Blayne turned towards her and looked at the notes she had made on a file on her desk.
"Tara Montgomery right?"
"Yes, she is here representing AMAG. I put the file on your desk and the notes that you had made for this meeting. Is there anything else before I bring her in?"
"Just give me a few minutes Carla." Blayne said as she removed her jacket and began to look through the notes.
"Yes, Ms Anberville." Carla walked out closing the door behind her.
A few minutes later there was a small knock on the door and Carla showed in Tara Montgomery.
Blayne walked over to the woman and brought her hand out. "Please come in Ms Montgomery. How are you? I am …"
"You are Blayne Anberville." Tara said with a bright smile as she took Blayne's hand and held it. "The pleasure is mine I assure you."
Blayne smiled and pointed to the chair in front of her desk. Tara looked around the office.
"Why don't' we sit on your couch instead. It will make it more….cozy, don't you agree?" Tara asked charmingly.
Blayne was surprised but smiled and nodded her head. "If you like."
Tara sat down and crossed her legs. She smiled when she caught Blayne looking at them.
"Let's talk business then shall we Ms Anberville." Tara said softly and again gave Blayne a disarming smile.
Blayne could not believe what she thought she was seeing. The woman was openly flirting with her.
"Yes of course Ms Montgomery. We want to…"
"Please call me Tara." She said as she put her hand on Blayne's leg.
"If you like."
"I like very much. Are you busy for dinner Ms Anberville?"
Chaz thought they were a gruesome circle at dinner. Joseph was obviously pleased to be there; he never stopped trying to engage and impress Arthur in something or another. Diana spoke amicably with Gabriella and her mother who seemed to be happy enough these days. The girl named Elle was brooding and the boy, Christopher wouldn't stop talking to him.
"I don't have any other uncles." Christopher said to Chaz.
Chad looked down at him trying to control his obvious dislike.
"Yes well, you have one now don't you?"
"You have any other nephews?"
"No."
"Christopher do you like horses?" Arthur asked his grandson who suddenly smiled from ear to ear and nodded.
"If your parents are agreeable maybe we can go riding tomorrow, would you like that?"
"Yes Grandfather, that would be awesome."
Both Arthur and Abigail laughed at the boy's enthusiasm.
"How about you Elena?"
"My name is Elle!"
Everyone's attention turned towards the moody child.
"I'm sorry, Elle." Arthur said conciliatorily.
"Elle apologize this instant." Joseph insisted.
"Why?" The girl lashed out. "I didn't want to come."
"Elle!" Joseph stood up.
"Joseph leave it alone." Gabriella said angrily.
"It's all right. Elle has a right to demand to be called by her name." Arthur tried to intervene.
"Elle apologize this instant." Joseph insisted.
Elle got more upset by the second. She didn't want all this attention. Everyone was staring. She got up and ran out of the room.
"You don't know when to ever stop do you!" Gabriella said accusingly at Joseph as she went after her daughter. Joseph sat down and all conversation seized at the dinner table.
Blayne was pulling into the driveway when someone ran in front of her car.
"Oh my god!" She stopped abruptly and stared at the girl frozen in fear in front of her car.
Blayne got out and grabbed the girl harshly and turned her around to face her.
"What did you think you were doing?" Blayne shook from fear and so did Elle.
"Elle! Oh my god Elle!" Gabriella had seen the whole thing and ran towards them.
Blayne looked at the child in her grasp and stared at her as if looking at something foreign. She released the girl as soon as Gabriella reached them. Gabriella took Elle into her arms.
"My god Elle, what were you thinking." Gabriella was trembling with fear as she held her daughter tightly to her.
Blayne stared at mother and child for a moment. This was Gabriella's child. She met Gabriella's eyes for a moment before walking over to her car and getting in again.
Gabriella and Elle walked back inside as Blayne drove her Arnage T towards the garage area.
When she got out of the automobile she looked at her hands and noticed how they shook. She then put them in her pockets and walked up towards the house.
When Blayne finally walked into the house they were all in the grand room having coffee. Arthur looked surprised and Diana smiled.
"Blayne." Diana said as she walked over to her sister and hugged and kissed her.
Chaz smiled to himself and walked over to get a drink from the crystal decanter that had just been brought in.
Joseph stared at the woman in admiration and recognition.
"I'm so glad you came Blayne." Diana said as she walked her sister over to Gabriella and Joseph. "Come and meet Gabriella's family."
Gabriella seemed to pale and Elle leaned against a corner brooding. She didn't like the lady that had shaken her outside after almost running her over.
"Blayne this is Joseph, Gabriella's husband." Diana made the introductions.
Joseph put his hand out. Blayne extended hers as well.
"Hello." Blayne said politely.
"The pleasure is mine. I must admit the resemblance is uncanny Gabriella," he said as he turned towards his wife.
"Excuse me?" Blayne said with her hand still in Joseph's.
He turned back to her again still not releasing her hand.
"My wife has a bust of you in her studio."
Blayne pulled her hand out of his and looked at Gabriella who met her eyes. Gabriella broke the connection as she smiled and looked towards her husband.
Diana jumped in trying to brake the awkward silence the fell between them.
"Well perhaps when it's done you will let us see it. I don't think I saw it when I was at your home." Diana questioned.
"Gabriella is very private about her work. I think I got a preview because I surprised her one afternoon." Joseph said as he stared at his wife.
Arthur walked over. "Blayne, how wonderful that you could make it."
Blayne turned towards Arthur and instantly he could see that she was angry at him.
"Hello father," she greeted him politely.
"Well, well, well the whole family together." Chaz said as he poured himself yet another drink. "This is going to be a very interesting weekend. Don't you think so Blayne?" Chaz taunted.
"Chaz I can see that you are the same boar as ever." Blayne challenged him.
"Where will you be sleeping tonight Blayne?" Chaz asked venomously.
"All right you two, don't start up." Abigail said as she slid her arms into Chaz's arm. "What ever are you talking about?"
"Chaz!" Arthur intervened.
"Still brooding because I knocked you down on your ass Chaz?" Blayne taunted him right back.
"Enough you two!" Arthur jumped in. He wanted the situation controlled.
Joseph just stared from one to the other not understand a thing. Diana noticed how Gabriella paled and tried holding her hands to stop their shaking.
"Be good Chaz." Abigail implored him.
"Yes mother." He said giving her a charming smile. "Blayne's a big girl after all isn't she?"
"And ever more successful at it then you." Blayne couldn't stop herself.
"Chaz! Not another word. Blayne that's enough. Do you really want to pursue this here and now?" Arthur reminded her.
Blayne looked around and saw the face of the girl and the young boy staring at her curiously. She shook her head and walked away towards the crystal decanters and poured herself a drink.