Alex

15: Alex

Fiona stepped out of the shower and looked herself over in the mirror. She thought of Alexander and wondered what he would look like, Fee hadn't seen him in over a year. Then, before she could help herself she was thinking of Jane and considering what she looked like. Fiona felt as if it wouldn't matter what Alex looked like.

Jane would surely be right on time for the pickup so that gave her 45 minutes to get ready. Fee slipped into the dress. It fell flawlessly on her body. She put on evening makeup and let her hair fall naturally around her neck and shoulders. The evenings could still be cool so she picked a semi-sheer elegant pashmina from her closet to finish the outfit. Adding the silver pieces from Tiffany's and PO1914 she grabbed her heeled sandals not particularly excited about torturing her feet right away, she headed out toward the kitchen.

Fiona waited patiently for Jane mentally preparing herself to be knocked into another state of awe. When Jane emerged she wore a simple black cocktail dress, knee-length, fitted but not overly elegant or sexualized. Her shoes were heeled conservatively, her makeup was elegant but reserved, hair pulled into a bun, black Ray Ban eyeglasses, and Fee could see that Jane intended to blend in with the staff. Fiona thought,"And, she still looks amazing."

Jane smiled at Fiona, taking her in. "Wow, Ms. Donovan, you look incredible. I don't think you'll have any problems representing Mircopath well this evening." Jane felt a wave of heat flash quickly through her veins but masked it well. "May I escort you to the dinner now?"

"Yes, Jane. I'm ready, thank you."

As promised, at arrival Jane stepped out of the car and escorted Fiona up to the entrance of the Singleton estate in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Once Fiona gained entry into the large mansion style home Jane turned back to the car to be driven to the kitchen entrance.

Inside the sprawling home Jane quickly sized up the floor plan and found that William's data was spot-on. She rolled through the faces of the staff and their bios and began to move through the home discreetly cataloging mentally the dozen or so guests, most of whom were employees or board members of the hospital. Jane's eyes fell on Alexander who was with another young man and an older couple having cocktails in the sitting room. Alexander had a medium to athletic build and stood 6'2" tall. He looked as if he stepped out of a fashion magazine, clean cut, classic tux, frat-boy good looks and honey-brown eyes. Jane sensed an air of entitlement but that's not necessarily abnormal for this social class.

Jane moved to put eyes on Fiona and found that she was standing in the formal living room speaking with Dr. and Mrs. Singleton. She looked confident and stunning. Jane thought Fiona's beauty easily outshined everyone else in attendance. Jane positioned herself between the spaces Fiona and Alexander occupied melting into the background.

Alex and his friend Bryce drifted apart from the guests and Jane adjusted her proximity so that she was around the corner and concentrated as their conversation shifted.

"So, she's here." Bryce looked back over his shoulder spotting Fiona speaking with Alex's mom. "Wow, man. She's gorgeous!"

Alex smiled, "Yeah, Dad's got his flaws, but not when it comes to his choice in women."

"So how well do you know her?" Jane could hear Bryce's voice poorly veiled in interest of his own in Fiona. She smiled as she remembered Jonothan's reaction to the young woman.

"Not really well, we've met each other before but mostly at social events and in passing. She's definitely 'hot' though, I'd love to see what's under that dress." Bryce laughed lightly and Jane cringed and the boyish banter. She detected no ill intent in the tenor of his voice but did hear both confidence and entitlement. It was the latter that concerned her.

The two men continued to take in the party guests and banter harmlessly. A staff member moved around letting everyone know it was time to transition to the dining room. There were six chairs set up on either side, endcapped by one on each end. There were full place settings using porcelain china, crystal glassware, and silver flatware. Each setting had a handwritten card and the guests moved around the table searching for their names. Fiona and Alex sat near mid-table next to each other.

"Good evening Fee,"Alex kissed her cheek softly in salutation and smiled. "It's been a minute, hasn't it?"

"Yes, it has Alex. You look great! Life must be treating you well."

Alex laughed lightly and leaned in whispering, "No complaints here! My father wouldn't hear of it!" He could smell Jasmine in Fiona's hair and on her skin.

Fiona nodded and smiled in understanding, turning her attention to the table and the guests. The dinner included several courses of incredible food and paired wines. Dr. Singleton, ever the gracious host, made sure to address all the guests at the table and help them to engage in light conversation. Alex found more than one occasion to lean over and whisper a side comment into Fiona's ear. Fiona smiled politely as he flirted but maintained a formal demeanor at the table.

At the close of dinner the guests again moved through the home enjoying light conversation and after dinner drinks. Some of the men moved to Dr. Singleton's den and office for drinks, Bryce moved to join them. He looked over his shoulder smiling at Alex who was talking in the corner with Fiona.

"Fee," Alex smiled warmly, "I'd love to show you our library. Would you join me?"

Fiona smiled graciously, "Of course Alex, who doesn't love a good book?" She let her eyes sweep across the room and she didn't see Jane. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Great, let me grab another drink, would you like one?"

Fiona laughed lightly, "No thank you, I feel like if I eat or drink anything more I'll burst." Fiona followed Alex and he opened two French doors with antique glass panels. He pushed the door together but did not close them entirely.

The library was a beautiful room. There was an antique partner's desk, a full size leather sofa with two matching chairs, dark wood end tables, and a handful of floor and table lamps. Every wall had built-in shelves from floor to ceiling. A couple of the shelves were protected with glass doors. Jane positioned herself just outside the door and waited patiently.

"Dad loves his books." Alex grinned. "I used to spend hours here sitting and playing quietly while he read."

Fee smiled as she watched Alex respond to the memory. "My Dad spent most of his time in a lab, not a very safe place for a little girl."

"Do you see him often? Your father?"

"Not as often as I'd like. He's been traveling quite a bit lately, his side of the company has been very active."

"His side?" Alex was confused.

"I handle the charitable arm of Micropath. I'm here tonight on my father's behalf, but I really don't know much about the working relationship he has with your dad and the hospital."

"Oh, I see! I see my Dad a little more than I'd like." Alex grinned. "He probably still wants me to go to medical school or into health administration, but I just have no desire."

"What are you doing these days?" Fiona was genuinely curious, they were close in age but Alex was slightly younger.

"Honestly, not much. I travel a little bit on behalf of the hospital. Attend a meeting here or there. I think my official title is something like Public Relations Liaison for something, something, something." Alex laughed now. "But they never send me in if it's something serious."

Fee grinned and teased him, "So, I have a true 'Peter Pan' on my hands then." Alex shrugged and finished off his drink. Fee was surprised and shifted uneasily when he reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out a flask refilling his glass.

She decided it was best to move around the room and take in the books. Fiona was truly astounded by the number and breadth of topics Dr. Singleton had collected. Behind the glass case it looked as if he had a handful of first edition antique medical journals and books. "Wow. This is pretty impressive. I'm glad I got to see this." Fiona turned away from shelves and found Alex was standing close, his body leaning slightly forward.

"Me too Fee. You are more impressive than the books, though." Alex's smile was fueled partially by liquid courage.

"Thank you Alex, that's very sweet." Fiona stepped slightly sideways in an attempt to get around Alex.

----

Jane detected a distinct change in the tenor of Fiona's voice. She tensed and focused on restraining her immediate desire to enter the room.

----

Alex raised an arm and used his body to lean in and trap Fee between himself and the shelves. He was close enough that Fiona could smell the alcohol on his breath. "I would love to see you again, if that's alright with you?"

Fiona smiled and shifted slightly, "Between our travel and obligations to our fathers that might be difficult to put together."

----

Again, tension in Fiona's voice. Jane stepped away from the wall and positioned herself in the hallway so she could see into the room through the 2" break in the doorway.

----

"So, no?" Alex grimaced and grinned at the same time.

Fiona smiled, "How about, we'll see." She now took a very directed step to her right, slipping out from between Alex and the shelves. Alex turned and stepped into her again, and as Fee stepped backwards she felt the back of the sofa meet her.

----

Jane's eyes sharpened. She began considering possible responses and outcomes. She had a fleeting moment in which her own past emotions flared but quickly drove them away focusing and calculating in the moment.

----

"Fiona," Alex cooed, "You're so beautiful, I promise you I would show you a good time."

Fiona continued to maintain her composure, trying her best to ease the situation without burning bridges. "Alex, why don't I give you a call this week? Tonight's your Dad's night and I promised my father I would represent Micropath well."

Alex was not so easily deterred. "I think my father would be very pleased if you allowed me to take you out." He leaned in.

"Alex, please." Fee's heart was picking up pace.

----

As soon as Jane heard Fiona's plea she moved. Jane firmly pushed the doors open and stepped back into a narrow angle along the wall where she could not see or be seen but could continue to listen to the interaction.

----

Alex looked determined but was startled when the doors to the library swung open and rocked gently on their hinges. He stepped back and both he and Fiona turned to the now open threshold. No one crossed over.

Fiona took advantage of the moment and moved quickly to the doorway, "Come on Alex," she smiled softly, "time to make Dad proud." Alex grimaced and stepped toward her, having given up for the moment. Fiona moved out into the hallway and just caught sight of black dress and a pair of gorgeous legs moving around the corner and back into the main living space.