Authors: DeLaine Roberts
“Alex, the flight was great and now, I am ready to put a bow on this deal for you tonight. It appears that you have Dr. Brooks right where you want him and right where our organization needs him.”
Oh, boy, that is further from the truth, so unfortunately, it looks as though I have to settle this. I try to muster up some courage, and I know my face is showing despair, because Drew is giving me a strange, questioning look. “Listen Drew, there’s, hmm, well, before we get any further along with this, there’s something important that I have to let you know.” Softly sighing, trying to find my words, and my courage. “Drew, I have started dating Grayson Brooks. I wanted to keep it private for awhile to see where it goes, but he is adamant about being honest and very public from the beginning, no secrets.”
Drew’s face is tight, his lips are
pursed, and he is so quiet. He’s just staring at me. “Alex, I should fire you right here on the spot! You have a morals clause in your contract, which clearly defines any embarrassment to the organization. How could you do this?”
“Drew, it just happened. I will fill you in on all the details, but please, please don’t fire me. I will, I CAN keep work separate. This will not affect our proposal or sale in any way!” I paused to look away; I couldn’t take his forceful glare.
“We didn’t plan this, it just happened. Chemistry, have you ever heard of it?”
He raised his finger, pointing it at me, “Alex, don’t take a tone with me. If this deal blows up tonight with the board team here, you will have some explaining to do, much higher up than me!”
Our drive back over to the restaurant was quiet except for the usual calls that Drew has to deal with. I could feel from the few looks he exchanged with me, the enormous frustration he was experiencing and even more concerned that our deal would go south with Dr. Brooks. Then it really began to sink in how my actions may have compromised my future. I didn’t know how I would be able to rectify this if tonight did not go well.
Sambuca’s private dining room was the perfect venue for our meeting and we would still be able to hear Creya singing in the background. Thinking about dancing with Grayson just a couple of nights ago, brought a smile to my face.
“Alex, care to share with me what has you grinning so mischievously?” We were testing the audio/visual components for Drew’s presentation and I had become lost in my thoughts about Grayson.
“Drew, I was re-thinking my outfit for tonight’s event, what I had picked, would make me blend into the black table cloths. That wouldn’t be cute, to look like I was wearing a table cloth!” I should have clued him in, but I just wasn’t ready for another round about Grayson. “Did you say service for 8, who are the extra folks coming?”
“A couple of the venture capitalist guys have formed a new group. They have bought back into our organization, giving us more funding. I don’t know them, but Phillip has a great relationship and goes way back with these guys. He thought it would be good to have them here tonight.” We finished up with the equipment and I ran home to change.
On the counter was a note from Cooper, on top of three boxes.
Alex, this is a big night for you and a big night deserves an elegant ensemble. Please accept this as a token of what is to come. Just so you know this is compliments of a darling little stylist, Olivia. Here’s her card. And she said to tell you that Ivory is the new BROWN!
Toddles, CR
I opened the larger box and found the most gorgeous ivory boucle’ shift dress and matching, short cropped jacket. The second box had warm mocha/black patent toe-tipped low-heel pumps and the third had an elegant choker made of large black ball beads with earrings to match. I decided a sexy-messy bun was the perfect choice for the elegant ensemble and I rushed to get ready.
By the time I reached the private dining room, the room was already noisy with the men visiting. I found Drew, Phillip, a couple of gentlemen that I didn’t know and Grayson already enjoying the wine. I said hello to everyone, except for Grayson, who was just glaring at me and very
standoffish. I couldn’t read his facial expression, which made me very uncomfortable. I decided to avoid a confrontation with him, since he seemed to be comfortable with everyone else. Therefore, I took my seat across and at the opposite end of the table from him. There was one empty seat next to me, so I assumed a board member did not make it, this was perfect. We were sharing polite conversation and discussing our product line for about 30 minutes. As the servers started taking the dinner orders, the door opens and in walks...
“Hello everyone, I am Grayson Brooks. I am so sorry to be running late. My clinic schedule ran behind.”
Oh no, there are two of them!
Identical twins
...
Chapter 4
I felt the room spinning and fading out, but I couldn’t control or stop what was happening. The next thing I know, I am on the floor coming to and there are a bunch of men staring and hovering over me.
“Alexandra, Alexandra, can you hear me? Do you know where you are? Drew, I need to make sure she doesn’t move or try to get up. Please go see where the ambulance is.” It was Grayson talking, but I couldn’t talk back. I could hear him faintly, but whom, what? Then, life faded again to dreams.
There were a bunch of bright lights shining in my eyes and people scurrying around me. I could feel that I was on something that was moving, but I didn’t know what it was or, more important, where I was!
I started drifting back off to my happy place.
When I woke up, I had a terrible headache and there were machines all around me making noise. The lights were so bright; it hurt to keep my eyes open. I saw Drew and another figure pacing about in the room. I was having double vision and kept seeing Grayson move about. Oh no, wait, it’s not double vision. I remember something, there are two of them. He’s a twin? What the hell? Why didn’t he tell me his identical twin had something to do with PMC? He’s got some explaining to do, but my head hurts too bad to discuss it with him right now.
“Alexandra, are you awake? Do you know what day it is today?" It was Grayson asking me questions and his voice rattled. Opening my eyes, I found him standing beside my shoulder, holding my hand and his hands were nervously twitching.
“Grayson, it is Thursday. I was at our dinner. Where am I and, by the way, you have some explaining to do!”
Drew came up and gave me a big hug. “Alex, I am going to step out to call Phillip and let him and the rest of the guys know that you have regained consciousness. Do you want me to call anyone else?” Ah, Drew, taking on the role of big brother instead of the pain-in-the-ass boss. His voice warm, but I could see frustration in his eyes. I knew I could count on him. I noticed that he was glaring at Grayson or was it the other one?
“Drew, please call Cooper. His number is in my cell and let him know where to come get me. Make sure that you keep it simple or he is going to freak out!” I pleaded.
“Alexandra, you won’t be going home for a few days. You hit your head really hard causing some swelling to the brain and you have a skull fracture. You’ve been unconscious far too long. They need to keep you here for a couple of days. I am sorry angel, but you aren’t going to win this argument!” pausing, “Hey fellas, can you give us some privacy for a few minutes?” And with that, we were quickly alone.
The room was quiet, but there was an intense friction in the air around us.
“Alexandra, I don’t know where to start?”
I decided to interrupt him, “How about some truth Grayson. You are Grayson Brooks I presume; at least I think you are? First, you can start by repeating the last thing you said to me this morning, so that I know I am still talking to the same Dr. STUBBORN. Then you can start to fill in the gaps with nothing but the truth so help you God. Don’t leave anything out, UNDERSTOOD?” My heart was still full of passion, but my brain was on overload with so many questions.
“Alexandra, I am so sorry I walked out on you this morning. I should have understood your desire for privacy, I just felt like you were trying to hide how you feel about me. I know now that we both have lots to discuss about our past, before we would ever be able to make a future.” He was quiet for a few minutes then continued with a serious tone. “Before I get into all of that, I need to fill you in on your condition. You fainted, falling out of your chair, hitting the concrete floor, leaving a really nasty cut behind your ear. I did your sutures, about 14 of them, but they are in your hairline. Which when healed, you will hardly know they exist. However, you stayed unconscious way too long and the CAT Scan shows that you have a little swelling in your brain. Your blood pressure hasn’t been stable, so there is reason to keep you calm. The Neurology team will want another CAT Scan in a few hours. I am not going anywhere. I have cleared my day tomorrow, giving us plenty of time to talk. I promise to bring you up-to-date with my crazy life with Harrison, my twin, and my ex-fiancé’ Olivia, the works.” His voice soft, his hands trembled as he touched me. I could feel his concern for me. However, all the questions reared their ugly head.
“Not so fast Grayson. You have to explain about your twin. You are a twin correct and why is he with my CEO?” I pled to him, just as a nurse came in to recheck my vitals, followed by Drew, Phillip and Grayson’s twin.
The nurse turned to everyone in the room, “Gentlemen, if you don’t mind, I will need some privacy with Ms. Morrison and that includes you, Dr. Brooks!” Grayson tried to balk at the nurse, telling her that he needed a few more minutes, but she ushered them all out. She checked my vitals, took out my catheter, and helped me to the bathroom. She went over my dos and don’ts, expectations and my prognosis. She explained that the neurologist, Dr. Kirk and his team would make rounds after the next CAT Scan and discuss the results of the brain swelling with me.
“Nurse, would it be okay if I could request no visitors except for Drew Crandall and Cooper Roberts? I just want to be alone for awhile.” I asked her, quietly trying to hold back my tears.
“Yes ma’am, if you’re sure about that. I will inform them on my way out that they need to leave. Ms. Morrison, you know Dr. Brooks is going to have a fit when I tell him. How long do you plan to keep him away?”
“Until I am discharged. I don’t want to see anyone else and that includes Dr. Brooks!” Grayson Brooks was about to get a good dish of my stubborn side. If he was going to keep secrets from me, then fine. I just won’t see him! What did his family have to do with my organization? Suddenly, I felt used and I couldn’t imagine why or how this happened.
As the nurse left, I could hear her explaining that visitors were no longer allowed and that they needed to leave. After a few moments, the nurse returned with Drew and Cooper in tow. I could not see or hear Grayson, which was just fine with me. What secrets is he keeping? What does his brother have to do with PMC? I feel like I have been seriously played and I don’t know why. The thoughts just make me even angrier!
“Alex, I filled Cooper in on the events. Can I get you anything, do you hurt anywhere, and do you need something for pain?” I could tell he was all tied up in knots. But all I wanted to do was beg for mercy. I had let him down. What a way to start my career, blowing my first big project planning meeting for a beta site.
“Drew, I am really okay, but I am mortified at the events of the evening. I am so very sorry, how can I make this up to you? It sounds as though I am lucky my injury is slight, but it will be hard to keep me down. I will be back at it just as soon as I break out of this jail tomorrow. Please pull up chairs for you both and start filling me in on the particulars of whom, what and where? It seems that I can’t get a straight answer out of Grayson. And Drew, you can start by telling me what Grayson’s brother’s name is and what the hell does he have to do with PMC?” By now, I am sobbing hysterically.
Cooper reaches for my hand. “Al, you have to calm down. The nurse said we could
only
stay if your blood pressure stayed down. You are at a high risk for a stroke. Anxiety will just make your risks worse. So please, please take some deep breaths and calm down. Otherwise, they will sedate you and kick us out of here.” Cooper gets up in the bed with me and is holding me tight, comforting me to control my sobbing.
Drew takes the opportunity to fill in the blanks for me. “Alex, his name is Harrison, Harrison Brooks. I don’t know all of the details, so forgive me if this gets patchy. I have made some calls and will know more by tomorrow, I am sure of it. Phillip is staying mum. So he either doesn’t know everything or he's afraid to anger the venture capital guys in with Harrison. Their group is currently providing funding for us to continue our daily operations until we are sustainable on our own again. Harrison is an attorney, who made some great dotcom choices years ago and is now quiet wealthy. He is from, and continues to live in Chicago, he attended Northwestern, Alex, and he lived across from the Coffee House where you worked.” Pausing for a moment, then as if he remembered more,
“Harrison and Doc are identical twins. Grayson chose the Army route like his Father. Harrison took the scholarship route. He and Grayson used to be really close like most twins, now they don’t have a relationship at all. I just can’t seem to find out why. Back when Harrison was part of PMC, Grayson must have known that, which would explain why he refused to see myself or Phillip or talk to anyone about our products. He was always such a mystery. Phillip kept close tabs on Grayson and insisted that you continue to work on him. I think partly because Harrison is on the board again and also funding the company to some extent right now. I realize how this all looks at the moment Alex and you feel like you have been played, but I can assure you, I had no idea. Alex, I am so sorry. I didn’t know all of this until tonight, after your accident, or I would have never put you in the middle of this, I mean that!”
I needed time to process all of this. I just wanted to be alone. I began to shudder. I think that the guys could tell I needed to be alone as well. “Al, as soon as they give us the word on the CAT Scan of your hard head, I am taking Drew to the hotel. I will bring your things when I come back. Here is your iPhone and charger. Just so you know, Doc is texting you about every three minutes! You really do need to see him and clear the air, or send him packing, but don’t leave him hanging.”
“I just feel blindsided right now guys, that’s all. I know I have feelings for him. But I can’t deal with him right now and my head is fuzzy. I can't think straight and I am angry that I am a victim to his surprises, unless he didn’t know that Harrison was in town or part of PMC again. After some rest tonight, I want more details tomorrow!”
The guys left and I was alone with my thoughts, but the meds took over and I had drifted off to sleep for what seemed like hours. When I woke up, my head was throbbing. Right in front of me were beautiful flowers all arranged with roses in various fall colors of orange, cream, tangerine, lilies and my favorite little chartreuse button mums. The card simply read: “Please give me a call on my cell. If I hear it ring, I answer it.”
Ah so sweet. That is what I said to him when I left his office the first time and he turned me down for using our products. What should I do? I can’t leave him hanging. Picking up the phone, “Grayson, the flowers are beautiful, and they brighten my room. Thank you for getting them.”
“Alexandra, I
need
to see you.” His voice was almost a whisper, “can I see you?”
“Yes, I will see you,” but before I can finish saying that I would see him in the morning, he was walking through the door. Had he been waiting outside the door this whole time? I begin to shudder and shake a bit, from nerves or possibly medication. Grayson rushed to me. Holding me while trying to discern if I was starting a panic attack or just upset, I am not sure. He was taking deep breaths in my neck and in my hair, drinking me in. He felt so good wrapped around me, cradling me so gently, caressing me, but holding me tightly enough that he made me realize I needed him to touch me, to hold me.
“Grayson, were you outside my door this whole time?”
“Alexandra, I told you I wasn’t leaving. You can’t run me off that easy, although the nursing team has threatened violence against me.” Chuckling, he was trying to lighten the mood a bit. He pulled back slightly, running his finger along the edge of my cheek, down my jaw and over my lips. Surprising me, he leaned in and gave me a long, soft, sweet kiss, just lingering his lips barely on mine for the longest time, just his lips, my
lips, and this chemistry of our breaths flowing through both of us. I could feel the heat of his breath on mine and hear the beat of his heart, racing with me.
“Alexandra, we have lots to talk about, but you have to rest. Your blood pressure is spiking which is very, very serious. So, I will sleep in the chair outside, I refuse to leave you alone and I will be here for you. Tomorrow, when you are better, I will tell you everything, I promise you! Just sleep now, angel, just close your eyes and sleep.”
I could feel my eyelids getting heavy and I tried to fight the sleep, but I couldn’t. I awoke after what seemed like hours to a commotion in my room. The Neurology team was here to take me for the repeat CAT scan, but my blood pressure was still too high. There were so many people in my room barking orders at each other. Grayson, where’s Grayson? I need him here. Cooper is standing in the corner and looks scared to death. I want to yell help me, help me, somebody please help me, but I can’t get my words to come out. I am so frightened.
“Gr...ay...son, I
wannttt
Grayson,” stuttering! Oh no, it’s not stuttering, am I having a stroke?
“Ms. Morrison, please calm down, Dr. Brooks is on his way. He just went over to his office to get some charts, and he will be right back.” I could hear the nurse talking to me, then to someone else. “PAGE DR. BROOKS STAT!”
“Alex, you have to take some deep breaths and relax, you have to.” Cooper looked panicked, scared beyond belief.
Dr. Kirk abruptly spoke to Cooper, “Do you know any of her medical history? We need some answers quickly.”
“I have been her friend for most of her life, ask me and I will give it my best try.”
“Mr. Roberts, do you know if she or anyone in her family has suffered a stroke?”