"You didn't go?" Diana inquired with renewed curiosity.
"No, my scholarship fell through." Gabriella could not hide the disappointment even after all the years that had passed by. She still remembered how proud her mother and father had been. She also remembered the day that she found out that the money she needed to attend would not be available.
Arthur stopped eating as he noticed the disappointment that showed on his daughter's face.
"Blayne went to Harvard." Diana broke the silence.
Gabriella looked up and met Blayne's eyes, which looked back at her softly now.
"She also attended Harvard Law," Diana added. "She is the president of the Law Review."
"Blayne has never known when to stop," Chaz said in jest.
"At least she finished Chaz!" Diana blurted at him.
"Look who's talking," he said with a smirk.
"Children!" Abigail reprimanded them.
"Blayne, are you staying for a few days?" Arthur redirected the conversation.
"Blayne not work?" Chaz teased.
"Blayne? Will you stay?" Diana looked towards her older sister expectantly.
"Leave her alone. Blayne is busy," Abigail cut in.
"Gabriella, how about I show you the sites around Quincy?" Chaz offered.
Gabriella was about to speak when Blayne cut in. "Gabriella and I already have plans for today, Chaz," she said directly to Chaz then turned towards Diana. "And yes Diana, I am planning on staying." She then turned to Gabriella. "Are you ready, Gabriella?"
Gabriella blinked and nodded. "Yes."
"Let's go then. Mother lunch was fantastic as always," Blayne said as she got up from the table.
"Yes, thank you so much for lunch. It was wonderful," Gabriella said as she got up slowly confused and a little angry at Blayne's behavior.
Arthur knew what Blayne had done. Gabriella was obviously going along with it but it was not right that Blayne should bully her around. He had to have a talk with Blayne. Perhaps Abigail was right; it certainly would explain Blayne volatility of late.
"Have a good time you two. We'll expect you for dinner." Arthur then turned towards Blayne. "We dine as usual at eight in the evening."
"I remember father," she replied challenging him.
"Run along then and have a good time."
Blayne walked around the table and walked out of the room with her hand possessively on the middle of Gabriella's back.
Almost as soon as they walked out of the dinning room Gabriella showed her displeasure. She was headed towards the staircase when Blayne grabbed her by the arm and turned her around.
"Where do you think you are going?"
"We have got to get one thing straight here. You are not my ruler. I am not going to let you keep bullying me around, understand?" Gabriella put her hands on her hips and she was fuming.
Blayne seemed unfazed. "Where are you going?"
"I am going to get my purse from upstairs."
"You won't need it. Come on let's go." Blayne grabbed her by the arm again and stopped as Gabriella yanked her arm away.
"No."
Blayne was about to grab her again but stopped when she heard the door open and Arthur began to walk towards them.
"I thought you two were going sightseeing?"
"I just have to get my purse," Gabriella said defiantly to Blayne.
"Okay, hurry, go get it." Blayne knew when to pull back.
Arthur smiled as Gabriella went up the staircase. He turned in time to see Blayne looking at her as well.
"I would like to talk to you when you two come back later."
Blayne turned to face him. "All right."
"Where will you take her?" Arthur was trying to put some peace between him and Blayne. He didn't like the estrangement that seemed to be developing between them.
"Adams National Historic site, Quincy Armory, Bethany Church, United First Parish Church and the Adams Crypt, after that we will just see what she might like to see next. I would also like to show her the museum if possible."
"The itinerary sounds perfect." Arthur kept trying to make conversation with his daughter. "Did you fix things with Armand?"
"Yes, he was able to get the tankers for under two million."
"How did Betancourt ever agree to that?" He said looking directly at her.
"I'm having dinner with him next week," she answered matter of factly.
Arthur stared at her sternly.
"It was part of the package," she replied without batting an eye.
Arthur looked furious.
"Is that how you conduct business with my company?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"I never wanted a deal so much that I would condone what you have done or plan to do," Arthur said in disgust.
Blayne's face suddenly paled.
Gabriella was at the top of the staircase and had heard Arthur's last comment.
Blayne's face became as cold as marble.
"Who are you to talk to me about morals." Blayne's voice was low but as cold as steel and just as deadly. "How do you think I got her here if not by threats and intimidation? That's what you taught me."
Arthur was livid.
"I'm your creation, father. I'm just like you. Just as moral and as much of a lecher…"
Arthur's hand slapped his daughter so hard that it made her stumble back. Gabriella cringed at the sound. He stared in horror on what he had done. Blood was oozing out of Blayne's lips. She stared back at him with all the anger that his accusation had produced in her.
"I don't sell myself. My reputation in the business world is unquestionable. Personally however, I am proving to be unscrupulous. I know you don't like what you see in me right now perhaps, it's something in you that you are hating." Blayne saw what she had just said register in his face. "But don't feel bad, father, by the time I am your age I might surpass even you," Blayne finished venomously.
Arthur was taken by surprise by what she had said.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have said those things to you. Your behavior has always been…"
Blayne cut him off. "No, it hasn't. I have done just about everything to win except sell myself. As for personal relationships…I am a complete failure just like you. I won't get married just to please you. I won't live a lie; not even for you, father. And unlike you when I find the person that makes me FEEL, I won't run away." Blayne was seething.
"What's gotten into you? You are out of control." Arthur stared back at her.
"Perhaps unlike you, my behavior is making me sick." Blayne meant the retort to sting. "So, don't feel bad, DADDY." Blayne said sarcastically as she wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand. "I deserved the slap. I have truly been your daughter these last few days," Blayne said with such coldness that Arthur took a step back.
Gabriella came out of the hold that held her unmoving. She came down the staircase and immediately Blayne's eyes looked towards her and they locked. It caught Gabriella by surprise to see the wounded look in them.
Gabriella passed by Arthur and walked up to Blayne who looked at her without saying a word. Gabriella reached into her bag and took out a handkerchief. She gently wiped the blood from Blayne's lips all the while looking deeply into her eyes. Blayne then took her hand and held it as she bowed her head.
Gabriella caressed the bruise that was already appearing on the beautiful face. "Come on…we'll get you an ice cream cone. Any flavor you want," Gabriella said tenderly.
Blayne was surprised and a smile slowly appeared on her face. "Any flavor?"
Gabriella nodded. "Any flavor." She then took her by the hand and led the way.
Arthur stood rooted to the spot. Again he was speechless and confused by the interplay between Blayne and Gabriella.
If I didn't know any better… he didn't allow the thought to continue.
Gabriella had, in her silence and indifference, let him know what she thought of him. With Blayne however she had shown incredible tenderness. The lamb led the wolf and the wolf, Blayne, had docilely followed. Arthur didn't like what was going through his mind at the moment. He didn't like it one bit.