by SIPort
Chad, Kay, Simone and Veronica sat around the table. They were playing poker, with M&M’s as chips.
“ I call.”, Veronica said.
Everyone put their cards on the table, and Veronica had the strongest hand. She’d won three in a row.
“ If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re a hustler.”, Chad commented.
“ What makes you think I’m not?”, Veronica responded, a hint of husky in her voice.
Simone and Kay looked at one another, teleporting ‘ Can you believe this?’ between one another.
Chad got uncomfortable, and spoke up. “ Why don’t I refresh your drinks?”
Before they could respond, Chad was up and at the bar.
Simone turned to Veronica. “ So, Veronica, what brings you to Harmony?”
“ I was handling a deal for my father with Crane Industries, and after we finished our business, Alistair suggested that I accompany him to this housewarming.”
“ Uh huh. Well, I hope you enjoy your stay.”
“ Oh, I’m sure I will.”, Veronica replied sweetly.
Theresa was nursing a drink, when Whitney came over to her.
“ Chad surely does seem to be enjoying Veronica’s company.”
“ Is he?”
“ Come on.”
“ Whitney, what is this? Are you being mean, snide, or just nosy?”
“ Theresa..”
“ Because, we’re not friends anymore. You know that. I’m sorry about that, you know.”
Whitney sighed. “ I guess I was being a bit snide. Sorry.”
“ It’s ok.”
“ I’ll leave you alone, Theresa. If anyone can take care of themselves, it’s you. “ Theresa looked at Whitney. “ Didn’t mean anything behind it, just stating the truth.” Whitney walked away.
“ So, Theresa, what are you going to do about Little Miss Veronica Townsend?”, Theresa asked herself.
Julian is sitting, nursing a drink, at a table with Sheridan, Luis, and Ivy. They are playing scrabble. Julian misses yet another obvious word, and Sheridan hits her brother.
“ Julian, this is your favorite game. It’s the only one you’d play with me when we were kids. Well, that, and strip monopoly.” Luis looks at Sheridan with a raised eyebrow and Sheridan shrugged her shoulders.
“Oh.” Julian looked down at his letters and chose his word. It used all but one of his letters, and gave him more points than anyone. Sheridan shook her head. “ Damn, he did it again.”
Luis excused himself to get something to drink and Sheridan cozied up to Julian, who was staring at Alistair.
“ What the Bloody Hell could he be talking to the Tomato Soup Cake Queen about?”
Sheridan had to admit, she had never seen her father look that charmed by someone. “ Grace is a nice person.”
“ Exactly. And, he’s Alistair Crane. I don’t like him here. He’s up to no good.”
“ That’s what I thought too, but he hasn’t even been around Chad. Maybe he actually came to welcome Chad into the family.”
Julian looked at Sheridan, and she raised her hands. “ Ok..Ok…I KNOW how stupid I sound. Father doesn’t ever do anything without an angle. So, what do you think that is?”
“ That young woman over there.”
“ Veronica?”
“ Yes. I used my Blackberry to contact my assistant, who did a little work on Ms. Townsend’s father’s company. Cutting edge, worth billions.”
Sheridan sighed. “ Chad can now be profitable to Crane Industries.”
“ Over my dead body.”, Julian replied.
Chad is about to take back the drinks when he finds Alistair standing in front of him.
“ Well, hello Grandson.”
“ Damn. You’re good. I was so sure you would choke on that word if you ever had to say it.”
“ I told you. I accept my defeats and always look to for the silver lining in every black cloud.”
“ Pun intended, I suppose.”
Alistair smiled. “ Indeed. So, are you ready to show me what you’ve got.”
“ I told you, I want nothing to do with you.”
“ Well, if you intend to be a Crane in Crane Industries, you do. Despite what your idiot Father might have been telling you., the road to power at Crane Industries runs past my door. I thought you were a REAL man, Chad. Didn’t know that you were going to spend your life hiding behind your father’s coattails.”
“ I AM my own man.”
“ Then, you should have no problem working with me on this new project. The deal is quite large.”
“ I’ll speak to my father.”
“ I did it without Julian’s help. THIS project is for you. All for you.”
“ A test.”
“ Absolutely. See if you can hack it. See you have enough to handle me. See if you deserve to get a piece of the pie.”
“ I deserved it the day I was born and you stole me from my mother.”
“ Ancient history, my boy. It’s all about the future, and whether YOU are that future. So, are you a man, or not?”
“ Fine. I’ll be in your office at nine.”
“ Make it the Executive Dining Room at eight a.m.”
Before Chad had a chance
to respond, Alistair had turned and
walked away.
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