Dec. 12, 2015, 6 p.m.
This Time Around: Part of That
E - Words: 3,191 - Last Updated: Dec 12, 2015 Story: Closed - Chapters: 4/? - Created: Dec 07, 2015 - Updated: Dec 07, 2015 205 0 0 1 0
A/N: Chapter was inspired by a line in one of the song from The Last Five Years.
I do not own anything aside from OCs and the plot.
Chapter 3: Part of That
Im excited. For the first time in a long time I am giddy. I am standing at the kitchen placing the finishing touches on Blaines favorite meal- pot-roast beef with French onion gravy. The dessert, another Blaines favorite, Chocolate Tiramisu was kept in the refrigerator. I smiled again. It takes a two-hour drive to get to the perfect place to buy the Tiramisu, and I am sure I will get some major points for serving it later.
I set the table and dim the lights for the perfect candlelit dinner. And look at the clock. 6pm. Perfect! I still have an hour to prepare.
One may ask, what is the special occasion? Well, it was our anniversary. But aside from that, this dinner is to celebrate my husbands promotion as supervisor for financial affairs in his company. In just a few years my husband achieved so much.
But sadly, what he have achieved takes its toll on our marriage. We rarely see each other. We rarely go out. And on times that we do, it was on some function that my husband needed to attend. And even during that, I stood by at the corner and watched him in his element.
Of course, him being charming meant he was always flocked by his fans- mostly co-workers of his. And I was left out.
At first, Blaine tried to include me in conversations during functions, but I easily got bored. I mean, I am not stupid, but I can barely relate to what they are talking about. And theres a malicious twinkle in some of Blaine colleagues that made me feel inadequate.
I tried talking to Blaine about it but it just ended in a fight.
Hence, during such parties I just stood at a corner, watching my husband. After all the years we have been together, and despite all the fights, my heart still beats wild, watching him. His eyes alight, his confidence is seen in his every move, and his smile…
And Im a part of that.
Thats what I often told myself as I stood in the corner, as some men tried and flirt with him. Sometimes Blaine responds to some of their subtle advances, but I ticked it off as him being oblivious or polite, despite the heavy feeling in my gut.
7pm. I smiled again. Enough of this memories. I need to focus on the now. Blaine didnt know I knew about the promotion. I, for one, accidentally knew about it when I was doing the laundry, and the letter dropped on his blazers.
I refused to let the voice of insecurity and doubt my husband on why he was not telling me this but decided against it. I mean, I never gave him any reason to believe that I enjoyed his corporate parties. Perhaps, thats the reason. My husband is that stupid sometimes.
So when I sneakily found out that the congratulatory party for his promotion is the next day after our anniversary, I decided to plan. Hell, I even read lots and lots of financial magazines so I can relate and join the conversation, and to really mingle with that aspect of my husbands life. Because you see, aside from this being our anniversary, this will also be the day that I will congratulate my husband, and tell him that Ill be his pretty date at his congratulatory dinner.
After all, Im a part of that.
Hence, the celebration tonight. After all our fights due to board meetings or reports he have to finish resulting in numerous failed dates, I scheduled this date with my husband. Yeah I know. Scheduled. And a months notice.
My husband agreed, and so here I am. Waiting.
8pm
I sighed. My husband is an hour late. I looked at my cellphone, but there is nothing. I sighed and rearrange the flowers. Maybe I shouldnt have lighted the candle yet?
10pm
Maybe there is a traffic jam? I mean this is New York, after all. I blew at the candles which are now half burnt, and turned on the television.
12am
I am sitting at the table. I am now worried. I tried calling my husbands cellphone but no one is answering. I tried calling his secretary, but she mentioned Blaine left early with a few friends. The heavy feeling in my gut is there again, my eyes began to water as I refused to accept the thoughts. Thoughts of where my husband is. Thoughts of our marriage. Thoughts of being forgotten…
I was sitting for a few more minutes, when the door to our apartment opened, and it was my husband, with a stupid grin on his face and a little tipsy.
"Hey honey!" He yelled merrily as he closed his door, and quickly turned around when he took in the surroundings. The used candles, the cold food, and I, sitting at the table, putting a brave face on and my tie loose.
His eyes go wide, when he realized what today is. What we planned. And in that moment, I knew. He forgot.
"I- Im so-sorry" He croaked, as he came near me.
"I-its ok" I stood up and cleaned up the food. Halting his approach "The food, is cold. It was no good now. Do you want me to prepare some things, I havent eaten yet, perhaps we can order pizza or-"
"I already ate." He said guiltily.
"Oh" I said. I turned around as I tried to fight back the tears. Suddenly, warm, strong arms wrapped around me.
"Im sorry baby. I am so stupid. I mean, work is so busy and I got promoted and the guys wanted to take me out and-"
"Im not supposed to know" I stated as I turned around.
"What?" My husband asked.
"You didnt tell me you got promoted" I said with a small smile.
"Oh, I- Im sor-" he started apologizing again.
"Its ok. I accidently found out about it when I was doing the laundry. Actually, this dinner is not just for our anniversary, its actually to tell you as well, that Ill be glad to be your date in your party" I said, trying to paste on a smile.
"Kurt. Honey, I- I cant take you to the party" Blaine said guiltily. My husband took a couple of deep breaths. He seemed bracing himself for what he is about to say next. "I didnt know you wanted to come, and I never told you because I know you dont like those events and-"
"No, I can go. For you I will." I stated with a small smile. But the heavy feeling wont go away as I looked at my husbands eye.
"Im going with Caleb" Caleb? Caleb! I thought. Caleb, was one of my husbands co-worker. The one who is always with my husband and being extra touchy with him to the point of making me uncomfortable. As if sensing that, my husband quickly replied, "As Friends." He cleared his throat, "dont be like that baby, I know you dont like him, but hes just a friend"
"I wouldnt know that" I replied quietly.
"What?" My husband asked, with an apologetic smile on his face. This suddenly flipped me out.
"I said I wouldnt know that!" I snapped. "You know why I wouldnt know that?! Because we barely see each other Blaine! We barely talked, barely go out, barely do anything! And the one time! The one time, I wanted to prepare something special for us, you forgot! I scheduled it for a month, like some hotel booking and even then you forgot!"
"I-Im"
"Sorry. I know." I said heatedly. Then in a quiet voice, I said, "Im going to bed. I hope you and Caleb have a perfect date"
As I entered our room, my phone beeped signaling a text. It was from one of my friends from NYADA,
"Kurt, I hope you have a pretty good reason on declining the audition for Peter Pan today which you are a shoo-in. The director said you will be perfect for the role and that you tried to reschedule, but since the production is to start soon, they insist that it should be today. They told me you declined. I dont know whats running at that thick skull of yours but I hope whatever it is Kurt, it is worth it. Call me.- R"
The tears fell as I realized I am letting go of dreams, in exchange of someone elses.
But Im a part of him. His dreams are my dreams. The last thoughts of my broken heart as I fell asleep.
A few days after that, I have found out that Blaine cheated with Caleb. Apparently he was drunk and dont know whats happening.
And perhaps, that is when I realized, I am no longer part of his world.
I was pulled out of my daydream by the voice of my driver telling us we have arrived. I took a deep breath and take a look outside. Gringotts Financials.
Here we go.
The building of my soon-to-be financial handlers is a really imposing one. Perhaps that is the trend for all financial companies.
On why they wanted to impose on their clients or the general public? that, I dont know. Its all about a powerful image. A deep tenor voice sounded in my mind. What is wrong with me! Its not the best time to think about him! I know going back to New York would result in an assault of memories, especially him. But perhaps, hes no longer in New York. Perhaps, he needs to leave the country too, to forget.
"Hummel!" I look at the front of the lobby and there stood Estefano with a private smirk as he eyed hungrily. "Youre a sight for these sore eyes" he said.
I smiled back. I am wearing an all blue ensemble. Striped blue and white polo shirt inside a powder blue blazer and a matching dark blue, pants- all from Hugo Boss. The only thing not Boss in my ensemble is my Channel sun glass, which I am still wearing.
"You are not so bad yourself" I eyed Estefanos outfit. Armani. I told myself.
Estefano looked at me heatedly before leaning and whispering in my ear, "I want to fuck you right now" then smiled back at me seeing my flustered face.
"Jerk!" I said. He laughed as he clapped his hands. "You know I would." He said in jest before changing to his business mode. "Anyway, here we are. Gringotts Financials! What do you think?"
"Imposing. Anyway, I am not here to chat. Shall we?" I said casually.
"Of course. Lets go." We boarded the elevator as Estefano prattled on, "We are to meet their best man that handles this thing. The last one he handled boosts the growth of the company in millions. Im telling you they are the best"
We rounded a corner and entered a rather boring meeting room with Estefano leading the way when all my breath were pulled out of me by a voice. His voice. The voice I just heard from memory a few moments ago.
"Dela Rossi its nice seei-" he stopped his greeting as he looked at me. I removed my sunglass to be sure. And there he was, the hazel-eyed man that haunted my dreams since I went back here in New York. My heart thuds, as if in recognition, but right now I dont want to think what that means.
He looked good, still as handsome as ever. Though his eyes are somewhat dull, like the world has no color or something. Even his entire ensemble is dull. Gone was the man who wore colorful bowties, eye-popping polo shirts and tight pants. Now, in front of me is a man. Handsome yes, but somewhat…empty.
My heart beats again, wanting to come close. To caress. To soothe. I was pulled out from my musings by a voice, "Lady Face?"
I looked back and was shocked, "Satan?"
Then the lady suddenly hugged me very tight. "Fuck! The House of Elizabeth, I should have known it was you! And you look very, very smoking! Me gusta!"
I laughed. God I missed this bitch! Then I heard someone behind me spluttered. It was him. His cheeks are flaming and he bit his lip as he meets my eyes, before turning back to Estefano.
"I-Im sorry. N-Nice seeing you again, Dela Rossi" He said, finishing the greeting.
"Nice seeing you too, Anderson. This is the CEO of the House of Elizabeth, Mr-"
"Kurt" Blaine said quietly as he looked at me piercingly. The way he said my name open floodgates of emotion I can barely contain.
"B-Blaine" I said simply. Nodding in his direction. We are looking…staring at each other. Like reacquainting the man standing before us now to that of the man in our memories. It must have been a few seconds that felt like forever, when something caressed my cheek. "Are you ok baby?"
I looked at Estafano with wide eyes. Did he just kissed me? I quickly looked at Blaine, our eyes connected, but his was now…reserved.
"Ay! Lady Face, you and him? Damn! You bagged yourself a hottie!" Santana said, fanning herself as if she is in heat. Estefano looked at Santanas direction and smirked before looking at me again.
"You know Blaine?" he asked.
"Yes. We know each other from way back" I looked at Blaine and he just nodded. Before gesturing to the seats. We all sat down. There was silence for a few moments before Santana started.
"Well Hummel, I believe you hired us to look at your stocks" she said. I was looking at Blaine, who is currently staring at the folders really hard, as if wanting to glare a hole in the middle of it. Why was he acting so angry? Somehow, his reactions angered me. How dare he?
"You are wrong" I said in my commanding voice, the one that radiates power. And Blaine looked at me, like a deer caught in the headlights.
"I did not hire you yet, I am here to know what you can do for the house of Elizabeth" I said challengingly, looking at Blaine with a fixed stare. Suddenly, its like fuel to fire. Blaine in front of me changes from the reserved man a few moments ago to the douche bag from many years ago.
"Well, Mr. Hummel, I assure you, you came into the right hands. I can see your company is trying to penetrate the market and by doing so, some allocation of your stocks are necessary." Blaine said confidently.
"You see, I have noticed that all your stocks are on the European market, which is good. But I suggest to put some of it in quality stocks here in the US for accessibility. I also noticed that a good sum of your income goes to the The Fashionista Foundation. We can cut some of your contributions and invest them on funds that shall benef-"
"No." I said in a calm, business tone. This again gains Blaines attention.
"W-what?" He said in a bewildered tone.
"I said no." I looked at him and started in a calm but authoritative voice, "You cannot cut my funding of the foundation. I wont allow it"
Blaine looked at me, like he did all those years ago. Like I was a kid. Like I dont know what Im talking about. The douchebag is really back. He is smirking.
"Kurt, you cant be serious, I mean. You wanted us to help you be aggressive. THIS IS being aggressive."
"It seems to me Mr. Anderson that you do not understand the nature of my company. Yes we are being aggressive with our moves to penetrate the market, but being aggressive doesnt necessarily mean that I will jump head first. I cannot put all my eggs in one basket, I thought that is the first rule of investment?" I asked him calmly. "And its Mr. Hummel" I added.
Blaine blinked back, seemingly surprised by the way I just negated him, "You are correct, but your stocks" he continued before I cut him off.
"My stocks, as you mentioned are mostly European. But I am not planning to transfer all of it in the US market, like what you are suggesting." He now looks at me like a petulant child.
"Heres what youre going to do." I said unaffectedly. I learned a lot from Donatella to not be put down by assholes… and right now Blaine is one of them, "Put some of my shares, from the European market to the Asian market to diversify my portfolio. Asia has a good investing horizon and from the projection shows a positive turnaround by the end of the year, which Im sure you can agree with. As a safety net, place a small part of my shares in some return investments and government bonds, and for this the US may be a good option. By such diversification, well have enough returns to support the company while not cutting back on the foundation" I said with finality. After a lengthy pause, "What do you think?" I looked at the hazel eyed man, and pat myself at the back seeing his stunned expression.
"T-thats umm… thats" Blaine stuttered.
"Damn Hummel! thats actually fantastic. I was wondering why you even need us in the first place." Santana said, looking at me like a proud mama.
"I have other things to do" I said simply. Blaine still looking a little stunned. He is yet to say a word since I lay down my plans. Take that ass-hat!
"So are we done here?" I asked casually. I just wanted to go home and splash my face with some cold water to wake me from this dream.
"I need to see you" Blaine whispered. My head looked at him quickly, too quickly, I thought I might have a whiplash.
"Pardon" Everyone in the room is looking at him now.
"I- I mean" Blaine stuttered and hes back to his shy, blushing self. "In order to analyze everything, I need to see you and the company. I-I wanted to know that this is the best option and to quantify all the risk in your plan." he said. "Plus, as you so eloquently put it, I need to know the company" he smiled his charming smile, and my heart beats wild.
I looked at him calculatingly despite my hearts wild reaction. But his eyes seemed to plead, and the insecurity and emptiness I saw there, makes my heart reached out-
"Ok"
Estefano and I entered the elevator.
After the meeting, I gave Santana my secretarys number to arrange the scheduled visits of my business for the month. Blaine fled the board room by then with a barely audible excuse of "meeting other clients".
When the door of the elevator closed, Estefano suddenly spoke, "What the hell happe-"
I cut him off by raising my right hand.
"I will tell you what will NEVER happen again Dela Rossi. You have no right kissing me like that in a business meeting. You dont own me. I thought we are clear. And since when do we do that? This is my business Estefano!" I snapped.
"Im sorry" he said guiltily. "Its just that Anderson is looking at you like-"
"I dont want to hear it. Business is business Estefano." I said looking at him sharply.
"Forgive me" he said.
"Just dont let it happen again"
Later that evening, as I fell asleep, my heart whispered one thing. The reason it beats earlier, like meeting a lost friend. Like finally finding something. It whispers… Im a part of that.
A/N: Let me know what you think you think of this story. Give me some reviews people!