Meredith woke up on Saturday morning in the gorgeous suite on board the Hawiian cruise ship. She looked out her window to see they had docked at the next island. She couldn’t remember the travel itinerary that Edward had gone over several times the night before.
Edward was next to Meredith sleeping in the same bed. She hadn’t told the other girls that she was sharing a room with her brother-in-law. She thought it would be best if she kept that to herself for the time being.
Meredith got out of bed and went to take a quick shower. She was going to meet the girls for breakfast and decide what to do for the rest of the day. She was so excited to be on this mini vacation that she wasn’t going to let Edward’s sharing her room get to her.
She knew there had to have been a catch to accepting the tickets. As soon as he said ‘our room’ the previous day she knew what the catch was. He had been teasing her incessantly for weeks, months even, on how she should hook
Meredith lounged on the beach on a large monogram Louis Vuiton black and gray eclipse beach towel. She was wearing a black triangle bikini top with three Vs as the hardware with one double strap and one single strap leading to the LV logo clasp on the back. The monogram print was in a directional, vibrant neon print set against the black jersey fabric. She was trying to squeeze in a little bit of the sun that was left before it drifted away from her on the horizon. Taylor and Alyssa were on either side of her, also on matching towels with similar swimsuits. Taylor wore a string triangle Louis Vuiton bikini with a black and white monogram print and Alyssa wore a black with neon print one piece with one strap and a cutout across the center. They watched as Edward surfed in a pair of black Bottega Veneta swim shorts that looked practically painted onto his
Meredith woke up in the luxury cruise line suite. She was sharing a room with her brother-in-law. She had told herself many times since he had first uttered those words, 'our room,' that Edward was a perfect gentleman and just her annoying brother-in-law.But they were sharing a bed. She had told herself also that the set up was only due to Edward and Helena's trip getting canceled because she wasn't able to make it. But she knew it must have been possible to book a separate room.She just couldn't find herself to leave her friends with Edward alone in the Haven. That's what she told herself, at least. They had been given the tours when they first arrived and were fully aware that anyone not staying in the Haven suites did not have access to the Haven amenities.Meredith knew that her friends would have understood and would have simply joined her wherever she was on the ship. They didn't need to have overly extravagant meals all day long and some of the meals an
Meredith sat eating lunch with Alyssa and Taylor. Edward was gone again to another meeting. Meredith had been pretty far gone on the alcohol the night before. Edward made sure to sit as close by as possible at all times. He danced and flirted and turned up the drinks for all the girls.Alyssa wasn’t going to let Meredith do something she would regret later. Not knowing that Edward wouldn’t allow a drunk Meredith to go after him due to his arrogance, Alyssa set out to save her friend.Alyssa had Meredith spend the night in her room, which Edward to her surprise encouraged. Alyssa was confused as to what his game was. It was clear that he wanted Meredith badly, enough to blow tens of thousands of dollars on the three of them.But he wasn’t going to attempt to seal the deal. It was almost like he want
Meredith was exhausted. She had spent the rest of the flight thinking about what had happened. What was up with Taylor and her stupid kids' game? And everyone in the room knew Edward had been flirting with Meredith the whole trip. Didn't they? Meredith really missed Brayden, but she wasn't sure how she would face him after what happened. It was bad enough that she slept in the same bed as Edward, and he kept walking around her naked. Meredith never had anything to keep from Brayden. She never had reason not to tell him something. She had tossed and turned, wondering what was wrong with her. Did she really view Brayden as such a friend that she missed him? Why would she worry about how to tell him about Edward? It wasn't like he would care. Why should she care? Meredith sighed. She did a lot of sighing in the back of the plane alone. Taylor had come to find her and apologize. Meredith didn't respond to Taylor. She didn't know what
Helena had left early Monday morning to go to work on her thesis. She needed to use some reference books and she knew Edward would be home later so she had decided to spend the entire day getting as much work done as she could before he got back.Helena walked into the Harold Washington Library and took the escalators up past the fountains to the main floor. She continued to the fourth floor. She was on auto drive; she wasn’t thinking about her research project or what books she needed for her thesis.All Helena could think of was her weekend at a certain David’s house while his wife was out of town. A smile began to creep across her face thinking about all the details of the week end, particularly the night time activities.Helena was born brunette. She had light brown auburn hair that was natural
"I slept with Helena…" the words that Brayden had said the night before echoed in Meredith's head all morning. She was in a fog and subconsciously wore all black. She sat at her desk at work wearing a Tom Ford body-con ribbed knit dress.It was black with long sleeves and a zipper down the sternum. The dress landed just below the knee. She wore her black Prada slingback mules and had her Bottega Veneta black leather tote with large woven leather panels.She was zoned out in a rhythm, knocking out project after project and working on whatever Karen gave her for the project that Karen led. She was glad she went to lunch and listened to Taylor chatter on and on about how she missed Hawaii and the kiss that should have been hers.Meredith would give anything to have let Taylor have it instead. She didn't want Edward to kiss her. She didn't ask for it. Taylor actually had asked. Meredith knew if she looked glum Taylor would ask what was wrong and why.
Brayden watched his wife quietly eating across from him. They sat at his desk that he had cleared. Meredith was munching her sandwich in a zombie-like state. Slow and with all emotion removed. She had been that way since he told her he slept with Helena.He couldn’t beat himself more than he already had over it. It was such a stupid mistake. He couldn’t believe how he could have possibly not recognized that the woman he touched wasn’t his wife.There were signs but he was blinded to them. He missed her so much he just wanted a part of her, any part she would give him. They had been at odds since the Valentine’s Day charity dinner, which had proven a huge success.They had raised approximately $237,000.00 which they had promised to match, so in all they donated close to half a million dollars
Meredith stood partially awakened from her stupor. She felt as though Brayden had blown softly and lifted the fog from around her momentarily, just long enough for her to see him. It was just enough for her to remember how much she missed him.Meredith’s heart began to ache as she rode the elevator down two floors. She didn’t have time to process what was going on with her internally. She took a deep breath as the elevator came to a stop and then she swallowed and walked through the doors after they opened up to the thirty-fifth floor, also known as Edward Maxwell’s floor.From one brother to another, she thought with a hint of melancholy. She sighed and headed for the conference room. Henry was already there along with Karen who had not taken a lunch but spent her lunch hour preparing for the meeting and then arrived early to make up fo
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.”