Maintaining his forced eye contact, Claire responded, “Tony, I fully comprehend the importance of appearances. I will not let you down.”
He handed her the sunglasses, moved his hands back to the steering wheel, and put the car in gear. “As long as we are clear public failure is not an option.” Claire reassured him they were clear.
The Simmonses’ home was grand, probably about a quarter of the size of Tony’s but large by normal standards, with a good deal of land. The Lexus moved slowly through the gates and up their drive as Tony turned to view Claire. She had her mask secure and appeared beautiful and contented, the ingredients to the perfect companion. He exhaled as his eyes muted.
They parked on a brick circle directly in front of the home beside many equally nice automobiles. The front door opened as Tony opened Claire’s door. He gently put his arm around her and led her toward the entry. Claire remembered Brent, but Courtney wasn’t what she pictured. She looked younger than a woman with two grown children. Courtney was slender, with short brown hair, soft blue eyes, and a refreshingly engaging smile. Instantly Claire liked her. Brent may owe his livelihood to Tony, but Courtney obviously felt very comfortable around both of them.
Courtney immediately hugged Claire. “You must be Claire. I am so excited to finally meet you. My dear, you are more beautiful than your pictures!” Claire felt overwhelmed. She introduced herself and called Courtney Mrs. Simmons. When she looked to Tony, he was already in conversation with Brent.
“Oh goodness, call me Courtney. We will let those two get their business out of the way, so we can have some fun and I will take you around and introduce you to our other guests.” Tony didn’t seem to object, so Claire allowed herself to be ushered off.
The house was stunning yet homey, not like Tony’s. Children played on these floors, a family laughed, loved, and each room contained priceless memories. Courtney walked Claire through her home toward the kitchen. Designed very modern, brushed stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and tall cabinets were accentuated with intricate tile. Golden lighting fixtures hung at appropriate intervals, not for light but ambiance. The kitchen wasn’t only functional, but was also intended as the centerpiece of the home. The stove was located on a large island that contained a wraparound bar with six tall stools. Out from the kitchen Claire could see a large family room leading to a sunporch and their backyard.
Claire couldn’t see beyond the porch, but she did notice the suddenly silent room of guests. She couldn’t help but feel their eyes on her, assessing and evaluating. She kept her mask in place. She hadn’t expected to face these people without Tony.
Courtney didn’t leave Claire’s side as she introduced her to the others. First she met Tom and Bev. Claire did her best to be polite and social. “It is so nice to meet you. I believe Tony told me that you,” looking at Tom, “and Brent are partners.” They continued with some polite conversation. Claire asked Bev about her design business. Years of bartending had taught Claire the art of small talk.
Next were Sue and Tim. “Tim, I have heard wonderful things about you.” Claire watched as Sue’s smile widened and Tim’s expression softened. She could tell he seemed stressed. Working for Tony could do that to a person and some positive reinforcement would help.
Then it was on to Eli and MaryAnn. It didn’t take Claire long to understand what Tony meant by Elijah enjoying his own stories. Lastly, Courtney introduced Claire to the couple with Eli and MaryAnn, Chance and Bonnie. Claire wasn’t prepared for this couple. She wondered if Tony knew that they were there. Courtney explained that Chance was an associate of Eli’s in town for a visit, so of course they were welcome to join them. Chance seemed nice enough, but Bonnie made no secret of her evaluation of Claire.
Courtney offered Claire a drink. Requesting water, Courtney obliged but suggested Claire consider something a little more fun, they had some fantastic sangria. Just then Tony and Brent joined them in the kitchen. Tony looked so relaxed wearing jeans and holding a beer, it almost made Claire laugh. Appearances were everything.
Brent did his own barbequing, and the men joined him out on the patio. The women gathered around the island as Courtney busied with side dishes. They all offered to help but she wouldn’t hear of it, confessing she hadn’t prepared a thing. Her cook did it all yesterday and now she was only putting them into the appropriate dishes. The conversation quickly went to cooking. Some enjoyed it, others didn’t. Did Claire enjoy cooking? She told them she did. Did Tony like her cooking? She laughed and said she hadn’t prepared many meals for him. She left out the part about her not cooking in over five months because she’d been held hostage.
It seemed like Bonnie tried to ask more Claire specific questions, but Courtney did a fantastic job of moving the conversation. Claire had apparently made a quick friend of Sue by complimenting her husband. Sue ran flank for Courtney, helping Claire avoid the invasive inquiries.
Sue looked about Claire’s age, mid to later twenties. She was very pretty, blonde and tan. It was nice to talk to a female who was her contemporary. While the men cooked, Claire learned that Sue had a degree in art appreciation and worked part-time at the art museum in Davenport. Tim didn’t feel that Sue needed to work. Financially she didn’t. However, Tim worked long hours and she needed something to do with her time. After she mentioned the long hours, Sue immediately added, “But he is glad to do it.” It took a minute, but Claire realized that this additional information was because she was the boss’ companion.
The dinner tasted fabulous. Claire hadn’t eaten normal food in five months, everything was always healthy. She wanted to devour the entire platter of hamburgers. She, however, chose the barbecued chicken or Tony did for her. She managed some of Courtney’s homemade side dishes and savored every bite.
The conversation remained benign and chatty. Bonnie didn’t only question Claire any chance she could, she also approached Tony. When they were introduced, Chance had the good sense to address Tony as Mr. Rawlings. Bonnie wasn’t as astute. Of course, Tony told Chance that at gatherings of friends he could call him Anthony.
Tony had been right about his inner circle. Even Eli was annoyed at Bonnie’s abrasive curiosity. Claire didn’t need to lie or deceive. Bonnie continually found herself cut off before Claire had a chance to respond.
After they ate, the men retired to a lower level. Claire would later learn that it contained a beautiful handcrafted bar, pool table, and large television. The women took a bottle of wine and sat on the sunporch. The sunshine with the cool air felt wonderful. To be sitting with five other women chatting felt like a performance, unreal. Their conversation ran from books to movies to sexy movie stars. This was where MaryAnn shared some inside scoops on some of Eli’s clients. Sexy stars led to sex. Claire politely excused herself and asked Courtney about the ladies’ room.
It was on her way back to the porch that she overheard MaryAnn and Bonnie in a room off the main hall. “Bonnie, what is your problem? You are embarrassing yourself with your persistence about Claire and Tony.”
“I am an inquisitive person. I want to find out what the rest of the world wants to know. Why is he, Anthony Rawlings, interested in her? She’s a nobody.”
“Frankly, Bonnie, it is none of your damn business. It is none of any of our business. Tony is a private man. And as far as a nobody, I guess that depends on who you ask. Tony must think she is somebody. If he wants Claire in his life, good for him.”
“Hell no! Good for her,” Bonnie exclaimed. “The guy is drop-dead gorgeous and has money to burn. He hardly takes his eyes off her. Do you think she paid for those clothes she is wearing? The blouse alone is over $500. She’s getting herself a sugar daddy. Look how young and skinny she is, why she—”
“Stop it. Stop it now or we will tell Courtney we need to leave. I will tell Eli what you have done and you and Chance will leave. Perhaps you can get started on Chance’s job search.” MaryAnn’s control of the situation made Claire smile. Bonnie told MaryAnn she would
stop. Claire let them proceed to the porch and waited a few minutes before joining the group. Once there, she smiled at MaryAnn but didn’t glance toward Bonnie.
The men and women came together outside for some conversation, dessert, and drinks. Claire passed on the dessert and sat with Tony’s arm around her shoulders. Brent had a fire pit built into his patio. The cool autumn evening, crackling fire, warmth, and distinct aroma created a pleasurable atmosphere. At about six thirty Tony whispered to Claire that they should leave. Everyone seemed genuinely saddened, Claire included. It had been a nice day, better than anticipated.
As they said goodbyes, Sue handed Claire a piece of paper. Surprised, Claire opened it. It was a telephone number. “Call me, we can do lunch.” Claire smiled and said she would try.
They went to the car and drove away. Perhaps they drove a mile, maybe two when Tony stopped the car on the side of the road and put out his hand. He didn’t speak but she knew what he wanted. She placed Sue’s telephone number in his palm. “Tony—” With the same hand that held the little white piece of paper he roughly covered her mouth.
“Not now. We will discuss it when we get home.” He let go of her face and resumed driving.
No words were uttered during their drive home. Claire’s internal monologue, however, roared: this is ridiculous. Sue was being friendly. I had no idea that Sue would do such a thing. What is the big deal? Why does he have to react so fast and so violently like a freak’n tornado!
Tony pulled the car to the front door. He didn’t open Claire’s door. Instead, he told her to go to her suite, he would be up later. He had things to do, like cancel a spa appointment. His tone was curt and his eyes dark. She wanted to run. Instead she got out of the car and walked boldly into the house, through the large doors, up the grand staircase, and down the southeast corridor to her suite. Once she closed her door, she felt her heart race and her internal monologue continue: this was such a nice day. I met Tony’s friends and they were nice. I wanted to tell him about what I heard. I wanted to tell him what a great time I had.
Claire knew what Anthony was doing. Starting in the car, he had been contemplating, overthinking, and overanalyzing the entire situation. She knew if he would just let her she could explain. Oh god! She wanted to lie down, scream, and cry. But she also knew he could be watching right now and she refused to give him the satisfaction, refused to let him know how worried she was about his decisions. Truthfully, she was worried actually, terrified of the possible return of his other persona.
There are two things a person should never be angry at,
what they can help, and what they cannot.
—Plato
Chapter 16
She sat at her table, writing. Tony couldn’t see what she was writing. The cameras didn’t have enough zooming capability. Her body language didn’t look nervous. It showed a proud and defiant pose. He watched as she wrote, sitting straight, her neck tall and proud. The only hint of uneasiness would be the way her feet fidgeted under her chair.
From his office screens, he could access different views of the room. From another view, she sat farther away, and he could see her bed in the background. Of course, there was the view that kept the bed centered, but the table wasn’t visible from that one.
Trying to contemplate his options and the consequences of her actions, Tony closed his eyes and reviewed the day. When he entered her suite this morning, he anticipated anxiety but found calm. And that smile when they got in the car. God! Her smile when it was real melted him. Her emerald eyes could glisten and shine. Of course, he didn’t see her real smile much. He did today, and seeing her with his friends, she was perfect.
He told himself the reason he had trouble keeping his eyes off her was strictly because he needed to monitor her behavior. It had nothing to do with how beautiful she looked. Now as he watched the screens, he wondered what she was thinking. Was she thinking about him, about her future? It was all up to him. She knew that. He knew that. The power didn’t give him the satisfaction it once had.
Damn, why in the hell did Sue give her that phone number? What did they talk about when he wasn’t there? His head filled with unanswered questions and plausible scenarios. She wanted to leave him. Why wouldn’t she? Did she initiate a plan? Why wouldn’t she follow his rules?
His internal monologue momentarily caused him to lose focus of the screens. Now as he scanned, she was gone. He scanned the other views until he noticed the open door to the balcony. He could only see the back of her head. He really needed another camera installed.
Over an hour had passed since they came home. Making Claire wait for him was part of his plan. But watching her, it seemed she controlled her nerves better than he. Maybe he needed fresh air too. No, he needed to make a decision. It was his mantra. She knew the rules. It doesn’t matter if you do something 99 percent right, perfection is required. The fact remains she must have broken his rules. He needed to make a decision. Behaviors have consequences, consequences can be unpleasant. Tony told himself he had warned her, she chose not to listen.
She inhaled and exhaled. The country air filled her lungs with cool, refreshing strength. Claire thought about the people she met and about talking and laughing. It was fantastic. Courtney’s reassurance and Tony’s unusually kind smiles relieved her initial anxiety. She knew it was a charade. But it was fun, getting out around people. Then the telephone number came. It boggled her mind that something so incredibly simple could cause such ridiculous repercussions.
She thought about Tony. He would enter her suite soon, of course without knocking. And he would have some verdict regarding her insubordination. The fact that she wasn’t insubordinate wouldn’t alter his decision. She wondered if he handled business issues this way too, without input. With her mind scrambling, she asked herself, Do I have any options?
Her wild emotions caused a rush of adrenaline concealing the cool night air from her consciousness. His impending decision terrified her. His smiles today gratified her and his physique in jeans aroused her. How could her body defy her mind so severely? Claire believed her body was the true offender of insubordination!
Thinking about Bonnie made Claire laugh at the irony. She thought Claire was securing a sugar daddy. The reality couldn’t be farther from the truth. However, at that moment, instead of wanting to explain she was honored to be associated with Anthony Rawlings. Irrational best described her thoughts. Maybe if she could get her body and mind to work together she could devise some kind of plan. The sound of the suite door closing brought her thoughts to the present.
Tony didn’t speak but his eyes did, acknowledging Claire on the balcony and bidding her to enter. She did. Determined to continue the bogus act of strength she walked within inches of him and stood her ground. He didn’t greet her, instead he lifted her chin. His eyes looked as cold as his hand felt. Claire knew without a doubt this will not be good. “What did we discuss just before we arrived at the Simmonses?”
Her eyes flashed fire but her words sounded respectful. “I told you I wouldn’t let you down and I didn’t.”
“Actions have consequences, I have told you that. Why is that difficult for you to understand?”
“Tony, it isn’t. If—” He stopped her, not with a gentle finger to the lips but with a slap to her left cheek. Claire stopped speaking, her eyes moist, but she refused to look away or back down.
“Actions have consequences. I have been thinking quite a bit about an appropriate punishment.”
Claire decided she had nothing to lose. There was punishment coming, so she might as well push her luck. “Tony, if you would please let me talk. I know your decision is set, but allow me to speak.” Impressed by her strength, he nodded and told her to make it quick. “I was nervous about going to this barbeque today, but I had a wonderful time. Courtney was the perfect hostess and very charming. Everyone was nice to me. I really didn’t know what to expect.” She tried to hurry. “Well, everyone except Bonnie. By the way, I overheard Bonnie and MaryA
nn talking and everyone there had your back. That includes me. And Sue, well Sue is lonely. She told me that Tim works long hours, which she mentioned he enjoys, but she is lonely. At some point, she asked me for my number. I don’t have one, as you know. But I thought that sounded dumb, everyone has a cell phone, so I just said I didn’t have it with me and I didn’t know my number. I never call myself. So I am guessing that is why she gave me her number. I really didn’t know she was going to do it. If I did, would I have her do it right in front of you?”
Tony hadn’t stopped her, so she decided to keep rambling, pacing a little. “When Courtney introduced me to Tim and Sue, I told Tim I’d heard good things about him from you. I can only guess that made Sue and I instant friends. Women love to hear good things about their husbands. I would have told you if I’d gotten the number without you knowing. I have no way of calling. And if I just didn’t call, it would appear rude. I know how you feel about appearances.” She didn’t know what else to say, but at least she had said her piece. “I really did well today, this is just a misunderstanding, and your friends are very nice.”
She stood and maintained eye contact. Tony continued speaking as if no words had been spoken. “I have decided you may choose. Perhaps you would like to know your choices?”
Claire’s heart sank. She lowered herself into a chair at the table and looked away. Nothing she said mattered. He hadn’t listened to a word. “Tony, your decision is made, I don’t care.” Defeat filled her voice. She looked at the table, where on a piece of paper was a list of positives from her day.
“The first option is a two-week timeout in your suite.” What? That never crossed her mind. There was no way, she couldn’t take that. She glared at him.