Brian knew the conversation and meeting were terminated. His father stared at his computer, not even getting up to say goodbye or let Brian out. Humiliated, he stepped out of the office. The PA’s expression was one of pity.
‘Anything I can do?.’
‘Can you book a meeting with my Dad in six weeks from today? If he’s free.’
The PA knew his father had access to his own diary and felt it cruel to spite his child by making him book his father’s time with a stranger. Unimpressed with her employer, she hastily and efficiently found a space unlikely to clash with any forthcoming meetings or lunches. Sympathetic, to be certain Brian’s appointment couldn’t be evaded, she blocked any entries or modifications to her boss’ diary on that day.
‘I can’t think why your father didn’t do this, he has his own diary,’ she smiled. ‘It must be on the blink. Although between you and me he’s not particularly competent with the electronic diary,’ she said in a stage whisper.
Brian thought her sweet, glossing over his father’s casual snubbing him. Even though he knew she was fully versed with what had happened in the office, he was grateful for the kindness she extended. Printing off a card with the details, she handed it to him.
‘Thanks,’ said Brian. ‘And you have a nice day.’
That a stranger would be considerate with no ulterior motive diminished the effects of his father’s behavior.
He knew where his next stop was.
Chapter Fifteen
Faith was surprised when the doorbell rang, more so when Brian was standing there with flowers and chocolates.
‘Is this twee?’ he asked.
‘It’s old-fashioned, but it’s an acceptable first step if you’re here to make up.’
‘I’m sorry,’ he said, hugging her close and breathing in the scent of her strawberry shampoo. ‘I wasn’t listening to you at all this morning. I was missing you and all wrapped up in my own fantasies of what I wanted, I didn’t stop to think to realize for a happily ever after, both people have to want the same things.’
Faith’s fresh stream of tears dampened his shirt.
‘Are you guys gonna take that upstairs?’ yelled Gabe from the office.
Brian’s face was relieved as Gabriel’s outburst stopped her bawling. He suspected it had been a calculated move on Gabe’s part.
‘You are totally insensitive at times,’ she shouted, as she took Brian to her flat.
On the bed, Brian let her cry her torn heart out.
‘Brian, I love you. I feel like if I gave you a child with that disorder you might hate us for ruining your life. Hating me I could maybe cope with, but if you hated a child we conceived in love...’
‘Faith, let me ask you something. Sensible head on now. Do you resent Gabe?’
‘No.’
‘Did you resent your Dad?’
‘No, he meant the world to me.’
‘What makes you think I’d feel any different? Any child we have conceived in love, I will always love and be in love with because he or she would be part of you. I know you’re twenty-three and a baby is a frightening prospect. Hanging up on you this morning. Ranting and raving at you with a ‘me, me, me’ approach was unforgivable on my part. If we love each other, we’ve plenty of time for the pieces to come together as and when.’
‘Do you want children Brian?’
‘I do, but only with you.’
‘What if I feel having a child isn’t right?’
‘Do you want children Faith?’
Her sensible head left and the sobbing started. In between her sniffing and whimpering he heard her utter the words ‘I do’.
‘Then we’ll have children. Naturally conceiving a child isn’t the only option available to those people wanting to parent. Surrogates, fostering, adoption. If we want kids and you’re worried about this genetic condition it doesn’t automatically mean we can’t build our own family.’
‘You’d like a family.’
‘I want a family with you. I want to be a part of your family. You and Gabe may be a tiny family unit, but you’re already growing with Sasha and your new niece or nephew. Why can’t you and I be part of that? There’s no pressure. We’ll go at our own pace. What’s right for you is right for me.’
‘Our pace is lightning fast. A week ago I hadn’t even met you.’
‘I know. I want it to continue going well. Shall I take you to the pharmacy? Put your mind at rest? We can plan for a baby at a suitable period in our lives.’
‘No. If you’ve not changed your mind, I think we’ll let fate decide,’ said Faith stretching on the bed like a cat.
‘Women. You’re all alien to me. I’ll never get you, Faith Spires.’
‘Would you want to?’
‘Sometimes, but I guess that’s part of the game.’
They cuddled and kissed on the bed, talking of future plans until Gabe called upstairs.
Walking down as a couple of naughty kids in trouble, neither could face Gabriel.
‘Faith your expert customer service skills are required to deal with a troublesome client.’
‘I’ll shoot off,’ said Brian hoping to go unnoticed.
‘Call me,’ shouted Gabe, as Brian sprinted out the door.
Having dealt with the complicated client, the afternoon sped along smoothly and effectively; a relief to Gabriel who found the love-struck duo hard going of late. Faith’s cell phone rang. She positively glowed when Brian’s name flashed on the screen.
‘Hello Mr. Porterhouse.’
‘Ms. Spires.’
‘To what do I owe the pleasure?’
‘Don’t forget it’s deadline day. We’re to complete the interview. Photo-shoot’s wrapped. It should be significantly less stressful.
‘The photo-shoot was the easy part,’ she reminded him.
‘I know. My Dad was telling me off saying I should prime you for the interview.’
‘I didn’t know you’d spoken to your father.’
‘I saw him earlier today, before visiting you.’
‘You didn’t mention it.’
‘It was no biggie.’
Faith was perturbed Brian hadn’t raised it, given his feelings within his family.
‘Do you think we should practice? Your Dad’s is an expert in his field.’
‘He prints interviews, he rarely partakes,’ scoffed Brian. You’ll be fine. Like I said, remember Paris and speak from your heart. I’ll email the new list of questions. Susie thought to raise the profile of the hospital we could focus on what I’d learnt from winning your bid and the impact it’s had.’
‘Sounds great. I’ll meet you at seven.’
‘As always.’
Arriving at the hospital that evening, Faith was snapped by photographers. The number was by no means comparable to the scene at the nightclub but their presence was unexpected.
Walking through the main reception, feeling instantly safer in familiar surroundings with hospital security, she was greeted by Susie.
‘Sorry,’ apologized Susie straight away.
Faith waited for the explanation.
‘The piece is coming out tomorrow. Since Tuesday people have been digging round on the auction. Discovered he forked out more than quarter of a million bucks hoping to date you. Fortunately because Brian whisked you away early on Wednesday, when the photographers arrived you two had already left. They figured it was a dead end and didn’t bother returning.’
‘You invited the photographers here?’ asked Faith.
‘You have to understand it’s how they make their money. By tomorrow a shot of you and Brian together could be worth a decent sum. After your no show on Wednesday, they couldn’t afford a second chance of no snaps on Thursday. They’d have frequented popular reliable haunts, particularly as Thursday’s a busy night. Anyway, with the glossy out tomorrow, I had to generate interest in love’s young dream. I took the liberty of leaking a few of the Parisian photo’s from Brian’s phone online.’
‘H
ow would people obtain them or know where to look for them?’
‘I’m in PR, Faith. My job is networking and contacts. I know the right bloggers and tweeters to circulate the images to magic tittle-tattle as well as when. Knowing he’s romanced you in Paris, and aware another magazine has the big scoop, the papers and tabloids are out in full force to get what they can from the two of you to compete for sales tomorrow.’
‘Did Brian give you the photos?’
‘Of course not. We had a meeting after he saw you today. I had him assisting a struggling delivery man and used the opportunity to download them from his phone.’
‘Does he know?’
‘Absolutely. He’s furious with me, but he’ll recover. We always patch it up.’
‘Public Relations sounds—’
‘Sleazy, underhanded? To an extent it is, but generally speaking while our occupation isn’t always honorable our intentions to provide for our clients is. Are you cross with me, Faith?’
Susie’s voice faltered. Faith sensed Susie sought her approval. She was intent on nurturing both her and Brian through the love affair that appeared to be playing out in the public eye.
Faith shook her head.
‘No. A heads-up might’ve been nice. They always capture me when I’m at my dowdiest and frumpiest,’ she said in her friendliest tone.
‘Wait till that photo-shoot comes out tomorrow. I’ve agreed the pictures and you are breathtakingly picturesque. Together you’ll be the golden couple everyone will be keen to know all about.’
‘As long as I don’t ruin the interview.’
‘I didn’t like to mention it.’
‘Don’t Susie. I’m going to keep quiet and do what Brian says. Don’t rush my answers and say what I feel; not what I think they want to hear.’
‘Clever girl.’
Faith joined Brian in the Muscular Dystrophy ward, he spent half his time socializing and interacting with patients, and the other half bad-mouthing Susie. The nervous energy built between them.
‘I can’t believe it’s 9pm,’ whined Faith.
‘I can’t believe Susie leaked those pictures and advised the paparazzi where we’d be.’
‘Brian she thought she was helping. Her heart was in the right place.’
‘No. Her business head was. If she’d been acting with her heart she’d have talked it through with me. We could’ve discussed it and made a combined decision. Instead she did whatever she could to bring the paps in, sidelining our feelings. After Tuesday I don’t want you having to deal with that, especially when it’s organized by someone who’s supposed to be on our team. As a beginner you need to be briefed when this attention is directed at us.’
‘Calm down, Brian. You’re getting yourself into an unnecessary state. I wasn’t that phased by the photographers this time. If it works and attracts attention, where’s the harm?’
‘I don’t think it’s right. It’s distasteful,’ he scowled, as they entered the interview room.
‘Feeling better Ms. Spires?’ asked the interviewer cattily.
‘Much better thank you for asking,’ replied Faith ignoring the fake interest in her health.
‘Shall we continue?’
‘Yes, but no rushing. As you know Faith hasn’t been well,’ reminded Susie.
‘I’m sure the trip to Paris improved her health.’
Brian took offense at the jibe; even though it was true. Remembering Paris put Faith in the right frame of mind to tackle the interview.
‘Where we left off, then. Faith, what’s the biggest attraction Brian holds for you?’ asked the interviewer, repeating the question that unraveled Faith only days earlier.
‘The values, morals and ethics he holds dear and inspires in others, certainly in me. His ability to tackle challenges he may not even want to do. He could buy himself out of any situation, but he chooses not to. It would’ve been easy for him to leave the check at the auction and not bother turning up at all this week, but he kept his word and delivered above and beyond what was asked of him. What woman wouldn’t find honor, commitment and reliability appealing?’
‘So money, good-looks and lifestyle hold no attraction?’
Breathing in, Faith prepared herself for combat to battle her own foolish, ignorant comments on Brian the journalist would no doubt have relished throwing in her face.
‘Some women would find them attractive. For me falling in love with Brian had nothing to do with that. It had to do with scratching the service of the boy to reveal the man. People love a villain. The tabloids have chosen to use Brian’s chivalrous behavior against him. By never responding to the published anger of scorned women, he’s deemed a love rat.
‘Once you have the opportunity to talk properly, you uncover a man with a lion’s heart; a man willing to protect anyone he can, irrespective of any differences he may have with them personally. With money, good-looks and a luxury lifestyle the majority of people will only ever dream of, it would be all too easy to carry on life without ever looking down or those struggling beneath.
Brian was open-minded this week and happily confronted or conformed to new situations. He was interested in learning how to effectively assist those with Muscular Dystrophy via the hospital. Money can never buy a compassionate nature. The answer to your question is no. The money, good-looks and lifestyle barely registered as we grew close and continue to grow closer.’
‘Is it love?’
‘Yes,’ they replied in tandem.
Brian saw Faith blink to hold in a tear.
‘Has Faith truly tamed you, Brian?’
‘I wasn’t a creature to be tamed. What Faith did was give me the first real opportunity I’ve ever had to be myself. I seized it and realized I like the man I am. I like the person I am around Faith. Record it, mock it, but Faith opened my heart to love. Once a man has had a taste, he stops looking at all those undersized, attractive, disposable women, who doggedly chase men only for the potential benefits of the package they possess.’
‘Is this Cinderella story the real deal?’
‘Absolutely. I lost a shoe on our first proper date. Well, I say first, we’d gone out for pizza the first night but that was part of the auction. I’m not sure it counts as a date. It felt like a date, though. That would mean I lost my shoe like Cinderella on our second date. Brian didn’t get it back. There were too many people photographing us for him to scrabble on the pavement to hunt it out.
Even if he had wanted to, I’d have stopped him. It was a cheap ballet pump. I’m not even sure I purchased it from a proper shoe shop. I probably grabbed it at a supermarket or something. In which case it’s not a Cinderella story, because he never presented me with the shoe. Plus, I was out way past midnight and I don’t have any step sisters. I don’t have any sisters. Just a twin brother.’
Brian put a hand on Faith’s knee.
‘Babbling,’ he chided.
‘It’s not a Cinderella story. We’re making our own romantic fairytale—tailored to us.’
‘You sound like a changed man, Brian. Doubtless hearts over the globe will break at the news of you settling down.’
Neither denied that they were settling down with each other.
‘A secretary and hospital volunteer finding love with a playboy billionaire is romantic spin. Talk me through the actual work you’ve been doing here, Brian. What have you learnt? Has volunteering on the Muscular Dystrophy ward changed you in any way?’
‘Absolutely. The one thing we know is that there’s no cure for the disorder at this present moment, but if we don’t have researchers active in this field, then we stand no chance of ever having a breakthrough with the cure. I’m proud the money I spent at the auction went straight to the grant.’
‘Having a twin brother suffering from this condition is heartbreaking. When the research grant was revoked due to cost cutting operations, I was devastated. The money from the gala, especially Brian’s winning bid has given the researchers at least a six month extension. The key is
to try every available funding avenue for research to continue,’ interjected Faith.
‘In the meantime, as research can take place, there needs to be a focus providing a means for sufferers of the syndrome to enjoy various hobbies and pursuits that they have an interest in in spite of their physical limitations. Having spoken to some patients, I learnt exclusion from sports occurs regularly.
‘I play in a local soccer team. It transpires Faith’s brother loved soccer and played till he wasn’t physically able to. Having conducted research it transpires wheelchair soccer exists as a genuine sport. There’s no team locally, so in conjunction with Faith’s brother Gabriel, I’m forming and managing a wheelchair soccer team as part of my current club.’
Faith froze in her chair. It was the first mention she’d heard of it. She couldn’t believe Brian wouldn’t have talked this through with her.
‘I think giving any disabled person the opportunity to take part in the same activities as able-bodied people is one of the most useful and valuable gifts to enhance the quality of their life. Muscular Dystrophy is hard to work with in that respect, but it can be done,’ concluded Brian proudly.
‘Is it Porterhouse Senior who’ll be sponsoring the wheelchair soccer team?’ asked the interviewer, hooked on Brian’s words.
‘No it won’t be. I sponsor my own soccer club. I’ll personally be sponsoring the new team. I’ll be branching out to reveal other means to bring about the real opportunity to reintroduce the interests and hobbies people with this condition may have assumed they were excluded from. It’s exciting stuff.’
‘That’s the point of course,’ said Faith.
‘Can you clarify that?’ asked the interviewer, fully aware of the change in the Faith’s body language.
‘Brian’s picking up on the fun aspects of the charity. Raising money for research obviously sounds boring when you’re talking about wheelchair soccer in the same context, but it’s important to walk away from here today knowing that research is the priority for a cure.’
‘I think it’s important to be informed on the reason and value of research, but as we have no cure to date it’s also imperative to be active in the present. We have to make positive changes right now so sufferers today enjoy getting up and have something to look forward to. To sit in a wheelchair day in and day out hoping a cure will be found is a waste of a life. To encourage living while research is ongoing makes more sense.’
I Kissed A Playboy Page 11