One Night Stand (New Yorker III)

by M. O. Kenyan

  “He was getting ready.” Catalella stared at the giant with his son in his arms. Reno was like a boy scout. He was always prepared.

  “He was afraid that he wouldn’t be a good dad. That’s Uncle Dennis’ fault—he abandoned them. But by the time Rhyne came, he seemed to be convinced that he was a good dad.”

  “All I want is for Rich to be there for both of us.” Catalella hugged her belly, trying to dispel the fear of abandonment that had all of a sudden overwhelmed her.

  Catalella had refrained from asking Rich what Harold meant when he said he was ‘working on it’. Did that mean the old man was trying to convince Rich to marry her? She had already seen the old man’s persuasive power. He had already convinced Katherine and AJ to have a grander wedding, and that meant they were pushing it back three months. Lisette and Catalella had protested, especially since they would both be in their second trimester, but the old man had made his decision. She hoped that Rich had more resolve to say no. She wasn’t getting married again. Never again.

  Rich had bought an apartment for them in both their names. They had decided being equal partners was what was best for them and their ‘relationship’. She was moving in that weekend before they left for her parent’s home. She wanted to talk about the marriage thing, to make sure that Rich understood, but she didn’t want to ruin their already working friendship. She would just have to wait until she saw the signs.

  * * * *

  Catalella leaned back in her office chair, glad that she’d decided to buy dresses. She couldn’t stand how tight the skirts and trousers were around her waist. The dresses were freer. She stood up and headed toward Dennis’ office. She hadn’t told him that she knew about his friendship with Harold and Ethan senior—she thought he would tell her himself but he hadn’t.

  She walked into the office and the old man watched her expectantly. “I need to tell you something, Uncle Denny.”

  “Uncle Denny? This isn’t going to be good news, is it?” Dennis chuckled as he led Catalella to the sofa.

  “I’m going to come right out and say it.” Catalella took in a deep breath. “I’m pregnant and Ethan McCrery is the father.”

  Dennis watched her in silent surprise for a while before he hugged her. “I’m happy for you. But do you know your father’s history with the McCrery’s?”

  “Yes, he and Harold told us when we went down there last weekend,” she said.

  “So your father knows?”

  “Yes.”

  “How does he feel about it?”

  “He’s excited and Harold has accepted AJ and Katherine’s marriage.” Catalella went on to tell him what happened that weekend and laughed with him, relieved that the old man found humor in the bizarre twist of fate.

  “That’s good. Finally we can go back to the way things used to be. I only wish Four were here.”

  Four. Catalella sighed. That meant Rich was Five and if they had a son, he would be Six. She smiled at how comforting the familiarity made her feel. But her comfort was snatched away when Dennis’ secretary ran into the room, panicked, and Rich and Harold entered behind her.

  “Are you all right?” Rich reached for her and looked her over before crushing her to his chest.

  “I’m fine…what’s wrong with you?” Catalella pushed away from him, frustrated.

  “Your secretary called my office and said it was urgent. I tried to call you but you weren’t picking up.” He cupped her cheeks with his hands and kissed her forehead. “I was terrified. I have never felt so scared in my life.”

  Catalella’s heart broke a little. She had managed to infect him with her fear. She forced a smile, hoping to alleviate the tension in the room. She stepped back and twirled around for him. “Look, you see I’m perfectly fine. I have no idea why Darcy would call you.”

  “Because I asked her to.” Michael Mathews walked into the office and Catalella bit back a growl.

  She took a step away from Rich, trying to maintain a professional attitude. “Why would you do that and why didn’t she tell me?”

  “Please join me in the conference room.” Catalella didn’t trust the grin Michael Mathews had shot her way. The leech was up to something.

  Catalella sat away from Rich and she could see that it bothered him. But she needed to keep a clear head if she was going to catch Michael Mathews’ scheme. “What is this about, Mathews?” she demanded.

  “Your work has been slipping, Ross,” he shot back. “I found out that you haven’t sent out the contracts for the McCrery acquisitions. They were meant to take over that factory and now that’s been delayed.”

  “What do you mean?” Rich asked. He had turned into business mode, sitting upright in his chair and his expression unreadable.

  “That’s not true,” Catalella responded. But before she could explain herself Michael cut her off.

  “Here are the contracts. They haven’t been signed.” Michael pushed a copy of the contract to Catalella as he handed Dennis, Harold and Rich theirs.

  Catalella opened the folder and could feel all the tension ease from her body.

  “I’ve never seen this before,” Rich said as he flipped through the contents of his folder.

  “Neither have I,” both Harold and Dennis confirmed.

  “Of course you haven’t.” His triumphant grin beamed on his face. “Catalella, I know that you’ve been seeing the doctor again. I know your sickness is back. That may be the reason your work has slipped. But you have to sign over the McCrery account to me. They deserve the best, don’t you think?”

  Catalella marveled at how easily the words slid off his tongue. He was trying to use her past illness to prove that she was incompetent. Michael didn’t look the least bit troubled by his attempt to publically rob her of her client.

  “What does he mean?” Catalella looked at Rich and saw the fear was back in his eyes. Rich had believed Michael and now he thought she was sick.

  “I’m not sick. I promise,” she reassured him.

  “There is no need to be ashamed of your illness,” Michael put in.

  “If you looked at the name of the company being acquired, Mathews, you wouldn’t be so pleased with yourself.” Catalella couldn’t help but goad. “The reason Mr. McCrery, Mr. Henry or Mr. Kent have not seen these papers is because I have just drawn them up. I thought it would be fair to notify the Montgomerys before I tell Mr. McCrery of my new plan to take over the competition.”

  Catalella turned to Rich and tried not to smile at the proud look he gave her. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you know earlier. I had been working with the Montgomerys for a week before they agreed to a merger and not an acquisition. Of course, if that doesn’t satisfy you we can try a different avenue.”

  “A week!” she heard Harold exclaim.

  Catalella’s eyes were fixed on Rich’s face as he beamed with pride. “I don’t mind a merger.”

  Chapter Eight

  Rich felt proud of his little orchid. She had managed to put Michael Mathews in his place and make him richer with one move. He now had a new company, but the merger ensured that he didn’t have as much work as he would having acquired the company.

  “But the Montgomery account is mine,” Mathews barked.

  “Not anymore. They are now mine.” Catalella stood her ground.

  Michael looked like a rabid dog. Rich didn’t like how close he was getting to Catalella but he vowed not to interfere. She needed to stand up to the man, not only for his present crimes but his past ones too.

  “You can’t do that,” Michael whined.

  “I can—my name is on the door.” Catalella leaned back in her chair, seemingly unfazed by the man’s anger. “Bankruptcy came to me and told me that the company wasn’t making as much as they used to. The McCrery’s were putting them out of business, but the Montgomerys had loyal customers that were still keeping them afloat. I went to see the Montgomerys last week and they accepted my offer.”

  “When did you do this?” Rich hadn’t seen her for thre
e days the past week. He wondered if it was before or after their argument.

  “On Friday,” Catalella said, sensing his unasked question.

  Rich shook his head in awe of the woman before him, the mother of his child.

  “I still have clients in this firm. I’m going to take them and leave,” Mathews threatened.

  “You might want to call your clients. I suspect that they have seen the same light the Montgomerys have.”

  Rich watched as an evil grin curled on Catalella’s lips.

  He had always wondered how she could allow her ex-husband to come and work in her firm, but now he saw it. She wanted to ruin him. She wanted to show him that she could take everything away from him just as he had done to her. A sudden chill ran up and down Rich’s spine…he knew that if he ever crossed her, Catalella wouldn’t spare him either.

  “When they find out that you’re sick and going to die they won’t take you as their lawyer,” Michael shot out. He smiled, then laughed out a cold sound, sharp and icy as the tip of an ice pick.

  Rich decided he had watched enough and he had to interrupt. Catalella would give him a hiding about butting into her fights but he couldn’t be a bystander in this one. “My little orchid is not dying. She’s pregnant.”

  Michael let out another laugh that ended instantly when Rich showed him the ultrasound picture of his baby that he kept in his jacket pocket close to his heart.

  “You’re lying. She’s barren. She can’t have children. I divorced her when I found out she wasn’t a complete woman.” The hatred chilled the blood in Rich’s veins but made him angry too.

  But Rich never lost his cool. “She’s pregnant. I should know because I put the baby in there myself. On the first try, I might add.”

  “She’s lying to you to get your money. You better go confirm it,” Michael protested. “Besides, she’s frigid.”

  “I can assure you that she’s not.” Rich chuckled when Catalella’s cheeks turned pink. “I can’t believe you don’t remember me.”

  Michael studied him and after a few minutes Rich could see the pieces come in place in his mind. “You’re the frat boy.”

  “Frat boy by night, billionaire by day.” Rich stood up suddenly, exhausted by the back and forth. “I suggest that you resign before I ruin you and your name.”

  “Ruining me would mean ruining Ross and Kent.”

  “No—do you think that the business world would believe that I trust Ross and Kent with all my business if they weren’t good at what they do?” He was aiding Catalella with his vengeance. “I’m going to ruin you, Michael Mathews. Don’t make me buy this law firm to fire you.”

  * * * *

  The two men were standing toe to toe now. Catalella had been appalled by Rich’s statement about him buying her law firm, but the sight of Rich and Michael wanting to kill each other made her move her feelings aside.

  “Gentlemen, this is a place of business and not a boxing ring. I would appreciate it if you kept your fists to yourselves,” Catalella snapped, trying to assert her authority.

  She thought Michael would try and make a move for Rich, but she knew he was too much of a coward to try. Defeated, Michael left the conference room, half the man he was when he first entered it.

  “That was unpleasant.” Catalella sat back down and massaged her belly.

  “Are you all right?” Rich was at her side in a second, his hand covering hers protectively over her belly.

  “I’m fine.” Catalella stroked his cheek and smiled. “I’m just hungry.”

  “You really did knock her up,” Dennis said, amused.

  “He really did,” Harold said, and the two began talking as if twenty-six years hadn’t gone by without them saying a friendly word to each other.

  “Dennis, is it unreasonable for me to ask if my little orchid could have a team?” Rich asked, silencing her when she attempted to talk. “I don’t like how tired she looks.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Ethan. I’ll make sure she has that team.”

  “I work better alone. I’ll fire them all, you know I will, Dennis,” Catalella protested.

  “I’ll give them new contracts that say I’m the only one who can fire them. You need to relax, Lella. Remember, I was there when you were sick and if the doctor says you should be careful, that’s what you’re going to be,” Dennis said before he walked out with Harold.

  “How bad was it?” Rich asked.

  Catalella didn’t have to ask what. She could see the shadow of memories from her sickness loom over her family. Dennis’ son had put off school for a while in a show of solidarity to her. She knew no matter what she did she couldn’t rid them of those memories. But she had Rich, and with him she had a chance for a clean slate.

  “It was bad, but don’t ask me to bring that past into our present. I don’t want to think about it or how I felt at the time.”

  “Why?”

  “You’ve seen how my family treats me—as if I would break at any moment. You’ve seen all the hate Michael has because of it. I want a fresh start with you and our baby. I don’t want you to pity me. I want you to see me as I am now, whole.”

  “I would never pity you. You’re a strong woman—you’ve got me shaking in my boots,” he teased. “Promise me you’ll not tear me apart like that if I ever cross you. It won’t be a good thing for our child to see.”

  “I promise.” Catalella smiled at him. “I was thinking that if we have a boy we can name him Ethan. That way his friends can call him Six.”

  “I would love that.”

  * * * *

  This wasn't how she imagined entering her new home with Rich would be. She walked around the enormous penthouse apartment, an echo of loneliness filling each corner of every room. She was alone and Rich…he was on an international business trip. Sure, she didn’t expect him to carry her over the threshold or for them to spend hours christening each and every single room in the apartment. Their relationship wasn’t like that. The manila envelope she pulled out of her purse reminded her of that. In there was a custody agreement, just in case everything between her and Rich went south. But still, she didn’t expect the only thing that would be present to welcome her arrival would be the leather seats, the entertainment center, the delicate china already set on the table and the expensive paintings and antiques. She wanted a human there.

  Catalella left the envelope and her purse on the living room coffee table as she hunted for her room. Rich had made sure that her other apartment had been packed up and everything moved into her new home. She hadn't been there when everything had been moved around. She hated having strangers touch her things but Rich had taken control of the situation before she could protest.

  She went to the first room and the dark grey, black and white colors told her it was a man’s room. She didn’t dare go into it. Instead, she moved to the next one. This room was empty but still as large as Rich’s room. She assumed it was the baby’s room. Her hand fell to the small bump on her stomach as she prayed that her pregnancy would go smoothly. She could already picture the room in blue, with stuffed animals, a crib, a changing table and shelves with books and pictures.

  She closed the door and moved to the last room down the hall. Everything was light… white and the delicate shades of pinks and lilac. Apart from that, the room didn’t have much decor, but the array of paintings suited Catalella well enough. She walked through her room and into the gigantic walk-in closet. All her stuff was there, arranged by color. Whoever had arranged her closet had done a better job than Catalella could have done. She turned into the bathroom and felt the first stirrings of excitement as she saw the large bathtub waiting to greet her. It was large enough to fit two adults. Catalella wondered if that was Rich’s intention.

  But the week that they had spent together didn’t give any indication that Rich wanted to revive their sexual relationship. He would spend the day at her apartment but never spent the night. The only time they had slept in the same bed was when they went to
her parents’ home on the weekend. Although they were trying to avoid any complications when it came to their relationship, Catalella still felt the need to have a warm body next to hers when she slept. With that thought she felt a little push in her belly. She stood in front of the mirror and stared at her reflection.

  “I know you’re in there,” she said in a sing-song voice. “I don’t know what’s going to happen between your daddy and me, but I’m going to try my best to give you a perfect family.” Catalella giggled when she felt the push again…it was like the baby could hear her.

  Exhausted, she lay in her huge comfy bed and let sleep take her over.

  * * * *

  Rich hated not being home when Catalella got there. This was his family now and, as unconventional as it was, he needed to be there for them. He got to the apartment and tossed his briefcase in the hallway, toeing out of his shoes as he crossed the soft carpet into the living room. There was no sign of Catalella other than her purse, and he wondered if she was still asleep. He looked at his watch and frowned—it was eight o’clock in the morning, Catalella was usually already in the office.

  He headed straight to her room, an eerie feeling of panic beginning to take over. He held onto the door knob and fought against his urge to walk in unannounced. Rich told himself that he could be overreacting, that Catalella must have had a late start and was probably getting ready. He knocked on the door but there was no answer. Opening the door he walked in. “My little orchid.” No answer. “Catalella!”

  Rich walked into her closet and headed for the bathroom. He didn’t need to get that far because he spotted the soles of Catalella’s feet peeking through the door. Faltering at first, and then rushing forward with desperate urgency, Rich went to Catalella’s side. She leaned against the toilet bowl, her skin pale and pasty, her eyes barely open as she moaned incoherent words.

  “What is it, Lilly?” He brushed her wild hair away from her face. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Rich put his hands under her knees and on her back, but before he could lift Catalella off the cold marble floor, she grabbed for the toilet bowl and retched.