was that watching her walk out of the hotel room had ripped out his heart until he couldn’t see straight.
Ted looked him directly in the eye. ‘Then you have to fight for her.’
Francine Grant had the penthouse suite. She always stayed in the nicest hotels in the nicest rooms. The suite had a classical allure, as did the entire hotel, from the subtle tans and reds of the décor to the wet bar and elegant furniture.
As soon as they reached the hotel room, Francine insisted Alexis take a steam shower to wash the stench of the lower classes from her. When she got out, her mother had a whole team of specialists waiting for her. They plucked her eyebrows, waxed her legs, and gave her a facial and a massage, a pedicure and manicure, even a haircut. Though she tried to, she couldn’t hate the royal treatment.
Afterwards, she dressed in a brand new Helen Wang dress. The black accordion pleat skirt had a drop waist and, though it didn’t conform to her figure, it was a stunning work of art. The sleeveless top and crocheted trim added a simplistically chic appeal. The T-strap black leather pumps were to die for. She topped the look off with a wide-brim hat and a string of her mother’s pearls.
‘Ah,’ Francine said, standing. She held her arms out wide and smiled as if nothing had happened that morning. ‘There’s my girl. You look so much better. Come, I’ve got us reservations.’
Francine had also changed her clothes while her daughter was pampered. The black wool wrapped her body with a side-tie belt with a deep V-neckline. It complemented her overly slender form to perfection. It went perfectly with her Sergio Rossi round-toe ankle-strap pumps. Instead of classical white pearls, she chose faux steel-grey ones.
The restaurant was part of the luxurious hotel. The intimate lighting and private nooks lent itself well to the talk Alexis wanted to have with her mother. She wasn’t unaware of the stares they received walking into the room. It had been that way her whole life. Her mother ordered for her as she always did when they were together, speaking in fluent French to the waiter. Alexis’s French was poor at best and she could only make out some of what her mother said.
Alexis waited as the waiter came back with red wine. He showed the bottle to her mother. Her mother smiled and nodded regally at him. The waiter nodded back, very dignified, and poured two glasses. Alexis tried to smile at him out of habit and he actually looked like he was offended.
‘I see you’ve picked up some vulgar manners as well. It’s to be expected. If you slum for that long, you’re bound to get a little dirty.’ Francine closed her eyes as if she couldn’t bear to look at her.
‘It was only a smile, mother,’ Alexis said.
‘To the waiter,’ Francine hissed as if it was the ultimate sin. ‘He probably thinks you wish to sleep with him.’
‘Like mother, like daughter,’ Alexis mumbled.
‘Sit up straight,’ Francine ordered.
Alexis straightened automatically at the order.
‘I have never slept with a waiter,’ Francine said, her voice haughty.
‘Bali,’ Alexis reminded her.
‘Foreign soil. It doesn’t count.’ Francine shot her a superior smile. ‘How many times do I have to tell you, Alexis, an affair with such men is fine, but to be seen with that Ethan James in public? To share a room with him – several rooms with him all across the country? Ugh, and that car of his? Please. Are you trying to punish me? Isn’t it bad enough that I was falsely accused of – ?’
‘Save it for the press, Mother,’ Alexis said. ‘I’ve had time to think about things and I know better.’
‘Fine.’ Francine clenched her teeth before sipping the wine. ‘We won’t discuss it.’
‘Mother, you might as well know that, after dinner, I’m going to go see Ethan.’ Alexis put her linen napkin down on her lap.
‘No, you’re not,’ Francine said. ‘That little indiscretion has been taken care of.’
‘What if I told you nothing happened?’
Francine tipped her head back and laughed. She pulled her black clutch off her lap and opened it. Taking out a packet, she placed it on the table.
Alexis swallowed. Her fingers shook as she lifted it up. ‘What is this?’
‘Your nothing,’ Francine said.
Alexis pulled out a stack of photos from the envelope. The top one was of her by Ethan’s car. They’d just left New York. It was that first gas station. She could still remember how mortified she’d been to have to urinate in the dirty restroom. Without leafing through the stack, she said, ‘You had a detective following me.’
‘Oh, they get better,’ Francine said, sipping her wine. ‘Go ahead, dear. I’m sure you’ll not be nearly as shocked as I was.’
Alexis looked at the photographs. It was parts of her whole trip laid out. Ethan’s car parked at hotels, all of them at gas stations, eating in a diner. She stopped. ‘So we drove across country in an old car. It’s vintage chic, a classic. Hardly the social suicide you’re making it out to be.’
Francine took another sip, motioning her hand lightly for Alexis to continue. Alexis took a deep breath. Ethan looked so adorable, even with his red goatee. She missed him. She wanted to talk to him. Then she got to a photograph of them together in bed. Alexis was on her hands and knees and Ethan was behind her. She hurried past it, but the next ones were more of the same. The frames were hidden partially by curtains. There was one with Ethan kissing between her thighs, one with her on top, on bottom, hanging off the side of the bed. Getting to one where she was giving Ethan head, she blushed.
‘I see you’ve found my favourite,’ Francine said. ‘Please tell me you used protection.’<
br />
‘You’re sick,’ Alexis said. ‘You’re my mother. How could you look at these? Let alone comment? Do you know how twisted that is? Do you have any idea?’
‘Oh, please, you know we’ve always been more like best friends than mother and daughter. I swear if it wasn’t for my having to bail you out of messes like these, people would assume we were sisters.’
Alexis stuffed the pictures into her purse. ‘I’m leaving.’
‘If you walk away from me you’ll never see another penny,’ Francine said.
‘I don’t care,’ Alexis said. Her whole body shook. She meant it. She might regret it tomorrow, but right at that moment, she meant it. ‘I’ve done fine these last weeks without you.’
‘You’ll give up everything for him?’ Francine demanded. Her face became tight with rage. ‘For a man? You can’t possibly be in love after two weeks. You’re just trying to get back at me for this whole judicial misunderstanding.’
Judicial misunderstanding? Her mother gets arrested. It’s all over the news. Alexis’s life is raided, her belongings taken by the government and it’s just a judicial misunderstanding?
Alexis couldn’t answer. If Ethan asked her then yes, yes, she would give it up for him. For the first time in her life she felt like she was more than an empty shell, a fashion plate. ‘Goodbye, Mother.’
‘He doesn’t love you.’ Francine’s words kept her from standing up and walking out. They were a blow to her heart. ‘Alexis, he’s from another world. He won’t understand you, even if he continues to put up with you. I know men, darling. To men like Ethan James you’re nothing more than a conquest. It’s so he can tell people that he once dated Alexis Grant, the rich girl whose mother is on the news. He’ll laugh about you. He isn’t in love with you. I saw it in his eyes.’
‘Would you recognise love if you were to see it?’
‘What’s going to happen when he discovers that I’ve cut you off? That you have no money, no prospects, no idea how to hold down a well-paying job? Do you think he’ll want to support you? Even if he did, would you want to live in his one-room studio apartment having children like a breeder rabbit? Buying your clothes from a discount store? Forget the facials. Forget shopping and designer clothes. Forget the pedicures and manicures and spa treatments. Forget travelling. Forget everything you like to do.’
Opposites Attract Page 23
