His house was in the suburbs. When she had been a teenager, Elise had been embarrassed by that fact. Cool people lived in big cities which is why she had probably moved to New York City after college.
Now she was grateful. Her father's house was at the end of the street in the less populated area. There were two empty lots on either side and a large fence in the backyard to keep out nosy neighbors.
It was a large white Dutch colonial with black shutters and a white picket fence. Peonies and black eyed Susan's lined the walk as well as under the large picture windows.
She pulled in the driveway and glanced at the clock. It was three o'clock. Her father wasn't home yet. She was glad. She was still a little emotional yet. Leslie hadn't understood or approved of what she was doing. She was still too fragile. She was making the decision based emotions instead of thinking things through rationally.
But it was too late. She had already made her decision.
Leslie had yelled and chided. For the first time in their author/agent relationship, they had fought. And now Elise didn't know what to do. Leslie knew what had happened between her and her father. She knew she would never do what Francine had done, but there was the very real possibility she would decline to be her agent anymore. That could cause real problems for her.
The literary world knew they had a close relationship. No one would touch her if Leslie dropped her. Money wasn't a problem. She had made a few profitable investments. They had also made a couple of her books into blockbuster movies. She was a millionaire in her own right which is how she could afford to keep Murray, Murray, and Murray on retainer.
She got out of the car slamming the door in anger. What right did Leslie have to tell her what to do? God damn it! She should know by this time how much Alec meant to her. Yes, he had hurt her, but it was by his absence not what had happened between them. She got her suitcase out of the trunk and made her way up the front walk.
She opened the front door and stepped inside. She put down her suitcase by the front door and sighed as she closed it. She put her keys in her purse and hung it up underneath her coat on the coat rack. She picked up her suitcase and headed up stairs.
"As if my life wasn't complicated enough." She muttered as she headed toward Alec's...no, their bedroom.
Elise ran her fingers through her hair and hoped things got easier. At the moment, she was ready to pull her hair out by the roots.
* * * * *
"Oh fuck, Francine." Culver gripped the arms of his leather swivel chair as he threaded his fingers through Francine's long blond hair. "You're such a good little cocksucker."
Francine moaned as she fingered herself while sucking his cock.
"Isn't she good, Michaels?" Culver panted, sweat dotting his forehead.
"I wouldn't know." Alec said, irritated and uncomfortable with their wantonness.
"I can arrange it." Culver gasped. "Oh fuck! I'm going to cum in your pretty little mouth!"
"No, thanks." Alec glared at Culver. "I'm not interested."
"Your...OH FUCK...loss." Culver panted. "Ahhh!"
Alec turned his head. He wanted to throw up. Francine got herself off shortly after. He knew they had done this purposefully. They had suffered a blow. Now they felt the need to make him suffer right along with them.
Alec refused to look at them until they righted their clothing.
"So..." Culver said as he stood up to zip up his fly and re-buckle his belt. "Have you managed to convince your daughter to drop the whole business."
"No." Alec replied, simply.
Culver turned and glared at him. Alec arched a brow. Francine pouted and looked dangerously close to tears.
"Michaels, do I need to remind you...?" Culver began.
"I'm sorry whose child has who by the balls?" Alec smiled broadly.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you, you bastard!" Francine yelled, pacing back and forth. "You just love the fact we're going to lose our children, don't you?"
"Considering your respective personalities and the things you've made me and my daughter do." Alec replied. "The pain you put us through. I can't say I'm not enjoying seeing you squirm."
"Michaels, what was done was necessary." Culver sat back down and swallowed hard. "Your absolute loyalty to the company was needed to be a productive member on the board..."
"I have always been loyal to this company!" Alec yelled, standing up. He had had enough. "Do you have any idea how many companies have tried to steal me away including Lexapro? I have always turned them down because I enjoyed working for this company! The only thing you did by making me have sex with my daughter is make me regret I didn't leave when I had the chance!"
"So...she hasn't forgiven you?" Culver shared a glance with Francine.
"She's agreed to let me prove to her I deserve to be forgiven." Alec said after a moment. "She's coming home which is why I asked for this meeting. I have caught up on all my correspondence. I've done as much as I can to repair things with Bob Alistair. Despite the situation, he has agreed to reconsider allowing Elise to call the shots."
"How did you do that?" Francine frowned.
"I reminded him that business is business." Alec replied, coldly. "Whatever happens in someone's personal life shouldn't have any influence on business. He was already having second thoughts. Apparently, Microsoft's terms are unacceptable. Our company is their only other option."
"Well, that's good news." Culver took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Yes, it means I'm off the hook." Alec stared at him dispassionately.
"Michaels, it means she can be reasoned with." Culver said, a smile reappearing on her face. "It means you have a shot at convincing her to stop all this."
"Which brings me to the point." Alec folded his arms across his chest. "I need time to show her I'm back in her life forever. And before you tell me I have to end all contact after this situation, I have two words for you. Fuck you. This is none negotiable. She is everything to me. I will not lose her again."
