Aftermath Book Two Crash Series

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Aria

            Someone knocks on my office door a half an hour or so later, which is strange as is. Tara would just bust in and Wyatt would buzz Levi through their earpieces and tell him to bring me out or send Tara in to collect us. Regardless, he doesn’t need to do any “collecting” so it surprises both Levi and me when we hear the Bang, Bang, Bang, of a fist hitting the wooden door, rattling it in its frame.

            Levi put’s his finger to his mouth telling me to be quiet as he rises from the chair. I sloop down so I’m mostly blocked by my computer and can fall to the ground if need be but I can still see the doorway as I wait in anticipation. Will I ever feel safe again? Will, I ever not flinch with a knock at the door or an unexpected presence behind me? Will there be a time I don’t have to wonder if my friends are safe? Tara? Wyatt? Where are they? Did Edward show back up with more muscle men and a better plan? Will Levi pull open the door only to be bombarded and rushed?

            In the seconds it takes for the knocking to start and Levi to make it over to the door my fears amplify my thoughts. Leaving my eyes on the door and Levi I pat the surface of my desk as I reach for the desk phone. Maybe I’ll have enough time to make a call? Or at least get 911 on the line, they can track us and get investigators here ASAP.

            All I see is Levi’s back as he cracks open the door, so I can’t see who might be there but I do notice his shoulder sinking with relief a soothing signal that allows me to drop the phone back in its place and straighten myself up in my chair.

            “Umm, Hey! Hi, I’m Grace..” Grace! Smacking my hand into my forehead I let a chuckle fall through my lips, of course, it’s Grace!     

            “Let her in Levi!” I cut her off as I stand on shaky legs. My thighs smack into my computer chair forcing it backward, the wheels rolling along the floor as the top spins. He steps back, pulling the door wider as he throws a curious look my way. Usually when people show up unexpectedly bad s**t happens, so I understand his reluctant gaze loud and clear.

            The afternoon after we made Grace the job offer she came by as we discussed. Honestly, I wasn’t sure she would show after our speedy exit. Wyatt tried arguing that we should cut our losses and call her a dead end, he’s worried she might be a double agent for the same reason. We drew attention to ourselves, the attention I’m positive Stasevich had investigated. An investigation I do not want to ignore or underestimate. The man has immense resources and no laws holding him back. I’m positive Grace ended up being summoned or cornered so it did surprise us all when she showed and irritated Wyatt when I instated she stay.  

           I get his line of thinking and understand the suspicion, but I gave her my word. And my word is everything to me, who is anyone without it? She may be a double agent; she may have already spilled all our secrets but I’ll give her the time to prove to her that we’re on the right side of things. That we can keep her and her daughter safe if need be. If I can do that there’s no way she’d ever choose Stasevich over us. That we can use to our advantage.

          So, I showed her around. I offered her a salary with a benefits package that made her eyes bulge and water as she froze in place, needing a moment to reflect. It warmed me to see her reaction, to know I was able to make someone’s everyday struggle easier like Mason did for me. He gave me a lot of money for my business under the guise of it being a transaction, at least initially it was but by now, we all know it was a gift. A gift that gave me the opportunity that I now have the obligation to extend to anyone I can. And yes, I mean obligation.

        When I started watering the idea of owning my own place, I had a five, ten, and fifteen-year plan. I knew what I wanted to do with all the money, how to be smart so I could save and get a loan with a low-interest rate. Which would give me the chance to be successful. I knew even if I did manage to pull it off and launch a badass bakery out of nowhere, I would still hoard that money for the incase moments. The used appliances I would have had to buy when the used ones I bought initially broke down. Or the roof of the older but chic building I would have been renting to start leaking, or my rickety old car breaking down on my way to open in the morning, reasonable things like that.

        Now I didn’t have to take out a loan, I have thousands of dollars sitting in the bank, with additional income coming in starting next week to just add to the pile, on top of my checks from my appearances with Darius and the added and free advertisement that’s given me. The special that will be airing on the opening, with Mason sneaking around paying off the bills I do incur whenever he gets enough details to do so, I'm going to be more than fine. 

            I pay no rent, anywhere. I have no car insurance, no car payment, I don’t even pay for my own food unless I’m out somewhere without Mason. That sounds like the life, and it is, when you grew up as I did, poor and forgotten. I didn’t see a doctor regularly, I only had second-hand clothes and often they were dirty and crumpled. My nutrition came from school or Grandma's house, occasionally Alec or Mia’s parents but other than that I never had a penny to my name.

            By the time I could legally get a job and make my own money I was with Brian who sucked up my paycheck like he was the one with blisters on his feet and burns on his fingers. I bought what I was told and handed over what I couldn’t hide. And what I could hideaway was stashed away until he’d find it or I was forced to use it to pay off a medical bill he forced me to incur, so my credit wouldn’t be worse than it already was.

            I get having nothing, I also get the dependency money can create. The lives it can destroy from the decision you’re forced to make when you’re already lacking. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t open my eyes to the elegancy of Mason’s room and breath out a sigh of relief and astonishment that I don’t have to worry about gas or food. Laundry detergent or a cheap pair of new shoes.

            I have security at least for right now but there are still a lot of people out there that are living in worse situations than even I was in. I see it at the soup kitchen still and if anyone looks around they’ll see the single parent in their local grocery store that has tears in their eyes because all they can afford is ramen and grilled cheese again while their kids whine they just want some chicken nuggets and French fries.

         I don’t need thousands of dollars sitting in the bank collecting interest. I don’t need to worry about my profit from Shirleys in the first few months like an average business. I need to worry about customer retention, quality, and experience and I know that starts with my employees. Paying Tara and Grace the way they deserve is more important to me than making sure I have a rainy day fund. I’ll be alright in the long run and I’ll make sure they are too and anyone else that I come across that I can help in any way.

            So yes, my obligation as an employer, a human, a friend, and a person that’s financially secure. Even if I was to walk away from Mason today, I would still be more than fine, I would still have Shirley’s, the show, and the success I know I’ll build.

            “Grace! How are you? Oh my gosh! You must be Piper!” With her tiny little head leaned on her mom’s shoulder and her chubby fingers spread wide over a pair of earthy eyes the little girl on Grace's hip has to be none other than Grace’s two-year-old. And if she isn’t cute as a button! Her cheeks are still pudgy with lingering baby fat complementing her rounded face. Her button nose and curly rosey hair has her looking like a little Cabbage patch kid.

            “Piper, this is Aria, do you want to say hi?” She tucks her fingers under Piper’s rounded chin trying to draw her attention, but to my pure amusement she keeps her eyes locked on me in an intense stair down and with her mom yanking on her chin it looks like she’s rolling her eyes and I can’t help but crack a smile. I’m even more relieved it was Grace, Piper is going to be fun to have around, I can tell already.

            Piper doesn’t respond and Grace accepts it with a shrug I give her credit for. Most parents would take that as a form of disrespect and make it an issue when it’s two-year-old acting like a child and what adult should be offended, I’m certainly not.

            “I hope this is okay? It’s hard for me to find a sitter on the weekends.” She bites on her lips as she looks around the room, her eyes flicking from Levi to me and back like she’s waiting for someone to complain.

            “It’s no problem at all! We just need to go over a few kitchen safety rules but we have lots of baking to do so I’m glad you’re both here!” I give them both a big smile as I make my way past them. I keep my eyes adverted from Piper in hopes she’ll warm up to me with some space.   

            “I-I’m not sure how to thank you for this all Aria. I know you want-” Her eyes are quick to fill with emotions that are overwhelming her at the prospect of kindness and opportunity. But where this sentence is going, I’m not sure and I didn’t exactly make myself clear last time we spoke that only Tara, Wyatt, and I are in on this whole thing. Or at least on her involvement and I want to keep it that way.

            Cutting her off I say, “No need to thank me! You’re going to be a great addition I’m lucky to have the both of you.” Clapping my hands in front of me I stop us in the middle of the hall, motioning around me I make introductions. “Grace this is Levi, he’s one of my bodyguards but soon I’m going to have to start calling them brothers they’re around me so much. Levi, this is Grace and her daughter Piper.” Levi extends his hand to Grace’s free one so they can shake as they nod their heads in greeting.

            “Are Tara and Wyatt out front?” I ask Grace as I lead our little group out of my small office. I wonder why they sent her back instead of coming to get me or giving us any warning.       

            “Uh-Yeah,” She laughs awkwardly, I can only imagine what they were up to.

            “Was she still burning Sage?” I don’t know if I'm just nose blind to it now or if the smell is clearing up but I don’t want to gag anymore, so I’m hopeful.

            “Nope, she sure wasn’t.” She shakes her head while smiling. I send her a curious look but quickly accept that I probably don’t want to know.

            “He’s going to get re-assigned if he doesn’t watch himself.” Levi jokes clearly picking up the same vibes I was. Big, bad, quiet Wyatt was distracted…again by a strawberry blonde spitfire.

            “He’s probably the only reason she isn’t still making this place smell like burned grass so no tattle tailing this time.” I pat Levi on the back as we exit the hallway and Tara and Wyatt come into view. Tara’s using paper towels and Windex to polish the windows as Wyatt stands behind acting as her table. I look behind me sharing an amused look with Levi, all of us are thoroughly loving watching Wyatt turn to mush in Tara’s presence. It’s literally priceless.

            “How long have they been together?” Grace whispers next to me.

            “A couple of months now, they’re cute, aren’t they?”

            “Yeah, they are.” She looks to them in longing, I don’t see any jealousy or ill-will, just a deep ache for a craving to be filled. I look at them with amusement and warmth because I have my person at home, I get my own butterflies every day from my own relationship, I hope Grace finds hers too. 

            “Tara, when you’re done with that want to meet us in the kitchen? We’re going to get started on the baking hopefully we’ll finish in time to make it to the Soup kitchen.” I shout across the room. Tara looks over her shoulder with a grin held up by flushed cheeks, complemented with messy hair. Wyatt has to notice her state but he does nothing to tame the flames so I roll my eyes with a knowing chuckle and lead my little group to the kitchen.

            “Okay so here’s the deal…” I start. I go over safety rules as I show them both around the kitchen, Grace for the second time. Piper takes it all in with interest and awe, she looks up to her mom a couple of times so she can pull her ear down and “whisper”, the girl is a few feet away but her voice carries perfectly to my ears, making every question known but I go along with it, letting Grace smile and answer or ask me further information.

            We move on to the ingredients and set up after that. I watch as Piper washes her hands with lots of soap and water as we all sing the ABCs, twice to make sure they’re nice and clean before really getting into the best part of all of this. With the music turned up high to a techno version of Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the bed and songs like it, we bake our little hearts out.

            Tara and Wyatt make their way into the room before we have the first batter mixed up, she slides over to my side bumping my hip with her own as she asks what I want her to do. I tell her to work on the NY-style cheesecake batter, pointing her to the recipe box, opened in the middle of the biggest stainless steel table.

            Piper and Grace work on my softy and gooey chocolate chip cookies, the batter getting snuck into a two-year-olds mouth more than it makes it to the tray, which honestly I didn’t expect any differently. Even still I think I like the batter better than the cookies themselves. Don’t get me wrong-a well-done cookie is amazing…but cookie dough? One of my weaknesses for sure. I “test” it out just so I can get in on the goods. They did good, the dough tastes great.

            Piper lights up when I smile her way and compliment her efforts. I don’t miss the tears in Grace’s eyes before she looks away. I still don’t know much more about her than that the background check provided but I recognize and sympathize with the emotions. The relief and hope she’s scared to latch on to but is starting to see, to feel after so many nights of worry and grief. I can only imagine what it does to a young mother to be able to give her daughter a moment like this one.

            Spread out across the kitchen we swing our hips and get lost in easy conversation as we work. I supervise their progress, making sure no one is making any batter ruining mistakes, aware they’ll need tips and tricks the first few times they make any recipe. I work on the breads, although they're delicate I've made them so much they're second nature to me now. allowing me to wipe out four different recipes at once. 

            Looking around I’m lost in wonderment and awe. This is what I’ve always wanted, not even the sparkling new, top-of-the-line appliances or the pristine paint and decorations. But the love held in this room, between friends, lovers, and new acquaintances to the love of the food, the sounds of the music and laughter, the taste of the milk chocolate and brown sugar as it melts on my tongue. The gentle heat that’s pushed back by the relieving air conditioner fills the kitchen even in November.

            My hands still as my heart pounds and my smile almost hurts it's so large and free. I feel as if I could float out of my body and look on to the scene in front of me as an onlooker through a screen rather than the person living it.  I can almost see the memories that will be made here. The bonds we will form and the smiles we will create. I have a beautiful future ahead of me and I can't f*****g wait to live it, even if it’s surreal as f**k.

            Like a boomerang coming back to its origins, I snap back to the moment, clutching the bread bowl to my belly as Wyatt warns “Incoming.” Startling us all into silence and anticipation. He’s looking through the glass of the kitchen door the only way to see into the front. He throws a look at Levi before eyeing Tara and pushing through to the front, his hard mask back on. He’s in full-out bodyguard mode, not a good sign.

            Tara is closer to the door than I am but it doesn’t stop me from dropping the bowl to the counter while I rush to the window behind her. “Fudge…” She moans out when she peeks through just as Levi shuts the music out and hiss at our back to get our asses over away from the door.

            “Who is it?” I ask.

            “No music Mama?” Piper asks at the same time.

            “Mrs. Maverick,” Tara groans as I shove her out of the way.

            “Cynthia?” Ugh, why do Mason’s parents insist on ruining my moments? What can she possibly want now? She sent out the save the dates already, I only know because Tara showed me hers. 

            Shoving the door opened I prop my back against it and take in the scene with a little more humor and satisfaction. “Put your purse down and stand with your legs spread,” Wyatt instructs and Cynthia glares at him with outrage.

            “That’s ridiculous! Move over you lug!” Tara and I both giggle at that drawing two sets of eyes our way. “Finally, I found you. Tell your dog to stand down, will you?” She crosses her arms in front of her knocking her big as f**k designer bag behind her back as she looks at me, waiting.

            “I will not. You’ll have to do as Wyatt asks.” I really want to say something about her husband being the whole reason for increased security measures but Mason and I agreed to not bring it up to anyone but the guys, right now.

            Her eyes turn into slits as she pulls up her shoulders and lifts her chin. She holds my unflinching stair for a minute before I win out, doing as he asked. Placing her purse on the counter, Levi walks past us so he can start searching through it as Wyatt pats her down. She stands stock-still keeping her eyes heated, her mouth drawn tight, and her chin held high until Wyatt gives the all-clear and Levi hands over her purse with a nod.

            Cynthia snatches the purse out of his hands and storms my way as she bitches. “This is not the way to treat your mother-in-law. Are you going to have every guest at the wedding searched too? I don’t know what’s gotten into my son but this nonsense needs to stop.”

            “What can I help you with Cynthia?” I ignore her grumbles and usher her into the kitchen. She’s so lost in her frustration and irritation that she doesn’t even notice Piper and Grace looking at her curiously, Grace looks at her a little in awe, having the knowledge of who she is, or more so what she’s worth.

            Wyatt and Levi follow us in and surround me on either side. They’re not touching, not even close enough to touch if I were to spread my arms out wide but they’re close enough to put a layer of protection between me and Cynthia should the situation require it. Looking at her I can't imagine why I would ever need their protection from her of all people, but my judgment isn’t accurate that’s been proven.

            Tugging her purse off her shoulder she slaps it on the counter next to a bowl of egg wash and the start of pastry dough. She pulls the blush-colored leather open before she reaches inside, pulling out a thin iPad and electronic pen. She leaves her purse on the counter but makes her way closer as she works on pulling something up on her screen.

            “I managed to get one photo of the two of you before you ran off which simply isn’t enough. You managed to pull the dress off, I knew it was going to be the best option for your body type.” She looks me up and down with less disgust, that’s a win in my eyes, but then she just keeps going. “We need at least two more photoshoots and a proper fitting. Clarice is going to fit you tomorrow at 8, he’s doing me a favor by squeezing you in, make surer you’re there early.

            “You’re hair needed work so I scheduled an hour session with my hairdresser before Thursday, our next session with the photographer. This time we’re going to use the ballroom at…” I cut her off right then and there already feeling overwhelmed and exhausted and she hasn’t even finished.

            “Cynthia stop.” Wiping my hands on my apron I walk around her putting my back towards the kitchen forcing her to really take it all in. “I’ll go to the fitting tomorrow but the rest won’t work this week or anytime soon. I’m opening Shirley’s next week and I still have a million things I need to get done. I don’t have time for anything else and I probably won’t for a while. Especially when we’ve told you time and time again that we will handle our own wedding.”

            She breaks her glare for a brief second as she turns her attention to the kitchen as if she’s looking for a breakdown of the tasks that need to be accomplished. She hesitates on Grace and Piper for just a second before she draws her shoulders up higher and grinds her teeth together. She’s a woman whose appearance and reputation are her most valued assets and currently, she’s in a room full of people who are strangers, her mask must stay on.

            She laughs drily as she locks her eyes back on me, “Your wedding will be the event of the year Aria. We have only months to plan, organize, and perfect. For God’s sake, you still haven’t thrown your engagement party. People are starting to wonder.” Everyone in the room stays in silence even Little Miss Piper. I wouldn’t be surprised if they can feel the tension thick in the air.

            Throwing my hands up in the air I shrug with annoyance, “Let them wonder! I don’t give a shit.” Cringing I throw an apologetic stair towards Grace. “Listen Cynthia I don’t have time for this conversation, nor do I have time for any of the other s**t you listed off. If you want the event of the year you better start planning something else. Maybe start your own event planning business, you clearly enjoy it.” I hate playing nice but I bite my tongue and be the bigger person.

            Her cheeks are flushed and puffy as they fill with a breath she holds a second before huffing. The iPad’s locking sound goes off as she taps the button on the side and holds it down at her side. “Show me.” She says with a glare down her nose at me.

            “Show you?” I look around lost.

            “Yes, what needs to be done around here. I refuse to reschedule again, so show me what you need to be done.” Swinging her arms around in impatience I can't help but drop my jaw.

            “You want to help?” She’s that determined to have this wedding go as planned she’s willing to do work? Her whole soul is going to be crushed when we have to come clean and call it off. I won’t legally marry Mason under false pretenses, yes our relationship is very real. Our engagement never has been.

            “Want? No. Now stop wasting this time you keep going on about and show me.” Well if she insists…she can work on designing the display case, maybe she’ll see what it is I’m missing.