Getting it off!

Matt

Nicholas had arranged for Mark and I to meet at a friend's club, VIP lounge. The place was deserted since it was booked for just the both of us. But for some reason, Mark cancelled. Nicholas may have omitted my name because I was dead sure that if Mark knew I was the one he was meeting, he'd be there before me.

I requested for his cell number and called him directly.

"Mark Willis speaking..." He answered at the second beep.

"It's Matthew Wagner. I..."

"Where?" He cut me off with a tight voice. No mistake, he was furious.

"Bubbling Red Club." He hung up. I relaxed more on the comfortable sofa as I waited. It's a good thing no one's around to interfere; 'Mark Willis and Matthew Wagner, two successful business tycoons fighting in the popular Bubbling Red club', would make a really disturbing headline. Especially since I'm the unmarried one and Mark's wife was drop-dead gorgeous. I couldn't afford to have my name linked to any kind of scandal.

Mark arrived almost immediately. He came in, scanned the room to make sure we were alone, then he securely locked the door and turned to me, doing little to conceal his anger.

"Bastard!" He snapped as he made for me, knocking the air out of me with one hard swing to my gut. For some moments, I let him hit me severally; breaking my nose, busting my lip. Then I got mad and hit him back. It was more of a jealous anger; Doris never really liked him and he wasn't even close to Claire, why would she go to him when she needed help? Of course she didn't know where to find me and Mark was the only other relative she knew, yet...

We kept at it until we both had no more strength left. He looked like shit and I knew I was no different.

"You know what?" He began as he flopped down on the 5-star rug. "Two days ago, my assistant served me some papers concerning a new casino opened about a month ago. I went through it and decided that it'd be a great place to promote my wine. What I wasn't ready for was the shock I got when I browsed who owned the place." He stopped and looked at me through bloody eyes. Damn! I didn't know I could hit that hard.

"You introduced yourself as Matthew Hugh to me. Well, now everything makes sense. After I met you for the first time that day, I searched everywhere for a certain Matthew Hugh; it was a dead end. There's no Matthew Hugh with your face." He paused again and flexed his jaw.

"I don't get it. Why would you go through so much trouble to hide your identity from me?"

"I wasn't hiding my identity from you, I was hiding it from the whole world. I got disowned and disinherited, I had no rights to my last name anymore. I could have easily told you about my past since you're my brother-in-law, but Doris made me swear not to." He shrugged and winced immediately as he started massaging his shoulders.

"I want to know what happened... right from the very beginning."

"Sure, but we'd better order some drinks and ice." I grinned.

Over a couple of drinks, I narrated everything to Mark; right from when I met Doris, to how I found out about him and the kids. He listened carefully and never really interrupted me; he wasn't even surprised when I narrated how Doris's attitude drastically changed when she realized we wouldn't be getting any money. It seemed like he expected it, like it was nothing new.

When I was done, he exhaled and finished his drink.

"Makes sense; Doris loved anything with a dollar sign. The only person's money she rejected was mine." His voice was pained and I knew how he felt. All those years Doris and I were together, there was not a single day she didn't get a text from him. He never gave up on reaching out to her. I felt so bad that I picked up her phone one day and invited him over to meet Claire. He wasted no time in appearing with his family; he was so happy to see Doris again. She made me sleep on the porch for two nights, but seeing that big smile on Mark's face was worth it.

"I still can't understand why, but it's useless thinking about that now." He turned to me. "You know, I believe you because I knew my sister and I made it my business to research about you; there's not one negative thing written about you. Although, it'll look suspicious to a random person, that shortly after your Dad's death, you got married to an average dork and went missing for ten years straight." He exhaled and leaned back.

"Claire won't be so convincing. Doris was her mother; no flaws there."

"I, at least have to try. She's a smart kid, I only have to explain to her." He chuckled.

"And tell her what? That her mother she loves so much was a golddigger who cared nothing about her family? You'd be lucky if she lets you use your mouth again." He jerked up. "Let's go."

I followed him through the secret exit to avoid being spotted by paparazzi. We each got into our cars and he drove off, leading the way. When we got there, he stopped me at the entrance.

"As much as I know that getting you back with your kids is the right thing to do, I don't want to see them hurting. If you try to win them for a whole week and Claire still thinks living without you is the best choice, you'll have to give it up." 

"Mark..."

"I know it sounds stupid and I wouldn't even want to do that if I'm in your shoes, but I've noticed that giving her some space works better." He gave me his hand for a handshake.

"Do we have a deal?" I hesitated. I would go mad if I have to stay away from my kids now that I'm so close to getting them back.

"Chin up, I'm on your side here." He's right, I just have to believe in Claire to do the right thing. I shook his hand, making a mental note of calling Luciana later.

"Great! Now, I've already called my wife and gave her a heads up. She'll keep James away while you and Claire 'talk'. You'll have to keep it down if you don't want to attract James's attention; it'd do him a lot of good not to see his sister transform into a skilled female Bruce Lee." He chuckled and his phone buzzed simultaneously.

"She's by the pool." He announced as he read whatever was on the screen. "I do hope for your sake that there's no weapon around." He grinned and led the way inside. I knew that he was trying to scare me and I hated that it was actually working. Having to go through what she went through, I doubt that Claire was still my cheerful little girl. She'd despise me, yeah, and I probably deserve it, but I wanted nothing more than to gain her love again.

Mark made a quick stop at the kitchen to grab an ice bag for himself, making a remark about me not needing one, until after I've 'spoken' to Claire. I hated that he kept adding air-quotes to 'spoken' and 'talk'.

We got to the pool area but he didn't go in immediately. He just stood back and waited. I couldn't complain, it gave me time to observe her.

She was taller and so skinny; maybe that was a thing for teenagers, but it didn't stop me from feeling like she didn't get enough food. She was sitting by the pool, eyes on the water but anyone could easily tell her mind was elsewhere. She looked so young, yet so mature; like she was forced to skip being a kid and just grow up. Her dark brown hair was longer than necessary, as if she hasn't had a haircut in a while. Her blue eyes which used to be so bright and happy, were dim and glassy. This wasn't going to be easy.

Mark went closer and said something to get her attention. I held my breath, thinking she saw me, but her eyes were on Mark the whole time as she approached him. I didn't concentrate on what they were saying as I kept observing her from my position at the door. Her eyes lit up a little as she looked at him with so much concern. Just seeing Mark improved her mood; she almost smiled. 

I was so lost in my thoughts that my heart dropped into my stomach the moment I heard Mark mention my name. He turned to me and Claire did the same. At first she looked shocked, then her face lost every expression, it was blank. She just stood there, staring at me.

"Now would be a good time to introduce yourself properly, don't you think?" Mark said sarcastically, clearly amused. Great! At least someone is enjoying himself.

I took a few steps closer until I was standing directly in front of her.

"Cla..."

"Get out!" She cut me off sharply.

"I'm really..."

"GET OUT!" She screamed at me as her face lost its blankness and was plunged into a deep furious expression.

"Not until you let me explain." She turned away from me, looking around for something. Her eyes fell on a skimmer net and I immediately knew what she planned. I grabbed her hands before she could make for the weapon.

"Please, just listen to me." I pleaded. It was really hard trying to restrain her as she fought to get free from me.

"I don't talk to lowlife men who abandon their heavily pregnant wives and ten year old daughters."

"I never abandoned you! Would you just let me explain?" She stepped hard on my foot and I released my grip on her for a spilt second, but it was enough for her to break free and reach for the skimmer net. 

"Leave right now." She threatened as she pointed the net at me. Mark finally intervened.

"Claire, you should listen to..."

"No! There is nothing he can say that would justify what he did."

"You can't be so sure, you might be surprised at his own part of the story." She threw away the net and turned angrily to Mark.

"Why are you on his side? Why did you bring him here? What? He can finally come out of his hiding place now because my mom is gone?" 

"Claire, I wasn't hiding at all. I couldn't tell you I was leaving because I didn't know..."

"Don't! I don't want to hear it. Just leave... please." Her shoulders sagged and she turned back to the pool, hugging herself.

"I really wish you'll let me explain."

"You made your choice. Go back to whatever you chose over your family." Her voice was shaky, just like Luciana's before she starts crying.

"That's the thing, I chose my family. Believe me, I..." Mark squeezed my shoulder gently and I gave up. I'll leave for tonight, but I'll definitely get my kids back.

"I'm not going to stop trying, Claire. One way or another, you'll realize that everything I did was for you." Geez! I sounded like my mother. Ugh.

"Come on." Mark said softly, leading me away from the pool area.

"I could ask Miriam to bring James outside, but you sure you want him to see you looking like this?" He whispered as we went out to the cars.

"Yes. I'll really feel better if I can just see him." His face lost it humor and he nodded. He tapped away on his phone, probably a text to his wife.

It was just a few minutes, but it felt like forever as I was really pumped to meet him finally. Miriam came out holding him by the hand. He looked just like his big sister; same brown hair and blue eyes. 

I beckoned on him to come closer.

"Hey, buddy." He hesitated, glancing at Mark, at me and back. Maybe he was scared, I mean, I looked like I was ran over by a train.

"It's okay, sweetie. He's your Daddy." My heart jolted as Miriam said that. What if he rejects me like Claire did? I would be so broken.

"My Daddy?" James asked, uncertain. Then he grinned and ran towards me, I caught him in time.

"Really?" He asked with wide eyes, smiling so sweetly.

"Yes, buddy." I didn't think it was possible but his eyes shone wider.

"Does that mean Claire and I will be with you from now on?"

"Yes... but not right now." His face fell.

"Why not? Don't you miss us?"

"Sure I do, James." I hugged him. "I want nothing more than to be with you. But, right now we can't."

"Well, why not?"

"I have to..."

"James?!" Claire appeared from nowhere and yanked James out of my arms.

"Don't you dare touch him! You didn't even wait to see his face before leaving. Why do you want him now, huh?!" 

"Claire... stop." James begged. His lower lip quivered as his eyes watered. Claire hugged him, muttering quietly to him.

"Leave." She said without looking at me and she carried her brother in. Miriam followed them in too.

"Well, what did I say?" Mark teased.

"I knew she'd hate me, but not enough to refuse James from seeing me." Mark shrugged.

"She has a point though, you are just seeing his face for the first time."

"You know I had no other choice." I snapped unintentionally. He didn't even bat an eyelash.

"I know that, you know that. Question is, how are you going to make Claire understand that?"

"I don't know yet, but I'm not giving up. Even if it means telling her the truth about her Mom, I'll do anything to get her back again. I'm going to get everything off my chest!"