** Author's Note: We officially made it to chapter 100!! Thank you for all your support and I hope you continue to enjoy the story as it unfolds. (^u^) **
Meredith had wowed the clients. She not only showed them the amazing designs that her team had come up with but also explained the marketing points and how the design moved the eye along to key features increasing the appeal.
They were very impressed with the classic throwback style that mixed in with the new concept and fell that they were moving in with their rebranding. They complimented her and her team and were very pleased with the end result. Edward promised to have everything in the books and ready to be billed so both businesses could close their books with it for the year.
They were saying their goodbyes and thanking Karen, Edward, and Meredith as they walked them out. The CEO of the company had viewed this project as so important to the future of the company that he had attended
Abigail told Meredith that Brayden was busy and Meredith just stood there and blinked at the woman. She thought the secretary was pretty when she had first met her but this woman really was very stunning up close.Abigail wore a leather pencil skirt that fit her like a glove. It went from just above her natural waist and ended at her knee. There was a slit that went up her left leg to mid thigh exposing her smooth milky bare leg.She had a satin long sleeve mock neck blouse with a v-neck looking cutout in the front and hook button closure on the back neck with a slit that went midway down her back. She had on t-strap designed black patent leather platform pumps.Abigail had a slim petite figure that Meredith assumed was several inches shorter than her but with the platform pumps Abigail had risen to almost reach Meredith’s heeled height. The woman in front of Meredith had naturally pouty lips with a light, almost nude, pink gloss and her eyes were li
Meredith woke up the next morning with a slight headache. She hadn’t been at the party long but she had been making the best of it because she knew Brayden had a tendency to leave early. Or at least he had on another occasion that left her without a delicious dessert.She hadn’t wanted to have that happen again so she downed as much of the snacks she could try and washed them down with glasses of champagne. She wasn’t exactly sure how far she had gotten when Brayden pulled her from the party.She did know that she hadn’t gotten to try everything and that she had at least four glasses of champagne. She wouldn’t have called herself drunk but she definitely wasn’t sober. She was in much better condition than the late work night with Edward.Nonetheless on the first day of the year along with countless others that morning Meredith woke up with a hangover, albeit a mini hangover it was still a hangover. Meredith involuntarily
Meredith was called back into the small office on the twenty-second floor and took a seat on the little comfy sofa in the room full of neutrals. She felt a rush of things bubbling underneath the surface just waiting to burst out.She had been thinking of all the things she wanted to bring up, what she wanted to ask, and those things led to more which led to more until her mind was left holding far too many things at once. By the time she sat down on that sofa her mind held so many things at once that it wasn’t possible to start with one and set it down without the rest of them tumbling out as well.This left Meredith apprehensive and unsure of where or how to start. When she had gotten onto the elevator in her condo building it had seemed so simple. She knew exactly what she would say to Dr. Hershman and how she would say it. She even thought she knew wha
Meredith got into the back seat of the Mercedes and Brayden was sitting in the seat behind the driver seat. He was doing something on his phone and didn’t look up as he asked how the appointment was.“Reflective…” Meredith mumbled. She was still wondering what all it had meant and she felt a little disappointed that she wasn’t able to unload all of everything that she had been thinking of on the way to her appointment. She had wanted to know what to do right now.She wanted someone to tell her how to handle everything and what to do about her incredibly sexy husband that was doing something with his secretary and acting like he wanted to rip her clothes off one moment and another ignoring her entirely.She kind of wanted some advice on how to deal with the hawks gliding above watching her every move. She thought she was starting to understand them in a way. They were playing a game of societal chess. She had to protect her ki
Meredith had been sitting in first class next to Brayden for some time staring out the window numb to see what was happening. She was in a bit of shock. She didn’t know why she should be surprised. Brayden was a different breed of person. He got whatever he wanted whenever he wanted and always got what he wanted. Meredith reminded herself that being married to him was an example that whatever Brayden wanted wouldn’t escape him. She knew he wanted her to be his wife in this scheme of his to take over the company. Why her? She had asked herself that so many times. She had asked Brayden and she was never satisfied with the answer. Maybe it was because he could manipulate her and use her weaknesses against her to make it work in his favor. Everything he did seemed like a chess move. The entire group of these wealthy,
Meredith had followed Brayden through the closet where the bedroom was. A large king sized bed sat in the middle of the room against the left wall facing a window to the right. There was a white sheer curtain that was on a round track that encircled the bed. The curtains were pulled back and framed the bed on either side.There was a small seating area past the bed but Meredith was more concerned with the bed in front of her. She sighed a sigh of relief and as she went around to the other side of the bed as she left Brayden’s side their hands drifted apart.Meredith sat on the bed then turned to Brayden and he nodded. She followed him back into the closet where he opened a bag and pulled out a smaller bag and handed to her and he guided her to the bathroom that was connected to the closet by a door in the middle of the closet on the same wall as the bedro
Meredith was wearing a navy fisherman’s sweater and a pair of white crocheted lace pants.The pants were fitted in the waist and flared out to a wider leg over a pair of Louboutin black quilted boots with a rounded rubber toe and heavy duty lug soles on a block heel. She wasn’t sure if they were going out or not so she put on her warm boots just in case. Brayden met Meredith in the seating area shortly after she had gotten dressed. He was wearing a pair of Kiton rust colored chinos. He also had on a Kiton sweater. It was light blue at the top and had an ombre fade into white just before the hem and cuffs which were a darker blue. He also had lug soles on his black Fendi combat boots with a jacquard Fend F patterned panel. “Come on,” Brayden said as he walked past Meredith and headed to the door. As they got into the elevator which was in their suite Meredith wondered why they needed an elevator. What could there be on a second floor that they couldn’t have on the firs
Meredith was following Brayden out of the hotel he suddenly brought her to. They were on their way to ‘go exploring’ as Brayden had put it. Meredith had absolutely no idea what that meant. It really could be anything and she didn’t know what was in Zurich. To be honest she sucked at geography and not only was she unaware that Zurich existed but she didn’t know where Switzerland was located on a map. She assumed it was somewhere north. She was clued in on that assumption by the climate that surrounded them. Needless to say she didn’t know what was in store for her on the outing. She was excited to see a new city and environment. She was especially excited that the new city she got to ‘explore’ was one overseas. How many people go to Switzerland randomly? As they entered the lobby of the hotel on their way ou
Meredith was thoroughly enjoying the garden party. There were immaculate flowers, greenery and shrubs delicately sprinkled around the greenest lushest lawn Meredith had ever seen. She had gotten so many compliments on her outfit. Of course, she gave all the credit to Brayden who had picked it all out. Brayden charmed all the women without even saying anything, when he did they were almost faint.Meredith shook her head at it all and went about the party trying every bit of the au d'oeuvres that were presented. If she found one that was exceptional she would pop it in Brayden’s mouth. Brayden didn’t complain because he loved watching Meredith doing this little dance of the foodie.The Baxton’s finally caught up with Meredith and Brayden near the sushi station where Meredith was trying a mini dragon roll. Brayden was talking to a well known architect and promising to stop by and take a look at his home designs.“I see you two made it okay,” Dave Baxton greeted he chuckled watching Mere
Meredith and Brayden had finished their fourth and last jump of the day. They had been at the Chicagoland Skydiving Center for nearly the whole day. They were having so much of a fun time it felt like time flew by and before they knew it they were on jump four and starting to wear out a bit.They thanked Steve and scheduled to come back in a week to go over more ground training and get some more jumps in. Then they headed on their way.“I’ll drive. You’re exhausted, babe,” Brayden said and he opened the passenger seat for Meredith to get in.“It’s just an excuse to drive my car.”“Maybe”“Did you like it really?” Meredith asked with a yawn as Brayden slid into the driver’s seat.“I loved it! I think we should do jumps on Saturday and Sunday. Eight jumps a week and we can get to two hundred in no time.” Brayden looked like he was grinning, which to anyone else would look like a small smile. Meredith knew her husband was excited and so was she. Brayden drove towards Schaumburg and foun
Meredith woke up earlier than usual for a Saturday. She had a long night and had only managed to squeeze in a few hours of sleep. Still she felt refreshed and with excitement that her husband was slightly afraid of. He of course had been up long before she opened her eyes.Brayden recalled the kayaking date, which was fun with a hint of danger being him falling into the river with Meredith laughing. But that was nothing compared to her jumping down the Swiss Wall. And while they were separated Brayden had no idea what Meredith had been up to. Jacob had been very vague with his reports.Brayden, who wasn’t sure how to dress for wherever Meredith was taking them, opted for casual attire. He wore a pair of Bruno Magli Italian leather sneakers in a dark burnished chestnut color. He had on a pair of Brunello Cucinelli navy cashmere creased sweatpants and a white Tom Ford t-shirt under a black The Row cashmere zip up hoodie.He followed Dino into the kitchen where he first fed Dino then pre
Meredith and Brayden took the elevator down to Brayden’s office. Brayden seemed to be deep in thought so Meredith decided not to interrupt. Finally just as they entered Brayden’s office he turned to her and raised an eyebrow.“What?” Meredith asked, confused.“What’s going on tomorrow?” Brayden asked in a serious tone.“I just decided to pick up a new hobby and thought it would be great if you came with me,” Meredith gave her best I’m-an-angel smile and puppy dog eyes.“As long as you aren’t planning on jumping off the side of a mountain again.” Brayden moved in close to his wife and searched her eyes.“Not at the moment,” Meredith smirked. Brayden leaned in to kiss the smirk off Meredith’s face. She reached around his waist and he wrapped her in his embrace as they both sighed a calming peaceful sigh simultaneously.“If you want to move back to the condo let’s make it happen.” Brayden conceded. “I don’t care where I live as long as I’m with you.” Meredith looked up into Brayden’s sin
Meredith was on her way out the office to have lunch with Brayden before they went to see his father to talk about the CEO position. Brayden had felt very strongly about securing the title. So much so that he had coerced a random stranger in the elevator into marrying him. Meredith sighed in relief as she walked out of her building and saw Sean waiting with the familiar Mercedes to take her to the Maxwell Sharpe building. She had on her black belted pleated short sleeve Burberry dress and her strappy Louboutin stiletto sandals. “It’s good to see you, Sean. Thank you.” Meredith said as she reached the car. “It’s good to see you too, Mrs. Maxwell.” Sean responded. Meredith smiled and got into the car and they were soon on their way. Meredith was slightly nervous about
Meredith felt that familiar thumping and the pounding through her body as her feet hit the treadmill mat in her building’s workout room. She looked out the window at the natural light shining in the already bright workout space and smiled. She no longer needed to run as an escape or to be strong enough to push things down in order to be a perfect Maxwell. This time she had chosen Brayden and they truly were a united team going into things. As she was running she remembered her parents’ had been suspicious about her relationship with Brayden. Maybe they should look for a new home. It would be weird if Meredith had told her parents that they were getting a new place and they just kept the old one. Meredith shrugged to herself, and started her cooldown. Technically her apartment was a new place for them. And t
Meredith woke up in her husband's arms and didn’t want to get out of bed. She sighed and picked up her phone and pressed the button to light up the display flashing the time before her eyes. Another sigh and a light groan later and she was getting out of bed and headed into her shared walk-in-closet and chose something to wear from her work wardrobe.She picked a Tommy Hilfiger pencil skirt with front faux zippered pockets. She paired it with a pair of BCBG black pumps and her Eileen silk top. Meredith got washed and dressed and grabbed her Michael Kors bag and headed out for work.She texted Jacob as she walked from her apartment to her job and made sure that was going to send Brayden home on time and make sure that he ate lunch. Meredith decided she was going to nag about this for the week.She d
“No secrets, Mere.” Taylor was looking Meredith up and down and her outfit. She knew Meredith had kept her ‘billionaire wardrobe’ at Brayden’s for whatever reason but was now suddenly wearing them. “I can’t wear them?” Meredith tried to feign ignorance to no avail. Taylor just gave her a look and Alyssa was still confused. “Isn’t Brayden your husband?” Alyssa asked, having never met him but heard stories. “I don’t understand. Do you have separate homes?” “Yes. Sort of.” Meredith responded and Taylor raised an eyebrow as the server dropped off more drinks. “We separated.” “What!” Alyssa gasped while Taylor casually picked up her drink and waited for Meredith to get to the part she was interested in; why Meredith was wearing clothes that were at Brayden’s. “We missed each other. He's moving in my place and we are working things out.” Meredith shrugged then began to sip her drink as well. She had gotten a lemonade so she wouldn’t have to worry about Clinton popping up and carrying he
Brayden wanted to help Meredith get rid of her Christian problem. Meredith didn’t really want Brayden involved at all. If she had needed help she would have called Jacob but she wasn’t ready to go that route. In all actuality, Meredith was hoping Christian would get the clues and bold hints she had for him that she wasn’t interested.“If it gets too much for me to handle, I’ll let you know.” Meredith told Brayden over some twenty-three layer chocolate cake that she had picked up earlier. Brayden picked the dessert wine and as always Meredith was loving the combination and they accented one another.“I was worried you would say that. Meredith, I want to be with you. Hopefully that’s a little more obvious by me moving in but for this to work I think we are going to need some sort of structure.”