Jaxson is tall, dark and built like a swimmer. Zane is about three inches shorter, blond, and bulky. He looks like a Nordic God and unfortunately, acts like one.
The women servers giggle and bat their eyes when he gives them a wink. He approaches and I stand. He puts his arms around me and goes for a kiss on my lips but I give him my cheek.
“Beautiful” he says.
“Zane,“ I reply, then nod for him to take a seat.
We sit and just look at each other for a minute or two.
“Thank you for taking the time to see me,” I say with deep sarcasm. He really had no choice.
“Luv, I will always have time for you. It’s smashing to see you Alexia, I’ve missed you to bits.”
“Nice to see you too.” Like the migraine from hell.
“Grandmum said you were flying in. I was hoping you would ring up.”
“Zane, I’m going to get right to it.”
“Okay.”
“First—thanks for your deceptive help.”
“Gram told you then?”
“Yeah, she told me. I should have known she was the one helping me.”
“So what does this mean—are you moving to London.” He looks worried. He knows something is up.
“I will be taking over Grant—location still unknown.”
“So you and this Ryan bloke?”
“My personal affairs—none of your business. And, thanks again for calling him. You’re such an assbag.”
A server walks over to our table. “Hi, my name is…”
I cut her off. “We won’t be staying for dinner.”
She lifts a brow. “Would…”
I cut her off again. I’ve played this game with so many of Zane’s admirers I know that it’s best to stop it before it even starts. I faux–smile.
“That will be all. Thank you.”
She looks at Zane again, waiting for his input. Zane shakes his head ‘no’ and she finally gets the hint and leaves.
“You didn’t have to be so cheeky.”
“Really?”
“You can play restaurant with her later. Right now you’re going to pay attention to me. I want a divorce.”
His mouth gapes open like a grouper. “You…you want a divorce?”
“Yes. I filed this afternoon. You will receive papers in a couple of days.”
“Seriously?”
“Very.”
“But…”
“Why do you seem so surprised? Did you think our arrangement would go on forever?”
“Well, I was hoping for a tad longer.”
“Time’s up Zane. I don’t even know why you care. No—I do know why you care and that will be ending, too. You’ll receive the premarital agreed settlement and nothing more. I’ve supported your lifestyle for seven years. No more.”
“You can’t just cut me off.”
“I already did.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means any accounts with my name have been closed.”
“But that’s all of them.”
“Precisely.”
“You can’t do this.”
“Zane, you won’t be living in the poorhouse, for hell’s sakes.”
“Says someone that has billions.”
“Whatever, Zane. This is not a negotiation.” I pull a file out of my bag and hand it to him. “Sign these and make an appointment to see Gram. She’ll be expecting your call within forty-eight hours.”
I stand and he grabs my arm. “Don’t you think we should talk about this?”
“What is there to talk about?”
“I was hoping we could, ya know… get together. You’re my beautiful lass. You’ll always be the one for me.”
“Do you hear your own bullshit? You fucked someone not even three weeks after our wedding. And all the others you paraded like it was…” I stop myself I’m done with this man.
“Come on love you know they don’t mean anything to me.”
Fuck. This man makes me mad. “What about Sara? She never meant anything to you.”
“Are you ever going to forgive me for that? It was all a stupid misunderstanding.”
“Stupid misunderstanding. You can’t be serious. One month after our wedding you fucked my supposed best friend in my house, and in my bed. Then after your little fuck-fest you let her walk out with my dress on, and meet me for lunch.”
“I didn’t know it was your frock.”
“A dress hanging in my closet—in my bedroom—in my house. Really?”
“She said you wouldn’t figure it out. That you never noticed things like that.”
“Well, I noticed. And you know what? I don’t really care. You’re not going to be my problem anymore.”
“All right…I’ve been a real trouser snake. But Lex, I’ve changed.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I gave you plenty of chances. You know why I didn’t cut you off sooner Zane? I didn’t want you around. I wanted you gone doing whatever the hell you do with whomever the hell you do it with. No more. You’ll get the agreed settlement and no more. Sign and make an appointment to see Gram. Don’t even think about trying to avoid her.”
“Luv, you can’t mean this, let’s talk about it.”
I put several bills on the table.
“It’s over Zane, so be a big boy and buck up.”
“Sign the papers or you’ll get nothing.”
I walk toward the exit.
“You, can’t make me,” he shouts.
I turn. “Yes I can. I know you, Zane. All you care about is money.”
“Bloody hell, it’s not all about money.”
“Bloody hell, it’s not. Sign them or get nothing,” I say as I walk out on the man and marriage that I should have dumped years ago.
Okay so now you know my other secret. I’m fucking married. I know what you thinking. I’m a real…!!! I agree—I’m all those things and more. But try not to be so harsh in your judgment. My marriage is a sham. It’s been nothing more than signatures on paper for many years. I was a fool. I fell in love with my best friend. I actually thought Zane loved me—silly, silly girl.
NO GLASS SLIPPER
“Lane, it’s Alexia I’ve just landed at Teterboro.
“Okay, I’m about fifteen minutes away.”
“Drive to the executive terminal. I should be just outside of the hanger. If I’m not, look for a Gulfstream G650 with Grant International on it. You can’t miss it.”
“Grant International?”
“Long story, Lanie. I’ll see you at the hanger.”
“Okay.”
Lane gets out of Jaxson’s new Rover and opens the back door.
“What the hell are you doing? Since when do I sit in the back?”
“I know, I know. Its just habit.”
He grabs my bag and puts it in the back. I get in the passenger side and we drive out of the gate.
He gives me a sideward glance. “You look good but thin. Have you lost weight?”
“If you tell me the tatas look bigger and ask to see a tit—I’ll scream.”
“What?
“Never mind. Another long story.”
“A story, I’d love to hear,” he says with a raised brow.
“Maybe some other time, dude.”
“Some other time then, dudla.”
“How is everyone at the estate?”
“Good. Everyone misses you. Mom wants you to call her when you get a chance.”
“I will.”
“Your last text said that Jaxson was in LA.”
“That’s what he told me but I was wrong. His PA called me a few minutes ago to confirm my drive schedule for next week. I asked her when he would be returning from LA. She said he’s not in LA. He’s been in the city all week.”
“You must have misunderstood.”
“No, he told me a few times that he would be in LA this week.”
“That’s weird.”
“Yeah.”
“I was going t
o suggest that we stop and get a bite to eat, but if he’s in town you better just take me to Ryan.”
“That’s another weird thing. He’s staying at the Eventi Hotel.”
“Why?”
“I haven’t a clue. His PA said he’d been staying there all week.”
“Okay, then take me to the Eventi.”
One hour and fifteen minutes later we arrive at the Eventi Hotel.
“Could you hang around for a bit, just in case he’s not in or he refuses to see me?”
“Sure, no problem.”
“I’ll leave my bag with you. If all goes well, I’ll text you and have you leave it with the doorman. You don’t happen to know what room he’s in, do you?”
“No, sorry.”
I give him a hug. “Well…wish me luck.”
“Good luck, dudla.”
I walk to the front desk.
“Can I help you?” asks a polite young man with Clark Kent glasses and blond purple highlighted hair.
“Yes, I’m here to meet with one of your guests, Jaxson Ryan. Could you ring his room and see if he’ll see Alexia Keith.”
“Yes, of course. One moment, please.”
He rings the room and I step aside.
What if he’s still angry? What if he won’t see me? He’ll see me––don’t you think? You’re not sure. Well, then cross your fingers. Kneel and pray. Throw salt over your shoulder. Put on those lucky socks and underwear. Do whatever you can, because I need all your good mojo.
“Ms. Keith, you can go on up. He’s in the Eventi Suite. The elevators are to your right.”
“Thank you.”
“Ms. Keith.”
“Yes?”
“Just wanted to say that I love your purple Converse.”
“Thanks, I love your purple hair.”
He smiles. “Thanks.”
Yeah, that’s me the future of Grant International in skinny jeans and purple high tops.
Okay so far so good. I step into the elevator and push the button for the Eventi suite. As it ascends, so does my stomach. God I hope I don’t ralph.
It’s been three weeks and three days since I’ve seen him. God I’ve missed him. Crap, I didn’t even check my face. What if I look like hell? Do I really care? Hell no! In the past four days, I’ve become a CEO, an expectant mother of twins, and filed for divorce. I’m lucky to be standing.
The elevator doors open and I step out and walk to the Eventi Suite. When I reach the door, I stand and stare at it. Yeah, that’s what I do…stand and stare at the door. Why is this so freakin’ hard? This is the man that I love. My Jax. He loves me and he’ll never stop.
I take a deep breath, then another, then one more. God, I need a drink—of milk. Okay, buck up Alexia. You can do this. Pull up your big girl panties.
I knock three times. He doesn’t come to the door. I knock again. Maybe he ditched me. Just when I’m about to knock again it opens.
Fuck me.
A woman wearing a bed sheet is standing in front of me. Yes, I said sheet. A fucking sheet!
We just stand and gawk at each other for a minute. Her mouth starts to move but I can’t hear her because of the loud ringing in my ears. It’s weird I’m looking at her but it’s like looking through a peephole—distorted and tunneled. Holy hell—I’m about to pass out.
I lean on the door casing and close my eyes until the ringing in my ears stops. I open my eyes. Fuck. She’s still there.
“Can I help you?” she asks.
I try to move my mouth, but it’s frozen.
“I think you have the wrong room,” she says with a scowl.
God how I wish that were true. I’d give anything for a wrong room. But it’s not. I know the score—I’ve played this game before. I never thought I’d be playing it with Jaxson. Never. I’m such a stupid, stupid girl.
I know this woman, the one that’s standing in a bed sheet that barely covers her ass. It’s Tinker Hell, Mia. The ex-fucking-wife.
“I don’t know who you are, but you need to leave,” she huffs.
She so knows who I am. Bitch!
She begins to close the door but I push it back. I have to know for sure.
“Is this…?” Then I hear him.
My heart skips a beat.
“Mia, who’s at the door? Is it room service? I ordered some champagne. Dinner’s not until eight, so if you’re hungry, order some appetizers.”
Then it stops.
“Okay, Jaxson dear,” she whine–purrs. “It’s not room service it’s just…someone that has the wrong room.” She gives me a triumphant smile.
It takes every ounce of my restraint not to throttle her Tinker ass.
My mouth starts to move and I can hear what I’m saying but it’s like it’s coming from someone else. “Yes, I…I have…I definitely have the wrong room.”
I step back and she starts to close the door, then stops.
“I almost feel sorry for you. You really did fall for him—I can see it in your eyes. But it would have never worked out. You see, Jaxson strays but he always comes back to me. Always.”
She shuts the door and once again, I find myself standing and staring at a closed door. I just stand and stare at it, for how long—seconds, minutes, hours––I don’t have clue I can’t think. I can’t feel. I can’t breathe. I can’t even cry. You need a heart to do I’ll those things—I don’t have one anymore.
I wanted the fairytale the happily–ever–after–ending. Silly me, I forgot that I’m not Cinderella. No glass slipper for this girl. No Prince Charming. No Fairy Godmother. You stupid, stupid, stupid girl.
Somehow I make it into the elevator. Somehow I push the lobby button. As the elevator descends my stomach ascends. Holy hell. I’m going to ralph. Fuck!
I turn and puke in the corner. Yes…that’s what I did. I ralphed in the corner of an elevator at the mod and posh Eventi Hotel. Fuck me. It stops and opens. Thank God no one is waiting for it.
I wipe my mouth on the sleeve of my coat. I step out and walk to the front desk. The same chic nice young man looks up. His eyes widen.
“Are you okay, Ms. Keith. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
“No…yes…no I’m not going to pass out but…but I kind of ralphed in the elevator.”
His frowns. “Oh my. Ralphed as in puked?”
“Yeah, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you. And again I’m so… sorry.”
He nods and gives me an unsure smile.
I walk through the lobby and step outside. I pull out my iPhone.
“Lane,” I mumble–cry.
“Hey. Are you okay?”
“Pick me up.”
“Lex. What’s going on?”
“Please…can…you pick me up.”
“Okay, I’m not far, I’ll be right there.”
I hang up, then call my pilot and tell him to prepare to return to London. He sounded concerned but knew better not to ask.
Lane pulls up in what seems like hours.
He gets out of the Rover. “What the hell?”
He takes my arm. “I’m not feeling well. I think I should sit in the back.”
He frowns. “You look like you’re going to pass out.
He helps me in and I put my head back against the headrest. Soon we’re out into traffic.
“Are you going to be sick?”
“I ralphed in the elevator.”
“You puked in the elevator at the hotel?”
“Yeah. In the corner.”
“Lex. For hell.”
“Tell me about it.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing happened. I need to go home, Lane.”
“The loft?”
“No. The airport.”
“Lex. What’s going on?”
“Lane, please don’t ask. Please… just don’t.”
“Okay.”
We ride in silence. Unfortunate
ly, I can’t silence my brain. The last few weeks play out in my mind. How did I get things so, so fucking wrong?
“Lex, did you see Jaxson?”
“He…he wasn’t in.”
Lane turns and gives me a skeptical look.
“Well, he wasn’t.”
“I don’t believe you. If he wasn’t in then why are you going back to London?”
“Because I realized that things between us would never work. I don’t belong here anymore.”
“Why?”
“I just don’t. I should never have come back.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not. It just…I’m just embarrassed. I made you come and get me and now I’m leaving. I just feel stupid for…coming. I should have thought things out. And please don’t tell Jaxson that I came back. It’s just too embarrassing.”
“You don’t have to lie to me Lex. I get it. You don’t what him to know. I won’t tell him. I just don’t want you to lie to me.”
“I’m sorry Lane. Something did happen, but its something that I can’t talk about. So can you let it go?”
He sighs. “Okay, I’ll let it go”
We drive in silence for a few minutes.
“Will you be coming back to New York?”
“I don’t know Lane. I just don’t know.”
THE END FOR NOW
MORE LAYERS 2014
AUTHOR NOTES
Note 1: A BIG SHOUT OUT TO ALL MY READERS. All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you. I hope you enjoyed reading Alexia’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was a hell of a ride.
Note 2: I want to know what you think. So please, please, please—leave a review.
Note 3: I know what you’re thinking. What the hell! It can’t end like that.
Don’t worry be happy. Alexia’s story continues in More Layers. Look for it in 2014. I’ll keep you posted on it’s release date on my website.
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