Chapter 9: Meanwhile…
“Well if it isn’t my favorite Australian brother-in-law.”
“Yes, Alexis says the same thing to Jerry, whenever he’s in town.” Jax grinned and hugged his sister-in-law. “It’s a good thing he isn’t in town very often.” He joked. “Come in.”
Kristina smiled and removed her shades as she entered the Jacks’ home. “Sorry. I would’ve been here sooner, but I kinda got into an accident.”
“An accident?” Jax's voice immediately filled with concern. “Are you injured? Perhaps, I should take you to General Hospital.”
Kristina smiled warmly. “Still playing the knight in shining armor, huh?”
“I guess the role suits me.” Jax shrugged. “Now, are you sure your fine?”
“It’s okay. I’m fine, really.”
“Any other news I should be aware about?”
“Have you talked to Ned yet?” Jax shook his head. “Well, I guess your going to here this anyway. Ned and I broke up. But it’s okay.” Kristina held up her hand.
“Because we’re still goo friends.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really. But I’d like to know where that sister of mine is?”
“Well this might put a damper on your visit, but Alexis is out of the country.” Kristina’s face became dismayed. “It appears that, that one of her clients had a overseas case, and who of course is better for the job?”
“Of course.” Kristina sighed. “I don’t know any other lawyer that would do so much for their clients like she does. But then again, I don’t know that many lawyers. Oh well. I guess when you know Alexis, you don’t need to know that many attorneys.”
“I requested her not to go. I don’t trust that client of hers,” Jax said as she and Kristina took a seat on the couch.
“I’m sure she’ll be fine; she’s good at taking care of herself. But on the down side now I don’t have anyone to pester.” Kristina lips coiled into a sly grin. “Unless, my favorite Australian brother-in-law is free for the week?”
Q Mansion
“Hey you’re here early.” AJ stood up and hugged his son, who entered the Quartermaine living room.
“Yeah. I’m surprised Mom let me stay over.”
“Well, your mother told me she had to go out of the country.”
“She did?” Michael grew curious. Carly had just told him that he would be staying with AJ for a few weeks. “She didn’t mention that to me. Why?”
AJ shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. She didn’t tell me.”
Michael would’ve questioned more but knowing that his father wasn’t too keen on discussion about his mother, he omitted his unanswered queries. “I had to let myself in. Let me guess, Grandfather took the whole staff with him?” Michael slumped on the chaise.
“No.” AJ walked over to the bar, and poured two glasses of lemonade. “Reginalds still here. But he’s recovering. His hand got injured from arm wrestling with Big Alice.”
“Now that’s something I could’ve betted and made easy money on,” Michael stated.
The Beach House
Kitchen
“Relax Gia. I’m fine.” Dillon said, trying to calm his friend down, but the unease from her voice on the telephone was easily detectable. “Really, I’m alright. It was my fault anyway.” Dillon continued to listen to her as he scrambled around the refrigerator. He gave up and opened the freezer taking out one a stash of Hagen-daiz. “No, no. We both decided to pay for our own wrecks,” he mumbled through a spoonful of pralines n’ cream in his mouth. “What was that?” He pulled up the volume on the cordless. “Of course the house is okay. What did you expect? That it would get up and run away?” Dillon shook his head. “No, I haven’t crashed it. It’s in perfect condition just like you left it. Yes, I know your going to beat me up if you find it otherwise when you get back.” He jumped up on the islander and slammed the spoon inside the carton of ice-cream and continued to listen to her. “I told you I’m fine. You know, I think motherhood is making you a bit more soft.” Dillon immediately pulled the phone away from his ear for a second after hearing Gia’s complaints. “Okay. Okay. So ‘softs’ not the word for it. But admit it, you care.” He smiled. “Look I have some work to do, so I gotta get going, but before I hang up, I thought I should let you know who I crashed into. And this just proves what a fuckin’ small world it is---does ex-boyfriends aunt ring a bell?”
Crest, France
Hotel
“Now pipe down Nigel!” Asa beseeched as his butler continued to rant. “Renee’s right in that room.” He pointed towards the door behind him.
“Yes and I believe Mrs. Buchanan will not be pleased to discover about your gambling rate,” Nigel said furtively.
“Fine. Take the night off. But if I find you drunk in the morning, it’ll be on your cost.” Asa warned, while his Butler skipped off into the elevator and pressed the down button. “Damn butlers,” Asa muttered as he opened the door behind him and went inside, “I should’ve fired him while I was dead.”
The up elevator doors opened and Edward Quartermaine walked out with Alice behind him, holding a supply of heavy luggage as if they were nothing more than a few containers. Nigel made way to get in, one of Alice’s strong arms accidentally hit him on the side, making him fly back on the floor.
Edward was so consumed in giving Alice orders he didn’t notice Nigel on the ground. “Now, Mrs. Quartermaine is out with Monica, I want you to pick them up at exactly 7 o’clock.” Edward opened his room door, right across from Asa Buchanan’s. Once inside, Alice neatly placed the luggage safe on the floor before heading back to the hallway. “And Alice,” Edward said from the edge of the door, “Don’t scare any of the staff of anymore. We’ll never get any room service around here if you do.” Alice nodded obediently and walked back towards the elevator doors. Nigel had already put himself back together. Noticing a large shadow appeared; he turned around and weakly smiled at Alice. He grimaced as she gave him a wink. The elevator doors opened. “After you,” they said in unison.