Consequences (13 page)

For a moment, Claire sat silently contemplating Catherine’s words: rare opportunity? A trust? Intimate side of himself? This wasn’t something she asked for. With all honesty she considered the possibility of bolting from the symphony. Did Catherine expect her to feel honored? She mostly felt . . . well, conflicted.

Catherine insisted that Claire eat a light dinner before dressing. The beaded silk gown with the halter bodice fit like it had been made for Claire. With the Ralph Lauren black high-heeled shoes the dress’ length was perfect. The beading made the material heavier than Claire had anticipated. Watching herself in the mirror, Claire turned ever so slightly and the skirt pitched that direction. It was the most stunning dress Claire had ever seen, much less worn. Next Catherine assisted Claire with a lightweight black silk wrap and matching handbag. Inside the handbag she placed lipstick and powder. There would be people everywhere, remember that
appearances
are everything.

“Ms. Claire, you are striking!” Catherine’s eyes shone in approval. Claire looked at herself again in the mirror. She felt like she was viewing someone else. Tentatively smiling at that person in the mirror, Claire agreed she looked beautiful.

At five fifty they left the suite for the foyer. Instead of the usual route, Catherine took Claire the longer way, forcing them to descend the grand stairs. When they reached the top of the stairs Catherine coughed ever so slightly. She looked up at Claire, taller than her in her heels, and gave her one more reassuring smile. Catherine gestured for Claire to descend the staircase first.

Waiting by the front door, iPhone in hand texting, stood Anthony. He emitted confidence and animal magnetism. His tuxedo, obviously tailored specifically for him, looked exquisite as it accented his broad shoulders. There wasn’t a piece of his dark hair out of place as it was gelled and combed to perfection. His face smooth like he’d recently shaven. Claire couldn’t help but think that he looked incredibly handsome. Following the sound of Catherine’s cough he glanced to the top of the stairs. Suddenly, the business that was demanding his attention appeared to be forgotten. He watched as Claire gracefully descended the flight of steps. As his eyes beheld her every move she wondered if she should smile. She wasn’t sure how he would react. His expression emanated favor. Claire wanted his approval. She told herself she didn’t need it. She was happy with the way she looked, but she knew she wanted it.

Once at the bottom of the stairs she proceeded to Anthony’s side. He didn’t speak at first, then not to Claire but to Catherine, “My dear Catherine, you have outdone yourself. You are an artist.” He bowed to her at the waist.

“Mr. Rawlings, an artist is only as good as her canvas. You are accompanying a beautiful canvas.”

“Or should we say, she is accompanying me.” Now to Claire, “We must go, Eric is waiting.”

If Claire was concerned about conversation topics on the drive to Davenport, she needn’t have been. After assisting Claire into the back of the limousine Anthony once again became engrossed in his iPhone and multitasked with his iPad.

On days he worked from home, Claire was often expected to stay in his office in case her services were required. She overheard many business calls, web conferences, and webinars. Therefore, listening to him discuss some dealings on the phone on the way to the symphony seemed strangely comfortable.

Claire wanted to thank him, tell him how excited she was to leave the house and see something, anything. However, his work preoccupied him throughout the ride. She was busy too, watching out the tinted window, seeing different views and different things. Even the sensation of being in a car exhilarated her. She had never ridden in a limousine. The interior was exquisite and she could smell the soft leather seats that formed a horseshoe.

They approached Davenport as the sky filled with a mixture of pink and purple, like vibrant paints swirled together. Soon it began to darken and the lights of the city illuminated the horizon. It was the most splendid combination of sky and skyline she’d ever seen.

Minutes before their arrival Anthony ceased his business and turned to Claire. “Has Catherine prepared your behavior for the evening as well as she has your appearance?”

Claire thought to herself,
Somewhere
in
that
statement
is
a
compliment.
I’m
going
to
take
it.
“She has given me her advice, but I would feel better if I heard yours.”

“Very well, when we arrive there will probably be photographers. Do not act surprised or shocked by the attention. Just flash a beautiful smile and radiate confidence. Stay next to me at all times. There will be reporters who will try to learn your identity. I have a publicist that will know the time to release any necessary information. That is not you. I will do most of the talking. However, common sense will need to be with you. If spoken to, you will need to respond, but do not share information that is privileged. Do you understand?”

“I do.”

“I have been asked to attend this event because of a donation I made to the Quad City Symphony and the Support the Arts Foundation. Have you ever been to a symphony before?” Claire said that she had not. Anthony continued as the limousine snaked and crawled along narrow streets. Traffic was stop and go. Claire thought this meant they were getting closer. “The symphony is a delightful evening. I believe you will enjoy the music. The conductor is incredibly talented.”

“Thank you, Anthony, for allowing me to join you this evening.”

“I admit you have learned your lessons well. Now it is time to see if you can continue to follow the rules outside the boundaries of my land.”

“I will do my best.”

Anthony gently took Claire’s chin and turned it toward him, “You will succeed. Failure in a public setting is not an option.” Their eyes locked on each other.

“Yes, Anthony. I will continue to follow your rules.” The car slowed and stopped.

Anthony whispered, “Wait for Eric, he will open the door and assist you in getting out. I will be right behind you and we will enter the theater together.”

Catherine said there would be people looking at them and Anthony warned about photographers, but Claire hadn’t expected the
Emmy
red
carpet
treatment. There were cameras everywhere and people shouting questions.

At WKPZ there was a meteorologist, Jennifer, about ten years Claire’s senior. She took Claire under her wing and taught her all about working for a news station. Jennifer was preparing Claire for the cameras prior to the buyout. The stage advice Jennifer gave her about appearance and demeanor proved helpful. She told Claire, “When those cameras turn on and your image transcends people’s living rooms, they don’t care if your dog just died, your boyfriend cheated, or you won the lottery. They care about the weather. So find a mask, keep it polished, and when that red light turns on wear it proudly.” It worked for Jennifer. She retained her position after the buyout.

Eric opened the door. Claire gently swung her legs outside the car and put on her mask. It was the mask of the beautiful face she had seen smiling back at her in the bathroom mirror earlier that evening. Her movements proceeded gracefully and her smile never waned. She diligently followed everyone’s advice.

Anthony exited the car, nodded with a handsome smile to the crowd, and gently placed his hand in the small of Claire’s back. Her nervousness changed to exhilaration as they advanced through the crowd and into the theater. Waiting inside the doors was a man who enthusiastically greeted Mr. Rawlings and escorted them upstairs to a private room. Once there, the reporters were gone, but the people remaining were equally anxious to speak with Anthony Rawlings.

As they mingled, Anthony took two crystal flutes of champagne and handed one to Claire. His voice sounded different, chatty, as he greeted and was greeted by people. He graciously introduced his companion, Claire Nichols, to the individuals and couples they encountered. Claire smiled politely, shook hands, and made small talk. Claire watched the man she’d come to know, he seemed so different. Many people wanted to talk to him and he knew all their names. His social skills captivated her.

After the lights flashed, he gently touched her elbow and led her to their seats. They stepped through the black curtain and Claire could see the entire theater. Anthony had directed her to a private box above and to the right of the stage. They sat and she beheld the magnificent view, the ornate walls, crowds of nicely dressed people, and beautiful velvet curtain. Too quickly the auditorium darkened and the spotlight hit the stage.

A woman with a German accent began to speak. “Before we begin tonight’s performance, I would like to thank everyone for their attendance. I would like to ask you, the audience, to join us at the Quad City Symphony in thanking the one man who made this evening’s performance, as well as future performances, possible, Mr. Anthony Rawlings.”

Suddenly, the spotlight shone directly into their box. The crowd erupted in applause and a standing ovation. Claire watched as Anthony stood and acknowledged the gratitude with a dashing smile and a wave. He sat back down, and with the light still on them, leaned over and took Claire’s hand. She smiled at him, his eyes were so light. The spotlight turned off and the symphony began.

They hardly spoke during the entire performance other than to comment on a musical piece. When not occupied with applauding, Anthony’s hand gently held Claire’s. The entire concert ended too soon. The lights came up and they stood to go. Whispering in his ear Claire thanked him again. It had been more than she could have imagined. He smiled, and gently placing his hand in the small of her back, led her through the crowd to the foyer. Once outside, Eric opened the door of the waiting car and Anthony assisted Claire as she entered the limousine.

The stark contrast in volume left Claire’s ears ringing as the limousine pulled away from the curb. Her mind swirled with thoughts, the evening had been wonderful—the music, the champagne, the people, the theater, everything. They were riding for a few minutes when she realized Anthony hadn’t spoken since they entered the limousine. Her heart rate increased as she contemplated the possibility that he was upset. She told herself that he couldn’t be. She did everything that everyone told her to do. She kept up appearances and let him do most of the talking. She could feel his eyes upon her, but was afraid to turn and face them. The ringing in her ears turned to silence. Completely devoid of sound, silence. She adjusted her new mask and turned. “That was a magnificent evening, thank you again.”

“Do you really think so?” She wondered if he was asking about the symphony or her.

“I do. The music was performed beautifully and you were right about the conductor.” Her pulse quickened, unable to take the suspense any longer. “Did I do all right?”

“What do you think?”

She considered her answer and all he told her. “I think I did well. I listened to Catherine and to you and did well.” She hoped her voice didn’t expose her insecurity.

Anthony didn’t respond but reached into his briefcase. Claire assumed the conversation was now over and he planned to resume work. She decided that if the conversation was over and he didn’t say that she failed, she must have succeeded. She exhaled. Suddenly, he turned to her and extended a square black velvet box. “I believe you did well.” She liked the tone of his voice, it sounded like the man at the theater. “I have told you that every action has a consequence. That can be negative as we have seen, or positive. I believe you earned a positive consequence.”

“Anthony, I don’t need a gift. I wanted to make you proud. If I did that, then I am happy and that is enough.”

“It is a gift, or at least I believe it was. However, it is not new.” Anthony still held the box before Claire. With the running lights illuminating in the cabin she could see his smile, genuine, not cruel or sadistic. “Is it always going to be this difficult to get you to open gifts?”

She took the box. “You have my curiosity peaked, what are you giving me that is old?”

She opened the velvet hinged box. The lump in her throat made her choke, unable to speak. The dainty white gold chain with a pearl on a white gold cross hung on the satin. The surprise overwhelmed her. She only saw the necklace for a millisecond before her eyes filled with tears. She looked at Anthony again, tears trickling down her cheeks. “How did you? Where did you get this? It was my grandmother’s.”

“It was in your apartment in Atlanta when it was cleaned out. I thought you might want to have it. Do you?”

Claire listened to his words. Her apartment had been cleaned out. Where were the rest of her things? She would need to compartmentalize. Right now, she concentrated on her grandmother’s necklace. “Oh yes, I do!”

He asked if he could help her put it on. She nodded yes, a verbal answer wasn’t required. Next he took the box out of her hand and started to remove the satin board. Claire observed his tenderness as he held the fine chain and delicate clasp. She turned away and he draped the necklace around her neck. Taking the compact out of her purse, she watched as the pearl moved up and down to the beat of her heart.