It was Monday night and Brayden sat on the sofa across from his secretary and assistant. They had insisted that he eat something with them because he hadn’t been taking care of himself in the past seven days. It had been a week since Brayden sent Meredith to her parents’ place, and the twins and Jacob had to deal with the moody boss.
The first day he was extremely agitated at anything they did right or wrong, then he started to scare them. The always polished and perfectly poised boss they knew came into work with wet disheveled hair that looked like he had washed it and towel dried it then walked out the door without giving it another thought.
He had stubble from a five o’clock shadow he hadn’t shaved and he had an eerie vacant stare when he entered the office. Jacob and Mercedes were instantly concerned. When he started keeping l
Meredith had been awoken by a strange dream. She didn’t know what it meant or if it meant anything at all. All she knew was she still had that same feeling that something was missing. Dino stirred at the foot of her bed and Meredith looked at the clock, which read 5:14 a.m.She sighed and put her arm over her eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath and deciding to get up. She reset her alarm clock so it wouldn’t go off randomly while she was getting ready.It was her first day at her new job. Meredith got into her running gear and headed to her new gym in her new building. She did a few stretches in the elevator on the way to the gym. It was much larger than the gym at Brayden’s place. It took up nearly half of the floor.The gym was in the floor between the residential apartments above
Brayden walked into work on Monday morning. He had on Black suit pants with a matching jacket and a light pink button up with the top two buttons unbuttoned. He hadn’t even bothered with a tie. “Good morning, sir.” Mercedes greeted him. “Where’s Jacob?” Brayden asked flatly. “He should be headed to your office shortly.” Mercedes assured her boss and typed a direct message to Jacob to get to Brayden’s office asap. She also included that Brayden was not looking any better than before even after taking a week off. If anything she thought he looked worse. “Goodmorning, sir.” Jacob said as he met Brayden at the door to his office and opened it for him. “I know you want to ask how my week off was,” Brayden said with no inflict
Brayden woke up on Tuesday and followed his routine exactly. He washed and dressed and combed his hair. He stared in the mirror and decided to keep the short beard that was forming. He sighed and met Sean down at the car and was handed a coffee and a croissant. As he was on his way to work he got a call and when he looked at the screen it read Lucian Hawthorne. That was unexpected, he thought and he answered the call. “Hello Luc…” Brayden greeted and was curious as to what his old roommate was calling for after so many years of no contact. It had been years since he had heard from or even of Lucian Hawthorne and it was very random that he would call. Considering how crazy Brayden’s life had been in the past couple of weeks or even the past month he wasn’t easily surprised by things anymore.
It was Wednesday and Meredith had been dodging her shrink for weeks. She felt it was time to go to one last session and just get it over with. She was no longer with Brayden and didn’t need to keep this horrible weight of a secret anymore.She hadn’t really told anyone that Brayden had broken up with her. She wasn’t sure how to say it because she wasn’t really sure what had happened. Her parents knew something was up but it could just be a fight and they needed to cool off as far as they knew.Meredith was still wearing her rings afterall, which Christian had pointed out when he asked if she was married. Speaking of which she wasn’t sure if she was really into bowling. She had fun at her going away party.That was because she was able to have fun with her friends and coworkers and she w
Brayden had just got home on Wednesday from another longish night. But he had promised his staff he would try to go home at a decent hour so that is what he did just that…sort of. He was trying to think positively. He had done this for Meredith, and even though it hurt like hell it was the right thing to do. Brayden had a bottle of wine for dinner in his office and before he could finish his first glass the door buzzed. His mind instantly went to Meredith hoping she had come back to him, but he immediately shook the fantasy away and went to get the door. Only people that he told the guard about were allowed up to his floor to buxx the door but he wasn't expecting anyone. Brayden looked through the peephole and rolled his eyes then opened the door. "BrayBray! What is going on my man!" Brayden's old roommate stood at the door with a shoulder bag and a large suitcase behind him. He was shorter than Brayden at about five feet and maybe ten inches. He had messy lo
Meredith was at home Thursday night. It was late and she was standing in front of her closed sock drawer just staring at it. Her mind was blank and she was still in a bit of shock. Earlier her boss had kissed her at the game. She hadn’t really thought much about it.Christian kissing her for the kisscam didn’t seem like a big deal because it was the kisscam and because of her research for the night she understood what it was. The rest of the night was fun and she enjoyed the game, the fight, the cheers, and the overall atmosphere that came with being at a hockey game.Christian had shared an uber with her and insisted on making sure she got into her very safe apartment building in a very safe neighborhood. He said goodnight with a kiss on her cheek and didn’t linger any more than that.All in all M
Meredith drove toward Michigan Avenue and quickly parked in the garage between the North Bridge mall and the Grand Lux, then rushed out toward the cafe. Meredith got to the host stand and told them her name and that she was late for a meeting."Right this way Ms. Glenn," The hostess responded and led her through the restaurant to a table under a stained glass window. As she got closer she noticed a man seated with his back to her on the small red velvet booth.He was wearing a light grey suit that looked like it cost a fortune. He had on a pair of semi brogue lace up boots. She could see his hair was long on top and the sides seemed to melt into a short beard The hostess motioned to the table."Here is your party Ms. Glenn. Your server should be over shortly." The woman smiled and returned to the front of the restaurant. Meredith watched for a moment then remembered that she was being a bit rude."Please excu…Bra-Brayden?" Meredith sat down slowly
Meredith finished up with work Friday late as usual. Only when she was riding home with Brayden did she ever go home on time. Now that she was in a new job she hadn't changed her old habits of barely making it in time and staying as the last one to leave.She had an interesting day, learning that Brayden foolishly tried to give her half of everything he owned after barely half a year of marriage. It had been half a year hadn't it? Meredith thought about it. It seemed like it was much longer.She sighed and stretched, then began to close up everything she had been working on. She wasn't sure how to respond to Brayden. She couldn't deny that she missed him. She had missed him even when she was mad at him for leaving her across the world without saying anything.There was more to it than that, she thought. Maybe Mercedes was right. Maybe they should just go on a date and see what happens from there. She had started seeing Brayden as her best friend, sorry Taylor, s
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.”