People Will Say We’re in Love-Chapter 5
"Hi," Sonny said rising and giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I’m glad to see that you could tear yourself away from work to join me for dinner," he finished as he pushed her seat in.
She smiled. "I told you that I would be able to."
"Yes, I know that is what you said. You also said that you would be able to join for breakfast this morning, but you had to rush into the office. I don’t like you not having breakfast. You probably didn’t eat lunch either."
"Thanks for looking out for me, Sonny, but I did have breakfast this morning. Jax was nice enough to pick something up for me," she said looking at her menu. "They have nice selections here."
"He brought you breakfast," he said incredulously. "I can’t believe him."
She put her menu down and sat back in her chair folding her arms. "So," she said with a smile playing on her lips, "you would rather that I starve. It was a nice gesture, Michael," she said leaning forward. "You know, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I would rather we catch up on your life. Starting with Carly, if you would."
He cleared his throat and turned his attention to his own menu. "What is there to tell. We’re going to have a baby, and that’s pretty much it."
"I think that is a big ‘it’. The two of you obviously aren’t a couple, and from the looks of it can barely stand each other’s company. So, I have to wonder how this child came into being."
He smiled. "That really doesn’t matter. All that matters is that there is a child, and I’m going to be a part of that child’s life."
Nodding, she said, "Okay, well, since you won’t tell me anymore about this, I’ll stop my questioning. I’m happy for you, and I know that you will be a wonderful father. You do realize that since you won’t answer any of my questions about Carly, that I won’t answer any about Jax. It seems that our business arrangements will be kept to ourselves."
"I don’t think that you can equate my business with Carly with yours with Jax. You can hardly equate the two of them, period," he informed her.
She smiled. "You’re right. I’m not having a baby with him; I’m just in his employment. So, you’re very right. How’s the pasta here?" she asked relishing in her win.
*****
"Thanks for meeting me here," Alexis said smiling as Dara got off the elevator.
"I was a little surprised at the place. Do you usually hang around the hospital?" she joked as she opened her briefcase and sat down in the waiting room. "Here is the revised partnership agreement. I’m glad that there weren’t many changes from our originals," she said handing her the contract.
"Thanks," she said putting on her glasses and taking the papers. "Everything looks in order. All that’s left is to sign. The reason that I’m here is that my biggest client happens to own this hospital. Remember the big nurses’ strike a while back, well, we have to make final plans to make sure that doesn’t happen again. I thought that it would be good if you were here for this."
"Alexis, you aren’t telling me something, are you?" Dara told her. "If you’re not comfortable telling me this, I’ll understand, but I want you to know that you can tell me."
She sighed and took off her glasses. She sat back in her seat. "I might as well tell you, you’re going to find out sooner or later anyway. I want to lighten my work load a little."
"Okay," she said. "Is there a reason for this?"
She brushed her hair back from her face and smiled. "Yes, a very big reason. Dara, I’m pregnant, and I want to have as less stress in my life as possible right now. So, having a partner will help me greatly."
She smiled. "That’s great. I’m really happy for you."
She nodded. "Me, too."
"I can understand now why you would want to take on a partner. Ned must be very happy." She noticed the look on her face. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Ned doesn’t know. Our relationship hasn’t been the best lately, and I really didn’t have a chance to tell him. And, it doesn’t look like I will be able to tell him anytime soon. He left town this morning for his L&B promotional tour. But," she said brightening. "I’m going to have this baby, and I’m not going to let my relationship problems bother me."
"Well, I’m very happy for you, Alexis, and don’t worry, I will make sure that you’re not taking on more than you can handle. I might even work that into the contract so that you can’t argue with me later," she said laughing.
"That sounds like a good idea, but unnecessary. I’m going to take care of myself; I promise," she said laughing as well as she signed the contract.
*****
"Well, well, well, look who’s here," Chloe said approaching their table. "I see that you are out with another man. Well, I don’t think that Jax will like that."
Esmerelda smiled as she looked over at Sonny and then up at Chloe. "Hello, Chloe, isn’t it?" she acknowledged her. "Funny running into you again here so soon."
"It seems that you’re making the rounds rather early. Of course, you know that, right, Sonny. She was just in here yesterday morning with Jax. I don’t think that the two of you want to vie for the affections of yet another woman, do you?" she said smugly.
Sonny laughed as he lifted his wineglass and took a drink before responding. "Oh, so you’ve met my lovely cousin, Esmerelda."
"Yes," Esmerelda said. "We did meet here yesterday when I was having a business lunch with Mr. Jacks. If I’m not mistaken, he did explain that to you. I also recall him saying that you two were no longer together and whom he ate with was no concern of yours. You have insulted me twice since I have been in town, and that is not good. I will like you to know that you will not insult me a third time. Better yet, if you see me, please go out of your way to avoid me. Trust me, I will not be offended if you don’t come over to say hello. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to enjoy my dinner in peace," she said turning back to the table and dismissing Chloe.
"Bravo," Sonny said as he watched Chloe’s retreating figure. "I must say that you handled your own rather well."
She smiled and shrugged. "Wasn’t that what I was taught to do. She’s kind of irritating, and I don’t like to be irritated. You know, I don’t know what it is, but from what I knew about her before I even met her, I didn’t like. The media paints her picture as too perfect. No skeletons in her closets, you know, what I mean. Even with that whole take-over attempt by her aunt, nothing bad about her came out. Nobody’s that clean, believe me."
"Really, how about you?" he laughed. "You certainly know a lot about Ms. Morgan."
"Well, I’m a businessperson, and I keep myself informed. Actually, the truth is that most of my female friends had a certain interest in Jax. I mean he is young, and you have to admit, not bad looking. So, most of my info comes from them."
"Did you share this interest with them? Were you just as intrigued by him as they were?" he asked really wanting an answer to the question.
She thought for a moment; she had to be really careful about answering this question. She didn’t know how Sonny would take anything she said. "Well, of course I was just as intrigued as everyone else, but for different reasons. I have to say that his record is very impressive; to be so successful at such a young age is quite an achievement."
"You’re not telling me you want to be just like him, are you?" he asked shaking his head. "I can’t believe that is what you’re saying."
"Sonny, that is not exactly what I’m saying. What I’m saying is that his path would not be a bad one to follow in. Mama doesn’t think that I’m doing the right thing. She still wants me to become a doctor like Daddy. I like this, though. I like the thrill I get when I’m working to make the company grow and become better. I have to make this work. The last thing that I want to hear from her is ‘I told you so’."
He sighed. The two of them would never see eye to eye on anything. His aunt, he had to admit, was a little demanding and expected everyone to do what she thought was best, but Esmerelda was her match in will. "Okay, so you want to be a success, but you can do that on your own. You don’t have to follow Jasper Jacks’ example for that to happen. You can do that on your own."
She smiled. "I know I can. Please, Sonny, don’t think that I’m anything less than confident in my own abilities to do this. I will be a success, and I will not rely on anyone else to make that happen. I will learn and I will grow, though. But, I’m going to have some fun along the way," she said laughing to break the serious tone of the conversation. "When I was in school, I didn’t have much relaxing time. I let a lot of opportunities pass me by, but no more. When I see something that I want, I’m going after it. I’m going to have fun while I still can."
"You’re going to live like there’s no tomorrow," he said smiling. "I see. So, does my cousin think that I’m too old to take her dancing tonight? Will she be ashamed to go with her cousin."
She laughed and grabbed her purse. "As long as there’s salsa and rumba, I don’t care who I’m with. And, I happen to know that you’re never too old to dance, Sonny. Let’s go!"
*****
Chloe stood on the docks looking out into the water. She hugged herself to fight off the little chill in the air. She couldn’t believe how things had gone. A few months ago, she and Jax had been happy and together. She sighed and went over and sat on a bench
"Ms. Morgan," she heard a man’s voice address her. "This isn’t the best place for a woman at night," he said coming to sit next to her on the bench.
She looked up and offered him a small smile. "Good evening, Mr. Spencer. This is the perfect place to think, though."
He leaned back and put his hands in the pocket of his black trench coat. "Yes, if thinking is what you want to do. I come out here a lot to think. What, may I ask, is bothering you? It’s a shame, you know. Natasha saw that being with Lurch was bad news; I would think that you would see the same thing."
"Well, if you’re referring to Jax, he and I are no longer together."
"That’s good news, at least," he said looking across the pier. "Finally came to your senses."
She shrugged. "I don’t know about that." She didn’t know why, but she felt really comfortable talking to him. "I hardly know you, Mr. Spencer, why do I feel comfortable talking to you."
"Call me Luke, darlin'," he said looking over at her. "Maybe it’s because we’re two confused people that they that it’s easy to think out on the Port Charles’ docks."
She smiled and nodded. "Maybe. Do you have any plans tonight, Luke?" she asked turning to face him now.
"Nothing but talking to you. I’ve got a nice bottle of Scotch at my club that’s calling my name right now," he said standing up. "Care to join me?"
She smiled and stood taking his offered arm. "I don’t mind if I do," she replied as they left the docks together.