by C. J. Harte
“What makes you think you’ll even continue to be C.O.O? I still lead this company.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Teri handed over the copies of the proxies. “I still have more to learn from you, Father. I’m not anxious to have a stockholders’ meeting and fight. I hope we can move forward.”
“Forward!” She could see his jaw muscles clinch and release. “I don’t believe you have the votes to unseat me, but you know how much I detest public scenes. Especially now with this merger.” He stopped and stared at her. “Well done. You’ve earned the job of C.E.O. I was afraid you weren’t ruthless enough. You’ve proven me wrong. I just didn’t expect you to use that skill against me.”
He dropped the copies on the floor. At the door he stopped and looked at her. “I hope to hell you’ve chosen wisely, Theresa.” What the hell did he mean by choose wisely and I am not like you. Her recent past, however, indicated she was. Teri knew it was time for change. She wasn’t sure she could…without Mia.
“What’s up with Father?” Teri hadn’t noticed Bren walking up behind her. “I’ve never seen him so angry. He also demanded that all three of us be at the family holiday party. I was hoping to be in Colorado skiing.”
Teri had to take several deep breaths before she could answer. “He’s not happy, and I showed him that I had the proxies to take control of the business.”
Bren’s eyes widened. “I thought that was only to be used as a last resort.”
She glared at Brenna. “It was a last resort.” She picked the papers off the floor. “I need a fucking drink.” Teri stopped what she was doing. “Bren, sorry. The meeting with Father didn’t go well, and I realized that this is the first time I’ve ever stood up to him and refused to do what he wanted.”
Bren gave her a brief hug. “I’m sorry, too. I’ve wondered what would happen if you ever said no to him. Come on; let’s call it a day and I’ll buy. Then you can tell me what happened.”
Bren had only once asked her to have a drink. It was the night after Bren graduated from law school. Teri had said she was too busy. How many more mistakes had she made in her life?
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Mia grabbed her cell phone. She couldn’t believe how much she was missing Teri. “I hope you’re telling me you’ve left the office.”
“I am, but I’m staying in the city tonight with Bren. We’re going to get something to eat and drink and then head to her place.”
She was disappointed but she wanted to give Teri space. Mia knew all too well how relationships could feel entrapping if you weren’t completely committed. As soon as she had felt that, in the past, she began the sabotage process. “I’m glad you’re spending some time with her. I’ll miss you.”
“I’m already missing you. By the way, my parents are having their annual holiday party on Friday. My father has made it a command performance for the three of us. I’m sure Alan and Elaine will be there. Is it okay if I confirm for the two of us?
Mia was touched that Teri would think of asking. “Sweetheart, I would love to go but an old friend is in New York for the weekend and she wants me to accompany her at some party?”
“You are some other woman’s date? Should I be jealous?”
Laughter was Mia’s first response. “No. By accompany, I mean, play the piano. Her regular accompanist has a family emergency and had to fly to Oregon. May be gone two days or two weeks.”
“You play the piano? I’d forgotten you took lessons with Jeremy. What other hidden talents do you have? Why don’t you have a piano?”
Mia was reluctant to answer, but, she was learning to trust Teri. “I had one in Paris and I sold it to a friend. I needed the money. I’ve got a keyboard I get out and play. My skills are a little rusty but not completely gone.”
“Not in your small apartment in Paris? There’s hardly room for a full-size couch.”
“No, Teri. I lived in a much larger apartment until my mother got sick. My dad’s company was very understanding but still he wasn’t paid for all the days he was off. I sold the piano and moved to the smaller apartment. I rented out the larger apartment and it paid for itself and I still had money to send to my parents as well as the money from the piano.”
“Mia, you are a saint. That must have been hard.”
“Yes and no. Natalie, Michel and I had lived at the other apartment with Natalie and the place reminded me too much of her. We bought it together. The smaller place was perfect for just two.”
“I hope someday I can be the kind of woman you will be proud to love because I am in awe of you. Now, I’m more determined than ever to marry you. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Will you be….” She almost said home but wondered if Teri thought of this place as her home. “Will you be back tomorrow?”
“I’ll try. So much is happening right now. I just need to take care of a few things so I can dedicate my time to you and rediscovering your body.”
The call only lasted a few seconds longer and Mia hung up. She wondered how she would sleep tonight, alone in the bed that stilled smelled of Teri’s scent.
*
The next night was the same story only she was spending the evening with Jeremy and Elaine. The good news was that the shareholders meeting had been cancelled. Mia could hear the excitement in Teri’s voice. And authority. Teri was extolling her victory. Mia was happy for her but would have preferred knowing Teri was on her way to their home.
Wednesday and Thursday Teri again begged off. Mia could hear increasing stress in her voice. She was becoming fearful that Teri was falling back into her work mode. There was an underlying tension that Mia couldn’t identify. She needed to talk with her.
Meanwhile, Mia practiced every night. She was familiar with three of the pieces but the fourth provided some challenge. It kept her mind off her other trials. Thursday afternoon she met with her friend, Annamarie Christie, at the hotel to rehearse.
“Mia, you look thin. How are your parents? Michel?”
Annamarie had lived in Europe long enough that she had adopted much of European customs and speech and kissed Mia on both cheeks. She was one of Mia’s closest friends and a former lover. The affair had lasted three months. In spite of Mia’s obnoxious behavior, she had retained Anna’s friendship.
“Anna, you’re still as beautiful as ever. Dad’s been diagnosed with a serious form of cancer. Prognosis is not that great. Mom’s getting better but she has some mild permanent damage. Michel has started school in the U.S. and his English is a challenge. Other than that, life is great.”
“My friend, you always had the gift of understatement. Come, let us practice, then we will have wine and whine.”
“Your humor hasn’t changed.” She nodded and followed her friend. Mia couldn’t help herself. The Steinway was beautiful and keys responsive. She played some scales and then random passages from the music.”
“Stop!” Annamarie’s voice had reached the high octaves her soprano voice was noted for. “What is that?” She lifted Mia’s hand and pointed to the large diamond ring.
“You wouldn’t believe it. It’s a long story.” Mia knew Annamarie would give her grief, not as much for being engaged, but for whom.
“Give the ten second version. Who? When did you get engaged? And have you set a wedding date? Okay fifteen seconds. Will Liesle and I be invited?”
She took a deep breath and would try to rush through the responses quickly, hoping the name would not draw attention. “Teri, I finally agreed about a week ago, Christmas Eve and yes, the invitations went out yesterday.”
“Non? Teri the Terror Teri?”
No luck. “Yes.”
“This will require a whole bottle of wine. Practice first.”
For the next two hours, they rehearsed. Sometimes they talked about nuances in tempo or volume marking. They rehearsed individual sections until the voice and the piano were one. Mia was completely absorbed by the practice. Her other life was left behind and she and the music were indistingu
ishable.
“Enough. You have not lost your touch.” Annamarie kissed her on the cheek. “It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with you. Now, if you have time, let’s eat and drink and tell this story.”
Mia looked at her watch. A nurse was supposed to come in check on her father and then a respite care worker was staying until seven. It was only three. “I have time. Who are you performing for? You haven’t given me any details.”
“Tomorrow night at eight-thirty, I will sing for about fifteen minutes. We can stay for dinner or perform and leave. They will have a small string orchestra performing until then. After I finish, they will set up for some contemporary singer and then dancing at nine. Some rich art patrons. Gott im Himmel. Mia, their last name is Stanton.”
“No! Teri invited me to the party but I had already accepted your invitation. This could be complicated. Let’s sit down.” They quickly placed their food orders with Annamarie on insisting on a bottle of wine. “I keep forgetting how quickly you switch languages. You were in a German opera when we were together and you insisted we speak German. Because of you I became quite fluent. Now, tell me about this invitation from the Stantons.”
“A friend called and asked me if I would be willing to sing for fifteen minutes. The fee was outrageous. I usually get that amount for an entire evening. I asked what the catch was. She said it was some wealthy art patrons with too much money and not enough good taste. I reluctantly said yes. The rest I told you. Now, speak.”
Mia recounted the unexpected adventure since August and her coming to New York. The time in Maine, the meeting in New York. Even the reaction of Teri’s parents to their relationship. She tried to be brief but Annamarie knew her too well.
“This woman must be really good in bed. I have never known you to truly dislike anyone but Teri Stanton could only be described in the most vituperative terms.”
She tried to hide her embarrassment. Annamarie was direct and insightful. “It’s not just about sex. You know how long it took Natalie to convince me I was worth loving and that I’m a good person. Underneath Teri Stanton’s bluster is someone afraid to love and be loved. Just this week she said she hoped she could one day deserve me.”
Annamarie’s hand was warm to the touch and felt so comforting. “This must be very difficult time for you. If there is anything Liesle and I can do, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Merci. Danke. Thank you. I love you, my friend.”
“And we love you. I’m so glad you finally let Natalie into your heart.” Annamarie again held up Mia’s left hand. “And now you have the crown jewel, in more ways than one.”
Mia laughed. “Let’s say the stone is getting polished and she’s beginning to shine.”
“Do we stay for dinner then and embarrass the hell out of everybody? We certainly can teach them to do a very sensuous tango.”
“That could be a problem. We seem to be asked to leave wherever we tango. Let me talk to Teri. I’ll call later tonight and we’ll decide whether to come early and be outrageous or come later and be outrageous.”
“Ah, that’s my Mia. Glad you haven’t completely changed.”
*
Once she got home Mia tried calling Teri but she got her voicemail. She left a message and waited. By nine-thirty, her parents and Michel were asleep and Teri hadn’t returned her call. Two more times she left messages. The last time she indicated it was urgent. She gave up and went to bed. Tears threatened. This wasn’t like Teri to not return her calls. Doubt was finding a pinhole in her heart and pushing itself in. “Can she really change?”
She pushed away the tears and tried to go to sleep. Instead she tossed and turned and wondered if she had said “yes” too soon.
Mia woke to the phone ringing and the morning sun shining in the windows. Teri! It was Annamarie.
“You’re not old enough to be getting senile. You were supposed to call me last night. Well, are things settled with the Terror?”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t get a chance to talk to Teri and then I fell asleep. And, please don’t call her a Terror.”
“My dear, you sound perfectly depressive.”
Once again, she was on target. “No, I just woke up. What would you like to do?”
“My preference is to spend the evening with you, do our breva performance and then go drink ourselves silly. Liesle is flying in tonight and I plan on ravishing her body. So, I will definitely need distraction until around ten.”
Mia was finally smiling. “I will look forward to it. I’ll meet you early and we will warm up. I’m looking forward to seeing your better half, so I will limit your drinking so that the poor thing will get some sleep.”
It wasn’t the evening she had hoped for but her good friends would be great substitutes. Something was going on with Teri. She was fervently praying that this was an aberration rather than a return to previous behavior. Had she made a mistake in falling in love with Teri Stanton?
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Teri tried to make sense of the pounding on the door, but the pounding in her head was greater. She looked at the clock. “Shit. It’s nine. Hold on, I’m coming.”
She pulled the sheet off the bed and wrapped it around her. She needed to get some clean clothes. Most of her clothes had gradually ended up at Mia’s. She couldn’t wait for this day to be over.
“Well,” Elaine said, “you certainly don’t look as good as you did earlier. Jeremy wanted me to tell you breakfast is here. So hurry.”
She nodded and ran into shower. A memory of Mia stepping out of this shower suddenly appeared. Teri felt a tear threaten. “Stantons don’t cry, and you’re a Stanton.” Her father’s voice wiped away the brief feeling of emotion. That was quickly followed by the argument she had with him yesterday. “Fuck him!”
Ten minutes later, she was dressed in the outfit she had worn yesterday. She would be forced to go up to the penthouse and find appropriate clothes for the evening. She missed Mia. She needed Mia. The thought of being with Mia had kept her moving forward this week. She would get a few things from her apartment and then have the rest of her stuff sent. She didn’t care if she ever went back there.
“That was quite a bender last night.” Jeremy poured her some coffee. “You shouldn’t let Mother and Father get to you.”
“If I remember, you were the one who got angry first.” His hand turned into a fist but relaxed as soon as Elaine touched it.
“I hoped their offer for the three of us to have dinner with them was a peace offering. Instead he was in rare form and more obnoxious than ever. Mother was certainly keeping up her end, explaining our lineage and their expectations of each of us. Bren was the only one who wasn’t a total waste since she had captured a trauma surgeon.”
“True, but that’s only because they don’t know he worked his way through school.”
Teri pushed her plate away. She was no longer hungry. “I’m sorry for being such an ass. As much as I hate it, I now know they’re not willing to change. We either force Father to step down or I’m done.” She saw the way her brother was looking at Elaine. “What’s going on? Have you changed your mind?” Teri couldn’t believe her brother would take her parents’ side.
“I’ve accepted a teaching job in California and I’m applying to graduate school to study anthropology.”
She hugged him. “Jeremy, I’m so proud of you. You’ve always loved anthropology. When do you start?” Even as she said this, she felt sadness. She would not be seeing her brother as much and they were just getting close again. Breakfast was more lighthearted as they discussed his future and his plans for a wedding in June. “We’ll be there.”
*
By seven-thirty, they were all dressed and having a drink while waiting for the limo. Teri had again forgotten to call Mia. Now, she was in a panic mode, wondering if Mia could or would forgive her. She should have left dinner and rushed to Mia’s arms. She would as soon as this dinner was over. She would plead and beg, if needed.
“Limo�
�s here,” Bren announced. “Let’s put on our Stanton faces and get the evening over.”
*
No matter how much she dreaded the evening, she almost walked out when she realized Shayla Carter was her dinner partner. The Carter’s were old friends of her parents and she had been lovers with Shayla when they were in college. Neither of them were exclusive since permanent partners were the farthest thing from their minds. Shayla had become a wealthy Wall Street trader, bought some top properties in New York, invested in some start-ups. From what little she knew about her at present, Shayla was very wealthy from her diverse adventures.
This was her parents’ doing. That she had no doubt.
“Theresa, how good to see you.” Shayla kissed her on the cheek. “I was delighted when I received your invitation. It’s funny, I was thinking about you recently and was going to call you.”
“My invitation?”
“Of course, my dear. To be your guest tonight.” Shayla slid her hand up and down Teri’s bare arm. “I hope we can make it a long evening.”
I just have to survive tonight! “I’ll need to leave right after dinner. This has been a long week.”
“Of course,” Shayla purred. “We’ve got plenty of time to become reacquainted.”
Teri was tempted to say she was taken but, somehow, mentioning Mia to Shayla would be degrading to Mia and what she felt for Mia. She doubted Shayla would understand.
Once they sat down, Shayla tried to play with her thigh, rub her foot, and just be overtly abhorrent. Even Alan, Bren’s date, commented. He even asked Shayla to go to the bar with him and get drinks.
“What the hell is going on?” Bren was furious.
“Mother and Father invited her and signed my name. Now she thinks the two of us would make the perfect power couple.”
“Why didn’t you tell her you’re engaged?”
“I finally did, but she didn’t believe me. She sees this as the ideal business deal.” Teri looked at Bren and then Jeremy. “Please tell me I never acted so demeaning.” The silence was all the answer she needed. “I’m not that person anymore.”